Wisdom from the Holy Quran

In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful

Wisdom from the Holy Quran

"Verily this Qur'an doth guide to that which is most right" (17:9).

RIGHTEOUSNESS
"Do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth." (2:60)

"Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong." (3:104)

"Do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are of kin, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess." (4:36)

"[God] forbids all indecent deeds, and evil and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition." (16:90)

"Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you." (49:13)

GENEROSITY
"Give of the good things which ye have (honorably) earned, and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you." (2:267)

"If ye disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if ye conceal them, and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you ." (2:271)

"By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love." (3:92)

"Those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, they are the ones that achieve prosperity." (59:9)

"[Do not] expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)!" (74:6)

GRATITUDE
"Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to God, if it is Him ye worship." (2:172)

"Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal." (31:14)

"[God] liketh not ingratitude from His servants: if ye are grateful, He is pleased with you." (39:7)

CONTENTMENT
"In no wise covet those things in which God hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others: to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: but ask God of His bounty." (4:32)

HUMILITY
"Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for God loveth not those who trespass beyond bounds." (7:55)

"Celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration." (15:98)

"The servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, 'Peace!'" (25:63)

"Exult not, for God loveth not those who exult (in riches)." (28:76)

"Swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for God loveth not any arrogant boaster." (31:18)

KINDNESS
"God loveth those who are kind." (5:13)

"Be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: 'My Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.'" (17:23-24)

"We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning." (31:14)

"Treat not the orphan with harshness, nor repulse him who asks." (93:9-10)

COURTESY
"When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy. God takes careful account of all things." (4:86)

"Let not some men among you laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor let some women laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames." (49:11)



PURITY
"Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the Satan, for he is to you an avowed enemy." (2:168)

"[God] loves those who keep themselves pure and clean." (2:222)

"When ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body... God doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean." (5:6)

GOOD SPEECH
"Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best: for Satan doth sow dissensions among them." (17:53)

"[The believers] have been guided... to the purest of speeches." (22:24)

"Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger and backbiter." (104:1)

RESPECT
"Say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: 'Do ye (also) submit yourselves?' If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, thy duty is to convey the Message." (3:20)

"Enter not houses other than your own, until ye have asked permission and saluted those in them: that is best for you, in order that ye may heed (what is seemly). If ye find no one in the house, enter not until permission is given to you: if ye are asked to go back, go back: that makes for greater purity for yourselves." (24:27-28)

"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?" (49:12)

WISDOM
"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious." (16:125)

TOLERANCE
"Say: 'O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than God.' If then they turn back, say ye: 'Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to God's Will).'" (3:64)

"If it had been thy Lord's Will, they would all have believed, all who are on earth! Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!" (10:99)

JUSTICE
"Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve." (4:135)

"God loveth those who judge in equity." (5:42)

"Take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law." (6:151)


"Woe to the worshippers... who (want but) to be seen." (107:4-6)

PATH TO PARADISE

This made my eyes wet

QUOTE
Every Friday afternoon, after the Jumma prayers, the Imam and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out "PATH TO PARADISE" and other Islamic literature.

This particular and fortunate Friday afternoon, as the time came for the Imam and his son to go to the streets with their booklets, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring rain.

The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, 'OK, dad, I'm ready!'

His dad asked, 'Ready for what' 'Dad, it's time we go out and distribute these Islamic books.'

Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring rain.'

The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, 'But Dad, aren't people still going to hell, even though it's raining?'

Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather.'

Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go Please'

His father hesitated for a moment then said, 'Son, you can go. Here are the booklets. Be careful son.'

'Thanks, Dad!'

And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a pamphlet or a booklet.

After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST BOOKLET. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a booklet to, but the streets were totally deserted.




Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered..

He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer.

Finally, he turned to leave, but something stopped him.
Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!

He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.

Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, 'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that ALLAH REALLY LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU and I came to give you my very last booklet which will tell you all about God, the real purpose of creation, and how to achieve His pleasure.'

With that, he handed her his last booklet and turned to leave.

She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'

Next week on Friday afternoon after Jumma prayers, the Imam was giving some lectures. As he concludes the lectures, he asked, 'Does anybody have questions or want to say anything?'

Slowly, in the back row among the ladies, an elderly lady's voice was heard over the speaker.
'No one in this gathering knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Friday I was not a Muslim, and thought I could be. My husband died few years ago, leaving me totally alone in this world.. Last Friday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, i was contemplating suicide as i had no hope left.

So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home.. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and broken-hearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.

I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly....

I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.

When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that ALLAH REALLY LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU!'

Then he gave me this booklet, Path To Paradise that I now hold in my hand.

As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this book. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.

You see? I am now a Happy Vicegerent of the One True God. Since the address of your congregation was stamped on the back of this booklet, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'

There was not a dry eye in the mosque. The shouts of TAKBIR...ALLAH AKBAR.. rented the air.

Imam-Dad descended from the pulpit to the front row where the little angel was seated....

He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

Probably no jama'at has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a father that was more filled with love and honor for his son... Except for One. This very one...

Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.

Don't let this message die, read it again and pass it to others. Heaven is for His people!
Remember, God's message CAN make the difference in the life of someone close to you.
Please share this wonderful message
Spread His Word, help Him and you'll see His hand in everything you do...

Q 5:3: This day I've perfected your religion for you, and completed my favor on you, and chose Islam for you as religion....

With prayers...........

The Story Of The Bull

The Story Of The Bull - Khutbah by Imam Anwar al-Awlaki

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

“O you who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared.[Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islâm (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allâh.” (Aali Imran 3:102)

“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allâh through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship. Surely, Allâh is Ever an All*Watcher over you.” (An-Nisa 4:1)

“O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth.” (Al-Ahzab 33:70)

Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) asked Ubbay ibn Ka’ab (may Allah be pleased with him), “What is the meaning of Taqwa?”

Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “O Amir ul Mu’minin, have you walked on a field that had a lot of thorny plants?”

Umar said, “Yes” Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “So what did you do?”

Umar replied, “I lifted up my clothes and I was very careful,” Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “That is Taqwa.” We are walking on a field that is full of thorny plants.

Shaytan and his followers will try to seduce you and invite you to Evil. So having Taqwa in Dunya is lifting up your clothes and being careful, so that you would not touch this evil. And that is the definition of Taqwa and we ask Allah to make us of those of al- Muttaqeen. Dear Brothers and Sisters, there’s a famous Story (parable) that I will go through, you may have herd it before, but there are some very important lessons we can learn from it.

The story goes like this: “There were four Cows. One of them was white and the other three were black. They used to live in a dangerous area surrounded by wolves. The way they protected themselves was that they were always together, they would stick together, watch out for each other, everyone was keeping an attentative eye, and they survived, even though the area was surrounded by wild beasts.

But the three black cows had a meeting one day. And they said, “This white cow is giving us away. When we try to hide at night, because we are black no one can see us, but the enemy is able to see the white cow, so why don’t we just let him go. The three of us will be together and let’s just let the white cow go away because he is just too much trouble.”

So now from that day on, the three black cows would be on one side and the poor white cow is alone. They boycotted the white cow. Now the wolf is very intelligent. He was able to detect the disunity that was amongst these cows. So he made his move and he attacked the white cow, and while he was devouring his flesh, the three black cows were doing nothing.

They were watching it, while their brother was being torn into pieces! But the following night, the wolf attacked the three black cows, why? Because now there were one cow short. So they were not as strong as they were the day before. Because they let down their brother white cow, now the wolf attacked them and was able to snatch away one of the black cows.

