The importance of seeking God’s forgiveness

The Story of Prophet Hud
Description: The importance of seeking God’s forgiveness

Many people may be surprised to learn that Muslims also believe in many of the Prophets found in Jewish and Christian traditions. Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, amongst many others, all figure prominently in the pages of Quran. Believing in all of God’s prophets and revealed books are two of the pillars of faith in Islam therefore; Muslims accept the Torah and the (Injeel) Gospels of Jesus. However they also believe that these books were altered, or lost over the course of time. Consequently Muslims believe only what has been confirmed in the Quran or the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad.

In the Old Testament reference is made to a descendant of Noah named Eber. In some traditions, he is called Heber, and known as the father of the Hebrew language.[1] In Islam however he is known as Hud[2] and is one of four Arabic prophets, the others being, Saleh, Shuaib and Muhammad. Renowned Islamic scholar of the 14th century, Ibn Kathir, reports that Ibn Jarir also claims that Hud was a descendent of Noah.

Sent by God to his brethren, Hud spread the message that God is One and to worship Him alone. It was the same message spread by all the prophets of God. Hud said to his people, “O my people, worship God, you have no other God but Him”. (Quran 11:50). Hud belonged to the ancient civilisation known as Ad, and its capital city is believed to have been the fabled city of Ubar, known in Quran as Iram. (89:6-7)

Ad is believed to have been situated in the wind swept hills between Oman and Yemen. The people were known to build lofty towers, and thus the area became known as the land of a thousand pillars. It was a civilisation unlike any other. God blessed Ad and its people. He provided them with fertile land and abundant agriculture, many children, an ample supply of livestock and easy access to water resources. The people themselves were described as tall, strong, and well built.

In many ways, Ad could be described as a society much like many of the opulent societies that exist today. There was an excess of wealth and the proud arrogant people were not satisfied with fulfilling their basic needs. They began to build towers and dwellings merely to display their wealth and they accumulated worldly possessions as if they were a people destined to live forever.

The rulers and leaders of Ad were powerful tyrants, their wealth did not make them soft, as sometimes happens, but rather they grew strong and dominated the lands around them. Satan was among them and made their deeds seem fair seeming to them. Their arrogance and pride grew and the worship of idols became prevalent.

Prophet Hud was also a strong man but he used his strength to confront the problems that abounded in his society, however, the people were too proud to listen. They did not want Hud to point out their mistakes but he persisted in calling them to righteousness. He said,

“O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as criminals, or disbelievers in the Oneness of God.”

Hud tried to explain to his people that seeking God’s forgiveness for their rebelliousness and arrogance would only cause an increase in their strength and wealth. God, he said, would reward their repentance with abundant rain and an increase in strength. In the manner of arrogant people throughout time the people of Ad looked at Hud with disdain, they then looked around and found that they were the most powerful nation in existence.

The wealthy arrogant people of Ad argued with Hud about the nature of the Day of Judgment. They believed that after death the body turned to dust and was swept away by the wind. The people of Ad, much like many people today, believed that the purpose of life was to accumulate wealth, prestige, and possessions. When Hud made them confront the reality of their lives and pointed out that they were far away from the One God, their arrogant chests swelled with pride and they accused him of being crazy. They wondered why a man who ate and drank, just like them could have such a different view of life. With their eyes firmly fixed on wealth and luxury the people of Ad convinced themselves that following Hud would mean that they to were crazy.

“There is nothing but our life of this world! We die and we live! We are not going to be resurrected! He is only a man who has invented a lie against God, but we are not going to believe in him.” (Quran 23:33-3)

Eventually the people of Ad looked at Hud and said, “We understand why you are crazy, our god’s (idols) have harmed you because you insulted them”. (Quran 11:53)

Hud turned to God and renounced his people. He knew that God’s punishment would be swift and severe. A drought spread throughout the once fertile and abundant land. The people looked to the sky hoping to see signs of rain. The punishment was obvious but still the people of Ad mocked and ridiculed Hud.

One fateful day the weather changed. The burning heat changed to biting cold and the wind began to howl. The savage wind increased with each new day and the people began to seek shelter. The windstorm raged for more than a week. It ripped apart tents and dwellings, it whipped away clothing and tore the skin from the body.

They were destroyed by a furious violent wind which God imposed on them for seven nights and eight days in succession, so that you could see men lying overthrown (destroyed) as if they were hollow trunks of date palms! (Quran 69:6-7)

Ibn Kathir tells us that the violent gale did not stop until the entire region, once lush and green was reduced to ruins and swallowed by the sands of the desert. Only Hud and his small band of followers were saved and are believed to have migrated to the Hadramat area of what is today known as Yemen.

Epilogue[3]Ubar, was said to be a remote desert oasis and a major trading centre inhabited by powerful and wealthy people. Legend said it was lost in a major sand storm that buried the entire area. In 1992, the fabled lost city was discovered using remote sensing data. Satellite imagery exposed a large area of sand dunes, under which lie a major wadi or dry streambed. Ubar is currently under excavation and evidence has revealed an octagonal fortified city with 30-foot towers and thick walls.

1)http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T2864
2)Based on the Stories of the Prophets by Ibn Kathir.
3)http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/radar/sircxsar/ubar1.html

If your Imaan was strong, so will be this light....

HOW BRIGHT IS YOUR LIGHT???

You're sitting comfortably in your room when all of a sudden, the electricity goes off. It becomes completely dark. You can't see a thing. Although it is your own house, life comes to an inconvenient, complete halt.

That's because you can't see a thing! You dare not move, in the fear that you may knock something over or worse still, you may stumble and hurt yourself. Uncomfortable and unnerving, isn't it?

Now fast forward to an unknown time in the future......
when it will be dark like this and even worse.....
when you.... and I......
and all of mankind.....
will be gathered in the dark, in front of a bridge.....
a bridge that is sharper than a sword and thinner than a hair.....
a bridge called as-Siraat.......the bridge over Hellfire.

When the companions asked about the bridge, he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 'It is a slippery (bridge) on which there are clamps and (hooks like) thorns which are wide at one side and narrow at the other and have bent ends... Some of the believers will cross the bridge as quickly as the wink of an eye, some others as quick as lightning, a strong wind, or fast horses or she-camels. So some will be safe without any harm; some will be safe after receiving some scratches, and some will fall down into Hellfire. The last person will cross by being dragged (over the bridge)." Bukhaari

And then, it will be ordered that we all pass over this bridge. And we will have no choice but to comply to the order of the Lord of the Worlds. But it will be dark, darker than any darkness one can ever imagine.....

and on this horrific Day, mankind will be desperate...

desperate to do anything, anything, to have some kind of light that will help them see the way and guide them to cross over the Siraat.And then..... there will be light.

But, you know what?

This light will only be according to the light of Imaan that you had in your heart during this Dunya.

If your Imaan was strong, so will be this light....strong and bright and illuminating.

And if your Imaan was weak, this light will be weak too, dim and faltering and feeble.

Ibn Kathir reported in his Tafseer: "They will pass over the Siraat according to their deeds. Some of them will have a light as large as a mountain, some as a date tree, some as big as a man in the standing position. The least among them has a light as big as his index finger, it is lit at times and extinguished at other times.'' (Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Jarir).

