Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,All praise due to Allah (swt) Who gives life to whom He wills and gives death to whom He wills. SubhanAllah, after a very long journey (that will still continue probably till the end of the year), I have been discharged from the hospital. I will stay in Michigan till the end of the week and be back this weekend inshaAllah. I can't type much due to the fractures in my arm but I do want to say that it was solely due to the will of Allah (swt) and your du'as that I was able to make it. I will never be able to repay my debt to all of you, but I promise to continue to keep all of you in my du'as as I have done my best to remember all of you in my du'as while I was in the hospital. Please always be mindful of Allah (swt) and in service to Him, for it is only through Him that we are able to acheive anything. Do not wait till your time comes; there were a few of my neighbors at the ICU who were visited by the Angel of Death. Do not wait till He visits any of you or your beloved, take advantage of your time.Take care.Wa Assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
-Sa'ad Quadri
Monday, January 22, 2007
Youmul Akhirah....Inching Closer to Us
Ya Allah! Ya Arhamur Raheemeen! Ya Zuljalai WalIkram! Ya AlBaseer AsSami! Forgive us for all that we have done. The sins we did intentionally as well as the sin we do unintentionally! The sins we did in hiding and the sins we did in open. Ya Allah! You are the Merciful and the Kind! Forgive us for major sins we did and the minors sins we do. Ya Allah! We are sinful people. If you do not forgive we will be left stranded, lost and hopeless. Ya Allah! If you do not accept us, we have no one to turn to and face shataan and endless pits of hell. Ya Allah! Please Please PLEASE don’t lift us from this world until you are thoroughly satisfied with us and let us leave with the echoes of the Kalimah fading from our lips... Ameen Thuma Ameen.
Please remember me in your Duas,
Allahafiz Assalamualakum
Disclaimer: the speech is addressed to a female crowd, hence the reason for ‘sisters’. My request is that male viewers not be offended.
Jazakillah Khier Kaseera Kaseera.
Dear Respected Sisters,
Assalamualaykum Warahamatullahe Wabarkatuhu,
Every religion believes in the coming of a day where there will be justice and no oppression, where there will be peace and equality, where everyone will be judged fairly and accordingly. Where the murdered will be able to avenge their deaths and the victim will be able to throttle the victimizers. Where even Firown and Karoon will come and so will Musa and Harun (AlihesSalam) to receive their life records. Yes, every human being will have tasted and enjoyed life, and this world will one day come to an end. This day has been given many names: Yoamul Akhirah, or better known yet: Qiyamat.
No one doubts the coming of this day, but the question remains, “When will Qiyamat come?”
Besides Allah Tala no one knows the exact day of Qiyamat. Only this much is known that one Friday, the 10th of Muharram Hazrat Isreafel (Alihesalam) will be ordered to blow the soor (bugle). This sound will cause every living person and creature to die. The earth will be shaken up. The mountains will become like flakes of cotton wool. The sun and moon will crash. The stars will lose their shine. And the whole universe will be destroyed.
The approach of Qiyamat will be known by the signs explained to us by Prophet (Sallahu Alihe Wassalam). He stated that:
- People will begin considering Allah’s wealth to be their own wealth. They will find it extremely difficult be to pay their zakat.
- Husbands will unlawfully obey their wives, and disobey their mothers.
- Children will treat their mothers like slaves, consider their fathers to be outsiders, and consider outsiders to be their relatives.
- People will disobey their parents and respect their friends.
- Females will start working and help their husbands earn money.
- Alcohol will be consumed openly.
- Knowledge of Deen will decrease.
- People will speak ill of their ancestors and pious people.
- Lying will become and admirable act.
- The importance of ammanah will disappear.
- Illiterate people will become leaders.
- Indecency and immodesty will be popular.
- Haya and shame will disappear.
- Females will wear clothes, yet remain naked.
- Singing, music and dancing will be popular in every household.
Now, my sisters, as we look around, do we not see these very signs occurring and are we not promoting them? The sad truth is that we encounter these things in our daily life and do nothing to prevent them. Have we forgotten that Qiyamat is around the corner? Sisters, how long ago was it when we were small enough to fit in our mother’s laps? How long ago was it when our parents had heads full of black hair? How long ago was it when they did not experience aches and pains in their bodies? It was yesterday, my sisters, yesterday. And tomorrow, tomorrow we shall die. “Kulu Nafin Zaekatul Maut” (Every soul shall taste of death)
Rasullulah (Sallahu Alihe Wassalam) said that at such a time when these calamites occur expect the following punishments: a red hurricane will come and some people will be drawn into the ground. Stones will rain down from the skies. The appearance of people will be transformed, i.e. they will be turned into pigs and dogs. Many other calamities will follow one after the other in quick succession just as when a string of beads breaks up and the beads begin falling off in quick succession.
As we sit here right now, Hurricane Rita caused destruction, and Hurricane Katrina has left a deep imprint in our memories. And as we reach back even further we recall the tsunami that struck us months ago. And even less than a week ago, an earthquake shattered the homes in Pakistan and India. Yes, my sisters, as we sit here today, the signs of Qiyamat surround us everywhere. Hence, its not a question of WHEN Qiyamat is going to come, but more important is the question, “How much have we prepared?”
When we decide to travel we plan months and weeks in advance. But for this journey of a life time, we have not prepared AT ALL. Have we forgotten that a day will come when we will stand before Allah as lone travelers with only our deeds at our sides? Yes Qiyamat will come, but for every person, Qiyamat has been fixed as they pass away. With death, Qiyamat is established for that person and his judgment begins.
Minha Kalaqnakum, From the earth did we create you. Wa feeha Nooeedakum. And into it we shall return you. Wa minha nookreegokum taratan ookraaaw. And from it we shall bring you out once again. We came into this world empty-handed; let us not leave empty handed. Henceforth my sisters, hasten to do good deeds for we never know if we’ll ever get that chance again.
Have we been too busy planning for tomorrow, not realizing that tomorrow might not come? Or are we denying death by planning for the future? No my sisters, this is about today and now. We never know if a mistake we make today will cause us to be thrown in the pits of hell tomorrow. There is no chance and there is no time. Qiyamat is around the corner, but have we prepared?
May Allah (Subahub Watala) bless us with guidance and help us do amaal upon what we have learned today and protect us to the Day of Reckoning. Ameen. Jazakillah Khier Assalamaualaikum.
Please remember me in your Duas,
Allahafiz Assalamualakum
Disclaimer: the speech is addressed to a female crowd, hence the reason for ‘sisters’. My request is that male viewers not be offended.
Jazakillah Khier Kaseera Kaseera.
Dear Respected Sisters,
Assalamualaykum Warahamatullahe Wabarkatuhu,
Every religion believes in the coming of a day where there will be justice and no oppression, where there will be peace and equality, where everyone will be judged fairly and accordingly. Where the murdered will be able to avenge their deaths and the victim will be able to throttle the victimizers. Where even Firown and Karoon will come and so will Musa and Harun (AlihesSalam) to receive their life records. Yes, every human being will have tasted and enjoyed life, and this world will one day come to an end. This day has been given many names: Yoamul Akhirah, or better known yet: Qiyamat.