And now we only have two left. So the following night, it was an even easier thing for the wolf because only two are left, so he ate one of them. And then on the final night there was only one cow left and the cow was trying frantically to run away from the wolf, but now the cow has no supporter and no helper.

So the wolf is pursing it with confidence and he knows this cow will get tired and fall down, there’s nothing the cow could do. Nobody to help him, so the wolf is walking around very happily with confidence, and he pounced at the cow and grabbed him by the neck, and while he did that and the cow was pronouncing his last words, he made a very important statement, a statement that is a great lesson that we can learn from.

This black cow said, (while he was dying), “I was eaten, the day the white cow was eaten. I had signed on my execution form, the day I allowed the white cow to be eaten, that’s when I died. I didn’t die now, I didn’t die today…I died when I allowed the wolf to eat the white cow”

The Imam and the old man‏

In the name of Allah, the Most-Gracious, the Most-Merciful
Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide.I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.


Rabi’ ibn Sulayman (a companion of Imam al-Shafi’i) said:

‘We were with al-Shafi’i one day when an old man wearing garments of wool came to us with a walking-stick in his hand. Al-Shafi’i stood up, fixed his clothes and greeted the old man. He sat down and al-Shafi’i began looking at him in admiration when the man said:

Old man: Can I ask?

Al-Shafi’i: Ask.

Old man: What is the Hujjah (evidence) in the religion of Allah?

Al-Shafi’i: The Book of Allah.

Old man: What else?

Al-Shafi’i: The Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam).

Old man: What else?

Al-Shafi’i: The consensus of the Ummah.

Old man: Where did you get ‘consensus of the Ummah’ from? (i.e. what’s your evidence).

Al-Shafi’i pondered for a moment when the old man said:

Old man: I will leave you for 3 days. If you come up with evidence from the Book of Allah, fine. If not, then repent to Allah Ta’ala.

Al-Shafi’i’s face changed colour and then he left. He didn’t come out until the third day, between dhuhr and ‘asr. His face, hands and legs had swollen and he became ill. He sat down but it was only a short while when the old man returned. He greeted him and sat down then he said,

Old man: Do you have what I asked for?

Al-Shafi’i: Yes.

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم

I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast.

Allah, the Most High said:
وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ الرَّسُولَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَى وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّى وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَاءتْ مَصِيراً

“And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the way of the believers, We shall keep him on the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell – and what an evil destination.” [al-Nisa: 115]

… And He (Allah `azza wa jall) will not burn him in Hell for opposing the believers in something except that it is something obligatory.’

Old man: You have told the truth.
Then he got up and left.

Al-Shafi’i then said to those around him: I read the Qur’an 3 times every day (in the 3 days he was given), until I came to this verse.’

- Siyar A’lam al-Nubala



It’s the case that sometimes, the Qur’an reveals its gems and answers at different times and on different occasions. Even if we may have read a particular verse many times before, it will suddenly sink in with us differently at another time.

As they say, ‘لا تنقضي عجائبه ‘ – its wonders never cease. May Allah grant us good understanding of His Book.

The Excellence of the Remembrance of Allah

Allah, the Exalted, says: "And the remembering (praising) of (you by) Allah (in front of the angels) is greater indeed [than your remembering (praising) of Allah in prayers]'' (29:45)

"Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying). I will remember you.'' (2:152)

"And remember your Rubb by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear and without loudness in words, in the mornings and in the afternoons, and be not of those who are neglectful.'' (7:205)

"And remember Allah much, that you may be successful.'' (62:10)

"Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women... (up to)... And the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues. Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e., Jannah).'' (33:35)

"O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and `Asr prayers].'' (33:41,42)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful: `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim [Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection)'.''[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The uttering of the words: "Subhan-Allah (Allah is free from imperfection), Al-hamdu lillah (all praise is due to Allah), La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah) and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)' is dearer to me than anything over which the sun rises.''[Muslim].

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who utters a hundred times in a day these words: `La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli sha'in Qadir (there is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him; His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent),' he will have a reward equivalent to that for emancipating ten slaves, a hundred good deeds will be recorded to his credit, hundred of his sins will be blotted out from his scroll, and he will be safeguarded against the devil on that day till the evening; and no one will exceed him in doing more excellent good deeds except someone who has recited these words more often than him. And he who utters: `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection and His is the praise)' one hundred times a day, his sins will be obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of the ocean.''[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said: "He who utters ten times: `La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahulmulku wa lahulhamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli sha'in Qadir (there is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent),' he will have a reward equal to that for freeing four slaves from the progeny of Prophet Isma`il.''

Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me, "Shall I tell you the expression that is most loved by Allah?'' It is `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi' (Allah is free from imperfection and His is the praise)'.''

Abu Malik Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Wudu' is half of Salat, and the expression: `Subhan-Allah (Allah is free from imperfection)' fills the Balance, and the expression: `Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah)' fills the space between the heavens and the earth.''[Muslim].

Jummah Mubarak

Jummah Mubarak
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.

As salaatu was salaamu 'alayk Ya Sayyidina Ya RasoolAllah, Wa Ala Aalika Wa Ashabika Ya HabeebAllah

ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA SAYYIDINA MUHAMMADIN NURIL ANWAARI WA SIRRIL ASRAARI WA SAYYIDIL ABRAAR.

“O Allah! Shower Thy blessings on our Hazrat Muhammad who is light, actual light and mystery amongst the mysteries, and the leader of excellents”.

Sometimes, Allah breaks your spirit to save your soul.

Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.

Sometimes, Allah allows pain so we can be stronger.

Sometimes, Allah sends us failure so we can be humble.

Sometimes, Allah allows illness so we can take better care of ourselves.

Sometimes, Allah takes everything away from us so we can learn the value of everything HE gave us.

Make plans but understand that we live by Allah's grace!

Jummah Mubarak!

Baarakallaahu lakumaa wa baaraka 'alaikumaa'

May Allah subhana wa ta'la shower His blessings upon you'
Amin Sum'Aamin!

Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wabarakatoho

Saying of Prophet Muhamad [pbuh].

Hadith....Sahih Bukhari

343) Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abi Qatada: My father said, "One night we were traveling with the Prophet and some people said, 'We wish that Allah's Apostle would take a rest along with us during the last hours of the night.' He said, 'I am afraid that you will sleep and miss the (Fajr) prayer.' Bilal said, 'I will make you get up.' So all slept and Bilal rested his back against his Rahila and he too was overwhelmed (by sleep) and slept. The Prophet got up when the edge of the sun had risen and said, 'O Bilal! What about your statement?' He replied, 'I have never slept such a sleep.' The Prophet said, 'Allah captured your souls when He wished, and released them when He wished. O Bilal! Get up and pronounce the Adhan for the prayer.' The Prophet performed ablution and when the sun came up and became bright, he stood up and prayed." (Book #10, Hadith #569)

(344) Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: On the day of Al-Khandaq (the battle of trench.) 'Umar bin Al-Khattab came cursing the disbelievers of Quraish after the sun had set and said, "O Allah's Apostle I could not offer the 'Asr prayer till the sun had set." The Prophet said, "By Allah! I, too, have not prayed." So we turned towards Buthan, and the Prophet performed ablution and we too performed ablution and offered the 'Asr prayer after the sun had set, and then he offered the Maghrib prayer. (Book #10, Hadith #570)

(345) Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "If anyone forgets a prayer he should pray that prayer when he remembers it. There is no expiation except to pray the same." Then he recited: "Establish prayer for My (i.e. Allah's) remembrance." (20.14). (Book #10, Hadith #571)

