Enjoin Good, Forbid evil orelese your du'a will NOT be accepted

The Prophet said,
"By Him in Whose Hand my life is, you either enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allah will certainly send His punishment to you soon. Then you will make du'a (supplication) and it will not be accepted".

[At-Tirmidhi]

Commentary: To abandon the practice of enjoining virtue and forbidding vice incurs the displeasure of Allah. This trend is indeed fraught with the danger of rejection of prayers and supplications by Him.

Your good deeds will NOT save you from Hell Fire

Allah's Apostle said,
"The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the Hell Fire)."

They said, "Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah's Apostle?"

He said, "No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me.
Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise)."

(sahih bukhari)

Don't be an extremist..Be a perfectionist

The Prophet said,

"Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the nights."

[Sahih Bukhari]

"Teachings of islam are too many for me to perform.."

A man said:
"O Messenger of Allah! Verily, the teachings of Islam are numerous (for me to perform all),
so tell me something I can adhere to."

The Messenger of Allah replied,
"Keep your tongue constantly moist with the remembrance of Allah."

[Ibn Majah and Tirmidhi]

Once Hell-Fire complained to Allah..

Prophet said

Once the Hell complained to its Lord saying:
"O Lord! My parts are eating (destroying) one another (due to the rising heat)."

So Allah allowed it to take two breaths-one in the winter and the other in the summer.

The breath in the summer is at the time when you feel the severest heat (with the breath taken out) and the breath in the winter is at the time when you feel the severest cold (with the breath taken in).

[Bukhari]

Love & HeartBreak

The destruction of the heart occurs by feeling love and security in this Dunya and neglecting the aakhirah.

The strengthening of heart occurs by fear and reflecting about Allah SWT and aakhirah.

If the heart gives up the pleasures of the Dunya, it starts upon chasing the pleasures of the Hereafter. Such a person becomes an obedient servant of Allah.
If the heart becomes content with the pleasures of the Dunya, the longing for the pleasures of the hereafter stop.

PASSIONATE LOVE

Passionate love is a psychological sickness, and when it's effects become noticeable on the body, it becomes a sickness that afflicts the mind also. Either by afflicting the mind by the likeness of agony, or afflicting the body through weakness and emancipation. But the purpose here is to discuss its effect on the heart.

Passionate love is the fundament that makes the soul go after that which would harm it.

It is similar to the one weak of body who goes after that which harms it.
If he is not satisfied by that then he is grieved, and if he is satisfied then his sickness increases.

Therefore the only cure for the sick lies in his removing the sickness by removing this blameworthy love from his heart.



WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A HEART BREAKS

The heart afflicted with this love is harmed by its connection to the loved, either by seeing, hearing, touching or even thinking about them. And if he were to hold back the love then the heart is hurt and grieved by this, and if he gives in to the desire then the sickness becomes stronger and becomes a means through which the grievance is increased.

This is in contrast to the one whose objective is not met, and the heart breaks, for this failure results in removing the satisfaction that would have strengthened the sickness. Thereby the desire for the loved one is weakened, and the love for them is weakened. This is because the person definitely intends that there be action accompanying his desire, otherwise all his desire would become as minute as just whisperings of the soul, unless the person speaks or looks or is in contact.



PARADISE IS THE ABODE FOR THE ONE WHO HOLDS BACK SUCH LOVE

As for the one who is afflicted with this passionate love but holds back and is patient, then indeed Allah will reward him for his taqwa as occurs in the hadeeth:

"The one who passionately loves someone yet holds back, conceals this and is patient, then dies upon this, will be a martyr."

(A da'eef hadeeth . refer to the discussion concerning its authenticity in al-Jawaab al-Kaafee and Rawdha al-Muhibbeen of Ibn al Qayyim and Silsilah ad-Da'eefah of al-Albaanee.)

