Muslim By Choice

Taking a Break

2006-04-16T23:56:00.000-06:00

Asalaam 'Alaikum:

Well - we are now on the road to homeschooling - and that's my main priority right now. So, I probably won't be updating this blog for quite some time now. However, I will keep it up in case it proves useful for someone out there, insha'Allah.

At some point in the future I hope to continue this blog - but for the time being, it just isn't possible with all that I need to accomplish right now. Insha'Allah at some point in the future, I will return.

Asalaam 'Alaikum,
Sumayyah Umm Sadiqah wa Asma

Lazy Boy - It's All in Your Mind!

2005-11-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Lazy Boy - It's All in Your Mind! by Muhammad Alshareef

During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ), an incident happened in which a man slept the entire night and he missed the Fajr prayer. Despite the fact that this is a very common occurrence in our present day, at that time such things rarely happened.

He missed Fajr, and so they came and spoke to the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) about this…

‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood, (radiyAllaahu ‘anhu) narrates: A man came and said to the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ), “Oh Messenger of Allaah, verily a person slept last night until the morning, until the dawn came and he missed Fajr.” The Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) replied “This is a person whom the devil has urinated in his ears.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters, try going to any books of hadeeth. In each and every one you will find a chapter entitled, ‘Baab al-Isti’aadhah Minal Kasl.’ Translated, this chapter is called ‘Chapter of Seeking Allaah’s Protection from Laziness.’

Kasl or laziness, also known as ‘procrastination’ is a disease. University Students know what procrastination can do to their studies. It is a disease that afflicts the minds. After the mind, it then afflicts the heart. Finally, through the heart, the body is afflicted.

Today, you will learn that laziness is a technique used by Satan, and today you will learn the techniques you can use to combat it.

The Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) frequently made the following supplication: “Oh Allaah, I seek your protection from, ‘alajz’ – which means the inability to do something.” And when someone says, “I can’t do that,” the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) would seek protection from such negative speech by adding: “and I seek your protection (Oh Allaah) from ‘alkasl’- which is translated as laziness.”

At its core, this society is built on laziness. Consider that it is a society based on the idea that we have to rest on Sundays. “Why do you have to rest on Sundays?” some may ask. And society (may Allaah protect us from this) would answer that even Allaah got lazy on Sunday. He did His work all week long, He built the heavens and the earth, and then on Sunday He got tired and rested. So, may Allaah protect us, contemporary culture has us resting and watching football games on Sundays.

Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) testifies to the lunacy of such an idea, implicitly stating, “That there is no drowsiness and no sleep that comes to Him.” (2/255)
In addition, we live in a society that lives for “fast and easy”. You have the fast food joints, even the microwave meals that take 5 minutes are considered tedious because you have to take it out after a couple of minutes and stir it before it is finished cooking. Ever hear the promises to have the perfect body in ten minutes for only three days a week? Examples abound. And in its quest for fast and easy, society does not realize that the root of its problems, indeed, the root of all major sins, lies in laziness.

Why would a person take alcohol and drugs? They are too lazy to change their situation. Instead of actively striving for change, they take a drug to immediately change it. Why do people practice black magic, a phenomenon that is, unfortunately, prevalent in many of our parent’s societies? They do it because they are too lazy to go out and get married, or they’re too lazy to influence people in ways that will accomplish their various goals. Why do people partake in ‘Riba’ (mortgages) and deal with financial interest? They are too lazy to get a proper job and work to pay for something honestly. Why do people gamble? They addictively buy lottery tickets at ridiculous odds of winning in the hopes that their one dollar will instantly earn millions. Laziness is again the culprit. What about that job? Why do people backbite? People backbite because they are too lazy to go and tell the person the truth…And these, dear brothers and sisters, are all major sins.

Thus, like a poison, laziness corrupts all good things.

There are beautiful and amazing things that you want to do for yourself, or do for Allaah (subhaahanu wa ta’aala). Your intention is good, but if you don’t have the energy, or you suffer from the laziness plight, your desires will go nowhere, they will bear no fruit.

The causes of the disease called laziness are rooted in the heart.

Firstly, a lazy person doesn’t know and doesn’t understand his or her need to accumulate good deeds. We understand the need to accumulate money, but we may not understand why or how to accumulate good deeds. Very few people understand that this life is about collecting deeds and preparing for the journey of the hereafter.

Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) advises, “to prepare your provisions (that pack your suitcases) for the best provision, the best thing to pack your suitcases with is the Taqwa (or Fear/Piety) of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). (2/197) And this is the commandment of Allaah.”

Secondly, people are discouraged by the thought that others will consider them “holier than thou.” Or perhaps the problem is that some people think too highly of themselves, glorifying themselves to such a high level that when they hear the commandments of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) they reply by justifying their laziness with excuses like; “My heart is clean,” or “Why do I have to do that,” or “I’m a good person.” Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) states: “Do not claim piety to yourselves.” (53/32) If someone says, “I’m good,” the response should be that “Allaah knows best who is true, who is righteous.”

Indeed, those who suffer from laziness don’t understand the gold mine of opportunity awaiting them. There are thousands of people around you waiting to hear the call of Islam. You are living among sponges ready to listen to you say, “I am a Muslim.” And they are going to ask, “How can I become one too?”

A brother I knew overseas said it perfectly: “The North Americans have such enormous prospects. Imagine teaching a new Muslim Soorah al-Faatihah, or how to pray. You will get the reward for this most noble lesson each time the person recites this soorah. You can’t do that in Muslim countries, although there are other different opportunities there, most people don’t recognize them and this leads to laziness”

Know that this concerns you and if you start demonstrating the energy and zeal it takes to worship Allaah to the best of your ability, then you will be the one to benefit.

This is your life. This is your soul. You are only going to live once on this earth, and you’ll be
traveling to the hereafter with a suitcase of good deeds. Hopefully, you won’t be traveling light. The one who understands this early on, the one to get on the bandwagon of the worship of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) early on, accumulates everything.

Be a pioneer, bring Islam to everyone. “And so they come on the day of resurrection and they see these mountains of good deeds that they never imagined they would have had… and it will be said to them… this is because you weren’t lazy back in the day when other people were lazy…” Recognize the opportunity, seize it, and kick start the worship of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) by others.

But if you chose not to heed these words, to yawn, and to be lazy, you are turning your back on the words of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). And the consequences will be grave, for the sunnah of creation, indeed the law of nature, stipulates that that which does not contribute will be destroyed. What do you do with weeds in your garden? You pull them out, you get rid of them. What do you do when your nails get too long, when there is no purpose to their length? You snip them off, discard them in the trash. And so it is, as a community and as individuals in that community, if we are not contributing, and if we are not energetically producing, we will be deemed useless and we will be eliminated.

Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) says: “In this way, He gives forth the parable of the truth and falsehood and the vanity. Vanity is like the foam, the dirt on the ocean (there is not benefit to it). But the things that do bring benefit (those devoid of laziness) will remain steadfast in the land.” Even after you are gone, your good deeds will continue to benefit. (13/17)

Do not make the mistake of thinking that Allaah pays attention to the lazy one’s worship. The Prophet Muhammad (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do those deeds that you are able to perform, for verily, Allaah will not tire of your ‘Ibadah (worship) until you tire.”

Ponder the phenomenon of those who make du’aa absentmindedly, not knowing what it is that they are saying. They may even be yawning, confused, or focused on something else entirely. Allah is not paying attention to that person just like they are not paying attention to their du’aa. That is a du’aa that is not answered by Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). A du’aa that is answered is the one where the person’s heart and energy are invested in it. Allaah will listen. If you can consistently take your du’aa to that level, you’ll see dramatic changes in your life.

When I was younger, there was an imam from overseas who came to lead the taraweeh prayers in Ramadhan. We would have to pick him up at Fajr time and drive him to the masjid. One early morning, I was feeling particularly tired and lazy. My parents had an especially hard time waking me up. Yet, when we arrived at the Imam’s house, I noticed that the neighbors were in the midst of an all-night party. It was 5 am and their lights were blaring, their music was booming, and the party-goers were still drinking their alcohol. They’d spent the entire night awake in “Qiyaamul layl,” but not to Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). Their worship was for the devil. I remember thinking to myself that this disbeliever has the stamina and energy to waste the night away, how can the servant of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) not have the energy and ability to worship Him? After all, they, too, are humans like us. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiyAllaahu ‘anhu) is quoted as saying, “I seek Allaah’s protection from the time when the ‘fasiq’ or disobedient will have much energy and enthusiasm and the righteous will be lazy.” The fasiq will open up bars everywhere and run his houses of immorality with vigor. And the righteous will do little to nothing in the sake of Allaah. When this happens, there is an imbalance on earth, and corruption will be widespread and prevalent.

Brothers and sisters, let me tell you about the blessedness of having energy and enthusiasm in worshipping Allaah will do for you.

Number 1: The extra energy will win you the pleasure of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala).
Musa (‘alayhis salaam) was told to come to the mountain for 40 days. And come he did, not walking slowly, not ten minutes late, but running. In explaining his arrival, Musa said, “I came hastily to you, oh Allaah, so that you will be pleased with me.” (20/84) And indeed, his words were so pleasing to his creator that Allah recorded them in the Quran for all eternity.

When you hear a name of a prophet’s companion, you say, “May Allaah be pleased with him.”

Well, this is how you get that same distinction for yourself. Be hasty in your desire and actions that lead to goodness.

Number 2: Having energy is the characteristic of the believer. Being lazy is the characteristic of the hypocrite.

Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) says the ‘munaafiq,’ or hypocrite is he who has disbelief in his heart, while outwardly claiming belief. Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) describes them in the following verse: “If they get up for the ‘salaah’ (prayer), they get up with laziness.” (4/142)
“Give me ten more minutes…give me ten more minutes… oh! I missed fajr…oh no. I’ll pray after fajr… Give me ten more minutes. Give me ten more minutes…”

A characteristic of hypocrisy; when they reach for that snooze button and get up lazily for prayer, they’re experiencing a state of ‘nifaq’ or hypocrisy. May Allaah protect us.
May He also protect us from using excuses to not follow through with our deeds.

A Canadian may say it’s too cold. An African will say it’s too hot. Both are making excuses for not doing good actions. It was summer in the desert during the time of the Battle of Tabuk, and a walking distance of what is today a seven hour car trip from Madinah to Tabuk. The Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) was rallying his troops for an exhaustive trek that, back then, would have taken months.

Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) says, “they (the hypocrites) encouraged people not to go with the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) by saying ‘do not go out in the heat’.” Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) response was to tell them, “that the fire of hell is much hotter; if only they understood.” (9/81)

Ibn al-Jawzee, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said “I have never seen a flaw sadder to me than a community whose people stop working, despite having the ability to continue.”

Second Khutbah

The ramifications of laziness can be very harmful. Some of you may have come across a person who displays a genuine interest in Islam. That person may be about to take the shahada when shaytan gets to him and her. An excuse the devil uses is, “You have to comprehend the Qur’aan first.” Hence the would-be Muslim is convinced that they do love Islam, but perhaps further study is required. And so it is that he or she delays coming back to Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala), and as time passes they may no longer possess the same enthusiasm.

Similarly, Muslims seeking to make repentance to Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) might give themselves time by saying, “let me wait till I pay off my mortgage, or pay off my student loans… let me wait till I do this , let me wait till I do that, then I will repent to Allaah.” But it doesn’t work like that because as time passes and sins grow, the heart consistently gets weaker and weaker. A time will come when the person knows it’s the last chance, but the heart may have already been sealed shut.And as the Prophet Muhammad (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said, “Race to good deeds before a time and a fitnah comes, (a test) that will sweep over you like the darkest of the darkest nights.” Are not the trials apparent all around us?

Look to the Islamic educational scene. Scholars we may or may not know are being singled out by the dozens. Religious knowledge is being taken from us. If you have the chance to attend a halaqah, or an Islamic class, you have to race to it NOW! It may be that you won’t have another chance.Fitnah will come to you, and you must survive it with whatever knowledge you hold. It may be that the knowledge you possess will suffice to protect you, and it may be that it will not be enough to avail you. The consequences thereof would be disastrous, and may eventually lead to hellfire. May Allah protect us.

Picture this analogy: In Australia they have sharks that prey near the coastline. To warn bathing humans of impending danger, they have a certain whistle that rings when a shark is sighted. Now imagine if you’re feeling sluggish or you’re playing a game trying to see how long you can hold your breath under the water. You don’t hear the warning sound, and then you raise your head out of the water, and notice that nobody is in it except you. Everyone has made it to shore, they are yelling for you to hurry, but you are ten minutes from the beach. How would you make it? Would you make it? Only Allaah knows for sure, but that’s exactly what laziness does to you. It not only renders you unprepared, but also helpless as to the actions you must take in order to survive.

But today is a new day, and by the grace of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala), you and I can learn to let go of that laziness. We will work with renewed energy, striving to return to the worship of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala).

Here are some techniques to use.

Number 1: Yawning promotes laziness

Yawning is from the devil. And when it comes to us, we must fight it. Despite what your medical classes are telling you about needing oxygen through yawning, it was your Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) who advised on covering the mouth and resisting the yawn, by not letting out any noise. No “Ahhhsss!”

Number 2: Eating 1/3rd

The Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) taught us to eat using the 1/3rd method. You don’t need much to sustain yourself, a few bites will usually do, but if you are going to eat a meal, then 1/3rd is the crucial number. One third should be the food, one third for water, and one third for breathing. Realize that one of the most cunning tricks of shaytan is urging people to fill their stomachs beyond capacity. How many times have you eaten a huge meal only to feel like taking a nap afterwards? And how many times has this nap dissuaded you from the worship of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala)?

Number 3: Spend time with energetic people

Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) says, “Be patient with those people who call upon their lord…in the mornings and the evenings.”

When you see a person going for salah consistently, always in a state of worship and remembrance of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala), you say to them, “Hey brother / hey sister, how about we go out for lunch? I’d like to spend time with you.”

Feed from their energy. Alternatively, if lazy people surround you, distance yourself from them, or give them da’wah, encouraging positive action. You want to pick the right people, because we tend to emulate those whom we befriend.

Do as your prophet did and constantly seek refuge from Allaah from the laziness that shaytan uses to defeat the Muslims. When you find yourself reaching for that snooze button, a.k.a ‘the shaytan button’, remember the ploy against you and seek Allaah’s help to resist. You will have the strength to wake for fajr. Ultimately, laziness is a state of mind.

In conclusion, the one concept that ties this all together is honesty. Being honest about your laziness and sincerely striving to change is the first step in seeing results. The fact of the matter is that when Allaah commands us to do something, it is not possible to have excuses, and know that tasks put upon you are doable, for Allaah “does not place a burden on a person more than they can bear.” (2/286) You can do it, others have done it before you, and others continue to do it. Join the ranks of the energetic.

Ka’b ibn Malik, (radiyAllaahu ‘anhu), went to the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) after the battle of Tabuk, and the hypocrites had been making excuses for their absence from the fighting. Ka’b had not participated and he thought that he too might come up with some excuse in order to save himself, but he realized that he could not lie to the Prophet of Allaah. He told the Prophet (sal Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ), “I have never had more energy or ability than this time, but I just didn’t go.” And the prophet said, “he is the one who is truthful.” And by the potency of his honesty and sincerity, the Qur’aan mentions that Allaah had forgiven Ka’b.
How do you truthfully word the reasons for your laziness? If the Fajr prayer has passed you by and the devil has urinated in your ears, do not place blame where blame is not due. Don’t make excuses like, “I had a long night.” Instead, say, “the truth is that the accumulation of my sins led me to miss fajr. But this is not who I am. I am the slave of Allaah. Oh Allaah, tomorrow, with your permission, I will show you what I am going to do for your sake” And so you make your repentance, you repeat your good intentions, and you continue until you reach those higher levels of energy.

I ask Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) to bless you with that energy and I pray and hope that you can make the same du’aa for me.

Is There Such Thing As Halal Food Anymore?

2005-11-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

Bismillah ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem

I have been disheartened and concerened for quite some time now about the foods we eat - not only from an Islamic perspective, but also a health perspective. Do we really know what is in our food - do we know what the animals we eat are fed and how they are treated? Are we sure that the foods we eat today are truly classified under 'Halal food'? Yes - this means even those of us who chose to only consume "Halal Meat" - if there is such a thing nowadays.

I'm not trying to be pessimistic or difficult - but the problem with the foods we eat is that their affects will only show up later in our lives and in the lives of our children - and most likely their affects will be overshadowed and we will only treat the problem when it arises without any knowledge that what we ate caused the problem in the first place.

Nowadays we not only have genetically engineered fruits and vegetables - we have animals that are given "protein" (meat from other animals) as part of their feed - they are treated cruely and then they are slaughtered cruely - oh, and I forgot to mention that they receive antibiotics and growth hormones. All of which we, ourselves, consume when we sit down to our meals.

A friend recently tried contacting many of the so-called "Halal" meat producers in the US and most of them replied that they could not verify what the animals were fed. Isn't that something that should concern us? At this point, I'm seriously considering becoming vegetarian - as I'm sure my neighbors wouldn't appreciate me raising my own feed in our tiny backyard. I don't really know what we can/should do about this - but I know we really should educate ourselves more about the food we eat and then decide what we're going to do about it. We must realize that the foods we consume are no small matter.

Here are a few good websites that deal with these types of issues, if you are interested in educating yourself more about this topic. I plan to try to learn more - before it is too late. I want to remind all of us about the following hadith:

"Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The leader is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; a man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for his flock; a woman is the shepherd in the house of her husband and is responsible for her flock; a servant is the shepherd of his master's wealth and is responsible for it. Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Halal and Healthy

GoVeg.com

Here are some articles about this issue:

The Halal Meat Industry

Mechanical Slaughter

IT MAY BE ZABIHA, BUT IS IT HALAL?

Cattle Feed is Often a Sum of Animal Parts

Halal and Kosher slaughter 'must end'

***UPDATE***

Here is one Halal Company that raises their own animals. They have them from birth to slaughter and ensure that they are fed and raised properly. By Allah, I swear I have no ties with this company - and I have yet to order from them. I just want to make this information available to you, insha'Allah. If you know of any other companies like this (in the US or other countries) - please let me know.

My Halal Meat

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UPDATE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Just wanted to update you on what we're thinking about this topic in our home. We found that
there are some farms in our state (not necessarily in our backyard) that raise their animalswithout antibiotics, growth hormones and they are grass-fed. So, I guess when we can, we willgo slaughter ourselves and use this as our source of meat.

I still think we will lean more on the vegetarian side and there's more to be learned - i.e., genetically modified foods, organic/non-organic. I think we will end up having a lot morevegetarian meals and then - when we do have meat, we will have it with a lot of vegetables.

It may be an adjustment - especially because I only know a few vegetarian meals thatare worth cooking again - but I know in my heart that it is well worth the difficulty.Even if it weren't an issue of halal - when I look at my children - I just can't justifyfeeding them something that may hurt them later.

So, any suggestions for cookbooks?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UPDATE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Don't be Lazy, Pray!

2005-11-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

Question :

I am a young Muslim man who believes in Allaah and His Messengers and His Books, praise be to Allaah. But sometimes I feel too lazy to pray. I am looking for a solution and a way to make me not be so lazy. Please note that this is what I want but the tricks of the Shaytaan are too strong.

Answer :

Praise be to Allaah.

If a person truly believes in Allaah, His Messengers and His Books, and believes that prayer is obligatory and is the greatest pillar of Islam after the Shahaadatayn, we cannot imagine that he would neglect to pray or be careless in performing the prayers. Rather he would never feel at ease unless he performs this important ritual regularly.

The more a person’s faith increases, the more he will be concerned to do that which Allaah has enjoined upon him, and this is also because of his strong faith. Hence the way to make you pray more regularly may be summed up as follows:

1 – You should believe firmly that prayer is obligatory and that it is the greatest pillar of Islam. You should realize that a stern warning is issued to the one who neglects prayer, and he is a kaafir who is beyond the pale of Islam according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, based on a great deal of evidence, such as the hadeeth in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.” Narrated by Muslim, 82.

And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The covenant that stands between us and them is prayer; whoever gives it up is a kaafir.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2621; al-Nasaa’i, 463; Ibn Maajah, 1079; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

2 – You should understand that delaying prayer beyond the time when it is due is a major sin, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As‑Salaah (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salaah (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell”

[Maryam 19:59]

Ibn Mas’ood said concerning al-Ghayy [translated in the verse quoted above as Hell): This is a valley in Hell which is very deep and foul.

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So woe unto those performers of Salaah (prayers) (hypocrites),

5. Those who delay their Salaah (prayer from their stated fixed times)”

[al-Maa’oon :4,5]

3 – You should strive to offer the prayers in congregation in the mosque, and not neglect any of them, knowing that praying in congregation in the mosque is obligatory according to the more sound of the two scholarly opinions, based on a great deal of evidence, such as the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever hears the call to prayer and does not respond, his prayer is not valid unless he has an excuse.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 793; also by al-Daaraqutni and al-Haakim, who classed it as saheeh; also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.

Muslim (653) narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: A blind man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, I do not have anyone to guide me to the mosque,” and he asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to give him a dispensation allowing him to pray in his home and he allowed him that, then when he turned away he called him back and said: “Can you hear the call to prayer?’ He said, “Yes.” He said: “Then answer it.”

And there is other evidence too. See question no. 40113.

4 – There is the hope that if you adhere to that, you will be included among the seven whom Allaah will shade with His shade (on the Day of Resurrection), among whom is “a young man who grew up worshipping his Lord” and “a man whose heart was attached to the mosque”. Al-Bukhaari, 660; Muslim, 1031.

