What do we leave behind...

Yesterday, on the way back from office at a traffic signal i saw an Ambulance, 6-7 people and one Janazah inside, the Ambulance was right next to the window of the vehicle i was in, the thought just striked me, that the person (Janazah) was on his last journey, the last road of this world.

People Allah sent us in this world to pass a short exam and go to Him back again, after the 15minutes drive, the man is alone put into the abodely home (Grave) forever.

What did he or all of us would take?

We commit so many sins, Man practices Shirk, Bidaah, cheats, lies, decieves, refrains from what is forbidden and chooses haraam pleasures over halaal ones, hurts fellow humans, skips prayers, doesnot return back the trust he promises, doesnot guard chastity, does mockery, hate, jealousy, heedless, etc etc.

And at last Allah Alone knows what is to be granted for Him, He Alone knows whats happening to the dead person, relatives and friends can mourn only for 3 days, only wife has the right to mourn for 4 month and 10 days, and only a husband has the right to mourn for 40 days, what after that?

Dont you want a good soul to pray for you after you have reached Allah swt? In case we forget to seek forgiveness from Allah for some things we do (Known/Unknown sins), there are some mistakes that fellow humans cannot forgive you for, wouldn't this be taken to account in the grave? On the day of resurrection? Where No Father can avail a son nor a son can avail a father, mouth gets sealed and the hands, legs, skin, eyes and ears start talking, what can a slave do then?

Today's youth is just going astray in the blink of worldy pleasures, pomp and show! They forget the few days they live in this world is equally calculated! Elders today donot guide their kids on the paths of Prophets and Sahabas, Instead guide them with Cine Stars and Telivision Stars!

Ya Allah make things easy for every slave, refrain them from Fitna, Shirk, Bidaah and the worldly sins that you have made Haraam for your slaves. Money is playing cards and eeman is just sold out not even for half a dollar, Was this the reason Allah swt created us? Was this the reason He sent us the Qur'an down? Is this what we pay him back when He gives us these few days on earth to live?

On the way back home was just thinking all these things, May Allah swt guide every mumeen with Hidayah, show the wrong doers the right path, guide the evil doers towards good, save the good people from the bad, save the bad people from the wrong path and guide them, show us the siratul mustaqeem each time we recite the Surat Fateha in every rakath.

Grant all of us piousness and purity of heart and eemaan. Definitely there is Deen over Duniya and not Duniya over Deen, Lets pray we follow the right path and let our future generation follow us, When we are not on the rightly chosen path, we ourselves are guiding our generations towards the wrong path, With what shame would we face Allah swt? What would we do when He asks what did you all leave for your kids? Certainly, Money, Property etc etc, its all crap and of no use for Allah swt, for only thing He accounts is the tauheed, taqwaa, the purity and righteousness.

O Allah we are your sinful slaves forgive us, donot be sad or angry with us, We fail to worship you, the way You have asked us to. Forgive us, Grant us Jannatul Firdaus... Aameen Bi-rehmatika ya arhamar'rahimeen!

When i took Suratul Luqman to My Life...

I was reading the translation of Suratul Luqman on a sunday afternoon, i.e., today, offlate i have always wondered why this Surah remains one of my favorite Surah's.

Today i realised why this Surah became one of the favorites, It was because this lovely Surah-The Revelation from Allah swt taught me many things in my life.

1. The 7th verse of the Surah: "And when our verses are recited to him, he turns away arrogantly as if he had not heard them, as if there was in his ears deafness. So give him tidings of a painful punishment."

Way back to my teens, i never had any friends who were very close to me, i preferred staying alone, as i didnot like being with the couple of folks in tution or school, this was the time when i saw little mistakes often repeated by girls here and there, i went and tried correcting them but of no vain, its human tendency that we feel a little dissapointed when your advice is turned out to be a stupid joke or a tacky PJ or whatever! And now when i turn back and hear what each of the ones who made fun of me correcting their mistakes have seriously been repenting for what they did, I have to admit i only hear but never get to meet them.

Every verse Allah swt sent us down with a message, How to lead a righteous life on earth? How to stay protected from the harm of Dunya and Iblees? And, this made me realise that the one who turns away from the word of Allah swt, infact Allah has made them deaf!

2. The 18th verse of the Surah: "And turn not your face away from men with pride and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful."

I have always experienced this, the more humble you are, the more the good and righteous people love you, admire you, seek your guidance, listen to your advice and correct your flaws. The more arrogant and proud you become the righteous sideline you and the unwanted the rich and pride trash surrounds you and you get more dirtier and dirtier. Remember, Allah swt has sent us down on this earth with an exam to pass, the reward lies in the hereafter! When you reach out to a needy or free out a slave donot brag and boast at the top of your voice, Our Beloved Prophet(pbuh) has said to his ummah, when your right hand gives out charity the left hand should not know it. And when you start arrogantly boasting about yourself you forget that what you are today is only because of Allah swt, Be a humble slave of Allah and then life becomes worth the living!