Although the above hadith is weak but it is known from the evidences of the Shareeah that if one were to hold back from performing that which is unlawful, be it looking, speaking or acting, and he conceals this and does not articulate it so as not to fall into that which is prohibited and he is patient in his obedience to Allah and keeps away from disobedience to Allah, despite the pain that his heart feels due to this passionate love (similar to the case of the one who is patient through a calamity), then indeed this person would gain the same reward as those who have feared Allah and been patient.

"Verily, he who fears Allah and is patient, then surely Allah makes not the reward of the doers good to be lost."
[Surah Yusuf: Ayah 90]

"But as for him who feared the standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode."
[Surah an-Naaziaat: Ayah 40]

SUCH LOVE CAN BE SINFUL

When the soul loves something, it will do all it can to attain it, so the one who does this out of having a blameworthy love then this action of his would be sinful.

As one poet affected by this said:

For the sake of a Sudanese girl he loved Sudan to the point that he loved the black dogs due to his love of her.

Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah's al Fawaaid (p111-112)



SUCH LOVE TAKES YOU AWAY FROM ALLAH

The slave is not afflicted with a punishment greater in severity then the hardening of the heart and being distant from Allah. For the Fire was created to melt the hardened heart. The most distant heart from Allah is the heart which is hardened. If the heart becomes hardened, the eye becomes dry.

If four matters are exceeded in quantity, beyond what is necessary, the heart shall become hardened:

Food, sleep, speech and desire. A body afflicted by disease does not derive nourishment from food or water, similarly a heart diseased by desire does not benefit from admonishment and exhortation.

Whosoever desires to purify his heart, then let him prefer Allah instead of his desires.

SOLUTION TO CURE SUCH A HEART

They (the disobedient ones) preoccupied their hearts in the pursuit of the Dunya, would that they preoccupied them with Allah and the hereafter, then surely they would have opened the Qur'an and reflected upon the meaning of His glorious verses. If they did this, their hearts would have returned to their Master with wisdom, marvelously curious and with deep thoughtfulness about the life in the aakhirah.

If the heart is nourished with remembrance of Allah, its thirst is quenched with contemplation (deep thinking) and cleansed from corruption, it shall witness remarkable and wondrous matters, inspiring wisdom.

Yearning for Allah and His meeting is like the gentle breeze blowing upon the heart, extinguishing the burning heart. Whosoever caused his heart to settle with his Lord shall be in a calm and peaceful state, and whosoever set his heart on people of the Dunya, shall be disturbed and excessively nervous.

Because the love of Allah shall not enter a heart, which contains the love of this world, just as a mountain cannot pass through the eye of a needle.

Hence, the most beloved servant before Allah is the one whom Allah chooses as His servant, in whose heart Allah puts His love, whom Allah makes purify his worship for Him, who dedicates his objectives for Allah, whose tongue for Allah's remembrance, and his limbs for Allah's service.

The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is al-Tawbah and protection [from disobedience].

It becomes rusty as a mirror becomes rusty, and its clarity is obtained by deeply thinking about the paradise and hell. It becomes hungry and thirsty as the body becomes hungry and thirst, and its food and drink are knowledge, love, dependence, repentance and servitude.



-Slightly Abridged Excerpt from 'Diseases of the Heart and its cures' by Sheikh Ibn Taymiyyah

How to propose a girl for marriage

Praise be to Allaah.

If a man feels that his heart is inclined towards a particular woman, he should follow the way that is permitted in Islam, which is marriage. If a person intends to marry a woman, he has to propose marriage to her through her wali (guardian), who is her father if he is alive, or one of her other close relatives. It is not permissible for a man to propose marriage to a woman who is not his mahram through ways that are not permissible according to sharee’ah, such as meeting her frequently or getting in touch with her often and speaking on the phone; these are means through which Iblees causes people to sin and which lead to regrettable consequences. It is not permissible for a person to justify his relationship with a girl by saying that she is like his sister and other silly excuses. You have to follow the proper channels as prescribed in Islam to marry this woman. When you propose marriage, it is okay if you try to win her over by giving her a gift through her wali. We ask Allaah to give us and you strength and to keep us away from haraam things. And Allaah is the Source of strength.