5 – You will earn the great reward for prayer, especially prayer in congregation. In al-Saheehayn it is narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A man’s prayer in congregation is twenty-five times better than his praying in his house or marketplace, because when he does wudoo’ and does it well, then goes out to the mosque, only going there to pray, he does not take a single step but he is raised in status and a sin is erased thereby. When he prays, the angels continue to send blessings upon him so long as he is still in the place where he prayed, (saying), ‘O Allaah, send blessings on him, O Allaah have mercy on him.’ And one of you is still in a state of prayer so long as he is waiting for the prayer.”

Al-Bukhaari, 647; Muslim, 649.

Muslim (232) narrated that ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever does wudoo’ for prayer and does wudoo’ well, then walks to (perform) the prescribed prayer, and offers the prayer with the people or with the congregation or in the mosque, Allaah will forgive him his sins.”

6 – You should read about the virtue of prayer, and the sin of those who are careless or too lazy to pray. We advise you in particular to read the book Al-Salaah, limadha (Prayer – why?) by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ismaa’eel al-Muqaddim; and listen to the lecture, “Limadha la tusalli (Why don’t you pray?) by Shaykh Muhammad Husayn Ya’qoob, as these will be very beneficial for you in sha Allaah.

7 – You should choose good friends who are keen to pray and pay attention to that, and keep away from those who are the opposite, because a person is influenced by his friends.

8 – Keep away from sin in all aspects of your life, and adhere to the rulings of sharee’ah in your dealings with others, especially with women, because sin is one of the things that most distract a person from doing acts of worship and increase the Shaytaan’s influence on him.

We ask Allaah to make us and you among His righteous slaves and those who are close to Him.

And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A

Remaining Steadfast After Ramadan

2005-11-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

Remaining Steadfast After Ramadan

By Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan
Taken from: Ahaadeeth as-Siyaam: Ahkaam wa Adaab, Pgs. 155-157

Sufyaan ibn 'Abdillaah said: O Messenger of Allaah, tell me something about Islaam of which I will not ask anyone else besides you (after that). He (sall-Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Say: I believe in Allaah and then be steadfast (upon that). [1]

This hadeeth is proof that the servant is obligated, after having Eemaan in Allaah, to persevere and be steadfast upon obeying Him by performing the obligatory acts and avoiding the prohibited ones. This is achieved by following the Straight Path, which is the firm Religion, without drifting away from it to the right or to the left.

If a Muslim lived through Ramadan and spent its days in fasting and its nights in prayer, and in that month he accustomed himself to doing acts of good, then he must continue to remain upon this obedience to Allaah at all times (after that). This is the true state of the servant (abd), for indeed, the Lord of the months is One and He is ever watchful and witnessing His servants at all times.

Indeed, steadfastness after Ramadan and the rectification of one's statements and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained benefit from the month of Ramadan and that he struggled in obedience. They are tokens of acceptance and signs of success.

Furthermore, the deeds of a servant do not come to an end with the end of a month and the beginning of another. Rather they continue and extend until one reaches death, for Allaah says: And worship your Lord until the certainty (i.e. death) comes to you. [2]

If the fasting of Ramadan comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary fasting is still prescribed throughout the entire year, and all praise is due to Allaah. If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan comes to an end, then indeed, the entire year is a time for performing the night prayer. And if the Zakaat-ul-Fitr comes to an end, then there is still the Zakaah that is obligatory as well as the voluntary charity that lasts the whole year.

This goes the same for reciting the Quraan and pondering over its meaning as well as every other righteous deed that is desirable, for they can be done at all times. From the many bounties that Allaah has bestowed upon His servants is that He has placed for them many different types of acts of worship and He provided many means for doing good deeds. Therefore, the enthusiasm and the zeal of the Muslim must be constant and he must continue to remain in the service of his Master.

It is unfortunate to find some people performing worship by doing different types of righteous acts during Ramadan they guard strictly their five daily prayers in the Masjid, they recite the Quraan abundantly and they give in charity from their money. But when Ramadan comes to an end, they grow lazy in their worship. Rather, sometimes they even abandon the obligations, both generally, such as praying in congregation, and specifically, such as praying the Fajr prayer!

And they (even) commit forbidden acts such as sleeping over the time of prayers, indulging in places of foolishness and entertainment, and mingling in parks (i.e. free mixing), especially on the day of 'Eed! Obtaining help from these evils is only through the Grace of Allaah. Thus, they demolish what they have constructed and they destroy what they have established. This is an indication of deprivation and a sign of perdition. We ask Allaah for His safeguarding and protection!

Indeed, these types of people take the example of turning in repentance and ceasing from committing evil deeds as something specific and restricted to (only) the month of Ramadan. So they stop doing these (good) acts when the month stops. Thus, it is as if they have abandoned sinning for the sake of Ramadan and not out of fear for Allaah! How evil are these people who do not know Allaah except in Ramadan!

Truly, the success that Allaah grants His servant lies in the fasting of Ramadan. And Allaahs assisting him to do that is a great blessing. Thus this calls for the servant to be grateful to his Lord. And this understanding can be found in Allaahs saying, after having completed the favor of the month of fasting:

(He wants that you) must compete the same number of days, and that you must magnify Allaah (by saying Allaahu Akbar) for having guided you, so that you may be grateful to Him. [3]

So the one who is grateful for having fasted, he will remain upon that condition and continue to perform righteous deeds.

Indeed, the true manner of a Muslim is that of one who praises and thanks his Lord for having been bestowed the ability to fast and make Qiyaam (night prayer). His condition after Ramadan is better than it was before Ramadan. He is more ready to obey, desiring to do good deeds and quick to implement the obligatory acts. This is since he has acquired benefit from this prominent institute of learning. It is that of one who fears for having his fast not accepted, for indeed Allaah only accepts from those who have Taqwaa.

The righteous predecessors would struggle to complete and perfect their deeds, hoping afterwards, that it would be accepted and fearing that it would be rejected. From the reports of Alee is that he said: Be more concerned with having your deeds accepted than with the deed itself. Did you not hear Allaah say: Verily Allaah only accepts from those who have Taqwaa? [4]. [5]

Aaishah said: I asked the Messenger of Allaah concerning the aayah: And those who give away that which they give (i.e. charity and other good deeds), while their hearts tremble with fear. Are they the ones who drink alcohol and steal? He (sall-Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: No, O daughter of as-Siddeeq. But rather, they are the ones who fast and pray and give in charity, yet fear that it won't be accepted from them. They are the ones who rush to do good deeds and they are the first to do them. [6]

So be warned and again be warned of turning backward after having attained guidance, of going astray after persevering! And ask Allaah to provide you with endurance in doing righteous deeds and continuity in performing good acts. And ask Allaah that He grant you a good end, in order that He may accept our Ramadan from us.

Footnotes:

[1] Saheeh Muslim (no. 38)
[2] Surat-ul-Hijr: 99
[3] Surat-ul-Baqarah: 185
[4] Surat-ul-Maa'idah: 27
[5] Lataa'if-ul-Ma'aarif (pg. 246)
[6] Reported by at-Tirmidhee and authenticated by al-Albaanee in his Saheeh

Taken From: Islaam.com

What's After Ramadan?

2005-11-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

Ramadan Nights 2004: What's after Ramadan?

12th November 2004

Amr Khaled

Translated by www.daralislamlive.com

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Introduction

In the Name of the Most Merciful, the Most compassionate, and prayers and peace be upon Prophet Mohamed.

I'd like to wish all the Muslims everywhere a happy feast, as the month of Ramadan is coming to its end.

I'd like to start this episode by something that we tackled at the very beginning of Ramadan. I'll remind you by the verses of fasting in the Holly Quran. Allah (SWT) says: "O Believers, Fasting is prescribed to you in order to be pious, for counted days. Those who are ill or traveling should fast on other days……" Also Allah (SWT) says: "And if MY people ask you about ME, I'm near, I grant the prayer of the one who prays to ME, if he prays"

Thank Allah, we all performed great things that we usually can't do in the ordinary days. Some of us completed reading the Holy Quran once; others completed reading it twice and more. Some of them spent the nights in prayer and others wept out of their fear from Allah (SWT); where they never thought their hearts were so pious.

Some of us donated a lot of money for the poor people and they weren't afraid from becoming poor themselves. Many people did their best to the extent that I met some youth who say that if they die on this current state of piousness and worship it is much better for them and they will be satisfied.

Some of us could achieve the night of power "Al-Qadr" while others just got conscious to the importance of Ramadan only a few days ago. For both; those who worshipped hard since the beginning of Ramadan and those who wasted Ramadan; both teams now feel sad for the departure of Ramadan.

We had a lot of lovely memories related to it. Dear fellows, if you remember all the good memories in your lives, you'll find most of it related to worship. One of the pious successors called "Ibn Rajab" wrote a poem long ago at the last night of Ramadan expressing his sad feelings for the departure of the Holy month. When I read his poem, I found my tears overflowing, as he really expressed how painful the departure of Ramadan is.

"Ibn Rajab" said:

O month of Ramadan, slow down. (Meaning: wait and don't go so quickly)

Tears of your lovers are overflowing. (Meaning they weeping for the departure of Ramadan)

Their hearts are about to be broken. (For the departure of the Holy month)

So, slow down, lest the last moment before going apart calms down our pains.

Lest a man who was away from Allah can catch up with those who are accepted. (Meaning that maybe some people who were away from Allah can repent in the last few moments of Ramadan).

Lest Allah (SWT) sets a man who committed a lot of sins free of his sins.

Lest Allah (SWT) forgives a man who deserves hell.

O month of Ramadan, slow down.

This poem really expresses the pious tender feelings of that man for the departure of the Holy month. Now we have to wonder: who were accepted and who were not?? For those who were accepted I say "Congratulations", while for those who were not I say: "May Allah (SWT) reward you for this disaster. We are all for Allah and we'll return back to Him"

After Ramadan Advices

Now, after the beautiful month passed away, we should be practical and think about what we'll do after Ramadan. Dear fellows, please take care of these coming words. They are not memorized words, but they are the result of experience of a man who attended many months of Ramadan and watched how people fell down after Ramadan and how others could remain steadfast after Ramadan.

Dear fellows, please accept my advices for what to do after Ramadan. My aim is not to say that I'm experienced or sophisticated, but my aim is to give you all my experience from what I watched myself. There are common factors between those who feel down and those who could continue after Ramadan.

My first advice for you is: Take care of your devil.

For the whole month of Ramadan, you've been doing your best in worship. Now, after Ramadan had come to an end, what will happen?? Certainly you'll decrease your worship efforts, seeking for a rest. It is normal that we need a rest after exerting a great effort. However, notice that in this time while you're saying that you need a rest, your devil is being set free from its jail. At this same moment when you're seeking rest, your devil is being set free and is in its worst cases of wildness and fury. That's because it's been exerting a great effort all through the year and now after Ramadan Allah (SWT) has forgiven you for all the previous sins and misdeeds.

Do you know what the devil wants now? It wants to make everyone commit a serious misdeed in this first week after Ramadan. He wants to do so, to make you become desperate of yourself, as in spite of all your exerted efforts, you fell in sins and misdeeds so quickly after Ramadan.

Dear fellows, do you notice the sins and misdeeds people commit on the first days of the feast (Eid)? That's because of the wildness and fury of the devil. It wants to make you fall in such misdeeds so quickly; it doesn't want to waste time! Remember that the devil has an aim that it works for so badly. It wants all of us in hell, so it will seize the opportunity of your slackness to make you commit serious misdeeds.

Such misdeeds like an illegitimate relation between a man and a woman, or a strong clash and trouble between a man and his wife or even a serious problem and trouble between you and your parents. In brief, Satan wants to make us lose all the reward we got from Allah (SWT) during the month of Ramadan. It wants to do so to make us become desperate of ourselves and think "we are so bad and we'll never be accepted by Allah (SWT), so no need to worship any more because this same seduction and falling in sins will always happen to us after worship"-That's what the Satan wants us to believe in.

This meaning is expressed in this verse of Holy Quran, when Allah (SWT) said: "and the devil achieved what it believed about them..."

What did the devil believe about them?? It believed that even if they fast, pray for whole nights, feel pious and weep out of fear for Allah (SWT), He'd seduce them again so easily and make them commit sins (like falling in sins on the first days after Ramadan).

But listen to the rest of the verse, where Allah (SWT) says: "and the devil achieved what it believed about them, so they followed him except a group of believers."

Now we have to ask everyone: are you among those whom Satan could seduce, or you are among that group of believers who resisted Satan and turned it down.

Dear fellows, I want you all to remember last Ramadan. Did the Satan achieve what I believed about you?? Did you fall in such sins right after Ramadan? Did you allow the devil to rejoice at your misfortune of falling in sins right after Ramadan?

Listen to this lovely simile of the Holly Quran, when Allah (SWT) says: "And don't be like a woman who tore down her yarn…" It's like when a lady keeps yarning a pullover or a coat for a long time and had already exerted a lot of effort and time for it, then at the last thread, instead of yarning it, she pulled it out so the whole pullover was lost!!

"And don't be like a woman who tore down her yarn, after its hardness"

So, what's the advice we should all follow now? The advice is:

1- Avoid sins on the first week after Ramadan. Avoid any illegitimate relation between a man and a woman, troubles between married couples, problems and troubles between you and your parents and avoid the bad friends who might take you to bad places, claiming that you've done your best for a whole month and it's now time for rest!

But why should we resist Satan especially in the first week after Ramadan? That's to make it know that you have really changed. Satan's expectations are that as soon as it seduces you, you'll fall for it. When it tries to seduce you and finds you resisting, it will know that you're really changed and that its old ways don't work any more! By the way, resisting sins has a very lovely taste, even more lovely than committing the sin itself. It's a great feeling when you find yourself strong, unlike the shameful feeling when you fall in misdeeds right after Ramadan. You'll feel so weak then. Notice that Satan uses all its strength and tricks to make you commit serious misdeeds in those first days after Ramadan. It will try its best to make you fall.

I'm not saying that you'll never commit sins again. Everyone of us commits sins, but try to steadfast in that first week after Ramadan in order to achieve a better place among believers and in order to assure for the Satan that you're really changed, so that its old ways doesn't work any more. Sure it will search for new ways to deal with you, but this means you are not that same as before. In other words, you've been promoted to a higher place during Ramadan. If every one of us did so, it means that the whole Islamic nation will be better after Ramadan and Satan will be astonished of how the whole Islamic nation was promoted after Ramadan. It's as if Ramadan is the month of prospering for the Muslims.

I'll give you an example to express this meaning. Winter is the season of prosper for the soil; it waits for winter every year because during that season, it rains a lot and the soil gets all its needs from water during winter. When winter is over, the good soil still keeps that storage of water and makes use of it for the rest of the year.

Ramadan is the same for Muslims. It's the month that gives us spiritual strength and worship will that we should keep for the rest of the year. Usually, after Ramadan we throw back all the blessings we obtained during Ramadan. Please, let's not do the same this year. Let's keep our storage of spiritual strength, not only for ourselves, but for the whole Islamic nation and make this be your intention: You'll keep and retain the blessings you obtained during Ramadan for the welfare of the whole Islamic nation. So, that was our first advice, which is to resist the Satan with all your strength in the first week after Ramadan.

The second advice is:

2- Avoid losing your spiritual energy after Ramadan. Do you remember what you did during Ramadan? Do you remember those nights when you kept praying for long hours and those tears you shed? Now after Ramadan is over, the first thing that crosses your mind is that you want to take a rest. Usually people take a rest those first days and start missing the dawn prayers. Also, when you go to mosques after Ramadan, you feel sad when you find them empty of people. When you ask why, you find the only reply is: because Ramadan is over. You also find the Holy books dusty again as no one reads in it any more.

You find many people's worship wills starting to fade right after Ramadan and the worship tasks they were used to during the month, are fading one after another.

So, what should we do now? Should we keep the same as we were during Ramadan? That's completely impossible!! Let's be realistic!! We can't be at that same spiritual level of Ramadan because Ramadan is a blessing from Allah (SWT) for all Muslims. Let's agree on the minimum level of worship tasks, so that when our spiritual will decreases, it stops at the minimum level. Let's agree on some tasks that we should do during the first two weeks after Ramadan. Let's agree on five main tasks that we MUST keep on them, during the first two weeks after Ramadan.

Start reading the Holy Quran from its beginning again. I'm not asking you to complete reading it in 30 days as before, but at least read one page every day. I know it's feast time (Eid) and we all want to have fun, so I'm asking you to read only one page of the Holy Quran.

Supplicating to Allah (SWT), even for two minutes after our fifth daily prayer. I'm not asking you to pray the same way you did during Ramadan, but at least two minutes after the fifth prayer. I think the events in the Islamic countries will urge us enough to pray.

Praising Allah (SWT) every day, even the day and night praising only (Thikr).

Pray the five prayers in congregation. For men, pray as much as you can at the mosque, but not less than two prayers at mosque. For ladies, pray in congregation too. The most important prayer is the dawn prayer, dear all.

The last thing that will help you do the previous four tasks is having good pious friends. Choose a pious friend and catch up with him/her. Ask him/her to support you the first two weeks after Ramadan.

If you stick to these five tasks for only 2 weeks after Ramadan, you'll find yourself promoted greatly. That's because you remained on the way of Allah (SWT) even with a less effort than that of Ramadan. Just make sure you're keeping those five daily tasks.

Some people might ask: when will we take a rest then?? For them I reply: there's no rest in this world, the rest is in the grave!!!

Once, the imam "Ahmed Ibn Hanbal" was asked: when can a human rest?? The imam replied: "when he puts his first leg in paradise"

We'll find rest only when we enter paradise. There we'll meet our dear prophet (PBUH) and his companions; we'll meet all our beloved people of family and friends, we'll find the happy relations between married couples and we'll find all what crosses our minds. That's the rest in paradise; but till then we have to work and exert effort because this world is just a place for work and exerting effort. Don't ever say that you'll rest for the whole feast (Eid)!! As for myself, I'll pass the first day of feast with my family and starting from the second day we'll start preparing the program of "life makers". We all have a lot of work and we all should reform and add to this life.

There's one last chance. On the last day of Ramadan and at the last minutes before the sunset, try your best to pray for Allah (SWT) to set you free from hell. This shows that till the last minutes, when the door of forgiveness is being closed, you're still begging Allah (SWT) to forgive you.

I'll never forget that scene of Egyptian youths at the mosques of Egypt, who used to gather on the last day of Ramadan before the sunset and pray for Allah (SWT) with all their strength and abject for HIM as much they can to set them free from hell. I'll never forget how abject they were between the hands of Allah (SWT) at the last minutes before the last sunset, i.e. before the end of Ramadan, asking HIM (SWT) to forgive them and set them free from hell.

There's one last question that crosses the minds of all of those who listen to us now. Everybody wonders: "Are we accepted this Ramadan? Are we set free from hell this Ramadan?" does anybody know the answer for such a question?

The prophet's companions used to worship hard and exert their efforts. When they finished, they were so worried and disturbed, wondering if Allah (SWT) had accepted what they did or not?

Once, the lady "Aisha" asked the prophet (PBUH): what does this verse of the Holy Quran mean: "And those who do what they did and their hearts are scared…" She asked the prophet (PBUH) if that verse meant those who commit serious misdeeds then become afraid of Allah (SWT)?? The prophet (PBUH) replied: "No, Allah (SWT) meant those who worship hard, then become so disturbed and scared wondering if Allah (SWT) accepted their worship or not"

Dear fellows, I have a method that makes us figure out if we are almost accepted or not. Of course we don't know what Allah (SWT) accepted and what HE didn't, but it's an approximate way to give us a guideline and hope.

I got that method from the Holy Quran, as Allah (SWT) says: "O Believers, Fasting is prescribed to you in order to be pious…" this means that if we fast correctly, we'll become pious after fasting. Being pious means that you are mostly obeying Allah (SWT) and avoiding misdeeds and sins. So, watch yourselves after Ramadan. If you find that your worship faded and that you committed misdeeds, this means you didn't fast correctly. If we fast, yet we don't become pious, it means our fasting was not accepted. But if you find yourself better and more pious after Ramadan, with less misdeeds than before, this means that your fasting and worship are accepted. You might find people who quit smoking and other sins after Ramadan. You might find others really different after Ramadan and changed to the better, even a slight change. All of those are signs of the acceptance of their worship and that they're set free from hell.

I always try this method after Ramadan to see if I'm accepted or not and I know many youths who do it as well, so let's all try it.

Maintaining your Companionship with Allah

Now we come to the last point of our episode. I just want to remind you with that companionship we had with Allah (SWT) during the month of Ramadan. Remember the worship, the prayers, the tears…etc. Please dear fellows, don't forget that companionship and keep it in your hearts.

Here I want to address our Muslim youths and ladies. I ask them to remain on the way of Allah (SWT) and never sell that precious companionship. That's because youths are our last hope. Yes, you youths are the last hope for Islam, so I beg you not to sell Islam or not to be careless dealing with issues for the welfare of our Islam. We need every man and every lady to carry this issue of welfare of Islam on their shoulders.

Ladies have a serious role in this issue. Ladies are our mothers, sisters, wives and sometimes work owners, when they truly carry that issue of welfare of Islam; they are very much effective and can move hundreds of men. For that reason, the enemies of Islam tried their best to convince ladies that Islam was unfair to them and that Islam deprived them from their rights, which is not true. I beg you all dear fellows to steadfast after Ramadan and never to give up supporting our religion.

