Pathway of Devotion

Love and Hate for the sake of Allah (swt)

2010-04-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Here are ten Statements from the Salaf On Love and Hate for Allah (SWT)’s Sake
These are collected in al-Ghazzali’s ‘Ihya’ ‘Ulum ad-Din’ (2/195 onwards):

1 – ‘Umar bin al-Khattab said:

“If one of you is blessed with affection from his brother, he should hold onto that as tightly as possible, as it is quite rare for one to be blessed with this.”

2 – ‘Umar also said:

“Nobody is given anything besides his Islam better than a righteous friend.”

3 – ‘Ali bin Abi Talib said:

“Tend to your brothers, as they are your sustenance in this world and the next. Do you not hear the saying of the people of Hell: {“Now, we have neither intercessors nor close friends to help us!”} [ash-Shu'ara'; 100-1]?”

4 – ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar said:

“By Allah, if I fasted all day without eating, prayed all night without sleeping, spent all of my wealth in the Path of Allah, died the day I died, but had no love in my heart for those who obey Allah, and no hatred in my heart for those who disobey Allah, none of this would benefit me in the least.”

5 – ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud said:

“If a man were to stand for seventy years worshipping Allah between the Yemeni Corner and the Maqam of Ibrahim (at the Ka’bah), he would still be resurrected on the Day of Judgement with those whom he loved.”

6 – Ibn as-Sammak said, on his deathbed:

“O Allah! You Know that, even if I had disobeyed You, I loved those who obeyed You! So, make this for me a means of nearness to You!”

7 – Mujahid said:

“Those who love each other for Allah’s Sake, when they smile at each other, their sins fall from each other, just as the leaves fall from a tree before the winter.”

8 – al-Ghazzali said, commenting on the saying of the Prophet: “The strongest bond of faith is to love for Allah and to hate for Allah”:

“Because of this, it is a must that a person have those that he hates for Allah’s Sake, just as he has friends and brothers that he loves for Allah’s Sake.”

9 – Abu Hurayrah said:

“The slave will be brought between the Hands of Allah – the Exalted – on the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will Say to him: ‘Did you love one of my awliya’, so that I can join you with him?’“

10 – al-Hasan al-Basri said:

“Being harsh against a fasiq brings you closer to Allah – the Exalted.”

Taken from: http://mustaqeem.wordpress.com/2009/05/25/love-and-hate-for-the-sake-of-allah-swt/

Just a reminder...

2010-03-17T11:30:00.001-07:00

Reminders are awesome :)

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) likes a tolerant man." [Sahih Muslim]

Learn to ignore unpleasant things when they concern your personal likes and dislikes, and are not disobedience of Allah (subhana wa ta'ala). You will find that most of the things you find intolerable are not infringements of Allah's rights but rather related to pleasing or displeasing you. If you notice, hear, or see something, which is unpleasant but can be tolerated, act as though you have not seen it. Be tolerant of the mistakes of others.

http://dailyhadith.adaptivesolutionsinc.com/

The Responsibilities of the Prophet's Ummah

2010-03-04T07:02:00.000-08:00

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

This is a beautiful lecture given by Shaikh Abdullah Hakim Quick. He's so awesome masha'Allah. He just tells it as it is.

All video credits go to khalifaklothing

The Beautiful Names of Allah (swt)

2010-03-02T12:24:00.000-08:00

When I started my blog in 2008, I promised to describe in detail one of Allah's most beautiful names every month. Unfortunately, the last time I did was a year ago! Literally. So insha'Allah, I'll be starting again.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

This month's glorious name is Al-Rahim (The Merciful)

"There is no god but He, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate." (2:163)

Rahim is another attribute, also in the intensive form derived from rahma (mercy). Here, 'mercy' implies pity, patience and forgiveness, all which sinners need. "O My servants who have transgressed against their souls; do not despair of Allah's mercy; surely He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Compassionate." (39:53)

Allah is more merciful than vengeful. In a Hadith, he says, "My mercy surpasses my wrath." (Bukhari, Muslim). In the Hereafter, Allah is All-Compassionate to the believers only. "My mercy embraces all things, and I shall prescribe it for those who are god-fearing." (7:156) Do you think this mother would throw her infant child in the fire? Allah is more merciful to His servants than she is to her child." (Bukhari, Muslim)

Indeed, to be merciful is essential for a Muslim: "The merciful ones will be given mercy by the All-Merciful. Be merciful to those who are on this earth, and the One in heaven will have mercy on you." (Bukhari)

May Allah 'azzawajal make us Muslims who deserve and earn His mercy. Ameen ya Rabb!

Being Generous: A Source of Relaxation

2010-02-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

Taken from: http://iskandrani.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/being-generous-a-source-of-relaxation/

“…The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) was the most generous person in giving away what he owned, and he would never look at something as being either too big or too insignificant to give up for the sake of Allah.

Nobody would ask him for anything except that he gave it to them, regardless of how big or small it was. He gave things away in a way that made it seem that he never feared poverty, and generosity and charity were the most beloved things to him. His happiness and joy in giving something away was more than that felt by those who would accept his gifts. He was the most generous person, and his generosity was like the blowing wind.

If a person in need would approach him, he would always prefer that person to himself. This was sometimes in the form of food, and was sometimes in the form of clothing.

He would have variety in terms of how he would give things away:

Sometimes, he would give it as a small gift, sometimes as charity, and sometimes as a large gift.

He would sometimes buy something from someone then give him back the product itself that he had just paid for, such as what he did with the camel he bought from Jabir.

Sometimes, he would take a loan and then pay back more than he borrowed, or would give back something better or more plentiful than he borrowed.

Sometimes, he would buy something and pay more than its value for it.

He would accept a gift and then repay it with a gift many times more valuable.

This was all done out of his generosity and desire to practice as many types of charity and good as possible.

His charity was in what he possessed, his personality, and his words. He would give whatever he had and command others to give charity and encourage them in this and call to it through his actions and words.

If he saw a stingy person, his mere personality would force that person into being generous and charitable. Whoever interacted with him and accompanied him and observed his lifestyle had no choice but to also be generous and freely giving.

His lifestyle was one of kindness, charity, and goodness. This is why he was the most relaxed of people and the purest and softest of them in heart. Charity and kindness have an amazing effect in bringing about relaxation.

…Kindness to people and helping them through your money, influence, physical help, and other types of kindness is a means of relaxation. The generous and kind person is much more relaxed and purer and softer in heart, while the stingy person who displays no kindness has the tightest chest, the most depressed life, and the most worries and stress.

And the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) gave an example in the ‘Sahih’ regarding the generous and stingy. He likened them to two men wearing metal armor. Whenever the generous person intends to give something in charity, his armor widens and relaxes until it drags and covers his feet. Whenever the stingy person intends to give charity, every ring of his armor stays in place and doesn’t widen or relax at all. So, this is like the relaxation that the charitable believer feels compared to the tightness that the stingy person feels…”

['Zad al-Ma'ad'; 2/22-26]

Ibn al-Qayyim on Love

2010-01-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

Concerning the Desire for Allah and the Signs of the One Who Knows Allah

As for the desire for Allah (raghbah), wanting Him (lit. His Countenance) and yearning for the meeting with Him, then it is the capital of the slave, the foundation of his affair, the basis of his life of goodness, the source of his (true) happiness, success and bliss, and it is the coolness of his eye. For this reason he was created and for it he has been commanded. The messengers have been sent and the books have been revealed also for this purpose. There is no rectification or bliss for the heart unless its desire is solely for Allah, alone, Mighty and Majestic is He. Hence, He alone should be his desire, what he seeks out and his goal. As Allah, the Exalted, has said, “So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allah’s worship. And to your Lord turn your desires and intentions” (Qur’an 94:7-8). And He, the Exalted, has also said, “Would that they were contented with what Allah and His Messenger gave them and had said, ‘Allah is sufficient for us. Allah will give us of His Bounty, and so will His Messenger. We implore Allah’” (Qur’an 9:59).

Those who desire are three types:
Those who desire Allah,

Those who desire what Allah has

And those who desire other than Allah.

So the lover is the one who desires Allah. The one who is concerned with works is the one who desires what Allah has. And the one who is satisfied with this life, in neglect to the Hereafter, is the one who desires other than Him. The person whose desire is for Allah alone, Allah with suffice him from every concern, take on all of his affairs, deflect from him what he is not capable himself to deflect, protect him like the protection of a father to his child and preserve him from all afflictions. And whoever prefers Allah to all others, Allah will prefer him to others. And whoever is for Allah, Allah will be for him where he is not even there for his own self. Whoever knows Allah, nothing will be more beloved to him than Him and no desire will remain in this type of person for anything other than Him, except that which will bring him closer to Him or assist him in his wayfaring to Him.
From among the signs of experiential knowledge (ma’rifah) of Allah is veneration and awe (haybah). As the slave’s experiential knowledge of his Lord increases, so to does his veneration and awe increase. As Allah, the Exalted, has said, “It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah” (Qur’ân 35:28), meaning, those who are knowledgeable concerning Him. And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I am the most knowledgeable of you concerning Allah and I am the most intense in awe and reverence of Him” (Al-Bukhârî and Muslim).
So whoever knows Allah (has ma’rifah) his livelihood will be pure, his life will be sweet, everything will revere him and all fear of created things will leave him. He will find intimacy with Allah and will have an aversion for (common) people. Knowledge of Allah (ma’rifah) will bequeath to him shyness in front of Allah, veneration and reverence of Him, vigilance (concerning His vision), love, trust in Him, turning to Him, pleasure in Him and submission to His ordinances.
It was said to Junayd, may Allah have mercy upon him, “There are a group of people here that claim that they can attain righteousness by leaving all movement.” He responded, “Such ones have spoken of the removal of all action, and this is something very immense. The one who fornicates and steals is in a better state than the one who says that (as far as I am concerned). For verily, those who have experiential knowledge of Allah (the ‘ârifûn) have taken their actions from Allah and they have returned to Allah in them. If I were to live one thousand years I would not decrease in performing righteous works.” He also said, “One who knows Allah does not really know Allah until he becomes like the earth; the feet of the righteous and the unrighteous tread upon him. And (until he becomes) like the rain that waters what it likes and what it doesn’t like.”
Yahyâ ibn Mu’âdh said, “The one who knows Allah leaves this world (at the time of death) and he has not had his fill of two things: crying over his self and yearning for his Lord.” Others have said, “One who knows Allah will not really know Allah until if he is given a dominion like the kingdom of Solomon it would not distract him from Allah for even the blink of an eye.” It has also been said, “The one who knows Allah has found intimacy with Allah and has an aversion for other than Him. He has realized his poverty in front of Allah, so Allah has enriched him from His creation. And he has humbled himself in front of Allah, so He has ennobled him amongst His creation.”
Abû Salymân Ad-Dârânî said, “While (resting) in bed, the one who has experiential knowledge of Allah has openings that do not even come to the one who is standing in prayer!”
Dhun-Nûn (Al-Misrî) said, “For everything there is a punishment. And the punishment of the one who knows Allah (the ‘ârif) is being cut off from the remembrance of Allah.”
In summary, the life of the heart is with Allah and there is no life for it without that, ever. So when the heart is in agreement with the tongue in its dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and the heart is in agreement with what the Beloved wants from it; when he (the servant) belittles the many works and statements that he has made and regards even Allah’s subtle generosity and kindness as great; when he embraces obedience and leaves off disobedience, and has left all of it for the sake of his Beloved, so that nothing of it remains; when his heart has become full with reverence, awe, preference and pleasure in Him and his patience in yearning for Him has reached its last straw; when he cannot find repose except in His remembrance, desire for Him and yearning for the meeting with Him; when he cannot find (true) intimacy except in His dhikr, while maintaining His ordinances and preferring Him to others…Then this, this is the true lover (muhibb).
Junayd said, “I heard Al-Hârith Al-Muhâsibî say: “Love (mahabbah) is your inclination to something with all of your being. Then, your preference to that thing over your own self, your soul and your possessions and wealth. Then, your being in accordance with that thing inwardly and outwardly, privately and publicly. Then, realizing your shortcomings with regards to your love of it.”
It was said, “Love (mahabbah) is a fire that burns in the heart. It burns everything other than what the beloved wants from the lover.” It was also said, “Nay, it is exerting all efforts in pleasing the beloved. And that could never be so until one no longer sees the ‘love’ anymore, but only witnesses the beloved.” It is mentioned in some of the Hadith Qudsi, “My servant, I am, by your right, a lover of you. So, be you, by my right upon you, a lover of Me.”
‘Abdullah ibn Al-Mubarak said, “Whomsoever is given something of love and is not given its equivalent of awe and veneration (khashyah), then he is deceived.”
Yahyâ ibn Mu’âdh said, “A muster seed’s amount of love is more beloved to me than seventy years of worship without love!”
Abu Bakr Al-Kattânî said, “An issue concerning love (mahabbah) came up in Makkah during the days of the Pilgrimage. The sheikhs spoke on the matter. Junayd was present and he was the youngest amongst them. So they said to him, ‘Give us what you have O Iraqi!’ He lowered his head in humility and his eyes shed tears, and he spoke: ‘(How great is) a slave who has left himself, connected to the dhikr of his Lord, upholding His rights, witnessing Him with his heart. The lights of His Essence have burned his heart and his drink is pure from the cup of His pure love. If such a one speaks, it is by Allah. If he utters, it is from Allah. If he moves, it is by the command of Allah. If he remains silent, he is with Allah. So he is by Allah, for Allah and with Allah.’ So the sheikhs cried and said, “There is nothing that can be added to this. May Allah rectify you, O Tâj Al-‘ârifîn (crown of those who know Allah)!”
It was said that Allah revealed to Dawûd, peace be upon him, “O Dawûd, I have made it prohbited (harâm) for the hearts to contain the love of Me and the love of others at the same time.”
Those who know Allah (the ‘ârifûn) have all agreed that love is not acceptable without compliance (with the Sacred Law), so much so that some of them said, “The reality of love is being in accordance with what beloved wants, concerning what pleases him and what makes him angry.” The People (of the Science of Purification; Al-Qawm) have also agreed that love is not acceptable without Tawhîd (belief in the Oneness of Allah).
It was related that there was a man who claimed that he was overwhelmed by the love of a certain person. So one day this certain person said to him (the lover), “How can this be, when my brother over here is much more attractive and more perfect in beauty?!” The man looked over to him and then the person pushed him and said, “Someone who claims that he loves us and then looks at other than us?!”
-Taken from Ibn al-Qayyim's "The Garden of the Lovers and the Excursion of Those Who Yearn". Translated by Khalil Abu Asma, may Allah ta'ala reward him greatly. Ameen.

Hardships as a blessing...

2009-12-04T04:55:00.000-08:00

“In our view, a person does not have an understanding of the religion until he thinks of a hardship as being a blessing, and a comfort and luxury as being a hardship.”
- Sufyan ath-Thawri

Love of Allah

2009-11-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

The love of the Beloved
must be unconditionally returned.

If you claim love
yet oppose the Beloved,
then your love is but a pretence.
You love the enemies of your Beloved
and still seek love in return.

You fight the beloved of your Beloved.
Is this Love or the following of shaytaan?
True devotion is nothing
but total submission
of body and soul
to One Love.

We have seen humans claim to submit,
yet their loyalties are many.

They put their trust here, and their hope there,
and their love is without consequence.

Found in Ibn al-Qayyim's Al-Walaa wal-Baraa.

First 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah

2009-11-16T09:25:00.001-08:00

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the most beloved to Allah.

The Prophet testified to that. He said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” (Bukhaari)

WHAT ACTIVITIES IN THESE 10 DAYS WILL BRING THE REWARD OF JANNAH?

Obviously, Hajj is one of the best deeds that one can do during these ten days. However, for those of us who were not invited to His House this year, there are still many, good deeds that one can do and earn the Pleasure of Allah.

Some of these are:

1) Fast all nine days and especially, the Day of Arafah

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Anyone who fasts for one day for Allah’s pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam) used to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah and he said: “Fasting the Day of Arafah (ninth Dhul-hijjah) is an expiation for (all the sins of) the previous year and an expiation for (all the sins of) the coming year.” (Muslim)

2) Do a LOT of Dhikr and Takbeer

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “There are no days on which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allah than on these ten days”, so recite much Tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah), Takbeer (saying Allahu akbar) and Tahmeed (saying al-hamdu Lillaah).” (Ahmad -Saheeh)

Ibn Umar and Abu Hurayrah used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. (Bukhaari)

Takbeer at this time is a Sunnah. So recite it in the masjid, in your home, on the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allah.

Revive the Sunnah that have been virtually forgotten and earn great rewards for doing so.

The Prophet said: “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Tirmidhi- a hasan hadeeth)

3) Stand in Night Prayers: (Tahajjud, Qiyyam al Layl)

Remember the virtues of spending the night in prayer, and its sweetness in Ramadan?

Why not revive this beautiful act of worship during these nights as well?

Remember, how in the last third of every night, Allah Almighty calls out to us, His servants: Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him? (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Why do we miss this golden opportunity? So, seize the chance and expose yourself to His Divine Generosity and Mercy, ask Him to forgive you and guide you and set things right. He will surely listen.

4) Make Sincere Repentance.

One of the most important action during these ten days is to repent sincerely to Allah and to give up all kinds of disobedience and sin right away because we do not know when we will die and thus become unable to repent, and also because one evil deed leads to another.

But what does repentance mean?

It means that you come back to Allah and give up all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes…. that you regret whatever you did in the past, giving it up immediately and be determined never ever, to return to it, and resolve to adhere firmly to the Truth by doing whatever Allah loves.

“But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.” [Al-Qasas 28:67]

5) Come back to the Qur’an

It is time now to dust off your copy of the Qur’an and return to its refuge. Make it a daily habit, using these 10 days the beginning of a strong and beautiful relationship with it. Read it with meaning, reflect on it, understand it, and then implement it in your daily life. Remember that reading one letter of the Qur’an earns you ten rewards.

In this way, reading Surat Al-Fatihah, which doesn’t take more than two minutes, will give you more than one thousand rewards!

This is on ordinary days, so what about these magnificent days! Certainly the reward will be far greater, Insha’Allah.

6) Increase ALL the types of good deeds.

If we are unable to go to Hajj this year, we should occupy ourselves in the worship of Allah; pray extra prayers (Nafil) recite the Qur’an. Make dhikr of Allah, send salaams on the Prophet, make du’a, give charity, honour your parents, uphold ties of kinship, enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and add other good deeds and acts of worship during these days.

“So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it; And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it.”

[Al-Zalzalah 99:7-8]

7) Get the reward of Hajj wherever you are:

You may be unable to do Hajj this year, and you may feel sad. However, you can get the reward of it right where you are. The Prophet said: “Whoever prays Fajr Prayer in congregation, and then sits and remembers Allah until the sun rises, then (after a while) prays two rakas, he will gain a reward equal to that of making perfect Hajj and Umrah.” [He repeated the word "perfect" thrice.] (At-Tirmidhi)

8) Slaughter an animal and distribute the meat.

Ibn Umar said: The Prophet lived in Madeenah for 10 years and every year he slaughtered an animal.” (Ahmad-Saheeh by al-Albaani)

9) Attend ‘Eid prayers

But remember that ‘Eid prayer is a form of worship and we should avoid unIslamic behaviour (especially) in dress and in etiquette during these times.

10) Thank Allah.

One of the best forms of worshipping Allah subhaanahu wa taala is to thank Him, deeply, sincerely and continuously.

Alhamdulillah, there is much to be gained in these coming days. Hasten to do good deeds and striving hard in worship.

“And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (death).”

[Al-Hijr 15:99]

The Soul of the Son of Adam

2009-11-09T08:39:00.000-08:00

Ibn Qayyim wrote in his highly esteemed book, Al Fawa’id:

“How perfect is Allah! In the soul of man is the pride of Iblis, the jealousy of Qabil, the insolence of the people of ‘Ad, the tyranny of Thamud, the temerity of Namrud, the arrogance of Pharoah, the wrongdoing of Qarun, the trickeries of the people of Sabt, the rebelliousness of Al-Walid, the ignorance of Abu Jahl, and the impudence of Haman.

The soul of man also has many characteristics of beasts. He has the avarice of a crow, the gluttony of a dog, the display of a peacock, the filth of the hog, the malice of the camel, the predatory nature of the lion, the venom of the snake, the frivolity of the ape, the greed of the ant, and the deception of the fox.”

The rigid training of the soul exercises these conditions; however, if one allows any of these traits to linger and prevail, one then becomes akin to the ones cursed by Allah and akin to the beasts possessing lowly characteristics. A person who allows these traits to dominate his soul is not that commodity in the contract described by Allah (The Exalted).

“Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives.” (Qur’an 9:111)

Such a commodity (soul) must be refined by Faith and purified by repentance and attentiveness in worship. the commodity must also be protected from defects or from being destroyed so as to allow the buyer to accept it.

Source: Gems & Jewels by Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Taken from: http://thefitrah.wordpress.com/

Perfume seller or blacksmith?

2009-10-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

A wonderful reminder...

RasulAllah (salAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: The example of a good companion and a bad one is the bearer of musk and the worker on the fires (i.e. blacksmith). A bearer of musk would give you some from him, or you might enjoy the fragrance of his musk. The worker on the fires, on the other hand, might spoil your clothes with sparks from his bellows, or you get a bad smell from him."
[sahih al-Bukhari, vol 3, #314 and Muslim]

Who are the top five people you hang out with? List them. Now look at their qualities and you'll notice that you are a product of the sum of them. Do they have the outstanding qualities that you seek? If not, then it's time to find some bearers of musk that you can truly smell great from.

...Alhamdulillah, I've got a couple o' musk bearers of my own. Ya'll know who you are <3 JazakAllahu khayrun for everything!

Taken from the iPod Application, "Daily Hadith".

Beautiful Excerpt from 'Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship' - by Al Ghazali

2009-10-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

When the time for prayer is at hand,
I make a proper ablution,
go to the spot where I attend to pray
and sit there until all my limbs and organs are in a collected state.

Then I stand up to perform my prayer,
placing the Ka'bah between my brows,
the bridge over Hell beneath my feet,
Paradise to my right
and Hell to my left,
and the Angel of Death behind me,
thinking all the while that this is my final prayer.
Then I stand between hope and fear.

I carefully pronounce "Allahu Akbar!"
Then I recite the Qur'an harmoniously,
bow in humility
and prostrate myself submissively.
I then sit back on my left haunch,
spreading out the left foot,
raising my right foot on the toes.
I follow this with sincerity.
Then I wonder
whether or not
my prayer
has been accepted.

2009-10-15T18:48:00.000-07:00

If you make intense supplication
and the timing of the answer is delayed,
do not despair of it.
His reply to you is guaranteed;
but in the way He chooses,
not the way you choose,
and at the moment He desires,
not the moment you desire.
- Ibn Ata'illah Iskandari
[Al-hikam al-'Ata'iyyah]

“… is such a person not nourished night and day by his Beloved?”