3. The 19th verse of the Surah: "And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice (braying) of the donkey."

Way back in 1997, we had a school annual day i was a good orator and my english class teacher then Ms.Revathi and grammar teacher Ms.Triveni Nair wanted me to perform a drama "David and the Goliath" that was the time the school authorities thought i am more than an academics kid and approached me to take part in a group dance, I never knew anything i took the same news home i.e., to my mum, she just looked at me and asked me to go do my homework, After maghrib salath i was sitting next to her, she took away a little of my musalla and said beta this is earth, we go in here as this is our final destination, do you want to hurt it dancing? i asked why does earth get hurt? mum said you jump you dance you do all the moves in front of the crowd? wouldn't Allah get hurt with this? What will Allah swt command the earth to do when you go inside?
The same applies to it now, donot walk or perform anything that makes 10 people look at you, donot walk haughtily to show off your presence, Be moderate in walking and when you talk soften and lower your voice, make things settle to the point and donot be a braying donkey raising your voice and hurting the other person.

4. The 33rd verse of the Surah: "O mankind, fear your Lord and fear a Day when no father will avail his son, nor will a son avail his father at all. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allah by the Deceiver."

On a day to day basis, kids today, teens tomorrow and adults day after, Allah has made human beings weak and He has declared this is in Suratul Nisa- Allah says: “Allah would make the burden light for you, for the human being was created weak.” [Sûrah al-Nisa: 28]
At the same time He guides the righteous and makes the wrongers dumb and deaf! In terms of Shirk, some people always have an answer, correct them and they shoot back at you saying-Our elders have done this and we are supposed to do it. I had a friend, 4 years of engineering we were good friends, infact she is a very good hearted, good natured humble girl. That was when she told me something Shirk-A occasion which is Bidaah and Haraam in Islam and that is been performed at the house, I immediately told her, Nay you aren't supposed to do it, she replied back straight "My elders do it and all of us at home are going to do it, must be you are a Ahle-Hadith only those people object this"
I asked her the authentic islamic proof of what she is doing she states it right and i also want to see how far she is right, she failed over and over the next 3 years of my engineering i always guided her and never a piece of what i said got into her.
And Allah swt knew this when He revealed the Qur'an to manking thousands of years ago, and He clearly said "No father can avail a son nor can a son avail a father" Do what your elders did, if it were sin it is a sin for them? Folks, why do you want to commit the samee sin again and again because they did, they are not going to be your rescuers on the Day of Judgement!

When it comes to Shirk Allah swt tells in the same Surah, verse 15: But if they both (parents) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.

When it comes to Shirk Allah has commanded you not to obey the ones who have given you birth, Because He clearly states that unto Him is our finale return.

5. The 34th vesre of the Surah: Indeed, Allah [alone] has knowledge of the Hour and sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

It was very much in college, work i often see people believers and non believers often talking about astrolegers, future predictors and reading the zodiac sign column every day in the newspaper section without fail, sometimes i have to hide notifications on facebook stating the zodiac predictions for the day! Nauzubillah! No one on earth will know what is going to happen next, Its only Allah swt who knows What? When? How? Where? etc etc.
He has craeted us from clay and only clay and He sent us down only fora  purpose to worship Him Alone and refrain from any sin, but what do you see? People are busy figuring out whats going to happen next, next and next!
Some Astrolegers predict things and that is also mentioned in Islam as of How!

 “(He Alone is) the All-Knower of the Ghayb (unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghayb (unseen), except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen. (He informs him of unseen as much as He likes), and then He makes a band of watching guards (angels) to march before him and after him.” Suratul-Jinn: Ayah 26-27.

One of the most frequent activities associated with the Jinn, is fortune telling. Before the advent of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) fortune-tellers and soothsayers were wide spread. These people would use their associates from the Jinn to find out about the future. The Jinns would go to the lowest heaven and listen to the Angels conversing amongst themselves about events of the Future which they heard from Allah. The Jinns would then inform the fortune-tellers. This is why before the time of the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) many fortune-tellers were very accurate in their predictions. However, upon the Prophet's arrival the heavens were guarded intensely by the Angels, and any Jinn who tried to listen was attacked by meteors (shooting stars)

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) also said: "They (the Jinn) would pass the information back down until it reaches the lips of a magician or forrtune-teller Sometimes a meteor would overtake them before they could pass it on. If they passed it on before being struck, they would add to it a hundred lies". Thus, it is clear from this as to how fortune-tellers get predictions of the future right. It is also evident as to why they get so many wrong.

And We have guarded it (the heavens) from every accursed devil, except one who is able to snatch a hearing and he is pursued by a brightly burning flame
[Surah Al-Hijr, 15:18]

It was a good experience sharing my own experiences of life as i realised why this Surat was very close to my heart, I had experiences in life that really made me these wonderful verses of the Surat so worthful.

O Allah! Guide every believer with your word, grant us paradise and refrain us from committing sins and make us ammong the righteous and save us from among the wrong doers, Aamen Bi-rehmatika ya ar'hamaraahimeen!

Will come out with an other Surat soon!

JazakAllahu Khayrahn!

The Virtues of the Day of Arafaah!