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

IslamQA

Thank More, Get More (Quran 14:7)

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed:
"If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless, verily! My Punishment is indeed severe."

(Qur'an 14:7)

Open all 8 gates of Jannah by saying this after Wudhu

Prophet said

Whoever performs wudhu (ablution) and does so well, and then says,

Ashhadu al-la ilaaha illallaah wahdahu la shareeka lahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu

(I testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah. He is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger)

all eight of the doors of Paradise are opened for them--and they can enter from whichever they wish.

(Sahih Muslim)

Check if you have Weak Imaan

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 makrooh (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.

"KEEP THIS CIRCULATING - IT WILL HELP US BECOME BETTER MUSLIMS, INSHA-ALLAH"

Fasting pushes Hell away from you

The Holy Prophet said:
"When a person fasts, for the sake of Allah, Allah drives away Hell from him to a distance of 70 years of travelling."
[Bukhari]

Difficulty in Reading Qur'an?

Prophet said

"One who is fluent in the recitation of the Qur'an will be in the company of the honourable and obedient angels
and
the one who recites the Qur'an and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have a double reward.''

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Hijab is NOT a cloth on your head

Hijaab is not a piece of cloth on your head. It's a Way of Life
By Asma bint Shameem

Just because some of the sisters have their head covered, they think that the requirement of Hijaab is fulfilled. They don't realize that wearing a Hijaab requires much more than just covering your head. Actually, if you think about it, Hijaab is the way you talk…..the way you walk….the very way you carry yourself. In fact, Hijaab is an attitude in itself. Its a whole way of life.
Allaah says:
'And say to the believing women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty (zeenah) except what is apparent of it, and to extend their headcoverings (khimars) to cover their bosoms (jaybs), and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule (slaves), or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent, and not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments. And turn in repentance to Allah together, O you believers, in order that you are successful.' (Surat-un-Nur: 31).


Here are some of the more common issues in light of this verse about the Hijaab.


Well, my head is covered. What more do you want?
If you look carefully at the ayah, it clearly states that the head covers (khumur) should be drawn over the neck slits (juyoob). Khumur is the plural of the Arabic word 'khimar' which means a headcover. Juyoob is the plural of the Arabic word 'jaiyb', which refers to the neck slit (of the dress).
Yet, some sisters just cover their head with something, and think they are fulfilling the rights of Hijaab, although part of their hair or body is showing, or their whole neck and chest area are exposed. Actually, that was the way of the women of Jahilliyah.
Al-Qurtubi said: 'Women in those days used to cover their heads with the khimar, throwing its ends upon their backs. This left the neck and the upper part of the chest bare, along with the ears. Then Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the khimar.'
So secure the scarf well around your face, covering your neck/chest area, and keep those half sleeves and capri pants for your Mahrams.



Sorry.…tight jeans and short shirt just don't cut it
You can't wear tight jeans and a short shirt with a piece of cloth on your head and think this is Hijaab. Nor can you wear anything else that is tight, describing the shape of the body in any way, even if it is long. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
'In later (generations) of my ummah there will be women who will be dressed but naked. On top of their heads (what looks) like camel humps. They will not enter into paradise or (even) get a smell of it.' (Muslim)



If it is see-through, its NOT Hijaab
You CANNOT use chiffon or other see through material to cover your hair and body. Everything should be covered and the color of the skin underneath should not be visible.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) once received a thick garment as a gift. He gave it to Osamah b. Zayd, who in turn gave it to his wife. When asked by the Prophet why he did not wear it, Osamah indicated that he gave it to his wife. The Prophet then said to Osamah 'ask her to use a 'gholalah' under it (the garment) for I fear that it (the garment) may describe the size of her bones.' (Ahmad, Abi-Dawood)
(The word gholalah in Arabic means a thick fabric worn under the dress to prevent it from describing the shape of the body).