2009-10-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

There is an interesting section of 'Zad al-Ma'ad' (2/33) where Ibn al-Qayyim talks about sawm al-wisal, which is that the Prophet would sometimes fast an entire 24-hour day without breaking his fast. When asked by the Companions why he had forbidden them from doing so while he himself would practice it, he replied: "I am not like anyone of you. During the night, my Lord provides me with food and drink."

Ibn al-Qayyim mentions that there are two interpretations to what the Prophet meant when he said this. The first is that he is literally provided with food and drink, and the second is that he is being nourished spiritually by Allah. The stronger of the two interpretations is the second, because if the Prophet was being provided with actual food and drink, he would no longer be fasting at all, let alone continuously.

He then proceeded with a beautiful exposition of how it is that the servant can be nourished by Allah without eating or drinking anything. Although Ibn al-Qayyim wrote this in regards to the Prophet's continuous fasting, it is something that can actually apply to any fasting person, such as ourselves:

"...and those who have even the slightest bit of experience and longing know how little the body needs much physical nourishment when it is instead provided with the nourishment of the heart and soul, let alone when it comes to the one who is joyous, happy, and victorious because he has reached the One he has sought out, and whose eye is cooled by his Beloved, and feels blessed with His closeness, and is pleased with Him and the bounties and gifts of his Beloved.

And His protection showers him at all times, and his Beloved is constantly tending to his affairs, being as Generous as can be with complete Love towards him - is this not the greatest nourishment for the one who loves his Lord? So, how would it be when love of the Beloved - than Whom nothing is more exalted, and nothing is greater in might, and nothing is greater in beauty, and nothing is more complete, and nothing is greater in kindness - when love of Him fills the heart, and love of him takes over all regions of his heart and limbs, and love of Him is as firmly established as can be?

And this is his condition with the One he loves... So, is such a person not nourished night and day by his Beloved?"

May Allah make us amongst those nourished by the Love of Allah!

Taken from: http://muslimmatters.org/2007/09/21/ibn-al-qayyim-is-such-a-person-not-nourished-night-and-day-by-his-beloved/

2009-10-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

“Someone who turns away in prayer, either with his eyes or his heart, is like a man whom the king summons and seats before him: just when the king starts to call out his name and addresses him, the man turns from him right and left, and his heart turns away. And since his heart is not present, he understands nothing of what the king says to him. What should this man expect from the king in return? At the very least, should he not expect to leave the palace – rejected, cast out and beneath consideration?

This worshipper is in no wise equal to the one whose heart is present, turned in prayer towards God and so aware of the Grandeur of the One before whom he stands that his heart is filled with awe, his head inclines and he would be ashamed before his Lord to face anyone else, or turn away.

About these two prayers, as Hassan bin ‘Atiya said: ‘Two men may offer prayer shoulder to shoulder, and yet between their two prayers lies a gulf as [vast] as that separating Heaven from earth. This is because one of them has his heart turned towards God, while the other is forgetful and heedless.’

Extract: The Invocation of God; Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya; page 26.

Back + New Template

2009-09-28T09:38:00.001-07:00

Assalamu'alaykum wa Rahmatullah!

Insha'Allah this reaches you all in good health.

Wow! I haven't posted for a zillion years. I've been quite busy with school and life in general but alhamdulillah I am back and ready to post!

For those of you who have been following my blog, you've probably noticed that my blog background image had expired. I'm not going to lie, I had noticed but I was too lazy to sign in and change my blog template. When it was brought to my attention again yesterday, I figured it was about time I came back and fixed it. The current template is temporary (I don't really like it!) until I find another one that suits me and the blog :)

For today, I have an excerpt from Ibn al-Qayyim's Madarij al-Salikin. SubhanAllah, it's so true!

The divine decree related to the believer is always a bounty, even if it is in the form of withholding (something that is desired), and it is a blessing, even if it appears to be a trial, and an affliction that has befallen him is in reality a cure, even though it appears to be a disease!

Unfortunately, due to the ignorance of the worshipper, and his transgressions, he does not consider anything to be a gift or a blessing or a cure unless he can enjoy it immediately, and it is in accordance with his nature. If he were only given a little bit of understanding, then he would have counted being withheld from as a blessing, and the sickness as a mercy, and he would relish the trouble that befalls him more than he relishes his ease, and he would enjoy poverty more than he enjoys richness, and he would be more thankful when he is blessed with little than when he is blessed with a lot.

Imam ibn al Qayyim rahimahullah :

Madarij al-Salikin 2/215-216

Lives of the Prophets: Nuh (Noah)

2009-04-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu!

Insha'Allah this reaches you all in a good state of Iman and Ehsan.

I apologize for the delay in posting the parts of this series. It's crunch time for me with respect to school work so I'll be really busy for the next couple of months. But I will try my hardest to update as much as possible. Please keep me in your du'as :}.

-----------

^{...a new messenger}

Nuh was the first "messenger" of Allah. Nuh is also one of the five greatest prophets mentioned in the Quran including: Mohammad, Moosa (Moses), Isa (Jesus), and Ibrahim (Abraham).

Very much like all the other prophets and messengers, Nuh came with the same message.

^{"And indeed we sent Noah to his people, and he said I have come as a plain warner that you worship none but Allah."}

He came with the message of monotheism; to guide people out of the darkness, and to worship one god, the god.

^...unwanted

^{"Oh my Lord, verily I have called my people night and day. Then verily, I called them openly. Then I called to them in public and in private. But all my calling added nothing, but to their flight from the truth.}

Noah tried all methods of preaching and bringing people to their Lord, night and day. He tried every way possible. But the more he tried the more his people ran away from Allah.

^{"And verily, every time I call unto them that you might forgive them. They press their ears and cover themselves in garments. And persistent in their refusal, magnify themselves in pride."}

Whenever he would speak to them about Allah and call them to the right path, they would ignore him, and mock him and be rude and arrogant to him. Yet he did not give up. He was patient with them for 950 years.

^{...virtues of forgiveness}

^{"So I said to them, 'ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, he's all forgiving.'"}

Noah is telling them about the benefits of forgiveness.

^{"And he would send rain to you in abundance. And give you increase in your wealth and children. And bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers."}

This is the result of repentance. Not only will Allah forgive us but he will reward us with his blessings. So we must keep that in mind to never give up hope, if you commit a sin, and we all commit sins, it's never too late to repent. And be sure that Allah will forgive you if you're sincere in your repentance. Even if we feel that we have not committed any sins, we must ask Allah for forgiveness for the sins we committed unknowingly. Even the greatest of the people, Mohammad, peace and blessings be upon him, used to ask Allah for forgiveness night and day. So who are we to not worry about our sins?

^{...the end of dispute}

Nuh had been preaching for 950 years, and he did not give up. He persisted even though he was alone. The people of Nuh, though, gave up.

^{"Oh Noah,you have disputed with us and you prolonged this dispute with us. Now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful."}

They want it to end. They say to Noah that he's been trying to argue with them for too long, and they want proof that what he is saying is correct. They want him to bring them the punishment of Allah for being disbelievers as a proof.

^{"If you seize not, you will surely be among those stoned to death."}

Now they are threatening him. They want him to stop or they will throw stones at him till he dies. So Nuh starts to make a prayer against them.

^{"My Lord, they have disobeyed me, and followed the ones whose wealth and children gave them no increase or loss."

"And it was inspired to Nuh, 'none of your people will believe except those who have already believed"}

Nuh continues his prayer,

^{"O Allah, leave none of the non believers on the face of the earth. If you leave them, they will mislead your servants and they will beget none but wicked disbelievers."}

Nuh is praying to Allah to destroy all non believers because if they survive they will lure the believers back into being non believers, and cause a great deal of trouble.

Allah's commandment came,

^{"And construct a ship, under our eyes, and with our inspiration. And address me not on behalf of those who did wrong, they are surely to be drowned."}

^{...Noah's ark}

Noah started building the ark, then and there. The people would mock him for building a ship where there is no water, on top of a hill.

^{"If you mock at us, so do we mock at you likewise, for your mocking. And you will know who it is on whom will come a torment that will cover him with disgrace and on whom will come a lasting torment."}

They would mock him day by day as he constructed the ship that Allah had commanded him to construct. He was patient, and he told them, you can mock at me but the punishment of Allah will fall upon you soon.

^{"And it was till then came our command. The springs of earth started gushing water. And rain started falling from the sky."}

Allah commanded Nuh to take his family and the believers, and take with him a pair of all animals. Nuh hopped on board.

Muslim scholars say that the number of Nuh's followers ranges between 7 and 80. The maximum number of people who believed in Islam over the 950 years that Nuh's had been preaching was 80. Nuh had tremendous amount of patience, he kept on going until they gave up.

^{...the flood}

^{"The ship sailed with him, amidst waves like mountains."}

Imagine waves high as mountains. Tsunami would not be the appropriate term to describe these waves because tsunamis are much smaller. We're talking waves as high as 1000 or 2000 feet. How did Noah's ship survive these large waves? Even the biggest U.S. aircraft carier cannot sustain these waves. It was not the ship that saved Noah and his people from the flood. It was the mercy of Allah. Noah just built the ark to fulfill Allah's command. It is the will of Allah that saves us from tragedies.

Nuh is on his ark and he sees his son trying to survive.

^{"Oh my son, embark with us and don't be with the non believers."
"I will seek refuge in a mountain that will save me from this water."
"There's nothing that can save you on this day except the mercy of Allah."

"...And waves separated them and he drowned."}

Nuh's son drowned, right in front of his own eyes, because he chose to disbelieve. It was a very tragic scene. But again, it was the tremendous patience and faith in Allah that kept Nuh firm on the commandment of Allah.

^{...a new beginning for the family}

^{"Rain stopped from the sky and Allah commanded the earth to swallow the water."}

The ark landed on a mountain called Judi. When everything settled. Nuh asked Allah, inquiring about his son, because Allah said 'your family will be saved'.

^{"Oh my Lord, verily my son is of my family, and certainly your promise is true and you are the most just."}

Often times we give words certain meanings but Islam gives it a new definition. For example "family". Allah says, "Oh Nuh, surely he is not of your family. Verily, his work is unrighteous." Upon hearing that, Nuh realizes that by family Allah meant the believers. Us believers are like a one big family. We must look out for each other and take care of them when they are in need. It is an essential part of Islam to care about the well being of others.

Nuh asked Allah for forgiveness due to his ignorance,

^{"Oh my Lord, I seek refuge in your from asking you that of which I have no knowledge. And unless you forgive me and have mercy on me, I will indeed be of the losers."}

And in the next verse Allah says to Mohammad, peace and blessings be with him.

^{"This is the news of the unseen which we reveal to you. Niether you not your people knew it before. Be patient! Verily, those who fear Allah will be successful."}

---

Nuh won. After 950 years! And he wouldn't have won if he didn't have patience.

I pray to Allah to give us all patience to deal with our problems and issues. And make us among the best of people; the people of heaven.

Surely all that's good in this essay is from Allah, and all error is from my own self.

I apologize to you if I have said anything to offend you. And I ask Allah for forgiveness if I have said anything incorrect.

Lives of the Prophets: Sheeth and Idris (Enoch)

2009-03-17T19:58:00.001-07:00

Sheeth, peace be upon him, was of the prophets who was not mentioned in the Quran. We only know of him through one hadith, of prophet Mohammed, peace and blessings be upon him.
^{"Allah has revealed 104 scrolls, 50 of them on Sheeth."}
Some of the Islamic scholars have mentioned that Sheeth was one of the sons of Adam, and Adam gave him the responsibility to carry out the message when he was passing away.

Other than that, we have no knowledge of who he was, what he did, or anything.

---

Idris (Enoch) peace be upon him, is believed to have come before Nuh (Noah) and after Adam. Allah mentions about him in the Quran:

^{"And remember in the book Idris. He was truthful and he was a prophet. And we (Allah) elevated him to a high level."}

From these verses we know that he was a great prophet, who Allah had elevated to a high level, meaning his status in society and in front of Allah.

And that is all we know of Idris, peace be upon him.

Lives of the Prophets: Adam

2009-02-04T06:51:00.000-08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu!

Insha'Allah, you are all in a state of good health and Iman.

For the next couple of posts, I will be sharing the work of a very talented brother. TabarkAllah, his knowledge and writing skills leave me speechless and waiting for more. Insha'Allah, keep him in your dua's :)

I would like to share with you the stories of the great Prophets, may they be in peace.

Allah relates the best of stories in the Quran through Mohammad, may he be in peace, to us. Why? Not for our entertainment. Allah wants us to know these stories so that we may reflect and ponder; so we learn from them, from the mistakes of their people, so we don't fall in the same ditch as their people did. By analyzing their lives, we can get guidance from them, since they were the most guided people. If we do not know about someone, how can we love him/her? And if we do not love the prophets, how can we be good Muslims? We cannot appreciate someone if we do not know what they did, and what kind of calamities they faced.

In short, the reason I decided to share the stories with you is so we can love and respect them more and learn from their lives.
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Lives of The Prophets: Adam (as)

...prelude

How did all of this happen? How did it start?

"In the beginning, there was Allah. Nothing before him. His throne was on water. He wrote down in the tablet everything. And then he created the heavens and the earth."

"The first thing Allah created was the pen, and he ordered it to write, and it wrote everything that will happen until the day of resurrection."

These are a couple of ahadith (sayings) of Prophet Mohammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Both signifying the events that took place before the creation of heavens and the earth. Before the heavens and the earth was created, Allah had already planned and written down in the preserved tablet what will happen in the heavens and the earth.

Our fate is sealed. Often times we worry about our wealth; we worry about tomorrow; paranoid; how will we make it in the future, we think.

"Allah wrote down the sustenance of the creation 50,000 years before he created the heavens and the earth."

Prophet Mohammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is telling us to not worry about our wealth, our income, our sustenance, because it has already been prescribed for us long before we came into this world. And we will get our share one way or another. Why must we worry ourselves to death about that which is not in our control? It makes very little sense.

...two other beings

Before Adam was created, there was already 2 creations living in heavens and the earth. Namely (1)angels, and (2)jinns.

1. Angels are created from light. They are very different from humans, unlike the jinns. Angels do not have the ability to choose from right and wrong. They can only do good, and are unaware of evil. They are the all-righteous beings, with very little intellectual abilities.

2. Jinns are created from fire. They are very much like humans. They can choose between right and wrong. Because jinns are created from fire, they are often referred to as "energy beings". Which means that they are not bound by this 3-dimensional world. They exist among us within our world, but we cannot see them because they do not have a physical appearance. However, they can take form of 3-dimensional objects, both animate and inanimate (among various other extraordinary things they can do).

2a. Iblis is a special character in the story of Adam. I decided to mention him separate from angels and jinns, because he was a jinn, who was so pious that Allah had elevated him to the level of the angels and he used to live in the heavens with the angels.

These 2 creations had been living in the heavens and earth for eons. Then Allah created Adam.

...Adam moulded out of clay

Adam, unlike the other 2 energy-beings, was created from earth. He was created from dirt that ALlah picked up from different parts of the world, Allah mixed it with water and it became mud, then it was left to dry to become clay. Adam was honoured such that Allah moulded his form with his own hands. He was moulded in his adult form as he was, and he didn't go through the process that all other human beings have to go through. The process of a single cell, creating tissues and organs, forming an embryo, then a fetus and then finally a baby.

[Just as a side note, I would like to take a moment to elaborate on this point and the significance of Adam being created in his adult form. The fact that Adam was created in his adult form clearly opposes the theory of evolution. Theory of evolution states that all things, objects and living beings were created from a single cell which evolved into the form that it is in today. That is, man was an ape-like creature before it was finally evolved into a human. Whereas Allah crealy says in the Quran that he created Adam with his own hands in his adult form.

I would also like to mention that although Islam opposes the theory of evolution, it doesn't discard all aspects of it; it approves of some, and disproves of some. For example, the theory of evolution states that species have the ability to adapt to the environment, and can change drastically over time, and Islam hsa no argument against that. Species can adapt to the environment because Allah has given them the ability to do so.

There are many other examples of how Islam proves and disproves the theory of evolution, but we will get into that at another time in another journal.]

...superiority over angels

Allah, the most glorious, told the angels that he will place on the world humans. The angels replied, "will you place therein those who will cause mischief and shed blood therein, while we glorify you with praises and thanks?" Allah told them, "I know what you know not."

Allah blew the soul into Adam's hollow clay body, and brought him to life. Adam sneezed, and said "All praises be to Allah". Allah said, "The mercy of Allah be upon you". The first thing he received as soon as he was brought to life was the mercy of Allah, the all-merciful.

Allah told Adam to go to the angels and say "peace be with you all", so he did. And the angels replied, "peace be with you too, and the mercy and blessings of Allah". Allah said to Adam, "this is your greeting and the greeting of your descendants". Allah has taught us the greeting, "peace be with you" from the beginning through our forefather Adam, and this is the greeting that we must use when we meet each other. We must spread peace among one another before we say anything else.

...Iblis' rebellion

When Adam was created, Allah told everyone in the heavens to bow down to Adam. So they all did, except for Iblis. He was driven by pride to rebel against the will of Allah. He said that he will not bow down to Adam because he is superior to Adam. He said, "You created me from fire, and you created him from clay". Thus Iblis was cast down from heaven and was labeled a disbeliever.

It was then Iblis made a promise to Allah that he will lead astray as many humans as possible just to prove to Allah that man is a weak creation. He prayed to Allah to let him live till the last day, and Allah granted his wish, fulfilled his prayer.

[Another side note... prayer is very important and holds a great deal of value in the eyes of Allah. Allah tells us to ask from him, and it is guaranteed that he will give it to us. All we have to do is ask. If we do not ask for whatever reason, whether we are lazy to pray, or we feel that we are not in need of anything, how can Allah give us. Sometimes we feel that Allah does not answer our prayers, that is wrong. Because Allah has guaranteed us that he will answer our prayers. If not in this life, then in the next life (which is better for us). Allah even answered the prayers of Iblis even after his rebellion. So what makes us think our prayers are not being heard?]

...the covenant

"And remember when your Lord brought forth the children of Adam, and made them testify themselves saying, 'am I not your Lord?' and they said, 'yes, we testify'. Thus you should not say on the day of resurrection, 'verily, we have been unaware'"

When our souls were created, before we were sent down on Earth in our bodily form, we had made an agreement with Allah. We witnessed for ourselves that we believe in Allah alone. Thus every child is born a Muslim, but it's his surroundings that change him into who he grows up to be.

...along comes Eve

Allah created Eve, out of Adam. When they both were created, Allah sent them off to live in the heavens, where they had everything to themselves, except for one tree.
"O Adam, live you and your mate in heaven. And eat from it where ever you want. But do not touch this tree."

The command was simple: do whatever you please, but stay away from 'this tree'. So how can such a great person commit a mistake of eating from that tree then? It was an innocent mistake on Adam's part, if we look at it. He didn't know any better. It was his first experience with the "devil" and he didn't know what would happen. And he didn't just bluntly ate from that tree just to disobey Allah. Iblis tricked him into eating from this tree. Shall I tell you about a tree that will give you infinite life, eternity. And will give you greatest kingdom that will never end?"
Iblis lured him into committing this sin by telling him lies about eternal life and power and wealth. He knows our weak points, and that's where he attacks us from. We must remember to never give into our desires when it comes to religion because it is the devil trying to lure us into committing sins. This experience was a lesson for all of us to learn from.

...home sweet home

Allah told Adam and Eve to get down to Earth. And told them that this dwelling place will be for you for a short period of time. Our forefather, Adam, was from heaven, and that's where we belong. We need to realize that. We must not get too attached to this world. We belong in heaven, and we must not give it up for this temporary world.

And Adam was told by Allah words (prayers to say) and he forgave him. Verily he is the one who forgives.
"Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If you forgive us not and bestow not upon us your mercy. We shall certainly be of the losers."

A great prayer that we all need to learn and memorize and use. We have all committed sins, and we all seek forgiveness! May Allah guide us all to the straight path. May he accept us and our good deeds, and forgive us of our sins.

Last but not least, I would like to apologize if I have offended anyone in anyway.

May Allah (swt) reward us all with Jannat-ul-Firdaws. Allahuma ameen.

Ma'asalaama (:

I'm Back!

2009-01-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

My most sincere apologies to do those who frequent my blog often. I've been so busy these past few months, I'm surprised I had time to breathe! But alhamdulillah, I'm back and I will make it up insha'Allah with a series of articles on Purification of the Soul.

Purification of the Soul - Sincerity

Compiled from the works of Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Ibn Al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya, and Abu Hamid al-Ghazali.

Sincerity is the freeing of one's intentions from all
impurities in order to come nearer to Allah. It is to
ensure that the intentions behind all acts of worship and
obedience to Allah are exclusively for His pleasure. It is the
perpetual contemplation of the Creator, to the extent that one
forgets the creation.

Sincerity is a condition for Allah's acceptance of good
deeds performed in accordance with the sunnah of the
Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah has
commanded this in the Qur'an:

"And they have been commanded to worship only
Allah, being sincere towards Him in their deen
and true. (98:5)"

Abu Umama has related that a man once came to the
Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and
said, "What of a man who joined us in the fighting, his
intention being for fame and booty?" The Prophet said, "He
recieves nothing." The man repeated the question three times and
each time the Prophet said, "He receives nothing". Then he said,
"Allah only accepts actions that are intended purely for His
pleasure."(1)

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri related that the Prophet (saw) said
in his khutba during the farewell pilgrimage, "Allah
will bless whoever hears these words and whoever understands
them, for it may be that those who pass on this knowledge are
not those who will understand it the best. There are three
things concerning which the heart of a believer should feel no
enmity or malice: devoting one's actions to Allah, giving
counsel to the Imams of the Muslims, and being loyal to the
majority."(2)

What is meant here is that these three things strengthen
the heart, and whoever distinguishes himself in them
will have a heart purified from all manner of deceit, corruption
and evil.

A servant can only free himself from shaytan through
sincere devotion, for Allah tells us in the Quran that
Iblis said to Him:

"Except those of Your servants who are sincere.
(38:83)"

It has been related that a rigtheous man used to say, "O
self, be devout and you will be pure." When any wordly
fortune, in which the self finds comfort and towards which the
heart inclines, intrudes upon our worship, then it impairs the
purity of our efforts and ruins our sincerity. Man is
preoccupied with his good fortune and immersed in his desires
and appetites; rarely are his actions or acts of worship free of
temporary objectives and desires of this kind. For this reason
it has been said that whoever secures a single moment of pure
devotion to Allah in his life will survive, for devotion is rare
and precious, and cleansing the heart of its impurities is an
exacting undertaking.