One of the Orientalists studied Islam deeply and after he finished his studies he said: "What a great religion is Islam, but it has no true men to work for it". That's why we have to continue our "Life Makers" program and every one of us has to work hard for Islam by reforming and adding to this life. It doesn't matter if we failed at the first trials; we'll try again and again till Allah (SWT) knows that we're true in our intentions and finally grants us success.

Now, I want to ask one more question: "Is the feast (Eid) itself happy?!" We all celebrate it by new clothes, eating sweets, congratulating each other and visiting each other, but is the feast itself happy?? The answer is: How can the feast be a happy one, while Muslims in other countries are sad and live in distress, humiliation and poverty?? How can the feast be happy, while the "Aqsa" mosque is still captured??

I'm not asking you to not be happy at feast, but I'm asking you never to forget your brothers and sisters who are suffering in other countries. Remember them in your prayers and pray for them a lot. Enjoy your time, laugh and be happy, but never forget your Muslim brothers and sisters. Remember that the feast is for all of us, not only for you.

Concluding Thought

Now, the last thing I'd like to say is what we will do after Ramadan. We'll stop for sometime then resume the episodes of "Life Makers". That stop is not for a rest, but it's to prepare for "Life Makers" a strong preparation that we hope Allah (SWT) accepts.

I ask the youths of "Life Makers" to attend management courses as we work together in teams, so we should know how to manage such teams. Please continue in the project of ending the illiteracy of computer and also think about other projects. We have a job to do and you too have a job to do, so that when we resume the "Life Makers" we'll be all ready.

I ask those who didn't participate before in "Life Makers" to send us any ideas they have and those who already participate to keep on working hard. We should all keep this spiritual charge we got through Ramadan and use it to start a strong start soon. Please don't waste it.

Now let's all ask Allah (SWT) to accept our worship. Happy feast (Eid) for you all and may Allah (SWT) reward us good for every thing we did during Ramadan.

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Translated by the www.daralislamlive.com team. Copyright 2004-2005 © Daralislamlive.com E-Translation Publishing House. All rights reserved.

For more of these lectures, visit DaralislamLive.com.

Advice After Ramadan

2005-11-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

Question :

What advice can you give after Ramadaan?

Answer :

Praise be to Allaah
I wonder whether the fasting person continued after Ramadaan to be as he was during Ramadaan, or is he “like her who undoes the thread which she has spun, after it has become strong” [cf. al-Nahl 16:92]? I wonder whether the one who during Ramadaan was fasting, reciting and reading Qur’aan, giving and spending in charity, praying at night, making du’aa’, will he be like that after Ramadaan, or will he follow another path, I mean the path of the Shaytaan, so that he commits sin and does things that anger the Most Gracious, Most Merciful?

If a Muslim continues to have the patience to do righteous deeds after Ramadaan, this is a sign that his (fasting) has been accepted by his Lord, the Most Generous, the Bestower of blessings. If he fails to do righteous deeds after Ramadaan, and follows the ways of the Shaytaan, this is a sign of humiliation, meanness, lowly status and being deprived of the help of Allaah, as al-Hasan al-Basri said: “They were no longer of any significance to Allaah, so they committed sin. If they had mattered to Him, He would have protected them.” When a person becomes insignificant to Allaah, Allaah will no longer honour him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whomsoever Allaah disgraces, none can honour him” [al-Hajj 22:18]

What is amazing is that during Ramadaan, you see some people who fast and pray at night, who spend in charity and worship the Lord of the Worlds, then no sooner has the month come to an end, but their nature changes completely, and they begin to have a bad attitude towards their Lord. So you see them neglecting prayer and avoiding righteous deeds, committing sins and disobeying Allaah in many different ways, keeping away from obedience towards Allaah, the Sovereign, the Holy, the One Free from all defects.

How terrible it is, by Allaah, when people only acknowledge Allaah in Ramadaan.

The Muslim should make Ramadaan an opportunity to turn over a new leaf by repenting, turning to Allaah, persisting in worshipping Allaah, always being aware that Allaah is watching at every minute of every hour. So after Ramadaan the Muslim should continue to obey Allaah and should avoid sin and evil actions, as a continuation of the way he was during Ramadaan and the things that he did then to draw closer to the Lord of creation.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And perform As‑Salaah (Iqaamat‑as‑ Salaah), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salaah (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice)”[Hood 11:114]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Follow a bad deed with a good deed, for it will wipe it out; and have a good attitude and good manners towards people.”

Undoubtedly the purpose for which Allaah created everyone was to worship Him Alone, with no partner or associate. This is the ultimate purpose and the highest aim, which is to attain ‘uboodiyyah (being a slave of Allaah in the truest and fullest sense). This was achieved in the most beautiful manner during Ramadaan, when we saw people going to the houses of Allaah in groups and individually, and we saw them striving to perform the obligatory prayers on time and to give in charity, competing with one another in doing good deeds. And for this let (all) those strive who want to strive (cf. al-Mutaffifeen 83:26), for they will be rewarded in sha Allaah.

But there remains the case of those whom Allaah keeps firm with the word that stands firm in this world and in the Hereafter (cf. Ibraaheem 14:27). Whomever Allaah helps to be steadfast in doing righteous deeds after Ramadaan, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allaah unless and until they are followed by good deeds), but those who plot evils, theirs will be severe torment. And the plotting of such will perish”[Faatir 35:10]

Undoubtedly righteous deeds are among the acts which bring a person closer to Allaah at all times, and the Lord of Ramadaan is also the Lord of Jumaada and Sha’baan and Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram and Safar and all the other months. That is because the worship that Allaah has enjoined upon us includes five pillars, one of which is fasting, which is for a set period which has come to an end. But there remain other pillars, Hajj, prayer and zakaah, for which we are answerable to Allaah. We must perform these duties in the manner which is pleasing to Allaah, and we must strive thereby to fulfil the purpose for which we were created. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught his Companions to compete in doing good, and he said, “One dirham may weigh more with Allaah than a dinar, and the best of charity is that a man gives when he is rich.” He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained that if the person gives charity when he is disinclined to do so and is in good health, but fears poverty, that charity will weigh heavily with Allaah in the balance of good deeds; whereas the one who delays it, then when he gets sick he starts to spend in charity here and there, fearing that his good deeds will be rejected, there is the danger that his (charity) will not be accepted – we seek refuge with Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards; it is they whom Allaah will forgive and Allaah is Ever All Knower, All‑Wise.

And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says: “Now I repent;” nor of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful torment”[al-Nisaa’ 4:17-18]

The pious and sincere believer should fear Allaah and strive to obey Allaah at all times, persisting in his taqwa and always striving to do good, call others to Allaah, enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil. For the believer, his days and nights in this world are storehouses, so let him see what he can deposit in them. If he deposits good things in them, it will testify in his favour before his Lord on the Day of Resurrection; if it is the opposite, then it will be a disaster for him. We ask Allaah to save us and you from that loss.

The scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them) said:

Among the signs of acceptance (of good deeds) is that Allaah causes one hasanah (good deed) to be followed by another, for the hasanah says, “My sister, my sister!” And the sayi’ah (evil deed) also says, “My sister, my sister!” –we seek refuge with Allaah. If Allaah has accepted a person's Ramadaan, and he has benefited from this period of (spiritual) training and has remained steadfast in obeying Allaah, then he has joined the caravan of those who have remained steadfast and responded to Allaah.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allaah (Alone),’ and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): ‘Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!

We have been your friends in the life of this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have (all) that your inner selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask”[Fussilat 41:30-31]

“And whosoever takes Allaah, His Messenger, and those who have believed, as Protectors, then the party of Allaah will be the victorious” [al-Maa’idah 5:56]

“Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is (only) Allaah,” and thereafter stand firm (on the Islamic Faith of Monotheism), on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” [al-Ahqaaf 46:13]

This standing firm should continue from one Ramadaan to the next, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “From one prayer to the next, from one Ramadaan to the next, from one Hajj to the next, this expiates for whatever (sins) were committed from one to the next, so long as you avoid major sins.”

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall expiate from you your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise)” [al-Nisaa’ 4:31]

The believer should join the caravan of those who stand firm and should board the ship of salvation from the time when he reaches the earliest age of discretion until he draws his last breath. He should remain in the shade of “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah”, enjoying the blessings of Allaah. This religion is the truth and the way in which we steadfastly adhere to it in Ramadaan is that with which Allaah honours us by the bounty of His giving, His gracious blessing and His great favour, so that we might continue to pray qiyaam and to worship Him after the month of Ramadaan.

Do not forget, my brother, that Allaah has blessed you with i’tikaaf, and Allaah has blessed you with giving charity, and Allaah has blessed you with fasting, and Allaah has blessed you with du’aa’ which has been accepted. Do not forget, my brother, to take care of these good deeds and this support from Allaah, and do not let them be wiped out by bad deeds.

So strive to cultivate goodness and happiness on your way, and to keep company with those who remain steadfast (in Islam), and to seek Allaah and His Messenger and the Home of the Hereafter, where it will be said to you, Receive glad tidings of Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious, for you responded to the call of Allaah; O seeker of good, continue, for Allaah has some people who will be freed from Hell, and O seeker of evil, desist. And you responded to the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “Whoever prays at night during Ramadaan out of faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever prays at night during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

I ask Allaah Who has blessed us and you with fasting, i’tikaaf, ‘umrah and charity to bless us with guidance, piety, and acceptance of our good deeds; may He help us to persist in doing good deeds and to remain steadfast, for persistence in doing good deeds is one of the greatest means of drawing closer to Allaah. Hence when a man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said, “Advise me,” he said, “Say, ‘I believe in Allaah,’ and remain steadfast.” (Agreed upon).

According to a report narrated by Ahmad, he said, “Say, I believe in Allaah,’ then remain steadfast.” [The man] said, “O Messenger of Allaah, all the people say that.” He said, “Some people who came before you said that, but they did not remain steadfast.” So the believers must continue to be steadfast in obeying Allaah:

“Allaah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allaah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allaah will cause to go astray those who are Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers), and Allaah does what He wills”[Ibraaheem 14:27 – interpretation of the meaning]

The one who is steadfast in obeying Allaah is the one whose du’aa’ will be answered, the du’aa’ which he repeats more than twenty-five times each day, “Guide us to the Straight Way” [al-Faatihah 1:6 – interpretation of the meaning], which we say in al-Faatihah. Why is it that we say and believe strongly that if we remain steadfast Allaah will forgive us, but we are too lazy to apply that in practical terms? We should fear Allaah and apply this in deed and thought and word. We should strive in the way of “ihdinaa al-siraat al-mustaqeem (Guide us to the Straight Way)”, and we should travel the route of “iyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka nasta’een (You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything))” [al-Faatihah 1:5 – interpretation of the meaning], in the shade of “ihdinaa al-siraat al-mustaqeem (Guide us to the Straight Way)”, following the route that will lead us to Paradise the width of the heavens and the earth, whose key is Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah. I ask Allaah to grant us and you a good end.

After the end of Ramadaan, the people are divided into various types, two of the most prominent of which I will describe here. The first type are those whom you see in Ramadaan striving hard in worship. You never see them but they are prostrating or standing in prayer, or reading Qur’aan, or weeping, so much that they remind you of some of the worshippers among the salaf, and you even feel compassion for them because of the intensity of their efforts and striving.

Yet hardly has the month ended, before they go back to negligence and committing sin, as if they were prisoners of that worship, so they turn their attention to their desires and become negligent and commit sins which they think will take away their distress and grief. But these poor people forget that sin is the cause of doom, because sins are like war wounds, one of which may turn out to be fatal. How often has sin prevented a person from saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah when in the throes of death.

After spending this entire month with faith, (reading) Qur’aan and other acts of worship, these people then backslide, Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah (there is no power and no strength except with Allaah). These are the occasional worshippers who only acknowledge Allaah on certain occasions or at times of calamity and distress, then after that there is no more obedience or worship. What a bad habit that is.

“The worshipper prayed for something that he wanted, and when the matter was done, he neither prayed nor fasted.” [Arabic poetry]

I wonder what is the point of worshipping for a whole month, if that is going to be followed by a return to dishonourable ways?

The second type are those who feel distressed at the departure of Ramadaan, because they have tasted the sweetness of being safe from sin, and the bitterness of patience became insignificant to them, because they came to realize the true nature of their weakness and need for their Master (Allaah) and their need to obey Him.

They fasted in a true sense and stood in prayer at night out of love, so when they bade farewell to Ramadaan, their tears flowed and their hearts were broken. Those among them who were burdened with sin hoped to be freed from sin and ransomed from Hell, and to join the caravan of those who are accepted. Ask yourself, my brother, which of the two groups do you belong to?

By Allaah, are they the same? Praise be to Allaah, but most of them do not know. The mufassireen said, commenting on the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘Each one does according to Shakilatihi (i.e. his way or his religion or his intentions)…”

[al-Israa’ 17:84] – every person acts according to his way or the character that he is used to. This is condemnation for the kaafir and praise for the believer.

You should know that the dearest of deeds to Allaah are those that are continuous, even if they are little. The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O people, you must do whatever you can of good deeds, for Allaah does not get tired until you get tired. The most beloved of deeds to Allaah are those which are continuous, even if they are little. The family of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), when they did something, they would persist in doing it.” Narrated by Muslim.

When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about which deeds are most beloved to Allaah, he said, “Those which are continuous, even if they are little.”

‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) was asked about what the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did and whether he used to do certain things on particular days. She said, “No, his good deeds were continuous. Who among you could do what the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to do?” The acts of worship prescribed in Islam are based on certain conditions which must be fulfilled, like remembrance of Allaah, Hajj and ‘Umrah and their naafil actions, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, seeking knowledge, jihaad, and other good deeds. So strive to worship continuously according to your capability.

May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

From al-Da’wah magazine, issue no. 1774, p. 12 www.islam-qa.com

What After Ramadan?

2005-11-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

What After Ramadan?
Adapted from "Wa maadha ba`da Ramadaan", by Dar Al-Watan (120)

AlHamdulillahi wa kafaa, was-Salatu was-salamu `alaa `ibaadihi-lladheena Stafaa

We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur'an, taqwa, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire…

Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa and graduated from the Ramadan school with the diploma of the god-fearing?

Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?

Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire?

Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.

What Have We Gained From Ramadan?

Ramadan is a school of iman and a 'stop to recharge one's spiritual batteries' - to acquire one's provision for the rest of the year...

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah 'azza wa jall. “Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” [Ar-Ra`d, 11]

If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against you soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.

Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it... Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?! Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?!

This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!

My dear ones,

falling short in one's commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including:

1 – Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.

2 – Return to musical entertainment, forbidden films, women displaying their adornment beyond that which ordinarily appears thereof, free mixing etc.

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favors, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one's actions, rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness.

These are from signs of one's deeds not being accepted – and Allah's refuge is sought – for one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of `eid, praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting, just as the Salaf would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six months after it.

From signs that one's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah `azza wa jall. “And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]…” [Ibrahim, 7] Increase you in good, faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said.

“And worship your Lord until there comes you to the certainty [i.e. death].” [al-Hijr, 99]

The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His Sharee`ah, steadfast upon His Deen, so that he or she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place. Rather, the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Sharee`ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Allah ta`ala said, “So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah].” [Hud, 112] And, “So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness.” [Fussilat, 6] And the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, “Say 'I believe in Allah', then be steadfast.” [Muslim]

-- If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of `Aashoora and `Arafat, and others.

-- If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year. “They used to sleep but little of the night.” [Adh-Dhaariyaat, 17]

-- If the charity in Ramadan and zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity, voluntary actions and jihad.

-- Reading of the Qur'an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.

Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so strive – O my brother and sister – and beware of laziness. And remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.

And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.

Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you'll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin. “O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen.”

I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, that the state of our Ummah improves, that we are granted honour and that we truly turn to our Lord…Ameen

Taken From: Islaam.com

One day, our poor people will ask.

2005-11-07T12:46:00.000-07:00

One day, our poor people will ask.
Wednesday 2 November 2005, by Tariq RAMADAN

The Essential Teachings of the Third Pillar of Islam

Zakât : understanding, definition and translation

With zakât, the third pillar of Islam, we first have a problem of understanding and subsequently one of definition. Very often zakât is presented as “alms” which has a prescriptive connotation (understood as an obligation) within the normal practise of the Muslim woman and man. At the same time, “alms” is ordinarily a voluntary gift. To bring together these two rather contradictory dimensions, some have translated the concept of “zakât” into expressions that try to encapsulate the two ideas: “legal alms”, “obligatory alms”, etc., sometimes the translators prefer not to translate the word at all.

These definitions are unsatisfactory for they do not allow for understanding the different aspects of zakât : because it is obligatory in the conscience of every practising Muslim, zakât is a tax to be deducted (according to a precise calculation) from her/his wealth. The nature of this tax is “social” for it is primarily intended for the poor and the needy people of the society (or to private and public charitable organisations). Lastly, it has a major spiritual dimension insofar as it purifies the human beings’ wealth as prayers purify their hearts and fast purifies they bodies. Zakât encompasses these three dimensions which we can render by the phrase: purifying social tax. This translation is not insignificant for it tries to circumscribe one of the major dimensions of the Islamic teaching: the profoundly spiritual nature of the individuals’ social conscience.
Foremost, this is an essential teaching and our usual approximate definitions or translations often cause us to lose the meaning of this major pillar of Islam. Furthermore, two other fundamental teachings must be pondered as to the concrete implementation of zakât’s deduction and distribution in the contemporary Muslim majority countries or in the West.

Priority to Proximity

When the Prophet (PBUH) sent an envoy to a tribe that had converted to Islam, he asked the envoy to teach them the five pillars of Islam. Speaking about zakât, he told him to explain to them that it had to be deducted from the money of the rich among them and distributed to “their needy people” (‘alâ fuqarâ’ihim). The ulamâ’, in all the schools of law and through the ages have, thus, always insisted on the necessity of spending the zakât locally first, for the poor and the needy people of the place, the locality or the society within which it has been collected. It is only when the local needs have been satisfied, or in exceptional situations such as natural catastrophes or wars etc, that the spending of zakât abroad can be done.

Not only does the zakât shape the social conscience of the Muslim but it also directs him/her towards his/her immediate environment in order to build this conscience by facing up to the difficulties and dysfunctions of his/her society, its poor or/and marginalised people. Zakât, unlike the voluntary alms (sadaqa) is first intended for the Muslims and our faithfulness to its teaching demands of us to observe what is going on around us, within our nearest spiritual community. This "priority to proximity” is fundamental: it imposes a requirement to know one’s society, to care about the state of the Muslims in one’s area, town and country.
We are very far from living up to this teaching today. In the majority of the Western societies, in the United States, in Canada, in Britain, in France as in Australia, one finds women and men who give zakât to charitable organisations in the Third World or to their countries of origin. They care very little about the situation of those who live near them and they are convinced they are doing right since those from “over there” are poorer than those from “around here”. The mistake consists in forgetting that the poor from around here have rights (haqun ma’lûm) over the rich from around here. Nothing prevents the latter from sending voluntary alms (sadaqât) to the deprived people of the entire world or to their countries of origin but they have an established duty, from which they cannot escape, towards the needy people of their country of residence: once again it is, before God, the rights of “their poor people”. One can but be sad, and sometimes disgusted, when observing how the Muslims care so little about the local realities: obsessed by the international scene and the situation of the Muslims “from over there”, they no longer see the reality of the education’s deficit, unemployment, social marginalisation, drugs, violence and prisons in their own society. Though the awareness of their brothers’ misfortune elsewhere is positive, per se, it has had the very negative consequence of making them very passive, neglectful and unaware of the appalling situation of brothers at their own doorsteps. This is a tragedy, an error and, in fact, a betrayal of the fundamental teaching of zakât.
The Muslim organisations have a great deal of responsibility in this failure since they have difficulty proposing programmes and priorities for the zakât’s collection and distribution at the local level, in the towns and the regions. A correct understanding of this dimension of zakât would shape the individual’s spiritual and his/her citizen’s conscience with which one understands that one has to be involved in one’s environment. This means one has to study it and to find the best, fairest and most coherent means to spend the purifying social tax in one’s own society, in Britain, France, the United States, Canada, Australia or elsewhere.

Towards Autonomy

The third teaching of zakât is no less important. The principle is not to keep the zakât’s beneficiary in a state of dependency that would make her/him a perpetually assisted-person of the spiritual community in particular and of the society in general. The whole procedure is in fact about assisting the needy people to get more autonomy: As early as the VIII Century ulamâ’ like Sufyân ath-Thawrî were noting the fact that the whole process was to help the zakât’s beneficiaries to reach a financial situation where it would be possible for them to pay the zakât (i.e. to get the nissab - the required minimum - as far as earnings is concern). To distribute zakât must be done with the intent to allow women and men to achieve financial autonomy; it cannot be “to help” them while maintaining them in an eternal state of assistance.

It is indeed what we witness everywhere within the Muslim communities. One distributes, one gives with no understanding and no vision for implementing a process towards financial autonomy of the beneficiaries. Distribution is punctuated, sporadic and chaotic and does not meet the minimal conditions of any long term social policy. Here again a lack of understanding, of creativity (as to new ways to use zakât), and sometimes laziness get the better of a real study on the ground: the very teaching of zakât is betrayed.