It is the day on which the religion was perfected and Allaah’s Favour was completed:

In Al-Saheehayn it was reported from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (RA) that a Jewish man said to him:
“O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, there is an aayah in your Book which you recite; If it had come to us Jews, we would have taken that day as an ‘Eid (festival).”
‘Umar said, “Which aayah?” He said: “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [al-Maa’idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning].
 ‘Umar said, “We know on which day and in which place that was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It was when he was standing in ‘Arafaah on a Friday.”

It is a day of Eid for the people who are in that place:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
1. Yawm ‘Arafaah (the day of ‘Arafaah)
2. Yawm al-Nahr (The Day of Sacrifice) and
3.Ayyaam al-Tashreeq (the 3 days following Yawm al-Nahr) are Eid (festival) for us, the people of Islam. These are days of eating and drinking!
 
This was narrated by the authors of Al-Sunan. It was reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said: “It – i.e., the aayah ‘This day I have perfected…’ was revealed on a Friday, the Day of ‘Arafaah, both of which – praise be to Allaah – are Eids for us.”

 It is a day by which Allaah swore an Oath:

The Almighty cannot swear by anything except that which is mighty!
Yawm ‘Arafaah is the “witnessed day” mentioned in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“By the witnessing day [Friday] and by the witnessed day [the Day of ‘Arafaah].” [al-Burooj 85:3].

It was reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of ‘Arafaah, and the witnessing day is Friday.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. 

 It is the “odd” [i.e., odd-numbered, Witr] by which Allaah swore in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“And by the even and the odd” [al-Fajr 89:3]. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The even is the Day of al-Adhaa [i.e., 10th Dhoo’l-Hijjah] and the odd is the Day of ‘Arafaah [i.e., 9th Dhoo’l-Hijjah] This is also the view of ‘Ikrimah and Al-Dahhaak.

Fasting on this day is an expiation for two years:

 It was reported from Abu Qutaadah (RA) that the Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah. He said, “It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.” Narrated by Muslim.

This (Fasting) is mustahabb for those who are not on Hajj. In the case of the one who is on Hajj, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the Day of ‘Arafaah, because the Prophet (pbuh) did not fast on this day in ‘Arafaah. It was narrated that he forbade fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah in ‘Arafaah.

It is the day on which Allaah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam:

It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) said: The Messenger of Allaah (pbuh) said: “Allaah took the covenant from the loins of Adam in Na’maan, i.e., ‘Arafaah. He brought forth from his loins all his offspring and spread them before Him, then He addressed them, and said: ‘Am I not your Lord? They said, ‘Yes, we testify,’ let you should say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Verily, we have been unaware of this.’ Or lest you should say: ‘It was only our fathers aforetime who took others as partners in worship along with Allaah, and we were (merely their) descendents after them; will You then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practised Al-Baatil (i.e., ploytheism and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allaah)?’ [al-A’raaf 7:172-173 – interpretation of the meaning].” Narrated by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. And there is no greater day than this and no greater covenant than this.

It is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and pride in the people who are there:

 In Saheeh Muslim it was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (RA) that the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“There is no day on which Allaah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of ‘Arafaah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, ‘What do these people want?’”

It was reported from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Allaah expresses His pride to His angels at the time of ‘Ishaa’ on the Day of ‘Arafaah, about the people of ‘Arafaah. He says, ‘Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty.’” Narrated by Ahmad and classed as Saheeh by Al-Albani. 

The Black Slave from Ethiopia, Hazrat Bilal(RA)

Hazrat Bilal (RA) or Bilal Ibn Rabah and he sometimes also known as "Bilal al-Habashi" or "Bilal the Ethiopian", the first Muezzin of Islam, originally was a black slave from Ethiopia. Hazrat Bilal (RA) was one of the most trusted and loyal companion of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) after he converted to Islam.
 
Hazrat Bilal (RA) is very lovingly remembered by Muslims around the world as one of the earliest great African Muslim. He was born in a village in a mountainous place in Western Arabia. Bilal's father was called Rebah and his mother was known as Hamamah. They had come to Arabia as slaves from Ethiopia. The father and mother were slaves of Umayyah ibn Khalaf ibn Safwan, a rich man from the tribe of Quraish. Bilal was therefore born in slavery and served as a housekeeper.

Among the slaves from Africa, Hazrat Bilal (RA) was the first to accept Islam. He had a strong faith in Allah (SWT) and a great love for our Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He had a pure character, soon after converting to Islam he earned high respect of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) liked Hazrat Bilal's sweet voice and made him the first Muazzin of Islam - The Caller to the Prayers.
 
One day Umayyah ibn Khalaf saw Hazrat Bilal (RA) with Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), The Next day Makkah's people saw Umayyah ibn Khalaf and his friends drag Hazrat Bilal (RA) to the city square.
Hazrat Bilal (RA) remained quiet with shining black eyes looking to the sky. All the people - young and old - followed them, anxious to know what destiny was waiting for Hazrat Bilal (RA).
 
The sun had reached the middle of the sky creating beads of perspiration on the black, naked body of Bilal (RA). The white of Bilal (RA) eyes had become red from the heat. He looked around at the people who stared wide - eyed back at him. He fell on the hot sands. Umayyah ibn Khalaf pushed aside the people and with a fiery torch stood over his head. Bilal (RA) closed his eyes, which only served to further infuriate Umayyah ibn Khalaf.
 