The Hijaab shouldn't attract attention
The dress should not be such that it attracts men's attention to the woman's beauty. Allaah clearly states 'not to display their beauty (zeenah).' Yet, Subhaan Allaah, some Hijaabi sisters are dressed in such a way that they attract more attention to themselves than they would if they didn't wear Hijaab!! How could such zeenah be concealed if the dress is designed in a way that it attracts men's eyes to the woman? It beats the purpose of Hijaab.
Allaah tells us: 'And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance…' [al-Ahzaab:32].


The Jilbaab is Fardh
And yes, when you go out of your homes, wearing the jilbaab is a Fardh(from al-Ahzaab 33:59). That doesn't mean you wear just any coat over your home clothes. It must be a loose, long cloak that reaches your ankles and conceals all your clothes.



What about make-up and perfume???
Wearing make up is also part of the zeenah that Allaah orders us NOT to display. So if your head and body are appropriately covered yet you are wearing bright red lipstick or dark eyeliner such that people confuse between you and a raccoon….uh sorry, that's not Hijaab. And keep those nice fragrances for the home, between you and your husband. That's part of Hijaab too, even if you are going to the Masjid. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 'Any woman who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress.' (al-Nasaa'i, Tirmidhi: hasan by Albaani)


Tinkling Jewelry and Jingling bracelets
'Loud' and tinkling anything, be it jewelry, bracelets, clip-clopping shoes, little bells on clothes, you name it, if it jingles or makes noise, it is against the principles of Hijaab, because it attracts attention to the one wearing it. That is what is meant when Allaah orders us in the above verse…'not to strike their feet (on the ground) so as to make known what they hide of their adornments.'



No laughing, joking, or hanging out with non-Mahrams
Some sisters assume that since they are properly covered, its okay for them to sit around and talk, laugh, joke, etc. with the men, but that's not right, even if he is 'the Shaikh'. Allaah says:'. . . then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner.' [al-Ahzaab:32]
So talk to them when there is a specific need, and in a manner that is not necessarily rude, yet it is polite but firm.



Staring at the brothers or 'checking them out' is NOT Hijaab
Allaah orders us to 'lower your gaze' in the above verse. Why? Because a single 'look' can say more than a thousand words. So, even if you are properly covered, keep those eyes down, conduct yourself with 'Hayaa', and avoid 'fitnah'.



'Chatting' on the internet/phone is not part of Hijaab, either
There is no such thing as 'we're just friends'. Talking to non-Mahrams is wrong even if it is through the internet or telephone. There are too many stories of illegal relationships, fornications, broken homes, extra-marital affairs and runaway brides to even mention. That is why in Islam anything that leads to haraam is also haraam. Allaah says:
'Do not (even) come close to fornication, for it is an indecency, and its way is evil.' (Surah Israa:32)


Be careful, even in the way you walk
Remember, you are not a runway model displaying the latest fashion. Walk with modesty and hayaa and you will be respected. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
'There are two types of the people of Hell that I have not seen yet….women who are clothed yet naked, walking with an enticing gait…..' (Muslim).



Don't shake hands with non-Mahrams. Its part of Hijaab
It is not permissible to shake hands with a non-Mahram, because the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 'For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than to touch a woman who is not permissible for him.' (at-Tabaraani saheeh by al-Albaani).
And no, it is not rude to refuse to shake hands with non-Muslims. Simply politely explain that its part of your religion and they are very understanding.