No one doubts the coming of this day, but the question remains, “When will Qiyamat come?”
Besides Allah Tala no one knows the exact day of Qiyamat. Only this much is known that one Friday, the 10th of Muharram Hazrat Isreafel (Alihesalam) will be ordered to blow the soor (bugle). This sound will cause every living person and creature to die. The earth will be shaken up. The mountains will become like flakes of cotton wool. The sun and moon will crash. The stars will lose their shine. And the whole universe will be destroyed.
The approach of Qiyamat will be known by the signs explained to us by Prophet (Sallahu Alihe Wassalam). He stated that:
- People will begin considering Allah’s wealth to be their own wealth. They will find it extremely difficult be to pay their zakat.
- Husbands will unlawfully obey their wives, and disobey their mothers.
- Children will treat their mothers like slaves, consider their fathers to be outsiders, and consider outsiders to be their relatives.
- People will disobey their parents and respect their friends.
- Females will start working and help their husbands earn money.
- Alcohol will be consumed openly.
- Knowledge of Deen will decrease.
- People will speak ill of their ancestors and pious people.
- Lying will become and admirable act.
- The importance of ammanah will disappear.
- Illiterate people will become leaders.
- Indecency and immodesty will be popular.
- Haya and shame will disappear.
- Females will wear clothes, yet remain naked.
- Singing, music and dancing will be popular in every household.
Now, my sisters, as we look around, do we not see these very signs occurring and are we not promoting them? The sad truth is that we encounter these things in our daily life and do nothing to prevent them. Have we forgotten that Qiyamat is around the corner? Sisters, how long ago was it when we were small enough to fit in our mother’s laps? How long ago was it when our parents had heads full of black hair? How long ago was it when they did not experience aches and pains in their bodies? It was yesterday, my sisters, yesterday. And tomorrow, tomorrow we shall die. “Kulu Nafin Zaekatul Maut” (Every soul shall taste of death)
Rasullulah (Sallahu Alihe Wassalam) said that at such a time when these calamites occur expect the following punishments: a red hurricane will come and some people will be drawn into the ground. Stones will rain down from the skies. The appearance of people will be transformed, i.e. they will be turned into pigs and dogs. Many other calamities will follow one after the other in quick succession just as when a string of beads breaks up and the beads begin falling off in quick succession.
As we sit here right now, Hurricane Rita caused destruction, and Hurricane Katrina has left a deep imprint in our memories. And as we reach back even further we recall the tsunami that struck us months ago. And even less than a week ago, an earthquake shattered the homes in Pakistan and India. Yes, my sisters, as we sit here today, the signs of Qiyamat surround us everywhere. Hence, its not a question of WHEN Qiyamat is going to come, but more important is the question, “How much have we prepared?”
When we decide to travel we plan months and weeks in advance. But for this journey of a life time, we have not prepared AT ALL. Have we forgotten that a day will come when we will stand before Allah as lone travelers with only our deeds at our sides? Yes Qiyamat will come, but for every person, Qiyamat has been fixed as they pass away. With death, Qiyamat is established for that person and his judgment begins.
Minha Kalaqnakum, From the earth did we create you. Wa feeha Nooeedakum. And into it we shall return you. Wa minha nookreegokum taratan ookraaaw. And from it we shall bring you out once again. We came into this world empty-handed; let us not leave empty handed. Henceforth my sisters, hasten to do good deeds for we never know if we’ll ever get that chance again.
Have we been too busy planning for tomorrow, not realizing that tomorrow might not come? Or are we denying death by planning for the future? No my sisters, this is about today and now. We never know if a mistake we make today will cause us to be thrown in the pits of hell tomorrow. There is no chance and there is no time. Qiyamat is around the corner, but have we prepared?
May Allah (Subahub Watala) bless us with guidance and help us do amaal upon what we have learned today and protect us to the Day of Reckoning. Ameen. Jazakillah Khier Assalamaualaikum.
The Best Woman in the World
Who is a Good Wife?
Imam Bukhari (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) records a hadith transmission in which Hadrat Abu Huraira (ra) lists the four reasons for choosing a spouse as spoken by the Messenger of Allah.
First and foremost marriage is commonly sought after for financial purposes, and thus a wealthy family is desired. Hopes are for a good and stable profession accompanied by a good home and transportation. The basis for such a marriage is wealth alone.
The second reason given is beauty and the third family status. The fourth reason for marriage is righteousness, and the Messenger of Allah advised that only this should be the basis for marriage.
A house cannot stand if built on weak foundations. Wealth, beauty and status are all temporary and all fade with time. Sincerity and devoutness in religion are such characteristics that improve with time and thus a house built on such strong footing will last forever and weather any storm. Hence search for wives with these characteristics as a beacon. A man pleases his eyes when he looks at his beautiful wife, but pleases his heart when looking upon a righteous wife.
A Hadith from the sahih of Imam Muslim (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) says that the most valuable commodity in the world is a righteous wife. Whosoever is fortunate enough to have such a wife should be grateful for a great blessing from Allah .
Another hadith states that deeds are rewarded according to their intentions. If the intention behind marriage is wealth or beauty or status the partnership will be ripe with argument and tension. The home will be in peace and harmony if the intention behind the union is the pleasure and service of Allah .
Hadith recorded by Imam Ibn Majah (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) states that after God fear and righteousness a man benefits most not from anything less but a righteous, chaste and obedient wife. The hadith continues the definition of quality by specifying that such a wife fulfills whatever is asked of her, guards her honor and her husband's assets in his absence, and is a joy to her husband whenever he looks at her.
-----
Once there was a discussion in one of the Prophet's gatherings as to what characteristics make for the best woman. Various Companions commented on different qualities and so the discussion continued as Hadrat Ali (ra) returned home on an errand. At home he mentioned this topic to his wife Hadrat Fatima (raa) who replied, “I will tell you who such a woman is. She is one who does not look at a non-mahram man nor provides the opportunity for such a man to look at her.”
Hadrat Ali (ra) returned to the gathering and informed the Prophet of his wife's definition. The Messenger of Allah smiled and said, “Fatima is a piece of my heart.”
A poet once said: "Everyone who is being overtaken by death asks for more time, while everyone who still has time make excuses for procastination".
Imam Bukhari (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) records a hadith transmission in which Hadrat Abu Huraira (ra) lists the four reasons for choosing a spouse as spoken by the Messenger of Allah.
First and foremost marriage is commonly sought after for financial purposes, and thus a wealthy family is desired. Hopes are for a good and stable profession accompanied by a good home and transportation. The basis for such a marriage is wealth alone.
The second reason given is beauty and the third family status. The fourth reason for marriage is righteousness, and the Messenger of Allah advised that only this should be the basis for marriage.