"Bilal," came the shout of Umayyah ibn Khalaf, "O' you unlucky slave, are you willing to repent, or do I burn your body by the fire?"

Bilal(RA) did not answer. He did not open his eyes. Umayyah ibn Khalaf's anger increased. He brought the torch forward to Bilal's body.

The stench of burning flesh permeated gradually to everybody's nostrils. Umayyah ibn Khalaf was shocked as he heard Bilal's resonant voice split the silence.

"Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..."
 
At times Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) became unconscious as a result of being subjected to severe torture when he regained his consciousness he had to face the angry yelling of his master who wanted him to abandon Islam. However, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, his master, said with a dirty and unkind heart: "You must either die or disown Mohammad's Lord." But the resistant and brave Hadhrat Bilal who had been filled with passion for Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and Islam, was not negligent even for a moment and repeated the eloquent and permanently effective word "Allah is One, Allah is One."
Umayyah ibn Khalaf anger flared. "Shut your mouth, you impudent slave!

"Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..."
 
Moments later, when the enemy was defeated, Umayyah ibn Khalaf's body was found lying among the dead. Hazrat Bilal's shout was as thunder as he moved away from the body of Umayyah ibn Khalaf to join other Muslim soldiers to kill more enemies of Islam with each stroke of his sword.

"Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..."

Upon the conquest Of Makkah, as Hazrat Ali (RA) destroyed the Idols within the Holy Kaaba, Bilal (RA) climbed on top of the Holy Kaaba and recited the Azaan "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar". The Mushrikeen of Makkah watched in bewilderment the slave who they had once tortured mercilessly stood gloriously on top of the Holy Kaaba whilst they, the Nobles of the Quraysh watched in humiliation.

After the departure of Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) from this world Bilal (RA) went to recite the Azaan, when he came to recite the name of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), overcome with grief he broke down in tears. The rest of the Muslims also broke down in tears and started sobbing uncontrollably. Bilal (RA) managed to complete the Azaan with great difficulty. After that day he decided to no longer recite the Azaan the grief was just too much for him to handle. He eventually after joining the Muslim army settled in Damascus.

One day as he was sleeping at his home in Damascus he saw Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) in a dream. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) asked, "Why is it that you don't come to visit me." As soon as Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) woke he set out for the city of Medinah.

Upon his arrival in Medinah the grandsons of Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain came to visit him. Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) had deep love and affection for them and was overjoyed when he met them. Upon the request of the grandsons of  Prophet (pbuh) he recited the Azaan for the last time.

The People of Medinah were surprised to hear his voice. They were reminded of Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), when in those days Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) used to recite the Azaan five times a day. Upon hearing his voice all the people both men and women came out of their houses in tears and the sound of their grief reverberated across the city of Medinah.

After a few days Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) returned to Damascus where he eventually passed away.

We Muslims were taught but unfortunately we have forgotten certain lessons, we were taught that we are Muslims today because of the great sacrifices offered by our beloved Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and his companions. It is through Hazrat Bilal's (RA) cries of "Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..." that we are blessed today with faith (Iman).

It is through their sacrifices that we recite Noble Qur'an today! So every time we hear a Qari recite, Surah Ikhlas, let us remember Hazrat Bilal's (RA) cries of "Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..." his body bruised and bleeding, in the intense pain they would ask:
"Bilal! Who is your lord?" he would reply saying "Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..." every time we hear the Azaan let us remember the first Muadhin of Islam and his cries of "Absolute Oneness ... Absolute Oneness ... Ahad ... Ahad ..."

How man learnt to burry the dead...

The Two Sons of Adam (pbuh) Adam, Abel and Cain:

 

Not pleased with the partner chosen for him, Cain began to envy his brother and refused to obey the command of his father and, in doing so, he disobeyed God. God created man with both good and bad tendencies, and the struggle to overcome our baser instincts is part of His test for us.

God commanded that each son was to offer a sacrifice. His judgment would favor the son whose offer was the most acceptable. Cain offered his worst grain, but Abel offered his best livestock. God accepted Abel’s sacrifice, so Cain became enraged, threatening to kill his brother.

“And (O Muhammad) recite to them (the Jews) the story of the two sons of Adam (Abel and Cain) in truth; when each offered a sacrifice to God, it was accepted from the one but not from the other. The latter said to the former; ‘I will surely kill you.’” (Al-Ma’idah 5; 27)

 

Abel advised his brother that God would accept good deeds from those that fear and serve Him, but reject the good deeds of those who are arrogant, selfish and disobedient towards God.

“The former said: ‘Verily God accepts only from those who are pious.  If you do stretch your hand against me to kill me I shall never stretch my hand against you to kill you, for I fear God; the Lord of mankind, jinn, and all that exists.’”(Al-Ma’idah 5; 27-28) 

“So the self  (base desires) of the other (latter one) encouraged him and made fair seeming to him the murder of his brother; he murdered him and became one of the losers.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:30)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) informed us that Cain became angry and hit his brother over the head with a piece of iron:

“God sent a crow who scratched the ground to show him to hide the dead body of his brother. He (the murderer) said: ‘Woe to me! Am I not even able to be as this crow and to hide the dead body of my brother?’ Then he became one of those who regretted.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:31)

Adam was devastated; he had lost both his first and second born sons. One had been murdered; the other was won over by mankind’s greatest enemy – Satan. Patiently, Adam prayed for his son, and continued to care for the earth. He taught his many children and grandchildren about God. He told them of his own encounter with Satan and advised them to beware of Satan’s tricks and schemes. 