A consistent, reasonable and fair distribution of zakât would require us to know the specific situation of the people, the country’s legislations in social matters, the country’s systems of allocation and benefit and what are the rights (as to qualifying for benefits) of the poor and/or marginalised people, the abandoned women on their own, the unemployed, etc. The zakât’s distribution must be part of a comprehensive action plan that takes into account all the means provided by a specific society to move people from a state of dependence on assistance towards a state of autonomy. Thus, it is necessary to gather the ulamâ’ and specialists (of the national legislations and institutions), social workers and people working at the grassroots, in order to get a more holistic and explicit vision of the strategies to adopt according to the diverse social contexts. It is in fact by taking into account all that a specific society offers as to social policies, taxes and benefits that the zakât’s distribution meets its requirements: thus zakât can be presented and understood as a process towards financial autonomy. For some individuals, zakât can be a kind of a unique support within a transitory situation, for others it can represent part, or the whole, of a necessary capital intended to launch a small/local economic project; for others it would be a conditioned gift toward a specific agreed upon achievements, etc. The options are multiple but require a good knowledge of Islam (as far as the use of zakât is concerned) and of the national legislations as well as of the social realities and conditions at the local and national levels. All the options require in fact specialisation and creativity. One sees no such thing today and zakât in the mind of the great majority of Muslims has become a simple alms for assisting people and no longer what it was meant to be: a demanding tool serving an articulated philosophy of a comprehensive social policy. Not only the distortion is grave but it often appears that the current uses are deeply counter-productive.

A reflection on the third pillar of Islam shows us how far we are from meeting even bare minimum demands of a profound and intelligent practice of Islam. We respect the forms...less and less the content. It remains that one day, in a Life beyond this life, our neighbours, our poor people, the marginalised, the unemployed, the abandoned women with no income, our drug addicts, our delinquents will ask the Unique the unique question that matters: in the name of what faith have we been full of passive emotions for the oppressed around the world and so empty of respectful and active intelligence and attention for those who lived closest to us, in our neighbourhood, and who we did not see? It is indeed the only question that matters while one remembers that our Prophet (PBUH) never ceased to ask the Most Close to offer him “the richness of the heart” and “love for the poor people”. One must start from here: to learn again how to love, to learn again how to love the deprived people. Then one shall realize that to love them and to treat them as they deserve is very demanding and not so easy...when they are at our doorsteps. Are not this love and this respect the true and permanent jihad of the contemporary Muslim heart, mind and soul?

Taken from: Tariq Ramadan's Website

The Manners of Companionship

2005-11-04T18:31:00.000-07:00

The Manners of Companionship Shaykh Badrud-Deen al-Ghazzee (d.984H) [1]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your life at the present moment is in between the past and the future.

So what has preceded can be rectified by tawbah (repentance),

nadam (regret) and istighfaar (seeking Allahs forgiveness). This is something

that will neither tire you, nor cause you to toil as you would with strenuous

labour. Rather it is an action of the heart."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Shaykh – rahimahullaah – said, [2]
Know O pious brother – may Allah make our affairs good – that the manners of companionship and good relationships are of various types, of which I will explain, such as will show the person of intellect the manners of the Believers and the Pious; and come to know that Allah the Most Perfect, the Most High has made them a mercy and helpers towards each other, which is why the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘‘The example of the Believers, in their mutual love and mercy is like the example of a body, if one part feels pain, then all of the body suffers in sleeplessness and fever.’’ [3] And he (’alayhis-salaam) said, ‘‘The Believer to the Believer is like a solid building, one part supporting the other.’’ [4] The Prophet (’alayhis-salaam) also said, ‘‘The souls are arrayed armies, so those who knew each one another before, will be friendly…’’ [5] So if Allaah intends good for His servants, He grants them companionship of the people of the Sunnah, righteousness and adherence to the Religion.; and keeps him free from the companionship of the people of innovations. The Prophet (’alayhis-salaam) said, ‘‘A person is upon the religion of his friend, so let every one of you look to whom he keeps as a friend.’’ [6]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘About a person, do not ask, but ask about his companion;

Since every companion follows his friends.’

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the manners of companionship:

GOOD MANNERS:

Good manners with the brothers, peers and companions, following the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as he said, when it was said to him, ‘What is the best of what a person is given?’ So he replied, ‘‘Good manners.’’ [7]

MAKING ONE’S OPINION GOOD:

From the manners of companionship is behaving well regarding the faults that he sees of his companions, since Ibn Maazin said, ‘The Believer seeks excuses for his brothers, whilst the hypocrite seeks out their faults.’ And Hamdoon al-Qassaar said, ‘If one of your brothers commits an error, then seek ninety excuses for him, and if not, then you are the blameworthy one.’

COMPANIONSHIP WITH THE BELIEVERS:

To keep companionship with one whose Religion you trust and who is trustworthy, both inwardly and outwardly. Allaah the – Most High – says,

‘‘You will not find anyone who believes in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers, sons, brothers or their relatives. For such He has written eemaan (faith) in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit (proofs, light and guidance) from Himself. And We will admit them into gardens underneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. Allaah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. They are the Party of Allaah, indeed it is the Party of Allaah that will be successful.’’ [Sooratul-Mujaadilah 58:22]

FORMS OF COMPANIONSHIP:

For the Shaykhs and elders: with respect to service and to carry out their needs. For those of the same peer group and those of the ‘middle rank’: with sincere advice, giving what you have and being prepared to carry out their wishes. For the students and younger ones: by guidance, teaching of manners, carrying out what knowledge demands, guidance to the manners of the Sunnah, rulings concerning the matters of the heart, and to guide them to develop good manners.

OVERLOOKING MISTAKES:

From the manners of companionship is overlooking mistakes of the brothers and not reprimanding them. So al-Fudayl Ibn ’Iyaad (d.187H) said, ‘Chivalry is to overlook the mistakes of the brothers.’ Ibnul-A’raabee (d.231H) said, ‘Forgetting the harms caused by the brothers, causes you love of them to persist.’ So it is binding upon the Believer, that he avoids seekers of this world, since they will bring him down to the level of seeking it, and this will distance him from his salvation and it will distance him from remaining alert and being aware of it. Rather, he must strive hard in attaining the companionship of the good and the seekers of the Hereafter. Therefore, Dhun-Noon (d.245H) said to the one whom he advised, ‘Accompany the one whom you will be safe from outwardly, and whom – when you see him – it helps you in doing good and reminds you of your Lord.’

AGREEMENT WITH THE BROTHERS:

And from them is: not to differ much with the brothers, but continue agreeing with the brothers in those things allowed by knowledge and the Sharee’ah. Aboo ’Uthmaan said, ‘Agreeing with the brothers is better than showing compassion for them.’

LEAVING OF ENVY:

That he does not envy the signs of Allaah’s bounty upon them. Rather, he should be happy for that and praise Allaah for it, just as he would praise Allaah if it were seen upon him. Allaah – the Most High – censures the envious one,
‘‘Or do they envy men for what Allaah has given them from His bounty.’’ [Sooratun-Nisaa‘ 4:94]

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘‘Do not envy one another.’’ [8]

TO KEEP A FEELING OF MODESTY:

That he has hayaa‘ (modesty and shame) at all times, as he – ’alayhis-salaam – said, ‘‘Faith (eemaan) has sixty or seventy odd branches, the most excellent of them is witnessing that none has the right to be worshipped besides Allaah, and the lowest branch is removing something harmful from the road, and hayaa‘ is from eemaan.’’ [9] He – ’alayhis-salaam – also said, ‘‘Hayaa‘ is from eemaan, and eemaan is from Paradise. Speaking obscenely is from coarseness and coarseness is from the Fire.’’ [10]

COMPANIONSHIP OF THE DIGNIFIED:

To accompany the one who he has a feeling of respect for, so that this prevents from acting contrary to the Sharee’ah. ’Alee (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said, ‘‘Enliven your feeling of hayaa‘ (shame), by sitting before those whom you feel shame. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (d.241H) – rahimahullaah – said, ‘‘I have not been led into calamity except by accompanying those before whom I do not feel shame.’’

SHOWING HAPPINESS:

To have cheerfulness of the face, kindness of the tongue, largeness of the heart, outspreading the hands, withholding anger, leaving off pride, keeping people’s honour in mind and showing happiness at their companionship and brotherhood.

COMPANIONSHIP OF THE WISE SCHOLAR:

From good companionship is that he does not accompany except a Scholar, of a person who is mild, intelligent and has knowledge. Dhun-Noon – rahimahullaah – said, ‘Allaah has not disrobed any one of His servants or a robe better than intellect, and has not adorned him with a necklace better than knowledge, nor adorned him with anything better than mildness. And the completeness of that is taqwaa (fear of Allaah).’

GIVING SINCERE ADVICE:

Having a clean heart with regards to the brothers and advising them, as Allaah – the Most High – said,

‘‘Except he who comes to Allaah with a clean heart.’’ [Sooratush-Shu’araa 26:89]
Saree as-Saqatee (d.257H) – rahimahullaah – said, ‘One of the best manners of righteousness is having a good heart as regards the brothers and to give them sincere advice.’

NOT BREAKING PROMISES:

Since this is from hypocrisy, and he – ’alayhis-salaatu was-salaam – said, ‘‘The signs of the hypocrite are three: When he speaks he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it and when he is entrusted he acts deceptively.’’ [11] Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d.164H) – rahimahullaah – said, ‘‘Do not make a promise to your brother and then break it, so that love turns to hate.’

Footnotes:

[1] He is the muftee and faqeeh, Abul-Barakaat Badrud-Deen al-Ghazzee. For his biography, refer to Shadharaatudh-Dhahab (8/403-406) of Ibnul-’Imaad and al-A’laam (7/59) of az-Ziriklee.

[2] From Aadaabul-’Ishrah wa Dhikrus-Suhbah wal-Ukhuwwah (p. 9-20) with the checking and authentication of hadeeth based upon that of Shaykh ’Alee Hasan al-Halabee and also Shaykh Mashhoor Hasan Salmaan.

[3] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 6011) and Muslim (no. 2586), from an-Nu’maan Ibn Basheer (radiyallaahu ’anhu).

[4] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 481) and Muslim (no. 2585), from Aboo Moosaa
al-Ash’aree (radiyallaahu ’anhu).

[5] Saheeh: Related by al-Bukhaaree (6/369) with ta’leeq (suspension), from ’Aa‘ishah (radiyallaahu ’anhaa). It was connected by Aboo Ya’laa in al-Musnad (no. 4381) with an isnaad whose narrators are from as-Saheeh – as occurs in al-Majma’ (8/88) of al-Haythamee.

[6] Hasan: Related by Ahmad (2/303), Aboo Daawood (no. 4812) and at-Tirmidhee (no. 2484), from Aboo Hurayrah (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by Imaam an-Nawawee in Riyaadus-Saaliheen (no. 174).

[7] Saheeh: Related by Wakee’ in az-Zuhd (no. 423), Ibn Hibbaan (1/427) and at-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer (1/147), from Usaamah Ibn Shareek (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by al-Haafidh al-’Iraaqee in Takhreejul-Ihyaa‘ (2/157).

[8] Related by al-Bukhaaree (10/484) and Muslim (no. 2564), from Aboo Hurayrah (radiyallaahu ’anhu).

[9] Related by al-Bukhaaree (1/44) and Muslim (1/46)

[10] Saheeh: Related by Ahmad (2/501) and at-Tirmidhee (no. 2077) with a
saheeh isnaad, from Aboo Hurayrah (radiyallaahu ’anhu).

[11] Related by al-Bukhaaree (5/289) and Muslim (1/76)

Taken from: Troid Publications

Eid Mubarrak!

2005-11-04T12:24:00.000-07:00

Asalaam 'Alaikum Everyone:

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you and your families Eid Mubarrak. May Allah accept your fasting of Rammadan and make this next year a year of spiritual growth and reflection. May He increase our blessings and help us remain steadfast. Amin.

I wanted to thank you all for being a part of my life (although we may be divided physically we are united in heart and spirit).

I wanted you all to know that I love you for the sake of Allah and ask all of you that if I ever did anything that hurt anyone, hurt anyone's feelings or made anyone feel uncomfortable (intentionally or unintentionally) - please fill your hearts with forgiveness for my mistakes. And may Allah fill the hearts of those whom you have harmed (intentionally or unintentionally) with forgiveness as well.

Let's remember each other in our duas and remember those who are less fortunate.

Note: Wanted to apologize for not having comments turned on. Several people have been posting links to their sites with questionable content. Since changing my layout for the blog, I haven't been able to delete comments that I don't want and at this point, have no idea how to fix it. When I figure this out - I will reset the comments as before. My apologies!

Asalaam 'Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatahu,
Sumayyah Umm Sadiqah wa Asma

Celebrate Eid

2005-10-28T06:15:00.000-06:00

What does Eid celebrate again and again? God's bounty and His mercy
By Khurram Murad.

As the sun sets on Ramadhan, multitudes of Expectant jubilant eyes become glued to the skies, eager to sight the new moon. For that new moon heralds the coming of the Eid day - one of the two days Muslims all over the world celebrate each year in thanksgiving festivities and rejoicing.

What does Eid celebrate again and again? In what do we rejoice? Obviously, in the first instance, we are thankful for that grace from God which carried us through the month of earnest, joyous labour, of constant, faithful toil, spent in fasting, prayers, and Quran recitation. But upon a little reflection, we can immediately see that our joyous festivities, in fact, hail and celebrate that unique moment when God's infinite mercy, the first light of His last guidance, dawned upon mankind.That is why Ramadhan has been reserved for the Fasting; that is why the end of Ramadhan has been earmarked for rejoicing:

'O mankind, now there has come unto you an admonition from your Lord, and a healing for all that you may rejoice; for it is better than all that they may amass!(Al-Quran 10:57-58)

'Come, ye thankful people, come', the Eid seems to be echoing the Quranic call - 'that you complete the number (of Fasts) and proclaim the greatness of God for having guided you, and so that you may render thanks and rejoice' (Al-Quran 2:185).

How many and priceless are the riches and gifts from God to us, how abundant are His bounties - who could count them? Yet the most priceless undoubtedly are his words that illuminate the pathways of life and guide the steps of His servants to success, here and in the Hereafter the joy and the glory of those who submit to them. Hence, from the moment the new moon heralds the coming of the Eid day the constant cry of the heart and tongue is 'God alone is great; to God belongs all thankful praise'. This cry remains on the lips while the festivities of Eid remain, in response to God's command.

The two Muslim festivals are just one measure of how Islam emphatically and totally centers their lives in the Quran. If Eid al fitr celebrates the beginning of its coming down, the other festival, Eid al adha, marks its completion. For if in Ramadhan is the night in which the first revelation came, on the Day of Hajj came the verse proclaiming the perfection and completion of the guidance it bought (Al-Quran 5:3).

All our days are crowded by God's blessing, the varying seasons have their own rounds of bounties, but no day and no season can be like the day and season which were crowded by God's guidance.

No people live without festivals of their own. They are essential means for keeping collective consciousness, for sustaining unity and cohesiveness. But no festival is like Eid, it is unique among all of them.Some centre their celebrations on the person of the one who created their identity, but not Eid; it does not celebrate even the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the last Messenger who bought Devine Guidance to mankind, and a great mercy from God unto the worlds, rather it celebrates the sending down the word of God. the Quran, and its triumph. Some rejoice in the beginning of the New Year, but not Eid; it rejoices in the dawn upon mankind of a new era of light and peace. Some celebrate the end of the dark winter days and the coming of the spring light and warmth, but not Eid; it celebrates the end of the dark, cold night of ignorance and the coming of a warm spring of Justice and Equality. Some give thanks for the harvest of grain, fruit or cattle, but not Eid; it gives thanks for the harvest of the richest blessings of God for soul and intellect, for mind and heart, for living and conduct.Could not one say that Eid raises man's festivities from the Physical, from level of flesh and blood, space and time, to the spiritual and intellectual and then roots them there, symbolising what Islam does to mans entire life, vision and hope. Thus, while providing a radical new mould for Muslim collective memory and identity, Eid symbolises a radically new basis for human unity as well.

Those who form their identities by persons and events, temporal and physical, erect barriers that are insurmountable. Who can change his race, colour, place of birth, or who can share in the physical harvests of another except by their permission? But not so in Islam, says the Eid; anyone who is prepared to turn away from all the false gods, and return to his Creator and surrender himself unto Him by following his guidance, can always join a new unity.

Yet, the solemn, spiritual character of Eid does not rob Muslims of delights, pleasures and merriment that must accompany any human celebrations. Muslims begin to look ahead to the day as Ramadhan sets in. As Eid approaches, joyful expectations increases, the day is more talked of. Houses are cleaned and decorated, especially on the day and night before. New clothes are prepared, for everyone must wear his best. Near sunset all turn their eyes to the horizon – in corners, in open grounds. Some exchange cards and gifts – a recent addition. There is no selfish spending spree though; Eid is not a commercial venture. Delicious meals are cooked and, in sharing, heartily eaten. But not a morsel should be thrown away. Every worldly thing is from God, a bounty, and must therefore be made use of to honour His occasion, to rejoice in His greatest bounty. It is this spirit which pervades Eid celebrations.

Ramadhan is a time to reap; and obligatory good deed increases seventy folds; a voluntary one becomes like the obligatory; the doors of Hell are closed and the Satan's are chained, those of Paradise are opened. It has a night better than a thousand months. It is a period of heightened devotion and quickened piety, of self-discipline and generous sharing. Only the festival of Eid softens the sadness in the heart, the tears in the eyes, as Ramadhan is bid farewell. It seems, does it not, to be over too soon, to have sped too quickly? Eid brings joy and promises a certain of Ramadhan (for Eid literally, means to recur, to come again and again) and incites to even greater celebrations that lie in store for those who proclaim the Greatness of God, mention His name and live by His name, in hearts and in homes, market places and corridors of power, thereby seeking admittance to God's pleasure and rewards, here and in the Hereafter.

Women & Their Role

2005-10-27T22:12:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

I thought about just posting the article - but I believe it deserves to stay with its rightful owner. I really think this is something for us, as Muslim women, to really contemplate.

To see the article, click here.

Before the Sand Slips Away

2005-10-22T16:47:00.000-06:00

Before the Sand Slips Away by Muhammad Alshareef

"Hasn't there come upon man a period of time when they were nothing remembered?"- Insaan 76/1

Imagine that you are on the beach. You are four years old. The camp leader has told you that you have five minutes to build a great castle. "Quickly," your three year old Ameer tells you, "the sand here is too soft. Run closer to the water and get better sand!"

Off you run and grab, with your tiny hands, as much sand as you can hold. But, as you run back, plop, plop, plop, you feel the sand slipping through your fingers. You can do nothing about it. In your haste, all the sand has slipped away. Bang. The competition is over. This is the analogy of our lives. This is the analogy of our time in Ramadan.

For many living in Western countries, Ramadan is passed daily with 9 to 5 jobs or school - nights where we may or may not go for Taraweeh. A peak at the TV (may Allah protect us) and the night is over. Back to work where all around us people are eating and drinking from crystal water fountains. Blink. Ramadan is over.

The question of the hour is: how do we take full advantage of this gift of Allah? This is our topic, before the sands of Ramadan slip away.

How many years have we been fasting Ramadan? 10 or 15 or 40 years? Are we 10 or 15 or 40 times better? Or, does it seem like we have arrived back at the drawing board every time Ramadan comes around? All acts of worship are for our own benefit! Don't do it and harm befalls you, which is the way life was programmed.

Ramadan is no small matter. It is one of the pillars of this Deen of Islam - without it one's Islam would not be complete. In this month, Rasul Allah - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - would intensify his worship of Allah ta'ala. In doing so, he laid the foundation for his Ummah after him to emulate.

Ibn AlQayyim - rahimahullaah - wrote: "From his blessed guidance - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - in Ramadan is that he used to intensify and diversify his actions of worship. So, for example, Jibreel used to rehearse the Qur'an with him during the nights of Ramadan. When Jibreel would visit him, he would intensify the amount of Sadaqah that he would give. He was the most generous out of all people - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - and Ramadan was the time when he was most generous. In Ramadan, he would fill his time with Sadaqah, treating people kindly, reciting Qur'an, performing Salah, remembering Allah, and performing I'tikaaf." - Zaad AlMa'aad

Observers described the way Allah's Messenger- sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - gave like Ar-Reeh AlMursalah, like the blessed wind. Why? The blessed wind, as they knew it, was a wind that brought coolness to everyone - no one was denied its blessing. The blessed wind, additionally, was not lazy in bringing its goodness to the people. It would come swiftly to all. This is how Rasul Allah - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - was described, and this is how our service to humanity should be: swift and encompassing. Bi idhnillah.

Below are ten ideas to and help make the most of Ramadan - before it slips through our hands.
Idea one: Compound Your Siyaam!If you told your financial broker that you just want to keep money in the bank and save it, he would say, "You are wrong." "Invest it in the stock market. That way your money will be compounded - you will earn multiple times what you put in." So now I ask the question: Wouldn't you love to get two times the reward of fasting Ramadan?

How?

Zayd ibn Khaalid AlJuhanee narrates that the Prophet - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - said, "Whoever gives a fasting person (food) to break his or her fast, he (the one feeding) will get the reward equivalent to the (fasting persons) reward - without diminishing anything from the reward of the (fasting person)."

How do we do this? Ask any Muslim relief agency if they have a feed a fasting person program. Subhan Allah, you may find that it only costs $1 to feed a person! So, for $30 you could come out of Ramadan having doubled your reward.

And, we should not forget the needy in our city. We think that in a 'modern' western country or city there are no needy people. That is not true. There are many needy families that are waiting to be discovered. Ask around and you will find a gold mine of people to help, in your own backyard.

I speak about Washington, DC. If one was to have a food drive, all the food could go to needy Muslim families in DC and still not be enough! I've seen this with my own eyes. How blessed it would be to get the youth that just hang out in the back of the Masjid during Taraweeh to take on this task. Organize the collection of the food and distribute it. It can happen! It just takes a leader with vision to set this up for the youth and all the good people who want to make a difference.