In fact, devotion is the purifying of the heart from all
impurities, whether few or many, so that the intention of
drawing nearer to Allah is freed from all other motives, except
that of seeking His pleasure. This can only come from a lover
of Allah, who is so absorbed in contemplation of the next world
that there remains in his heart no place for the love of this
world. Such a person must be devote and pure in all his actions,
even in eating, drinking and answering the calls of nature.
With rare exceptions, anyone who is not like this will find the
door of devotion closed in his face.

The everyday actions of a person who is overwhelmed by
his or her love for Allah and the akhira are
characterised by his love and they are, in fact, pure devotion.
In the same way, anyone whose soul is overwhelmed by love for
and preoccupation with this world, or status and authority, will
be so overwhelmed by these things that no act of worship, be it
prayer or fasting, will be acceptable, except in very rare
cases.

The remedy for love of this world is to break the
worldly desires of the self, ending its greed for this
world and purifying it in preparation for the next world. This
will then become the state of the heart and sincere devotion
will become easier to attain. There are a great many actions
where a man acts, thinking they are purely intended for Allah's
pleasure, but he is deluded, for he fails to see the defects in
them.

It has been related that a man was used to praying in
the first row in the mosque. One day he was late for the
prayer, so he prayed in the second row. Feeling embarrassment
when people saw him in the second row, he realised that the
pleasure and satisfaction of the heart that he used to gain from
praying in the first row were due to his seeing people seeing
him there and admiring him for it. This is a subtle and
intangible condition and actions are rarely safe from it. Apart
from those whom Allah has assisted, few are aware of such
delicate matters. Those who do not realise it only come to see
their good deeds appearing as bad ones on the Day of
Resurrection; they are the ones referred to in Allah's words:

"And something will come to them from Allah
which they
had never anticipated, for the evil of their
deeds will become apparent to them. (39:47-48)"

And also:

"Say: Shall We tell you who will lose most in
respect of their
deeds? Those whose efforts were astray in the
life of this world, while they thought that
they were doing good works. (18:103-104)"

Yaqub said: "A devout person is someone who conceals
things that are good, in the same way that he conceals
things that are bad."

As-Sousi said: "True devotion is to lose the faculty of
being conscious of your devotion; for someone who
identifies devotion in his devotion is a person whose devotion
is in need of devotion." To contemplate devotion is to admire
it, and admiration is an afflication; and that which is pure is
whatever is free of all afflictions. This means that one's deeds
should be purified from any self-admiration concerning the
actions they entail.

Ayyub said: "It is much harder for the people of action
to purify their intentions than it is to execute any of
their actions."

Some people have said: "To be devout for a short while
is to survive for ever, but devotion is rare."

Suhail was asked: "What is the most difficult thing for
the self? He said: "Devotion, when the self does not
have the good fortune of being endowed with it."

Al-Fudayl said: "Forsaking action for the sake of other
people is to seek their admiration. To act for the sake
of their admiration is to associate others with Allah. Devotion
is when Allah frees you from both of these states.

Insha'Allah, keep our Palestinian brothers and sisters in your du'as.

Ma'asalaama (:

Notes: 1. Sahih, an-Nisa'i, Kitab al-Jihad, 6/25; al Hafidh ibn
Hajar, Fath al-Qadir, 6/28. 2. Sahih, Ibn Ma'jah; also Ibn
Hibban, Marwarid adh-Dham'an, p.47, on the authority of Zaid ibn
Thabit.

15 Tips on Earning Rewards from Allah (swt)

2008-11-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Insha'Allah this reaches you in good health.

I came across this wonderful article. May Allah (swt) reward the brother who wrote it immensely. Allahuma ameen.

15 Tips to Earning Rewards from Allah

1- Avoid Things that Allah has forbidden, including the great sins as well as continually performing the lesser sins, and perform what Allah orders us to perform: The prophet peace be upon him said: "Allah has recorded the good deeds and the evil deeds. Then he made them clear: He who has intended a good deed and does not do it, Allah writes it down with Him as a performed good deed; but if he intends it and does perform it; Allah records for him from ten good deeds to seven hundred times that or more than that. If he intends to do an evil deed and does not do it, then Allah writes it down as a good deed; but if he intends an evil deed and performs it, Allah records it as one evil deed" (Sahih Al-Jami)

2- Reciting the Quran and pondering over it's meanings: The Prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever recites one word from the Book of Allah will be rewarded for a good deed and ten more like it; and I don't say that Alif Lam Mim is a word but Alif is a word and Lam is a word and Mim is a word" (Alif Lam Mim is 3 Arabic Characters.)

3- Guiding people to righteous deeds: The prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever guides one to a good thing will get the same reward as the person who performs the deed" (Sahih Al-Jami)

4- Enjoining good and eradicating evil: Allah revealed in the Quran, {Those of the children of Israel who went astray were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, son of Mary. That was because they rebelled and used to transgress. They restrained not one another from the wickedness they did. Verily, evil was that they used to do} (Al-Maida:78)
This is one of the obligatory duties that many people fail to perform today. Due to this reason, sins are being committed openly and without shame and no one is saying anything about them. The prophet peace be upon him said, "If the people see an evil deed and they do not change it, then Allah may inflict them all with a punishment".
Allah says in the Quran: "And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another, they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong .. "

5- Supplications to Allah: It's the best act of worship as the Prophet peace be upon him said, "The most virtuous act of worship is supplication" (Sahih Al-Jami). It's very important to be certain that Allah will answer your supplication, the Prophet peace be upon him said: "There is no Muslim on this earth who supplicates to Allah except that Allah will give him what he asked or He will remove some evil from him, as long as he does not supplicate for something evil or as long as he does not supplicate for cutting of the ties of kinship and as long as he does not become impatient and say, 'I supplicated and supplicated and I was not responded to'"

6- Marrying religious women: The prophet peace be upon him said, "A woman is married for her religion, wealth or beauty; marry the religious women and you will prosper". He also said, "A thankful heart, a tongue that remembers Allah and a pious wife that helps you in your worldly and religious matters, is better than what the people are amassing" (Sahih Al-Jami)

7- Bringing up pious children and training them to have good Islamic character: The prophet peace be upon him said, "A man will be raised some degrees in Paradise and he will say, 'For what reason am I receiving this ?' He will be told, 'Because of your son asking forgiveness for you'"

8- Having good manners and character: The prophet peace be upon him said, "The most beloved of you to me and the closest of you to me in the Hereafter are those of you who have the best manners; the most hated of you to me and farthest from me in the Hereafter are those of you who have the worst manners, those who speak and do not even care about what they are saying" (Sahih Al-Jami), and he also said, "The person of good manners will get the same reward as the person who prays during the night and fasts during the day" (Sahih Al-Jami).

9- Performing many voluntary prayers: This is particularly beneficial during the last third of the night in which the gates of the heavens are opened and the supplications are responded to. The prophet peace be upon him said, "Allah waits until one half or two-thirds of the night has passed and He says, 'My slaves, shall ask from no one except Me. Whoever asks from Me, I shall respond to him. Whoever asks Me for something, I will give it to him. Whoever asks for my forgiveness, I shall forgive him. And this continues until the dawn" (Sahih Al-Jami).
Similarly, performing the Sunnan prayers, is also a way of gaining Allah's pleasure and reward. These Sunnan prayers are two rakats before the dawn obligatory prayer, four before the noon obligatory prayer and four after it, two after the sunset prayer and two after the night prayer and the witr prayer.

10- Being obedient and respectful to one's parents: This is one of the greatest ways to attain Allah's pleasure and reward. Allah mentions worshipping Him together with obeying one's parents. Allah says in the Quran, "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him, and that you show kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain to old age with you, say not 'File' unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word. And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy and say, 'My Lord, have mercy on them both as they did care for me when I was little'" (Al-Isra)

11- Jihad in the way of Allah: A hadith of the Prophet peace be upon him says, "Being on guard in the way of Allah for one month is better than perpetual fasting for a year. Whoever dies while guarding in the way of Allah will be safe from the great frightening. And he will be provided his provisions, and smell the scent from paradise, and receive the reward of the one who guards until Allah resurrects him" (Sahih Al-Jami)

12- Remembering Allah at all times: The prophet peace be upon him stated that Allah said, "I am as My slave thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself. I make mention of him to Myself and if me makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it." (Al-Bukhari).

13- Speaking the truth and not fearing punishment of anyone: The prophet peace be upon him, "The leader of the martyrs is Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib and a person who faces an unjust ruler and advises him to do good and he is killed because of his speech" (Sahih Al-Jami)

14- Giving charity and spending in the way of Allah: Allah says in the Quran, "Those who spend their wealth by night and day, privately and publicity, verily their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve" (Al-Baqara 274). And Allah also says, "And spend of that which We have provided you before death comes to one of you and he says, 'My Lord if only You would reprieve me for a little while, then I would give alms and be among the righteous.' But Allah reprieves no soul when its term comes, and Allah is aware of what you do" (Al-Munafiqoon).

15- Learning the beneficial knowledge: One should learn that knowledge that will benefit him in the Hereafter and act by it in order to be a good example for others. The authentic knowledge is the one that is based on Quran and Sunnah.

Insha'Allah keep your Muslim brothers and sisters in your du'as.

Ma'asalaam (:

Source: Al-Basheer Magazine
Written by: Jamal Zarabozo (Modified by IslamWay Team)

2008-11-17T19:21:00.000-08:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah.

People believe the radiation from mobile phones, blue tooth headsets and phone masts can cause cancer, know that the radiation of wealth can kill off the spirituality of the heart! [Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq]

I'd like to bring this amazing blog to your attention: http://s-stranger.blogspot.com/
Masha'Allah, the sister that runs this blog is such a pious and devoted Muslimah and I felt the need to 'spread the word'. So insha'Allah, please do visit her blog, check out her breath-taking Islamic Wallpapers, or just say hello to her.

Until next time, insha'Allah,

ma'asalaam (:

Air Janazah - are you ready?

2008-10-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

Get a free trip on Air Janaza

When we are leaving this world for the next one, it shall be like a trip to another country. Where details of that country won't be found in glamorous travel brochures, but in the Holy Qur'aan and the hadith. Where our plane won't be British Airways, Gulf Air,PIA, or American Airlines, but Air Janazah. Where our luggage won't be the allowed 23 kgs, but our deeds no matter how heavy they weigh.

You don't pay for excess luggage. They are carried free of charge. With your Creator's compliment. Where our dress won't be a Pierre Cardin suit or the like but the white cotton shroud Where our perfume won't be Chanel,Paco Rabanne, but the camphor and attar. Where our passports won't be British, French, Pakistani or American but Al Islam.
Where our visa won't be the 6 months leave but the "La Illaha Illallah.." Where the air hostess won't be gorgeous females but Isra'iil and its like Where the in-flight services won't be 1st class or economy but a piece of beautifully scented or foul smelling cloth. Where our place of destination won't be Heathrow Terminal 1, Islamabaad or Riyadh International Terminal but the Qabarastaan. Where our waiting lounge won't be nice carpeted and air-conditioned rooms but the 6 feet deep gloomy Qabar. Where the Immigration Officer won't be Her Majesty's officers but Munkar and Nakir.They only check out whether you deserve the place you yearn to go.

Where there is no need for Customs Officers or detectors. Where the transit airport will be Al Barzaakh. Where our final place of destination will be either the Garden under which rivers flow or the hell Fire.

This trip does not come with a price tag. It is free of charge. So your savings would not come handy This flight can never be hijacked so do not worry about terrorists. Food won't be served on this flight so do not worry about your allergies or whether the food is Halal.
Do not worry about leg room; you won't need it, as your legs will become things of the past. Do not worry about delays. This flight is always punctual. It arrives and leaves on time. Do not worry about the in-flight entertainment programme because you would have lost all your sense of joy. Do not worry about booking this trip, it has already been booked the day you became a fetus in your mother's womb.

Ah! At last good news! Do not worry about who will be sitting next to you. You will have the luxury of being the only passenger. So enjoy it while you can. If only you can!
One small snag though, this trip comes with no warning.

ARE YOU PREPARED?

Jewish Rabbi in Yathrib

2008-10-16T07:11:00.000-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Baraktuhu,

May this reach you all in good health, insha'Allah.

Well, it's been a while since I last posted which was, sometime around 'Eid. Soo, I'll make a comeback with this story taken from Qisas.com. [Don't forget to visit this site insha'Allah, as well as it's sisters sites Sacred Hadith and Drops of Wisdom]

A Jewish rabbi in Yathrib
By Abdul Basit

Al-Husayn ibn Sailam was a Jewish rabbi in Yathrib who was widely respected and honoured by the people of the city even by those who were not Jewish. He was known for his piety and goodness, his upright conduct and his truthfulness.

Al-Husayn lived a peaceful and gentle life but he was serious, purposeful and organized in the way he spent his time. For a fixed period each day, he would worship, teach and preach in the temple.

Then he would spend some time in his orchard, looking after date palms, pruning and pollinating. Thereafter, to increase his understanding and knowledge of his religion, he would devote himself to the study of the Torah..

In this study, it is said he was particularly struck by some verses of the Torah which dealt with the coming of a Prophet who would complete the message of previous Prophets. Al-Husayn therefore took an immediate and keen interest when he heard reports of the appearance of a Prophet in Makkah.

He said: "When I heard of the appearance of the Messenger of God, peace be on him, I began to make enquiries about his name, his genealogy, his characteristics, his time and place and I began to compare this information with what is contained m our books. From these enquiries, I became convinced about the authenticity of his prophethood and I affirmed the truth of his mission. However, I concealed my conclusions from the Jews. I held my tongue...

Then came the day when the Prophet, peace be on him, left Makkah and headed for Yathrib. When he reached Yathrib and stopped at Quba, a man came rushing into the city, calling out to people and announcing the arrival of the Prophet. At that moment, I was at the top of a palm tree doing some work.

My aunt, Khalidah bint al-Harith, was sitting under the tree. On hearing the news, I shouted:

'Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! (God is Great! God is Great!' When my aunt heard my takbir, she remonstrated with me: 'May God frustrate you...By God, if you had heard that Moses was coming you would not have been more enthusiastic.' 'Auntie, he is really, by God, the 'brother' of Moses and follows his religion. He was sent with the same mission as Moses.' She was silent for a while and then said: 'Is he the Prophet about whom you spoke to us who would be sent to confirm the truth preached by previous (Prophets) and complete the message of his Lord?' 'Yes,' I replied.

Without any delay or hesitation, I went out to meet the Prophet. I saw crowds of people at his door. I moved about in the crowds until I reached close to him. The first words I heard him say were:

'O people! Spread peace...Share food...Pray during the night while people (normally) sleep... and you will enter Paradise in peace...' I looked at him closely. I scrutinized him and was convinced that his face was not that of an impostor. I went closer to him and made the declaration of faith that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. The Prophet turned to me and asked: 'What is your name?' 'Al-Husayn ibn Sailam,' I replied.

'Instead, it is (now) Abdullah ibn Sallam,' he said (giving me a new name). 'Yes,' I agreed. 'Abdullah ibn Sailam (it shall be). By Him who has sent you with the Truth, I do not wish to have another name after this day.'

O Allah! Render the thoughts and inclinations within our heart, to be Your fear and remembrance, and let our endeavours and desires be devoted to what You love and appreciate. Allahuma Ameen.

Insha'Allah make du'a for me :)

Ma'asalaam

'Eid Sa'eed!!

2008-10-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Du'as for Forgiveness

2008-09-24T08:50:00.001-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

As we go into the final days of Ramadan (*tear*) one will find the following very useful:

Du'as for Forgiveness
complied by mutmainaa

O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you.
[hadith Qudsi]

Sayyid al-Istighfar - Master supplication for forgiveness

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا أَنْتَ

Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa Anta Khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana ‘ala ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu, A’udhu bika min Sharri ma sana’tu, abu’u Laka bini’matika ‘alaiya, wa Abu’u Laka bidhanbi faghfirli fainnahu la yaghfiru adhunuba illa anta

O Allah! You are my Lord! None has the right to be worshiped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You.

Shaddad ibn Aws (radiAllahu anhu) relates that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that the (Sayyid al-Istighfar) most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is to say (the above du’a). That “If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.”
[sahih al-Bukhari; 8,75,318, at-Tirmidhi; 3393, an-Nasa'i; 5522, Ahmad; 16662]

General supplications for forgiveness

رَبَّنََآ إنَّنَآ ءَاَمنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَ قِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Rabbana innanā amanna, faghfir lana, dhunoobana wa-qinna ‘adhāāban-naar

Our Lord! We have indeed believed: forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the agony of the Fire
[surah Ali' Imran; 3:16]

...

سُبْحَنَ رَبِّنَآ إنَّا كُنَّا ظَلِمِينَ

Subhāna Rabbina inna kunna dhalimeen

Glory to our Lord! Verily we have been doing wrong!
[68:29]

...

لَّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

La illaha illa Anta Subhanak, inni kuntu min adh-dhalimeen

There is no God but You; Glory be to You, Truly I have been one of the wrongdoers
[Surah al-Anbiyah, 21: 87]

...

Sa’d ibn Waqas (radiAllahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu allayhi wasalam) said, “The supplication made by the Companion of the Fish (Prophet Yunus (as)) in the belly of the fish was (the above). If any Muslim supplicates in these words, his supplication will be accepted/responded to.”
In another report we read, “I know words that will cause Allah to remove one’s distress. These are the words (of supplication) of my brother Yunus, peace be upon him”
[at-Tirmidhi; 3500, an-Nisa'i in 'Amal al-yawmi wa al-layla; #656, al-Hakim 1:505 and 2:383. The latter declared it sound (sahih) and Dhahabi confirmed him]

...

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِيْ مِنَ الَّذِيْنَ إِذَا أَحْسَنُوْا اسْتَبْشَرُوْا ، وَ إِذَا أَسَاءُوْا اسْتَغْفَرُوْا

Allahumaj ‘alna minal ladhina idha ahsanus tabasharti, wa idha asa’us-taghfaru

O Allah! make me among those who, when they commit an act of virtue, rejoice; and when they commit a mistake, seek forgiveness
[narrated by A'isha (radiAllahu anhu) - ibn Majah; #3810]

...

سُبْحَنَكَ تُبْتُ إلَيْكَ وَ أنَاْ أوَّلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Subhānaka tubtu ilaiyka wa ‘ana awwal-ul mu’mineen

Glory be to Thee! To Thee I turn in repentance, and I am the first to believe
[surah al-A'raf, 7:143]

...

اللَّهُمَّ اعْفِرْلِى ذَنْبِئ كُلَّهُ، و جِلَّهُ، وَ أوَّلَهُ وَ آخِرَهُ عَلا نِيَتَهُ وَ سِرَّهُ

Allahumma-ghfir li dhanbi kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, wa awwalahu wa akhirahu, wa ‘ala niyatahu wa sirrahu

O Allah! Forgive me all my sins, great and small, the first and the last, those that are apparent and those that are hidden
[Muslim 1:350]

...

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ ذَنْبِيْ ، وَ اخْسِئْ شَيْطَانِيْ ، وَ فُكَّ رِهَانِيْ ، وَ ثَقِّلْ مِيْزَانَيْ ، وَ اجْعَلْنِيْ فِي النَّدِيِّ الْأَعْلى

Allahumagh-fir li dhamdi, wakhsi’ shaytani, wa fukka rihani, wa thaqqil mizani, waj’alni fin-nadiyyil a’la

O Allah! Forgive my sins, expel my Shaytan, and redeem my pledge. Make my scales heavy and make me from among the highest class (in the Hereafter)
[narrated by abu al-Azhar al-Anmari (radiAllahu anhu) - abu Dawud; #4395]

...

اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أسْألُكَ يَا اللَّهُ بِأنَّكَ الْوَاحِدُّ الأحَدُ الصَّمَدُ الَّذِي لَمْيَلِدْ وَ لَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُواً أحَدٌ، أنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي ذُنُوبِي إنَّكَ أنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الَّحِيمُ

Allahumma inni asaluka ya Allahu bi annakal Wahidul Ahadus-Samadul ladhi, lam ya-lid wa lam youlad, wa lam yakullahu kufuwan Ahad, an taghfirali dhunoobi innaka Antal Ghafūūrur Raheem

O Allah! I ask You, O Allah, You are the One, the Only, Self Sufficient Master, who was not begotten and begets not and non is equal to Him. Forgive me my sins, surely you are Forgiving, Merciful.
[Abu Dawud, an Nasa'i, ibn Majah, at Tirmidhi]

...

أسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَ أتُوبُ إلَيْهِ

Astaghfirullaha wa atūūbu ilai(hi)I seek the Forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him.
[to be reicted 100 times during the day]
[Sahih al Bukhari, Muslim 4:2075]

...

Allahumagh-fir li khatayaya wa dhunubi kullaha. Allahumman ‘ashni, wa ahyini, war zuqni, wah dini lisalihil ‘a’mali wal ‘akhlaq, innahu la yahdi lisalihiha wa la yasrifu sayyi’aha, illa Ant.

O Allah! Forgive all of my sins and mistakes. O Allah! Elevate me, give me life and provisions, and guide me to pious deeds and morals. Verily, no-one leads to the pious deeds and morals, and no-one protects from the evil ones, Except You.
[narrated by abu Ayyub al-Ansari (radiAllahu anhu) - Hakim; #1540 and #5942, Tabarani]

...

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَ بِحَمْدِكَ، أشْهَدُ أنْ لا إلهَ إلَّا أنْتَ، أسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَ أتُوبُ إلَيْكَ

Subhanakal-Lahumma wa bihamdik, ash-hadu allaillaha illa ant, astaghfiruka wa’atoobu ilaiyk

Glory be to You, O Allah, and all Praise, I testify that there is no deity but You, I seek Your Forgiveness and to You do I repent.
[3 times] [recommended for at the end of meetings, atoning for infractions during it]
[at Tabari, an Nasa'i, al Hakim]

...

اللَّهُمَّ اِنّى اسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِذَنْبِى وَ اسْئَلُكَ رَحْمَتَكَ

Allahumma inni astaghfiruka li dhanbi wa as’aluka rahmatak

O Allah! I ask You for Forgiveness for my sins, and for Your Mercy.

...

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْلِى خَطَايَاىَ وَ ذُنُوْبِى كُلِّهَا

Allahummaghfirli khatāyaya wa dhunubi kullaha

O Allah! Forgive all my sins and ommissions.

...

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِنْ نَسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنْتَ مَوْلاَنَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

Rabbana la tu’a-khidhna in-nasina aw akta’na, Rabbana wa la tahmil ‘alaiyna isran kama hamaltahu ‘alal-ladheena min qablina. Rabbana wala tuham-milna mala taqata-lana beh. Wa’fu-’anna, waghfir-lana war hamna, Anta maulana fansurna ‘alal qawmil kaafireen

Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us, Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against Faith
[surah al-Baqarah; 2:286]

...

أسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لا إلَهَ إلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ، غَفَّارُ الذُّنُّوبِ ذُو الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ، وَ أتُوبُ إَيْهِ مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْمَعَاصِي وَ الذُّنوبِ وَ الآثامِ، وَ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أذْنَبْتُهُ عَمْدًا وَ خَطَأً، ظَاهِرًا وَبَاطِنًا، قَوْلًا وَفِعْلًا، فِى جَمِيع حَرَكَاتِي وَسَكَاتِي وَخَطَرَاتِي وأنْفَاسِي كُلِّهَا دَائِمًا أبَدًا سَرْمَدًا، مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِي أعْلَمُ، وَ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِي لا أعْلَمُ، عَدَدَ مَا أحَاطَ بِهِ الْعِلْمُ وَ أحْصَاهُ الْكِتَابُ وَ خَطَّهُ الْقَلَمُ، وَ عَدَدَ مَا أوْ جَدَتْهُ الْقُدْرَةُ وَ خَصَّصَتْهُ الإرَادَةُ، وَمِدَادَ كَلِمَاتِ اللّهِ، وَ كَمَا يَنْبَغِي لِجَلالِ وَجْهِ رَبِّنَا وَ جَمَالِهِ وَ كَمَالِهِ، وَ كَمَا يُحِبُّ رَبِّنَا وَ يَرْضَى

اَللّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ لِّيْ وَأَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِيْ مَا أَحْصَيْتَ عَلَيَّ مِنْ مَّظَالِمِ الْعِبَادِ قِبَلِيْ فَإِنَّ لِعِبَادِكَ عَلَيَّ حُقُوْقًا وَّمَظَالِمَ وأَنَا بِهَا مُرْتَهِنٌ اَللّهُمَّ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ كَثِيْرَةً فَإِنَّهَا فِيْ جَنْبِ عَفْوِكَ يَسِيْرَةٌ اللّهُمَّ أَيُّمَا عَبْدٍ مِّنْ عِبَادِكَ أَوْ أَمَةٍ مِّنْ إِمَائِكَ كَانَتْ لَهُ مَظْلِمَةٌ عِنْدِيْ قَدْ غَصَبْتُهُ عَلَيْهَا فِيْ أَرْضِها أَوْ مَالِها أَوْ عِرْضِها أَوْ بَدَنِها أَوْ غَابَ أَوْ حَضَرَ هُوَ أَوْ خَصْمُهُ يُطَالِبُنِيْ بِهَا وَلَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ أَرُدَّهَا إِلَيْهِ وَلَمْ أَسْتَحْلِلْهَا مِنْهُ فَأَسْأَلُكَ بِكَرَمِكَ وَجُوْدِكَ وَسِعَةِ مَا عِنْدَكَ أَنْ تُرْضِيَهُمْ عَنِّيْ وَلاَ تَجْعَلْ لَّهُمْ عَلَيَّ شَيْئًا مُّنَقِّصَةً مِّنْ حَسَنَاتِيْ فَإِنَّ عِنْدَكَ مَا يُرْضِيْهِمْ عَنِّيْ وَلَيْسَ عِنْدِيْ مَا يُرْضِيْهِمْ وَلاَ تَجْعَلْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لِسَيِّئَاتِهِمْ عَلىٰ حَسَنَاتِيْ سَبِيْلاً.

Allahumma inni astaghfiruka li kulli dhambin,

O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness for all my sins. I ask You to forgive me for all my wrongdoings [mazalim] against people that You have recorded, for there are many rights [huquq] and dues [mazalim] owed to Your servants that I am burdened with and for which I am hostage [murtahin]. O Allah, even if these (wrongdoings) are many they are insignificant in comparison with the magnitude of Your forgiveness. O Allah, any male or female servant of Yours who has rights upon me, in either that I have unjustly taken from him [ghasabtu] in regards to his land, possession, honor, body; whether he was absent or present; or he or his representatives demanded it from me and neither was I able to return it to him nor did I seek release of it from him. So I ask You through Your benevolence, generosity, and abundance of what You possess that You satisfy them on my behalf, and not give them a position over me that will decrease my good deeds; for You possess what You can satisfy them with on my behalf and I do not possess what to satisfy them with; and do not allow for their bad deeds to find a path over my good deeds on the Day of Judgment.
[From 'The Prayers of Forgiveness that Save from the Hellfire' by Hasan al-Basri]

May Allah (swt) accept our fasts, prayers, and du'as. Ameen.

Keep me in your du'as insha'Allah :)

Wassalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah.

When the Night Equals a Thousand

2008-09-20T14:49:00.000-07:00

When the Night Equals a Thousand
by Muhammad Al-Shareef

It was narrated that in the days that Musa (alayhis salam) wandered with Bani Israel in the desert an intense drought befell them. Together, they raised their hands towards the heavens praying for the blessed rain to come. Then, to the astonishment of Musa (alayhis salam) and all those watching, the few scattered clouds that were in the sky vanished, the heat poured down, and the drought intensified.

It was revealed to Musa that there was a sinner amongst the tribe of Bani Israel whom had disobeyed Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) for more than forty years of his life. 'Let him separate himself from the congregation,' Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) told Musa (alayhis salam). 'Only then shall I shower you all with rain.'

Musa (Alahi salaam) then called out to the throngs of humanity, 'There is a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah for forty years. Let him separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be rescued from the drought.' That man, waited, looking left and right, hoping that someone else would step forward, but no one did. Sweat poured forth from his brow and he knew that he was the one.

The man knew that if he stayed amongst the congregation all would die of thirst and that if he stepped forward he would be humiliated for all eternity.

He raised his hands with a sincerity he had never known before, with a humility he had never tasted, and as tears poured down on both cheeks he said: 'O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah, forgive me!'

As Musa (Alahi salaam) and the people of Bani Israel awaited for the sinner to step forward, the clouds hugged the sky and the rain poured. Musa (Alahi salaam) asked Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala), 'O Allah, you blessed us with rain even though the sinner did not come forward.' And Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) replied, 'O Musa, it is for the repentance of that very person that I blessed all of Bani Israel with water.'

Musa (Alahi salaam), wanting to know who this blessed man was, asked, 'Show him to me O Allah!' Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) replied, 'O Musa, I hid his sins for forty years, do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him?'

Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) revealed the Qur'an in the most blessed month; the month of Ramadan, the month in which the Qur'an was sent down.

On the most blessed night, the Grand night: Laylatul Qadr; 'Verily, we revealed the Qur'an on the night of Qadr.'

Ibn Jareer narrates, on the authority of Mujaahid that there was a man from Bani Israel who used to spend the night in prayer. Then in the morning he would fight the enemy in the Way of Allah during the day, until the evening and he did this for a thousand months.

And so Allah revealed the Surah:

'Verily, We sent it down in the night of Al-Qadr? until the verse 'The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months' That is, standing in prayer on that night is better than the actions of that man.

Sufyan ath-Thawri reports, on the authority of Mujaahid (also), that the night of Al-Qadr being better than a thousand months means that the good deeds performed on it, fasting on it, and standing in prayer on it are better than a thousand months? good deeds, prayers and fasting.
[Ibn Jareer]

Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) reported, 'When the month of Ramadan came, the Messenger of Allah said: 'The month of Ramadan has come, a blessed month in which Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast; in it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained. In it is a night better than a thousand months, whoever loses the benefit of it has lost something irreplaceable.?'
[Imam Ahmad and An-Nasa'i].

It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: 'Whoever stood in prayer on the night of Al-Qadr, in faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, he will have all of his previous sins forgiven.'
[Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

This one night surpasses the value of 30, 000 nights. The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sins and phases of neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan. During it he hopes to be forgiven by Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) for past sins, knowing that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) promised that all who bear down during the last ten days shall have all their sins forgiven. To achieve this, the believer remembers the Prophet's (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) advice in different sayings wherein he used words like 'seek', 'pursue', 'search' and 'look hard' for Laylatul Qadr.

Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. The Mu'min should search for it in the last ten nights of Ramadan, passing the nights in worship and obedience.

For those who catch the opportunity, their gift is that of past sins wiped away.

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) illustrated for us some of the things we should be doing on this Grand Night. From his blessed Sunnah we find the following:

Praying Qiyaam (night prayer):

It is recommended to make a long qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many ahadeeth, such as 'Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylatul Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven.' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the addition 'and it is facilitated for him' is recorded by Ahmad from the report of 'Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]

Making Supplications:

It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night. 'A'ishah reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) 'O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say during it?' And he instructed her to say:

'Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu anni - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me.'
[Ahmad, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi.]

Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship:

It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr is likely to fall. This calls for abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and thoughts solely for worshipping Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala).

'A'ishah reported: 'When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer) and wake up his family.'
< [Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

And she said: 'Allah's Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) used to exert more (in worship) on the last ten than on other nights.'
[Muslim]

Have we estimated Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) correctly?

The opportunity of Laylatul Qadr is coming in the next few days. Life is about people that take advantage of their opportunities to win the love of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala), and this is indeed one of those chances.

Abu Dah Daah was one of those who found an opportunity and won that which is greater than the heavens and the earth. An adult companion of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) cultivated his garden next to the property of an orphan. The orphan claimed that a specific palm tree was on his property and thus belonged to him. The companion rejected the claim and off to the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) went the orphan boy to complain. With his justness, the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) measured the two gardens and found that the palm tree did indeed belong to the companion. The orphan erupted crying. Seeing this, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) offered the companion, 'would you give him the palm tree and to you is a palm tree in Jannah?' However, the companion in his disbelief that an orphan would complain to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) missed the opportunity and went away angry.

But someone else saw the opportunity, Abu Dah Daah (radiAllahu anhu). He went to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and asked, 'Ya Rasul Allah, if I buy the tree from him and give it to the orphan shall I have that tree in Jannah?' The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) replied, 'Yes.'

Abu Dah Daah chased after the companion and asked, 'Would you sell that tree to me for my entire garden?' The companion answered, 'Take it for there is no good in a tree that I was complained to the Prophet about.'

Immediately, Abu Dah Daah went home and found his wife and children playing in the garden. 'Leave the garden!' shouted Abu Dah Daah, 'we've sold it to Allah! We've sold it to Allah!' Some of his children had dates in their hand and he snached the dates from them and threw them back into the garden. 'We've sold it to Allah!'

When Abu Dah Daah was later martyred in the battle of Uhud, Rasul Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) stood over his slain body and remarked, 'How many shady palm trees does Abu Dah Daah now have in paradise?'

What did Abu Dah Daah lose? Dates? Bushes? Dirt? What did he gain? He gained a Jannah whose expanse is the heavens and the earth.

Abu Dah Daah did not miss his opportunity, and I pray to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) that we do not miss our opportunity of standing to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) on Laylatul Qadr.

Dear brothers and sisters, we do not obey, worship and revere Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) in a way befitting of His Majesty.

Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) revealed: 'No just estimate have they made of Allah, such as is due to Him. On the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be but His handful, and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand: Glory to Him! High is He above the partners they attribute to Him'
[Surah al-An'aam; 91].

Everything that we have belongs to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala). When someone dies we say, Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon, Indeed to Allah we belong and indeed to Him we shall return. This is not a supplication just for when a soul is lost. It is a supplication for every calamity that befalls a believer, even if his sandal were to tear. Why? Because everything belongs to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) and everything shall come back to him. Sit and try to count the blessings Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) has bestowed upon you. Have you ever tried to count stars?

"And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favors of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude"
[Surah Ibrahim, 34].

We have not understood the weight of this Qur'an that we rest on our high shelves, this Noble book that was sent to give life to the dead. For even if our hearts were as solid as rock they would have crumbled to the ground in fear and hope of Allah's (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) punishment and Mercy. Could it be that our hearts are harder than that mountain?

"Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, verily, thou wouldst have seen it humble itself and split asunder in fear of Allah"
[Surah al-Hashr, 21].

Dear brothers and sisters, as you fill the Masajid for Qiyamul Layl in the last ten nights of Ramadan, remember what Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) wants you to know:

"Know ye that Allah is strict in punishment and that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."

There shall be a night, some night in your life that you shall awaken in Jannah or Hell fire. Anas ibn Malik, on his deathbed, prayed to Allah, (Subhanahu wa ta'ala), 'O Allah, protect from a night whose morning brings a journey to hell fire.' Think about that morning.

Peace shall descend on Laylatul Qadr until the dawn. It may be that you shall leave the Masjid after Fajr one day soon forgiven by Allah, Glorious and Most High.

Reaping the Benefits the Ramadan

2008-09-17T15:52:00.001-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Reaping the Benefits of Ramadan
by Ali Al-Timimi
adapted from a lecture

In the month of Ramadan it is very important that we spent a few moments to understand some of the wisdoms and lessons that we can learn from this month of fasting.

Unfortunately, many Muslims come in to this month and they are as a companion of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you break fast be equal." Meaning, one's behaviour, attitude and outlook are the same whether one fasts or not, i.e. fasting has no effect upon that person. This is why we need to reflect on some of these lessons.

LESSON 1: Gaining Taqwa

Allah legislated fasting for gaining taqwa, "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain taqwa." [2 :183]
Taqwa in this case means to make a shield between oneself and Allah’s anger and Hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our fasts, ‘Has this fasting day made us fear Allah more? Has it resulted that we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire or not?

LESSON 2: Drawing closer to Allah

This is achieved by reciting and reflecting on the Qur’an during night and day, attending the taraaweeh prayers, remembering Allah, sitting in circles of knowledge and, for those who can, making `ummrah. Also for those who can, making I`tikaaf (seclusion) in the last ten nights of Ramadan, so as to leave all worldly pursuits and seclude oneself in a masjid just thinking of Allah, so as to bring oneself closer to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala). When one sins, one feels distant from Allah. That is why one might find it heard to read the Qur’aan and come to the masjid. However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allah and wants to worship Allah more, because he is not shy from his sins.

LESSON 3: Acquiring patience and strong will

Allah has mentioned patience more than seventy times in the Qur’an and has commanded patience in more than sixteen ways in His Book. So when one fasts, and gives up one’s food and drink, and one’s marital sexual relations for those hours, one learns restraint and patience. This Ummah needs men and women that are strong willed, who can stand upon the Sunnah and the Book of Allah and not waver in front of the enemies of Allah. We do not need emotional people, who just raise slogans and shout, but when the time comes to stand upon something firm, they cannot do so, they waver.

LESSON 4: Striving for Ihsan (righteousness and sincerity) and staying away from riya’ (showing off)

Ihsan means to worship Allah as if one seeks Him, and even though one does not see Him, He sees all. Hasan al-Basri said, "By Allah, in the last twenty years, I have not said a word or taken something with my hand or refrained to take something with my hand or stepped forth or stepped back, except that I have thought before I have done any action, ‘Does Allah love this action? Is Allah pleased with this action?' So when one is fasting, one should gain this quality of watching oneself and also staying away from riya’ (showing off). That is why Allah said in a hadith qudsi, "Fasting is for Me and I reward it."
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

Allah singles out fasting from all other types of worship saying, "Fasting is for Me", because no one knows whether you are fasting or not, except Allah. For example, when one is praying or giving charity or making tawaf, one can be seen by the people, so one might do the action seeking the praise of the people. Sufyan ath-Thawri used to spend the nights and the days crying and the people used to ask him, "Why do you cry, is it due to the fear of Allah? He said, ‘No.’ They said, "Is it due to the fear of the Hellfire?" He said, ‘No. It is not the fear of Hellfire that makes me cry, what makes me cry is that I have been worshipping Allah all these years and doing scholarly teaching, and I am not certain that my intentions are purely for Allah.’"

LESSON 5: Refinement of manners, especially those related to truthfulness and discharging trusts.

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) has no need that he should heave his food and drink."
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

What we learn from this, is that we must pay attention to the purification of our manners. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "was sent to perfect good manners."
[Malik]

So we must check ourselves, are we following the behaviour of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam)? For example: Do we give salaam to those we don’t know and those we do know? Do we follow the manners of Islam, by telling the truth and only telling the truth? Are we sincere? Are we merciful to the creation?

LESSON 6: Recognizing that one can change for the better

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent."
[Ibn Majah]

Allah provides many opportunities to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become obedient.

LESSON 7: Being more charitable

Ibn `Abaas (ra) said, "The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was the most charitable amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadaan when Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month…"
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person’s reward."
[at-Tirmidhi]

LESSON 8: Sensing the unity of the Muslims

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "…Those of you who will live after me will see many differences. Then you must cling to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khalifahs. Hold fast to it and stick to it."
[Abu Dawud]

In this month we sense that there is a possibility for unity, because we all fast together, we break fast together, we all worship Allah together, and we pray Salat al-Eid together. Therefore we sense that the unity of Muslims is possible. It is possible for Muslims to be a single body, but this will only be achieved when obedience is only to Allah and His Messenger.

LESSON 9: Learning discipline

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) made us adhere to discipline and strictness, strictness that does not lead to fanaticism or going outside the bounds that Allah has laid down. One cannot knowingly break the fast before the sunset, as this will not be accepted by Allah. Muslims should learn to be very strict in their lives, because they are people of an important message, which they mould their lives around.

LESSON 10: Teaching the young to worship Allah

It was the practice of the people of Madinah, that during the fast of Ashura (which is now a recommended fast of one day) to get their children to fast with them. When the children would cry of hunger and thirst, their parents would distract their attention by giving them some sort of toy to play with. The children would break their fast with their parents.
[Sahih al-Bukhari]

So the young should be brought to the masjid and they should pray with their parents, so that they are able to get into the habit of becoming worshippers of Allah. If one does not encourage children to fast when they are young, they will find it very difficult to fast for thirty days at the age of puberty.

LESSON 11: Caring for one’s health

Fasting has many medical benefits and it teaches Muslims to take care of their health and too build strong bodies. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone."
[Muslim]

May Allah subhanahu wata'ala accept our fasts and du'as. Ameen.

Insha'Allah, keep my family and I in your du'as,

Wassalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

2008-09-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah,

SubhanAllah! Ramadan is going by so quickly; half of it has already passed. For the remaining 15 days, I will try to update as much as possible with Ramadan-related articles. The following is an article about the History of the month:

Ramadan in History
Shaykh Abdullah Hakim Quick

All praises to Allah, Lord of the worlds. He who revealed in His Glorious Qur'an,

"O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who came before you that you may keep your duty to your Lord (having taqwa),"
[2: 185]

And may blessings and peace of Allah be upon His last Messenger Muhammed ibn Abdullah, forever.

O you who believe, Ramadan is a sacred month wherein Almighty Allah is constantly testing His creation and giving humanity the opportunity to achieve infinite, endless bliss. Fasting is a complete purification and a means to developing the consciousness of Allah's presence. The consciousness of Allah (taqwa) is a protection against the schemes of Shaitan, and the suffering of this world. Allah has informed us that,

"whoever keeps his duty to Allah (has taqwa), He ordains a way out for him and gives him sustenance from where he imagines not. And whoever trusts in Allah, He is sufficient for him. Surely Allah attains His purpose. Allah has appointed a measure for everything"
[65: 2].

Many Muslims today have a misconception about fasting and the activities of a fasting person. They go into a state of semi-hibernation, spending most of their daylight hours in bed. If they fear Allah, they wake up for prayer, but then return to sleep immediately. This unnatural sleep makes them become lazy, dull-witted and often cranky.

Ramadan is actually a time of increased activity wherein the believer, now lightened of the burdens of constant eating and drinking, should be more willing to strive and struggle for Allah. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) passed through approximately nine Ramadans after the Hijrah. They were filled with decisive events and left us a shining example of sacrifice and submission to Allah.

In the first year after the Hijrah, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) sent Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib (radiAllahu anhu) with thirty Muslim riders to Saif al-Bahr to investigate three hundred riders from Quraish who had camped suspiciously in that area. The Muslims were about to engage the disbelievers in battle, but they were separated by Majdy ibn Umar al-Juhany.

The hypocrites of Al-Madinah, hoping to oppose the unity of the Muslims, built their own masjid (called Masjid al-Dirar). The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) ordered this masjid to be destroyed in Ramadan.

On the seventeenth of Ramadan, 3 A.H., Almighty Allah separated truth from falsehood at the Great Battle of Badr. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and 313 of his companions set out to intercept a caravan of their own goods that had been left in Makkah. Abu Sufyan himself led it, the caravan having an estimated value of 50,000 dinars. They were met, instead, by a well-equipped army of the nobility of Quraish, intent on putting out the light of Islam. Despite being outnumbered three to one and appearing weak and unseasoned, the Muslims defended their faith with a burning desire to protect the meeting with their Lord through martyrdom. Allah gave them a decisive victory on this day of Ramadan that would never be forgotten.

In 6 A.H., Zaid ibn Haritha (radiAllahu anhu) was sent to Wadi al-Qura at the head of a detachment to confront Fatimah bint Rabiah, the queen of that area. Fatimah had previously attacked a caravan led by Zaid and had succeeded in plundering its wealth. She was known to be the most protected woman in Arabia, as she hung fifty swords of her close relatives in her home. Fatimah was equally infamous for showing open hostility to Islam. She was killed in a battle against these Muslims in the month of Ramadan.

By Ramadan of 8 A.H., the treaty of Hudaibiyya had been broken and the Muslim armies had engaged the Byzantines in the north. Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) felt the need to strike a fatal blow to disbelief in the Arabian Peninsula and conquer the city of Mecca. Allah had declared His Sanctuary a place of peace, security and religious sanctity. Now the time had come to purify the Kaabah of nakedness and abomination. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) set out with an army having more armed men than Al-Madinah had ever seen before. People were swelling the army's ranks as it moved towards Makkah. The determination of the believers, guided by the Will of Allah, became so awesome that the city of Makkah was conquered without a battle, on the 20th of Ramadan. This was one of the most important dates in Islamic history for, after it, Islam was firmly entrenched in the Arabian Peninsula. During the same month, after smashing the idols of Makkah, detachments were sent to the other major centres of polytheism and al-Lat, Manat and Suwa, some of the greatest idols of Arabia, were destroyed.

Such was the month of Ramadan in the time of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). It was a time of purification, enjoining the good, forbidding evil, and striving hard with one's life and wealth. After the death of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), Muslims carried on this tradition and Allah used the true believers to affect the course of history. Ramadan continued to be a time of great trials and crucial events.

