Five before Five

The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has said:

"Take benefit of five before five:

Your YOUTH before your OLD AGE,

Your HEALTH before your SICKNESS,

Your WEALTH before your POVERTY,

Your FREE-TIME before you are PREOCCUPIED,

& Your LIFE before your DEATH."

Praise be to Allah who bestowed the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam with Jawaami'ul Kalim (conciseness).

Surely, this Hadeeth is few in words but holds a great meaning for those who understand and ponder.

In this narration by ibn Abbas we are asked to take the benefit of five things before the occurrence of five things.

Insha-allah each portion of this Hadeeth will be explained with detail... Starting with one that is most likely to be beneficial for us all... Our Youth before our Old Age...

May Allah give us the ability to understand the value of time and take benefit of this moment that we have before it is taken away from us. Aameen

Some Changes

As Salaamu Alaykum,

As you may notice that the blog has had slight changes. This was in attempt to include sections for Du'aas, Hadeeth, Qur'an and Fiqh. In addition, I will Insha-allah try to post lessons that will include the correct ways and procedures to carry out our daily religious duties.

Insha-Allah, through these lessons we can be saved from being amongst those who worship Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala yet fail to please Him due to performing the acts in an incorect manner.

To make differentiating between lessons and my current posts easy I will continue with my current posts in blue whilst posting the lessons in red.

May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala make this a source of salvation for everyone. Aameen.

Wasalaam

The reality of Sins...

As Salaamu Alaykum,

Being a Muslim makes one aware of the boundries set by Allah. It makes one be considerate towards all the things that Allah has condemned in the Qur'an.

The eyes of a Muslim never stops at that which is only visible, but the true believer after bringing faith will further look towards those minute things that any other person may fail to see... Why? Only so that he is saved from displeasing his Lord, Allah.

So why do we see so many people, so many Muslims, stuck today in the net of desires. The net that holds one in such a place where the displeasure of Allah is always on him, a place where the rules and regulations of Allah are put aside for one's personal pleasure.

If we look deep into the problem we will realise that the average practicing Muslim will never look twice at consuming Pork or drinking Wine. He will never dream of commiting adultery or being involved in murder. A Muslim may find it difficult to control his desires, but to even think of commiting such acts would be far from his wildest imaginations; the obvious reason is that these acts are known to be Haraam and for that matter from amongst the Kabaair (Major Sins).

However, the average person will be involved in back-biting (Geebah), slandering, not giving the rights to people etc. Sins that people are involved in day after day whilst realising that the acts they are commiting are against the teachings of Islam.

Despite knowing this why do we stay away from that eating pork and drinking wine, whilst we fail to do the same when it comes to back-biting and slandering.

The reason for this is that we have the habit of the latter act and we do not have the habit of the former sins. This is the only reason why we see the former sins as greater than the latter. Whereas in reality, and in the sight of Allah, all of those sins have the same weight, they are all Haraam.

In actual fact, if we read the Ahadeeth we will find that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has declared Geebah (back-biting) to be more severe than Zinaa (fornication). The reasons for this are many, firstly, Zinaa is a crime commited against Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, whereas Geebah (back-biting) is related to the rights of the people and to Allah will not forgive that sin until the person forgives us. Furthermore, Geebah is such a sin that a person drops into without realisation. Thus, in actual fact the greater and more dangerous deed in the sight of Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.

In conclusion, we have to realise the weight of sins... A sin is a sin, and two major sins hold the same consequence... The sin does not become any lighter just because we don't realise it to be major... In actual fact, it gets greater for it is more of a threat.

May Allah give us the Taufique to realise the true harms sins and may He give us the strength to part from those sins that have become our everyday life.

Aameen.

Wasalaam

As Salaamu Alaykum.

The month of Ramadhan has come to an end, taking along with it all the blessings and virtues that it brought. The effort that was needed to do a Nafl (optional good deed) in the month of Ramadhan required minimal effort in respect to the effort that will be required to discharge even a Fardh (obligatory act) in the months to follow.

For many, the month of Ramadhan was a month in which they were committed to making an effort on their Self, a month that would compensate for the lack of deeds in the other months before it. However, for others the month of Ramadhan was a month in which there were extra responsibilities to discharge, a month that they plodded through in order to carry on with their daily lifestyles. Thus, when the month of Ramadhan was over, so were their days of worship and prayers.