Idea two: Operation Guide the Youth

Often in Ramadan, there are khaatirahs, words of wisdom, halaqahs and reminders, all geared to the adults praying Taraweeh. The youth, it seems, are being disrespectful by talking in the back of the masjid.

"Shhhhhsh!" someone shouts at them. "Listen or go outside (and we prefer if you just go outside)!" So, quietly they sneak out of the Masjid and chat and chill all Ramadan. How Eman boosting is that? Remember, Allah commands that you protect your wife and children also.

Try this: Just like there are things for the adults, we could have Ramadan activities and reminders geared specifically for the youth. And, it need not be 'in' the Masjid. Let's say the youth like to chat and chill outside in the parking lot. Why not organize the activity there? Yes, on the basketball court or in the parking lot. Have a 5-minute Khatirah, play games with them, and give them some noble projects to complete in Ramadan.

Again, making a difference like this needs a leader with vision, one who recognizes that the youth are his or her responsibility. I pray that person is you!

Idea Three: Turnoff TV Month

Every parent knows that when they want their child to do well in their studies they tell them, "no TV." If this is for Dunya, then how about someone who wants to excel in Ramadan?

"Fasting and the Qur'an will come and testify on behalf of the 'Abd on the Day of Resurrection.

The Fasting will say: O my lord, I denied him food and desires, so allow me to be a means for him to enter paradise. And the Qu'ran will say: O my Lord, I denied him sleep at night so allow me to be a means for him to enter Paradise. And (he will be entered into paradise) because of those two." - Musnad Ahmad

Try this: Announce in your household that Ramadan is the official turnoff TV month. Be an example for others and do fun and rewarding things instead. Visit people, take on a Ramadan feeding project, increase yourself in knowledge, etc. Turn off the TV and turn on life.

Idea Four: Dua' Time

Ramadan is the month of making dua' to Allah, an essential compliment to fasting. Rasul Allah - sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - said, "There are three persons dua' that will be accepted (by Allah). The fasting person, the oppressed one, and the traveler."

Try this: Make a list of all your goals in life. Make a section for your a) personal goals; b) spiritual goals; c) economic goals; and d) contribution goals. Every day during Ramadan, take out your list and make dua' to Allah to grant you the tawfeeq to accomplish your goals. Insha Allah, you will attain your goals with hard work, both during and after Ramadan.

Idea Five: Parent Appreciation Month

We all know that the one who wakes us up for Suhoor is our mom. I know it was for me. If not for her alarm clock, her early morning cooking, her motherly love to go and wake everyone up . well, let's just say our iftars would have become our suhoors. If you are living away from your parents, you know what I'm talking about.

Remember the hadith of the person who doesn't reach Ramadan with forgiveness? The end part of the Hadith says they found their parents in old age and they were not a means for him to enter Jannah!

So, why not announce it loud and clear this month, "Thank you Mom! Thank you Dad!" Let's take care of them this month with extra calls, extra hugs, and extra love.

Idea Six: Masjid Power Hour

During Ramadan, why not spend a few more moments in the Masjid before taking off. This could be done after Fajr or after Asr. Sit back, grab a Qur'an and remember Allah. As your time in the Masjid increases, bi idhnillaah, your love and heart attachment will increase. Make this your personal Masjid power hour.

Idea Seven: Bad Habit Buster

Many people already do this. They may have a smoking problem or a TV addiction. When Ramadan comes around they say, "I'm going to train myself to stop smoking or to stop watching excessive TV by abandoning it throughout Ramadan."

So, you don't have a smoking problem huh? Everyone has a bad habit and everyone has a recurring sin they pray they could desist from. Make Ramadan the training month by telling yourself to go without this sin for the entire month. Then, if Allah grants one Tawfeeq to complete the month, one should continue to pray to Allah to keep them away from the sin after Ramadan.

Idea Eight: The Gift Groove

Have you ever noticed how beloved a bottle of perfume is when it is handed out by a little four year old Muslim? Everyone loves a gift.

Why not take this a step forward? Go to your local Islamic bookstore and request a bulk purchase of some beneficial Islamic materials, something in the $1 range. Then, hand it out to everyone that comes to your masjid. Bi idhnillaah, you will find for the little effort one may put, people all throughout Ramadan will be learning from the gift.

Idea Nine: Ramadan Muslims, Convert!

It is true that on the first day of Ramadan, the number of Muslims in the local Masjid multiplies considerably. And, it is a sad moment on the first day after Ramadan that the Masjid attendance drops significantly.

This idea is Operation No More Ramadan Muslims. We want people all year long!

Ibn Abbas I'tikaaf: A man came to Ibn Abbas while he was doing I'tikaaf in the masjid and asked him for his assistance. So, Ibn Abbas stood to leave and people around him warned him, 'but you are in I'tikaaf'. He replied, "To assist my brother in fulfilling his need is more beloved to me than to perform I'tikaaf for 2 months in the Masjid of Rasul Allah - sal Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam."

Try this: Make a 'compassion crew' that reaches out specifically to Ramadan Muslims. Extra special attention is showered on them and roles of responsibility are delegated to them so that they can participate more in the Masjid. Invite them to special Iftars where they are the center of attention.

With this extra attention and responsibility, bi idhnillaah, every month will be Ramadan for them and the masjids will be full all year.

Idea Ten: Home HalaqahMuslim families often keep their worship for the Masjid, but why not make Muslim family time at home. It could work like this: After Taraweeh or Asr, the family gathers together for 15 minutes. There are many things you could do in your Halaqah, the main thing is that you set time aside for it.

For example, each family member may recite a few verses of Qur'an. Or, one of the kids can read a story of the Sahaabah so that all family members can be reminded. Or, each family member can speak about the blessings of Allah upon them and what they have in their lives for which they are thankful.

Just 15 minutes for the home Halaqah. For the entire family, bi idhnillah, it will be a spring of Eman.

Ten ideas to enhance your Ramadan:

Idea one: Compound Your Siyaam!
Idea two: Operation Guide the Youth
Idea Three: Turnoff TV Month
Idea Four: Dua' Time
Idea Five: Parent Appreciation Month
Idea Six: Masjid Power Hour
Idea Seven: Bad Habit Buster
Idea Eight: The Gift Groove
Idea Nine: Ramadan Muslims, Convert!
Idea Ten: Home Halaqah

The past saw Muslims that spent their nights of Ramadan awake praying to Allah. It saw days where people, for the sake of Allah, went thirsty.

They knew that this season may never return on them and they heard Allah's words "Ayyaman Ma'doodaat"- a limited number of days. Don't let the sand of Ramadan slip away.

Struggling to Stay Faithful - Ramadan 2005

2005-10-21T22:53:00.000-06:00

Bismillar Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem:

Note: This post was written prior to Rammadan, but sat as a draft all this time. Had the chance today, so I thought I'd post it.

You'll have to forgive if this is not put together too well - I wrote this yesterday and then hit submit only to have it time out and delete the entire blog entry. I thought it might be important, so I tried writing it again . . . so here goes:

Why is it such a struggle to stay faithful to Allah? What is wrong with our hearts? We find ourselves living our lives day in and day out and paying little attention to what is truly important - our relationship with Allah. We have something happen to us . . . or we hear of tragedies happening to other people and then we start to reflect . . . only to return to our previous state of forgetfulness once things calm down.

When we become stressed . . . we go play a game . . . we go watch tv . . . we need to relax . . . we need to take a break from everything. However, when the Prophet (saw) and his companions became stressed for any reason, they would turn to the Qur'an - read it and reflect upon it. It calmed their hearts. In times of stress they would also pray and feel great comfort. Why don't we use these great gifts that Allah has given us to improve ourselves and to uplift us? Why do we always have to turn to worldly comforts? The Qur'an is a great blessing that only those who truly recite it daily and reflect on its lesson will truly ever know. I want to become one of those people, insha'Allah.

For more on this topic: "Modern Stress and Its Cure from Qur'an"
and "Dealing with Worries and Stress"

There are many things ailing us these days . . . causing dissention amongst ourselves . . . causing division . . . not to mention the bad habits and ailments that plague our very own hearts. When are we going to wake up and realize that we are becoming our own worst enemy? There are many things that we do these days . . . there are many things about the way in which we think these days that are going to harm us if we don't WAKE UP and realize our current situation.

Think about it - during the time of the prophet (pbuh) and the time of the righteous predecessors, people took seriously even the small sins and strived to cleanse their hearts of them. Nowadays, we just swat the small sins away as if they are bothersome flies around us that are of little importance. Don't we realize that the small sins make room for greater sins? Besides that - the small sins, when gathered up, can amount to a whole lot.

For more on this topic: "All Virtures, Big and Small" & "The Danger of Taking Sins Lightly"
and "Abandoning Disobedience" & "Importance of Abstaining from Sin"

What's worse, many of us have not yet properly educated ourselves about what constitutes great and minor sins and we commit great sins without even knowing their impact on ourselves and society. We can't claim ignorance when we have all this knowledge before us . . . we just need to take the step and start looking for the information!

For more on this topic: "25 Great Sins in Islam" & "The Major Sins in Islam"

What about those of us who say certain actions are "just Sunnah". I've heard people explain that they don't follow a certain sunnah action (wear hijab, grow the beard, etc.) because they don't want to be a hypocrite. They don't want their outward appearance to show that they have great iman while they do not. Yet, how do we expect to ever gain this iman when we aren't willing to sacrifice and work for it? If it were so easy, then everyone would be a Muslim! The way to increase our iman and the way to improve our standing with Allah is to do what is pleasing to Him. Whenever we make a step closer to Allah, Allah will make that next step even easier.

A hadith Qudsi states, "...Whoever draws near to me a handspan, I will come to him the extent of a forearm. Whoever draws near to me the length of a forearm, I will come to him the length of two outstretched arms. Whoever comes to me walking, I will come to him at speed. And whoever comes to me with the Earth’s weight in sin without associating anything with me, I will come to him with forgiveness of equal measure.” [Sahîh Muslim]

With that promise . . . don't we realize the great achievements we can make in just moving one step closer to Allah (and then another) by following that which He has provided us . . . the Qur'an and Sunnah? What exactly does it mean when something is "just Sunnah" anyway. According to Allah, we are supposed to follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). The way I look at it . . . the Qur'an is a Map and the Sunnah is our guide. We follow the map and refer to the guide to make sure we are not going astray. Otherwise, we may never make it to our destination.

For more on this topic: "Vilifying the Sunnah"
and "The Status of the Sunnah in Islam" & "Following the Messenger of Allah is a Must"

In the long run, we need to realize that the first step to improving our condition is repentance - true repentance. There is no greater promise than the promise of Allah in Surat Al-Zumar:

"Tell them (O Muhammad): 'O My slaves who have wronged their souls, do not despair of Allah's mercy, for Allah will forgive all the sins. He is indeed very Forgiving, very Compassionate, Turn to Him then, and obey Him (in all your affairs).'" (Al-Zumar:53,54).

and in a Hadith Qudsi: Allah, the Almighty, has said:

"O Son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O Son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O Son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins as great as the earth, and were you then to face Me ascribing no partners to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it."

For more on this topic: "Repentance" & "I Would Like to Repent . . . But"

We need to start working on these issues now . . . we cannot wait until tomorrow because there is no promise that tomorrow will ever come. Let's take this time . . . this Ramadan to improve our relationship with Allah . . . We need to walk out of this Ramadan a new person . . . and we need to take with us the good habits and practices we have learned this Ramadan to improve our condition.

"The Wisdom Behind Fasting"
"Reaping the Benefits of Rammadan"
"Impotant Lessons from Rammadan"
"Repentance in Rammadan"
"Sunnahs Neglected in Rammadan"
"How the Prophet Fasted in Rammadan"
"Reading the Qur'an in Rammadan"

And, my final words of advice can be found in this article:

"It's Time"

I don't know why?

2005-09-20T12:41:00.000-06:00

Bismillah ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem:

I don't know why - I have the need to communicate my thoughts. However, I don't know if I really have anything to say that is any better than the scholars and others that are scattered about on the internet.

It makes a big difference to me . . . having a chance to put my thoughts down in writing . . . to actually think like an adult and have an adult conversation (yes, with myself) since most of my time is spent with two preschoolers running around!

I was hoping that this blog would help someone in search of inspiration . . . or help someone think about a topic in a way they never have before . . . but I don't know if I am achieving my purpose. I don't know much about Islam (what I mean is . . . I am not a scholar . . . I am not a student of knowledge . . .) but sometimes I feel a great need to share my thoughts and hopes with others that I hope are struggling too . . .

So, is it all worth it . . . or is it one of the many attempts (in this day and age) to communicate that go unnoticed and unwanted?

Our Relationship with the Holy Qur'an

2005-09-18T10:58:00.000-06:00

Our Relationship with the Holy Qur'an

Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala tells us in verse 82 of Surah An-Nisaa:
"Do they ponder on The Qur'an? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy."

The unity of the Holy Qur'an is admittedly greater than that of any other sacred revealed book. And yet, how can we account for it except through the unity of Allah¹s purpose and design?

From a mere human point of view, we should have expected much discrepancy because
(1) our Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alaihi Wasallam who promulgated it was not a learned man or philosopher,
(2) it was promulgated at various times in various circumstances, and
(3) it is addressed to all grades of mankind.

Yet, when properly understood, its various pieces fit together well even when arranged without any regard to chronilogical order. There was just the One Inspirer and the One Inspired.................Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal.

Of all the intimate blessings and favours that has been bestowed upon humanity, nothing can match the Most Holy and Glorious Qur'an.If every hair on our body becomes a tongue praising and thanking Him, if every drop of blood in our body turns into a joyful tear, even then our praises and gratitude will not match His enormous generosity that is the Most Glorious Qur'an.

The Most Holy Qur'an is no ordinary Book for this is confirmed by Almighty Allah Jallah Wa'ala in verses 1 and 2 of Surah Al-Baqara:

"A.L.M. This is the Book; In it is guidance sure, without doubt, To those who fear Allah."
Our main purpose for reading and studying the Most Holy Qur'an is to seek the spiritual guidance that will transform our whole being and to be guided on the Straight Path - The Path of Seerathal Mustaqeem.

The Path of Seerathal Mustaqeem is the cry of our heart to which the Qur'an is the response.
We may all, in our very own ways admire the Most Holy Qur'an, we may even be informed by it, but we cannot be transformed by it unless and until our words soak in to awaken us , to grip us, to heal us and to change us.

This cannot happen unless and until we take them for what they truly are - the words of none other than Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala Who confirms in verse 17 of Surah Ash-Shura that He is the Author of the Most Holy Qur'an:

"It is Allah Who has sent down the Qur'an in truth, and the balance and what will make thee realise that perhaps the Hour is close at hand?"

The revelation of the Most Holy Qur'an is like a balance, an instrument placed by Almighty Allah in our hands, by which we can weigh all moral issues, all questions of right and wrong in conduct and we must do so constantly. Without this faith we cannot come to acquire all the inner resources we will need to reach the heart of the Glorious Qur¹an and to absorb its message.

Once it comes to reside in our hearts, we cannot but be filled with the qualities and attitudes such as sincerity of purpose, awe, reverence, Muhabbat and gratitude, trust and dependence, conviction of its truth,surrender to its message, obedience to its commands and vigilance against dangers which stalk to deprive us of its vast treasures.

Let us for a brief moment think of Almighty Allah¹s Greatness, His Majesty, His Glory and His Great Power, and we all will feel awe, reverence and devotion for His words. Reflect on His sustenance, mercy and compassion, and we will be filled with gratitude, love and longing for His message.

Know His Great Wisdom, knowledge and kindness, and we will become willing,eager and ready to obey all His Commandments. That is why the Most Holy Qur'an reminds us of this important truth again and again: in the very beginning, in the opening verses of many Surahs, and frequently in between.

Almighty Allah confirms His Muhabbat for humanity in verse 29 of Surah Al-Baqara where He reminds us of His Love:
"It is He Who had created for you All things that are on earth; Then He turned to the heaven and made them into seven firmaments And of all things He hath perfect knowledge."

We must for always remain conscious that every word that we are reading,reciting, or trying to understand, is directly from Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata¹ala. Do we truly possess this faith? We do not have to look far for an answer.All we really have to do is to examine our hearts and our behaviour. If we all have it, then where may I ask is the desire and longing for companionship with the Most Holy Qur'an, where is the labour and hard work in trying to understand it, where is the surrender and obedience to its message?

How do we obtain this faith, and how we keep it alive? The most effective way is reciting the Qur'an itself. As we read the Qur¹an, we will surely recognize it as being the word of Almighty Allah.Our faith will surely increase in intensity and depth because this has been
promised by Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal in verse 2 of Surah Al-Anfal:

"For Believers are those Who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His Revelations rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust In their Lord."

We should read the Qur'an with the purpose of receiving guidance from our Maker, to draw closer to Him, and to seek His good pleasure.What we get from the Most Glorious Qur¹an depends entirely on what we seek from it because our Niyyah is crucial. Most certainly, the Quran has come to guide us, but we may also go astray by reading it should we approach it for impure purposes and wrong motives for Almighty Allah warns us of such behaviour in verse 27 of Surah Al-Baqara:

"Those who break Allah¹s Covenant After it is ratified, and who sunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, And do mischief on earth: These cause loss (only) to themselves."

The Most Holy Qur'an is the word of Almighty Allah; it therefore requires as much exclusiveness of intention and purity of purpose as does worshipping and serving Almighty Allah Jallah Wa'ala. We should not read the Holy Qur¹an merely for intellectual pursuit and pleasure; even though we must apply our intellect to the fullest to the task of understanding it.

There are many people today who will spend a lifetime in studying the language, style, history, geography, law and ethics of the Glorious Qur'an and yet their lives remain untouched by its message. The Holy Qur¹an frequently refers to people who have been blessed with knowledge but do not derive benefit from it.

Then again we find people who approach the Holy Qur¹an with the fixed intention of finding support for their own views, notions and doctrines. For those who do so all that they will hear is an echo of their own voices and not that of Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata¹ala. It is this approach to the understanding and interpretation of the Glorious Qur'an that our Beloved Nabee Muhammad Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam has said: (and I quote from Tirmidhi)

"Whoever interprets the Qur'an by his personal opinion shall take his place in the jaws of Jahannum."

Nothing could be more unfortunate than to use the Holy Qur¹an to secure wordly gains such as name, fame, status or money. One can achieve all these worldly things, but we will be bartering away a priceless treasure and incurring loss and ruin. Reading every single word of the Holy Qur'an carries with it great rewards. We should remain conscious of all the rewards, and make them an objective of our Niyyah, for they will provide us with those strong incentives required to spend our life with the Most Glorious Qur'an.

We should not forget that on understanding, absorbing and following the Holy Qur¹an we have been promised much greater rewards in this world as well as in the Hereafter. This is what we should all aim for,Nothing brings us closer to our Glorious Creator than the moments we spend with His words. For it is only in the Qur¹an that we enjoy the unique blessings of hearing His voice addressing us.

Our Niyyah should be directed to seeking only Almighty Allah¹s pleasure by devoting our hearts, our minds and our time to the guidance that He has blessed us with. That is what we barter when we surrender ourselves to Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal who speaks very highly of such a person in verse 207 of Surah Al-Baqara:

"And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah; And Allah is full of kindness to (His) devotees."

As the favoured Ummah of Allah's Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam- we should always ask ourselves: Why am I reading the Qur¹an? We should remind ourselves constantly why we should because this may be the best way to ensure the purity and exclusiveness of purpose and intention. We should alert ourselves with intense praise and gratitude to Almighty Allah Jallah Wa'ala for having blessed us with one of His Greatest gift - the Holy Qur¹an - and for having guided us to its reading and study.

Insha'Allah, once we realize what a priceless treasure we all hold in our hands, it is but natural for our hearts to beat with joy and murmur, and for our tongues to join in by thanking and Praising our Glorious Creator in the words of the Holy Qur'an: (Verse 43 Surah Al-A¹raf)

"Praise be to Allah, Who had guided us To this (felicity): never could we have found guidance, had it not been For the guidance of Allah: Indeed it was the truth that the Messengers of our Lord brought unto us."

Why do we thank Almighty Rabbul Ala'meen for having blessed us with the Qur'an? Principally because He has, thus, guided us to the meaning and purpose in life and brought us on the Straight Path which leads to the Path of Seerathal Mustaqeem. The way to honour and dignity in this world has been opened for us for we can converse with our Glorious Creator and Maker.

Only by following the Qur'an in this world can we attain forgiveness, Jannah and Almighty Allah's good pleasure in the life to come.

O Almighty Allah! Let not our hearts swerve from the truth after Thou has guided us. Bestow upon us, upon our offspring and upon the Ummah of Your Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam Thy Mercy, Bounty, Forgiveness and Blessings for indeed Thou art Gafooroor Raheem.

By Moulana Abdul Hamid Lachporia(Canada)

Filling the Spiritual Void

2005-09-18T10:54:00.000-06:00

Filling the Spiritual Void
By Sister Shariffa Carlo

I want us all to look deep inside today. I want us to think about the activities and preoccupations that fill our lives. I want us all to think about the major preoccupation. Is it our family? Our school? Our social-life? What is taking up the largest chunk of our lives?

I firmly believe that all of us have some vacuum inside us that, like all other vacuums, calls for air. But this vacuum is not like a natural vacuum, it is a spiritual one. It needs to breathe the air of commitment. Look to your life and that of those around you. You will find that we have all adopted some "religion" which we believe in and work for in order to accomplish some final aim - a form of paradise.