Stay away from the men's areas
I see many sisters entering the Masjid from the men's entrance, or standing idle in the hallways or where there is a chance of unnecessary mixing with the brothers. What for?
Don't we have a separate entrance for ourselves? Why do you think Allaah ordained the Hijaab in the first place? To avoid fitnah, by reducing temptation and separating the genders.
'The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said to the women on his way out of the mosque when he saw men and women mixing together on their way home: 'Give way ( i.e., walk to the sides) as it is not appropriate for you to walk in the middle the road.' Thereafter, women would walk so close to the wall that their dresses would get caught on it.' (Abu Dawood)


Hijaab is also to conceal your sister
Although some sisters wear the Hijaab themselves, they forget that they cannot talk about another sister and her beauty in front of their own husbands, brothers, etc. Remember, part of your Hijaab is to cover your sisters 'awrah' as well.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 'No woman should mix with a woman and describe her to her husband so that it is as if he can see her.' (Muslim)

May Allah guide us and bless us with the TRUE understanding of His Deen. Ameen.

What can you do in one minute?

1. In one minute you can recite Soorat al-Faatihah 3 times, reciting rapidly and silently. Some scholars said that the reward for reading al-Faatihah is more than 600 hasanahs, so if you read it 3 times you will, by the permission of Allaah, gain more than 1800 hasanahs – all of that in one minute.

2. In one minute you can recite Soorat al-Ikhlaas (Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad) 20 times, reciting rapidly and silently. Reciting it once is equivalent to one-third of the Qur’aan. If you read it 20 times it is equivalent to reading the Qur’aan 7 times. If you read it 20 times in one minute each day, you will have read it 600 times in one month, and 7200 times in one year, which will be equal in reward to reading the Qur’aan 2400 times.

3. You can read one page of the Book of Allaah in one minute.

4. You can memorize a short aayah of the Book of Allaah in one minute.

5. In one minute you can say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer (There is no god except Allaah alone with no partner; to Him be dominion and praise, and He is Able to do all things) – 20 times. The reward for saying this is like freeing 8 slaves for the sake of Allaah from among the sons of Ismaa’eel.

6. In one minute you can say Subhaan Allaahi wa bi hamdihi (Glory and praise be to Allaah) 100 times. Whoever says that in one day will be forgiven for his sins even if they are like the foam of the sea.

7. In one minute you can say Subhaan Allaahi wa bi hamdihi Subhaan Allaah il-‘Azeem (Glory and praise be to Allaah, glory be to Allaah the Almighty) 50 times. These are two phrases which are light on the lips, heavy in the balance and beloved to the Most Merciful, as was narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim.

8. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When I say ‘Subhaan Allaah, wa’l-hamdu Lillah, wa laa ilaah ill-Allaah, wa Allaahu akbar (Glory be to Allaah, praise be to Allaah, there is no god except Allaah, and Allaah is Most Great)’, this is more beloved to me than all that the sun rises upon.” (Narrated by Muslim). In one minute, you can say all of these words more than 18 times. These words are the most beloved words to Allaah, the best of words, and they weigh heavily in the balance of good deeds, as was narrated in the saheeh ahaadeeth.

9. In one minute you can say, Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah (there is no strength and no power except with Allaah) more than 40 times. This is one of the treasures of Paradise, as was narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim. They are a means of putting up with difficulties and of aiming to achieve great things.

10. In one minute you can say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah approximately 50 times. This is the greatest word, for it is the word of Tawheed, the good word, the word that stands firm. If these are the last words of a person, he will enter Paradise, and there are other reports which indicate how great these words are.

11. In one minute you can say Subhaan Allaah wa bi hamdih, ‘adada khalqihi, wa ridaa nafsihi, wazinata ‘arshihi, wa midaada kalimaatihi (Glory and praise be to Allaah, as much as the number of His creation, as much as pleases Him, as much as the weight of His Throne and as much as the ink of His words) more than 15 times. This words bring many more times the reward for other forms of tasbeeh and dhikr, as was reported in saheeh ahaadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

12. In one minute you can seek the forgiveness of Allaah more than 100 times by saying “Astaghfir-Allaah (I seek the forgiveness of Allaah). The virtues of seeking forgiveness are no secret, for it is the means of attaining forgiveness and entering Paradise, and it is the means of being granted a good life, increasing one’s strength, warding off disasters, making things easier, bringing rain and increasing one’s wealth and children.