But despite these extremely different opinions, the same questions should be streaming through the minds of all the people that made even the slightest effort in the month of Ramadhan; was my Ramadhan accepted? Did I achieve the blessings of Ramadhan? Did I achieve the purpose of the month of Ramadhan?

The question then arises that how do we know if our Ramadhan was accepted? How do we know if the goal and purpose of Ramadhan was achieved?

Allah mentions in the Qur'an:

"And when my servants ask about me (then tell them) indeed I am close. I accept the supplications of those who supplicate"

[al-Baqarah:186]

From this verse Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) tells us that he accepts our supplications and prayers when we call towards him. Does this mean that on the day of resurrection we will find out whether Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) answered our calls? Or is there a way in which we will know this is this world as well?

The scholars say, when a person goes into the Masjid (Mosque) and says "Allahu Akbar" whilst beginning his prayer, this is the time when the servant is remembering his lord. After reading his prayer he says "Asalaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah" in denotes that he has now ended his prayer… The servant has done his part, he has remembered his lord, and it is now the time where he awaits the reply from his Lord.

Then again after a couple of hours he heads towards the Masjid, raises his hands whilst saying "Allahu Akbar". He stands in prayer remembering Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) and finishes his prayer by saying "Asalaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah".

But the servant has remembered his Lord not once but twice! Where is the remembrance and acceptance from Allah? Where is the sign in this world? Well, the first time that the servant went into the Masjid, that was him remembering his Lord, but when he went the second time, that was his Lord, Allah, remembering him. It is only through Allah remembering him after his first prayer that the servant was fortunate and blessed with the ability to go to the second prayer. The sign of acceptance of his first prayer was the fact that he was present to attend the second prayer. This is the sign that Allah (SWT) gives in this world for those who call Him, but it is up to us to see if we can see the signs.

So going back to the month of Ramadhan, how do we know if our prayers and supplications were accepted?

Well, if after the month of Ramadhan we continue to remember Allah, we continue to frequent his house, the Masaajids (mosques) and we continue to obey Him, then this is a sign that the worship we done in the month has been accepted. This is a sign that just how we remembered Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) in the month of Ramadhan he is remembering us in the months that follow.

Furthermore, it should be remembered that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) is the Most Merciful, His Mercy has no limits. Therefore, if we remembered Allah for one month, it will not mean that Allah will remember us for one month only. But instead, if we remembered Allah in a manner that would be classed acceptable, then Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) will remember us throughout the eleven months to follow.

And Allah remembering us throughout the eleven months to follow is the sole purpose of Ramadhan. Ramadhan is a month in which a believer cleanses his heart so that he can create link with Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) so that in the months to follow the servant can remember his Lord and take the glad tidings that his Lord is remembering him.

Taqwa (Piety)

How can man achieve success and how can man achieve salvation in this world and the hereafter?

Is it through our deeds that we'll achieve success? This can never be. The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has told us that none can be relieved from the fire of Hell through his deeds. When the Sahaba Radhi Allahu Anhum heard this they were astonished at such news and questioned the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam that not even you O beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam except for the fact that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has enveloped me in His mercy.

This incident and Hadeeth clearly tells us that our actions are not the source of our salvation, but it is the mercy of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala that will save us from the Hell-fire and enter us into His paradise. The reason being for this is also mentioned in another Hadeeth on the authority of Ummul Mu'mineen, Hadhrat A'isha Radhi Allahu Anha that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said:

He who is questioned (on the day of resurrection) will be destroyed.

This is simple to understand knowing the fact that we a prone to sinning, every step of our life we commit a sin which makes us forget the creator of all.

The point being made here is that although one has asked forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala from his sins, although one has made intention not to commit sin again, despite having a firm intention to do good deeds, the intention of one should not be that I will commit good deeds through which I will enter Jannah. It is simple to understand that paradise cannot be bought by ones deeds yet it can be achieved through the mercy of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

For this very reason, to attain the gardens of bliss we have to ensure the happiness of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, we have to yearn for His friendship so that His mercy is showered upon us, not only in the hereafter but also throughout each day of our life.

Allah States in the Holy Qur'an:

His (Allah's) friends are only those who attain piety (Taqwa).

From this one small verse, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala has clearly told us that the crown of His friendship is given to only those who acquire the great quality of Piety.