Ibn al-Qayyim says: "For one person, it (the light) will be like the sun, for another like the moon, the stars or a lamp. For yet another, this light will be only at the tips of his toes; it will shine, then go out [then shine, then go out]. For just as his light had been in this world, so he shall be given when crossing the Bridge. In fact, it is the same light that had appeared to him before. However, just as the hypocrite has no real light in this world, or has only an outward light but none within, so shall he be given [on that Day] an outward light which will vanish in the darkness and be lost."

If you lived a life of righteousness and Taqwa, a life according to Islaam, submitting to Allaah and repenting to Him, obeying His commandments, hoping for His Mercy yet fearing His Wrath, taking care not to disobey Him to the best of your ability, then good news for you, O Muslim. Allaah will illuminate your path over the Siraat just like He illuminated your heart in this Dunya with guidance and righteousness.

"The Day (will surely come) when you shall see believing men and women with their light running before them and on their right hands, (it will be said to them): 'Glad tidings for you this Day. You shall live for ever in Gardens underneath which rivers flow! That is indeed the mighty triumph." (Surah Hadeed: 12)

BUT,If you dared to disobey the Lord of the Worlds, following your whims and desires, earning haraam, lying, cheating and backbiting,involved in all sorts of sins and forgetting the Aakhirah, then dim and feeble will be your light in accordance with the deeds that YOU chose to commit.

Imagine the desperation, despair and hopelessness of a person in such a situation!Complete darkness..... and a bridge, that he has to cross....a bridge so sharp and so slippery and so thin, with hooks....stretching over Hellfire....and he can't see a thing! May Allaah save us.

Wouldn't he give anything, anything to have a light that is strong and bright.....

A light that can illuminate his way across the Siraat....

A light that can take him to Jannah??!!
Alas...for him, it will be too late.....
BUT, it's not too late for YOU. You still have time.

You still have a chance to make your light big and strong. All you have to do is to submit to Allaah and repent sincerely. Obey whatever He commands you to and stay away from whatever He forbids you from. Have Taqwa of Allaah in all that you say and do and Wallaahi, He will brighten your heart with Imaan, lighten your life in this Dunya and illuminate your way over the Siraat on to Jannah.

"O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow.

The Day that Allaah will not disgrace the Prophet (Muhammad ) and those who believe with him, their Light will run forward before them and with (their Records Books of deeds) in their right hands they will say:

"Our Lord! Keep perfect our Light for us [and do not put it off till we cross over the Siraat safely] and grant us forgiveness. Verily, You are Able to do all things ." (Surah Tahreem: 8)

Very powerful story

Very powerful story:

There were only 15 minutes

left before Salat-ul Isha.

He quickly made Wudhu and performed Salat-ul Maghrib.

While making Tasbih, he again remembered his grandmother and was
embarrassed by how he had prayed.

His grandmother prayed with such tranquillity and peace.

He began making Dua and went down to make Sajdah and stayed like that for
a while.

He had been at work all day and was tired, so tired.

He awoke abruptly to the sound of noise and shouting.

He was sweating profusely.

He looked around.

It was very crowded.

Every direction he looked in was filled with people.

Some stood frozen looking around, some were running left and right and
some were on their knees with their heads in their hands just waiting.

Pure fear and apprehension filled him as he realized where he was.

His heart was about to burst.

It was the Day of Judgment.

When he was alive, he had heard many things about the questioning on the

Day of Judgment, but that seemed so long ago.

Could this be something his mind made up?

No, the wait and the fear were so great that he could not have imagined
this.

The interrogation was still going on.

He began moving frantically from people to people to ask if his name had

been called.

No one could answer him.

All of a sudden his name was called and the crowd split into two and made
a passageway for him.

Two angels grabbed his arms and led him forward.

He walked with unknowing eyes through the crowd.

The angels brought him to the centre and left him there.

His head was bent down and his whole life was passing in front of his
eyes like a movie.

He opened his eyes but saw only another world.

The people were all helping others.

He saw his father running from one lecture to the other, spending his
wealth in the way of Islam.

His mother invited guests to their house and one table was being set
while the other was being cleared.

He pleaded his case,

'I too was always on this path.

I helped others.

I spread the word of Allah.

I performed my Salah.

I fasted in the month of Ramadhan.

Whatever Allah ordered us to do, I did.

Whatever he ordered us not to do, I did not.'

He began to cry and think about how much he loved Allah.

He knew that whatever he had done in life would be less than what Allah
deserved and his only protector was Allah He was sweating like never
before and was shaking all over.

His eyes were fixed on the scale, waiting for the final decision.

At last, the decision was made.

The two angels with sheets of paper in their hands, turned to the crowd.



His legs felt like they were going to collapse.

He closed his eyes as they began

To read the names of those people who were to enter Jahannam.

His name was read first.

He fell on his knees and yelled that this couldn't be,

'How could I go to Jahannam?

I served others all my life,

I spread the word of Allah to others'.

His eyes had become blurry and he was shaking with sweat.

The two angels took him by the arms.

As his feet dragged, they went through the crowd and advanced toward the

blazing flames of Jahannam.

He was yelling and wondered if there was any person who was going to help
him.

He was yelling of all the good deeds he had done, how he had helped his
father, his fasts, prayers, the Noble Qur'an that he read, he was asking

if none of them would help him.

The Jahannam angels continued to drag him.

They had gotten closer to the Hellfire.

He looked back and these were his last pleas.

Had not Rasulullah [SAW] said,

'How clean would a person be who bathes in a river five times a day, so

too does the Salah performed five times cleanse someone of their sins'?

He began yelling,

'My prayers? My prayers? My prayers.?'

The two angels did not stop, and they came to the edge of the abyss of
Jahannam.

The flames of the fire were burning his face.

He looked back one last time, but his eyes were dry of hope and he had
nothing left in him.

One of the angels pushed him in.

He found himself in the air and falling towards the flames.

He had just fallen five or six feet when a hand grabbed him by the arm
and pulled him back.

He lifted his head and saw an old man with a long white beard.

He wiped some dust off himself and asked him,

'Who are you?'

The old man replied,

'I am your prayers'.

'Why are you so late! I was almost in the Fire!

You rescued me at the last minute before I fell in'.

The old man smiled and shook his head,

'You always performed me at the last minute, did you forget?'

At that instant, he blinked and lifted his head from Sajdah.

He was in a sweat.

He listened to the voices coming from outside.

He heard the Adhan for Salat-ul Isha.

He got up quickly and went to perform Wudhu.



Pass this on to your friends and family... ...

Maybe, you can help someone open their eyes.

And who knows?

Maybe, this is a good deed that can help you during the day of
judgement.

(INSHA-ALLAH)

Carrying out Good Deeds

Doing good deeds for others can be like switching on a light bulb in a darkened room. No matter how awful we are feeling there is just something about offering a helping hand to someone in need that lifts our spirits and brightens our Iman.

We should get to the stage where we crave to do good deeds! Because our good deeds are our eternal investment which will benefit us for the rest of eternity rather than investment into this life which is very temporary indeed! So what investment sounds better?

Eternal investment which will give us eternal bliss or temporary investment which has a chance of failing even though we spend our whole lives investing in it! You choose!

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:

"For those who believe and work righteous deeds is a reward that will never fail”(Fussilat: 8).

Time in Islam is more than gold or any precious material thing in this world. Of all religions, only Islam guides mankind not only to the importance of time but also how to value it.