Ninety-two years after the Hijrah, Islam had spread across North Africa, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria. Spain was under the tyrannical rule of King Roderic of the Visigoths. Roderic had forced his six million serfs and persecuted Jews to seek the aid of the Muslims of North Africa in order to be delivered. Musa ibn Nusair, the Umayyad governor of North Africa, responded by sending his courageous general Tariq ibn Ziyad at the head of 12,000 Berber and Arab troops. In Ramadan of that year, they were confronted with a combined Visigoth army of 90,000 Christians led by Roderic himself, who was seated on a throne of ivory, silver, and precious gems and drawn by white mules. After burning his boats, Tariq preached to the Muslims warning them that victory and paradise lay ahead of them and defeat and the sea lay to the rear. They burst forth with great enthusiasm and Allah manifested a clear victory over the forces of disbelief. Not only was Roderic killed and his forces completely annihilated, but Tariq and Musa also succeeded in liberating the whole of Spain, Sicily and parts of France. This was the beginning of the golden age of Al-Andalus where Muslims ruled for over 700 years. In the year 582 A.H., Salahuddin al-Ayyubi, after battling with the Crusaders for years, finally drove them out of Syria and the whole of their occupied lands in the month of Ramadan. The Muslim world was then destined to meet one of its most frightening challenges.

In the seventh century A.H. the Mongols were sweeping across Asia destroying everything that lay in their path. Genghis Khan called himself "the scourge of God sent to punish humanity for their sins". In 617 A.H., Samarkand, Ray and Hamdan were put to the sword causing more than 700,000 people to be killed or made captive. In 656 A.H. Hulagu, the grandson of Genghis Khan, continued this destruction. Even Baghdad, the leading city of the Muslim world, was ransacked. Some estimates say that as many as 1,800,000 Muslims were killed in this awesome carnage. The Christians were asked to eat pork and drink wine openly while the surviving Muslims were forced to participate in drinking bouts. Wine was poured in the masjids and no azan (call to prayer) was allowed. In the wake of such a horrible disaster and with the threat of the whole Muslim world and then Europe being subjected to the same fate, Allah raised up from the Mamluks of Egypt, Saifuddin Qutz, who united the Muslim army and met the Mongols at Ain Jalut on 25th Ramadan, 458 A.H. Although they were under great pressure the Muslims, with the help of Allah, cunning strategy and unflinching bravery, crushed the Mongol army and reversed this tidal wave of horror. The whole of the civilised world sighed in relief and stood in awe at the remarkable achievement of these noble sons of Islam.

This was the spirit of Ramadan that enabled our righteous forefathers to face seemingly impossible challenges. It was a time of intense activity, spending the day in the saddle and the night in prayer while calling upon Allah for His mercy and forgiveness.

Today, the Muslim world is faced with drought, military aggression, widespread corruption and tempting materialism. We are surely in need of believers who can walk in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), the illustrious Sahabah, Tariq ibn Ziyad, Qutuz, Salahuddin and the countless heroes of Islam. We are surely in need of believers who are unafraid of the threats of the disbelievers, yet kind and humble to the believing people - Muslims whose fasts are complete and not just a source of hunger and thirst.

May Allah raise up a generation of Muslims who can carry Islam to all corners of the globe in a manner that befits our age, and may He give us the strength and the success to lay the proper foundations for them. May Allah make us of those who carry out our Islam during Ramadan and after it, and may He not make us of those who say what they do not do. Surely Allah and His Angels invoke blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad. O you who believe! Send blessings and peace to him forever. Ameen.

Please remember to keep me and my family in your du'as, insha'Allah :)

Wassalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

The Beautiful names of Allah (swt)

2008-09-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Insha’Allah this reaches you in a high state of iman and ihsan.

...

This month’s Glorious Name is Al-Mu'min (The Giver of Peace).

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَڪَبِّرُ‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِڪُونَ
"He is the King, the All-holy, the All-peaceable, the Giver of Peace." (59:23)

Allah is the real giver of security. Only by being faithful to Him can one feel truly secure and have no fear at all. "Which of the two parties has a better title to security? Tell me if you know the truth. Those who believe, and have not confounded their belief with evil-doing, shall surely earn salvation." (6:81-82)

Security here means the peace one feels in his heart issuing from faith. Besides, Allah promised His loyal servants that their faith would be firmly established, so that they would live in peace and security instead of suffering and persecution. "Allah has promised those of you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will surely make them successors in the land, just as He made their ancestors successors, and that He will surely establish their religion for them that He has approved for them, and will give them in exchange, after their fear, security." (24:55)

Allah never fails the faith others place in Him; and His promise is genuine and never broken: "This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us, and Allah and His messenger have spoken truly." (33:22)

Thus, in this world of uncertainty and spiritual loss, there are people who lead their lives untouched by its misery and distress: "Surely those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah' and then go straight, shall have nothing to fear or regret." (46:13)

مِّنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ۬ صَدَقُواْ مَا عَـٰهَدُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيۡهِ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّن قَضَىٰ نَحۡبَهُ ۥ وَمِنۡہُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُ‌ۖ وَمَا بَدَّلُواْ تَبۡدِيلاً۬ "This is what Allah and His messenger promised us, and Allah and His messenger have spoken truly." (33:22)

Scientific Evidence on the Benefits of Fasting

2008-09-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah.

Insha'Allah this reaches you all in the highest state of Iman.

I was doing some reading and came across this site that laid down some scientific proof of the benefits of fasting:

...

The material I found proves one of the recommendations of the Prophet (saw) –namely that of the BEST fast that there is – fasting one day and then not fasting the next and repeating the cycle so it’s an alternate day fast or an intermittent fast.

Here is the hadith:

He said, ‘Then fast one day and break the fast the next. That is the fast of Dawud, peace be upon him, and it is the fairest fast.’ (One variant has, ‘It is the best fast.’) I said, ‘I can do better than that.’ The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘There is nothing better than that.’
(Riyadh-us-Saliheen, hadith 150)

And here is the scientific proof.

Dietary restriction has been shown to have several health benefits including increased insulin sensitivity, stress resistance, reduced morbidity, and increased life span. The mechanism remains unknown, but the need for a long-term reduction in caloric intake to achieve these benefits has been assumed. We report that when C57BL/6 mice are maintained on an intermittent fasting (alternate-day fasting) dietary-restriction regimen their overall food intake is not decreased and their body weight is maintained. Nevertheless, intermittent fasting resulted in beneficial effects that met or exceeded those of caloric restriction including reduced serum glucose and insulin levels and increased resistance of neurons in the brain to excitotoxic stress. Intermittent fasting therefore has beneficial effects on glucose regulation and neuronal resistance to injury in these mice that are independent of caloric intake.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=156352

But mice that were fed regularly only every other day—receiving the same average calorie intake as the dieting mice—showed “[dramatically] increased neurogenesis,” and also showed an increase in learning and memory abilities, Thuret said.

http://www.dana.org/news/brainwork/detail.aspx?id=10380

SubhanAllah...truly amazing eh?

May Allah (swt) accept our fasting and du'as during this blessed month and may He reserve for us all a spot in Paradise. Ameen.

Wassalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah.

source: muslimology.org

Ramadan Mubarak!

2008-09-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah,

Insha'Allah this finds you all well in this blessed month :)

Here are some useful du'as for the holy month of Ramadan.

Happy fasting :)

When beginning the fast- Suhur

وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan

I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan
[abu Dawud]

When breaking the fast- Iftar

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ [وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ] وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ
Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa 'alayka tawakkaltu] wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu

O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with Your sustenance
["wa 'alayka tawakkaltu" is quoted in some books of knowledge - but not all, hence it is in brackets]
[abu Dawud]

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَ ابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ، وَ ثَبَتَ الأجْرُ إنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

dhahabadh-dhama'u wab-tallatil 'urūūqi, wa thabatal arju inshaAllah

The thrist is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah [Ta'ala] Wills
[abu Dawud 2:306]

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسأَلُكَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ الَّتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي

Allaahumma inni as’aluka birahmatika al-lati wasi'at kulli shay’in an taghfira li

O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelopes all things, that You forgive me.
[a du'a that Abdullah ibn Amar (radiAllahu anhu) used to say when breaking his fast - as reported by Ibn abi Mulaykah (radiAllahu anhu)]

When someone offers you food when you are fasting and you decline

When you are invited to eat, then reply to the invitation. if you are fasting, then invoke Allah's blessings (on your host), and if you are not fasting then eat
[Muslim; 2:1054]

Upon reaching month of Rajab and Sha'ban

When the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) sighted the moon of Rajab (two months before Ramadan) he used to pray to Allah in the following words:

اَللّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِى رَجَبَ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان

Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha'ban wa ballighna Ramadan

O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)
[Narrated by at-Tabarani and Ahmad]

When you are fasting, and someone is rude to you

اِنَّيْ صَائِمٌ ، اِنِّيْ صَائمٌ

Inni sa'iimu, inni sa'iimu

I am fasting, I am fasting
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Fath al-Bari of Al-Asqalani; 4:1-3, Muslim; 2:806]

Upon Sighting of the new Moon

اللَّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، اَللَّهُمَّ اَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالآَمْنِ وَلاِيمَانِ ، وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالاِسْلَامِ ، وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ رَبَّنَا وَتَرْضَى ، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ

Allahu Akbar. Allahumma ahillahu 'alayna bil-amni wal-imaani, was-salaamati, wal-Islami, wat-tawfeeqi lima tuhibbu Rabbana wa tardha. Rabbuna wa RabbukAllahu

Allah is the Greatest. O Allah bring us the new moon with security and faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony with what our Lord Loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah
[at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]

Upon seeing the first dates of the season

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي ثَمَرِنَا ، وَ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي مَدِينَتِنَا وَ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي صَاعِنَا ، وَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِي مُدِّنَا

Allahumma barik lana fi thamarina, wa barik lana fi madinatina, wa barik lana fi saa'ina, wa barik lana fi muddina

O Allah! Bless us in our dates, and bless us in our town, bless us in our saa' and in our Mudd'
(saa' and Mudd' are dry measures used for agricultural produce by the Arabs in the Prophet's time)
[at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]

Recited at intervals of taraweeh prayers

سُبْحَانَ ذِى الْمُلْكِ وَ الْمَلَكُوْتِ سُبْحَانَ ذِى الْعِذَّْْةِ وَ الْعظْمَةِ وَ، الْهَيْبَةِ وَ الْقُدُرَةِ ، وَالْكِبْرِيَآءِ وَ الْجَبْرُتِ، سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْحَىِّ الَّذِىْ لايُنَامُ وَ لا يَمُوُتُ، سُبُّوحٌ ، قُدُّوْسٌ، رَبُّ الْمَلَئِكَةِ وَ الرُّوُحِ لَآ اِلهَ اِلَّا اللَّهُ نَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ ، نَسْئَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَّ وَ نَعُوُذُ بِكَ مِنَ النّارِ

Subhana dhil Mulki wal Malakuti, Subhana dhil izzati wal aDhmati wal haybati wal Qudrati, wal kibriyaa'i wal jabaroot Subhanal Malikil hayyil ladhi, la yunaamu wa la yamūtu, Subbuhun, Quddusun, Rabbul malaa'ikati war-rooh
La ilaha illal lahu, nustugfirullahi
nas 'alukul jannati, wa na udhubika min an-naar

Glorified is the Owner of the Kingdom of the earth and the heavens; Glorified is the Possessor of Honour and Magnificence and Awe, and Power and Greatness and Omnipotence
Glorified is the Sovereign, the Living, Who does neither sleep nor die
O all Glorious, All Holy one, Our lord and the Lord of the Angels, And the soul.
There is no God but You, Forgive us, Grant us Paradise, and save us from (hell) fire.

Upon breaking the fast in someone's home

أفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ، وَ أَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الأبْرَارُ، وَ صَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُم ُ الْمَلائِكَةُ

Aftara 'indakumus saa'imuna, wa akala ta'aamakumul-abraaru, wasallat 'alaikumul mala'ikat

May those who are fasting break their fast in your home, and may the dutiful and pious eat your food and may the angels send prayers upon you.
[abu Dawud 3:367, ibn Majah 1:556, an Nasa'i]

On Lailatul Qadr - the Night of Power

Aishah (radhiya Allahu Ta'ala anha), that she said: "O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said 'Say

اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' "

O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.
[at Tirmidhi]

Ma'asalaama

The Beautiful Names of Allah (swt)

2008-08-15T16:50:00.001-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Insha’Allah you are all enjoying the blessings of Allah subhanahu wata’ala.

I haven't posted a Name for the past month or so because I was very busy. Insha'Allah I will do so from this month on.

This month’s Glorious Name is Al-Salam (The All-Peace).

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

"He is the King, the All-holy, the All-peacable." (59:23)

True peace comes in this life to those who recognize and serve Allah. "Say: 'Praise belongs to Allah, and peace be on His servants whom he has chosen.'" (27:59)

And in the next life, "their greeting, on the day when they shall meet Him, will be 'Peace!'" (33:44)

In times of fear, anxiety and hardship, a believer finds peace with Allah. "Say: 'I seek refuge with the Lord of the Daybreak from the evil of what he has created.'" (113:1-2)

A believer, by following the will of Allah, lives in peace with himself, with other human beings, with the universe and with His Lord, "There has come to you from Allah a light and a Book Manifest whereby Allah guides to the paths of peace whoever follows His good pleasure, and brings them forth from the darkness into light." (5:15-16)

Believers spread peace amongst themselves and in the world. Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, "By the One in whose hand is my soul! You do not enter Paradise until you believe, and you do not believe until you love each other. Shall I tell of something to do so that you may love each other? Spread peace amongst yourselves." (Muslim)

"Allahumma! You are the All-peaceable and peace is from You; Blessed be You, O possessor of Majesty and Nobility!" (Muslim)

"Say: 'I seek refuge with the Lord of the Daybreak from the evil of what He has created.'" (113:1-2)

Wassalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

Ibn al-Qayyim: How to Give Da'wah to Those Who Love the Dunya

2008-08-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Many a time, we find it difficult to give Da'wah to those who love the Dunya. The following are useful 'tips' by Ibn al Qayyim:

"...The smart one does not command people to abandon the dunya, because this is impossible for them. Rather, he has them abandon sins while they are established in their dunya. This is because abandoning the dunya is an optional virtue while abandoning sins is an obligation. So, how can he command them with something optional while they have not even fulfilled what is obligatory?

If it is difficult for them to abandon sins, he should then strive to get them to love Allah by reminding them of His signs, blessings, Kindness, perfection, and Loftiness. This is because the hearts are naturally designed to love Him, and if they become attached to loving Him, it then becomes extremely easy to abandon sins and to detach oneself from them.

Yahya bin Mu'adh said: "The intelligent one seeking the dunya is better than the ignorant one abandoning it."

The smart one calls the people to Allah from their dunya, and this makes it easier for them to respond to him. The zahid calls them to Allah by way of abandoning the dunya, and this makes it hard for them to respond, since it is very hard to pull someone away from the breast that he has developed his mind while suckling on..."

Wassalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

Something to reflect upon...

2008-07-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

Assalamu 'alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Something to reflect upon...

“The year is like a tree, months are its branches, days are the branch sticks, hours are its leaves, and the breaths are its fruits. Therefore, if one’s breaths are in obedience [to Allah and His Messenger], the fruits of his tree are good. If they are in disobedience, his fruits are bitter. The harvest is on the Appointed Day, when one’s fruits are found out to be either good or bitter.” - Ibn al Qayyim

Barak Allah feek,

ma'asalaam :)

Knowledge and Hydrocephalus

2008-07-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

Assalamu 'alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

"...Allah's way of building the human soul is to develop it gradually, just like a building. You build a building floor by floor, placing one brick over the other, etc. until the human soul is fully built.

The human soul cannot be built overnight, it cannot be built overnight. It needs a long time to be built...build it gradually, just like the body grows gradually. When a person is born, he is half a meter tall, for example. One day, he will be seven years old, and one day he will be seventy-five years old. He will grow from being a meter tall to being a meter and a quarter tall, etc. When he gets to be twenty years old, he will be between 170 to 175 centimeters tall.

The human soul is exactly like this when it comes to gradually growing in the religion. This is why the Lord of Honor would reveal the Qur'an one, two, or three verses at a time and would require them to act upon those verses. The Companions of the Messenger of Allah would take one, two, or three verses - never more than ten at a time - and then go act on them. They would then come back, learn some more, and go act on what they learned. As Ibn Mas'ud said: "We learned knowledge and action with the Qur'an."

Therefore, it is very dangerous for you to have a lot of knowledge while having only a modest level of action. The one who hears you thinks to himself 'Ma Sha' Allah!' He hears you talking about this verse from the Qur'an, this hadith, the hadith being authentic, the hadith being weak, 'Aqidah, Islamic history, the Khulafa', 'Umar said this, Abu Bakr said that - may Allah be Pleased with them all. However, you are ten centimeters when it comes to action, and when it comes to knowledge, you are over three meters. There is no balance! This is a disease. Having a lot of knowledge without action is a disease just like having a lot of action without knowledge.

There is a disease in the medical field known as hydrocephalus. It is when someone's head becomes so enlarged that his body is unable to carry it. I saw someone with his head like this, his body was thin, and his knees were unable to support his head. It could not! This is what many people look like: they learn a lot of knowledge - they memorize, they do not learn - they memorize. However, his head is poised like this while his body and limbs cannot support it. The size of a person's head must be consistent with the size of his body. Otherwise, he will be considered diseased if any part of his body grows larger while the rest of his body doesn't grow. If the medicine he takes all goes to one part of his body - for example, it all goes to his nose - his nose will become bigger than the rest of his head, and he will be deformed!

So, the Religion of Allah is a gradual divine method of developing the human soul just like this. Just like a medicine dropper administers the medicine gradually, they would take two verses or two ahadith, and they would go act upon them just like this..."

['at-Tarbiyah al-Jihadiyyah wal-Bina''; 3/182-183] - Abdullah Yusuf Azzam.

May Allah (SWT) protect us from riyaa'. Ameen.

Ma'asalaam

2008-07-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

Assalamu 'alaykum,

Insha'Allah this finds you in the best state of health and Emaan.

“The example of a believer, who recites the Qur’an and acts on it, is like an orange (utrujjah) which tastes nice and smells nice.
And the example of the believer who does not recite the Qur’an but acts on it is like a date that tastes sweet but has no smell.
And the example of the hypocrite who recites the Quran is like a sweet basil which smells good but tastes bitter.
And the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is like a colocynth (bitter apple) which tastes bitter and has a bad smell.”
[Allah’s Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم), reported in Saheeh al-Bukhari]

SubhanAllah! If only we could all be more like the orange...

ma'asalaam :)

Think about it...

2008-06-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

Assalamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Here is something to think over:

Ibn `Abbas [may Allah be pleased with him] said:

‘Indeed good actions are a light in the heart,

a strengthening for the body,

a glow on the face,

a cause for extensive provisions and

love in the hearts of the creation.

Indeed bad actions are a darkness in the heart,

a blackness on the face,

a weakness for the body,

a cause for decrease in provisions and

hatred in the hearts of the creation.”

as mentioned by ibn al-Qayyim [rahimahullah] in al Jawab al Kafi.

May Allah subhanahu wata’ala increase our good deeds and decrease our bad deeds. Ameen.

Wassalamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh :)

Pain - a blessing from the Most High

2008-06-22T22:05:00.000-07:00

Assalamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Insha’Allah this finds you all in the best of health and Emaan.

Reflect back on the past week – how many times have we complained about pain we felt? As a matter of fact, how many times did we actually feel pain – whether it be stubbing a toe, getting a paper cut, or missing the last step on the stairs? We have all gotten grumpy when hurt and may even get mad at ourselves but have we ever taken the time to actually thank Allah subhanahu wata’ala for the pain we feel? SubhanAllah, we have so much to be grateful for.

I recently saw a video (at the end of this post) about a rare genetic disorder called CIPA (Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis). SubhanAllah, it is a very frightening disorder. “CIPA is an extremely rare inherited disorder of the nervous system which prevents the nociception, heat, and cold. A person with CIPA cannot feel pain or differentiate extreme temperatures. "Anhidrosis" means the body does not sweat, and "congenital" means that the condition is present from birth. CIPA is caused by a genetic mutation which prevents the formation of nerve cells which are responsible for transmitting signals of pain, heat, and cold to the brain. Overheating kills more than half of all children with CIPA before age 3.” SubhanAllah - isn't that scary? The video below made me realize what we are given pain for and alhamdulillah, it has made me thankful for it. Insha’Allah, with the help of Allah subhanahu wata’ala, I will try not to complain about any pain that I feel ever again because clearly, some people have got it far worse.

Discovery Health spotlight on Roberto & CIPA from Help Roberto on Vimeo.

:|

May Allah subhanahu wata’ala make it easy for any child who is born with CIPA. Ameen.

Wassalamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh :)

Du'a on Injustice and Oppression

2008-06-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

Assalamu'alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Insha'Allah this finds you all in the best of states.

Knowing what type of world we live in, I am sure each and every Muslim has faced some sort of injustice and/or oppression. SubhanAllah, I receive it on a day to day basis but, I'm not complaining cause it could be so much worse. Like, what I experience is nothing in comparison to what our brothers and sisters are going through in Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, and Kosovo (to name a few). Anyways, I found a few du'as that one should say when they face injustice or oppression:

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِنْ نَسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا رَبَّنَا وَلاَ تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لاَ طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا أَنْتَ مَوْلاَنَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

Rabbana la tu·akhidhna in nasina aw akhtaana, rabbana wala tahmil alaiyna isran kama hamaltahu ala alladhina min qablina, rabbana wala tuhammilna ma la þaqata lana bihi wa'fu anna waghfir lana warhamna anta maulana fa'nsurna ala alqaumil-kafiriin

Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith
[surah al-Baqarah; 2: 286]

حَسْبِى اللَّهُ لِمَا اَهَمَّنِىْ, حَسْبِىْ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ بَغى عَلَىَّ , حَسْبِىْ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَسَدَنِىْ, حَسْبِىْ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ كَادَنِىْ بِسُؤءٍ , حَسْبِىْ اللَّهُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ

Allahumma hasbi-Allahu liman hamani, hasbi-Allahu liman bagha 'alyya, hasbi-Allahu liman hasadani, hasbi-Allahu liman kaadani bisuu'in, hasbi-Allahu liman 'indal-mauti

O Allah! Suffice me in my wishes and inclinations. O Allah! suffice me against anyone who oppresses me. O Allah! suffice me against those who envy me. O Allah! suffice me against those who wish to harm me. O Allah! suffice me in the last moments of death

اللَّهُمَّ اِنَّا نَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنْ اَنْنَّزِلَّ اَوْنُزِلَّ اَوْنُضِلَّ اَوْ نَظْلِمَ اَوْ يُظْلَمَ عَلَيْنََآ اَوْ نَجْهَلَ اَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَينَآ اَوْ ضِلَّ اَوْ اُضَلَّ

Allahumma inna na'udhubika min an nazillaaw nuzilla, aw nadhilla aw nadhlima, aw yudhlama 'alaina, aw najhala aw yujhala alaina, aw aDhilla aw uDhala

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from being over-powered by others, or that I would over-power others (unjustly), or that I should seduce or tyrannize others, or be oppressed by them; or that I be shown ignorance and vulgarity by others, or I be vulgar to them; or from going astray myself, or be mislead by others

And a personal favourite:

اللَّهُمَّ عَذِّبِ الْكَفَرَةَ وَ اَلْقِ فِىْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الرُّعْبَ وَ خَالِفَ بَيْنَ كَلِمَتِهِمْ وَ اَنْزِلْ عَلَيْهِمْ رِجْزَكَ وَ عَذَ ابَكَ

Allahumma adh-dhibil-Kafarata wa alqi fi qulubihim-urr-'uba wa khalfi baina kalimatihi wa anzil 'alaiyhim rijzaka wa adhabak

O Allah! Punish the kafirs, and cause in their hearts terror (about the true believers) and cause friction among them, and send down Your wrath and punishment on them.