Now we may ask ourselves, what is the meaning of Taqwa? The word Taqwa has a very broad meaning. There have been many explanations of the meaning of Taqwa from the Sahaba Radhi Allahu Anhum to the Awliya (pious friends of Allah).

Abu Huraira Rahimahullah was once asked in regards to the meaning of Taqwa, in reply Abu Huraira Rahimahullah asked him as to whether he had trodden a thorn-infested path and the manner in which he walked upon it. The man said he had and replied, 'when I saw a thorn I took evasive action, lest I be pricked by it.' Abu Huraira Rahimahullah answered him by saying, 'this is exactly what Taqwa means (to take evasive action on seeing sin)'.

Hamman ibn Shuraih Rahimahullah, a companion of Hadhrat Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu, once asked him to narrate the qualities of the people of Taqwa so that he would be able to recognise them. Hadhrat Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu said:

"When Allah created His creation, He did so while He was completely independent of their obedience towards Him and of their disobedience towards Him. No disobedience can hurt Him and no obedience can benefit Him. Then He distributed amongst them (the creation) their means of sustenance and placed them on earth. The people of Taqwa on earth are those of virtue: their speech is correct (true); their garments are of moderate nature and their walk is one of humility.

They lower their gazes when they see something that Allah has forbidden them to see and they give an ear to beneficial knowledge. They maintain their integrity in both adversity and prosperity.

Had it not been for the appointed time that Allah has written for them (death), their souls would not remain an extra second in their bodies out of yearning for reward and fear of punishment. The Creator ranks Supreme in their eyes, so everything else becomes immaterial to them. They are with Paradise as if they had already witnessed it and enjoyed its presence. They are with Hell as if they have already seen it and tasted its torment. Their hearts grieve and their evil (if any) is non-contagious. Their bodies are lean, their needs are few and their souls are chaste.

They observe patience for a few days and experience everlasting comfort. This is a profitable exchange that their Lord has made pleasant for them. The world tempts them, but they do not succumb. It imprisons them, but they ransomed themselves in exchange.

During the nights they stand in rows and read portions of the Qur'an. They recite with proper recitation which grieves their hearts and drink it (the Qur'an) like medicine. If a verse of yearning comes along, they reach for it and believe it is their destination. If an intimidating verse comes along, they pour their hearts towards it and believe that Hell and its screams are in their ears. They sleep on their foreheads and elbows (i.e. they engage in prayers so much that it is as if they sleep in those postures) and implore Allah to deliver them.

In the day, they are tolerant and learned, kind and God-fearing. Fear has chipped away at their bodies as if they were arrows. Anyone looking at them would think that they were sick. But they are not sick. Some will say that they are confused. A great fear has made them look like that. They are never content to do only a few actions (during the day), nor do they ask for a great deal. They condemn themselves and are apprehensive about their deeds. If one of them is called "pious", he fears what will be said of him and says:

'I know myself better than you do. My Lord knows me better than I do. O Allah! Do not take me to task for what they are saying about me and (O Lord) make me better than they think. Forgive my sins which they do not know about.'

Their signs are that they are strong in Islam, resolute in their softness; firm in their belief. They crave for knowledge and are knowledgeable with tolerance; moderate in richness; pleasant in hunger; forbearing in distress; seeking Halal; active in (pursuing) guidance and they abhor greed.

They perform good deeds in fear (of rejection). They spend the evening in gratitude and the morning in remembrance. They sleep in alarm and they awake in joy. If their carnal selves make it difficult for them to fulfill that which they dislike they deprive them (their selves) of that which they like. The apple of their eyes is in what does not perish and their abstemiousness is in what disappears. They combine knowledge with tolerance and speech with action.

You will find their hopes are realistic their mistakes few; their hearts humble their selves content; their diet meagre, their matters simple; their Deen safe-guarded, their desires killed and their anger subdued. Goodness is expected from them and evil is shielded against them. If they are among those who are oblivious, they are counted amongst those who remember (Allah). If they are among those who remember, they are not written among the oblivious. They pardon those who wrong them; they provide for those who deprive them and meet those who severe ties with them. They are never profane and always lenient. Their wrong doings are almost non-existent and their good deeds are always present. They are resolute when the earth quakes, steadfast in calamities and grateful in prosperity.