We can and should make Dua in every condition

We can and should make Dua in every condition, i.e. in hardship and in prosperity. There are also some special times to make Dua where it is more likely to be accepted:

1. When one is oppressed
2. Between the time of Athan and Iqama
3. At the time of the call for prayer
4. At the time of fighting when warriors are engaged with
each other
5. When it is raining
6. When one is sick
7. The last third of the night
8. Ramadan (especially Lailatul Qadr)
9. After the Fard part of prayer
10. When traveling
11. When breaking fast
12. In Sujood
13. Fridays, some say on Friday after Asr prayer
14. While drinking the water from the well of Zamzam
15. At the start of prayer (Dua of Istiftah)
16. When one begins the prayer, i.e. with "all praise be to
Allah, the Pure and the Blessed one"
17. While one recites al-Fatiha (which is a Dua)
18. When Ameen is said in the prayer (also relating to Fatiha)
19. At the time of raising the head after the Rukoo
20. In the last part of the prayer after conveying blessings
unto the Prophet (SAW)
21. Before finishing the prayer (before Tasleem (saying the
Salaam to the angels))
22. At the end of Wudu
23. On the day of Arafah
24. On waking up from sleep
25. At times of adversity
26. Prayer after the death of a person
27. Dua when someone's heart is filled with sincerity and
when it is focused on Allah
28. Dua of the parent against or for his children
29. When the sun moves from its meridian but before the
Dhuhr prayer
30. The Dua of a Muslim for his brother without the latter's
knowledge
31. At the time the army advances to fight in the way
of Allah.

Allah has decreed that, in this life, hardships and disasters strike both believers and non-believers. For a non-believer, they are inconveniences that hinder him from proceeding with his normal involvement in the worldly life. For a believer, on the other hand, they are instances of rest and remembrance, tests that promise great rewards, and indications of atonement and expiation of sins. Regardless of how little is the harm that strikes a believer, it carries with it good news of forgiveness and elevated rank ( in Jannah ). The Righteous Predecessors used to be pleased when a hardship afflicted them, seeing it as a token of Allah’s forgiveness and benevolence.

Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned. “Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maula (Patron, Suppor-ter and Protector, etc.) (Surah Baqara Verse 286)

Expiations of Sins

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet said: ” Hardships continue to befall a believing man and woman in their body, family, and property, until they meet Allah (S) burdened with no sins. ” [Tirmithee]

Sign of Allah’s Love

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: ” Whenever Allah wills good for a person, He subjects him to adversity” [Bukharee and others]

Sign of Eeman

Abu Hurayrah (RA) and Ka’b Bin Maalik (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: ” The parable of a believer is that of a fresh and moist plant; the wind tilts it this way and that way; and so is the believer; he continues to be subject to affliction. And the parable of a hypocrite is that of a firm cedar tree; it does not shake - until it is uprooted all at once.” [Bukharee and Muslim]

Sign of Righteousness

The prophets and righteous people are afflicted the most, and their rewards are the highest. Sa’d (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: ” The most in their suffering among the people are the prophets, then the best, then the (next) best. One is afflicted in accordance with his deen (faith). If his deen is firm his affliction is hard, and if his deen is weak, his affliction is light. Indeed, one would be so much subjected to adversity until he walks among the people without any sins. ” [Ahmad, Tirmithee]

Early Punishment

Anas (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: ” When Allah wills good for a servant of His, He expedites his punishment in this life; and when He wills retribution for a servant of His, He holds his sins for Him to judge him by them on the Day of Resurrection.” [Tirmithee]

Multiplication of Rewards

Anas (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: ” The amount of reward is in accordance with the amount of suffering. When Allah (SWT) loves some people, He tries them (with affliction). He who then is content (with Allah’s decree) has achieved the acceptance (of Allah), and he who is dissatisfied (with Allah’s decree) will attain the anger (of Allah).” [Tirmithee]

Rewards for Sickness

One should not look to sickness as a gloomy episode, but should remember the great good in it. It is one form of affliction with which Allah (SWT) tests His ‘ibaad (servants), giving them a chance to acquire rewards, as was explained above, as is further emphasized below.

Removal of Sins and Elevation in Ranks

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: ” Whenever a Muslim is afflicted by harm from sickness or other matters, Allah will drop his sins because of that, like a tree drops its leaves.” [Bukharee and Muslim]

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “A Muslim is not afflicted by hardship, sickness, sadness, worry, harm, or depression - even if pricked by a thorn, but Allah expiates his sins because of that. ” [Bukharee and Muslim]

Sa’eed said, ” I was with Salmaan (RA) when he visited a sick man in Kindah ( in Persia ), and he said to him: ” Expect good because Allah (SWT) makes a believers sickness an expiation (for his sins) and a period of rest. However, when a disbeliever falls sick, he is like a camel whose owner ties it then lets it loose - it does not understand why it was tied nor why it was freed.” [Bukharee]

‘Aishah (RA) narrated that once some pain afflicted the Prophet (SAW) causing him to suffer and turn about in his bed. she said: “Had one of us done this, you would have blamed him.” He (SAW) replied: ” An ailment is intensified for the righteous. whenever a believer is afflicted by a hardship, whether it is a thorn or more, a sin is taken off from him because of it, and he is elevated by one rank (in Jannah). ” [Ahmad]

Retaining Rewards for Deeds Before Sickness

Usually, when a believer falls sick, he would not be able to do the same amount of good (prayer, fasting, helping Muslims etc) that he used to do when he was well. But Allah out of His great mercy, continues to record for him the good deeds that he was forced to stop because of his sickness. Abu Moosa Al-Ash’aree narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: ” For a traveling or sick person, his deeds will be recorded in accordance with what he used to do when he was resident or well.” [Bukharee]

‘Abdullah Bin ‘Amr reported that the Prophet said: “No (believing) person gets sick, but (his deeds) will be recorded for him in accordance with what he used to do when he was well.” [Bukharee] Anas (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: ” No Muslims body is afflicted by Allah, but He will record (his deeds) foe him in accordance with what he used to do when he was well - as long as he is sick. Thus, if He takes his life, He forgives him; and if He cures him, He washes him (from sins).” [Bukharee]

‘Uqbah Bin ‘Aamir reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Each days deeds are sealed with it. thus, when a believer gets sick, the angels say, ” Our lord! Your servant such and such, You have restrained him (from doing good this day).” And the lord replies, ” Seal his day in accordance with his (usual) deeds, until he is cured or dies”. [Ahmad]

Reason for the Reward

‘Atta Bin Rabaah reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) told him, “Do you want to see a woman from the people of Jannah (paradise)?” He said “Yes”. He said: ” It is this black woman. She came to the Prophet (SAW) saying, ” I have (epileptic) seizures, and I get exposed, so supplicate to Allah for me.” He (SAW) said: ” If you wish, be patient and you will attain Jannah; or if you wish, I will ask Allah to cure you.” She replied, ” I will be patient ! But my body gets exposed (because of the fall), so supplicate to Allah for me that I do not become exposed.” and he (SAW) did.” [Bukharee and Muslim]

The scholars have differed in opinion as to whether a sick person will be rewarded for the sickness itself or for being patient during it. the correct opinion is that if he is patient and submits to Allah’s will, as in the above hadeeth, he would be rewarded for both the submission and the sickness, otherwise, he would not be rewarded at all; because he resented Allah’s decree. This is what should be understood from Ibn hajar al-’Asqalaanees words: “The authentic hadeeths are clear in that the rewards are recorded once affliction strikes a Muslim. As for patience and acceptance, they are virtues for which a person may get additional rewards over those for the affliction.” ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Amr reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “If a Muslim is pricked by (as little as) a thorn in the worldly life, and he seeks its reward from Allah, some of his sins will be removed, because of it, on the Day of Judgement.”[Bukharee]

“True believers are only those whose hearts are filled with awe whenever God is mentioned, and whose faith is strengthened whenever His revelations are recited to them. In their Lord do they place their trust.” (Chapter 8: Verse 2)

Love for the sake of Allah..