A house cannot stand if built on weak foundations. Wealth, beauty and status are all temporary and all fade with time. Sincerity and devoutness in religion are such characteristics that improve with time and thus a house built on such strong footing will last forever and weather any storm. Hence search for wives with these characteristics as a beacon. A man pleases his eyes when he looks at his beautiful wife, but pleases his heart when looking upon a righteous wife.
A Hadith from the sahih of Imam Muslim (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) says that the most valuable commodity in the world is a righteous wife. Whosoever is fortunate enough to have such a wife should be grateful for a great blessing from Allah .
Another hadith states that deeds are rewarded according to their intentions. If the intention behind marriage is wealth or beauty or status the partnership will be ripe with argument and tension. The home will be in peace and harmony if the intention behind the union is the pleasure and service of Allah .
Hadith recorded by Imam Ibn Majah (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) states that after God fear and righteousness a man benefits most not from anything less but a righteous, chaste and obedient wife. The hadith continues the definition of quality by specifying that such a wife fulfills whatever is asked of her, guards her honor and her husband's assets in his absence, and is a joy to her husband whenever he looks at her.
-----
Once there was a discussion in one of the Prophet's gatherings as to what characteristics make for the best woman. Various Companions commented on different qualities and so the discussion continued as Hadrat Ali (ra) returned home on an errand. At home he mentioned this topic to his wife Hadrat Fatima (raa) who replied, “I will tell you who such a woman is. She is one who does not look at a non-mahram man nor provides the opportunity for such a man to look at her.”
Hadrat Ali (ra) returned to the gathering and informed the Prophet of his wife's definition. The Messenger of Allah smiled and said, “Fatima is a piece of my heart.”
A poet once said: "Everyone who is being overtaken by death asks for more time, while everyone who still has time make excuses for procastination".
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Time is Short!
Assalaamualakaum Warahamatullhi Wabarakatuhu,
To fully comprehend what I’m trying to get you to understand, please click the links in order, with the volume on. And even if you’ve already seen/heard this, watch it again-it’s always a very strong reminder of what’s to come. (Note: There isn’t any music and there are no visible faces in the flash.)
http://english.islamway.com/flashpage.php?id=18&cat=2&file_name=last&width=550&hight=400
(Talibats: Take special note of the different Shiq and Lahad Qabrs…_)
http://english.islamway.com/flashpage.php?id=28&cat=2&file_name=death&width=555&hight=400
Ya Allah! Ya Arhamur Raheemeen! Ya Zuljalai WalIkram! Ya AlBaseer AsSami! Forgive us for all that we have done. The sins we did intentionally as well as the sin we do unintentionally! The sins we did in hiding and the sins we did in open. Ya Allah! You are the Merciful and the Kind! Forgive us for major sins we did and the minors sins we do. Ya Allah! We are sinful people. If you do not forgive we will be left stranded, lost and hopeless. Ya Allah! If you do not accept us, we have no one to turn to and face shataan and endless pits of hell. Ya Allah! Please Please PLEASE don’t lift us from this world until you are thoroughly satisfied with us and let us leave with the echoes of the Kalimah fading from our lips... Ameen Thuma Ameen.
Please remember me in your Duas,
Allahafiz Assalamualakum
To fully comprehend what I’m trying to get you to understand, please click the links in order, with the volume on. And even if you’ve already seen/heard this, watch it again-it’s always a very strong reminder of what’s to come. (Note: There isn’t any music and there are no visible faces in the flash.)
http://english.islamway.com/flashpage.php?id=18&cat=2&file_name=last&width=550&hight=400
(Talibats: Take special note of the different Shiq and Lahad Qabrs…_)
http://english.islamway.com/flashpage.php?id=28&cat=2&file_name=death&width=555&hight=400
Ya Allah! Ya Arhamur Raheemeen! Ya Zuljalai WalIkram! Ya AlBaseer AsSami! Forgive us for all that we have done. The sins we did intentionally as well as the sin we do unintentionally! The sins we did in hiding and the sins we did in open. Ya Allah! You are the Merciful and the Kind! Forgive us for major sins we did and the minors sins we do. Ya Allah! We are sinful people. If you do not forgive we will be left stranded, lost and hopeless. Ya Allah! If you do not accept us, we have no one to turn to and face shataan and endless pits of hell. Ya Allah! Please Please PLEASE don’t lift us from this world until you are thoroughly satisfied with us and let us leave with the echoes of the Kalimah fading from our lips... Ameen Thuma Ameen.
Please remember me in your Duas,
Allahafiz Assalamualakum
Us and Them..
Out of the oceans of their virtues, my pen's ink only drops a few.
Only a fleeting glimpse of the Sahabah's greatness is in this poem to view.
Abbaad bin Bishr was getting shot with arrows, yet he still didn't want to break his salat.Who are we compared to him? We complain when the room we pray in is a little hot.
Our Masaajid are empty,even though we drive fancy Cadillacs.The Sahabah went to the Masjid for every prayer,even though many had no cloths on their backs.
The Kuffar put massive rocks on Bilal's chest in the burning dessert sun,All he said was "Ahad, Ahad" and from Islam he did not run.
They strove in the path of Allah,doing Jihad even in the fierce dessert heat.Who are we compared to them?We can hardly make it to the Masjid right down the street!
Sumayyah loved Allah and for that the kuffar speared her most private part. She was the first shaheed of our ummah,to the end she had true love of Allah in her heart.
Who are we next to Sumayyah?We hide our faith in fear of being teased. We get a little laugh from a kaffer,and we turn away from Allah displeased.
Khabbab bin Alarat was burnt on hot coals until his blood put out the heat. How ashamed should we be?While listening to a khutbah,we find it hard to just stay on our seats.
Most of them were starving,but this didn't keep them away from any part of the deen.We have tons of rice and lamb,but nonetheless, in us, Islam can hardly be seen.
Mus'ab Ibn Umair's hands were both severed when he was the flag bearer,yet with his bloody forearms, he still kept the flag up high.Yet how is our condition?We can barely even give dawwah because we feel too shy!
If even the breeze grew a little stronger,they would go to the Masjid fearing that it may be the last day.Do we even notice what's going on around us,or are we too busy thinking of our weekly pay?
Abu Bakr gave all of his wealth for Allah in His path.Though if we were asked to do this,we would probably laugh.
Out of their fear of Allah,they had tear stains on their cheeks.Out of our love of the dunyah,we stay away from the Masjid and go shopping in the boutiques.
After being captured in Jihad,Ibn Hudhafah was glad that he might be boiled alive.Yet what about us?For Allah, many just frown when they are asked to strive.
This noble man cried in pleasure that he might be boiled alive for Allah!Next to him we seem like hypocrites, or worse,many of us don't even do our salah!
Even when Umar was khalifah,his clothes still had many tears.Yet when we have even the littlest job,we end up with many clothes that we don't even wear.