May Allah subhanahu wata'ala grant victory to His religion, His book, and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and His monotheist slaves. Ameen.

Insha'Allah, Keep this sister in your prayers :)

Wassalamu 'alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

source: Mutmainaa

The Beautiful Names of Allah (swt)

2008-06-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

Assalamu'alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Insha’Allah you are all enjoying the blessings of Allah subhanahu wata’ala.

This month’s Glorious Name is Al-Quddus (The Holy).

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The All-Holy: "he is the King, the All-Holy." (59:23)

Allah is free from imperfection, shortcomings, or need, He is the One to whom are attributed all good and beautiful Names, "The son of Adam calls Me a liar, and he has no right to. He reviles me, and he has no right to. He calls Me a liar when he claims that I cannot recreate him, and he reviles Me when he says I have a son. I am exalted and I take no spouse and no son." (Al-Bukhari)

The origin of the word quddus is quds which means 'purity' and 'integrity'. Yet people confuse the attributes of God and associate other things or beings with Him, hence the need for revelation. "They underrate the might of Allah. But on the Day of Resurrection, He will hold the entire earth in his grasp and the heavens shall be rolled up in His right hand. Glory be to Him! be He exalted above any that they associate with Him! (39:67) 'Hand" here, as attributed to Allah, is not the physical hand we know. We must not try to explain or imagine what it really is. Allah is independent of our time, space and matter. "Like Him there is naught" (41:2). "His is the loftiest likeness in the heavens and on the earth" (30:27).

The angels call Allah by this name all the time: "We proclaim our praise and call Your Holy" (2:30). And the Prophet, peace be upon him, used to say in his prayer: "Praise and Holiness be to Your, Lord of the angels and souls" (Muslim).

"We Proclaim our Praise and call Your Holy" (2:30).

Keep me in your du'a insha'Allah,

Was salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaathu

The Dangers of Mockery

2008-06-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

Assalamu'alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Baraktuh,

Insha'Allah you are all enjoying the blessings of Allah subhnahu wata'ala.

I was taking a break from studying (I have exams coming up :| ) and I came across this hadith:

Imam Al-Bayhaqee narrates in Shu’ab al-Iman, that RasulAllah (saw) said: “Verily those people that make fun of people – for them a gate of Jannah will be opened. It will be said to them: Come (and enter). That person will come with all their anguish and depression – but when he gets close, the gate will be closed in his face. Then another gate (to Jannah) will be opened and it will be said: Come (and enter). So that person comes with all his anguish and depression. But when he gets close, the gate will be closed in his face. This will keep happening to him until it gets to the point where it will be said: Come (and enter), and he will not come from the despair of ever entering paradise.”

And then I found this ayah from the Qur'an:

O you who believe let not one group of people make fun of another, perhaps the (one’s being made fun of) are better then them. And let not women make fun of other women perhaps the (woman being made fun of) is better then them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by (offensive) nicknames. Wretched is the name (i.e. mention) of disobedience after (one’s) faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the Dhaalimoon (the wrongdoers).(Al-Hujurat 49:11).

:'(

Perhaps the one that is being made fun of is more beloved to Allah. SubhanAllah, let us remember this if we ever try to make fun of someone, perhaps Allah loves them and does not love us. Didn’t the Mushrikeen make fun of Rasul Allah (SAW) and we know Allah loved him and not them. Didn’t the Munaafiqeen make fun of the Sahabah – and we know Allah loved the Sahabah and not them.

Rasul Allah (SAW) said, “Verily a person will speak words from those that Allah hates, paying no heed to what he is saying, and with those words he will plummet in to hellfire.” [Bukhari]

There are different reasons why a person would want to insult, make fun of and ridicule other community members:

Firstly: They have weak Iman and their fear of Allah is poor. This is one of the major reasons.

Secondly: They spend a lot of their time in gatherings that bring no benefit.

Thirdly: They themselves may want others to praise them. Sadly, when there is a student or a community member that insults others, often it is they that want to be the ‘cool’ one. How can they be ‘cool’ if they are doing something that Allah and His Messenger hate?

Fourthly: They forget the punishment for those that make fun of others.

Fifthly: Those that make fun of others may do so out of love for the Kuffar and a love to imitate them. How many times do we see the comedians mocking people and everyone laughing? Indeed, mocking others and insulting them is a characteristic of Jaahiliyyah and kufr, and it is never a characteristic of a believer.

Allah ta’ala shows us in Surah Al-Mutaffifeen (Ayah 29) how this characteristic of laughing at others is a characteristic of the Kuffar:

“Indeed, those who committed crimes used to laugh at those who believed.”

The seriousness of this sin varies in accordance to the subject being insulted:

On the highest level of seriousness is to make fun of Allah or His Ayaat or His Messenger – (SAW).

A group of Munaafiqeen started joking one day about their Qurr’aa, i.e. the Companions of Allah’s Messenger. They described in ridiculing terms that they were large in stomachs, having lying tongues and being cowardly. Allah ta’ala tells us in the Qur’an (9/65-66):

“And if you ask them, they will surely say, “We were only conversing and playing.” Say, “Is it Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?” / Make no excuse; you have disbelieved (i.e. rejected faith) after your belief. If We pardon one faction of you – We will punish another faction because they were criminals.”

Sadly, I’ve come across many people who claim it is hard to hold themselves from laughing because some people are so “laugh worthy”. Well, when in doubt, just think of this:

May Allah subhanahu wata'ala save us from committing these grevious acts with our tongues and may He help us purify our intentions. Ameen.

Insha'Allah, keep this sister in your prayers :)

Was salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaathu

source: Last Island

Its Price is Paradise...

2008-05-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

Assalam'alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Insha'Allah, this finds in you in the best state of Iman and Ihsan.

Get yourself out of this limited world of diseases to the wide world of the hereafter, which has what the eyes have never seen. Nothing is impossible there, and love is not lost. O you who sold yourself for the sake of something that will cause you suffering and pain, and which will also lose its beauty, you sold the most precious item for the cheapest price, as if you neither knew the value of the goods nor the meanness of the price. Wait until you come on the Day of mutual loss and gain and you will discover the injustice of this contract. “There is no God but Allah” is something that Allah is buying. Its price is Paradise, and the Messenger is its agent, and you will be pleased to part with a small part of this worldly life to obtain it. The part you lose is a small part of something that as a whole is not worth a mosquito’s wing.(Ibn al-Qayyim al Jawziyyah)

So beautifully put. May Allah have mercy on Ibn al-Qayyim's soul.

May Allah subhanahu wata'ala keep us firm upon the straight path. Ameen.

Was salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaathu :)

source: IslamicQuotes

Imam Shafi - deathbed poem

2008-05-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

Assalamualikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Insha'Allah you are all in the best of states,

Whilst clicking refresh, I came across this on Drops Of Wisdom:

إلَيكَ إلـهُ الخَلْـق أرْفَــعُ رَغبَتِي *** و‘نْ كُنتُ يَا ذا المَنّ والجُودِ مُجْرِما

‘To You, the Creator, I raise my longing,
And even if I am, O Possessor of kindness and generosity, an evildoer, a criminal

ولمَّا قَسَـا قلبي وضَـاقت مَذاهِبي *** جَعَلتُ الرَجـا مِني لِعَفوكَ سَلِمــا

When my heart became constricted and my paths became narrow,
I took my hope in Your pardon and forgiveness as an opening and an escape

تعَاظَمَنـي ذنبـي فلمَّـا قرِنتـُـهُ *** بعَفوكَ ربِّي كَانَ عَـفْوكَ أعْظَمــا

My sins seemed very great to me but when I compared them to Your forgiveness,
I found Your forgiveness to be much greater

فمَا زِلتَ ذا عفو عَن الذنْبِ لَمْ تَزُلْ *** تَـجُـود وتعـفو منةً وتَكَرُّمـــا

You are and still remain the only One who can forgive sins,
You grant and forgive out of Your benevolence and generosity

فلولاكَ لَـمْ يَصْمُـدْ لإبلـيسِ عَابدٌ *** فكَيفَ وقدْ أغْوَى صَفْيَك آدِمـــا

Were it not for You, then a servant could never defy Iblis
And how can that be when he mislead Your friend Adam

فيَاليْتَ شَعْــرِي هَل أصَيرُ لِجنة *** أهنـــا؟ وأمَّـا للسَّعِير فأنْدَمــا

If only I knew! Will I arrive at Paradise that I may take delight
Or at Hellfire, that I may regret?

فللّهِ دَر العَـــارِفُ الـنـدبُ إنَّه *** تَفيض لفرْطِ الوَجْد أجفانُه دَمَّـــا

How capable is Allah! For the one acquainted with lament,
blood almost flows from his eyelids due to the excess of his emotions (lament)

يَقيـمُ إذا مَـا الليلُ مَدَّ ظَلامَــه *** على نَفسِهِ مِن شدَّةِ الخَوفِ مَأتمـا

He stands when the night extends out its darkness
Stands against himself out of extreme fear, sinful

فصِيحاً إذا ما كـانَ في ذكْـرِ رَبِّه *** وفيما سِوَاهُ في الوَرى كان أعْجَمـا

Eloquent when he makes mention of his Lord
And in the mention of others than Him, he is speechless

ويَذكُرُ أيَّامـاً مَضَـتْ مِن شَبَابـه *** وما كان فيها بالجَهَـالة أجْرَمـــا

He remembers days gone by of his youth
And what was in it of ignorance, he was a criminal

فصَارَ قَرينُ الهمِّ طُولَ نهَـــارِه *** أخا السَّهدِ والنجوى إذا الليل أظلمـا

And so for the whole of his day, the companion of grief has become
the brother of sleeplessness and secret conversation when the night darkens

يقول: حَبيبي أنـتَ سُؤلِي وبَغيتي *** كفى بكَ للرَّاجـيـنَ سُؤلاً ومغنمـا

He says, ‘My beloved, You are what I request and desire
You are enough of a longing and benefit for those who have hope

ألـسْتَ الذي غذيْتني وهَــدَيْتني *** ولا زلتَ مَنـَّانـا عليّ ومُنعِـمــا

Are You not the One who has provided for me and guided me
And You have not ceased being gracious to me and full of favours

عسَى مَنْ لَـهُ الإحْسَانَ يَغفِرُ زَلتِي *** ويَسْترُ أوْزارِي ومـا قـدْ تقدَّمــا

Perhaps the Beneficent One will forgive my mistakes
And cover up my crime and what has gone forth

تعاظمَني ذنبـي فأقبلتُ خاشِعــاً *** وَلوْلا الرِّضَـا ما كنتُ يَاربِّ مُنعَمـا

My sins seemed very great to me, so I turned (to You) in humility
Were it not for my contentment in you, I wouldn’t, O my Lord, have seen any comfort at all

فإنْ تعْفُ عَني تعْفُ عَـنْ مُتمَرِّد *** ظلوم غشــوم لا يَـزايَـلَ مأتمـا

So if You forgive me, You would have forgiven a sinner,
A rebellious, oppressive tyrant still sinning

فإن تنتـقـِمْ مِني فلستُ بآيـسٍ *** ولو أدخلوا نفسي بجـُـرْم جَهَنَّمـا

So if You were to seek revenge from me, I would not despair
Even if they entered my soul into Jahannum, due to the sins

فجُرْمِي عَظيم مِن قديم وحـَـادِث *** وعفوكَ يَأتي العَبْـدَ أعْلى وأجْسَمــا

For my crimes are great, past and present
But Your forgiveness comes to the servant, more exalted and more great

حوالي َّ فضلُ الله مِن كلِّ جَانِـب *** ونورٌ مِن الرَّحمـَن يُفترش السَّمــا

The bounty of Allaah surrounds me from all sides
And Light from the Most Merciful has spread in the sky

وفي القلبِ إشراقُ المحب بوَصْلِه *** إذا قارب البُـشرَى وجَازَ إلى الحمى

And in the heart is the radiance of the beloved when he is reunited
And when glad tidings draw close, it becomes feverish

حوالي إينــاس مِن الله وَحْـدَه *** يُطالعَني فِي ظلـمـةِ القبرأنجَمــا

Exhilaration surrounds me, only for Allaah
It overlooks me in the darkness of the grave, apparent and clear

أصُونُ وَدادي أن يُدنّسـه الهَوَى *** وأحفظُ عـَهْدِ الـحُبِّ أن يَتثلمــا

I protect my love, lest my desires should pollute it
And I preserve the contract of love, lest it be defiled

ففي يَقظتِي شَوْقٌ وفي غَفوَتِي منى *** تلاحـِقُ خُـطوَى نـشوَةً وترنمـا

In my wakefulness is yearning and in my slumber is destiny
That’s pursuing my footsteps in ecstasy

ومَن يَعْتصِمْ بالله يُسَلم مِن الوَرَى *** ومَن يَرْجه هَـيْهَاتُ أنْ يَتندُمـــا

Whoever holds fast to Allaah, he is protected from men
And whoever hopes for Him, then never will he regret

Imam Shafi’s Poem - Extended version of the poem he said, whilst on his deathbed.

Allahu Akbar! So beautifully put.

:'(

May Allah subhanahu wat'ala have mercy on his soul. Ameen.

Make du'a for your sister,

ma'asalaam

Hadith and Qur'anic Quotes on Backbiting

2008-05-20T11:08:00.000-07:00

Asalaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaathu,

Insha'Allah you are all enjoying the blessings of Allah (swt).

Woe to every slanderer and backbiter! (Surah Humaza 104:1)

Listen! Allah is calling us: [O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it…But fear Allah, for Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.] – Surah Al-Hujurat, 12.

This could involve mockery and sarcasm. It is enough to remind those indulging in this practice of what Allah, the Most High said: “O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter is better than the former…” [Al-Hujurat 49:11] It could very well be that Allah loves them and does not love us.

Rasoolullah said, “A man might speak a word without thinking about its implications, but because of it, he will plunge into the Hell-Fire further than the distance between the east and west” (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).

So, backbiting (gheba) can even be making fun of a person. Rasoolullah sallalahu allayhi wassalam vigorously opposed all aspects of backbiting even when it occurred in his own family. For example, Aishah (ra) made a sign with her hand indicating to the Prophet sallalahu allayhi wassalam that the woman was short of stature. The Prophet immediately chastised her, saying “You have backbitten!” (Tirmidhi)

The Prophet sallalahu allayhi wassalam once asked, “Do you know what is backbiting?” The companions said, “Allah and His messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “To mention about your brother that which he hates.” They said, “If what we say about our brother is true?” He replied, “If there is in him what you say of him then that is backbiting, and if you say of him what is not true then you have slandered him.” (Muslim)

The prophet (saw) has clearly stated that “the gossip-monger will not enter paradise” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Let us consider what Cool Guy Muslim says:
“How lightly we take it when talking poorly about our own Muslim brothers and sisters! How many of us stay silent when someone else talks ill of our brothers and sisters in our presence? How many of us thinking it nothing to even roll our eyes when a name is mentioned. Saying something as simple as “may Allah guide him” with the wrong tone may be considered backbiting as it may be something that defames the honour of our Muslim brother or sister (however, it should be understood that this occurs only when a negative tone is used to make this statement). We need to defend our brothers and sisters when they are not present to defend themselves.”

May Allah subhanahu wata’ala save us from the punishment that is reserved for backbiters and gossip-mongers and may He have mercy on us. Ameen.

Insha’Allah make du’a for your sister,

Ma’asalam :)

The Beautiful Names of Allah (swt)

2008-05-07T17:58:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Insha’Allah you are all enjoying the blessings of Allah subhanahu wata’ala.

This month’s Glorious Name is Al-Malik (The Sovereign).

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

“He is Allah; there is no god but He. He is the King.” (59:23)

Allah owns the universe and controls it. “Blessed be He in whose hand is the Kingdom; He has power over everything” (67:1). “To whom belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth; and He has not begotten a son, and he has no associate in His sovereignty” (25:2).

Allah is the Lord of all sovereignty. :Say: ‘O Allah, Master of the Kingdom, You bestow sovereignty on whom You will, and take it away from who You will.’“ (3:26)

The true meaning of Kingship is an attribute only of Allah. “Then exalted be Allah, the True King. There is no god but He, the Lord of the noble Throne.” (23:116)

It is solely by the will of Allah that men are given Kingship. “Allah gives Kingship to whom He will.” (2:247)

Allah is in need of nothing and of nobody. Yet, everybody and everything are in need of Him. :Say: ‘I take refuge with the Lord of men, the King of men, the God of men.’” (114:1-3)

To Him belong Kingship, majesty, power, and wealth. “So glory be to Him, who has control of all things, and to whom you shall all be recalled.” (36:83)

Allah is in need of nothing and of nobody. Yet, everybody and everything are in need of Him. :Say: ‘I take refuge with the Lord of men, the King of men, the God of men.’” (114:1-3)

Insha'Allah the day after tomorrow is Jumu'ah. Please make du'a for me :)

wasalaam

No Excuses

2008-05-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum wa Rahmtullahi wa Barakatuh,

Insha’Allah you are all enjoying the blessings of Allah (swt),

Please watch the following video:

There is absolutely NO excuse, whatsoever, not to be aware of what goes on in the world today because our own brothers and sisters are treated so badly and it is a real shame when you come across people who don't know anything - who can't even take a few minutes to read the headlines to at least make du’a for what's going on. Why is it, that we can list off every celebrity, every TV show, new movies, new songs, but cannot for the life us, know what's going on in the Muslim world?

Then there are those who think Islam isn't about this - there are people who tell you it's wrong to "waste" time keeping up with what’s going on, to know what’s going on etc.! Islam is about worshiping One God - Allah (swt) and Allah (swt) has commanded us to want for our brothers and sisters what we want for ourselves. If we don't know what’s going on, how can we help? How can we at least, make du’a? Awareness is critical.

We watch Al-Jazeera a lot, so I first heard about this on Al-Jazeera, and then I found this youtube video, and I ask each and every one of you to take just a few minutes to watch this, and consider how your fellow Muslims are being treated - Just think about it - it could be you....but IT IS you! This man is OUR brother, our own brother... SubhanAllah.

Not to make this an essay, but trust me, it hurts me when I say "oh heard this news, heard that..." and I've come across people who can't tell you what Guantanamo even is! One person even asked my sister, "Is Guantanamo a song?" People don't know what's going on anywhere at all. Were happily wrapped in our own worlds - our own bubbles - but I have to remind everyone, me included and me first - when one part of the Ummah is in pain we all are affected - a single man's anguish is our anguish. The least we owe them - as Muslims, as our brothers and sisters, as HUMAN BEINGS - is du’a.

May Allah make it easy for this brother, his health is really bad, but insha’Allah we pray that he is happy, and the other two brothers too, who were released; Allahuma ansur ul muslimeen fi kulli makkan. Ameen.

P.S. I wrote this to get us all worked up...it wasn't meant to be rude or anything, so please forgive me and tell me if I did this the wrong way, I'd like to know. It’s just, this one video, makes us remember the plight of the others in that prison and insha’Allah we remember to make du’a for them. As much as the world wants to forget them, Allah SWT sees everything and we have to try not to forget.

Insha’Allah keep this brother in your du'as as today is Jumu’ah,

ma’asalaam =)

Heart-felt Dua'a

2008-04-27T19:43:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barahatuh,

Insha'Allah you are all enjoying the blessings of Allah (swt).

I'm sad :'(

Time for a dua'a!

O Allah, O Karim,

Please have Mercy on me.

O Allah, O Karim,

Please forgive me

for the sins I committed in the past

and those I will commit in the future.

O Allah,

have Mercy on all the Muslimeen,

and guide them.

Guide me O Allah,

and guide my parents,

my siblings, my cousins,

my aunts and uncles,

and so forth.

O Allah,

I ask You

to strengthen my Iman and the Iman of those around me.

I ask You to soften my heart

and to soften the hearts of the Believers.

O Allah,

forgive me for my shortcomings,

for only You are Perfect.

O Allah,

Please forgive me

if I ever got too wrapped in a matter

that I didn't have the time to utter Your Name.

O Allah,

Please Forgive me for all the salat I missed

because of ignorance or laziness,

Please forgive me for all the fasts I didn't make up.

O Allah,

Please forgive me

for the quarter I never dropped

into the metal cup for the homeless man begging on the street.

O Allah,

Please spark the love of Islam in my heart

and in the hearts of every single Muslim

until it gets implanted in their children

and their children’s children and so on.

O Allah,

I ask that You help me for I am weak

and will only grow stronger by Your Strength,

so Allah Please Strengthen me

to fight Shaitan and his whispers.

And if I ever fell into his trap

and followed my desire,

then sincerely forgive me,

for that displays not only my weakness,

but Your Greatness as well.

O Allah, Please lighten the punishment in the grave

for those before us and those after us.

O Allah, lighten the punishment

and shed light into every Muslim's grave.

O Allah, if I ever was too afraid

to stand up for Your Deen

because of what others would think,

then Forgive me, for I was a fool for doing so.

O Allah, Please Protect me and every other Muslim,

especially the orphans and the widows.

O Allah, Please Strengthen the faith

of the destitute Muslims around the world,

so they have hope to live.

O Allah, if I ever forgot to do du'a

for even one suffering Muslim,

then Forgive me

for then it is as if I haven't done du'a

for the entire Ummah.

O Allah,

Please be the Light of my eyes, ears and heart.

O Allah,

Please be the Light on the sides of me

and the Light behind me

and the Light in front of me.

O Allah, Please forgive me

for all the foul words I spoke

either out of ignorance or

because I was trying to be "cool."

O Allah, please forgive me

if I never stopped to think about You,

due to "other important things."

O Allah, Please forgive me

for not having enough time

or creating time for reading the Qur'an.

O Allah, please forgive me

for listening to music

and watching movies and TV excessively.

O Allah, please forgive me

for all the yelling I've done

and the arguments I've been in.

For the only time

the voice should be raised

is for Your Praises!

O Allah, please forgive me

for my disrespect towards my family,

elders, siblings and so on.

O Allah, please forgive me

for any backbiting I have been accused of,

whether I did it consciously or unconsciously.