Allah SWT the Almighty and His Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad SAW, very clearly tell us the value of time, why we must not waste it and how we can make use of our time wisely to increase our iman (faith) and thus attain success, especially eternal success in the life Hereafter.

Bin ‘Abbas narrated t that Allâh’s Messenger r said,“There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” (Bukhari 8/421)

Abdullah Bin Mas’ud t narrated: “I asked the Prophet, ‘Which deed is the dearest to Allah?’

He replied, “To offer salaat (the prayers) at their early fixed times.”

I asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?”

He replied, “To be good and dutiful to your parents.”

I' again asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?

“He replied, “To participate in jihad (religious fighting) in Allah’s Cause.” (Bukhari 1/ 505)

Abu Qatada, Bin Rab’i t narrated that the Prophet , said, "Allâh the Exalted said: ‘I made five times (daily) prayers obligatory on your people. And I took a guarantee that if anyone observes them regularly at their times, I shall admit him to Paradise. If anyone does not offer them regularly, there is no such guarantee of Mine for him." (Abu Dawood 430)

If we fear Allah for His wrath and hope for His rewards in the eternal world to come, time has come for us to give due value to the importance of time. We should try not to waste most of our time seeking worldly pleasures. It is for our guidance that we must take admonition from the following authentic hadîth:

Abu Hurairah t narrated that Allâh’s Messenger SAW said, Be prompt in doing good deeds (before you are overtaken) by turbulence which would be like a part of the dark night. During (that stormy period) a man would be a Muslim in the morning and an unbeliever in the evening or he would be a believer in the evening and an unbeliever in the morning, and would sell his faith for worldly goods.” (Muslim 213)

Abu Hurairah t narrated that Allâh’s Messenger SAW said,“Hasten to do good deeds before six things happen: the rising of the sun from the west, the smoke, the Dajjal, the beast and (the death) of one you or the general turmoil.” (Muslim 7039)

“Call then upon Allâh with sincere devotion to Him even though the Unbelievers may detest it.” Qur'an 40:14

Verily, time is very important for our success both in this temporary world and the eternal world to come. If we waste time, if we abuse it, then we waste and abuse our lives. In the Life Hereafter we will be among the losers, who will suffer the torments in the Hell-Fire, if Allah I the Almighty will not forgive us.

Therefore, if we really give value to our lives then, we must give due value to the importance of time.

Remembering Death

Every soul shall taste death Allah has said in the Qur’aan:

"Every soul will taste death.”

From this verse we know that death is such a thing that you can’t escape from even if you are in a house, which is built with metal walls, and has a massive padlock. Death will not only come when hair and the beard turn white, but it can come at any time, even when you are a baby, or an old person or a teenager or of middle age.Even if you are a king, a Prime Minister or a leader of one of the tribes.

Merits of the Remembrance of Death

Know that the person, who is engrossed in the world and cheated by its charming coquetries, is unmindful of the remembrance of death. They do not remember death and when they are reminded of it, they do not like it. Allah has said regarding such a man:“The deaths from which you flee away will meet you. Thereafter you will be led to the Knower of the world seen and unseen. You will then be informed of what you did.”

Hazrat Bilal bin Masood and Umar bin Abdul Aziz Radiallaho Anho said, “O People! You are not created for being destroyed”. You will travel from one home to another home. For a believer, death is a gift.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam has said, “The gift for a believer is death". Due to the hardship which the believer goes through in this world, death becomes easy for him and all of his anxieties disappear.

Therefore, it is described as a gift in the Hadith. Hazrat Mahmood bin Labeed says that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam said, “Mankind likes two things very much. One of these things is life, though death is much better for him, and the second is wealth though poverty makes accounting easy.

Hazrat ibn Umar Radiallaho Anho says, “This world is paradise for the non-believers (they are engaged in their worldly desires and aspirations). This world is a jail or prison for the faithful (momins). They are bound by the laws of Shari at in every matter. Therefore, when the soul of a momin leaves his body (at the time of death), it is as if a captive has been freed from the cell. He cleans himself by turning in the dust.

O Lord, increase us in knowledge

Gaining knowledge

To seek knowledge is a sacred duty, it is obligatory on every Muslim, male and female.

The first word revealed of the Qur’an was "Iqra" READ! Seek knowledge! Educate yourselves! Be educated.

Surah Al-Zumr, ayah 9 reveals:

"Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?"

Surah Al-Baqarah, ayah 269 reveals: "Allah grants wisdom to whom He pleases and to whom wisdom is granted indeed he receives an overflowing benefit."

Ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: The position of only two persons is enviable; the person whom Allah bestowed wealth empowering him to spend it in the way of righteousness, and the person whom Allah gave wisdom with which he adjudges and which he teaches to others

According to Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: A single scholar of religion is more formidable against shaytaan than a thousand devout persons.

Islam is our greatest gift. We have to be thankful for this gift. We have to render to Allah His due. Allah has given us so much by making us a part of the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (S) so we must totally commit ourselves as followers of the Prophet (S). We must become true Muslims. A person without knowledge is like someone walking along a track in complete darkness.Most likely his steps will wander aside and he easily can be deceived by shaytaan.

This shows that our greatest danger lies in our ignorance of Islamic teachings and in our unawareness of what the Qur’an teaches and what guidance has been given by the Prophet (S).

But if we are blessed with the light of knowledge we will be able to see plainly the clear path of Islam at every step of our lives. We shall also be able to identify and avoid the dangerous paths of Kufr, Shirk and immorality, which may cross it.

And, whenever a false guide meets us on the way, a few words with him will quickly establish that he is not a guide who should be followed. Every one of us, young or old, man or woman, should at least acquire sufficient knowledge to enable ourselves to understand the essence of the teachings of the Qur’an and the purpose for which it has been sent down.

We should also be able to understand clearly the mission, which our beloved Prophet (S) came into this world to fulfil. We should also recognize the corrupt order and system, which he came to destroy.

We should acquaint ourselves, too, with the way of life which Allah has ordained for us. No great amount of time is required to acquire this simple knowledge. If we truly value Iman, it cannot be too difficult to find one hour every day to devote for our Iman.

Hadith states: "He who acquires knowledge acquires a vast portion." AND "If anyone going on his way in search of knowledge, God will, thereby make easy for him the way to Paradise." May Allah (SWT) give us strength to behave and act just as He likes us to do and be pleased with us, and that should be the purpose of our lives. Rabbi zidnee ilma (O Lord, increase us in knowledge). Aameen.

Brighten up our Iman

We can brighten up our Iman >>>InsyaAllah!!

1. Recognise and Repent

As humans we all commit sins no matter how hard we try to avoid them because were created to be imperfect. Engaging in evil deeds decreases our Iman.

Actions like lying, cheating and stealing, to name only a few, take a toll on the human heart and soul which makes us more susceptible to being lead astray from the Path of Allah.

It is important for us to reflect upon our deeds and weed out the ones that are contrary to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (S). Allah has gifted us with an innate sense of justice and the ability to reason and make sound judgements.

Our fitrah (natural disposition) necessitates that we all know when we are committing a sin. And if we don't know, we certainly have a bevy of resources to find out from!

• Conditions for the acceptance of repentance

The word tauba which is rendered as repentance in English, is not a simple term as most people believe. It is very rich in meaning and implication, and is not simply a word of mouth after which the sinner continues in his sins.