They established the empire of Islam,they spread the deen throughout all the lands.Yet when it comes to us,we have trouble obeying the simplest of Allah's commands.
Aisha was thirsty for knowledge,she was one of our greatest scholars.She was busy searching for wisdom,yet we're busy searching for dollars
With it's last drops of ink,this poem is coming to an end.But before I let you go,there is one thing that I do recommend:
We can sit around and talk,we can reminisce about them with much ease.But unless we actually try to be like the Sahabah,our words just drift away with the breeze.
By: Masood
Only a fleeting glimpse of the Sahabah's greatness is in this poem to view.
Abbaad bin Bishr was getting shot with arrows, yet he still didn't want to break his salat.Who are we compared to him? We complain when the room we pray in is a little hot.
Our Masaajid are empty,even though we drive fancy Cadillacs.The Sahabah went to the Masjid for every prayer,even though many had no cloths on their backs.
The Kuffar put massive rocks on Bilal's chest in the burning dessert sun,All he said was "Ahad, Ahad" and from Islam he did not run.
They strove in the path of Allah,doing Jihad even in the fierce dessert heat.Who are we compared to them?We can hardly make it to the Masjid right down the street!
Sumayyah loved Allah and for that the kuffar speared her most private part. She was the first shaheed of our ummah,to the end she had true love of Allah in her heart.
Who are we next to Sumayyah?We hide our faith in fear of being teased. We get a little laugh from a kaffer,and we turn away from Allah displeased.
Khabbab bin Alarat was burnt on hot coals until his blood put out the heat. How ashamed should we be?While listening to a khutbah,we find it hard to just stay on our seats.
Most of them were starving,but this didn't keep them away from any part of the deen.We have tons of rice and lamb,but nonetheless, in us, Islam can hardly be seen.
Mus'ab Ibn Umair's hands were both severed when he was the flag bearer,yet with his bloody forearms, he still kept the flag up high.Yet how is our condition?We can barely even give dawwah because we feel too shy!
If even the breeze grew a little stronger,they would go to the Masjid fearing that it may be the last day.Do we even notice what's going on around us,or are we too busy thinking of our weekly pay?
Abu Bakr gave all of his wealth for Allah in His path.Though if we were asked to do this,we would probably laugh.
Out of their fear of Allah,they had tear stains on their cheeks.Out of our love of the dunyah,we stay away from the Masjid and go shopping in the boutiques.
After being captured in Jihad,Ibn Hudhafah was glad that he might be boiled alive.Yet what about us?For Allah, many just frown when they are asked to strive.
This noble man cried in pleasure that he might be boiled alive for Allah!Next to him we seem like hypocrites, or worse,many of us don't even do our salah!
Even when Umar was khalifah,his clothes still had many tears.Yet when we have even the littlest job,we end up with many clothes that we don't even wear.
They established the empire of Islam,they spread the deen throughout all the lands.Yet when it comes to us,we have trouble obeying the simplest of Allah's commands.
Aisha was thirsty for knowledge,she was one of our greatest scholars.She was busy searching for wisdom,yet we're busy searching for dollars
With it's last drops of ink,this poem is coming to an end.But before I let you go,there is one thing that I do recommend:
We can sit around and talk,we can reminisce about them with much ease.But unless we actually try to be like the Sahabah,our words just drift away with the breeze.
By: Masood
A good message to be learnt..
An old man lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quraan .
His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Quraan just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Quraan do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.
Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Quraan. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives."-Imam Ghazali
His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Quraan just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Quraan do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.
Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Quraan. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives."-Imam Ghazali
Strong Words...
The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali’s daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:
When we finally arrived, the chauffer escorted my younger sister,Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them.”
He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”
Source: Taken from the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali’s Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes.
When we finally arrived, the chauffer escorted my younger sister,Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them.”
He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”
Source: Taken from the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali’s Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes.
Removing the Obstacle
A qualified medical worker from India emigrated to Canada to live a better life. This Muslim brother had a beard. He applied to many different places for a job and was called for interviews. Though he was highly qualified for the jobs, the interviewers hesitated to hire him because of his beard. One by one, he was rejected from all the companies. One interviewer actually mentioned to him indirectly that his beard was an obstacle to getting the job. Trully, it was a big test for him from Allah. Hopeless and exhausted, the brother decided to remove the obstacle, which was to shave off his beard. Then he returned to that company and requested for another interview. When the interviewer saw him without a beard this time, he refused to give him the job again. The brother became confused and asked to know the reason. The interviewer said “If you are not faithful to your God, how will you be faithful to us?”
Thursday, January 18, 2007
The Fear of Allah (SWT)
Hadrat Abdullah ibn Mubarak (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) was returning from Hajj when he noticed an elderly lady approaching from the other direction. She replied to his greeting with a verse from the Holy Quran.
Peace! A word (of salutation) from a Lord Most Merciful [36:58]
He asked where she was coming from and she again quoted:
And complete the Hajj or Umrah in the service of Allah [2:196]
Hadrat surmised that she had just completed Hajj and asked her why she was coming towards him from the opposite direction. She replied with a quote as before:
To such as Allah rejects from His guidance there can be no guide [7:196]
Hadrat again understood that she was lost and asked where she was going. Her next quote told him that she was returning to the city and so he offered to guide her because he was going the same way. Having traveled some Hadrat Abdullah (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) started reciting some poetry in Arabic and so the lady recited a verse from the Holy Quran:
Read of the Quran as much as is easy for you [73:20]
Hadrat Abdullah ibn Mubarak now kept silent but asked himself who this lady might be. Along the way he tried to find out more about her but she put an abrupt end to his questions with yet another verse.
Ask not questions about things which if made plain to you may cause you trouble [5:101]
Reaching the outskirts of town Hadrat asked her who she had to meet up with and from her reply ascertained that Allah had blessed her with sons and wealth.
Wealth and sons are the allurements of the life of this world [18:46]
Entering town Hadrat noticed a caravan of hujjaj that had obviously stopped for rest along the way and asked the lady the names of her sons. She replied with a verse as she had done throughout and said:
Ibrahim, Isma’il and Isaac [2:133]
As soon as Hadrat Abdullah called out these names three handsome youths came running toward him. Extremely worried regarding their mother’s whereabouts they had been searching all the caravans and now were overjoyed to see her. Her benefactor was about to leave when she again quoted a verse and gestured to her sons to host him with food and drink.
And they feed for the love of Allah [76:8]
Her sons immediately ran and brought some fruit for Hadrat but he politely excused himself. The mother he had just reunited with her sons hence quoted again from the Holy Quran.
We feed you for the sake of Allah alone [76:9]
Hadrat Abdullah ibn Mubarak was amazed and at a loss to understand what had been transpiring and so asked her sons why their mother replied to everything with a verse. One of the sons told him that their mother was a hafiza of the Holy Quran and an alima of hadith. Her heart was so filled with the fear of Allah that she feared having to account for her speech on the Day of Judgment, and hence had spoken nothing but the Holy Quran for the last twenty years.