O Allah, Rab al-Alamin,

Forgive me,

Forgive me for everything.

So for everyone,

every single Muslim,

dead or alive,

I do du'a that you forgive them

for all their sins.

O Allah,

Please Please Please

help the suffering Muslims

of Kashmir, Palestine, Chechnya,

Bosnia, Gujarat, Nigeria,

Iraq, Afghanistan and everywhere around the world.

Please O Allah, make the Mujahideen victorious,

and let the beauty of Islam reign!

O Allah, Give victory to the Muslims!

O Allah, Please let True Islam reign!

O Allah, Please increase our knowledge

of Your Deen and this world.

Oh Allah, Please Help us all and guide us,

for You are Everything to us.

O Allah,

I cannot stress how much I ask

for Your Forgiveness and Your Guidance.

O Allah,

I fear You,

I fear You soooo much words cannot describe.

I fear the day when I will meet You,

and I WILL meet You.

When we are one on one,

and I have no one's help or support.

No one can take the blame for me

nor I for them.

The only thing I will have

is a little book given to me by You

that has my deeds.

O Allah,

Please porgive me for my thoughts,

for even though I get sinned only for my actions,

I cannot help but feel guilty for my thoughts

and I ask You to Forgive me for them

and to clear my mind of any impurities

until You become the Only thing on my mind.

O Allah,

Please forgive me

if I ever did anything out of gain

for this life and not for Your pleasure.

If I ever did anything to "show off"

then please forgive me for that.

O Allah,

I do du'a

that You grant us all God-Fearing spouses

and grant us righteous children.

Oh Allah,

I do du'a

that You continue to strengthen this Ummah

until the Day of Resurrection.

O Allah,

Forgive me

for whatever I have not mentioned,

for I am bound to forget

....but You,

through Your Greatness...

You Never Forget.

O Allah,

Please Grant

all the Muslims

Jannah-tul-Firdaws.

O Allah,

I ask that You shed Your Mercy

on all the Prophets (peace be upon them)

and on all the Angels (peace be upon them).

Lastly, I du'a

shed Your Mercy

on the Prophet Muhammad (saw) ,

his family and companions.

I du'a

that you grant Muhammad (saw)

the Highest Station in Paradise.

Rabinna Aataina

Fiduniya Hasinathow

Wa Fil Akhirati Hasinathow,

Wakina Adhab innaar

Ameen.

Insha'Allah make dua'a for this sister of yours,

ma'asalaam =)

One Hour a Day - Da'wah

2008-04-20T15:18:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Insha’Allah you are enjoying the blessings of Allah subhanahu wa ta'allah.

"Time is our capital in this life. It has to be invested for the maximum possible return."

When the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) received the order to 'arise and warn', he started calling others to Islam and continued to do so, day and night, until he died. Time was very important for him and he used every minute of it in the best possible way. He would meet regularly with his companions to teach them Qur'an and to warn them from disobeying Allah. He was an example to them in speech and in deeds.

The result of this education was that the companions' faith became the most important thing for them. And when they had to choose between their home, tribe and good living on the one hand and the companionship of the Prophet, (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) on the other hand, they chose the latter and emigrated for the sake of Allah and exemplified sacrifice for the sake of one's belief. After thirteen years of hard work and sacrifice in Makkah, the Prophet and his companions were granted victory in Madinah.

How do our efforts today compare with those of the Prophet and his companions? One year of our life has passed. How many good deeds have we prepared for the Day of Judgment? What did we, as individuals and communities, do for Islam? Were we distracted by our money and our children from the obedience of Allah and Jihad for His sake? Allah said: "O you who believe! Let not your money or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. If any act as such, then surely they are the losers." (Qur'an, 63:9) The Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said: "No servant will be let go on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about the four matters: His lifetime: How did he spend it? His knowledge: What did he use it for? His money: Where did he gain it from and what did he spend in it? And his body: In what did he wear it away?"
[At-Tirmidhi]

Have we used our bodies for fasting, praying, enjoining good and forbidding evil or have we used them up by succumbing to our desires?

Muslims have to realize the importance of time: that it is their capital in this life and that it is to be invested for the maximum possible return. Suppose for a minute that every Muslim dedicates one hour a day to work for the sake of Allah. In financial terms, this would generate a minimum of 1 billion dollars a day, 360 billion dollars a year! If such amount were to be reserved for Islamic work, it would change the face of the earth. Suppose that every Muslim were to spend one hour calling others to the path of Allah: millions would enter Islam!

Muslims today need to build their Ummah and revive it. And this does not come through futile discussions but rather through work, sincere, continuous, careful and planned. We need to strengthen the body of this Ummah and protect it from the dangers surrounding it. We need to deepen the awareness of the Muslims about their identity, their history, their wealth and the fact that they are one single nation. And to start with, we need to invest in the Muslim individual because we are the instruments for change.

Insha'Allah keep me in your dua's,

Ma’asalaam =)

source: AlJumuah Magazine

Personality

2008-04-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Who are you? What are you like? Trainspotter or trendsetter? Easily provoked or laid back?

Often we are the products of our environment whether it is due to our friends, family, fashion, media or society. Together these factors unconsciously mould our characters, dictating both our thoughts and behaviour.

Is this the way you want to be? A Muslim is called to continually assess and enhance his or her own personality.

This is achieved with reference to the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad

"You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) a Beautiful Pattern (of Conduct)..."
[Surah al-Ahzab; 33:21]

"And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character."
[Surah al-Qalam; 68:4]

A comprehensive understanding of his character cannot be given in one short essay. The complexity of his life is such that many Muslim and non-Muslim scholars have been driven to write volumes to try and understand what inspired him and the subsequent impact of his life upon human history.

To help attain an idea of his importance one requires a description of his manners and lifestyle.

Muhammad (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam) was a man who spoke very little, his sentences would be short yet full of deep meaning.

He listened more than he spoke, sometimes he would be silent for long periods of time.

He was unusually quiet and reserved, generally pensive and sorrowful - always wrapped up in his thoughts and meditations.

Yet when he spoke, his words carried depth and he did not need to speak for long in order to be understood.

Most of his laughter was no more than smiling, and if he was pleased he would lower his gaze. He would get angry only when a matter of principle was mocked or violated and he would not be pleased until the matter was resolved.

Yet he would never get angry for personal reasons - he was always forgiving, and he would never retaliate against personal insults; here he would be patient and gracious.

Though he was a very busy man, he would quite often attend to his own chores by washing and sewing his own clothes and mending his own shoes, though there were many who would have jumped at the chance to do these chores for him.

At home he would divide his time between three portions: his family, himself and God.

His own individual time used to be taken up by his companions who used to visit him regularly, he would receive them in kindness, waiting upon them, serving and honouring them. He would enquire about their needs and try to help them as much as he could.

Sometimes he would also ask about those who were not present.

He would be the last to drink if drinks were served in his home, normally with only one bowl to go round.

When he was talking to his companions he would honour their feelings by never bringing any topics which might hurt them or lower their spirits, and instead of mocking someone he would try to help them with their weaknesses.

The companions used to love staying with him so much that they would overstay in his house, to such an extent that some verses were revealed asking the companions to respect the Prophet's wish for privacy.

For those who were very poor, he was a supporter and guardian, providing food and lodging from whatever little he possessed.

His warmth was such that even little children would run up to him asking him to play with them even though he was over fifty years old; the Prophet would listen and play merry-go-round with them.

Towards his enemies he was still forgiving, and if they were firm with him, then he was firm with them.

History records that those who set out to kill him would later become his closest friends. Though in the later stages of his life, he had access to much wealth, he still lived as a humble servant of God.

His greatest delight ultimately lay in his prayer, especially those that he offered during the darkness of the night. Whose example do you prefer over Muhammad, the Greatest Muslim Personality?

Reading about the Prophet and his way of life always brings me to tears. SubhanAllah, he was so patient and gentle at times where I feel like I could explode! His personality was incomparable and insha’Allah, Allah (SWT) will guide us on the straight path so that we can be more like An-Nabi (SAW). Ameen.

Insha’Allah make dua’ for your sister,

ma’asalaam =)

mutma'inaa

The Most Beautiful names of Allah (SWT)

2008-04-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Insha’Allah you are in the best states of Iman and Ihsan.

I know, it’s almost halfway through the month and I haven’t done the Name of the Month. I had misplaced the book I use, Samira Fayyad Khawaldeh’s The Most Beautiful names of Allah but alhamdulillah I have found it now soooo…

This month’s Most Beautiful and Glorious Name is Ar-Rahim (The Merciful).

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

“There is no god but He, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate.” (2:163)

Rahim (الرحيم) is another attribute, also in the intensive form derived from rahma (mercy). Here ‘mercy’ implies pity, patience and forgiveness, all of which sinners need. “O My servants who have transgressed against their souls; do not despair of Allah’s mercy; surely He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Compassionate.” (39:53)

Allah is more merciful than vengeful. In a Holy Hadith, He says, “My mercy surpasses my wrath.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

“My mercy embraces all things, and I shall prescribe ir for those who are god-fearing” (7:156). “Do you think this mother would throw her infant child in the fire? Allah is more merciful to His servants than she is to her child.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

To be merciful is essential for a Muslim: “The merciful ones will be given mercy by the All-merciful. Be merciful to those who are on this earth and the One in heaven will have mercy on you.” (Al-Bukhari)

“My mercy embraces all things, and I shall prescribe it for those who are god-fearing.” (7:156)

May Allah (SWT) have mercy on our souls and may He take us as Muslims. Ameen.

ma'asalaam =)

IslamoPHOBIA

2008-04-11T03:42:00.000-07:00

Assalamualikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Insha'Allah you are all enjoying the blessings of Allah (SWT).
Recently, I wrote an article for my local newspaper. Alhamdulillah, it was received very well. Besides the odd hypocritical, anti-Muslim comment, most people acknowledged me for shedding light on such a relevant and important issue.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agoraphobia. Claustrophobia. Motorphobia. Heck, there’s even a phobia for beards – Pogonophobia. I had heard the term “phobia” quite often, and although perceiving it to entail some sort of fear of something, I never quite understood what it truly meant, since I was not afraid of leaving my home, nor was I fearful of closed spaces, cars or beards for that matter. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines phobia as “an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation.” It was not until I grew much older that I realized what phobia really meant, and the effects it could have not only on greater social society, but on an individual level as well – in short the effect a certain phobia would have on me.

I remember the first time I was exposed to what I know now as constituting a phobia. In this case, it is now defined in my mind as Islamophobia. I remember it really well because when you are 9 years-old, things like this traumatize you. It had been two years since I had started wearing a hijab, a religious head-covering worn by Muslim women, as well as modest loose-fitting clothing which is supposed to cover everything except the face and hands. Quite contrary to the notion of being forced to do so, I chose to wear it myself. I was walking down the school stairs before lunchtime when this big guy in grade five pushed me and said “Don’t you know you can’t wear hats in school?” Although it sounds ludicrous now, when most adults in a multicultural metropolitan like Toronto know or should know that hijabs look nothing like hats, at the time, I was too young and shy to even think of hurling words back at him. That day, my only way of coping with the hurt was to go home and cry.

Comments about the hijab can range from silly, to rude, to absolutely disgusting. Hijabs aside, something that really bothers me is when the random individual tells me to “go back home to my country.” Has it ever occurred to them that maybe, just maybe, Canada is my country? I have heard many similar stories, in fact, I have even read about them. Recently I became aware, through the radio, the news and newspapers; of a woman named Halima Muse who wanted to wear an ankle length skirt instead of a mini skirt at work (she worked at the airport scanning luggage and such). The comments some Torontonians gave in response to the issue were often supportive. However, more often than not, I would see the typical “if she can’t abide by it, she ought to not work there” and “she can go back home to her country or find somewhere that suits her beliefs.” This sort of mentality is prevalent in Toronto. There have been numerous times when people approached me or my sisters and told us to go back to our country. The first time somebody said this to me, I was completely stunned because Canada is my birth country. I thought they were asking me a series of conversational questions so I went on a long rant about how I wanted to go back to the city I was born in, Calgary. Another thing that bothers me is when people take long pauses between words and use exaggerated hand gestures when talking to me as if I do not know English. Hello. English is my first language!

Before 9/11, when people asked me where I was from, I told them that my parents were from Afghanistan and the usual response was, “Where is that?” Nowadays, the response is something like “Ha! Terrorist!” or “Hey, are you related to Osama bin Laden?” Comments like this make me think. Are they trying to imply that I am a terrorist, or are they really so naïve as to think that every single Afghan is related to every other Afghan (including Osama bin Laden, who is, you guessed it, not Afghan)? Wow. What I cannot comprehend is that when a terrorist attack is carried out by the odd fanatic, as soon as people find out that the terrorist was a “Muslim”, or is named Ahmad or Muhammad or has an Abu or bin somewhere in his name, they blame Islam. The terrorist was a Muslim. Muslims are terrorists. All Muslims are terrorists and even if they are not, we can prove many of them are. Ehem, ever heard of Daniel Pipes?

Along with branding most Muslims as terrorists, the media has spoon-fed the public into thinking that Muslim women who cover their heads are deprived of their rights and are inferior to men. The media then takes verses from the Qur’an out of context and makes it seem like we are forced to cover ourselves modestly. In actuality, to me, the hijab makes sense. Contrary to what people think, a hijab keeps a girl cool in the summer time. I see people sweat and get all sticky and smelly during the summer. Personally, I have never gotten sweaty under my hijab! Many times people have told me that they feel sorry for me because I wear the hijab along with long sleeved shirts and pants year round, including the summer. In fact it has been proven that wearing long sleeves prevents diseases like skin cancer and other sunburn-related skin diseases. If a random woman decided to cover her head with a designer scarf, wear long sleeves and a long skirt, she would not be looked at horribly. For that matter, nuns, with their long black robes and head coverings are seen as pious and pure. If my clothing is so similar to theirs, why do I not merit the same judgment?

My sister was once walking to her class downtown. While walking towards the subway station, a homeless man approached her and asked her for money. She sincerely had no change and told him so. As she walked away he started to follow her and whispered to her that he knew that she had a bomb with her. When she paid him no heed, he screamed, “She has a bomb! I saw it! She’s going to bomb the subway station!” My sister hardly reacted and walked into the subway station where the homeless man could not follow her. Nobody did anything but stare. A friend of hers was harassed downtown for also apparently “having a bomb” by a nicely dressed man in an expensive suit. Such is the state of the society that Muslims cannot go anywhere without being pigeonholed as a terrorist at least once in their lives.

Ask any Muslim and they will tell you that in some way or other, whether directly or indirectly, they have been a victim of hate crimes. It could be graffiti on the walls of the local mosque, or a face-to-face confrontation with someone who has a fight in mind. Whatever it is, it is no less than Islamophobia. I may sound cliché, but I just thought I would share my side of the story.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Insha’Allah keep me in your dua’s

Ma’asalaam =)

Easy Good Deeds

2008-04-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Insha'Allah you are all enjoying the blessings of Allah (SWT).

As humans, we can never have enough good deeds. We are constantly in need of these in order to please Allah All-Mighty. Below is a list of a few easy ways we can attain our good deeds. Insha'Allah you will find it beneficial and may Allah (SWT) give us the strength to implement what we learn. Ameen.

1. Think of Allah before you take any action. Make dua before everything- sleeping, eating, studying, driving...

2. Read the Qur'an in Arabic and the meaning every day - take the time out of your busy schedule to listen to Allah.

3. Become a serious student of this Deen. Try to make it to the next Islamic class, halaqah or meeting. Shock your friends, bring a notebook ;).

4. Evaluate yourself daily before going bed. Thank Allah for good deeds, repent to Him for your mistakes and sins.

5. Avoid looking at unlawful pictures, whether they be from television, magazines, or otherwise.

6. Study the history of Islam. Learn of the great scholars and warriors who died with Allah on their lips and Islam in their hearts. Strive to emulate them.

7. Spend some time listening to recitation of the Quran.

8. Encourage your non-practicing friends to come to Islamic events.

9. Hang out with other Muslims.

10. Talk to your non-Muslim friends about Islam. Have you taken the time to explain the basics to them?

11. Go to at least one convention/conference/camp a year.

12. Perform the sunnah and nawafil salahs as much as possible. Find time to pray extras, such as Salat ad-Duha, Qiyamul-layl, and Tahajjud.

13. Subscribe to a Muslim magazine.

14. Buy Islamic gear.

15. Take the time to understand what's going on in the Muslim world today. Do your part to get involved and help relief organizations.

16. Try to fast Mondays and Thursdays as of today.

17. Lower your gaze.

18. Start reading Qur'an after Salat-ul Fajr.

19. Go to bed early so that you can wake up far Salat-ul Fajr.

20. Keep yourself in a state of wudu' most of the time.

21. Really listen to speakers. Take their advice to heart, commit yourself to change.

22. Give yourself time alone, so that you can think about your life, your deeds, make dhikr.

23. Start giving sadaqah daily, no matter how little. Make it a habit like eating and drinking.

24. Spend more time reading Islamic books, especially the Seerah, Hadith, and Fiqh.

25. Associate with knowledgeable people, hafidh, qari', and other ulama. You might learn something.

26. Try to learn how to make dawah to non-Muslims. It is an art requiring knowledge and diplomacy.

27. Watch as little television as possible. Seriously.

28. Go to the masjid.

29. Don't criticize if you dislike something- do your part to change it.

30. Stand up for right, forbid evil.

31. Avoid eating too much. Do not eat unless you are hungry and try not to fill your stomach.

32. If you like to listen to music, replace them with nasheeds, music with Islamic lyrics or with Quranic recitation.

33. Buy Islamic videos, tapes, posters, books, clothes, support your Muslims brothers and sisters and make Islam a part of every aspect of your life.

34. If you meet any new Muslims, buddy up with them and make them feel like a part of your community.

35. Break out of your clique.

BE BRAVE
PREPARE FOR STRUGGLE
PERSEVERE
HAVE CERTAINTY THAT ISLAM WILL BE VICTORIOUS

As always, I am reminding myself before I remind others.
Insha'Allah keep me in your dua's,

ma'asalaam =)

source: mutma'inaa

The Most Beautiful Heart

2008-03-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum,
Insha'Allah you are all in the best of states.

I would like to share a story I found on the net. Masha'Allah it is very beautiful and it should serve as a reminder to us all.

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley.

A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it.

Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.

Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said, “Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine.” The crowd and the young man looked at the old man’s heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn’t fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing.

The people stared — how can he say his heart is more beautiful, they thought? The young man looked at the old man’s heart and saw its state and laughed. “You must be joking,” he said. “Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears.” “Yes,” said the old man, “yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you.

You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren’t exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared.

Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn’t returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges — giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting.

So now do you see what true beauty is?” The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man’s heart. It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges.

The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man’s heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side.

Please let everyone know each day how much they mean to you, as they may be gone tomorrow.

May Allah (SWT) make as the among the people of Jannah. Ameen.

ma'asalaam =)

Smiling is Charity :)

2008-03-22T06:27:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Insha'Allah you are all in the best of states.

Prophet Muhammad, (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), is reported to have said:
"There is no person who does not have the obligation of (doing) charity every day that the sun rises."

Whereupon he was asked: "O messenger of God, wherefrom would we get something to give in charity (so often)?" To which he, (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), replied:

"Indeed the gates to goodness are many: glorifying God, praising Him, magnifying Him, saying 'There is no god but Allah', enjoining the good and forbidding the wrong, removing (any source of harm from the road, listening to the aggrieved, guiding the blind, showing the seeker his need, striving as far as your two legs could carry you and with deep concern to give succour to him who asks, carrying with the strength of your arms (the burdens of) the weak. All these are (acts of) charity which are an obligation on you." And he added:

"And your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, your removing of stones and thorns from people's paths is charity, and your guiding a man gone astray in the world is charity for you."

Any person who comes across this beautiful hadith must pause for some moments to consider some of its meanings and implications.

The hadith has two main concerns:
(1) Awakening the springs of goodness in the human heart
(2) Strengthening the society with the bond of love, affection and brotherhood.

Charity, as it is traditionally understood, consists of money or various objects given by the rich to help the poor or by the strong to help the weak. Charity, according to this understanding, is extremely narrow and its effects on the life of society is limited. The saying of the Prophet, however, takes charity out of this narrow, physical meaning and on to a spiritual plane that opens up a vast and limitless world by emphasizing that every good is charity. And on every person is the obligation of charity. This is a unique concept of charity.

What is charity? Isn't it "giving"? Indeed, so it is. Then let every act of giving be charity-even a smile in the face of your brother. Charity has a physical and a spiritual dimension which are thus fused into one so that a person can say in giving charity:

Take this penny, or take this helping hand or take this feeling!

It is all one practical method proceeding from the depths of the soul but we do not always realise the essence of it. The noble Prophet makes us realise the single spiritual essence which lies behind every act of goodness. But the Prophet, peace be upon him, does not want us merely to know. Knowledge is not an end in itself. He wants to make us return to goodness, goodness which is the very word of God, and the word of God is supreme. He wants that each of us should move and stir ourselves from within into goodness so that giving would become a habit of life, and that this habit would pass from person to person and prove infectious throughout society.

The wisdom of the prophet lies in expanding the scope of goodness so that it becomes within the scope of each individual. If charity or goodness were to remain restricted to tangible things or to money, many persons would be prevented from doing humanitarian deeds and much wealth would remain locked up within individuals with no one benefiting and no one discovering its rich and abundant meaning.

The noble Prophet himself acted in a kind and concerned manner in all his human relationships just as a kind and concerned father would behave towards his son. He showed the way to people-step by step-and identified himself with their problems tirelessly and whatever the obstacles were. He showed in so doing the best way to train people and to win their hearts. That is why he made actions which seem to be quite a significant part of charity. That is why he was able to say;

"Smiling in the face of your brother is charity and pouring out from your bucket into your brother's bucket is charity."

There are some people who do not ever smile and they do not ever open up their facial features when they meet others. There are people who are even stingy with a drop of water, a drop of God-given water! They may be malicious or within them there is a disease which has blocked the springs of goodness in their souls. The problem is not merely a smile, or a drop of water. It concerns the act of giving. Giving is movement from within which opens up the locked doors of the self, stirring the spiritual hand and making it open freely and widely. Giving is a positive movement and the soul that is conditioned by positive impulses is a living, stirring, active soul which stands in marked contrast to the negative, cramped and feeble soul.

Charity in its tangible, narrow sense divides people into the receivers on the one hand and the givers on the other. This division inspires among the receivers feelings of weakness and even of error, and among those who give feelings of pride and conceit. Such a division, for society, is extremely evil.

But the comprehensive Islamic concept of charity which includes all good actions how- ever small they may be, allows every person whether rich or poor, to become givers and receivers on an equal basis. This points to another basic principle of Islamic thought and behaviour-that the standard on which life is judged is not the materialistic or the economic standard alone but one based on faith, feeling and sensitivity which form the core of human relations.