Says Allah, Glorified be He:

"Seek forgiveness of your Lord and then turn to Him in repentance." (Hud: 3).

Do you notice how turning to the Lord in repentance has been added to the search for His forgiveness?

It is quite in keeping with its importance, therefore, that repentance should have, as the scholars have stated, conditions attached to it for its acceptance.

They are as follows:

• First: Giving up of the sin itself.
• Second: Remorse over what has been committed.
• Third: A resolve not to repeat it,
...and, Fourth: Compensating those who have been wronged or obtaining their forgiveness.


2. Perform Salah Regularly

Completing the five daily prayers, on time and according to the Sunnah, is an excellent way to increase our Iman.

Not only are we performing an obligatory deed when praying, but by doing so we have a standing audience with the Creator of this world where we can ask for help and mercy. The effect of the salah on the human soul is cooling as Muhammad (S) once said that it cooled his eyes.

The salah connects us with our Creator and, along with obedience to Allah, helps us to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil.

The Prophet Muhammad (S) said:

"Faith wears out in the heart of any one of you just as clothes wear out, so ask Allah to renew the faith in your hearts” (Mustadrak al-Haakim).

Our Iman is not always as sound and strong as we want it to be as it often fluctuates according to life circumstances.

There are several causes for weakening Iman such as deficiencies in our prayers or the insinuating whispers from the Shaytan.

Regardless of the cause, it is crucial for all of us to keep a check on our Iman and if we feel it is faltering in any way then we should take measures to restore it. It is our responsibility to know which things decrease our Iman and how to avoid them and those that increase our Iman and how to embrace them.



What are signs of a weak imaan?

Signs of weak imaan:

• Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.

• Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.

• Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat

• Neglecting the Sunnah.

• Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.

• Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.

• Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.

• Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.

• Desiring status and wealth.

• Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.

• Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.

• Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.

• Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.

• Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.

• Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.

• Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.

• Being unable to deal with calamities, for instance crying and yelling in funerals.

• Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.

• Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.

• Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.

End with "Alhamdulillah rabbil alameen"

Women's roles, rights and obligations

Spiritual status As stated in the Qur'anic verses from the last message, women are considered to be the spiritual equals of men, and they have the same religious duties. This is all the more important when we consider that the main goal of a Muslim is to serve Allah, and that this world is regarded as no more than a testing-grounds to prepare oneself for eternal life after death.

Therefore, worldly accomplishments, fame, wealth and power simply do not have the same attraction for a Muslim, whose main focus is on the Next World. The Qur'an repeatedly draws our attention to the fact that the time we spend in this world is short and unpredictable, and what really counts is our character, how we treat others, and what we do with the blessings Allah has given us. In this context, home and family are of paramount importance, since stable families are essential to the rearing of well-adjusted children who will transmit their faith and values to the next generation.

According to a well-known Arab proverb, 'The mother is a school.'
Social roles Islam supports the traditional division of labour whereby women assume the main responsibility for home while men are responsible for their financial support, but with an important difference: motherhood and homemaking, like a Muslim's inner life, are not considered to be less important or rewarding than a professional career. Indeed, motherhood is one of the most important professions, and competent mothers who can successfully run a warm and welcoming home, and raise a family of happy, confident and well-disciplined children are becoming increasingly harder to find. Muslim wives and mothers are granted the respect due to all women for the struggles and sacrifices they make for the sake of their families.

Furthermore, Muslims consider it unfair to burden women with both the physical and emotional demands of motherhood and the professional demands of the workplace, which end up exhausting so many women and destroying family life for the sake of economic gain. Muslims often express sympathy for women in the West, who often suffer from sexual exploitation and abuse at home and in the workplace, while being unappreciated in their traditional roles.

Western women who seek to be respected must often dress and behave like men, and are expected in practise to neglect their children's needs for the sake of their careers. In Islam, femininity is appreciated, and Muslim women may seek a higher education, work outside the home or volunteer their services to benefit the community as long as their primary responsibilities are taken care of. Any money that a Muslim woman earns is her own, to spend as she likes; men remain solely responsible for maintaining the family.

Islamic marriage

Although Muslim parents traditionally play an important role in arranging introductions and helping to choose marriage partners for their children, both husband and wife must freely agree to the marriage. Prophet Muhammed S.A.W granted girls who had been forced into marriages against their will the right to have their marriages annulled.

The relationship between husband and wife in Islam is an interdependent one, based on love and tranquillity. The Qur'an says, And of His signs is this: He created spouses for you from among yourselves that you might find comfort in them, and He put between you love and mercy. Surely there are signs in that for people who reflect. (Qur'an 30:21)

Both parents should strive to establish a stable, loving home and partnership. Major family decision-making should be through consultation and discussion. As the provider, the husband is expected to take the lead, as he is accountable to Allah for his care of the family.

If no agreement can be reached, the wife should be supportive as long as her husband does not ask her to do anything that contravenes religious law. This works well as long as each spouse behaves maturely and treats the other with respect, kindness and consideration.

Seeking the pleasures of Allah

Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

And among its effects is that the disobedient (sinner) is constantly in the shackles of his Shaytaan and the prison of his shahwa (desires) and the chains/fetters of his hawaa (whims).

So he is a captive, one who is imprisoned and who is tied up. There is no captive in a worse state than the one who is captivated by his worst enemy and there is no prison which is tighter than the prison of hawa and there is no bond/fetter more strong than the bond of desire.

How, then, will a heart which is captivated, imprisoned and fettered travel unto Allaah and the Home of the Hereafter. How will a person take a single step forward when the heart is bound and harmful things approach it from every direction. The harmful things approach it to the extent that it is tied up [i.e. imprisoned by its desires and whims..].

The example of the heart is like the example of a bird. Every time is ascends it becomes distant from the harmful things and every time it descends the harmful things hurt it. In a hadeeth there occurs that Shaytaan is like a wolf to people. Just as when a sheep has no protector and is in between many wolves, they are quick in causing damage and injury; likewise the servant who does not have guardianship from Allaah, then his wolf [i.e. his desires, whims etc.] is to him a predatory animal.

[Thus] there is no escape for the servant from having protection from Allaah. Taqwaa is a safeguarding for him and a strong shield between himself and the punishment of this world and the Hereafter. Every time the sheep is close to its shepherd it is more safe from the wolf and every time it becomes distant from its shepherd it is closer to destruction. So its sanctuary is when it is close to its shepherd because the wolf takes the lonely one from the flock and this is the one which is the furthest one of the flock from the shepherd. The basis of all of this is is that every time the heart is distant from Allaah the harmful things are quick in approaching it and every time it is close to Allaah the harmful things become distant from it.

Remoteness from Allaah has levels/degrees, some of which are more severe than others. Heedlesness distances the servant from Allaah and some acts of disobedience are greater than some acts of heedlesness. Some innovations are greater than some acts of disobedience and some things from Hypocrisy and Shirk are greater than all of what has preceded.

Captivation and Imprisonment by Sin
Author: Ibn al-Qayyim

☾☆ ỀịḒ Ḿü฿ầṜḁḴ ☆☽~ ☾☆ عید فطر مبارک ☆☽

Assalamualaikum,

Wish you and your loved ones a joyous Eid ul-Fitr.

The joyous season of festivities is here again. More than just a time for us to be with family and friends, it is also a time for giving and forgiving. We strive to deliver the nicest gifts to your love ones this season, you should also remember probably the best gift you can give is the gift of forgiveness. May all of us have a meaningful time with our love ones as we celebrate these gloriest victory as we accomplished our obligations in the month of Ramadan. Alhamdullillah...