They are not prejudiced against those they dislike nor do they favour those they love. They acknowledge the truth before it appears and do not lose anything they are entrusted with. They do not call anyone names nor do they hurt their neighbours. They do not curse at the time of difficulties nor do they venture into falsehood.

Silence does not bother them and if they laugh they do not raise their voices. If they are treated with injustice they remain patient until Allah vindicates them.
Their own selves live in toil while others are comfortable around them.

Their abstinence from those who stay away from them is their exoneration (from malice). Their proximity to those who are close to them is a means of mercy (for those who are close to them). Their remaining aloof is not out of pride and arrogance and their being close is neither a ploy nor a scheme."

The description of Hadrat Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu may be lengthy and seem to be impossible to accomplish. However, it is vital to understand, that whatever we achieve is not through our own cleverness or hard work, yet through the Will of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. Therefore, we should ask Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala to make us reach the rank of Taqwa and to make us from amongst His Awliya (friends).

May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala give us all the ability to implement the steps that take us to the status of the Muttaqeen (God-fearing) and may He also forgive all of our shortcomings and rank us amongst those that are classed as His friends. Ameen.

Insha-Allah next week a few steps will be mentioned in attaining Taqwa.
Wasalaam

Repentance...

As mentioned in the previous post, Insha-allah I will be posting on every Monday. With advice from a friend, I have decided to post some Fiqhi Masail as well as a short topic. Insha-allah I will also post some Dua's and supplications from time to time... Before I actually begin posting these topics, I think it is vital that we make an intention to act upon all that we read, to bring into practice what is read... so that these words are not left black and white, but flourish into beautiful colours thriugh our actions.

The first steps to success is a clean slate & and a clean intention... We all need to seek and practice this knowledge for the sake of Allah, and so that we can make a connection between us and Him. To achieve a good connection with Allah, we also need to have a clean slate, meaning, we have to ask forgiveness for our previous wrong-doings and be firm on making a new start. To learn knowledge and sin is similar to filling water in a bucket with a hole. It will eventually empty out. But Insha-allah if one makes an intention to leave sin, then the knwoledge and actions will save one from commiting sins also. May Allah give us the Taufique.

It is vital for a person, in order to change in life, to repent and ask forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

The gift of repentance is such that it gives man a second chance, a chance where he can make the difference of being a dweller of the hell-fire or the dweller of the garden of paradise.

The mercy of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala can in no way be expressed when we talk about his forgiveness and acceptance of those who seek repentance.

Allah states:

Allah is very forgiving towards those who return (to Him)
(17:25)

Scholars say that this verse is referring to those people who sin and then ask for forgiveness, thereafter they sin and ask for forgiveness again. However, it is vital that this repentance is one that is sincere.

O you who believe, repent towards Allah, a sincere repentance
(Hud:3)

Sincere repentance in the words of scholars is 'to uproot oneself from sin at present, to resolve no to repeat it in the future and to feel remorse over its occurrence in the past. Then if someone's right has been violated, one should return his due.'

The benefits of repentance are countless, the one who repents is automatically drawn towards Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. His repenting creates a fear of Allah in his heart and opens his eyes towards the hereafter. The black marks of sins that had been placed on his heart are also removed and it leaves one's heart ready for the Noor (divine light).

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is also pleased with that person who repents. It is narrated in a Hadeeth, the gist of which is, that Allah is more pleased towards his repenting servant than a traveller who loses his camel in the desert and has no hope of finding it. He thus sits down and accepts his death. However, when he awakes he finds his camel and all his provisions standing in front of Him, and due to the extreme pleasure he utters 'Oh Allah I am your lord and you are my servant.' Such is his happiness that he utters incorrect words, being lost in his new given life.

Similarly, a person who seeks forgiveness was one that had a life ended, but through seeking forgiveness he has found a new, meaningful life, a life of hope and success.

So repent all together O you who believe
so that you may acquire success
(Tahreem:8)

Our success lies in following the Sunnah and ways of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. Like all prophets, a Prophet who was immune from sins, a Prophet who's every step was in accordance to Allah's desires, a Prophet who was guaranteed a place in paradise.

Nevertheless, this Prophet who had no sins would also seek forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala over a hundred times a day. And this number of a hundred is not a limit, but just a way to express the immensity of his seeking forgiveness.