Wow, MashaAllah. And we think we fear Allah? Ha, there's a great need in that department!
Peace! A word (of salutation) from a Lord Most Merciful [36:58]
He asked where she was coming from and she again quoted:
And complete the Hajj or Umrah in the service of Allah [2:196]
Hadrat surmised that she had just completed Hajj and asked her why she was coming towards him from the opposite direction. She replied with a quote as before:
To such as Allah rejects from His guidance there can be no guide [7:196]
Hadrat again understood that she was lost and asked where she was going. Her next quote told him that she was returning to the city and so he offered to guide her because he was going the same way. Having traveled some Hadrat Abdullah (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) started reciting some poetry in Arabic and so the lady recited a verse from the Holy Quran:
Read of the Quran as much as is easy for you [73:20]
Hadrat Abdullah ibn Mubarak now kept silent but asked himself who this lady might be. Along the way he tried to find out more about her but she put an abrupt end to his questions with yet another verse.
Ask not questions about things which if made plain to you may cause you trouble [5:101]
Reaching the outskirts of town Hadrat asked her who she had to meet up with and from her reply ascertained that Allah had blessed her with sons and wealth.
Wealth and sons are the allurements of the life of this world [18:46]
Entering town Hadrat noticed a caravan of hujjaj that had obviously stopped for rest along the way and asked the lady the names of her sons. She replied with a verse as she had done throughout and said:
Ibrahim, Isma’il and Isaac [2:133]
As soon as Hadrat Abdullah called out these names three handsome youths came running toward him. Extremely worried regarding their mother’s whereabouts they had been searching all the caravans and now were overjoyed to see her. Her benefactor was about to leave when she again quoted a verse and gestured to her sons to host him with food and drink.
And they feed for the love of Allah [76:8]
Her sons immediately ran and brought some fruit for Hadrat but he politely excused himself. The mother he had just reunited with her sons hence quoted again from the Holy Quran.
We feed you for the sake of Allah alone [76:9]
Hadrat Abdullah ibn Mubarak was amazed and at a loss to understand what had been transpiring and so asked her sons why their mother replied to everything with a verse. One of the sons told him that their mother was a hafiza of the Holy Quran and an alima of hadith. Her heart was so filled with the fear of Allah that she feared having to account for her speech on the Day of Judgment, and hence had spoken nothing but the Holy Quran for the last twenty years.
Wow, MashaAllah. And we think we fear Allah? Ha, there's a great need in that department!
Destination:Jannah...Is your suitcase ready?
"She’s My Sister"
A true story translated by Muhammad Alshareef
Taken from LoveableNikabee's site...
Her cheeks were worn and sunken and her skin hugged her bones. That didn’t stop her though, you could never catch her not reciting Qur’an. Always vigil in her personal prayer room Dad had set up for her. Bowing, prostrating, raising her hands in prayer. That was the way she was from dawn to sunset and back again, boredom was for others.
As for me I craved nothing more than fashion magazines and novels. I treated myself all the time to videos until those trips to the rental place became my trademark. As they say, when something becomes habit people tend to distinguish you by it. I was negligent in my responsibilities and laziness characterized my Salah.
One night, I turned the video off after a marathon three hours of watching. The adhan softly rose in that quiet night. I slipped peacefully into my blanket.
Her voice carried from her prayer room. “Yes? Would you like anything Noorah?” I said.
With a sharp needle she popped my plans. “Don’t sleep before you pray Fajr!”
Agh…there’s still an hour before Fajr, that was only the first Adhaan!
With those loving pinches of hers, she called me closer. She was always like that, even before the fierce sickness shook her spirit and shut her in bed. “Hanan can you come sit beside me.”
I could never refuse any of her requests, you could touch the purity and sincerity. “Yes, Noorah?”
“Please sit here.”
“OK, I”m sitting. What’s on your mind?”
With the sweetest mono voice she began reciting:
“Every soul shall taste death and you will merely be repaid your earnings on Resurrection Day”
She stopped thoughtfully. Then she asked, “Do you believe in death?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you believe that you shall be responsible for whatever you do, regardless of how small or large?”
“I do, but Allah is Forgiving and Merciful and I've got a long life waiting for me.”
“Stop it Hanan … aren’t you afraid of death and it’s abruptness? Look at Hind. She was younger than you but she died in a car accident. So did so and so, and so and so. Death is age-blind and your age could never be a measure of when you shall die.”
The darkness of the room filled my skin with fear. “I’m scared of the dark and now you made me scared of death, how am I supposed to go to sleep now. Noorah, I thought you promised you’d go with us on vacation during the summer break.”
Impact. Her voice broke and her heart quivered. “I might be going on a long trip this year Hanan, but somewhere else. Just maybe. All of our lives are in Allah's hands and we all belong to Him.”
My eyes welled and the tears slipped down both cheeks.
I pondered my sisters grizzly sickness, how the doctors had informed my father privately that there was not much hope that Noorah was going to outlive the disease. She wasn’t told though. Who hinted to her? Or was it that she could sense the truth.
“What are you thinking about Hanan?” Her voice was sharp. “Do you think I am just saying this because I am sick? Uh - uh. In fact, I may live longer than people who are not sick. And you Hanan, how long are you going to live? Twenty years, maybe? Forty? Then what?” Through the dark she reached for my hand and squeezed gently. “There’s no difference between us; we’re all going to leave this world to live in Paradise or agonize in Hell. Listen to the words of Allah:
“Anyone who is pushed away from the Fire and shown into Jannah will have triumphed.”
I left my sister’s room dazed, her words ringing in my ears: May Allah guide you Hanan - don’t forget your prayer.
Eight O’clock in the morning. Pounding on my door. I don’t usually wake up at this time. Crying. Confusion. O Allah, what happened?
Noorahs condition became critical after Fajr, they took her immediately to the hospital … Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
There wasn’t going to be any trips this summer. It was written that I would spend the summer at home.
After an eternity…
It was one O’clock in the afternoon. Mother phoned the hospital. “Yes. You can come and see her now.” Dad’s voice had changed, mother could sense something had gone deathly wrong. We left immediately.
Where was that avenue I used to travel and thought was so short? Why was it so long now, so very long. Where was the cherished crowd and traffic that would give me a chance to gaze left and right. Everyone, just move out of our way. Mother was shaking her head in her hands crying as she made dua’a for her Noorah.
We arrived at the hospitals main entrance.
One man was moaning, another was involved in an accident and a thirds eyes were iced, you couldn't tell if he was alive or dead.
We skipped stairs to Noorahs floor. She was in intensive care.
The nurse approached us. “Let me take you to her.” As we walked down the aisles the nurse went on expressing how sweet a girl Noorah was. She reassured Mother somewhat that Noorah's condition had gotten better than what it was in the morning.
“Sorry. No more than one visitor at a time.” This was the intensive care unit. Through the small window in the door and past the flurry of white robes I caught my sisters eyes. Mother was standing beside her. After two minutes, mother came out unable to control her crying.