 

Years and years passed, and Adam grew old and his children spread out across the earth.

 

And here we are the Progeny of Adam and Hawa! Alhamdulilah! To Allah we Return...

Desire the Gates of Knowledge...

A short poem containing vital guidelines for a student to follow from the onset of learning and throughout the duration of study:
 
Instructing the Student on How to Open of the Gates of Knowledge and Comprehension-
 
For anyone who desires to open the Gates of Knowledge and become outstanding in Comprehension:

• Observe Taqwaa of Allaah and adhere to the Sunan, and remain far away from people of notoriety and turmoil.
• And tread, in your conduct, the course of the Salaf, and stay away from the innovations of the Khalaf.
• For every good lies in following the Salaf and every ill lies in the innovations of the Khalaf.
• To anyone who desires to lead others in knowledge, spreading its good to all.
• Stay sincere to your Lord and set your standards high, and you shall find yourself gifted with aptitude.
• The effort comes from you, and then opening the gates comes from your Lord, the All-Acquainted Watcher, the Bestower.
• He promised guidance to those who strive and struggle saying: “We shall most certainly guide them,” so seek direction from this.
• However, effort alone will be futile if not completed by the opening from Him.
• Thus, may Allaah, the Most Generous, have mercy upon anyone who in a time like this devotes himself.
• To seeking this noble knowledge, turning away from all distraction, and rejecting the fake worldly desires;
• Embarking in earnest, kneeling down before the possessors of guidance, attentively listening.
• Writing everything that he hears, noting all the points that which will be to his advantage.
• Memorizing and revising what he recorded with his esteemed, guiding peers
• That is the one who will have the gates opened for him by his Lord, who removes all barriers.
• We ask You, O Allaah, to bless us with knowledge, Taqwaa, and Jannah – The Abode of Happiness. 

Barakallahu Feekum!

He is Mine!

My Husband is Patient:

• When he does get upset, he closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and seeks refuge in Allah from Satan before opening his eyes and smiling at me to show that all is forgiven.

Tom across the street screams at his wife Dora until she cries.

My Husband is Romantic:

• When he’s late coming home from work, I know he’s not cheating on me with the secretary... he’s stopping by the KFC to pick up the chicken dumplings he knows I love, with a bouquet of roses to apologize for not answering my phone call. 

Angela’s getting a divorce because Richard was caught with his partner at the office – twice. 

My Husband is Honorable: 

• When he’s out with his friends for the weekend, I know he’s not out at the pub flirting with the waitress... He’s at the mosque mentoring teenage boys and plays basketball with the guys.

Lana hates that her boyfriend spends his weekend nights at the local seedy strip club, enjoying women who aren’t her. 

My Husband is Supportive: 

• When I got my new job, he helped me balance my schedule and helped pick up with the chores around the house. When I got my promotion, he took me out to dinner and we celebrated all night. When my pay cheque exceeded his, he never asked me for a penny and would insist on paying for the milk I picked up on my way home. 

Julia confided that her husband resents her success, and demands that she pay half the rent. 

My Husband is Chivalrous:

• Even when we had the worst argument in the history of our marriage, when he slept at his mom’s house for a week, he never laid an angry hand on me. 

Brad across the street hits his wife whenever they have a fight, and we can all see the bruises under the sleeves of her shirt. 

My Husband is an involved Father:

• He takes my girl to karate every Wednesday and then buys her ice cream on the way back. He gives her a piggy back ride and changes her baby brother’s diapers when I’m busy. 

Jack down the road yells at his kids to stay out of his way, while he spends his days on the couch with the TV and a bottle of whiskey. 

My Husband is Chaste:

• I’m the only woman he looks at with that look of adoration and thorough appreciation. I love it when he looks me with his eyes, because his eyes don’t look to any other feminine figure except mine. 

Cindy found her husband’s inbox full of pornography subscriptions.

My Husband is Honest:  

• When he makes a mistake, he admits and tries to do better. When he is proven wrong, he humbly accepts it and seeks to rectify his error. 

George blames Brenda for anything that goes wrong, and refuses to take responsibility. 

My Husband is Respectful: 

• He treats me as a complete equal, an individual in my own right. He listens to what I have to say and never belittles my opinions. He empathizes with my feelings even if he doesn’t agree. He places me on a pedestal and never demeans my efforts at home with the kids or at work with my colleagues. 

Tom criticizes Susan about her education at a small-town college, about her part-time job, and about her size-14 figure. 

My Husband is Playful: 

• He’ll tickle me until I cry with laughter. He’ll play Twister with me until we fall on the floor in a heap of tangled limbs. He’ll dress up as a clown for the kids on the Eid party, even though his boss is there. 