May Allah s.w.t. shower His mercy and blessings to us all. May Allah s.w.t. accept all our good deeds in the month of Ramadhan. May Allah s.w.t. make us steadfast in the path of good until we are called to meet Him Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.,...may it benefits us InsyaAllah

Minal aidin wal faidzin (May you be among those who return to purity and among those granted glory) . Kullum am wa antum bikhair (May you be well throughout the year). Taqaballahu minna wa minkum (May Allah accept it from you and us). Ameen Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

Greatness of Allah swt

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) described the greatness of Allaah in the most beautiful way:

"He is controlling the affairs of all the kingdoms. He commands and prohibits, creates and gives provision, and gives death and gives life. He raises and lowers peoples status, alternates night and day, gives days (good and not so good) to men by turns, and causes nations to rise and fall, so that one nation vanishes and another emerges. His command and decree are carried out throughout the heavens and on earth, above it and below it, in the oceans and in the air.

He has knowledge of all things and knows the number of all things. He hears all voices, and does not mistake one for another; He hears them all, in all the different languages and with all their varied requests and pleas. No voice distracts Him from hearing another, He does not confuse their requests, and He never tires of hearing the pleas of those in need. He sees all that is visible, even the walk of a black ant across a solid rock in the darkest night.

The unseen is visible to Him, and secrets are known to Him Whosoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him (its needs from Him). Every day He has a matter to bring forth (such as giving honour to some, disgrace to some, life to some, death to some, etc.)! [al-Rahmaan 55:29 interpretation of the meaning].

He forgives sins, eases worries, relieves distress, helps the defeated person back on his feet, makes the poor rich, guides the one who is astray and confused, fulfils the needs of the desperate, feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, conceals faults, and calms fears. He raises the status of some and lowers the status of others Even if all the inhabitants of heaven and earth, the first and the last of them, mankind and jinn alike, were to be as pious as the most pious among them, this would not increase His sovereignty in the slightest; if they all, the first and the last of them, mankind and jinn alike, were to be as rebellious as the most rebellious among them, this would not decrease His sovereignty in the slightest.

If everything in heaven and on earth, the first and the last of them, mankind and jinn, living and dead, animate and inanimate, were to stand in one place and ask of Him, and He were to give them everything that they asked for, thiswould not decrease what He has by even an atoms weight.

He is the First, before Whom there is nothing, and the Last, after Whom there is nothing, may He be blessed and exalted. He is the Most deserving of being remembered, the Most deserving of being worshipped, the Most deserving of being thanked. He is the Most Compassionate of kings, the Most Generous of those who are asked He is the King Who has no partner or associate, the One who has no rival, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who has no son, the Most High, and there is none like unto Him.

Everything will perish save His face [al-Qasas 28:88 interpretation of the meaning], and everything will vanish except His sovereignty He will not be obeyed except by His permission, and He will not be disobeyed except with His knowledge. He is obeyed, so He shows His appreciation, and He is disobeyed, so he forgives. Every punishment on His part is justice, and every blessing from Him is a favour. He is the closest of witnesses and the nearest of protectors.

He seizes people by their forelocks, records their deeds and decrees the appointed time for all things. Hearts conceal nothing from Him, for secrets are known to Him. His gift is a word and His punishment is a word: Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, Be! and it is. [Yaa-Seen 36:82 interpretation of the meaning]. (Adapted from al-Waabil al-Sayib, p. 125)"

May Allah give us towfiq to gain his pleasure allahuma Amiin

The Prophet's Advice to Mu`aadh ibn Jabal

Mu’aadh bin Jabal reported from the Messenger of Allaah(SAW) that he said,

"Fear Allaah wheresoever you may be, and follow up and evil deed with a good one, it will efface it (the evil deed). And deal with mankind with good manners." Reported by at-Tirmidhi.

This hadeeth is one of the Forty Ahaadeeth of the author, may Allaah have mercy upon him, and in it is that the Prophet(SAW) gave three great and important pieces of advice:

THE FIRST: He said, "have taqwaa of Allaah wheresoever you may be."

Taqwaa means to stay away from the forbidden matters and to enact the obligatory matters – this is taqwaa! That you enact what Allaah has commanded you, sincerely for Allaah and in compliance to the Messenger of Allaah(SAW), and that you leave what Allaah has forbidden due to His prohibiting it and to steer clear of it.

For example that you establish the greatest obligation that Allaah has imposed upon you after the testimony of faith – the prayer, and you establish it completely - fulfilling all of its conditions and pillars and obligations, fulfilling all of these perfectly.

So whosoever leaves off any of these conditions, pillars or obligations then he has not feared Allaah (to the best of his ability), rather he has been deficient in this to the extent of what he left out.

In Zakaah, the Taqwaa of Allaah lies in your calculating all of your property on which the zakaah is due, and your giving the zakaah as a means of purifying yourself without any miserliness or tightfistedness, or delay.

And whosoever does not do this than he has not feared Allaah. In fasting, the Taqwaa of Allaah lies in your establishing the fast as you have been commanded, distancing yourself from idle speech, obscene words and mannerisms, boisterous behaviour, backbiting and spreading tales and other such things that would make the fast deficient and remove the spirit of fasting.

The true meaning of fasting is to fast from that which Allaah, Azza wa Jall, has made forbidden. The same applies to all of the obligations that are used to establish obedience to Allaah, and compliance to His command, sincerely for Him and in following His Messenger.Likewise all the forbidden actions are to be left in compliance to His prohibition.

THE SECOND: "and follow up and evil deed with a good one, it will efface it (the evil deed)."

Meaning that when you perform an evil action then follow it up with a good action for the good action effaces the evil. And from the good actions to be performed after the evil is that you repent to Allaah for this evil action, for indeed repentance is from the most noble and excellent of the good actions as Allaah has said,

"indeed Allaah Loves those who repent and those who purify themselves." (2:222) And He said, "and repent to Allaah all of you, O believers so that you may be successful." (24:31)

Similarly righteous actions expiate the evil actions as the Prophet(SAW) said,

"the five daily prayers and one Jumu’ah to the next Jumu’ah, and one Ramadaan to the next Ramadaan, is an expiation for what lies between them as long as one refrains from the major sins." [Muslim],

and he said, "one Umrah to the next is an expiation for what is between them." [Bukhaaree].

Therefore the good actions efface the evil.

THE THIRD: "and deal with mankind with good manners."

The first two pieces of advice were those related to relationship with the Creator, this third relates to relationship of the creation to the creation. This being to deal with mankind with the best manners such that you will be praised and not blamed.

This by having a cheerful complexion, being truthful in speech, speaking to others nicely and other such good manners.

There are a large number of texts concerning the excellence of having good manners to the extent that the Messenger(SAW) said,

"the most complete believer with respect to faith is the one with the best manners."

And he informed us that the most deserving of mankind to him(SAW) and the closest to him in ranking on the Day of Judgement would be those with the best manners.