“You may enter and say Salam to her on condition that you do not speak too long,” they told me. “Two minutes should be enough.”
“How are you Noorah? You were fine last night sister, what happened?”
We held hands, she squeezed harmlessly. “Even now, Alhamdulillah, I’m doing fine.”
“Alhamdulillah…but…your hands are so cold.”
I sat on her bedside and rested my fingers on her knee. She jerked it away. “Sorry … did I hurt you?”
“No, it is just that I remembered Allah’s words
One leg will be wrapped to the other leg (in the death shroud)
{waltafatul saaqu bil saaq}
“Hanan pray for me. I may be meeting the first day of the hearafter very soon. It is a long journey and I haven’t prepared enough good deeds in my suitcase.”
A tear escaped my eye and ran down my cheek at her words. I cried and she joined me. The room blurred away and left us two sisters - to cry together. Rivulets of tears splashed down on my sister's palm which I held with both hands. Dad was now becoming more worried about me. I’ve never cried like that before.
At home and upstairs in my room, I watched the sun pass away with a sorrowful day. Silence mingled in our corridors. A cousin came in my room, another. The visitors were many and all the voices from downstairs stirred together. Only one thing was clear at that point … Noorah had died!
I stopped distinguishing who came and who went. I couldn’t remember what they said. O Allah, where was I? What was going on? I couldn’t even cry anymore.
Later that week they told me what had happened. Dad had taken my hand to say goodbye to my sister for the last time, I had kissed Noorah’s head.
I remember only one thing though, seeing her spread on that bed, the bed that she was going to die on. I remembered the verse she recited:
“One leg will be wrapped to the other leg (in the death shroud)” and I knew too well the truth of the next verse: “The drive on that day we be to your Lord (Allah)!”
I tiptoed into her prayer room that night. Staring at the quiet dressers and silenced mirrors, I treasured who it was that had shared my mother’s stomach with me. Noorah was my twin sister.
I remembered who I had swapped sorrows with. Who had comforted my rainy days. I remembered who had prayed for my guidance and who had spent so many tears for so many long nights telling me about death and accountability. May Allah save us all.
Tonight is Noorah’s first night that she shall spend in her tomb. O Allah, have mercy on her and illumine her grave. This was her Qur’an, her prayer mat and this was the spring rose-colored dress that she told me she would hide until she got married, the dress she wanted to keep just for her husband.
I remembered my sister and cried over all the days that I had lost. I prayed to Allah to have mercy on me, accept me and forgive me. I prayed to Allah to keep her firm in her grave as she always liked to mention in her supplications.
At that moment, I stopped. I asked myself: what if it was I who had died? Where would I be moving on to? Fear pressed me and the tears began all over again.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar…
The first adhan rose softly from the Masjid, how beautiful it sounded this time. I felt calm and relaxed as I repeated the Muadhdhins call. I wrapped the shawl around my shoulders and stood to pray Fajr. I prayed as if it was my last prayer, a farewell prayer, just like Noorah had done yesterday. It had been her last Fajr.
Now and insha’ Allah for the rest of my life, if I awake in the mornings I do not count on being alive by evening, and in the evening I do not count on being alive by morning.
We are all going on Noorah’s journey. What have we prepared for it?
A true story translated by Muhammad Alshareef
Taken from LoveableNikabee's site...
Her cheeks were worn and sunken and her skin hugged her bones. That didn’t stop her though, you could never catch her not reciting Qur’an. Always vigil in her personal prayer room Dad had set up for her. Bowing, prostrating, raising her hands in prayer. That was the way she was from dawn to sunset and back again, boredom was for others.
As for me I craved nothing more than fashion magazines and novels. I treated myself all the time to videos until those trips to the rental place became my trademark. As they say, when something becomes habit people tend to distinguish you by it. I was negligent in my responsibilities and laziness characterized my Salah.
One night, I turned the video off after a marathon three hours of watching. The adhan softly rose in that quiet night. I slipped peacefully into my blanket.
Her voice carried from her prayer room. “Yes? Would you like anything Noorah?” I said.
With a sharp needle she popped my plans. “Don’t sleep before you pray Fajr!”
Agh…there’s still an hour before Fajr, that was only the first Adhaan!
With those loving pinches of hers, she called me closer. She was always like that, even before the fierce sickness shook her spirit and shut her in bed. “Hanan can you come sit beside me.”
I could never refuse any of her requests, you could touch the purity and sincerity. “Yes, Noorah?”
“Please sit here.”
“OK, I”m sitting. What’s on your mind?”
With the sweetest mono voice she began reciting:
“Every soul shall taste death and you will merely be repaid your earnings on Resurrection Day”
She stopped thoughtfully. Then she asked, “Do you believe in death?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you believe that you shall be responsible for whatever you do, regardless of how small or large?”
“I do, but Allah is Forgiving and Merciful and I've got a long life waiting for me.”
“Stop it Hanan … aren’t you afraid of death and it’s abruptness? Look at Hind. She was younger than you but she died in a car accident. So did so and so, and so and so. Death is age-blind and your age could never be a measure of when you shall die.”
The darkness of the room filled my skin with fear. “I’m scared of the dark and now you made me scared of death, how am I supposed to go to sleep now. Noorah, I thought you promised you’d go with us on vacation during the summer break.”
Impact. Her voice broke and her heart quivered. “I might be going on a long trip this year Hanan, but somewhere else. Just maybe. All of our lives are in Allah's hands and we all belong to Him.”
My eyes welled and the tears slipped down both cheeks.
I pondered my sisters grizzly sickness, how the doctors had informed my father privately that there was not much hope that Noorah was going to outlive the disease. She wasn’t told though. Who hinted to her? Or was it that she could sense the truth.
“What are you thinking about Hanan?” Her voice was sharp. “Do you think I am just saying this because I am sick? Uh - uh. In fact, I may live longer than people who are not sick. And you Hanan, how long are you going to live? Twenty years, maybe? Forty? Then what?” Through the dark she reached for my hand and squeezed gently. “There’s no difference between us; we’re all going to leave this world to live in Paradise or agonize in Hell. Listen to the words of Allah:
“Anyone who is pushed away from the Fire and shown into Jannah will have triumphed.”
I left my sister’s room dazed, her words ringing in my ears: May Allah guide you Hanan - don’t forget your prayer.
Eight O’clock in the morning. Pounding on my door. I don’t usually wake up at this time. Crying. Confusion. O Allah, what happened?
Noorahs condition became critical after Fajr, they took her immediately to the hospital … Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
There wasn’t going to be any trips this summer. It was written that I would spend the summer at home.
After an eternity…
It was one O’clock in the afternoon. Mother phoned the hospital. “Yes. You can come and see her now.” Dad’s voice had changed, mother could sense something had gone deathly wrong. We left immediately.