Mankind has always been absorbed with and infatuated by amassing wealth and possessions, and often considers such materialism to be the very mainstay of life. But a society based on economic and materialistic considerations alone is often dry and hard and callous and is eaten up by hatred and envy. Of course, Islam does not neglect the material world and the needs of life. Indeed it gives it due attention. But it does not merely stop there, because life in actuality does not stop there. Instead it carries it on to wider and varied horizons, to greater and higher levels. For Islam is the religion of life complete. And from it comes the ties of faith, affection and love to bind hearts and the society together.

Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And (as for the believers) God has brought their hearts together. And if you had spent all that is in the earth you could not have brought their hearts together."
[surah 8:63].

The Prophet, (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), has said:
"No one of you believes untill he loves for his brother what he loves for himself."

This is the essense of charity. So begin by meeting your brother with a smile. This would open up locked souls, penetrate to the depths of the heart and exert a magnetic bond on society.
Read the hadith again and see how it reaches into the depths of the soul, the essence of existence and creates hearts that are tender, pure, radiant and beautiful.

May Allah (SWT) give us the strength to act up on this knowledge. Ameen.
Insha'Allah keep me in your prayers,

ma'asalaam =)

Adapted from Muhammad Outb's Qubusat minar-r-rasul by Abdul Wahid Hamid.

25 ways to polish the heart

2008-03-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum,
Insha'Allah you are all in the best of states.

Al Bayhaqi relates from ibn Umar (radiallahu 'anhu) that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "For everything there is a polish, and the polish for the hearts is the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. There is nothing more potent in saving a person from the punishment of Allah than the dhikr of Allah." It was said: Not even Jihad in the path of Allah. So he replied: "Not even if you were to continue striking with your sword until it breaks." There is no doubt that hearts becomes rusty just as copper and silver coins become rusty. The polish for [this rust] is the dhikr of Allah. This is because [dhikr] is like a polish [which polishes the heart] like a shiny mirror. When dhikr is left, the rust returns. But when dhikr resumes, then the heart is [again] polished.The following is a list of 25 things a person can do to increase their Iman and their Ihsan:

1. Start off each day with waking supplications, thanking Allah for waking up in good shape.

2. Put Allah (swt) and then Prophet Mohammad (saw) before anything else in your life.

3. Broaden your horizons-learn 5 new verses from the Qur’an, travel to pray the Fajr in the mosque to brighten your day, take up a booklet having morning supplications and learn them.

4. Pray salat Al-duha (after sunrise).

5. If someone says something mean to you, just shrug it off and dismiss it in a friendly, laidback manner, and pray that Allah shall forgive him or her. They will probably get the message that they're not triggering your anger and they will stop.

6. When you get angry, remember Allah, and how short and worthless life is to waste in being angry.

7. Remember that you can never have too many friends, but you can have few quality friends that help you fulfil the purpose of your creation (i.e. living for the sake of Allah.)

8. When you're happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for what has made you happy and pray for its continuation.

9. When something bad or embarrassing happens to you, just think that it could always be worse, remember the reward of patience, and thank Allah that it's not worse than it is.

10. Do something extra good once in a while, like donating to the poor or donating to the local masjid.

11. Never stop believing that you can win Allah's love. With Allah’s love, we can win the love of Allah's slaves.

12. Spend some time thinking about Allah's amazing creation.

13. Always love those who love Allah unconditionally. This way you will ensure that you live for Him, love for Him, and hate for Him (those who are enemies of Him).

14. Find the righteous ways to express yourself, and if you think that what you are about to say shall cause no benefit, maintain silence (this is tough but keep in mind that with patience comes reward.)

15. Every now and then, give yourself a break. Play sports, give time to your family, friends, but always remember Allah and remember that He is always watching you.

16. Pray for blessings to come to your enemies, and pray Allah to guide them to the right path.

17. Show love to your parents and always obey them (except orders that are against Islam, which they’ll never do) especially your mother as Jannah is under the feet of your mother.

18. Smile to everyone, to all brothers and sisters, for your smile makes a big difference to them and you are rewarded.

19. Forgive, forget and smile.

20. Tears are not for women only... tears are for all human beings with feelings remaining in them. Don't restrain your tears when remembering Allah.

21. When people criticize your actions and effort, revise your actions and see if they please Allah or not. If they do, then ignore their criticism and remember how the Prophets and the Sahaba were criticized, made fun of and even physically harmed. They met all of this with patience so we too must have patience.

22. Read the Qur’an daily. To make it easier, keep a schedule for completing it every so often. Observe the ayahs, try to understand and transform them into action.

23. Don't let popularity go to your head, for it never lasts and you may lose from it more than gain.

24. Never look down on anybody, for they may be better than you in Allah's eyes.

25. After praying the salat-ul-Isha and before going to bed ask yourself whether you gained or lost points (rewards, deeds) during the day. Make repentance for the things you have done wrong and think of ways to improve yourself in the following day.

May Allah (SWT) grant us Jannat-ul-Firdaws. Ameen.

Keep me in your prayers,
ma'asalaam =)

source: mutmainaa

Importance of reading the Qur'an

2008-03-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

Assalamualaikum,
Insha'Allah everyone is doing wonderfully.

Prior to coming across a certain piece of information, I had never taken my Qur'an reading very seriously. Like, I hadn't been reading it every single day. One day, while randomly browsing around on the internet, I came across this:

Rasulallah (SAW) said:When a man dies and his relatives are busy in funeral, there stands an extremely handsome man by his head.

When the dead body is shrouded, that man gets in between the shroud and the chest of the deceased.

When the people return home after the burial, two angels, Munkar and Nakir (angels who test the faith of the dead in their graves), come in the grave and try to separate this handsome man so that they may be able to interrogate the dead man in privacy about his faith.

But the handsome man says, “He is my companion, he is my friend. I will not leave him alone in any case. If you are appointed for interrogation, do your job. I cannot leave him until I get him admitted into Paradise”.Thereafter he turns to his dead companion and says, “I am the Qur’an, which you used to read, sometimes in a loud voice and sometimes in a low voice. Do not worry.

After the interrogation of Munkar and Nakir, you will have no grief. When the interrogation is over, the handsome man arranges for him from Al-Mala’ul A’laa (the angels in Heaven) a silk bedding filled with musk.

Rasulallah (SAW) said: “On the Day of Judgement, before Allah, no other intercessor will have a greater status than the Qur’an, neither a Prophet nor an angel."

Upon reading this, I was shaken. Who but All Mighty Allah knows when we will die? Are we ready for what is yet to come? SubhanAllah, I found this relation very beautiful and it served as a wake up call for me. Insha'Allah, with the help of Al-Muhaymin, I will try to read and memorize parts of the Qur'an everyday.

May Allah (SWT) give us the strength and the patience in this world so that we may be prosperous in the Hereafter. Ameen.

As always, please keep me in your dua's,

ma'asalaam =)

The Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT)

2008-03-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

Assalamualaikum,
Insha'Allah you are well. This month's Most Beautiful and Glorious Name is Ar-Rahman (The Compassionate). Indeed, Our Lord is Most Compassionate.

"Say: 'He is the All-merciful'" (67:29)
Rahman is a special intensive form derived from rahma (mercy). In human beings, rahma means 'tenderness of the heart'. Yet, when attributed to Allah it means 'granting blessings and warding off evil, through grace, condescension and beneficence.' For this reason, Rahman, like the Name of Allah, is not applied to any but God.

Allah's mercy in this world is general: given to the believer and the nonbeliever. he provides for them and gives them health and what they ask for. "We bestow Our mercy on whoever We will, and shall never deny the righteous their reward" (12:56). "Allah created one hundred mercies, then He put one of them among His creatures by which they love one another, and Allah has the other ninety-nine". (Al-Bukhari).

We must always ask for Allah's mercy and grace, and call Him by this name; our deeds by themselves, do not qualify us to go to Paradise.

Also, we ought to begin any important action after saying these words, "In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate" (1:1).

Believers must be merciful to all creatures. A man was pardoned from all of his sins when he drew water out of a well in his shoe and gave it to a very thirsty dog.

"Our Lord, we Believe; therefore, forgive us, and have mercy on us, for You are the best of the merciful." (23:109)

Insha'Allah keep me in your dua's,

ma'asalaam =)

The Final Return

2008-02-26T09:54:00.000-08:00

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
Insha'Allah you are well and in the best of states.

I would like to share a story with you. It is the true story of how a police officer in a Muslim country found his way back to Allah (SWT).

He recalls: Seeing accidents and crash victims was a normal part of my day, but one incident was different.

“My partner and I had parked on the shoulder of the highway and began to chat. In a random second, the scene shattered to the hideous sound of metal bodies becoming one. We threw our heads back to see what had happened: a head-on collision, the result of a vehicle slipping into the lane of the oncoming traffic. You couldn’t describe the carnage. Two young men sprawled in the first car, both in critical condition. We carried them gently away from the car and rested them on the ground. Quickly we returned to assist the owner of the second car. He was dead. Back we went to the two young men lying side by side on the pavement.
My partner began dictating the Shahadah to them. “Say: La iIaha illAllah (there is no god but Allah), La iIaha illAllah…”

… Their tongues wouldn’t acknowledge. They started humming the hypnotic lyrics of some song. I was terrified. My partner had experience however and he kept repeating his instruction. I stood watching, no movement, eyes locked. Never in my life had I seen anything similar to what was going on before me. In fact, I’ve never actually seen someone die, and never in such a satanic way. My partner continued to instruct them to say the Shahadah but there was no use. The hum of their song came to a slow silence, slowly. The first one stopped and then the other. Not a stir. Dead.

“We carried them to our patrol car, my partner made no effort to speak. Not a whisper between us two as we carried the corpses to the nearest hospital…”

The police officer fell back into routine, as he narrates, and started to drift from Allah. But another event happened to him that sealed the return.

“After some time, about six months, a strange accident took place. A young man was moving along the highway normally, but within one of the tunnels leading to the city, he was maimed by a flat tire. To the side of the tunnel he parked and stepped to the back to remove the spare tire. The whistle of a speeding car from behind. In a second, it collided with the crippled car, the young man in-between. He fell to the ground with critical injuries. I rushed to the scene, myself and another partner other than the first. Together we carried the young man’s body into our patrol car and phoned the hospital to prepare for his arrival.

He was a young adult in his blossom years. Religious, you could tell from his appearance. He was mumbling when we carried him, but in our rush, we had not paid attention to what he was saying. However, when we placed him on his back in the patrol car we could make it out. Through the pain his heart was reciting Qur’an! He was so immersed in the recitation…Subhan Allah; you would have never said that this person was in intense pain. Blood had soaked his clothes crimson red, his bones had clearly snapped in several places. To tell the truth, he looked like he was staring into the eyes of death. He continued to read in his unique, tender voice; reciting each verse in proper rhythm. In my entire life, I had never heard any recitation like it. I said to myself, I’m…I’m going to instruct him to say the Shahadah just like I saw my friend doing; especially since I had previous experience. My partner and I listened intently to that soft voice. I felt a shiver shock my back and up my arm, the hair stood. Suddenly, the hymn ceased. I watched silently as his hand rose softly. He had his index finger pointed upward to the heavens, saying the Shahadah (La ilaha illa Allah/There is no god but Allah). Then…his head slumped. Nothing. I jumped to the back seat, felt his hand, his heart, his breathing. He was dead!

I couldn’t stop staring at him. A tear fell but I hid it in shame. I turned back to my partner and told him that the boy’s life had ceased - he burst out loud crying. Seeing a man cry like that, I could not control myself and my partner faded away behind the fall of my own tears. The patrol car fogged from the emotions.

We arrived at the hospital. As we rushed through the corridors, we told all the doctors, nurses, and onlookers what had happened. So many people were affected by what we said, some stood there speechless and tearful. No one wanted to lose sight of the boy until they had been assured of the time and place he would be buried. One of the hospital staff phoned the boys home. His brother picked it up and was told of the accident.

His brother told us about him: He used to go out every Monday to visit his only grandmother outside of town. Whenever he visited her, he made sure to spend time with the poor and orphaned children idling in the streets.

The town knew him - he was the one that would bring them the Islamic books and tapes. His dusty Mazda would be filled with rice and sugar and even candies – couldn’t forget the candies – for those families who were in need.

He would not stand for anyone to discourage him from the long journey to that town. He would always politely reply that the long drive gave him time to review his Quran and listen to Islamic lectures on his cassette deck. And … and that with every step to the town he hoped for the reward he would find with Allah…”

It is true, brothers and sisters, that Allah is Merciful and forgives and forgives. [Yet I am quite Forgiving…] But to whom? […towards anyone who turns (in repentance) and believes and acts honourable; then he will be guided.] - Surah Taha 20:82

[O our people! Respond to Allah’s Caller (Muhammad - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and believe in him, Allah will forgive you of your sins and will save your from a painful torment.]- Surah al-Ahqaf 46:31

Just like we reply someone’s call when they phone us - this is Allah and His Messenger calling us! Let us answer. There is a verse in the Qur’an that when Shaytaan read it he cried and felt regret. Read this verse, it is the door to our happiness in this life and the next:

[And those who, if they commit an immorality or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and who do not persist in what they have done while they know.]

Allah then continues: [For those - their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow (in Jannah), wherein they shall abide eternally. Excellent is the reward of the (righteous) workers.] - Surah Al-Imraan 3:135,136

Allah sent the Prophets and the books; He sent the warners and glad tiders; and He sent the reminders. And atop all that, Allah comes down to Samaa’ ad-Dunya - in a way befitting of His Majesty - in the third portion of the night - every night - calling to every one of His servants: “Who will call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may forgive him?” (Al-Bukhari)

Dear brothers and sisters, let us make a pledge tonight to set our alarm clocks an hour or two earlier than Fajr prayer. Let’s wake up at this time to pary two rakats to Allah (SWT). And in Sajdah, recall just one sin and ask Allah (SWT) to forgive you for that sin, pledging that you shall never return to it.

May Allah (SWT) guide and keep us on the straight path and may He take us as Muslims and grant us Jannat-ul-firdaws. Ameen

Insha’Allah, keep me in your prayers!

ma'asalaam =)

source: qisas.com

Significance of the lunar eclipse

2008-02-21T05:46:00.001-08:00

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
Insha'Allah you are all doing well.

This is a picture I took last night during the total lunar eclipse. SubhanAllah, it was both beautiful and scary to stand there by the window and see the shadow of the earth creep over the moon. Beautiful because Allah (SWT) has created something so magnificent and scary because it makes me think of Youm Al-Qiyamah (The Day of Resurrection). If we think a lunar eclipse is breathtaking, what will the Day of Judgment be like?
This is one of the reasons why it is important for Muslims to be humble before Allah (SWT) during an eclipse. The lunar eclipse is very frightening and when we get scared, we turn to our Lord for patience and perseverance. Abu Bakr (radia’Allahuanhu) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah and they do not eclipse because of the death of someone, but Allah frightens His devotees with them."
Contrary to popular belief, Muslims pray during this time, not because of any superstition, but because we know that similar things will happen at the end of the world. We do not know when the end of the world will come, but when such signs appear, we pray to Allah (SWT) to remember Him and to seek His forgiveness.

He question: “When is the Day of Resurrection?”
At length when the sight is dazed
And the moon is buried in darkness [eclipsed]
And the sun and the moon are joined together, that Day will man say;
“Where is the refuge?”

Surah al-Qiyamah (6-10)

When I offered my two rakats last night, I felt relaxed. SubhanAllah, it is all just so amazing. This was the first lunar eclipse that I actually took time to look at and think about and it opened my eyes a little wider. Insha'Allah, you have benefited from this and may Allah (SWT) keep you on the straight path. Ameen.

ma'asalaam =)

The Importance of Being Thankful

2008-02-19T13:49:00.000-08:00

Assalamualaikum.
Insha'Allah you are all doing well.
While searching up some inspirational stories (we all need to be inspired once in a while!) I came across this one. All I can say is...subhanAllah.

Being Thankful

Qisas.com

It is said that once Hasan al-Basri had a very sharp headache, so he tied a bandana over his head. Rabia Basri saw him and inquired the cause for the bandana, to which Hasan al-Basri told her of the headache.

Rabia Basri asked him if this headache is something he gets often. Hasan al-Basri replied that Allah has blessed him with good health and it is after many years that he had a headache this severe.

“Is it not strange that Allah gave you good health for years, and then when He afflicts you with some pain, you wear a banner on your head to advertise your pain?”

Hasan al-Basri says that after that day he never ever complained of any harship he faced.

I don’t know the authenticity, but I often marvel at the lesson. How thankful are we in the times of ease and how quick we are to complain in the times of difficulty? We have to realise that it is only with the mercy of Allah (SWT) that we feel ease and comfort as well as pain and difficulty. We must also keep in mind that with pain comes ease because pain wipes away some of our sins. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “No misfortune or disease befalls a Muslim, no worry or grief or harm or distress – not even a thorn that pricks him – but Allah will expiate for some of his sins because of that.” Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim.

May Allah (SWT) keep us on the straight path.

ma'salaam =)

2008-02-13T05:56:00.000-08:00

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
Insha'Allah you are all doing well.

I was searching some things up on the internet when I came across this story.

Once, a visitor was being shown around a leper colony in India. The colony was built to provide a shelter for those people who were poor and had various physical disabilities. At noon a gong sounded to gather the inhabitants for the midday meal. People came from all parts of the compound to the dining hall. Suddenly, everyone started laughing at seeing two young men; one riding on the other's back, pretending to be a horse and a rider. They were having lots of fun. As the visitor watched, he was told that the man who carried his friend was blind, and the man being carried was lame (who couldn't walk). The one who couldn't see used his feet; the one who couldn't walk used his eyes. Together they helped each other and reached their destination.

SubhanAllah, what a motivating story. This story should be a lesson. Let us use each other's strengths to make up for the weaknesses of others. Our strength is in unity, not in division. Allah (SWT) says to us:

"And hold fast,
All together, by the rope
Which Allah (stretches out for you),
and be not divided among yourselves;"
[Al-Qur’an 3:103]

It is a fact that Muslims are divided. The Glorious Qur’an is the rope of Allah which all Muslims should “hold fast together”. Islam believes in fostering unity amongst its followers. Insha’Allah, Allah (SWT) will give us the strength and ability to stay together.

Oh Allah, grant us good in this world and in the hereafter and save us from the punishment of the hellfire. Ameen.

ma’asalaam =)

Increasing our love for Allah (SWT)

2008-02-09T09:12:00.000-08:00

Assalamualaikum,

Insha'Allah, you are all in the best of states.

Mahabbah (love for Allah) is something a person is constantly striving for because we can never have enough of it.
Abu Bakr al-Kattaanee said :

A discussion about mahabbah took place in Makkah during the Pilgrimage month. The sheikhs who were present spoke about this matter and al-Junayd was the youngest of them. They said to him: O Iraqi, what do you have to say? He bowed his head; tears were flowing from his eyes as he said:

“A servant should overcome his soul;
And be continuous in the remembrance of his Lord;
Establishing the Rights of his Lord;
Focusing upon Him with his heart;
The late of fear setting a blaze upon his heart;
Whilst drinking from the vessel of true love;
And certain realities become unveiled to him;
So when he talks, it is due to Allah;
When he speaks, it is from Allah;
When he moves, it is by the command of Allah;
And when he is serene, then it is from Allah;
He belongs to Allah, is for Allah, and is with Allah.”

Here is a list of 10 ways to increase one's mahabbah:

First: Reciting the Qur’an, reflecting upon it and understanding its meanings.

Second: Drawing closer to Allah through the performance of optional deeds, after fulfilling the obligatory deeds.

Third: Being continuous in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah - in all circumstances - with the tongue, the heart and the limbs. The more constant the dhikr, the more mahabbah intensifies.

Fourth: Giving precedence to what Allah loves - when being overcome with desires - over what one personally loves and desires.

Fifth: Causing the heart to contemplate over the Names and Attributes of Allah. Being a witness to what they necessitate and causing the heart to be enlightened in the garden of this realization.

Sixth: Witnessing the blessing and the favours of Allah; the apparent and the hidden.

Seventh: Subduing the heart and humbling it before Allah, causing it to be in awe of Him.

Eighth: Being in seclusion during the time in which Allah descends to the lowest Heaven; reciting the Qur’an, and finishing this recitation with seeking Allah’s forgiveness and sincerely repenting to Him.

Ninth: Sitting in the gatherings of the sincere and true lovers of Allah; reaping the benefits of their teachings, and not speaking except when you know there is benefit in doing so and that such speech will increase you in good and benefit others as well.

Tenth: Keeping clear from all those matters which will cause the heart to distance itself from Allah - the Mighty and Majestic.

So these are ten matters which cause the lover to reach the station of true love for Allah, so that he may then reach Allah - our Beloved. (so told by Sheikh Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah; taken from Islamicpsychology ).

Insha'Allah this material has been of use to you and May Allah (SWT) help us to implement the knowledge that we gain for the greater good.

Keep me in your prayers!
ma'asalaam =)

The Beautiful Names of Allah (SWT)

2008-02-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
Insha'Allah you are all doing well.

Allah loves to be glorified and praised by His Names when invoked . Allah says: "The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on him by them" (Qur’an 7:180)

Insha'Allah at the beginning of each month, I will post one of His Most Glorious Names and describe it in detail using Samira Fayyad Khawaldeh's book entitled "The Most Beautiful Names of Allah".

This month's name: Allah (SWT)

"Truly, I am Allah; there is no god but I; therefore serve Me" (20:14). Allah is the most sacred Name that indicates the Being Most High, His oneness and His godly attributes. "Say: 'He is Allah, One; Allah, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, and who has not been begotten, and to whom there is no equal' " (112:1-4). No god is to be worshipped other than Allah. "And call not upon another god with Allah; there is no god but He. All things perish, except Himself" (28:88).

Things exist by the will of Allah. "When We decree a thing, We need only say: 'Be', and it is" (16:40). He supervises their affairs: "Surely your Lord is Allah, whom created the heavens and the earth in six days, then ascending His throne, ordaining all things," (10:3),...

"And He is God; there is no god but He. His is the praise in this world and in the hereafter; His too is the power supreme, and to Him you shall be recalled" (28:70).
While other Names are attributes, 'Allah' is the proper name of God, that has never been given to any other being in Islam or Jahiliyya (pre-islamic times).

Insha'Allah you have learned from this and I hope that we can implement what we learn for the greater good.

ma'asalaam =)

Assalamualaikum!

2008-02-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

Allhamdulillah you have reached my blog. Insha'Allah I will be updating it soon so be sure to visit often!

"The World is three days: As for yesterday, it has vanished, along with all that was in it. As for tomorrow, you may never see it. As for today, it is yours, so work on it."
- Hassan al-Basr

ma'asalaam =)