This action of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, of seeking forgiveness, shows us how vital and necessary it is for us to seek forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala every night, for the sins we are aware of and those which we have no clue about.

I pray to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala that he gives us the ability to seek His forgiveness and that He accepts us and makes this repentance a start to a new life, a life that is lived for His pleasure and in accordance to His Shari'ah. I also ask Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala that he clears our hearts so that we can accept the truth and we can practice on all that which we read. Ameen.

Finally, an advice from Hadhrat Sulaiman Alayhis Salaam to his son:

My son! Do not delay repentance, for death comes all of a sudden.

Wasalaam

Islam - A Way of Life.

Islam, a religion as well as a way of life, teaches each and every one of its followers to follow a set law, Shari'ah.

Mankind's success lies within following some sort of law and set of rules, and similarly, his failure and ruin lies in breaking these laws.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam came into this crime filled world to give it a law and way of life and living; to transform the people of the world from animals to human beings.

Allah proclaims that His sending the messenger to this world was itself a mercy, he states:

I have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.

In another place Allah states:

Indeed Allah favoured the believers when He sent within them a Prophet...

Many verses of the Holy Qur'an will clearly highlight that the Messenger Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam came into this world as a mercy and blessing; as a gift from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala to His servants.

Such a merciful creator, such a merciful load, that He sent down a messenger with such calibre that he could steer an entire nation from the depth of Jahannam (Hell-fire) and put them onto a path of Jannah (paradise). A prophet who not only came for the Arabs nor only for mankind, moreover not even only for this world, but a prophet that was sent towards the entire creation, be it man or Jinn, be it this world or thousands of those created by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

The prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam's entering this world has today became a day of celebration, just as it was the day he arrived. This day could be marked as the day Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala wrote down salvation for us from the Hell-fire; a day where Allah made us the best of nations that ever set foot on this planet; a day through which we became the nation that would bear witness upon all the preceding nations.

Such is this gift that messengers were prepared to give up their prophet-hood in order to be part of such a nation, in order to be classed as the follower of the prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.

Such was the rank of the messenger Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam that nothing could exceed it except for his mercy for his nation. The messenger Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was loved by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala more than words can express. Such love and affection for the prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam can be perceived from the fact that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is any acts which His servants commit, yet even Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala sends Durood (blessings) upon the prophet Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and commands the angels and believers to do the same.

Due to this rank and love, the prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was given an option to live a luxurious life of a king. But despite such rank, despite such elevation, and disregarding every personal confort, the prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam chose a life of simplicity.

Such sacrifices were made by the prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam that tears would dry in attempt to accumulate them. However, these sacrifices were not for gold or silver, nor for fame and rank, but merely an attempt to save his nation from the flames of the hell-fire.

He was prepared to be showered by stones by the people of Taif, suffer at the hands of relatives and disbelievers, sacrifice all of his loved ones, yet was not willing to lket a single follower fall into the clutches of Kufr (disbelief).

Those who saw and appreciated the mercy, kindness and sacrifices of the prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam were willing to give their lives for him. Let alone humans, even the animals would run towards the prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam; some to be slaughtered by his blessed hands, and others to complain of the brutality of their masters.

Taking into consideration these few factors it deems necessary on every believer, if not every man, that he learns the teachings of the prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and puts these teachings into action.

Worldly practice shows that the return of a good favour is also a good favour, it shows that love and consideration is created between two people who share and gift to one another.

This same practice should extend towards us in the case of the beloved prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. The gifts and consideration of the prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam are so excessive that many books have been written in attempt to gather them, yet non will be able to do so with it's due right.

In conclusion, it is vital for each and every believer to learn the teachings of the Shari'ah, to practice what has been shown and sent down to us, to love the prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam in every respect.

Insha-Allah, in an effort to understand the teachings of Shari'ah I will be posting some Islamic topics once a week. I pray Allah to give me the strength and ability to finish that which I have started. I also pray that He accepts all that is said and read, and that He gives us the ability to put into practice all that we learn. Ameen.

A life of comfort...

As Salaamu Alaykum,

By the grace of Allah, i have returned safely from what i would call a very long and tiring journey. A journey that not only took me away from my sorrows and worries for a month, but opened my eyes to the sorrows and suffering of others.