Narated By Abu Musa : It was said to the Prophet; , "A man may love some people but he cannot catch up with their good deeds?" The Prophet said, "Everyone will be with those whom he loves." (Al-Bukhari)

Although you are not active in worships to get the position where the religious can get it at the paradise, but you can get that position by loving them for the sake of Allah..

Either if they are going to be under the throne of Allah.. you can get that great position by loving them only! Narated By Abu Huraira :

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Seven people will be shaded by Allah under His shade on the day when there will be no shade except His.




They are:
1. A just ruler.

2. A young man who has been brought up in the worship of Allah, (i.e. worship Allah (Alone) sincerely from his childhood).

3. A man whose heart is attached to the mosque (who offers the five compulsory congregational prayers in the mosque).

4. Two persons who love each other only for Allah’s sake and they meet and part in Allah’s cause only.

5. A man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for an illegal sexual intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allah.

6. A person who practices charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity).

7. A person who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes get flooded with tears." (Al-bukhari)

Also, the Prophet (PBUH) said, In addition, you need to tell them that you love them, In Musnad once a man was sitting beside the prophet and while that, another man passed..

The man beside the prophet (PBUH) said, "I love this man".. The prophet (PBUH) said "did you tell him that?".. The man said "No" .. The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Go and tell it to him".

25 steps to become closer to Allah

1. Start off each day with 'adhkaar al-istiyqaadh' (waking up Supplications), thanking Allah for waking up in good shape.

2. Put Allah first in your life.

3. Broaden your horizons - learn 5 new verses from the Quran every day, travel to pray far in the mosque to brighten your day,take up a booklet having supplications and read them.

4. Pray Salaat Al-dhuhaa (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 them.

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 fulfill the purpose of your creation (i.e. live for Allah).

8. When you're happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for that, and pray 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 of goodness once in a while, like feeding a poor person, or caressing an orphan's head.

11. Never stop believing that you can win Allah's love and thus work for it. Then you can win the love of Allah's slaves.

12. Spend some time thinking of 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!!).

15. Every now and then, give yourself a break. Play sports, give time to your family, friends, but always remember Allah and watch that He is watching you.

16. Pray for blessing to come to those being lost, and pray to Allah to guide them to the right path.

17. Hug your parents kiss their hands and heads and always obey but stop at Allah's orders.

18. Smile to everyone, for your smile makes a big difference to him or her 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 no. If they do; then ignore and remember how the Prophet (SAW) and the Sahaba were criticized, made fun of and even physically harmed, so have patience.

22. Read the Quran daily and try to have a schedule for completing it as much as you could. As you open the Quran daily, read with observing not just passing your eyes through the words.

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, to Allah, they may be better than you.

25. Send this to all brothers/sisters with the intention of having a healthy society living for Allah and pray

Being sad is not encouraged in our religion

So do not become weak [against your enemy, nor be sad... (Qur'an 3: 139)

And grieve not over them, and be not distressed because of what they plot.(Qur'an 16: 127)

Be not sad, surely Allah is with us. (Qur'an 9: 40)

Referring to true believers, Allah informs us that:

Upon such shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Our 'an 2: 38)

Sadness enervates the soul's will to act and paralyzes the body into inactivity. Sadness prevents one from action instead of compelling one towards it. The heart benefits nothing through grief the most beloved thing to the Devil is to make the worshipper sad in order to prevent him from continuing on his path. Allah, the Exalted, says:

*Secret counsels [conspiracies] are only from Shaytaan [Satan], in order that he may cause grief to the believers. (Qur'an 58: 10)

In the following hadith, the Prophet (bpuh) said:

"In a company of three, it is forbidden for two to hold secret counsel to the exclusion of the third, since doing so will be a cause of sadness for him."

Contrary to what some believe (those who have an extreme ascetic bent); the believer should not seek out sadness, because sadness is a harmful condition that afflicts the soul.The Muslim must repel sadness and fight it in any way that is permissible in our Religion.

There is no real benefit to sadness; the Prophet (bpuh) sought refuge from it in the following supplication: "O' Allah, I seek refuge in you from anxiety and grief."

Grief is coupled with anxiety in this hadith. The difference between the two is that if a bad feeling is related to what is going to happen in the future. Then one is feeling anxiety. And if the cause of this feeling concerns the past, then one is feeling grief both of them weaken the heart, causing inactivity and a decrease in will power.

Despite what has been mentioned above, grief may sometimes be both inevitable and necessary. When they enter Paradise, its dwellers will say:All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has removed from us [all] grief. (Qur'an 35: 34)

This verse implies that they were afflicted with grief in this life, just as they were afflicted with other forms of hardship, both of which were out of their control. So whenever one is overcome by grief and there is no way to avoid it, one is rewarded, because grief is a form of hardship, and the believer is rewarded for going through hardship. Nonetheless, the believer must ward off grief with supplication and other practical means.

As for the saying of Allah, the Almighty: Nor his there blame] on those who came to you to be provided with mounts, and when you said:

`I can find no mounts for you, ' they turned back, while their eves overflowing with tears of grief that they could not find anything to spend. (Qur 'an 9: 92)

They were not praised for their grief in itself, but for what that grief indicated and pointed to namely, strong faith. This occurred when they remained behind during one of the Prophet's expeditions, due to their inability to find the necessary resources needed to make the trip. The verse also exposed the hypocrites, because they did not feel grief when they remained behind.

Therefore the good kind of grief is that which stems from missing out an opportunity to do a good deed or from performing a sin. When one feels sad because he was negligent in fulfilling the rights of Allah, he shows a characteristic of a person who is on the right path. As for the hadith,



"Whatever befalls the believer in terms of anxiety, hardship or grief, Allah will remove his sin"

It indicates that grief is a trial with which the believer is afflicted, and through which some of his sins are atoned for. However, it does not indicate that grief is something to be sought after; the believer should not seek out means of finding grief, thinking that he is performing an act of worship. If this were the case, then the Prophet (bpuh) would have been the first to apply this principle.

But he didn't search out for misery; rather, his face was always smiling, his heart was content, and he was continually joyful. As for the hadith of Hind, "He was continually sorrowful," it is considered to be unsubstantiated by scholars of hadith, because among its narrators is someone who is unknown. Not only is the hadith weak because of its chain of narrators; it is also weak because it is contrary to how the Prophet (bpuh) really was.

How could he have been continually in grief when Allah had informed him that he was forgiven for everything (guaranteeing his entry into Paradise) and had protected him from feeling grief over matters pertaining to this life: for example, Allah forbade him from feeling grief over the actions of the disbelievers? How could he have felt grief when all the time his heart was filled with the remembrance of Allah, and when he was at peace with Allah's promise? In fact, he was always pleasant and his teeth were always visible due to his constant smiles. Whoever delves deeply into his life will know that he came to remove falsehood and to eradicate anxiety, confusion, and grief. He came to free our souls from the tyranny of doubt, disbelief, confusion, and disorder. He came to save our souls from destruction. So many indeed are the favors that were bestowed upon mankind through him (Blessings and Peace be upon him).