In this pursuit, we are easy-going, relaxed or even fanatical. But all of us have one aspect of our lives that we are "fanatical" about. There is one major area that takes our time, our energy and our emotions.

Look to the hard-core sports fan. He spends his life supporting specific teams, financially, physically and emotionally. He attends every game, either in person or vicariously over the TV. He buys the memorabilia. He is devastated when they lose, and he reaches Paradise when they win... Sounds strange. We need to just change the way we look at it. This person is completely preoccupied with sports because his life lacks something else. This is how he has chosen to fill that spiritual vacuum.

We can do this with our families, our friends even our studies.

How many of us believe that if we spend years studying every night, get accepted to the best college, work hard to please our professors, get the best grades and graduate, we will be practically guaranteed an easy life. Money, status and respect will all be ours for the price of a few well invested years? We can make this into a religion in itself with study rituals and sincere belief in the Paradise that follows which fuels us on those long nights awake, studying.

Now, I am not saying that we can't enjoy sports or our families or our studies... That would be ludicrous. I am saying that when we go to fill that spiritual void inside, we need to be careful about how we fill it. That void is the natural fitrah - that desire to find our Creator and worship Him. It is the desire to know why we are here, and what we are supposed to do with our lives.

The only way to fill that void is by finding and worshipping Allah. The other day, I heard a brother say, "No matter what; we must always remember: Islam does not need us. We need Islam." How true. Islam does not need us. Allah does not need us. Allah is the self-sufficient:

Allah says,
Kind speech and forgiveness is better than charity followed by injury; and Allah is Self-sufficient, Forbearing. 2:263

And

O you who believe! Spend (benevolently) of the good things that you earn and or what We have brought forth for you out of the earth, and do not aim at what is bad that you may spend (in alms) of it, while you would not take it yourselves unless you have its price lowered, and know that Allah is Self-sufficient, Praiseworthy. 2:267

And

Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber does not overtake Him nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His; who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He pleases, His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not, and He is the Most High, the Great. 2:255

Notice how in these Ayats, Allah is telling us that what we do will have no effect on Him. These are acts for our benefit, He does not need them. This is accomplished by the fact that He calls Himself by this great name, Self-sufficient , after telling us of doing good deeds. In the last verse, ayat al Kursi, Allah lets us Know without doubt, that He has no needs.

Allah does not need us. We need Him. Keeping this in mind will help us in filling that great void.

We have been told in a hadith Qudsi:
...O My servants, even if the first amongst you, the last amongst you, even if the whole of the human race, and that of the Jinns, become (equally) God-conscious like the heart of a single person amongst you, nothing will add to My Power. O My servants, even if the first amongst you, the last amongst you, the whole human race, and that of the Jinns too become in unison the most wicked (all beating) like the heart of a single person, it will cause no loss of My Power. O

My servants, even if the first amongst you, the last amongst you, the whole human race, and that of Jinns also, all stand in one place and you ask Me and I confer upon every person what he asks for, it will not in any way cause any loss to Me (even less) than that which is caused to the ocean by dipping a needle in it.... Sahih Muslim: Book 31, Number 6246.

We can neither add to Allah nor take from Him, no matter how much we call upon Him nor how much he confers upon us. We must simply use what we know of Him and rely upon Him to gain our objective. He will provide us with what we need to reach Jannah, but we can never lose sight of the fact that it is us who need Him. We are the ones with a spiritual vacuum that can only be filled by worshipping the great Master, Allah.

This objective is our aim from before our birth. We are born with an innate knowledge of Allah; we are simply unable to process that without the missing factors. By this I am referring to the time when Allah gathered us all, and we promised that we would worship Him. When we are born, we feel this, but we can not identify its source. We naturally incline towards the good things and become other than worshippers of Allah by our environmental surroundings acting upon us.

"Every child is born with a true faith (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone - fitrah) but his parents convert him to Judaism or to Christianity or to Magainism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?" Then Abu Huraira recited the holy verses: 'The pure Allah's Islamic nature (true faith i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone), with which He has created human beings.' " (30.30) (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 2, Book 23, Number 440. )

We have this need to fill our lives. Allah gave it to us. This need keeps us searching until we find the true source of satisfaction, Islam. We have to make our worship of Allah the filler. We have to take our time to worship Allah with our eye on the true prize, Jannah. Allah tells us why we are here.

Allah says,
And I have not created the jinn and the men except that they should worship Me. 51:56
We need to fill this spiritual void by worshipping Allah. We need to have not as much, but more faith in the outcome of our work on this earth as we do in the outcomes of our work for this life.

We devote years to learning and studying to accomplish the objective of a degree. We spend a lifetime preparing our children to succeed in this life. We spend time and energy cultivating our personal relationships. We need to take from this precious commodity Allah has given us, time, and prepare for the ultimate graduation day, the graduation from this life to the next. We have to spend a lifetime preparing our children to meet Allah. We have to take our time and energy and devote it towards cultivating our relationship with Allah. In this way, and this way only, we will achieve the true success.

Allah says:
Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made, for that is the supreme triumph. 9:111

Please look around you. What is filling your life? Is your major devotion, devotion to Allah? Is your major occupation, worship of Allah? Is your consuming passion, Love for Allah? Is your primary goal, return to Allah? If not, then think seriously about redirecting your energies. We do not have to get rid of those things that we enjoy or which will give us a measure of success in this life, we simply have to accomplish them without sacrificing the true final goal, Jannah. Our life should be filled more with that which will gain us Jannah, and the rest should be padding, not the opposite.

Allah says,
O you who believe! let not your wealth, or your children, divert you from the remembrance of Allah; and whoever does that, these are the losers. 63:9

The majority of our time needs to be spent in that which pleases Allah and gets us closer to the final goal. We need to take advantage of what Allah has given us in time, energy, and health:
Narrated Mujahid: 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "Allah's Apostle took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler." The sub-narrator added: Ibn 'Umar used to say, "If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death." Sahih Bukhari: Volume 8, Book 76, Number 425.

Brothers and sisters: Lets keep our eye on the true goal. Lets devote ourselves to filling the vacuum with what Allah meant for us to fill it with, love and devotion for Him. When the final trumpet blows, when the end arrives, let us be among those who receive the good new.

Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri ; AbuHurayrah: Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) said: There would be an announcer (in Paradise) who would make this announcement: Verily! There is in store for you (everlasting) health and that you should never fall ill and that you live (forever) and do not die at all. And that you would remain young and never grow old. And that you would always live in affluent circumstances and never become destitute, as words of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, are: "And it would be announced to them: This is the Paradise. You have been made to inherit it for what you used to do." Sahih Muslim: Book 39, Number 6803

Ya Allah! Place us on the straight path leading directly towards Your Great Pleasure. Ya Allah, prevent us from wasting our time, our energy and/or our deeds on this earth. Ya Allah. Make of us those who earn Paradise through Your Great Mercy. Ya Allah, make worship of You our filler for our spiritual vacuum. Ameen.

Source: islamzine
Courtesy: www.everymuslim.com

Let us play a trick on the man....

2005-09-18T10:50:00.000-06:00

Bismillah ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem

Here is another thoughtful story - again, I do not know the author - it was from an old email.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let us play a trick on the man....

A young man, a student in one of the universities, was one day taking a walk with a Professor, who was commonly called the student's friend, from his kindness to those who waited on his instructions.

As they went along,they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed to belong to a poor man who was employed in a field close by,and who had nearly finished his day's work.

The student turned to the professor, saying: "Let us play the man a trick: we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them."

“My young friend," answered the professor, "we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of this poor man. Put a coin in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how this affects him."

The student did so and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes.

While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes, but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon the coin, turned it around, and looked at it again and again.

He then looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen. He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin.

His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving in which he spoke of his wife who was sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom this timely bounty, from some unknown hand,would save from perishing.

The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears. "Now," said the professor, are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?"

The youth replied, "You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget.
I feel now the truth of these words, which I never understood before:
"It's more blessed to give than to receive."

*******************************
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas(R.A.) reported that the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said that encouraging good, prohibiting evil, lifting the burden of the weak person and removing an offensive thing from a path are all acceptable prayers to Allah. (IBN MAJAH)

Sand and Stone

2005-09-18T10:47:00.000-06:00

Bismillah ir-Rahmaan ir-Raheem

I found this in one of my old emails - not sure of the author, but thought it was something to reflect on, insha'Allah.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sand and Stone

Two friends Ismail and Ibrahim were walking through the desert, as the sun was beating down on their heads, and they were thirsty for water they began to argue. The argument got more and more heated and eventually Ismail struck Ibrahim across the face. Ibrahim felt hurt inside, but without anything to say, he wrote in the sand: "Today, my best friend slapped me in the face."

They kept on walking, until eventually they came across an oasis, where they decided to stop and bathe. Ibrahim jumped in and began to wash, while Ismail sat back and relaxed. Suddenly Ibrahim began to scream and shout, he had developed a cramp and was having difficulty keeping his head above water, he was drowning.

Ismail dived in after him, and brought him gently to shore. When Ibrahim recovered from the shock, he scratched a message on a nearby stone:

"Today, my best friend saved my life"

Ismail who had saved and slapped his best friend Ibrahim, asked him, "Why, after I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now you write on a stone?"

Ibrahim, smiled and replied:

"When a friend hurts us, we should write his deeds in the sand, where the winds of forgiveness can blow it away, and when a friend does something good, we should engrave it in stone, where it shall remain for eternity."

"Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant (i.e. don't punish them). If a suggestion from Satan assails your mind, seek refuge with Allah; for He heareth and knoweth (all things)" [Surah al-A'raf 7:199-200]

Avoid Fault-finding

2005-08-22T21:43:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

Here's an article that I found interesting. You can find it online at Islamcity.

By: Sadullah Khan

As people of Faith, we have the duty of commanding good and forbidding evil. We thus engage ourselves, as social beings, in improving ourselves and working towards being instruments in improving the world we live in. Our Faith behooves us not to search for faults in others and we would do well to heed the advice of our Beloved Prophet : "Part of being a good person is minding your own business."

While the purpose of commanding good and forbidding evil is to correct and restore; fault-finding inevitably leads to undermining the character of people and sometimes to destroying relationships. Prophet Muhammad said: "The worst of people are those engaged in slandering others, those who ruin relationships between dear ones who try to find fault with innocent people."

The Prophet also admonished us that "when you pursue the faults of others, you corrupt them" and warned that "those who unduly pursue the shortcomings of others will have their own faults exposed."

Fault-finding is the habit of the miserable

Confucius said: "the great person calls to attention the good points in others while the miserable person calls to attention the defects in others." That is perhaps why losers can easily say, "something is wrong" and winners usually say, "how can I correct it". Why losers say, "why don't you do this?" and winners usually say, "here is something I can do."

Fault-finders normally tell others about someone's faults and rarely have the guts to face people; fitting the description of dhul-wajhayn (two-faced) which the Prophet Muhammad assigned to troublemakers and hypocrites. Fault-finders also tend to be miserable themselves, lacking self-esteem; and since they focus so much on blaming others, they become resentful; and rather than cherish people, tend to develop a desire to undermine and discredit people.

Negativity consumes a person

The negative feelings that a fault-finder harbors regarding others eventually consumes the person and this negativity eventually becomes part of the fault-finder's character. Prophet Muhammad therefore advised us "Refrain from holding bad opinions of people."

Deflecting one's own shortcomings

One of the common ways through which people deflect their own shortcomings and do not face up to their own faults is to blame others. The faults we see may well not be in what we are looking at, but rather in our looking. Prophet 'Isa/Jesus is reported to have said; "why do you look at the little speck in your brother's eye and forget the plank in your own eye". Hadrat 'Ali said: "The worst of people is the person who searches for faults in others while being blind to his own faults". Martin Luther King rightly said: "the highest form of maturity is self inquiry".

Watch your Heart, your Emotions and your Tongue

Speech is projection of thoughts and emotions; the content of speech reflects the culture of the heart, so consider carefully how you feel about others, why you feel the way you feel and what you say about people. Prophet Muhammad said: "None of your faith is correct unless your heart is upright and your heart will not be rectified until your tongue is in order". That is why Allah states in the Quran "speak what is correct, your actions will be rectified and your sins will be forgiven". Since virtually all fault-finding is conveyed verbally, we must be careful of the power of the tongue since wise people caution the fact that affliction caused by the tongue is more severe than the harm caused by the sword. The Prophet also provided a basic rule of good character when he responded to a question regarding salvation. He replied: "It is necessary for you to control your tongue and weep for your own faults".

The prayer of the Prophet is the most appropriate expression for one who introspects and genuinely wishes to be a catalyst for a better world: "O Allah, forgive that which I did secretly and what I did publicly; What I did inadvertently and what I did deliberately; What I did knowingly and what I did out of ignorance".

Always reflect on this advice of the Prophet : "glad tidings to the person more concerned about his own faults than bothering about the faults of others".

Sadullah Khan is the Director of Islamic Center of Irvine. He has presented lectures on Islamic Civilization at California State University at Dominguez Hills. He is a frequent lecturer for the Academy of Judaic, Christian and Islamic Studies at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). He is also an advisor to the Chancellor's Committee on Religion Ethics and Values at UCLA and serves as Director of Muslim Affairs at USC (University of Southern California).

The Importance of Time in Islam

2005-08-22T08:55:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

In general, sensible people know the importance of time.There are among those who believe in the popular saying as “Time is gold.” 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 the Almighty and His Messenger, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), 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 eeman (faith) and thus attain success, especially eternal success in the life Hereafter.

Both the Qur’an and the Sunnah enjoin Muslims to be conscious of time. We are reminded that life in this world is nothing but temporary. We never know when death has been appointed for us. We must value time for the satisfaction of Allah the Almighty. For our guidance and success, we must never waste time nor abuse it.Bin ‘Abbas narrated that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:“There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” (Bukhari 8/421)

Indeed, we displease Allah the Most High when we abuse time. We must remember that time must be spent to fulfill our very purpose in life ¾ that is to worship Allah all throughout our lives. Allah makes this very clear in the Qur’an when He says:

“I have created not the jinn and men except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, Most Strong.” Qur’an (51:56-58)

“So glorify the praises of your Rabb (Only God and Sustainer) and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Rabb until there comes unto you the Hour that is certain (i.e., death).” (Qur'an 15:98-99)

Everything we do in accordance with the Qur’an and the Sunnah is an act of worship. Such worship must be done sincerely for the pleasure of Allah alone. We should make use of our time (which includes our “free time”) in doing beneficial things especially those that will make us closer to Allah and earn His Mercy.

We have to make use of our time wisely by knowing more of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We must have correct knowledge of what Allah and His Messenger have commanded us to do and at the same time to refrain from what they have forbidden us. This is imperative so that we earn Allah’s pleasure and reward. Allah the Exalted makes it very clear, when he says:

“O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger (Mohammad) and render not vain your deeds.” (Qur'an 47:33)

Corollary to the above divine commandment, we must ask ourselves: Have we been obeying Allah and His Messenger? To what extent have we used our time learning the Qur’an and the Sunnah in order to have correct eeman (Faith), to do righteous deeds, to enjoin the Truth or do Da’wah, and be patient and constant? As time passes by, are we sure we are devoting our time for the sincere worship and pleasure of Allah the Most High? Are we taking guidance from the following very enlightening Ayat (Qur’anic verses)?

"By the time, verily man is in loss, except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and join (together) in the mutual enjoining of Truth, and of patience and constancy.” Qur’an (103:1-3)

In line with the above Qur’anic injunction, we have to discipline ourselves by giving value to the importance of time. We must be prompt in doing good deeds, which will increase our faith and subsequently enable us to gain Allah’s pleasure and mercy. We have to remember that on the day of judgement we shall be asked how we spent our lives, wealth and knowledge. In other words, we will be questioned on how we spent everything that Allah has given us as implied in the following Hadith:Narrated Abdullah Bin Mas`ud Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said:“A man shall be asked concerning five things on the day of resurrection: concerning his life, how he spent it; concerning his youth, how he grew old; concerning his wealth, whence he acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and what was it that he did with the knowledge that he had.”

Abu Barzah Nadlah ibn Ubayd al-Aslami narrated that the Prophet(PBUH) said: “A servant of Allah will remain standing on the Day of Judgment till he is questioned: about his age and how he spent it; and about his knowledge and how he utilized it; about his wealth from where he acquired it and in what (activities) he spent it; and about his body as to how he used it.”

If we are to evaluate ourselves objectively, have we been spending our time wisely for the pleasure of Allah the Almighty? Have we been spending our lives based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah? Have we been practicing Muslims? How many of us are Muminoon (faithful Muslims) and/or Mutaqqoon (God-fearing Muslims)? How much knowledge of the Qur’an and the Sunnah do we know? Do we practice what we learn and impart the same to others or at least share them to our families and kin? Have we ever enjoined to others what is right and forbid what is wrong?

To be successful, we have to manage our time wisely by making plans for virtuous deeds that please Allah the Almighty. We must spend time learning Islam (based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah and the right deductions from these two revealed scriptures).

This article was found on Islam Online.

The Purpose and Duty of the Muslim Ummah

2005-08-12T10:51:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

Here is an excerpt from an excellent book written by Sayyid Abul Al'a Maududi entitled "Witness of Mankind." I find it very inspiring. You can find the entire book online here and here.

Responsibilities and Duties

To the Muslims we have only one very simple thing to say: Understand and fulfil the responsibilities and duties that fall upon you by virtue of your being Muslims. You cannot get away with merely affirming that you are Muslims and that you have accepted God as your only God and Islam as your religion. Rather, as soon as you acknowledge Allah as your only Lord and His guidance as your way of life, you take upon yourselves certain obligations and duties. These obligations you must always remain conscious of, these duties you must always endeavor to discharge. If you evade them, you shall not escape the evil consequences of your conduct in this world or in the Hereafter.

What are these duties? They are not merely confined to the affirmation of faith in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Day of Judgement. Nor are they confined to performing the Prayers, observing the Fasts, going on the Pilgrimage, and paying the Alms. Nor are these duties exhausted by observing the injunctions of Islam relating to marriage, divorce and inheritance. Over and above all these duties, there is one which is the most important: that your lives bear witness to the Truth that you have been given by God before all mankind, the Truth which you believe to be true.

The Only Purpose of Existence

The Qur'an clearly states that witnessing to the Truth in a manner that would leave mankind with no justifiable ground to deny it is the only purpose behind constituting you as a distinct Ummah (community), named Muslims.

And thus We have made you a community of the middle way, so that you may be witnesses [to the Truth] before all mankind, and the Messenger may be witness [to it] before you (al-Baqarah 2: 143).

This mission is the sole objective for which your Ummah has been brought into being, it is the raison d'etre of its existence as a society of human beings. Unless you fulfil it you are squandering your life. For this is no ordinary duty; it is a duty enjoined on you by God. It is a Divine command and a Divine call:

O believers, be ever steadfast in standing up, for the sake of God, bearing witness to justice (al-Ma'idah 5: 8) .

It is not a mere trifle but an emphatic and grave mandate, for Allah also says:

And who is a greater wrong-doer than he who suppresses a witness entrusted to him by God (al-Baqarah 2: 140).

You have been warned of the consequences of evading this duty. Look at the history of the people of Israel. They too were appointed to stand in the witness-box; but sometimes they suppressed the Truth, and sometimes they witnessed against it. By their conduct, they, in fact, became witnesses to falsehood rather than witnesses to the Truth. The consequence was that God forsook them and a curse fell upon them.

And so, humiliation and powerlessness afflicted them, and they earned God's anger (al-Baqarah 2: 61).

Witness to the Truth

What does this duty of witness imply? Consider it carefully: You have been given Divine guidance, you have been shown the Truth. You must, therefore, establish by your testimony and witness its authenticity and truthfulness before all mankind. This is a testimony that will make the authenticity and truthfulness of Divine guidance self-evident, for all to see, and a witness that will make it clear and indisputable for all people.

For this very purpose all the Messengers were sent to the world; this was their primary duty. After them, their followers were entrusted with the same duty. And now the Muslim Ummah, as the successor to the Last Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, is charged with this very mission, just as he was charged with it during his lifetime.

How Should We Witness to the Truth?

Let us now see in what manner we should discharge our duty of witnessing to the Truth. Witnessing is of two types: one, witness by words, or the word-witness; the other, witness by acts and deeds, or the act-witness. [6]

Word-witness

In what way should our words witness to the Truth? Through our speech and writing, we should proclaim and explain to the world the guidance that has come to us through God's Messengers. This, in sum, is the word-witness. Employing all possible methods of education, using all possible means of communication and propagation, mastering all knowledge provided by the contemporary arts and sciences, we should inform mankind of the way of life that God has laid down for man. The guidance that Islam gives to humanity in thought and belief, in morality and behavior, in culture and civilization, in economics and business, in jurisprudence and judiciary, in politics and civil administration that is, in all aspects of inter-human relations we should clearly and fully expound before mankind. By rational discourse and convincing evidence, we should establish its truth and soundness. By soundly reasoned critique, we should rebut all that is contrary to the guidance given by God.

The task is enormous. Full justice cannot be done to it unless the thought of guiding man to the right path seizes the whole Ummah as completely as it did each Messenger personally. It is essential, too, that this task should become the central objective of all our collective endeavors, that we should commit all our hearts and minds, all of our resources, to this cause. Uppermost in all our actions should be this objective. Under no circumstances should we allow any voice within ourselves to bear witness against the Truth and Divine guidance that we have.