So noble manners, along with their being a way to beautify gatherings and the person who possesses them being beloved to the people, contain a huge reward which will bestowed upon the person on the Day of Judgement. So preserve these three pieces of advice from the Prophet(SAW) and Allaah is the Grantor of Success.-

The evil deeds

Sheikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah (subhana wa ta'la) have mercy on him, was asked:

“What are the deeds of the people of Hell and what are the deeds of the people of Paradise?” He replied, The deeds of the people of Hell are:

* associating partners in worship with Allah (subhana wa ta'la)
* disbelieving in His Messenger
* kufr (ingratitude, disbelief)
* hasad (malicious envy)
* lying
* treachery
* oppression and wrongdoing (dhulm)
* promiscuity
* backstabbing
* cutting off the ties of kinship
* cowardice at the time of jihaad
* miserliness
* inconsistency between what is in one’s heart and the face one shows to people
* despairing of the mercy of Allah (subhana wa ta'la )
* feeling secure from the plan of Allah (subhana wa ta'la)
* panicking blindly at the time of crisis
* pride and extravagance at the time of plenty
* abandoning one’s duties towards Allah (subhana wa ta'la)
* transgressing His limits
* violating His sanctity* fearing a created being instead of the Creator
* showing off* going against the Qur’an and Sunnah in word or deed
* obeying a created being in some act of disobedience to the Creator
* blindly supporting falsehood
* mocking the signs of Allah (subhana wa ta'la)
* rejecting the truth
* withholding knowledge and testimony that should be revealed
* witchcraft and magic
* disobeying one’s parents
* killing any soul forbidden by Allah (subhana wa ta'la) except for reasons of justice
* consuming the wealth of the orphan
* riba (usury)
* desertion from the battlefield
* slandering the reputation of innocent, chaste, believing women” (Yaqadhat uli al-I’tibar, p.222)

The Messenger of Allah (Sallalahu aleh wassalam) mentioned all the sins that will lead one to Hell. Muslim reports from ‘Iyadh bin Himaar that the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu aleh wassalam) said, during a lengthy khutbah:

“..the people of Hell are five: the weak who lack the power to (avoid evil); the (carefree) who pursue (everything irrespective of whether it is good or evil) and who have no concern for their families or their wealth; the dishonest people whose greed cannot be concealed even in the case of minor things; and those who betray you, morning and evening, with regard to your family and your property. He also mentioned misers, liars and those who are in the habit of abusing people and using obscene, foul language”. (Muslim in Kitaab al-Jannah wa Sifaat Na’imihaa Baab as-Sifaat allaatee yu’raf bihaa fid-dunyaa ahl al-Jannah wa ahl an-Naar, 4/2197 no. 2865)

May Allah please with us and guide us ameen.

what will save a person from Hellfire

Al-Bayhaqi narrated that Abu Dharr RA said: I said, "O Messenger of Allaah, what will save a person from Hellfire?"

He said, "Belief in Allaah."

I said, "O Messenger of Allaah, are there are any deeds that should accompany that belief?"

He said, 'He should give from that provision which Allaah has granted him."

I said, "O Messenger of Allaah, what if he is poor and does not have anything to give?"

He said, "He should enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil."

I said, "O Messenger of Allaah, what if he cannot enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil?"

He said, "He should help the one who is helpless (i.e., has no skills and cannot earn a learning)."

I said, "What if he himself is helpless and cannot do anything?"

He said, "He should help one who has been wronged."

I said, "What if he is weak and cannot help one who has been wronged?"

He said, "You do not want to think of your companion as having any good in him. Let him refrain from harming people."

I said, "O Messenger of Allaah, if he does that, will he enter Paradise?"

He said, "There is no believer who does not strive to acquire one of these characteristics, but I will take him by the hand and lead him into Paradise." (1)

(1) Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Targheeb, 876

Two Blessings

Two Blessings- Good Health And Free Time

All praises to the Lord of the Worlds who has out of his infinite mercy blessed us with endless blessings. Glad-tidings to the servant of the Almighty who is showered with countless bounties day in and day out. Most unfortunate is he who does not recognise these blessings and bounties and is not thankful for them.

The Prophet states in a Hadith:

“There are two blessings in which most people are in great loss:
1) Good health and
2) Free time.”

How true the Prophet is. Many of us have had or have good health and free-time. However how many of us can answer with a true heart that we used these two blessings the way that they are meant to be used or have showed appreciation towards the Almighty the way we should have?

The Almighty has not given us this good health to waste, He has given health and time to us for a purpose; that we worship him the way He is meant to be worshipped, to spread His religion and to call people towards Islam; and to help Humanity who are in dire need of help.

Then again, how many of us have put this good health to use?

How many of us have worshipped Allah the way he is meant to be worshipped?

How many of us have helped the religion of Islam?

How many of us have thanked Almighty Allah for the good health that he has blessed us with?

These are all questions that we should ponder upon. As the saying goes, “The only time you realise the value of a gift is when you lose it.”

By the time we realise the value of these special gifts bestowed upon us, we would probably have lost them by then. Then no matter how much regret we have, they will never come back.

Think about our free time.
How many hours are spent sitting in front of the television?
How many hours are wasted merely listening or watching a game of football?
Imagine how much we could have worshipped the Creator and attained his pleasure and high status in the hereafter. Have we no value for this time?

A saying of Imam Shafi'ee Rahmatullahi Alayhi: “Time is like a sword, cut it before it cuts you.”

He is trying to say that don't waste your time. Every second that passes by will never come back. We have to put all this time into good use. The Prophet has said in a Hadith:

Take advantage of five conditions before five others:
1) Youth before old age.
2) Good health before sickness.
3) Free time before you become occupied.
4) Wealth before poverty.
5) Life before death.

This free time of ours should be spent in the remembrance of the Almighty. On the Day of Judgement, the people of heaven will only have one regret; they will regret all the free time they wasted in the world. The reason for this regret will be that they could have achieved a higher status in Paradise if they didn't waste their free time.

May Allah Taa'la give us the ability to spend our free time worshipping the Almighty Allah. Ameen
--------------------

Du'as for Fasting

Duas for Ramadan
- ادعية شهر رمضان المبارك -


Du'as for 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]

Be the richest of people.

Be content with that which Allah has given you and you will be the richest of people.Wealth, appearance, children, house, and talents you must be content with your share in these things:

So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful. (Qur'an 7: 144)

Most Islamic scholars and pious Muslims of the early generations of Islam were poor; needless it is to say, then, that they did not have beautiful houses or nice cars.Yet, despite these disadvantages, they led fruitful lives, and they benefited mankind, not by some miracle, but because they used all that they were given, and spent their time in the correct way.Hence they were blessed in their lives, their time, and their talents.

On the contrary, there are many people who have been bestowed with wealth, children, and all forms of blessings, yet these blessings have been the very reason for their misery and ruin. They deviated from what their inborn instincts were telling them, namely, that material things are not everything. Look at those that have obtained degrees from world-renowned universities, and yet they are paragons of obscurity. Their talents and abilities remain unused. Meanwhile, others who are limited in the scope of their knowledge have managed to make mountains out of what they have been given, benefiting both themselves and society.

If you are a seeker of happiness, be satisfied with the looks Allah has favored you with, with your family situation, with the sound of your voice, with the level of your understanding, and with the amount of your salary. Certain educators go further than this by saying that you should imagine being contented with even less than you actually have now.

Here for you is a list of those who have shone from our Islamic heritage despite each being challenged by various disadvantages:

Ataa ibn Rabah was a world-renowned scholar of his time.He was not only a freed slave and snub-nosed, but he was also paralyzed.

Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays was famous among the Arabs for his singular level of patience. He achieved that fame despite being emaciated, humpbacked, with crooked legs and a fragile frame.

Al-A`mash was among the most famous scholars of hadith in his time. He was a freed slave, he had bad eyesight, and he was poor. His clothes were ripped, his appearance was disheveled, and he lived in straitened circumstances.

In fact, every Prophet was at one time or another shepherd. Dawood (David) was a blacksmith, Zakariah (Zacharia) a carpenter, and Idrees (Enoch) a tailor; and yet they were the best of mankind.

Therefore your value is in your abilities, good deeds, manners, and contributions to society. Do not feel grief, then, over that which has passed you by in life in terms of good looks, wealth, or family; and be content with what Allah has allotted for you.

It is we who portion out between them their livelihood in this world. (Qur'an 43: 32)

Remind yourself of Paradise, which is as wide as are the Heavens and the Earth.

If you are hungry in this world, if you are sad, ill or oppressed, remember the eternal bliss of Paradise.If you do this, then your losses are really profits and the hardships you face are really gifts. The most wise of people are those that work for the Hereafter, because it is better and everlasting. And the most foolish of mankind are those that see this world as their eternal abode - in it reside all of their hopes. You will find such people to be the most grief-stricken of all when faced with calamity. They will be the most affected by worldly loss simply because they see nothing beyond the insignificant lives that they lead. They see and think only of this impermanent life.They wish for nothing to spoil them in their state of felicity. Were they to remove the veil of ignorance from their eyes, they would commune with themselves about the eternal abode - its bliss, pleasures, and castles. They would listen attentively when they are informed through the Qur'an and the Sunnah about its description.Indeed, that is the abode that deserves our attention and merits our striving and our toiling, so that we may achieve the best of it.

Have we reflected at length about the description of the inhabitants of Paradise?
Illness does not befall them, grief does not come near them, they die not, they remain young, and their attire remains both perfect and clean. They are in a beautiful home. In Paradise is found that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has imagined. The rider travels under a tree in Paradise for one hundred years and yet he still does not reach its end.The length of a tent in Paradise is sixty miles. Its rivers are constant, its castles are lofty, and its fruits are not only close-by, but are also easily picked. Therein will be a running spring.

Therein will be thrones raised high, and cups set at hand, and cushions set in rows, and rich carpets [all] spread out. (Qur'an 88: 12-16)

The happiness of Paradise will be absolute. So why do we not contemplate this fact?

If Paradise is our final destination and we ask Allah for Paradise - then the hardships of this world are less heavy than they may seem, so let the hearts of the afflicted ones find solace.

You who live in poverty, or are afflicted with calamity, work righteous deeds so that you shall live in Allah's Paradise.Peace is upon you, because you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the. Final hornet (Qur'an 13: 24)

Lailatur Qadr

The unluckiest person in the world
.. is the one who did not make it to forgive all his past sins in month of Ramadhaan.
How many people are laying in there Grave, who thought they can make it to Ramadhaan this year. They never made it !!

We are lucky we got a chance this year !! The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadhaan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters the Fire, then may ALLAH distance him."[Ahmad (2/246) and Bayhaqi (4/204)]

Its not too late, Also we have the 'Night of Power' ( Lailat-ul-Qadr ) in hand The Messenger (SAW) said: "Whoever prays the Night of Qadr with Eemaan (faith) and hoping for its reward, ALLAH will forgive him all his previous sins." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

'Lailat-ul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power' a very important occasion in the history of Islam and in our personnel lives. The Night Of Power is better for you to live, to experience and to enjoy than one thousand months of your personal life.

Even if you were to live one thousand months (83.3 years) with sincerity, dedication, and sacrifices and with good intentions and deeds, the Night Of Power is still far better for you to live and to enjoy.

ALLAH says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr:

"We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn.." (97:1-5)

The Night of Power is a night of blessings ALLAH has blessed this Night. Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of ALLAH may look forward to the Night of Power.

Anyone who seeks the Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. This is, as if, he/she is, born again now free of all sin and mistakes.

The month of Quran

Friday Khutbah (Sermons) : Ramadan : The month of Quran- by Imam Al-Haramain Sa’ud ash-Shuraimfrom the Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah

The Transcript:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his household and companions. Dear Muslims! Whoever observes the condition of people in light of the current trials, tribulations and calamities that are occurring all over the world will see that the Muslims are in dire need of a generous guest that brings with it relief and progress.

They are in need of this grand guest with whom they hope to be strengthened after a series of indescribable calamities and weakening incidents; hence their need for this great month of tranquility and spiritual development. It is the month of self-examination, conscience reawakening and freedom from selfishness and lustful desires. Allah says that which translates as:

“O you who have believed! Decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you, that you may become righteous.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:183)

Fellow Muslims! The month of Ramadan is the month of the Quran; a Book whose light will never fade and which is a path that never leads one astray.

The Glorious Quran is to man as the soul is to the body; it is a light for guidance. Whoever does not read the Quran or put its injunctions into practice is dead, despite the fact that they may speak and move. Whoever does not put it into practice has gone far astray even if they are apparently successful in all areas of life. Allah says that which translates as:

“Is one who is dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge therefrom?” (Surah Al An’am 6:122)

Fellow Muslims! There is no doubt that the relationship of many Muslims with the Quran is one of abandonment of either its recitation or implementation of its injunctions.

It is no exaggeration to say that the diseases of past nations have affected the Muslims, while they are unaware of this. Allah says that which translates as: “And there are among them unlettered people who do not know not the Scripture except (indulgement in) wishful thinking, but they are only assuming.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:78)

The scholars of Tafsir say about this verse: ‘It means: they know nothing about the Book except for its recitation, for it never passed their lungs and throats. This is because of the fact that there was a spiritual absence in their recitation and therefore, they were unable to ponder over its meanings’.

The Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam lived for sixty-three years; we are used to believing that old age and the vicissitudes of life cause hair to turn grey. What then will you think of a man who attributed grey hair to some verses of the glorious Quran that he used to recite? Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, asked the Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam about what caused some of his beard to become grey, he sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam replied: ‘It was caused by Surah Hud, Surah Al-Waqi’ah, Surah An-Naba’ and Surah At-Takwir.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Brothers in faith! The blessed month of Ramadan should be regarded as a wonderful opportunity for every Muslim to save himself from destruction and to purify their soul in preparation for the Quranic guidance that is inherent in night prayer. Allah says that which translates as:

“Indeed, the hours of the night (i.e. the rising for Tahajjud prayer) are more effective for concurrence (of heart and tongue) and more suitable for words (i.e. for recitation of the Quran and for hearing and understanding it).” (Surah Al Muzzammil 73:6)

Brothers in faith! The blessed month of Ramadan is a great opportunity for the Muslims to wake up for night prayers, seek refuge with Allah and turn to Him for their needs, for none has the power to answer their call except Allah alone.

The Lord descends to the nearest heaven, in a way that befits his majesty, in the last third of the night and asks:

“Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness so that I can forgive him?”

Do any of us ever reflect upon and appreciate this great period which is one of those in which supplications are answered?

Tell me, what are the people doing in this last part of the night? Many a miserable soul missed this blessed period! Many people are in deep slumber at this time.