And as for the alleged hadith, "Verily, Allah loves all sad hearts," the chain of its narrators is unknown, so it is not an authentic hadith, especially in view of the fact that the basic principles of our religion are contrary to its import. Even if we were to suppose the hadith to be authentic. Then its meaning would be that sadness is one of the hardships of life imposed upon the worshipper as a form of trial. And if the worshipper is tested by this trial, and if he perserveres through patience, then Allah loves him. As for those who have praised melancholy and have lauded its many virtues (while claiming that our religion encourages it) then they are very mistaken. In fact, every text from revelation that touches upon sadness forbids it and orders its opposite: namely, that we should be content with the mercy and blessings of Allah, and happy with that which has been sent with the Messenger of Allah (Blessings and Peace be upon him).

Those who incline towards extremes in asceticism also relate the following narration:

"If Allah loves one of his slaves, He makes that slave's heart that of a weeper. And if he hates one of his slaves, then he places a flute in his heart (thus making him constantly light and happy)."

First, we must note that this is an Israelite tradition, which is claimed to be found in the Torah. Nevertheless, it does have a correct meaning since, truly, the believer feels grief due to his sins and the evildoer is ever playful and frivolous, light and joyful. So if the hearts of the faithful grieve, then it is only due to opportunities lost in terms of righteous deeds or because of sins committed. This is contrary to the sadness of the evildoers, whose grief is caused by losing out on physical pleasure or worldly benefit. Their yearnings, anxieties, and sadness are always for these ends and for nothing else.

In this verse, Allah says of his Prophet Israa'eel (Israel): And he lost his sight because of the sorrow that he was suppressing. (Qur'an 12: 84)

Here we are informed of his grief over losing his beloved son. Simply informing about something does not in itself signify either approval or disapproval of that thing. The fact is that we have been ordered to seek refuge from sadness, as it is a heavy cloud that hangs above its victim, and is a barrier that prevents one from advancing to higher aims.

There is no doubt that sadness is a trial and a hardship, and is in some ways similar to sickness. However, it is not a stage, level, or condition that the pious should actively seek out.

You are required to seek the means of happiness and peace, to ask Allah to grant you a good life, one that gives you a clear conscience and a mind at peace. The achievement of this is an early reward, a point that is underscored by the saying of some, "In this world is a paradise, and whoever does not enter it shall not enter the Paradise of the Hereafter."

And we ask Allah to open our hearts to the light of faith, to guide our hearts to His straight path, and to save us from a miserable and wretched life

AHADEETH ON ECLIPSES

Assalamu alaykum wrahmatulahi wabarakatu
Wajazakumu'Allahu kheirun

Don’t miss the solar eclipse in Singapore today! The solar eclipse is said to be the longest of its kind in the next 1,000 years.Solar eclipse will last for just over 11 minutes at its peak over the Indian Ocean. People in Singapore, please note:In Singapore, solar eclipse will last from about 3.10pm to 5.30pm, with the best viewing time at about 4.25pm..

AHADEETH ON ECLIPSES:
1.Hazrat Mughaira bin Shoba(R.A.) reports that in the lifetime of Rasulullah(sallallahu aliyhi wasallam)the sun eclipsed on the day on which (his son) Ibraheem died, so people said that the eclipse had occurred because of the death of Ibraheem.Rasulullah(sallallahu aliyhi wasallam) upon it, observed that:
" The solar or lunar eclipse did not take place because of the death or birth of anyone (but it was the sign of the Power and Splendour of Allah). Thus, when you see the eclipse, offer salaat and remember Allah much." (BUKHARI, MUSLIM)
Comments:
During the lifetime of Rasulullah(sallallahu aliyhi wasallam) the sun was totally eclipsed on the day his infant son Ibraheem(R.A.),died at the age of about 1 and half years. Some authorities also say that this took place in 10 A.H. in Rabi-ul-Awwal. Nevertheless, Rasulullah(sallallahu aliyhi wasallam) mentioned that, the sun or moon are two signs of Allah Ta'ala which do not eclipse on account of the birth or death of anyone.When such an event occurs, one should turn to Allah Ta'ala and beseech Him for mercy and forgiveness with deep devotion.Increase the recitation of Subhanallah,Allhamdu-lillah,Allahu-Akbar and Istighfaar.

2. Ayesha(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah(sallallahu aliyhi wasallam) made a prolonged prostration(sajda) at the time of the eclipse.Afterwards he went away while the sun shone fully.He addressed the people and praised Allah and eulogised Him and the said: Verily the sun and moon are signs of Allah.They do not eclipse for the death of anybody,nor after his birth.So when you see that,read Takbir,send blessings and give alms(charity).
Then he said: O People,there is none who is more enraged than Allah(to see) His servant commits fornication. O People,had you known what I know,you would certainly laughed little and wept much. (AGREED)

3. Abu Musa(R.A.) reported that the sun(once) eclipsed.ThenRasulullah(sallallahu aliyhi wasallam) stood with horror fearing that the Hour had come.He came to the masjid and prayed with the longest of standing,bowing(ruku) and prostrating(sajda) which I did never see him doing before. He said: These are signs which Allah sends not for death of anybody,nor for his birth but He produces dread therewith His servants.So when you see anything of that,hasten to remember Him and seek forgiveness from Him. (MUSLIM)

4. Abdur-Rahman-bi-Samurah(R.A.) reports that,there was a solar eclipse,when he hurried to Rasulullah(sallallahu aliyhi wasallam) to enquire what has been revealed about the eclipse of the sun.Then I came to him,while he was in prayer,raising his hands.;he began to read Tasbih,Tahlil,Takbir and Tahmid and invoke Allah till he became tired of it.When he was tired of it,he read two chapters(surahs) and prayed two rakaats. (MUSLIM)

5. Asthma -bin-Abu Bakr(R.A.) reported that Rasulullah(sallallahu aliyhi wasallam) ordered manumission of slaves at the time of the solar eclipse.


3.WHAT TO DO DURING A SOLAR ECLIPSE:
During the eclipse of the sun(ie.solar eclipse), it is sunnat to perform two rakaats of nafl salaat,called Salaatul Khusuf. This salaat will be done in Jamaat without azaan and iqaamat.People will be informed of this Jamaat through means other than azaan.
Take the opportunity of:
1.Making Duaa
2.Think,ponder and Fear the Day of Judgement
3.Recite Subhanallah,Allhamdu-lillah,Allahu-Akbar abundantly.
4.Recite Istighfaar profusely.
5.Give Sadaqa(charity/alms)

4.WHAT TO DO DURING A LUNAR(MOON) ECLIPSE:
At the time of an eclipse of the moon(ie.lunar eclipse) it also sunnat to perform two rakaats of Salaatul Khusuf.