Act-witness

In what way should our acts and deeds witness to the Truth? For this purpose, the guidance that we hold to be true we must put into practice. Our actions should demonstrate the principles we profess to believe in.

Put simply: let our lives speak the truth, and let the world hear it not merely from our lips but also from our deeds; let mankind witness all the blessings that the Divine guidance brings to human life. Let the world taste in our conduct, individual and collective, that sweetness and flavor which only the faith in One God can impart to character and morality. Let the world see what fine examples of humanity are fashioned by Islam, what a just society is established, what a sound social order emerges, what a clean and noble civilization arises, how science, literature, and art flourish and develop on sound lines, what a just economy compassionate and free from conflict is brought about. Indeed, how every aspect of life is set right, developed and enriched.

We shall not be doing our duty to this task unless our lives, individual and collective, become a living embodiment of Islam: unless our personal characters are a living proof of its truth, our homes are fragrant with its teachings, our businesses and factories are illuminated by its rules and laws, our schools and institutions are shaped by its ideas and norms, and our literature and media reflect its principles. Indeed until our entire national policy and public life make its truth manifest and self-evident.

In short, wherever and whenever any individual or people come in contact with us it is our duty to convince them, by our example, that the principles and teachings which Islam proclaims to be true are indeed true, and that they do improve the quality of human life and raise it to better and higher levels.

Living the Quran ~ Al-Shura

2005-08-12T10:41:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

I found this short beneficial article in the weekly newsletter called Friday Nasiha. If interested, you can sign up for their newsletter at the bottom of their homepage (follow the link).

I find their articles informative and inspiring - see what you think:

Living the Quran
Al-Shura (Mutual Consultation)
Chapter 42: Verse 20

Harvesting for the Hereafter

"To any that desires the tilth of the Hereafter, We give increase in his tilth; and to any that desires the tilth of this world, We grant somewhat thereof, but he has no share or lot in the Hereafter. ."

Both the seeker of the Hereafter and the seeker of the world have been likened to the farmer in this verse, who labours hard persistently right from the time he prepares the soil till the time his crop is ready for harvesting. He puts in all his labour so that he may reap and gather the crop of the seeds he sowed. But because of the difference of the intention and objective and also the difference of the attitude and conduct, to a large extent, a vast difference takes place between the farmer who sows for the Hereafter and the farmer who sows for this world. Therefore, Allah has ordained different results and consequences of the labours of each, although the place of activity of both is this very earth.

As to the farmer who is sowing for the Hereafter, Allah has not said that he will get no share from the world. The world, in a more or less measure, he will get in any case. For he also has a share in the common provisions being bestowed by Allah, and every person, good or bad, is getting his sustenance here. But Allah has not given him the good news of the harvest of this world. He has given him the good news that his harvest of the Hereafter will be increased, for he is a seeker of the hereafter, and is concerned about his end there. There are several ways in which this harvest can be increased; for example, as he goes on doing righteous deeds with sincere mentions, he is blessed with the grace to do more and more righteous deeds and his breast opens out for more and more good deeds. Above all, his good works, however small and insignificant, will at least be increased ten times over in the Hereafter, and there is no limit to this increase. Allah will increase it hundreds of thousands of times for whomever He may please.

As for the one who is only sowing for this world, and is not at all concerned about the Hereafter, Allah has plainly told him of two of the results of his labours: (1) That, however hard he may struggle and strive. he will not get the whole of what he is trying for, but only a fraction of it, which Allah has ordained for him; and (2) that whatever he gets, he will get only in this world: there is no share for him in the good things of the Hereafter.

Source:
"The Meaning of the Quran" - Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi

Before Your Demise . . .

2005-08-10T16:04:00.000-06:00

Life’s not so simple
As seen through thine eyes
For each word that is spoken
Conceals many lies.

And laughter and games
That seem innocent
Wastes away time
That should be well spent.

The world all aglitter
A dazzling display
Persuades with its beauty
Don’t worship – let’s play.

Blind in our purpose
We roam through the land
Enjoying life’s riches
Against Allah’s command.

Our graves lie before us
The time drawing near
Have we reflected?
Have we no fear?

Our deeds will be counted
No chance to repeat
Witness to all actions
Our hands and our feet.

So be firm in your purpose
Do not compromise
Live true Islam
Before your demise.

© Sumayyah Jameson, 2005

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The heart of a Muslim

May it always grieve

For the burdens of sins

And good deeds not achieved.

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A Lesson Learned - Look Past the Faults of Others

2005-08-07T22:53:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

Why is it that we are so obsessed with the faults of others? We attend gatherings and the first word out of people's mouths are what someone wore to a function or that some people don't do the things that we think they should do (and of course, we do).

What's wrong with us - first of all - that we can't appreciate people as they are and if they do some things that are not in accordance with Islam - we should realize that we must be a good example to them or give them gentle naseeha? What's wrong with us secondly - that we don't realize the great harm to ourselves and others by engaging in this great sin?

In an authentic hadith reported by Imams Bukhari and Muslim, the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said in his speech on the day of sacrifice, in Mina, during his pilgrimage journey, "O’ people, your blood, fortune and honor are sacred amongst you, as sacred as your day today in this month, in this place, here I thus informed".

In another hadith in Sahih Al-Bukhari it is stated: “The Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he does not betray him, lie to him or forsake him. The whole of the Muslim is sacred to his fellow Muslim – his honour, his wealth and his blood. Taqwa (piety) is here. It is sufficient evil for a man to despise his brother.”

If a muslim's blood, fortune and honor are sacred, then what is the punishment for always examining the faults of others - often speaking about them in the company of others? Don't we realize that having these thoughts also leads to another big sin - backbiting? If we think that we are above people and we constantly think of their faults, it's not too long before we take the next step and share those thoughts with others. Did we not hear about the punishment waiting for those who backbite?

Anas reported Allah's Messenger as saying, “When my Lord took me up to heaven I passed people who had nails of copper and were scratching their faces and their breasts. I asked Gabriel who these were, and he replied that they were those who were given to backbiting and who aspersed people’s honor.” (Abu Daud)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “A man might speak a word without thinking about its implications, but because of it, he will plunge into the Hellfire further than the distance between the east and west.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “One of the greatest of the major sins is to stretch out one’s tongue without right against the honor of a Muslim.” (Abu Dawud)

The other interesting thing that happens often is spouses (I'm sure many of us are guilty) complaining about their husbands/wives to other people. Often we nit-pic about little things that bother us about them - little habits we'd like to change, etc., but we must contantly remind ourselves that this is not a small matter!

Besides that, have we ever really looked at ourselves and realized that there are also habits we have that are annoying? Sometimes we are so busy worrying about things that they do that bother us that we totally miss the opportunity to fix the bad habits that we do ourselves and often forget or overlook that we even have these bad habits!

I recently was reading in my book entitled The Ideal Muslimah ( there is also The Ideal Muslim [for men] and I highly recommend everyone to purchase these books), written by Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi . The book also touched upon this topic. "The chaste Muslim woman does not disclose her husband's secrets, and does not talk to anyone about whatever secrets and other matters there may be between him and her." She would never accept for herself to be counted as one of those people whom the Prophet (PBUH) described as one of the worst types: "Among the worst type of people in the sight of Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgement is a man who enjoys his wife's intimate company, and she enjoys his intimate company, then one of them goes and discloses the secret of the other."

Instead of revealing another's faults, we must try to cover or conceal them . . .

In Sahih Muslim, a hadith relates the following: "Abu Huraira reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: The servant (who conceals) the faults of others in this world, Allah would conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection.

Are we so heedless of our own faults that we don't realize the great blessing in this promise? Do we not realize that we, ourselves, have so many faults of our own. Do we not realize the importance of taking this time, this life that Allah has given us to work on those faults and improve our own souls?

It is a great blessing that Allah has shaded other people from our faults.

In a Qudsi Hadith, Allah the Almighty says, “. . .O My servant, I hide your sins in front of the other creatures, and you do not fear Me. . .”

Most of our faults are hidden from others - unless we choose to make them public. Don't we ever sit back and look at our faults and short-comings? Do we ever reflect that if other people openly knew what we did or did not do privately that most people wouldn't want to know us? I would think that sometimes, if we were truthful, we probably wouldn't even want to be around ourselves if we had the choice.

I don't want everyone to think that we must sit around and be depressed about our current state. What this is supposed to be is a reminder - we must use this knowledge to spur us into action. If we have shortcomings - we should spend more time working on improving our condition instead of reflecting on the shortcomings of others. If we find ourselves in gatherings where the faults of others are discussed, change the discussion or use the opportunity to remind the people that all of us have shortcomings and we must work to improve them. Better yet, if you find this type of conversation prominent in your discussions with others - think about whether these are the right people for you to be spending your time with.

If you spend all your time reflecting on the faults of others . . .
there will be no time left for you to reflect on your own.
If you spend all your time reflecting on the faults of others
there will be no reason for you to improve your situation . . .
because you will always at least be better than someone else.

Don't give yourself this false hope - when the Day comes when we will all be judged . . . no one else will be standing by our side . . . we will be compared with no one else . . . it will not matter that you didn't pray on time but some people don't pray at all . . . it will not matter that you talk about other's faults but some people actually lie, steal, cheat . . . Our deeds (whether good or bad) will be laid before us and there will be no excuses to hide behind.

On that day, we should all want to be prepared. We should want the light of faith to shine through us and illuminate the darkness. So the next step is ours, what are we going to do to make sure that happens?

Let's start by asking Allah to help us to be more aware of our faults . . . to ask for forgiveness and to ask for the ability to overcome them.

In a hadith related by Abu Musa Ash'ari, we are reminded of the dua that the Prophet (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate: " O Allah, forgive me my faults, my ignorance, my immoderation in my concerns. And Thou art better aware (of my affairs) than myself. O Allah, grant me forgiveness (of the faults which I committed) seriously or otherwise (and which I committed inadvertently and deliberately. All these (failings) are in me. O Allah, grant me forgiveness from the fault which I did in haste or deferred, which I committed in privacy or in public and Thou art better aware of (them) than myself. Thou art the First and the Last and over all things Thou art Omnipotent."

“Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)” (Surat Al-Ra'd: 11)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An excellent lecture to listen to is entitled Be Just in Your Judgement,
by Sheikh Riyadh ul Haq. It can also be found here.
I highly recommend this lecture as it really opens

your eyes to the importance of this topic.
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Memorizing Qur'an

2005-08-05T22:59:00.000-06:00

Memorizing the Qur'an

From Abdur-Rahman Abdul Khaaliq's "Al-Qawaaid adh-Dhahabiyyah lil-Hifdh il-Quran il-Adheem"

English Translation byAmjad ibn Muhammad RafiqUniversity of Essex Islamic Society

Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem

My Brother and Sister Muslim - there is no doubt that you know of excellence of memorising the Quran and the excellence of teaching it. The Messenger of Allaah (sas) said: "The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur'aan and teaches it." [Reported by Bukhaaree]

Presented to you are some rules which will assist in memorising the Qur'aan, may Allaah benefit us by them.

I. Ikhlaas - (Sincerity) The purification of ones intention and correcting ones desire is obligatory. It is likewise for making ones concern with and memorisation of the Quran for the sake of Allaah, the Sublime and Exalted, and for gaining success with His Paradise and obtaining His pleasure.

Also for obtaining those mighty rewards which are reserved for those who recited the Quran and memorised it. Allaah the Exalted said: So worship Allaah, making the Deen sincerely for Him. Is it not to Allaah that sincere worship is due? [Zumar 39:2-3]

He also said: Say: I have been commanded that I worship Allaah making the Deen sincerely for Him. [Zumar 39:11]

And the Messenger of Allaah (sas) said: "Allaah the Exalted said: I am so self-sufficient that I am in no need of having an associate. Thus, he who does an action for someone elses sake as well as Mine will have that action renounced by Me to him whom he associated with Me." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Therefore, there is no reward for the one who recited the Quran and memorised it to show off and to be heard of. There is also no doubt that the one who recited the Quran desiring by it the world and seeking some sort of worldy reward for it is sinful.

II. Correction of ones Pronunciation and Recitation The first step in memorising the Quran after that of Ikhlaas is the obligation of correcting the pronunciation of the Quran. This does not occur except by listening to a good reciter or a precise memoriser of the Quran. The Quran is not learned except by acquiring it (from another). Thus, the Messenger (sas) who is the most eloquent of the arabs in speech, took it from Jibreel (as) orally. The Messenger (sas) himself used to recited the Quran to Jibreel once in every year and in the year that he died he recited it to him twice. [Reported by Bukhaaree]

Likewise, the Messenger taught it to the Companions (ra) orally and those who came after them heard it from the Companions and so on for each generation after them.
Taking the Quran from a good reciter is obligatory. Likewise, correcting ones recitation firstly and not depending on oneself in its recitation even if one is knowledgeable of the Arabic language and of its principles, is also obligatory. This is because in the Quran there are many verses which occur in a way that is opposed to what is well known in the rules of the Arabic language.

III. Specifying a Daily Limit for Memorisation It is necessary for the one desiring to memorise the Quran that he sets himself a daily limit for memorising. a number of verses for example, perhaps a page or two pages or even an eighth of a juz (one thirtieth of the Quran). So he begins, after he has corrected his recitation and set his daily limit, to learn by frequent repetition. It is also necessary that this repetition is done melodiously and this is so that a person follows the Sunnah firstly and that it the memorisation is made firm and strong secondly. Melodious recitation is pleasing to ones hearing and also assists in memorisation. Furthermore, the tongue will always return to a specific tone (of voice) and as a result of this it will become familiar with any mistake whenever the balance in ones recitation and familiar tone becomes disordered or imbalanced. The reciter will know therefore, that his tongue will not comply with him when he makes a mistake and that if the tone is wrong or out of tune, his memorisation will return to him

All of this is because reciting the Quran and beautifying it with ones voice is a mastronger which has been commanded. It is not permissible to oppose this command due to the saying of the Messenger (sas): "Whoever does not beautify the Quran (recite it melodiously) he is not of us." [Bukhaaree]

IV. Not Surpassing One's Daily Limit until You Have Perfected its Memorisation. It is not permissible for the memoriser to move to a new portion of the Quran until after he has perfected the memorisation of his previous limit. This is so that whatever he has memorised is firmly established in his mind. There is no doubt that amongst those things which aid the memoriser is his occupation with what he has memorised through the hours of the day and night. This occurs by reciting it in the silent prayers, and if he is the imaam then in the loud prayers. Also in the superogatory prayers (nawaafil) and in the times when one is waiting for the obligatory prayers. By this method the memorisation will become a lot easier. In this way it is possible for a person to practise it even if he is occupied with other mastrongers and this is because he does not simply sit at a specific time for memorising the Quran. Thus the night will not arrive except with those verses memorised and firmly established in the mind. And if there is something which has occuppied the memoriser during this day, he should not move onto his next portion of the Quran, rather he should continue on the second day with what he had started with the day before until the memorisation becomes perfected.

V. Memorise Using the Same Copy (Mushaf) of the Quran Among the things which aid the memorisation is that the memoriser should keep for himself a specific mushaf (copy of the Quran) which he should never change. This is because a person memorises using the sight just as he memorises using the hearing. The script and form of the verses and their places in the mushaf leave an imprint in the mind when they are recited and looked at frequently. If the memoriser was to change his mushaf from which he memorises or if he was to memorise from a number of different copies the places of the verses would be in different places and also the script may also be different. This makes the memorisation difficult for him. Therefore it is obligatory for the one memorisng the Quran that he does so from a single script and mushaf and he should never replace it.

VI. Understanding is the Way to Memorising Among the things which greatly aid the process of memorisation is understanding the verses that one has memorised and knowing their relationship and link, one to another. This is why it is necessary for the memoriser to read the tafseer (explanation) of those verses which he desires to memorise and that he knows their connection, one with another. Also, that he brings this to mind when he is reciting. This makes it easier for him to memorise the verses. Having said this, it is also necessary that he does not depend on knowing the meaning of the verses alone in memorising them. Rather the repetition of these verses should be the foundation. This should be done until the tongue can recite the verses even if the mind is occupied with other than the meaning of these verses. This is sign that the verses are firmly established in the mind. As for the one who relies upon the meaning alone then he will forget often and his recitation will be disjointed due to his mind being scastrongered and occupied with other things. This occurs frequently, especially when the recitation is long

VII. Do not move on from a Complete Surah until you have connected the first part of it to the last After one surah from among the surahs of the Quran has been completed it is desirable for the memoriser that he does not move onto another surah except after having perfected its memorisation and connecting its first part to its last so that his tongue can flow in reciting it, from its beginning to its end. He should be able to recite it without having to think or go through trouble in remembering the verses. Rather it is a must that the memorisation (and recitation) of these verses is like (flowing) water and that the memoriser recites these verses with out hesitation, even if his mind is occupied with more than one thing, away from the meaning of these verses. It should be as a person recites Surah Faatihah without any difficulty or having to think about it. This occurs by repeating thes e verses frequently and reciting them often.

However the memorisation of every surah of the Quran will not be like that of Surah Faatihah except rarely but the intent and desire should be to try to make it as such. Therefore, it is necessary that when a surah is completed it is firmly established in the mind, with its beginning connected to its end and that the memoriser does not move onto another surah until he has memorised it with precision.

VIII. Reciting to Others It is necessary for the memoriser not to depend on himself for his memorisation. Rather he should test his memorisation by reciting the verses or surah in question to somebody else, or he should recite them by following the mushaf. And how excellent this would be if a person had with him a precise memoriser (who would test his memorisation).

This is so that the memoriser becomes aware of the possibility of his being forgetful or confused in his recitation (without knowing it). Many individuals amongst us who memorise a surah make mistakes and a person may not realise that until he looks into the mushaf. Furhtermore, the one who desires to memorise may not realise by himself at which place he makes an error in his recitation despite the fact that he may be reciting from a mushaf. For this reason making others listen to his recitation of what he has memorised from the Quran is a means of perceiving and knowing these errors and being constantly aware of them.

IX. Constantly Returning to what one has Memorised The Quran is different from any other material that is memorised such as poetry and prose. And this is because the Quran is quickly lost from ones mind. In fact the Messenger of Allaah (sas) said: "By Him in whose Hand is my soul, it is faster in escaping than a tied camel." Reported by Bukhaaree and Muslim.

No sooner does the memoriser of the Quran leave it for a while until the Quran slips away from him and so he forgets it quickly. This is why it is necessary to constantly follow up what one has memorised and to be vigilant over it.

Regarding this we have the saying of the Messenger (sas): "Verily, the example of the owner of the Quran is like the example of the owner of the tied camel. If he keeps it tied (commits himself to it) he will hold it back and if he lets it loose it will escape from him."

And he also said: "Commit yourselves to the Quran, for by Him in Whose Hand is my soul, it is faster in slipping away than a tied camel." [Reported by Bukhaaree and Muslim]This means that it is obligatory upon the memoriser of the Quran to continuously recite what he has memorised from the Quran. With this constant astrongention and returning to what has been memorised will the Quran remain in his mind and without it, it will escape.

X. Being Aware of the Resembling Parts of the Quran The various parts of the Quran resemble each other with respect to the meaning, wording and (repetition of) verses. The Exalted said:
Allaah has sent down the most beautiful of speech, a Book, (parts of it) resembling (others) oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it. Then their skins and their hearts soften to the remembrance of Allaah [Zumar 39:23].

The Quran has approximately six and a half-thousand verses. And there are approximately a thousand verses in which there is a resemblance of some sort. Sometimes there is agreement or difference due to a single lestronger or a word or two or more. For this reason it is necessary for the good reciter of the Quran that he has special concern for the parts of the Quran that resemble each other in terms of their wording. The excellence of ones memorisation will be according to the extent that one has concern for these resembling parts. One of the ways to aid oneself in this mastronger is to study those books which deal with this topic of resembling verses in the Quran. Among the most famous of them are:

1. Durratul-Tanzeel wa Ghurratut-Ta'weel fee Bayaan il Aayaat al-Mutashaabihaat fee Kitaab il-Laahi il-Azeez by al-Khateeb al-Iskaafee

2. Asraar ut-Tukraar fil-Quran by Mahmood bin Hamzah ibn Nasr al-Kirmaanee.

XI. Taking Advantage of the Golden Years of Memorising The succesful one, inevitably, is the one who takes advantage of the best years of memorisation and these are from the age of five to twenty-three approximately. A person's ability to memorise during these years is very good. In fact these are the golden years of memorising. Therefore, it is necessary for a person to keep himself occupied during the these years of his life, memorising the Book of Allaah as much as he can.

Commiting things to memory at this age can be done very quickly and forgestronging is not so easy. This is in opposition to what happens after this time when a person memorises with difficulty and forgets with great speed. He spoke the truth who said: Memorising in youth is like engraving on stone And memorising when old is like engraving on water.

Thus, it is necessary for all of us to take advantage of the golden years of memorising. If we cannot then we should encourage our sons and daughters to do so.
And with Allaah is success and prayers and peace be upon our Messenger Muhammad, upon his family and all his Companions.

This article was found on the Muslim American Society, Minnesota Chapter website.

Friday Inspiration

2005-07-30T12:03:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

While reading Surat Al-Khaf I really was struck by some of the passages - I'll let them speak for themselves.

Please reflect on these, there really is wisdom to be found there . . .

Think about how we live our wordly lives in context with this verse. What is the true purpose of our lives?:

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

"That which is on earth We have made but as a glittering show for it, in order that We may test them - as to which of them are best in conduct." (18:7)

Ponder the story of the people of the cave and the faith they exhibited . . .