Where was that avenue I used to travel and thought was so short? Why was it so long now, so very long. Where was the cherished crowd and traffic that would give me a chance to gaze left and right. Everyone, just move out of our way. Mother was shaking her head in her hands crying as she made dua’a for her Noorah.
We arrived at the hospitals main entrance.
One man was moaning, another was involved in an accident and a thirds eyes were iced, you couldn't tell if he was alive or dead.
We skipped stairs to Noorahs floor. She was in intensive care.
The nurse approached us. “Let me take you to her.” As we walked down the aisles the nurse went on expressing how sweet a girl Noorah was. She reassured Mother somewhat that Noorah's condition had gotten better than what it was in the morning.
“Sorry. No more than one visitor at a time.” This was the intensive care unit. Through the small window in the door and past the flurry of white robes I caught my sisters eyes. Mother was standing beside her. After two minutes, mother came out unable to control her crying.
“You may enter and say Salam to her on condition that you do not speak too long,” they told me. “Two minutes should be enough.”
“How are you Noorah? You were fine last night sister, what happened?”
We held hands, she squeezed harmlessly. “Even now, Alhamdulillah, I’m doing fine.”
“Alhamdulillah…but…your hands are so cold.”
I sat on her bedside and rested my fingers on her knee. She jerked it away. “Sorry … did I hurt you?”
“No, it is just that I remembered Allah’s words
One leg will be wrapped to the other leg (in the death shroud)
{waltafatul saaqu bil saaq}
“Hanan pray for me. I may be meeting the first day of the hearafter very soon. It is a long journey and I haven’t prepared enough good deeds in my suitcase.”
A tear escaped my eye and ran down my cheek at her words. I cried and she joined me. The room blurred away and left us two sisters - to cry together. Rivulets of tears splashed down on my sister's palm which I held with both hands. Dad was now becoming more worried about me. I’ve never cried like that before.
At home and upstairs in my room, I watched the sun pass away with a sorrowful day. Silence mingled in our corridors. A cousin came in my room, another. The visitors were many and all the voices from downstairs stirred together. Only one thing was clear at that point … Noorah had died!
I stopped distinguishing who came and who went. I couldn’t remember what they said. O Allah, where was I? What was going on? I couldn’t even cry anymore.
Later that week they told me what had happened. Dad had taken my hand to say goodbye to my sister for the last time, I had kissed Noorah’s head.
I remember only one thing though, seeing her spread on that bed, the bed that she was going to die on. I remembered the verse she recited:
“One leg will be wrapped to the other leg (in the death shroud)” and I knew too well the truth of the next verse: “The drive on that day we be to your Lord (Allah)!”
I tiptoed into her prayer room that night. Staring at the quiet dressers and silenced mirrors, I treasured who it was that had shared my mother’s stomach with me. Noorah was my twin sister.
I remembered who I had swapped sorrows with. Who had comforted my rainy days. I remembered who had prayed for my guidance and who had spent so many tears for so many long nights telling me about death and accountability. May Allah save us all.
Tonight is Noorah’s first night that she shall spend in her tomb. O Allah, have mercy on her and illumine her grave. This was her Qur’an, her prayer mat and this was the spring rose-colored dress that she told me she would hide until she got married, the dress she wanted to keep just for her husband.
I remembered my sister and cried over all the days that I had lost. I prayed to Allah to have mercy on me, accept me and forgive me. I prayed to Allah to keep her firm in her grave as she always liked to mention in her supplications.
At that moment, I stopped. I asked myself: what if it was I who had died? Where would I be moving on to? Fear pressed me and the tears began all over again.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar…
The first adhan rose softly from the Masjid, how beautiful it sounded this time. I felt calm and relaxed as I repeated the Muadhdhins call. I wrapped the shawl around my shoulders and stood to pray Fajr. I prayed as if it was my last prayer, a farewell prayer, just like Noorah had done yesterday. It had been her last Fajr.
Now and insha’ Allah for the rest of my life, if I awake in the mornings I do not count on being alive by evening, and in the evening I do not count on being alive by morning.
We are all going on Noorah’s journey. What have we prepared for it?
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Al-Rehman and Al-Raheem
Asalaam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wabarakatu...
Lets not forget that we stand infront of the Allah who has said the meaning of which is more or less, Oh my creations do as much sin as you can, fill the oceans the seas, the earth from the ground to the skies (and this is amount of sin isn't everyone put togetther its asking from one person alone) If one person does that much sinning and then after all that he turns to Allah and asks for forgiveness Allah will forgive all his sins as if they never happened... SubhanAllah,... that is the mercy of our Lord... Now which one of us is willing to let this chance go by unnoticed? the doors of Allah's Rehmat are open, it's up to us to knock onto them....
*If there is a future there is time for mending-Time to see your troubles coming to an ending.Life is never hopeless however great your sorrow-If you're looking forward to a new tomorrow.If there is time for wishing then there is time for hoping-When through doubt and darkness you are blindly groping.Though the heart be heavy and hurt you may be feeling-If there is time for praying there is time for healing.So if through your window there is a new day breaking-Thank God for the promise, though mind and soul be aching,If with harvest over there is grain enough for gleaning-There is a new tomorrow and life still has meaning.*
In need of duas...
Lets not forget that we stand infront of the Allah who has said the meaning of which is more or less, Oh my creations do as much sin as you can, fill the oceans the seas, the earth from the ground to the skies (and this is amount of sin isn't everyone put togetther its asking from one person alone) If one person does that much sinning and then after all that he turns to Allah and asks for forgiveness Allah will forgive all his sins as if they never happened... SubhanAllah,... that is the mercy of our Lord... Now which one of us is willing to let this chance go by unnoticed? the doors of Allah's Rehmat are open, it's up to us to knock onto them....
*If there is a future there is time for mending-Time to see your troubles coming to an ending.Life is never hopeless however great your sorrow-If you're looking forward to a new tomorrow.If there is time for wishing then there is time for hoping-When through doubt and darkness you are blindly groping.Though the heart be heavy and hurt you may be feeling-If there is time for praying there is time for healing.So if through your window there is a new day breaking-Thank God for the promise, though mind and soul be aching,If with harvest over there is grain enough for gleaning-There is a new tomorrow and life still has meaning.*
In need of duas...
When I Wear the Hijaab...