Article taken (with Thanks) from alislaahpublications.

http://alislaah2.tripod.com/alislaahpublications/id14.html

Dua From Holy Quran

Dua From Holy Quran

And of them there are some who say: "Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!"(Surah: 2 Aya: 201)

they say, "We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)."(Surah: 2 Aya: 285)

"Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error, our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians); our Lord! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Pardon us and grant us Forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maulâ (Patron, Suppor-ter and Protector, etc.) and give us victory over the disbelieving people." (Surah: 2 Aya: 286)

"Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower."(Surah: 3 Aya: 8)

"Our Lord! We have indeed believed, so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of the Fire."(Surah: 3 Aya: 16)

Our Lord! We believe in what You have sent down, and we follow the Messenger ['Iesa (Jesus)]; so write us down among those who bear witness (to the truth i.e. Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh - none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh). (Surah: 3 Aya: 53)

"Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions (in keeping our duties to You), establish our feet firmly, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk."(Surah: 3 Aya: 147)

"Our Lord! Verily, whom You admit to the Fire, indeed, You have disgraced him, and never will the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) find any helpers. (Surah: 3 Aya: 192)

"Our Lord! Verily, we have heard the call of one (Muhammad SAW) calling to Faith: 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and remit from us our evil deeds, and make us die in the state of righteousness along with Al-Abrâr (those who are obedient to Allâh and follow strictly His Orders).(Surah: 3 Aya: 193)

"Our Lord! Grant us what You promised unto us through Your Messengers and disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection, for You never break (Your) Promise."(Surah: 3 Aya: 194)

"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."(Surah: 7 Aya: 23)

Our Lord! pour out on us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims." (Surah: 7 Aya: 126)

"My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me the interpretation of dreams; The (only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Walî (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian, etc.) in this world and in the Hereafter, cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous."(Surah: 12 Aya: 101)

"O my Lord! Make me one who performs As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and (also) from my offspring, our Lord! And accept my invocation. "Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established."(Surah: 14 Aya: 40-41)

My Lord! Let my entry (to the city of Al-Madinah) be good, and likewise my exit (from the city of Makkah) be good. And grant me from You an authority to help me (or a firm sign or a proof).(Surah: 17 Aya: 80)

Then High above all be Allâh, the True King. And be not in haste (O Muhammad SAW) with the Qur'ân before its revelation is completed to you, and say: "My Lord! Increase me in knowledge."(Surah: 20 Aya: 114)

"O My Lord! Leave me not single (childless), though You are the Best of the inheritors."(Surah: 21 Aya: 89)

"My Lord! I seek refuge with You from the whisperings (suggestions) of the Shayâtin (devils).And I seek refuge with You, My Lord! lest they may attend (or come near) me."(Surah: 23 Aya: 97-98)

"Our Lord! We believe, so forgive us, and have mercy on us, for You are the Best of all who show mercy!"(Surah: 23 Aya: 109)

"Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the Muttaqûn"(Surah: 25 Aya: 74)

My Lord! Bestow Hukman (religious knowledge, right judgement of the affairs and Prophethood) on me, and join me with the righteous; And grant me an honourable mention in later generations; And make me one of the inheritors of the Paradise of Delight;(Surah: 26 Aya: 83-85)

"My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves."(Surah: 27 Aya: 19)

"My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds, such as please You, and make my off-spring good. Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, I am one of the Muslims (submitting to Your Will)."(Surah: 46 Aya: 15)

"Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful.(Surah: 59 Aya: 10)

" Our Lord! In You (Alone) we put our trust, and to You (Alone) we turn in repentance, and to You (Alone) is (our) final Return, "Our Lord! Make us not a trial for the disbelievers, and forgive us, Our Lord! Verily, You, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."(Surah: 60 Aya: 4-5)

"My Lord! Forgive me, and my parents, and him who enters my home as a believer, and all the believing men and women. And to the Zâlimûn (polytheists, wrong-doers, and disbelievers, etc.) grant You no increase but destruction!"(Surah: 71 Aya: 28)

Sura= Al Fatiha, Al Nas , Al Falaq

Your Best Friend

Your spouse is your closest friend

"A person is upon the Deen (religion) of his khaleel (close friend), so look to whom you befriend." [Abu Dawud & Tirmidhee]

The only rational explanation for these most amazing of all human feelings is that: it is an act of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, "And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions) of your own nature ..." (Surah Al Nahl 16:72)

Allah says in Sura Noor verse 26 bad women for bad men and or bad men for bad women. good women for good men and good men for good women , such (good people) are innocent of (each and every) bad statement which they (people) say (about them) , for them is Forgiveness, and Rizqun Kareem (generous provision i.e.Paradise).

So be careful while choosing your spouse.
Pleasant Companionship:

Good companionship, choosing and having good companions is extremely important for many reasons and from many aspects.Mankind cannot live alone; every individual must live and interact with others.

For two people to be close friends, they necessarily share similar habits and beliefs, and they inevitable lead a similar lifestyle; therefore, we should give serious consideration before forming a close friendship with someone else. If you are satisfied with a person's religion and manners, befriend him; otherwise, don't, for traits and habits and patterns of thinking are all contagious.

The Prophet (saas) mentioned an analogy that clarifies the influence of both a good and evil companion: "The examples of a righteous and evil companion are that of a carrier of Al-Musk (Perfume) and a blower of the bellows. As for the carrier of perfume, he will either give to you as a gift, or you will buy from him, or you will find a good smell emanating from him. As for the blower of the bellows, either he will burn your garment or you will find a vile smell (emanating from him).''
The evil companion, whom we must avoid, is either an innovator (in the religion) or an evildoer.1) Related by Abu Daawood (4833), and Al-Albaanee ruled that it is Hasan. Ahmad (7968) and At-Tirmidhee (2378) related it as well. 2) Related by Bukhaaree (5534), Muslim (2628), and Ahmad (19127)

Those people who you sit with and make your friends are inevitably going to fall into one of two categories. Either they are going to be good individuals - who guide and encourage you towards what is good, and help you to accomplish that which Allah has ordered, or they are going to be bad - encouraging you to do what is pleasing to Shaytaan, that which misleads you and leads you to the Hell-Fire.

If you choose a good and pious spouse for you then it is likely that you will remain good with him/her and your character will further improve over time. Insha Allah. The best description that I personally have ever read describing the closeness of the spouses to each other is the Qur'anic verse which says:

Allah says: ... They (wives) Are A Dress For You And You Are A Dress To Them ... Qur'an [2 : 187]

Consider This In Conjunction With The Following Verse:... The Best Dress Is The Dress Of Taqwa

Taqwa(God-Consciousness-Good Character-Love And Fear Of Allah) ...

The verse says that a husband and wife are Dress for each other… that is The Relation of Husband and Wife is similar to Your Body and Your Dress . when the Dress is Comfortable and Good-looking it magnifies your Beauty. Just as Dress are for Protection, comfort, show and cover up the Hidden Parts of Body for human beings, Allah expects husbands and wives to be clothing for one another Indeed, spouses are like garments (dress) to each other because they provide one another with the protection, the comfort, the cover, the support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans. Just imagine a journey in the winter of Alaska without garments! Our spouses provide us with the same level of comfort, protection, cover, and support in the journey of our lives on this earth as garments would do in the Alaskan journey.

There is another verse that describes this amazing relationship between spouse Allah says in Quran: "Among His Signs Is That He Created Companion ( Mate, Spouse) For You From Among Yourself, So That You May Find Tranquility With Them, And (He) Set Love And Mery Between You. Surely In This Are Signs For People Who Give Thought" Surah Ar-Rum, 21 (30:21).

The Importance of a good wife to her husband (and of course vice versa) is Great to Allah (SWT). Nothing can illustrate the point better than the Qur'anic statement which describes the righteous people as those who pray: "Rabba-na hab la-na min azwaji-na wa dhuriyyati-na qurrata a'yunin wa aj'al-na li al muttaqin imama" "Our Lord! give us spouse and children who will be the joy of our eyes, and make us Leaders of the Righteous” Sura 25-Al-Furqan Verse 74 Amen

The Sahaabiyaat: Brave, noble women

In order to highlight the enormous contributions and sacrifices made by the women around the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). Their roles and sacrifices were just as crucial to the establishment of Allah’s religion in the early days of Islam as were their brothers’ in faith and to them all we owe a great debt, radiallahu ‘anhum ajma’een.Here are just a few examples.