Michael the C.E.O. is rarely seen cracking a smile, even at his son’s baseball game. 

My Husband is Generous and Soft-Hearted: 

• He can never walk by a panhandler without dropping at least a dollar into the beggar’s hand. When the teenage prostitute sashays up to him, her eyes blank and staring, he gives her the business card for the women’s shelter and gives her ten dollars to buy herself a decent meal. 

The guy behind him pulls her over for a grope and an appointment at the motel down the street. 

My Husband is Spiritual and Religious: 

• His British-Doctorate accent doesn’t hide the wisdom of his words, or the humor of his jokes. The mark on his forehead is from when he goes out to pray in the woods, to commune with nature and communicate with God – Not a sign of his Terrorist Tendencies. 

His heart Encompasses the Love of Allah, the Love of the Prophet, the Love of his Parents, His Wife, His Children, His community and Humanity. 

 

My Husband is a Muslim Husband! 

 

Seeking Hira

Over 1432 years ago, in the blessed month of Ramadhaan, a young man climbed the Mountain of Light, seeking his private sanctuary, the Cave of Hira. He is a young man, solidly built; his curly hair is moist from his exertion in the desert heat and drops of sweat slip from his forehead like glimmering pearls. His fair face, which would shine like the full moon when he smiled, is thoughtful now, with a faint sadness and pain at the corners of his bright eyes.

This man is Muhammad ibn Abdullah, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He is abandoning his society for a few days, maybe a few weeks – he carries food and drink with him, for he does not intend to leave solitude for some time – but not because he is a social outcast. In fact, he is the darling of Makkan society: the grandson of one of its greatest Hashemite chiefs, the husband of one of the wealthiest and most powerful businesswomen in a merchant community.

He is here, in the middle of the desert, miles away from any civilization, because he is sick at heart. Sick of the overwhelming ills that have drowned the Makkans in constant intoxication, outrageous gambling, and endless tribal feuds. Pained by the exploitation of orphans, the poor, the helpless; horrified by the common burials of newborn girls, the mistreatment of women, the destruction of their dignity. He seeks something else, something better, something which seems just out of his reach. He seeks God.

Finally, he reaches his destination. It is here, in the cool shade of the cave, surrounded by solid rock, whispering sands, and endless sky, that he feels some peace of mind and tranquility of soul. He bends his head and surrenders himself to God, a million questions running through his mind, his heart aching for his lost people, crying out for that which will save them from the destruction they are wreaking upon themselves. Is there no hope? Is there no solution?

The answer appears, suddenly, shockingly. The Angel Jibreel, mighty and huge, with over seven hundred wings that span the horizon for as far as can be seen.

“Read!” The command is from God, an answer to those months of reflection, searching, praying. But Muhammad {sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam} is terrified, he does not understand. “I cannot read!” he cries, for he is illiterate, yet the Angel seizes him so tightly that he feels as though his bones will shatter.

“Read!” comes the order once more. “I cannot read!” he protests, and once again he is embraced by angelic limbs, overwhelming and unbearable.

“Read!” A third time, and this time he weeps, for his heart is full and he feels as he has never felt before. He submits himself to his Lord’s command. “What shall I read?”

{Read! Read in the Name of your Lord, Who created; created man from a clot of blood. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous… Who has taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.}

(Surah al-‘Alaq, verses 1 – 5)

Over 1432 years later, it is the blessed month of Ramadhaan. Yet unlike the Messenger of Allah {sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam}, we have not cared to seclude ourselves, to reflect upon ourselves and our societies. We who transgress day in and day out, against our Lord, against ourselves, against each other… we who have been sent the ultimate guidance, the Magnificent Words of Allah, the Criterion, the Revelation, the invitation to a beautiful life and a blessed Paradise… we have been heedless, our hearts cold and hard.

Plugged into iPods, dialing our smartphones, driving our newest-model SUVS and digging out our wallets to shell out for more unnecessary accessories, we wonder briefly why we are so overwhelmed by life. The environment is suffering, wars are raging, morals are disappearing, people are dying by incomprehensible numbers – in body and soul. What have we done? What can we do? Before we even begin to consider those questions deeply, we shrug and turn back to our daily distractions.

Where is our Hira? We may not have desert caves in abundance, but we don’t need them. Location is convenient, but not necessary. At home, at the masjid, in our own minds, there is space and there is time. We need to seek it, create it, use it.

This Ramadhaan, still your hands and your mind, and discover your own Hira.

{Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are indeed Signs for men of understanding. Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth. Our Lord! Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the fire!}

(Surah Aal-‘Imraan, verses 190 – 191)

{Then contemplate the signs of Allah's Mercy! How He gives life to the earth after its death: verily the same will give life to the men who are dead, for He has power over all things.}

(Surah ar-Room, verse 50)

{And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Signs of his Lord, then turns aside therefrom? Verily, we shall exact retribution from the trangressors.}

(Surah as-Sajdah, verse 22)

True reflection leads to true submission: the essence of Islam. Just as Muhammad {sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam} surrendered himself to the command of Allah, even when he first thought he was unable to do so, so too must we overcome our reluctance, our own self-constructed obstacles towards obedience of our Lord.