13. You can say a few brief and concise words in one minute, and Allaah may bring about some good through them that you could never imagine.

14. In one minute you can send blessings on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 50 times by saying Sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (May Allaah bless him and grant him peace). In return Allaah will send blessings upon you 500 hundred times because one blessing brings ten like it.

15. In one minute you can motivate your heart to give thanks to Allaah, to love Him, to fear Him, to put hope in Him, to long for Him, and thus travel through the stages of ‘uboodiyyah (total enslavement to Allaah). You could do this when you are lying on your bed or walking in the street.

16. In one minute you can read more than two pages of a useful islamic book that is easy to understand.

17. In one minute you can uphold the ties of kinship by calling a relative on the phone.

18. You can raise your hands and recite any du’aa’ you wish from the books of du’aa’, in one minute.

19. You can say salaams to and shake hands with a number of people in one minute.

20. You can forbid an evil action in one minute.

21. You can enjoin something good in one minute.

22. You can offer sincere advice to a brother in one minute.

23. You can console someone who is depressed in one minute.

24. You can remove something harmful from the road in one minute.

Making the most of one minute motivates you to make the most of other periods that would otherwise be wasted.

You ask & the Qur'an answers

You Ask & the QURAN Answers by Mohammed Yahya Al-Toom (Ministry of Education, KSA)



1) Who is the creator?

(40 : 64)

Allah, it is he Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky as a canopy. and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord : so Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).


(39 : 6)

He created you (all) from a single person (Adam) ; then made from him his wife {Hawwa, (Eve)}. and He has sent down for you of cattle eight pairs (of the sheep, two, male and female; of the goats, two, male and female of the oxen, two, male and female and of the camels, two, male and female). He creates you in the wombs of your mothers : creation after creation in there veils of darkness. Such is Allah your Lord His is the Kingdom. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). How then are you turned away?



(7 : 54)

Indeed your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and then He rose over (Istawa) the Throne (really in manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!



(10 : 32)

Such is Allah, your Lord in truth. So after the truth, what else can there be, save error? How then are you turned away?



2) Who is Allah?

(59 : 23-24)

23 : He is Allah beside Whom La Ilaha Illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the King, the Holy, the one Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory, be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.



24 : He is Allah, the creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.



(20 : 14)

"Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), So worship Me, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) for My Remembrance.



(2 : 255)

Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-Hayyul-Qayyuum (the Ever Living the One Who sustains and protects all that exists). Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth .Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He Knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass any thing of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (This Verse 2:225 is called Ayat-ul-Kursi).



(35 : 13) He merges the night into the day (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the night is added to the hours of the day), and He merges the day into the night ( i.e. the decrease in the hours of the day is added the hours of the night). And has subjected the sun and the moon: each runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah, your Lord; His is the Kingdom, And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone).



(3 : 18)

Allah bears winess that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He always) maintains His creation in justice La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise



(3 : 51)

Truly! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him (Alone). This is the straight Path.



3) Did you think that Allah created you only for play and without any purpose?

(3 : 115)

"Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?"



4) For what did Allah create mankind?

(51 : 56)

And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).



5) What did Allah command us to do?

(4 : 58)

Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching with He (Allah) gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer.



(6 : 151)

Say (O Muhammad [Peace be upon him] ) : "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: be Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; Kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand.



6) From where shall we seek guidance?

(1 : 1 – 6)

1: In the Name of Allah, the Most. Gracious, the Most Merciful.

2: All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

3: The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

4: The Only Owner (and the only Ruling judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)

5: You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).

6: Guide us to the Straight Way.



7) Who shall we invoke in time of disaster?

(29 : 65)

And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him Only: but when He brings them safely to land, behold they give a share of their worship to others.