Sometimes, we're so deep within our own little world that we fail to see all that is happening around us. We fail to see the tears of a orphan child, the burden of a widowed women and the worries of a helpless father.

and sometimes we're so trapped inside our world of confort and pleasure that we fail to realise that we have been given that which thousands of others have been deprived of.

So, what is it that we have done to deserve this? and what are we doing to show our appreciation for what Allah has bestowed us with?

It is only rational to let each individual judge for themselves... Are we grateful to Allah for the shelter he provides us day after day? Are we grateful for the food that we have on our table three times a day? Have we ever spread our hands in front of Allah and thanked Him for His favours?

It may seem that we have all that we have, and that whatever we have will remain with us for some time. But reality is different. If Allah wanted we could awake with nothing, nothing at all. Our house, family, wealth and even our health could be gone over night.

Allah states; "Woe be to mankind, how ungrateful he is!" and in another place Allah asks "Has a time not passed man when he was a thing not worth mentioning".

This shows the reality of mankind, we were nothing and no one. Then Allah with His infinate mercy gave us life, Imaan (faith) and all that we have.

So may Allah give us the ability to appreciate what we have and constantly thank Allah so that He may increase us in the bounties we have.

So next time we have something to moan about, let us think of those people who are less fortunate than us, and instead of complaing, let us thank Allah and make Dua for those less fortunate.

May Allah give me the Taufique first to practice upon that which I have learnt. Aameen.

GOOD DEEDS

Did you do a good deed today?

Was it to show of to others?
Did you intend to do the good deed only to gain reward? or

Did you do it seeking solely the face of Allah?

A good deed is that which is done seeking solely the face of Allah first and the secondary bonus we get in addition is the reward. We have to be very careful in the intention (Niyyah) we make and the actions we take in carrying out the good deed.

As Al-Fudail Ibn Iya'd, may Allah grant him mercy, once said: "The most sincere, the best guided way. If a deed was sincere but misguided, it is not acceptable. If it were well guided but not sincere, it is not accepted either. Only when it is both sincere and well guided is it accepted by Allah. A sincere deed is that which is intended for Allah's pleasure. The correct deed is that which follows the example of the Sunnah." Correct work must be intended for Allah's pleasure, for He does not accept any deed, which is not intended, purely for His pleasure. As in the Sahih Hadith: "Allah says, 'I am the One among the associates who is in least need for associates. He who does a deed which is intended for anyone other than Me, I am innocent of it. It all goes to he who was associated with Me."' [Reported by Ibn Majah]

We need to do good deeds continously, as we do not know which one of those good deeds will take us to jannah. It only takes one misdeed, yes, only one misdeed to take us to hell-fire... Subhan'Allah just think we can commit all the good deeds we want but it is possible that it may not be accepted and our one mis-deed can take us straight to the hell-fire... Subhan'Allah!

A Person's Deeds and Intentions
Allah has written down the good deeds and the bad ones. Then He explained it [by saying that] he who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times, or many times over. But if he has intended a bad deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed. [It was related by al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Subhan'Allah, Allah is All forgiving and Most Merciful.

A Good Deed Rewarded
Once a nobleman of khajand died. Later he approached in someone's dream. The noble had once pulled a thorn from am orphan's foot. The dreamer saw the nobleman walking among the flower beds of a heavenly garden. The nobleman told him that the thorn had placed him in the middle of the flowers.

Be as kind and sympathetic to others as possible, because then Allah will be generous to you. Never be proud because you helped someone who was in difficulty. The sword of time that has fallen on them may fall again on you. If you help people and they raise their hands in prayers of gratitude to Allah, you should be thankful that you were His instrument. Kindness and generosity are the correct behaviour of kings and emperors. Indeed, they are the qualities of the prophets of Allah.

[Story taken from: The Rose Garden by Shaykh Sa'di]

Some words of wisdom:

• Like for others the things you like for yourself.
• Do not treat others with injustice as you do not like others to treat you with injustice.
• Do not take your friend's enemy as your friend.
• He who makes good his inner intentions, Allah would make good his outer appearance.

Ali (R.A) advised his son saying: "Profession with adequacy is better than richness with injustice. You should keep your secret within yourself. Keep company with good people and keep away from bad people. The worst food you take is the one you earn in a forbidden way. Be kind to anyone who might be harsh to you, for after a while he would become kind to you."