JazakAllahu Khairahn...

7 Reasons!

‎
7 Reasons to Read the Glorious Quran

(1) Intimate:

It dares you to disprove it. How? It says that humans can not write a book like this even if they pooled all their resources together and got help also from the spirits. The Quran said this fourteen hundreds years ago and yet no one has been able to disprove it. Billions of books have been written - but not another one like the Quran.

(2) Incorruptible:

It is the only religious sacred writing which has been in circulation for such a long time and yet remains as pure as it was in the beginning. The Quran was kept intact. Nothing was added to it; nothing was changed in it; and nothing was taken away from it ever since it was completely revealed 1400 years ago.

(3) Unsurpassable:

The Quran is God's final revelation to humankind. God revealed the Torah to Moses, the Psalms to David, the Gospel to Jesus, and finally the Quran to Muhammad. Peace be upon all of them. No other book will come from God to surpass his final revelation.

(4) Indisputable:

The Quran withstands the test of time and scrutiny. No one can dispute the truth of this book. It speaks about past history and turns out right. It speaks about the future in prophecies and it turns out right. It mentions details of physical phenomena which were not known to people at the time; yet later scientific discoveries confirm that the Quran was right all along. Every other book needs to be revised to accord with modern knowledge. The Quran alone is never contradicted by a modern discovery.

(5) Your Roadmap for Life and After life:

The Quran is the best guide book on how to structure your life. No other book presents such a comprehensive system involving all aspects of human life and endeavor. The Quran also points out the way to secure everlasting happiness in the afterlife. It is your roadmap showing how to getto paradise.

(6) God's Gift of Guidance:

God has not left you alone. You were made for a reason. God tells you why he made you, what he demands from you, and what he has in store for you. If you operate a machine contrary to it's manufacture specification you will ruin that machine. What about you? Do you have an owner's manual for you? The Quran is from your function for success lest you fail to function. It is a healing mercy from God. It satisfies the soul, and cleans the heart. It removes doubts and brings peace.

(7) Your Calling Card to Communicate with God:

Humans are social creatures. We love to communicate with other intelligent life. The Quran tells us how to communicate with the source of all intelligence and the source of all life- the One God. The Quran tells us who God is, by what name we should address God, and the way in which to communicate with God.

Are these not 7 sufficient reasons for reading the Quran?

JazakAllahu Khairahn...

Stealing in Prayer

One of the worst forms of theft or cheating is cheating in prayer.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
"The worst type of thief is the one who steals from his prayer."

The people asked, "O Messenger of Allah, how can a person steal from his prayer?"
He said: "By not doing rukoo' and sujood properly."
(Reported by Imaam Ahmad, 5/310; see also Saheeh al-Jaami, 997)

This lack of composure and failure to pause in Rukoo and Sujood (Prostration) and to stand up straight after Rukoo or sit up properly between Sujoods may be observed in many of those who pray, and hardly any mosque is free of examples of people who do not have the proper composure in prayer. Correct composure is one of the pillars of prayer, without which prayer is invalid.

This is a serious matter.

The Prophet (pbuh) said:
"A mans prayer is not good enough until his back is straight in rukoo and sujood."
(Reported by Abu Dawud, 1/533; see also Saheeh al-Jaami', 7224).


Abu Abdullaah al-Ashari reported that the Prophet (pbuh) led his Companions in prayer, then he sat with a group of them. A man came in and started to pray, but made his movements rapid like a chicken pecking the ground.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Do you see this? Whoever dies having done this has died outside of the community of Muhammad, and his prayer is like a crow pecking blood. The person who bows then pecks in his Sujood is like a hungry man who eats no more than one or two dates - what good will that do him?"
(Reported by Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh 1/332; see also al-Albaani, Sifat Salaat al-Nabi (The Prophet's Prayer described), 131)


Zayd ibn Wahb said: "Hudhayfah saw a man who was not performing Rukoo and Sujood properly.
He said: You have not prayed, and if you were to die, you would die on a way other than that revealed by Allah to Muhammad (pbuh)
(Reported by Al-Bukhaari, see Al-Fath, 2/274).

Once a person is aware of this ruling, if he fails to perform prayer with the proper composure, he should repeat it and repent to Allah for what is past; he does not need to repeat all of his previous prayers, as is indicated by the Hadeeth
"Repeat your prayer, for you have not prayed."

`Ata' bin Dinar said, "All praise is due to Allah, the One Who said, (with their Salah are Sahun) and He did not say,
"Those who are absent minded in their prayer. It could also mean the first time of the prayer, which means they always delay it until the end of its time, or they usually do so. It may also refer to not fulfilling its pillars and conditions, and in the required manner. It could also mean performing it with humility and contemplation of its meanings. The wording of the Ayah comprises all of these meanings. However, whoever has any characteristic of this that we have mentioned then a portion of this Ayah applies to him. And whoever has all of these characteristics, then he has completed his share of this Ayah, and the hypocrisy of actions is fulfilled in him.