(10 : 12)

And when harm touches man, he invokes Us, lying on his side, or sitting or standing. But when We have removed his harm from him, he passes on as if he had never invoked Us for a harm that touched him! Thus it is made fair-seeming to the Musrifun that which they used to do.



8) What happened to the previous nations when they disobeyed Allah?

(29 : 40)

So We punished each (of them) for his sins; of them were some on whom We sent Hasib (a violent wind with shower of stones) (as on the people of Lut (Lot), and of them were some who were overtaken by As-saihah (torment – awful cry. (as Thamud or Shuabs people), and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow (as Qarun (Korah), and of them were some whom We drowned (as the people of Nuh (Noah), or Firaun (Pharaoh) and his people). It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves



9) Does Allah guard and save the Quran from corruption?

(15 : 9)

Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption).



10) Who should we worship?

(20 : 14)

"Verily! I am Allah La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-salat) for My Remembrance.



11) What is the religion of Allah?

(3 : 19)

Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in calling to account.



12) What is the religion accepted by Allah?

(3 : 85)

And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.



13) Where does the Quran come from?

(42 : 3)

Likewise Allah, the All-Mighty the All-Wise sends Revelation to you (O Muhammad [ Peace be upon him]) as (He sent Revelation to) those before you.


(6 : 114)

(Say (O Muhammad [Peace be upon him ]) "Shall I seek a judge other than Allah while it is He Who has sent down unto you the book (the Quran), explained in detail." Those unto whom We gave the Scripture (the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) know that it is revealed from your Lord in truth. So be not you of those who doubt.





14) Why did Allah send messengers?

(4 : 64)

We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by Allah's Leave.



15) Do we have to believe in all the messengers?

(2 : 285)

The Messenger (Muhammad [Peace be upon him ]) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), "We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers" – and they say, "We hear and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all)."



16) What happened to the previous scriptures?

(4 : 46)

Among those who are jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: "We hear your word (O Muhammad [ Peace be upon him]) and disobey," and "Hear and let you (O Muhammad [Peace be upon him]) "hear nothing." And Raina with a twist of there tongues and as a mockery of the religion (Islam) And if only they had said: "We hear and obey", And "Do make us understand," it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except a few.



(5 : 13)

So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them. But forgive them and overlook (their misdeeds). Verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (good-doers)..



17) Who is the last messenger?

(3 : 144)

Muhammad ([Peace be upon him]) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful.



18) To whom did Allah send the last messenger Prophet Muhammad [ Peace be upon him]?

(34 : 28)

And We have not sent you (O Muhammad [Peace be upon him ]) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not.



19) What did Allah prepare for those among the Jews and Christians who believe?

(57 : 28)

O you who believe (in Musa (moses) (i.e. Jews) and Isa (Jesus) (i.e. Christians)! Fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger (Muhammad [ Peace be upon him]), He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight). And He will forgive you. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful



20) What is the likeness of lsa (Jesus [ Peace be upon him) before Allah?

(3 : 59)

Verily, the likeness of Isa (Jesus [Peace be upon him ) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: "Be" – and he was.



21) What did Allah say about Mary?

(3 : 42 – 47)

42 : And (remember) when the angels said: "(O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the Alamin (mankind and jinn) (of her lifetime)."



43 : O Mary! "Submit yourself with obedience to your Lord (Allah), by worshipping none but Him Alone) and prostrate yourself, and Irkai (bow down) along with ArRakiun (those who bow down)."



44 : This is apart of the news of the Ghaib (unseen, i.e. the news of the past national of which you have no knowledge) which We reveal to you (O Muhammad [ Peace be upon him) You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens as to which of them should be charged with the care of Maryam (Mary); nor were you with them when they disputed.