Nusaybah Umm ‘Imarah (radiallahu ‘anhaa):

(At the battle of Uhud) Once Nusaybah realised that the Muslims were being defeated she joined the Prophet with a sword, a bow, and her quiver full of arrows. She began shooting arrows until they were all used up...Umm ‘Imarah was a part of the human barrier which protected the Prophet. Ibn Qami’ah struck her and she struck him, but he was wearing two coats of armor which protected him from her blows. Umm ‘Imarah had the following to say about the Battle of Uhud,

“The people had left the Prophet exposed and only a few, not more than ten, remained and my husband, my sons and I myself were among them. We defended him and the people were moving around in a defeated stated. I did not have a shield with me. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam saw a man with a shield, so he said, ‘Give your shield to someone who is fighting.’

So the man gave his shield to me and I used it to defend the Prophet.” So Nusaybah continued fighting, treating the wounded and carrying water for them. Her son was wounded and blood began to flow. However, she was totally oblivious to her son’s condition until the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said “Bandage your wounded.

“ Thereupon, she went to her son and wrapped the wound while the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) stood looking at her. After she had bandaged the wound, she said to her son, “Rise and fight the people.”

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to say, “The position of Nusaybah today is better than so and so. I saw here on the Day of Uhud fighting fiercely and she had wrapped her dress around her waist as an obstruction. She had been wounded 13 times...I saw Ibn Qami’ah strike her on her shoulders, and her most serious wound took one year to heal.”(At-Yamamah) Abu Bakr committed her to Khalid Ibn Al-Walid’s charge and she fought bravely at Yamamah. She was wounded in eleven different places and had her hand chopped off. Her son, Habib, was killed.

Sumayyah Bint Khayyat (radiallahu ‘anhaa):

She was persecuted terribly by the polytheists of Makkah although she was an old woman at the time. Despite torture visited upon her by Quraysh she did not renounce Islam. Quraysh used to torture ‘Ammar (her son), Yasir (her husband), and Sumayyah herself on an open plain called Ramdaa’....The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Patience, O Abul-Yaqdhan; Allah will not punish any member of the family of Yasir by the Fire. Then one day Abu Jahl pierced Sumayyah through the heart and she died. All this took place before the migration (Hijrah) to Madinah....Sumayyah was the first to be killed for the sake of Allah in Islam.

Umm Salamah Hind Bint Abi Umayyah Ibn Al-Mughirah (radiallahu ‘anhaa):

Umm Salamah said that when Abu Salamah decided to set out for Madinah, he saddled his camel for her, mounted her on it with her son, Salamah, then set out leading the camel. When the man of Bani Makhzoum saw him, they got up and said, “So far as you are concerned, you can do what you like, but what about your wife? Do you suppose that we shall let you take her away?” So they snatched the camel’s reins from his hand and took Hind from him.

Abu Salamah’s family, the Bani Abul-Asad, were angry at this and said, “We will not leave our son with her seeing you have torn her from our tribesman.” So they dragged her little boy, Salamah, so forcefully that they dislocated his arm, and took him away...Thus Umm Salamah was separated from both her husband and her son. She used to go out every morning and sit in the valley weeping continuously. When a year had passed, one of her cousins belonging to the Bani Al-Mughirah passed, saw her plight and took pity on her.

He said to his tribesmen “Why don’t you let this woman go? You have separated husband, wife and child.” So they said to her, “You may rejoin your husband if you like.” She saddled her camel, took her son in her arms and set out for Madinah, not a soul with her... ...When she was in Tan’eem (about 10km from Makkah) she met ‘Uthman Ibn Abi Talha, brother of Bani Abdud-Dar, who asked her where she was going and if she were all alone. She told him that except for Allah and her little boy she was entirely alone. He said that she ought not to be left alone and helpless like that.

Then he took hold of her camel’s halter and went along with her...Umm Salamah used to say, “By Allah, I do not know a family in Islam which suffered what the family of Salamah did, nor have I seen a nobler man than ‘Uthman Ibn Talha.” ... ...Abu Salamah fought in the Battle of Badr, in which the Muslims were victorious and in the Battle of Uhud, in which he was severely wounded, eventually dying from his wounds...When Umm Salamah had completed the waiting period for widows of four months and ten days, Abu Bakr (radiallahu ‘anhu) proposed to her. She refused his proposal. Then ‘Umar (radiallahu ‘anhu) proposed and she turned him down too.

When the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) proposed to her, she said, “O Messenger of Allah I have three characteristics. I am a woman who is extremely jealous, and I am afraid that you will see in me something that will anger you and cause Allah to punish me. I am a woman who is already advanced in age, and I am a woman with young children.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) replied, “As for the jealousy, I pray Allah to let it go away from you. as for the question of age, I am afflicted with the same problem as you. As for your children, your family is my family.” So she married the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) who gave her a bed stuffed with palm-leaves, a bowl, a dish and a handmill. When the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came to spend the wedding night with her, he said, “Do not feel that you are unimportant among your people, for if you wish, I will spend seven days (with you) (This “honeymoon” period is usually given to virgin wives) and seven days with the rest of my wives and the divide the time equally after that.” She said, “Make it three.”

Safiyyah Bint Abdul-Muttalib (radiallahu ‘anhaa ):

Safiyyah was the aunt of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). She and Hamza (radiallahu ‘anhu) were the children of Hala, wife of Abdul-Muttalib...Safiyyah was a great lady, who accepted Islam early and took the oath of allegiance to the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) then Migrated to Madinah. ...She was present at the Battle of Uhud when the Muslim suffered defeat. At one stage in the battle, she stood up with a lance in her hand and said, “Are you trying to defeat the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam?” She waved the lance in the enemies’ faces...

Az-Zubayr (her son) met her and told her that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) had ordered her to go back. She asked, “Why? I have heard that my brother has been mutilated and that has happened for Allah’s sake. He, the Most High, has fully reconciled us to what has happened. I will remain calm and patient if Allah wills.” ...She took part in the Battle of Khandaq (the Trench)...

A Jewish man walked around the fortress when the women were inside. The Jews had broken their treaty with the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and were acting with the enemies of Islam... So Safiyyah said, “O Hassan, this Jew is going around the fortress and the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and his companions are busy, go down and kill him.” Hassan said, “May Allah forgive you, you know that I cannot get involved in this.” So when Safiyyah heard what Hassan had to say, she got up and took a pole. She went down and out of the fortress to the Jew, hit him with the pole and killed him. On her return to the fortress, she said to Hassan, “Go down and strip him of his weapons and clothes. I would strip him but he is a man.”...She also participated in the Battle of Khaybar.

May Allah be pleased with these brave and noble women and bless His Ummah today to have women who follow in their footsteps, ameen.

Excerpt from the book The Sahaabiyaat During The Prophet’s Era
by Jameelah Jones

Dealing With The People Cheerfully

Dealing With The People Cheerfully

A Muslim is the mirror of his brother
by Imam Bukhari

238. Abu Hurayra said, "A believer is the mirror of his brother. When he sees a fault in it, he should correct it."


240. Al-Mustawrid reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If anyone eats a meal at the expense of a Muslim's honour, Allah will feed him a like amount of Hellfire. If anyone clothes himself with a garment at the expense of a Muslim's honour, Allah will clothe him with a like amount of Hellfire. If anyone achieves a position of showing-off and hypocrisy at the expense of a Muslim's honour, Allah will put him in a position of showing-off and hypocrisy on the Day of Rising.