The most faithful to Allah are in constant fear of hidden shirk, and they continually exert efforts to conceal their righteous deeds, unless for, some reason, there is more benefit.
Concealing one's sin is a duty. A Muslim should not speak of sins he has committed; rather, he should be repent privately and correct his behaviour. Then Allah will conceal that sin for him on the Day of Judgment and forgive him.

Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported: Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassalam) said, "Be prompt in doing good deeds (before you are overtaken) by turbulence which would be like a part of the dark night. A man would be a believer in the morning and turn to disbelief in the evening, or he would be a believer in the evening and turn disbeliever in the morning, and would sell his faith for worldly goods.'" [Sahih Al Muslim]

This Hadith tells that the Day of Ressurection will be preceded by long chain of calamities. Because of the rush of these calamities, religion and Faith will loose their value in people. There will be a race for wealth, so much so that people would not hesitate to compromise their religion and faith to acquire wealth. People will rapidly change their faces. This is what is actually happening. In this situation true believers are exhorted to adhere strictly to Faith and perform noble deeds without delay.

In conclusion, we should abstain from bad deeds and lying. We should continue to do good deeds for as long as we live and with full submission to Allah reciting laillaha illallah in full conviction with support of Amaal (good deeds) and Imaan (faith) and only then shall we be on the correct path of those true believers who are striving for jannah...

"whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it and
whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it."

O Allah, You are my Lord - there is no god but You. You created me, and I am Your servant; and I uphold Your covenant and [my] promise to You as much as I am able. I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You Your favour upon me, and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me. Indeed, there is none who can forgive sins except You. [Sahih Al Bukhari]

Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and give us from Yourself mercy. Indeed it is You who is the Giver
[of all things]. (Surah Al Imran 3:8)

May Allah grant us the tawfiq to continuously engage in doing good deeds with the right intention...

Insha'Allah Ameen...

In Allah's acceptance is salvation and success.

LEARN TO WRITE IN THE SAND

A little story, one that people may have heard...

Sometimes people do things that are really painful, things that make us wonder and think about all the horrible things we'd love to do to them. We sometimes go to extremes to try and cause pain to people without realising that at times we hurt ourselves more...

The story is about two friends, one of which contained wisdom and understanding.

The story tells us that two friends were walking through the dessert. At a specific point of the journey they had an arguement and one friend slapped the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, he wrote in the sand:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE

They continued walking until the found an oasis (fertil spot of water in the desert), where they had to take a bath. The friend that got slapped started drowning and his friend saved him. When he recovered from the fright, he wrote on a stone:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE

The friend who saved and slapped his best friend asked: "why, after I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now you have written on a stone?"

His friend, smiling, replied: "When a friend hurts us, we should write it down in the sand, where the winds of forgiveness take charge of erasing it. And when something great happens, we should engrave it in the stone of the hearts memory, where no wind can erase it."

So my friends, let us take learn to forgive and forget... let us learn to write in the sand.

GRATITUDE

Salaams,

Just a thought that hit my head which i would like to share... I'm sure many people have thought the same thing, but this is another wake up call to remind us of reality.

Well, my mum has fractured her ankle and is unable to do the daily chores that she would normally do.

So anyways, the house needed a little cleaning up, nothing unusual. But recently, i've been having nose bleeds and have been feeling really weak. So this made it a little difficult for me to do all the rooms... When i managed to somehow complete the rooms i was totally shattered.

But thenm, while i was lying down, a thought went through my head... how many of us really take things for granted, specially our parents.

We expect them to be there and do the daily chores, not considering the pain or suffering they may be going internally... We wake up in the morning and expect to find the food ready, we expect our things to be there for us, everything in it's place and the house neat and tidy...

But have we ever truly appreciated our parents? I wish we could all say yes without that pause...

This is one of the few reasons why the Qur'an tells us not to even utter the word "uff" to our parents... This is one of the few reasons why the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said that we can never fulfil the parent's right upon us even if we lifted them on our heads to perform their Hajj....

So may Allah grant us the wisdom to understand the right's of our parents... and give us the ability to be grateful for all the things they do for us.

Aameen...

GUIDING THE YOUTH

Who are the people guiding our youth? Who is teaching our kids their rights, limits and boundaries? Where are our youth gaining their characteristics and morals from?