This is just as is confirmed in the Two Sahihs that the Messenger of Allah [sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam] said, (This is the prayer of the hypocrite, this is the prayer of the hypocrite, this is the prayer of the hypocrite. He sits watching the sun until it is between the two horns of Shaytan. Then he stands and pecks four (Rak`ahs) and he does not remember Allah (in them) except very little)

A Tranquil Escape

While tests and trials are an unavoidable part of life, the way we choose to deal with them can either alleviate or further precipitate the situation. One thing that helps me tremendously is making really long sujood. A sajdah that lasts as long as possible with you focussed on removing every inkling of worldly concern from your heart and mind, is an escape that gives you clarity in thought and hope for what has yet to come.

I was feeling really down a few days ago, just from a whole bunch of things going onand more than anything, I was upset that I wasn’t being as patient as I should have been. So that night I decided to elongate my sujood for as long as I could without falling asleep. I began with the usual glorification of Allah and gradually started making du’a.

Instead of focussing on the challenges I was dealing with, I made Allah my concern. I thought about His attributes, سبحانه وتعالى. He is the One who sees me, knows me, created me, formed me,nurtured me, He knew me long before my parents knew me. He,عز و جل, guided me, granted me countless ﻧﻌﻣة so that at that very moment, I could turn to Him for help. Hetested me, and will test me for as long as I am alive and just the fact that Iwas able to lower my head in submission is huge blessing in itself. I thought about the ayah in Surah Qaf (50:16)

وَنَحْنُأَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيد

While Allah was/is closer to me than my jugular vein, at that exact second, He سبحانه وتعالى was running the affairs of trillions of other people andcreatures.

He was feeding one person, curing another, afflicting someone, giving life and death to whomever He willed, forgiving someone, guiding someone. At that moment, اللهعز و جل was running the affairs of the Jinn, of the Angels as they carried out commands, of those who were being punished in the grave and those who were looking through a window into Jannah, patiently awaiting the Day of Judgment.

He was providing for our شُهَدَاء as their souls rested in the hearts of green birds and ate from the provisions of Jannah. He was running the celestial bodies as they went through their precise cycles. He was changing the day to night and the night today. He had complete knowledge of the before and the after, the manifest and the unseen. No sleep or slumber could ever overcome Him, but he created sleep as a means of rest for His creation.

I thought about the meanings of His أسماء الله الحسنىthe meaning of الحي, القيوم, الجبار, العزيز, السميع, البصير, الغفور, الحكيم, العليم.

The existence of everything from the depths of the oceans, to the peaks of mountains, to the vast arrays of the universe were all known to Him, جل و الاعلی. Not a single leaf fell, nor did a (seemingly) great calamity occur except by His knowledge and permission. Love, fear, hope, laughter,tears, time, and all the intangibles of dunya were all under His supremecontrol. He, سبحانه وتعالى was aware of how these intangibles would be distributed amongst his creations 50,000 years before his first creation of ourfather, حضرت آدم عليہ السلام

الله عز و جل was caring for every single living creature, calculating the rizq of every living being. He determined which leaf was going to fall down onto which animal so it could be a source of provision for a fly. سبحانالله العدادہ خلقہی.

I thought about the beautiful du’a a bedouin Sahabi made, not knowing the Prophetحضرت محمد صلی اللہ عليه وسلم was in his presence listening attentively. He صلیاللہ عليه وسلم heard him say,

“O the One who eyes cannot see in this world, minds cannot comprehend His Greatness,people cannot praise Him as He deserves to be praised, incidents do not change Him, He knows the exact weight of all the mountains in the world, He knows the exact volume of all the oceans in the world, He knows the exact number of drops that fall from the sky, He knows the number of leaves on all the trees in the world, He knows the number and detail of everything that the night hides in itsdarkness and the day illuminates with its light. One sky cannot shield another from Allāh. One ground cannot shield another from Allāh. A mountain in itsdeepest, darkest cave cannot hide anything from Allāh. The ocean with its depth cannot hide anything from Allāh.”

Then he made du‘ā’ to Allāh and said, “O Allāh make the best part of my life the last part of my life. Make the best of my actions the last of my actions. Make the best of my days the day that I will meet You.”

I became so overwhelmed and engulfed in these thoughts but I continued to think.I thought about all the du’as الله عز و جل never left unanswered (the ones my memory could recall). I slowly went through every minor difficulty I had faced till now. سبحانالله, I thought to myself:If الله سبحانه وتعالى was so generous and merciful to me through all those difficulties, what made me so sure that I would have to face my current challenges all alone? Allah was there then and He is always with me now. How could I possibly worry about matters that my Most Merciful Lord has already ordained? After some more reflecting, I lifted my head and sighed a sigh of relief.

Next time you’re stressed, just make sujood. Let go of your obstacles and make du’a.Think about it – You are transferring a situation from your power and ability to the power and ability of Allah. You are moving obstacles from yourself to the One who has no obstacles.

Al-A'raf(The Heights) (7:205)

وَاذْكُررَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعاً وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِبِالْغُدُوِّ وَالآصَالِ وَلاَ تَكُن مِّنَ الْغَافِلِينَ

And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being apparent in speech – in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless. [7:205]

“You don’t know what the future holds, but you know who holds it”