Playing and joking which is not permitted

241. 'Abdullah ibn as-Sa'ib reported that his grandfather said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'None of you should take the goods of his companion, either in jest or seriously. When one of you takes his companion's staff, he should return it to him.'"

The person who guides to good

242. Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari said, "A man came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'My camel has become exhausted, so give me a mount.' He replied, 'I do not have any. But go to so-and-so and perhaps he will give you one.' He went to that man and he gave him a mount. Then he went back to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and told him. He said, 'Whoever guides to good has the like of the reward of the person who actually does it.'"

Excusing and pardoning people

243. Anas reported that a Jewish woman brought the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, poisoned sheep. He ate from it and she was brought. It was asked, "Should we not kill her?" "No," he replied.

He said, "I continued to recognise the poison in the sighs of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace."

244. 'Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr said on the minbar, "Make allowances for people and command what is right and turn away from the ignorant." (7:199) He said, "By Allah, we are only commanded by this ayat to accept people's character. By Allah, I will accept people's character as long as I am with them."

245. Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Teach and make things easy and not difficult. When one of you is angry, he should be silent."

246. 'Ata' ibn Yasar said, "I met 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As and I said, 'Tell me about the description of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the Torah.' 'Yes,' he said, 'By Allah, he is described in the Torah partly as he is described in the Qur'an: "O Prophet, We have sent you as a witness, a bearer of good news and a warner and a protection to the unlettered. You are My slave and Messenger. I have called you the trusty one who is neither coarse nor harsh nor loud in the markets. Allah Almighty will not take him until He has made the crooked community straight by him so that they say, "There is no god but Allah," and by it they will open blind eyes, deaf ears and covered hearts.'"

247. 'Abdullah ibn 'Ata' said, "This ayat which is in the Qur'an, 'O Prophet, We have sent you as a witness, a bringer of good news and a warner' (33:45) is found in the Torah in a similar form."

248. Mu'awiya said, "I heard some words from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, by which Allah helped me." Jubayr ibn Nufayr said, "I heard him say that he heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "If you openly show your suspicions of people, you will corrupt them.' Therefore I do not show my suspicions of people openly so that I will not corrupt them."

249. Abu Hurayra said, "These two wars of mine have heard and these two eyes of mine have seen the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, take the palms of al-Hasan ­ or al-Husayn ­ in both his hands. His feet were on the feet of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Climb up.' The boy climbed until his feet reached the chest of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and hen the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Open your mouth.' Then he kissed him and said, 'O Allah, love him for I love him!'"




Smiling

250. Jarir said, "Since the time I became Muslim, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, never saw me without smiling at me." The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A man from the best of Dhu Yaman will enter by this door whose face has been touched by an angel." Then Jarir came in.

251. 'A'isha said, "I never saw the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, laugh until I could see his uvula. He used to smile, may Allah bless him and grant him peace." She said, "When he saw a cloud or wind, distress could be seen in his face." She said, "Messenger of Allah, when people see a cloud, they rejoice, hoping that there will be rain in it. Yet when you see it, I see distress in your face." He replied, "'A'isha, what will assure me that there is no painful punishment in it? People have been punished by wind. Some people saw the punishment and stated, 'This is a rain cloud coming to us.'"

Laughter

252. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Laugh little. Much laughter kills the heart."

253. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Do not laugh a lot. Much laughter kills the heart."

254. Abu Hurayra said, "The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went out to a group of his Companions who were laughing and talking. He said, 'By the One in whose hand my soul is, if you knew what I knew, you would laugh little and weep much.' Then he left and the people were weeping. Then Allah Almighty revealed to him, 'Muhammad! Why did you make My slaves despair?' The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Give good news, guide people and draw near to one another.'"

When he faced someone, he faced him completely, and when he turned away, he turned away completely

255. Abu Hurayra said, "When he faced someone, he faced him completely. When he turned away, he turned away completely. I have never seen anyone like him and I will never see anyone like them."

Etiquette of Conversation

Adaab of Conversation

1. Always speak the truth. Never hesitate in speaking the truth even at the greatest risk.

2. Speak only when you must, and always talk with a purpose. Too much talk and useless conversation betrays a lack of seriousness. Your are accountable before Allah for every word you utter. The Angel of Allah records. "A supervisor remains vigilant to preserve on record every speech that is uttered by his tongue."

3. Always speak politely. Wear a smile on your face and a sweet tone in your speech. Always speak in a moderate voice. Do not keep your voice so low as to be inaudible to the addressee, nor raise it so loud that the addressee might be over-awed by your voice. Allah affirms: "Surely! the harshest of all the voices is the voice of the ass." [31 : 19]

4. Do not spoil your tongue with dirty talk. Do not speak ill of others. Never indulge in backbiting. Do not complain against others. Never indulge in mimicking others to ridicule them. Do not make false promises. Never laugh at others, nor boast of your own superiority or indulge in self praise. Never get unreasonable and rash in conversation. Do not pass remarks by a disgraceful name. Avoid swearing frequently.

5. Always say what is just and fair regardless of any loss of yourself, your friend or relative. "And when you say something, speak what is just even if you are talking about your relative."

6. Be soft-spoken, reasonable and sympathetic in your conversation. Do not utter sharp, harsh and teasing remarks.

7. When women happen to talk with men, they should speak in a clear, straight, and rough manner. They ought not speak in delicate, sweet tone lest the listener should entertain any foul expectation.

8. If the impudent with to entangle you in dialogue or altercation offer them 'Salaam' politely and leave them. Those who indulge in loose talk and absurd conversation are the worst lot of the Ummah.

9. Keep in view the mental level and outlook of them man you are talking to so as to make him understand. If the addressee cannot hear or is unable to catch your meaning, repeat what you have said before without any resentment.

10. Always be brief and to the point in your talk. It is unfair to prolong discussion without rhyme or reason.

11. When you wish to explain the tenets of Al-Islam want to speak on the teachings of Al-Islam be simple and clear and speak in a passionate and heart-warming style. To seek reputation through oratory, to try to impress people with flowery language, to seek popularity among people, to adopt a proud and haughty mein or to deliver speeches only for the sake of fun and recreation --all these are the worst habits that corrupt the man to the core of his heart.

12. Never indulge in flattery, or ingratiate with anybody. Always mind your honour and respect and avoid anything below your dignity.

13. Do not interrupt and interfere in others' conversation without their permission, nor intercept others conversation in order to say something yourself. If, however, you must speak, do so with the permission of the other.

14. Speak slowly in a proper and dignified manner. Do not speak in a hurried manner nor indulge in fun and jokes all the time as it degrades you in the eyes of others.

15. If somebody puts a question to you, listen carefully to him and make an answer after careful thought. It is simply foolish to answer the questions without due consideration. If the questions are being put to somebody else, do not be officious as to give answers yourself.

16. When someone is narrating something, do not say "we know already." May be he reveals something new and impresses you by his sincerity and piety.

17. When you talk to someone, give due regard to his age, status, and his relationship to you. Do not talk with your parents, teachers, and elders in a manner in which you would talk with your friends. Likewise, when you are talking to youngsters, speak with affection and elderly dignity.

18. While engaged in conversation, do not point out towards any one lest he should conceive any misunderstanding or suspicion. Abstain from eavesdropping on others.

19. Listen more and talk less. Do not reveal your secrets to others. Once you disclose a secret to someone, never expect it to remain a secret any more.