I pray to Allah that the answer to the above questions was: "Parents", "Ulamaa", "Islamic Teachers" and "Qur'an & Hadeeth".

And not: "school teachers", "college friends" and "text books"

When we walk into the Masaajids we will see the front rows are full... But who are they filled with? The older generation!

When we look at the assembly of people in a Bayaan (lecture) what percentage will we find of youths?

Is Islam a religion to be practiced when one reaches an old age? Does Islam overlook the actions of a person just because he feels he is not 'ready'? Will only the old have to answer for their deeds while the younger generation is free to leave?

What is the contemplation of the Muslim generation? What goes through their mind? What are the calamities awaiting the younger children each time they step into a school? Finally, whose responsibility is it to guide these children?

We will see that in our society, especially in some areas, that the older generation is practicing Islam very steadfastly. However, through the midst of this steadfastness and practicing they seem to forget that they are also responsible for their offspring and younger generations.

How many parents are aware of what occurs in government schools? How many parents are aware of what their child is doing with their friends? How many parents know where their child is while they are praying in the Masaajids.

Indeed, non can doubt the reward of spending one's time in the Masjid and spending one's time in the path of Allah. But similarly, non can deny the responsibility upon a parent to guide his child nor the responsibility of saving them from the hell-fire.

Allah Subhanahu Wa'tala states in the Qur'an:

"O people who believe, save yourselves and your family from the hell-fire"

From this verse Allah denotes that one is primarily responsible for his own actions and safety. A person has the foremost responsibility to safeguard himself from the Hell-fire. But along with this, Allah Ta'ala has also pointed out that a person is responsible for the safety of his family too.

Each person has been given a responsibility in Islam. In accordance to the position of a person the responsibility will be given.

The Prophet's were given the responsibility of their nation, their people. The kings and leaders are given responsibility over their countrymen. The father and mother is given responsibility for their children and offspring.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has said:
"Stay alert! Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be questioned in regards to your flock"

From this narration it is clear that each person carries a responsibility; a responsibility that one will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment.

Therefore, it is vital that parents do not turn a blind eye to what their children are doing in regards to their religion. Let us not be ignorant of the saying of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam to the nearest meaning that 'a time will come when a person will sleep as a Muslim and wake up as a disbeliever, and he will wake up as a believer and sleep as a disbeliever'.

May Allah save us all... but if we let our children be brainwashed by the western society, if we are carefree of the people who are feeding our children with 'knowledge'... then surely we will be responsible for their Imaan...

It is a thing to ponder! Can we really say we really tried? I believe it is time that we, the youth, woke up and realise that we are the future, the people who will be the one's that will need to uphold Islam.

May Allah save us all and give us the understanding and ability to train and bring up our younger generation in the light of Islam... Ameen.

I pray to Allah that the youth that are reading this are safeguarded from the disasters of society. But I urge each and everyone to spread the word, and try to make a difference...

The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has said:

"Whosoever sees from amongst you, something that is disliked (in Islam) then he should change it through his hands (ie. by action), and if he not able to do so then through is tongue (ie. verbally), and f he not able to do so then through his heart (ie. by acknowledging and accepting that the deed being done is bad) and this (form) is the weakest of Imaan (ie. the minimum requirement)".

Wa Maa Taufiqu Illah billah

Wasalaam

TOPICS TO COME

As Salaamu Alaykum,

As mentioned in the previous post, this blog is still "under construction". However, I will soon be posting some topics.

The topics that will soon be posted will be:

1. Islam and Marriage...
2. Actions... a form of worship or show?

Insha-Allah, once I have overcome a few personal duties, and some business matter I will be working on one of the above two topics.

I make a humble request from all readers to remember me in their Dua's.

Wasalaam.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

As Salaamu Alaykum,

First of all Jazakallah for visiting this blog... I hope that you will visit frequently. As you can see I have kept the layout of this site similar to my more 'personal' blog page...

This page is still currently under construction, but please feel free to put in your comments and ideas as to what the site should include and what changes can be made...

This site belongs to all those people who wish to learn about Islam... So all your comments and ideas are more than welcome, moreover, appreciated.

Gradually, the site will be going through some changes, but to begin with i hope to include some commentary & explanation of Ahadeeth along with current issues affecting the Muslim community...

I look forward to hearing to hearing your Views and hope that you will remember me in your Dua's.

Wasalaam