وَرَبَطْنَا عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ إِذْ قَامُوا فَقَالُوا رَبُّنَا رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَن نَّدْعُوَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَهًا لَقَدْ قُلْنَا إِذًا شَطَطًا

"We gave strength to their hearts. Behold, they stood up and said: 'Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and of the earth: never shall we call upon any god other than Him: if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity!'"(18:14)

هَؤُلَاء قَوْمُنَا اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ آلِهَةً لَّوْلَا يَأْتُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِسُلْطَانٍ بَيِّنٍ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا

"These our people have taken for worship gods other than Him: why do they not bring forward an authority clear (and convincing) for what they do? Who doth more wrong than such as invent a falsehood against Allah?"(18:15)

وَإِذِ اعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَأْوُوا إِلَى الْكَهْفِ يَنشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّن رَّحمته ويُهَيِّئْ لَكُم مِّنْ أَمْرِكُم مِّرْفَقًا

"When ye turn away from them and the things they worship other than Allah, betake yourselves to the cave: your Lord will shower His mercies on you and dispose of your affair towards comfort and ease." (18:16)

Think of the faith they had in order to just turn away and seclude themselves with only Allah to protect and provide for them.

How many of us would be willing to do that today? We often make many excuses (fear, money, time, etc.) about why we don't to the things we need to do to follow Allah's command - why can't we exhibit this type of faith? What do we need to change in our lives to start developing this type of faith in our hearts?

A reminder to say 'insha'Alah' whenever we promise anything:

وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَيْءٍ إِنِّي فَاعِلٌ ذَلِكَ غَدًا

إِلَّا أَن يَشَاء اللَّهُ وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَقُلْ عَسَى أَن يَهْدِيَنِ رَبِّي لِأَقْرَبَ مِنْ هَذَا رَشَدًا

"Nor say of anything, 'I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow' - except say 'If Alah so wills' and remember thy Lord when thou forgettest and say, 'I hope that my Lord will guide me ever closer (even) than this to the right course.'" (18:23-24)

What about this verse . . .

وَاتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَبِّكَ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَلَن تَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِ مُلْتَحَدًا

"And recite (and teach) what has been revealed to thee of the book of thy Lord: none can change His Words, and none wilt thou find as a refuge other than Him." (18:27)

How many of us make excuses that we can't read Qur'an - we have no time, we're too busy. Yet, how many of us make the time to read the paper, chat on the internet, watch television? We CAN make time - we just have to want to. You will notice such a difference in the quality of your life even if you just set aside 15 minutes a day to read the Qur'an.

Also - what about the teaching part - how many of us have some useful knowledge that we don't share with others? Know Arabic? Teach someone else. Know how to read Qur'an? Teach someone who doesn't know how to read Arabic yet. Just imagine the blessings we would receive if we shared with others the knowledge that Allah has given us.

Another reminder to be careful about the friends we choose - they can make such a great impact on our lives (our friends are a reflection of ourselves):

وَاصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَدَاةِ وَالْعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُ فُرُطًا

"And keep yourself content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this life; nor obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, and his affair has become all excess." (18:28)

Reflect on the parable of the two gardens . . .

كِلْتَا الْجَنَّتَيْنِ آتَتْ أُكُلَهَا وَلَمْ تَظْلِمْ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا وَفَجَّرْنَا خِلَالَهُمَا نَهَرًا

"Each of those gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least therein. . ." (18:33)

One man was arrogant . . .

وَكَانَ لَهُ ثَمَرٌ فَقَالَ لِصَاحِبِهِ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُ أَنَا أَكْثَرُ مِنكَ مَالًا وَأَعَزُّ نَفَرًا

وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ قَالَ مَا أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَذِهِ أَبَدًا

"(Abundant) was the produce this man had: he said to his companion, in the course of a mutual argument, 'More wealth have I than you, and more honor and power in (my following of) men.' He went into his garden while he wronged himself: He said, 'I deem not that this will ever perish.'"(18:34-35)

We must realize that all blessings in this world are from Allah. Especially we must remember that all things that come to us, whether good or bad, are a test from Allah of our character and faith. Many people become blinded by wealth, status, etc.

We must realize that to Allah, these things are not important . . . On the Day that we will be gathered together, Allah will not ask us how much money we made, but how much money we gave to the poor and needy. How much money did we give to build the masjid and Muslim educational institutions? We will not be asked how much influence did we build in this life, but how many people did we assist by using our influence. How did we improve the Muslim society through that influence? Otherwise, although it may make people envy you and you SEEM important . . . it really is not only useless to you, but it will harm you in the end.

The other man realized that the fruits of this world come only from Allah:

قَالَ لَهُ صَاحِبُهُ وَهُوَ يُحَاوِرُهُ أَكَفَرْتَ بِالَّذِي خَلَقَكَ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ سَوَّاكَ رَجُلًا
لَّكِنَّا هُوَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي وَلَا أُشْرِكُ بِرَبِّي أَحَدًا

"Dost thou deny Him Who created thee out of dust, then out of a sperm-drop, then fashioned thee into a man? But as for my part, Alah is my Lord, and none shall I Associate with my Lord."

وَلَوْلَا إِذْ دَخَلْتَ جَنَّتَكَ قُلْتَ مَا شَاء اللَّهُ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ إِن تُرَنِ أَنَا أَقَلَّ مِنكَ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا

He also said, "Why didst thou not, as thou wentest into thy garden, say:'Allah's Will (be done)! There is no power but from Allah!"

The arrogant man's garden was ruined . . .

وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِ فَأَصْبَحَ يُقَلِّبُ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَى مَا أَنفَقَ فِيهَا وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَى عُرُوشِهَا وَيَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي لَمْ أُشْرِكْ بِرَبِّي أَحَدًا

"So his fruits were encompassed (with ruin) and he remained twisting and turning his hands over what he had spent on his property, which had (now) tumbled to pieces to its very foundations. . ."

Allah repeatedly tells us in the Qur'an that all pleasures will perish. The Qur'an is also full of stories about previous men and women and entire societies who rejoiced in their wealth, and status, yet they met disastrous ends. These stories are a means of warning and enlightenment, yet many of us do not contemplate their meaning.

The things of this life are but temporary - we should not be dazzled by their "seeming" importance. We instead must work toward our true goal - to live according to the Qur'an and Sunnah in word and deed in order to be accepted into Paradise.

Anyway, this is only part of the Surah, but I thought I would share with you some of the enlightening passages I have been reflecting over.

Insha'Allah, next week I will try to continue with the rest of the surah.

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For those of you who are not aware, it is a good practice to read

Surat Al-Kahf on Fridays. It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khduri that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays.” Narrated by al-Haakim; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 836.

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And Allah knows best.

Don't Be Duped!

2005-07-26T21:57:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

I found this beneficial article in the weekly newsletter called Friday Nasiha. If interested, you can sign up for their newsletter at the bottom of their homepage (follow the link).

I find their articles informative and inspiring - see what you think:

DON’T BE DUPED!

If I told you someone was going to climb through your bedroom window at 1:17am, grab your wallet, your watch and your cell phone, would you get your guard up?

You probably wouldn’t think I was serious, say ‘yeah right,’ and snuggle into your warm comfortable bed for a good night’s sleep.

What if it did happen? What if you woke up and found that your wallet, your watch and your cell were gone?

If it did happen, you’d be duped. That’s what.

Duped: conned, deceived, jerked around, fooled, played, tricked.

While these other words kind of give an idea of duped, they miss one important thing: to be duped is to see it coming, yet get hit.

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If I told you I got news that someone was after you, that someone wanted to destroy you, that someone wanted to drag you into the depths of hell and was going to use all the resources available to do it, would you believe me?

What if Allah told you, would you believe Him?
What if that someone himself said it, would you believe it?
Check it out,

Satan said: “I will make things on earth seem attractive to them (mankind) and lead all of them to error, except those of Your servants whom You have singled out for Yourself.” (Quran 15:39-40)

Satan has explained it clear enough: we, mankind, have a sworn enemy. So what do we do about it? Well for one, DON’T BE DUPED! ...

The Defense - 5 Things to Realize

1. We Choose, the Power is Ours!

Satan tries to convince us that we are just pawns in a plan that will play itself out. Allah is the Creator of all things, including men, women and their actions. We are the ‘doers’ of our actions, i.e. we choose to do certain things and not to do certain things.

“We showed him the way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).” (Quran 76:3)
While Allah has the power to control our actions, He has given us guidance and left it up to us to follow it. Once we realize that we choose our actions, it only makes sense that we are accountable for what we do.

2. Dupe Check

With Satan constantly attacking us, we need to check our choices so we please Allah and make it to paradise. How do we know if we are on track or headed for a wreck? We should always keep ourselves in check.

But as the saying goes, ‘no one can be their own best critic’. That’s why it’s important to receive critiques from others with an open mind. No one likes to hear they’re doing something wrong, but we should take every opportunity we can to hold ourselves to account before we are held accountable by the All Seeing, All Hearing and All Knowing God.

3. The Ultimate Reinforcement

Satan admits he can’t win over those people who follow in the path of Allah. When we feel Satan’s whisper loosen our grip on what’s real and what really matters, we call for back-up:

“O my Lord, I seek refuge with you from the evil ones. And I seek refuge with you, O my Lord, lest they should come near me.” (Quran 23:97-98)

No matter how hard Satan hits, Allah’s got our back!

4. Been Duped? Undupe!

People aren’t perfect: we will make mistakes. Satan dupes us by making us think that minor sins aren’t important. So we might think, “What’s the big deal if I tell a ‘white lie’?” The fact is, lies are lies and sins are sins, and as the Prophet said, even minor sins, “if a person is called to account for them, will destroy him.” [Ahmad]

So how do we repent for what we do wrong, whether minor or major?
* Recognize what’s wrong and stop doing it right away.
* Hate the action and regret that we ever did it.
* Be determined never to do the action again.
* If someone’s rights were violated by the action we should seek their forgiveness and set things right.

While we may end up falling into the same trap again, we can always repent and get back on the straight path. Only those people who give up and continue to follow Satan are duped and truly losers.

5. Mission Not Impossible

With tough talk like, "then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left" (Quran 7:17), Satan can seem intimidating. But we know from the Quran, on the Day of Judgment Satan will back down and double-cross those he duped:

“It was Allah Who gave you a promise of Truth: I too promised, but I failed in my promise to you. I had no authority over you except to call you but you listened to me: then reproach not me, but reproach your own souls.” (Quran 14:22)

Even now, while Satan thinks he’s all that, we can and have beat him. Just look at what the Prophet said to Umar Al-Khattab!

"Never does Satan find you going on a way, but he takes another way other than yours." [Bukhari and Muslim]

With these 5 points in heart and mind, we’ve stacked our defense:

It’s time to take the offense!

The Offense - Stay on track and fight the attack!

1. The Best Offense is a Good Defense We can never pray enough for Allah’s help; the five daily prayers, a night of bonding in voluntary prayers or simply ask Allah for protection from Satan and dupedom.

2. Get the GuideRead, understand, absorb and live the Quran. It guides us with examples of how people in the past dealt with Satan, it consoles us in our struggle and it lights hope with the promise of paradise. [See, Quran: Your Gateway to a New World]

3. Follow the LeaderWhile Satan strives to lead us astray, we should remember the example of the Prophet who was sent to guide us to the right way. If we practice like the Prophet, we too can defeat dupedom!

4. Get StackedDon’t bear the brunt of the battle alone; you need the help of your friends. As the Prophet Muhammad said, “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look (carefully) whom you choose to befriend.” [Ahmad] A group of dummies are destined to be duped so find friends that feel the way you do about faith. [Check out Cool or Fool]

5. Never StopSatan is relentless. He won’t stop until he has us on a one-way trip to hell. We need to be just as persistent in the resistance, always purifying our hearts and filling our minds with the remembrance of Allah.

"Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves: If You don’t forgive us

and bestow Your mercy upon us, we will certainly be lost."

I decided to be mindful of how I spend my time......

2005-07-26T21:38:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

Found this and thought it might make us reflect on how we use our time. May we all find ways to make our time useful, insha'Allah.

I decided to be mindful of how I spend my time......

Since last night my young son has been unwell. When I got back from work this evening I decided to take him to hospital despite my exhaustion. Indeed, fatigue for his sake is rest. There were many waiting;perhaps we will be delayed by more than an hour. I took my number and sat down in the waiting room. There were many faces, young and old, but all silent. Some brothers made use of the many booklets available in the waiting room. Some of those waiting had their eyes closed,while others were looking around. Most were bored.

Once in a while the long silence was broken by a nurse calling out a number. Happiness appears on the one whose turn it is, and he gets up quickly;then silence returns.

A young man grabbed my attention. He was reading a pocket-sized Qur`an continuously; not raising his head even once. At first I did not think much about him. However, after one hour of waiting my casual glances turned into a deep reflection about his lifestyle and how he utilizes his time. One hour of life wasted!

Instead of making benefit of that hour,it was just a boring wait. Then the call for prayer was made. We went to prayer in the hospital's mosque.I tried to pray close to the man who was reading the Qur`an earlier in the waiting room.

After the prayer I walked with him. I informed him of how impressed I was of him and how he tries to benefit from his time. He told me that most of our time is wasted without any benefit. These are days that go from our lives without being conscious of them or regretting their waste. He said that he started carrying the pocket-sized Qur`an around when a friend encouraged him to make full use of his time. He told me that in the time other people waste he gets to read much more of the Qur`an than he gets to read either at home or in the mosque.Moreover, besides the reward of reading the Qur`an,this habit saves him from boredom and stress.

He added that he has now been waiting for one and a half hours.Then he asked, when will you find one and a half hours to read the Qur`an? I reflected;how much time do we waste? How many moments of our lives pass by, and yet we do not account for how they passed by? Indeed, how many months pass by and we do not read the Qur`an? I came to respect my companion, and I discovered that I am to stand for account and that time is not in my hand;so what am I waiting for?

My thoughts were interrupted by the nurse calling out my number;I went to the doctor. But I want to achieve something now. After I left the hospital I quickly went to the bookshop and bought a pocket-sized Qur`an. I decided to be mindful of how I spend the time. That was my intention when I put that Qur`an in my pocket. How many people will do this?
And what great reward is for the one who guides others to this idea?

Forwarded by a brother to IslamWay

Remembering Allah and Setting Priorities

2005-07-21T19:25:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

I found this khutbah on the internet and thought I'd share it with you. I think this topic is very important for us to think over. Insha'Allah we will gain some benefit from it.

For more khutbahs from this website, go here: http://www.icoi.net/articles.php?action=cat&id=9

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ICOI Khutbah 149 - May 13, 2005

Remembering Allah and Setting our Priorities - Page 1
Author: Mohammad Al-Yaqoubi

We find ourselves in the midst of a materialistic life where dunia / worldly matters are our priority. Many came to this country in pursuit of money and to escape religious persecution. But, the dunia took them out of the spirit of Islam and they now live mundane lives. We have become human machines; a cycle of eating, working, and sleeping. If we remember Allah (swt), it is from one Friday to the next Friday, or from one Ramadhan to the next.

I would like to highlight the following verse that reminds the Believer to remember Allah (swt):

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

Has not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts should get into a state of khushu’u to engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors. [Qur’an 57:16]

Khushu’u is the state of sakina / tranquility of the physical body and inner body. Tranquility of the body stems from the heart.

When the name of Allah is mentioned, our hearts and body should shake in awe of the magnificence of Allah. There was a time when a lecturer would simply say “Have taqwa in Allah” and the people would cry, their hearts moved. Their hearts would melt when Allah’s name is merely mentioned. But with time people have changed; their attachment to this world has increased.

Allah is telling us in this verse that it is time for the believer to remember Allah. We must believe in what Allah sent down; no negotiations and no compromise of the deen / religion for dunia / worldly matters. Our goal must be Allah.

We cannot loose our deen to gain the dunia. A wise man once supplicated, “Oh my Lord, he who has lost You, what does he have; and he who has found You, what has he lost.” If you are obedient to Allah (swt) and His Messenger, you have Allah on your side, and you need nothing else. Do you think that if you do something for Allah, Allah will let you down? A good business transactions yields large profits, but people may cheat you or not pay you on time. You will always profit from a good relationship with Allah; Allah will always give you profit.

وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا

And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out, And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. [Qur’an 65:2-3]

Put your trust in Allah, and Allah will guide you out of your dilemma and provide you with blessings. We must have Allah as a priority in our life.

قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُواْ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ

Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious. [Quran 9:24]

We find all the types of attachments people have in the above verse: children are attached to their mothers at a young age, spouses are attached to one another, a person can be attached to their work or business, or be attached to the land in which they live (nationalism). If any of these attachments are dearer or more beloved than Allah (swt) wait for the command of Allah for Allah guides not the rebellious. Rethink your goal of this life. We have lost control of our lives; money and materialism are leading us. If you try to walk on a floor covered with oil, you will loose control and never reach your ultimate destination. Do not let the material world control your life.

Remember Allah’s love for us. We learn to ask from Allah from the age of 10 or even later in life. But Allah did not wait for us to ask of Him; He provided for us since we were young.

May Allah (swt) guide us to be of those who rely on him alone for everything.

Value of Good Friends

2005-07-20T19:13:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

In Islam, the great purpose of true friendship is the brotherhood / sisterhood for the sake of Allah. This love for the sake of Allah is the highest bond that may exist between one human being and another. (The Ideal Muslimah)

Love for the sake of Allah, and for no other reason, is very important, hard to find and very rewarding. As is stated in the Sahih Muslim hadith, "It is sufficient honor for those who love one another for the sake of Allah, men and women alike, to know that their almighty Rabb will take care of them on the Day of Judgement and will say: "Where are those who loved one another for My glory? Today I will shade them in My shade on the Day when there is no shade but Mine."

These days, it is so easy to find friends to chat with about the worldly things (what's on sale, what this person wore to an event, and pronouncements of always trying to keep up with the Jones's to name a few)- to spend time eating and chatting and often talking about the faults of others. It is nice to be social, but at what price?

Sometimes we really overlook how such 'seemingly' small matters can affect our iman. Why do we have the friends we have? What purpose causes us to strive for that friendship? We need to make sure our intentions are pure and that we truly are not harming ourselves through the friends that we have chosen.

As it states in the Qur'an in Surat Al-Kahf, "And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life; nor obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds."

It is rare to find, however, those whose presence remind you of Allah - who want to spend their time speaking about Islam and inspiring one another to goodness. That doesn't mean that these people don't have lives and concerns, but when all is said and done, the topic of Islam has never left the discussion.

The importance of such friends is emphasized in the following hadith, "The example of a good and bad companion is that of a perfume seller and a blacksmith. The perfume seller either gives you the perfume or tries to sell it to you, or you will get a good smell from him; but in the blacksmith's workshop you will either burn your clothes, or they'll be blackened by soot."

Good friends truly are hard to find but is well worth all the effort. Not only do they willingly share the laughter and smiles of good times, but they are there to remind you of Allah when times are low. They give advice, even when its not easy, and they look past our faults and try to be a good example for what we should be striving for. They speak to you in words of kindness - and assist you in finding yourself and your purpose in case you get lost along the way. Their lives are a testament that Islam is still alive and well in this day and age and that continuing to strive in this deen is not only possible, it is well worth every hardship and obstacle that may come your way.

Through life's ups and downs, I have made my share of mitakes, but Alhumdulilah - all that we go through is meant to teach us and to help us grow as Muslims. I have truly been blessed with wonderful friends that have been an inspiration to me and have helped me strive to reach further than the eye can see - I still have such a long way to go! I pray to Allah that all of us find friends like these - because it truly is a blessing.

One last note, to keep you thinking - not only is it important to find friends such as these and to spend time with them when we have the opportunity, we must also strive to be such friends to others - to be an inspiration - to make Islam alive within our hearts and to share it with others.

Now, sit back and reflect - what kind of friends do we have, why are we friends, and yes, what good comes out of that friendship? If you don't like the answers, perhaps it is time for you to improve your position.

And then reflect - what kind of friend am I? What good do I bring to those who are friends with me? How can I improve?

It reminds me of the personal dua I used to say since I first became Muslim:

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"O Allah, please bring people into my life,

that I may be a good example to

and bring people into my life

that may be an good example to me."

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Have You Ever?

2005-07-20T12:48:00.000-06:00

Bismillah Ir-Rahmaan Ir-Raheem

I'm curious - I know we all try to listen to lectures, read books and articles, surf the internet in search of knowledge - in search of how to be a better Muslim. I've done all of that - but somehow, at times, it seems as though I am unchanged. We hear words of wisdom and shake our heads in acknowledgement - but how many of us actually walk away and change the way we are and the way in which we do things?

I have a 'homework' assignment for all of us - please at least try it out. Find a lecture on a topic that is important to you - perhaps it will be 'how to choose the right friends' or how to stop 'the dangers of the tongue' or perhaps 'how to be a better wife'. It doesn't really matter what lecture, article, book, etc. that you use - what matters is what you do with it. After you have really listened to its message, take the time - sit down and really ask yourself - how can I apply this information to my life. If it is on the topic of 'backbiting' - what things can you do to change this bad habit, should you change the people you spend your time with? Should you make dua before you speak? What other things can you do? Then . . . apply it to your life.

What I want us to do is to really listen . . . to really think . . . information and wisdom that is passed on to us is useless if we don't apply it. It's not enough to be able to tell someone else, 'yeah, I heard that on a lecture' - Islam is about applying this knowledge to our lives and it's about time we really looked at ourselves and asked if we are doing all we can to be the people we need to be. The best way to make dawah in this life is by action - by being a good example.

Have you done your part today?