It is saddening that some of those who are negligent of this great period are however, ready to go anywhere where they can lodge their complaints and seek solutions to their problems – from their fellow human beings, forgetting that it is only Allah who is capable of removing sorrow and distress. He says that which translates as:

“What is (the matter) with you that you do not attribute to Allah (due) grandeur while He has created you in stages?” (Surah Nuh 71:13-14)

Imam Tirmidhi reported that the Prophet of Allah sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: ‘There are three persons whose supplications are never rejected:

The just leader, the fasting person when he breaks his fast and the oppressed when he supplicates and whose supplication is raised above the clouds and the gates of heaven are opened for it and Allah will say, “By My Glory! I shall assist you even if it is after a while.”’

Brothers in faith! There are however, some people who raise their hands in prayer and are impatient for a rapid answer; they may even feel despair if their supplications are not speedily answered.

The Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “Allah will answer the supplication of any one of you as long as he is not hasty and says: ‘I called my Lord and He did not answer.’”

The delay may also be caused by sins such as the failure to uphold the rights of kinship, or perhaps it may be due to the fact that the prayer emanated only from the tongue and was not rooted in the heart.

The Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: ‘Allah does not accept the supplications from an inattentive heart.’

The heart is not free from turning to the desires of this life and we all know that one who always looks back does not reach his goal in time.

Therefore, I implore you O Muslims, to make plentiful supplications to Allah, for supplication is the essence of worship. Let nobody slight their requirements however great or small they may be.

Allah says that which translates as:

“And your Lord says: ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell (rendered) contemptible.” (Surah Ghafir 40:60)

Here is an example for those in sorrow and distress: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam entered the mosque one day and saw an Ansari (a resident of Madinah) man there by the name of Abu Umamah.

The Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam asked him, ‘O Abu Umamah, why are you sitting in the mosque at a time that is not a prayer time?’ He replied: ‘I was forced to do so by sorrow and debt.’

The Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam then asked: ‘Shall I teach you a supplication by which Allah will remove your sorrow and pay for you your debts?’ He answered: ‘O yes, Messenger of Allah!’

The Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam then said:

‘Say every morning and evening: Allahumma inni a’udhu bikka minal-hammi wal hazan, wa a’udhu bika minal-‘ajzi wal-kasal wa a’udhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhul wa a’udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayn wa qahrir-rijal.’

(Meaning: O Allah, I seek refuge with You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being over powered by men.)

Abu Umamah said: ‘I did that and Allah removed my distress and paid for me my debt.’ (Abu Dawud)

Fellow Muslims! The month of Ramadan is a month of generosity and spending in ways that are virtuous. Let every Muslim take part in the generosity of this month and not hesitate to wipe the tears off the faces of orphans, widows and the destitute. Let everyone keep away from stinginess and covetousness for these are two of the bad qualities from which the Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam sought refuge with his Lord from.

The Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was the most generous of mankind and his generosity multiplied during the month of Ramadan. He would never say ‘no’ when he was asked of anything.

Further, the benefits of charity are not restricted to the beneficiary; the donor also has a share. An example of this is when a generous person gives in charity, their heart becomes gladdened and they become pleased with that.

Therefore, this person will be encouraged to give more and gain extra rewards. As for the miser, whenever he thinks of giving in charity his heart feels constrained; he feels as if he is giving away a chunk of his life!, this in turn leads to his whole life feeling constrained.

However, nothing destroys the tricks and insinuations of Satan more than giving sincerely in charity. Allah says that which translates as:

“Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:268)

The Prophet's (Peace be upon him)Sermon of the Prophet Welcoming Ramadhan

This is an excerpt from 'Rasulullah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم Sermon at the end of Shabaan' by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq.
...............................................................................

The Prophet's (Peace be upon him)Sermon of the Prophet Welcoming Ramadhan



Baihaqi reported on the authority of Salman Al-Farsi (Radhi Allah ‘Anh) that Prophet (’Alaihi Salat was-Salam) delivered a sermon on the last day of the month of Sha’ban. In it he (’Alaihi Salat was-Salam) said,

“O People! The month of Allah (Ramadan) has come with its mercies, blessings and forgivenesses. Allah has decreed this month the best of all months. The days of this month are the best among the days and the nights are the best among the nights and the hours during Ramadan are the best among the hours. This is a month in which you have been invited by Him (to fast and pray). Allah has honoured you in it. In every breath you take is a reward of Allah, your sleep is worship, your good deeds are accepted and your invocations are answered.

Therefore, you must invoke your Lord in all earnestness with hearts free from sin and evil, and pray that Allah may help you to keep fast, and to recite the Holy Qur’an. Indeed!, miserable is the o­ne who is deprived of Allah’s forgiveness in this great month. While fasting remember the hunger and thirst o­n the Day of Judgement. Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue against unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should not be heard.

Be kind to orphans so that if your children may become orphans they will also be treated with kindness. Do repent to Allah for your sins and supplicate with raised hands at the times of prayer as these are the best times, during which Allah Almighty looks at His servants with mercy. Allah Answers if they supplicate, Responds if they call, Grants if He is asked, and Accepts if they entreat. O people! you have made your conscience the slave of your desires.

Make it free by invoking Allah for forgiveness. Your back may break from the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate yourself before Allah for long intervals, and make this load lighter. Understand fully that Allah has promised in His Honour and Majesty that, people who perform salat and sajda (prostration) will be guarded from Hell-fire o­n the Day of Judgement.

O people!, if anyone amongst you arranges for iftar (meal at sunset) for any believer, Allah will reward him as if he had freed a slave, and Allah will forgive him his sins. A companion asked: “but not all of us have the means to do so” The Prophet (SAAWS) replied: Keep yourself away from Hell-fire though it may consist of half a date or even some water if you have nothing else.

O people!, anyone who during this month cultivates good manners, will walk over the Sirat (bridge to Paradise) o­n the day when feet will tend to slip. For anyone who during this month eases the workload of his servants, Allah will make easy his accounting, and for anyone who doesn’t hurt others during this month, Allah will safeguard him from His Wrath o­n the Day of Judgement. Anyone who respects and treats an orphan with kindness during this month, Allah shall look at him with kindness o­n that Day. Anyone who treats his kinsmen well during this month, Allah will bestow His Mercy o­n him o­n that Day, while anyone who mistreats his kinsmen during this month, Allah will keep away from His Mercy.

Whomever offers the recommended prayers during this month, Allah will save him from Hell, and whomever observes his obligations during this month, his reward will be seventy times the reward during other months. Whomever repeatedly invokes Allah’s blessings o­n me, Allah will keep his scale of good deeds heavy, while the scales of others will be tending to lightness. Whomever recites during this month an ayat (verse) of the Holy Qur’an, will get the reward of reciting the whole Qur’an in other months.

O people!, the gates of Paradise remain open during this month. Pray to your Lord that they may not be closed for you. While the gates of Hell are closed, pray to your Lord that they never open for you. Satan has been chained, invoke your Lord not to let him dominate you.”

Ali ibn Talib (RAA) said: “I asked, ‘O messenger of Allah, what are the best deeds during this month’?” ‘He replied: ‘O Abu-Hassan, the best of deeds during this month is to be far from what Allah has forbidden’.”

The Prophet's (Peace be upon him) Final Sermon!

The Prophet's (Peace be upon him) Final Sermon!
*GREATEST READ OF YOUR LIFE*

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and TAKE THESE WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust.

Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.

ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd'al Muttalib (Prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived... Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.

Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QURAN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people".