I please Allah. I am obeying the commands of my Lord when I wear the Hijaab and I can expect great rewards in return. It is Allah's protection of my natural beauty. I am too precious to be "on display" for each man to see. It is Allah's preservation of my chastity. Allah purifies my heart and mind through the Hijaab. Allah beautifies my inner and outer countenance with hijaab. Outwardly, my Hijaab reflects innocence, purity, modesty, shyness, serenity, contentment and obedience to my Lord. Inwardly I cultivate the same. Allah defines my femininity through the Hijaab. I am a woman who respects her womanhood. Allah wants me to be respected by others, and for me to respect myself. Allah raises my dignity through the Hijaab. When a strange man looks at me, he respects me because he sees that I respect myself. Allah protects my honour 100% through my Hijaab. Men do not gaze at me in a sensual way, they do not approach me in a sensual way, and neither do they speak to me in a sensual way. Rather, a man holds me in high esteem and that is just by one glance at me! Allah gives me nobility through the Hijaab. I am noble not degraded because I'm covered not naked. Allah defines my role as a Muslim woman through the Hijaab. I am someone with important duties. Allah expresses my independence through the Hijaab. I am stating clearly that I am an obedient servant of the Greatest Master. I will obey no one else and follow no other way. I am not a slave to any man, nor a slave to any nation. I'm free and independent from all man-made systems. My Hijaab gives me unique confidence Allah wants others to treat me - a Muslim woman- with kindness. And the Hijaab brings about the best treatment of men towards me.
---May Allah give me first and every sister out there the Taufeeq to start and retain the hijaab inshAllah. Ameen---
Taken From the book ”The Hijaab - Dress for Every Muslimah” by Shazia Nazlee
---May Allah give me first and every sister out there the Taufeeq to start and retain the hijaab inshAllah. Ameen---
Taken From the book ”The Hijaab - Dress for Every Muslimah” by Shazia Nazlee
Friday, January 12, 2007
Strengthening our Iman...
Bismillahirahmanirahim
Asalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarkatuhu ...
Once Iman has been well established in a believer's heart, he begins to realize and appreciate the great bounty Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon him. If it had not been for Allah's guidance, a believer would never have been guided. With this direction, a Muslim leads a happy and peaceful life in this world and in the Hereafter. Insha'Allah, a believer will attain the eternal happiness Allah has promised the righteous.
The proper orientation of our entire life is to be based on the desire to win the pleasure of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala and this should have priority over all other motives, efforts and endeavours. Particularly, this hard task of ours, for which we stand as an Islamic Jama’ah can only thrive on the motivating force of our attachment with Allah. .. May Allah keep our intentions strong and strengthen our knowledge of deen and duniya. Ameen..Summa Ameen...
SIGNS OF WEAK IMAAN
1) Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.
2) Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.
3) Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat
4) Neglecting the Sunnah.
5) Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.
6) Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.
7) Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.
8) Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.
9) Desiring status and wealth.
10) Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.
11) Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.
12) Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.
13) Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.
14) Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.
15) Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.
16) Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.
17) Being unable to deal with calamities, for instance crying and yelling in funerals.
18) Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.
19) Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.
20) Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.
LISTED BELOW ARE WAYS TO INCREASE OUR IMAAN
1) Recite and ponder on the meanings of the Quran. Tranquility then descends and our hearts become soft. To get optimum benefit, remind yourself that Allah is speaking to you. People are described in different categories in the Quran; think of which one you find yourself in.
2) Realize the greatness of Allah. Everything is under His control. There are signs in everything we see that points us to His greatness. Everything happens according to His permission. Allah keeps track and looks after everything, even a black ant on a black rock on a black moonless night.
3) Make an effort to gain knowledge, for at least the basic things in daily life e.g. how to make wudu properly. Know the meanings behind Allah's names and attributes. People who have taqwa are those who have knowledge.
4) Attend gatherings where Allah is remembered. In such gatherings we are surrounded by angels.
5) We have to increase our good deeds. One good deed leads to another good deed. Allah will make the way easy for someone who gives charity and also make it easy for him or her to do good deeds. Good deeds must be done continuously, not in spurts.
6) We must fear the miserable end to our lives; the remembrance of death is the destroyer of pleasures.
7) Remember the different levels of akhirah, for instance when we are put in our graves, when we are judged, whether we will be in paradise or hell.
8) Make dua, realize that we need Allah. Be humble. Don't covet material things in this life.
9) Our love for Subhana Wa Ta'Ala must be shown in actions. We must hope Allah will accept our prayers, and be in constant fear that we do wrong. At night before going to sleep, we must think about what good we did during that day.
10) Realize the effects of sins and disobedience- one's imaan is increased with good deeds and our imaan is decreased by bad deeds. Everything that happens is because Allah wanted it. When calamity befalls us- it is also from Allah. It is a direct result of our disobedience to Allah.
In need of your duas...
Asalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarkatuhu ...
Once Iman has been well established in a believer's heart, he begins to realize and appreciate the great bounty Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon him. If it had not been for Allah's guidance, a believer would never have been guided. With this direction, a Muslim leads a happy and peaceful life in this world and in the Hereafter. Insha'Allah, a believer will attain the eternal happiness Allah has promised the righteous.
The proper orientation of our entire life is to be based on the desire to win the pleasure of Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala and this should have priority over all other motives, efforts and endeavours. Particularly, this hard task of ours, for which we stand as an Islamic Jama’ah can only thrive on the motivating force of our attachment with Allah. .. May Allah keep our intentions strong and strengthen our knowledge of deen and duniya. Ameen..Summa Ameen...
SIGNS OF WEAK IMAAN
1) Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.
2) Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.
3) Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat
4) Neglecting the Sunnah.
5) Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.
6) Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.
7) Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.
8) Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.
9) Desiring status and wealth.
10) Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.
11) Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.
12) Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.
13) Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.
14) Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.
15) Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.
16) Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.
17) Being unable to deal with calamities, for instance crying and yelling in funerals.
18) Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.
19) Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.
20) Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.
LISTED BELOW ARE WAYS TO INCREASE OUR IMAAN
1) Recite and ponder on the meanings of the Quran. Tranquility then descends and our hearts become soft. To get optimum benefit, remind yourself that Allah is speaking to you. People are described in different categories in the Quran; think of which one you find yourself in.
2) Realize the greatness of Allah. Everything is under His control. There are signs in everything we see that points us to His greatness. Everything happens according to His permission. Allah keeps track and looks after everything, even a black ant on a black rock on a black moonless night.
3) Make an effort to gain knowledge, for at least the basic things in daily life e.g. how to make wudu properly. Know the meanings behind Allah's names and attributes. People who have taqwa are those who have knowledge.
4) Attend gatherings where Allah is remembered. In such gatherings we are surrounded by angels.
5) We have to increase our good deeds. One good deed leads to another good deed. Allah will make the way easy for someone who gives charity and also make it easy for him or her to do good deeds. Good deeds must be done continuously, not in spurts.
6) We must fear the miserable end to our lives; the remembrance of death is the destroyer of pleasures.
7) Remember the different levels of akhirah, for instance when we are put in our graves, when we are judged, whether we will be in paradise or hell.
8) Make dua, realize that we need Allah. Be humble. Don't covet material things in this life.
9) Our love for Subhana Wa Ta'Ala must be shown in actions. We must hope Allah will accept our prayers, and be in constant fear that we do wrong. At night before going to sleep, we must think about what good we did during that day.
10) Realize the effects of sins and disobedience- one's imaan is increased with good deeds and our imaan is decreased by bad deeds. Everything that happens is because Allah wanted it. When calamity befalls us- it is also from Allah. It is a direct result of our disobedience to Allah.
In need of your duas...
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