45 : (Remember) when the angels said: "O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word ("Be"- and he was! I.e. Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam (Mary), from Him, his name will be the Messiah Isa (Jesus), the son of Maryam (Mary), held in honour in this world and in the Hereafter, and will be one of those who are near to Allah."



46 : "He will speak to the people in the cradle and in manhood and he one of the righteous."



47 : She said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man has touched me." He said: "So (it will be) for Allah creates what He wills. When He has decreed something, He says to it only: "Be!" – and it is.



22) Was Jesus crucified and died on the cross?

(4 : 157 – 158)

157 : And because of their saying (in boast), "We killed Messiah Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah," – But they killed him not, nor crucified him, but they resemblance of Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they Killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not ( i.e. Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary).



158 : But Allah raised him (Isa (Jesus) up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he [ Peace be upon him is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All-Powerful All-Wise.



23) Was Jesus the son of God (Allah)?

(112 : 1 – 4) :

1 : Say (O Muhammad [Peace be upon him ): "He is Allah, (the) One.

2 : (Allah the self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He

neither eats nor drinks).

3 : He begets not, nor was He begotten.

4 : And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him..



24) How could you be secure?

(6 : 82) :

It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others beside Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided.





25) What is the life of this world?

(57 : 20) :

Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers – evil-doers), and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers – good-doers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.



26) Whatever of blessings and good things you have, is it from Allah?

(16 : 53)

And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah. Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help.



27) How could you guarantee the blessings of Allah?

(14 : 7)

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings); but if you are thankless ( i.e. disbelievers), verily My punishment is indeed sever."



28) How could you save yourself from a painful torment?

(61 : 10 – 11)

10 : O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a trade that will save you from a painful torment?

11 : That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad [ Peace be upon him).



29) Whosoever puts his trust in Allah, what will happen to him?

(65 : 3)

And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.



30) What is the destination of the disbelievers?

(57 : 15)

So this Day no ransom shall be taken from you (hypocrites), nor of those who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism). Your abode is the Fire. That is your maula (friend – proper place), and worst indeed is that destination.



31) What is the destination of the believers?

(4 : 57)

But those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives), and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening (Paradise).



32) How could you be happy?

(16 : 97)

Whoever works righteousness- whether male or female – While he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do ( i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).

Jazak Allah Khair

Repel Evil With the Best (Quran 23:96)

Allah Almighty in the Noble Qur'an commands us in several places to return the evil that is done to us by others to not only with good, but with best!

"Repel evil with that which is best: We are well-acquainted with the things they say." (23:96)

"Nor can goodness and evil be equal. Repel (evil) with that is better: Then will he between whom and you was hatred become as it were your friend and intimate!"(41:34)

"Twice will they be given their reward, for that they have persevered, that they avert evil with good, and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have given them." (28:54)

Allah (swt) also says in Noble Verse 42:40

"The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) Loves not those who do wrong."

Whether people speak evil of you, in your presence or behind your back, or they do evil to you in either of those ways, all is known to Allah Almighty. It is not for you to punish. Your best course is not to do evil in your turn, but to do what will best repel the evil. Two evils do not make a good.

The man who was in bondage of sin, you not only liberate from sin, but make him your greatest friend and helper in the cause of Allah Almighty!

Such is the alchemy of the Word of Allah Almighty! Your credit for returning evil with good and paying for charity is double. Also if you forgive and return the evil with good, then Allah Almighty will love you and your reward is due from Allah!

Backbiting is permissible in these Situations

Gheebah (backbiting) is permitted in 6 situations:

1-Complaining. It is permissible for the one who has been wronged to complain to the ruler or judge and others who have the authority or ability to settle the score with the one who wronged him.

2-Seeking help to change evil and bring the sinner back to the right path, so he may say to the one who he hopes is able to do something: "So and so is doing such and such; tell him not to do it."

3-Seeking advice or a fatwa, by saying to the mufti, "So and so/my father/my brother has wronged me by doing such and such, does he have the right to do that? How can I solve this problem and ward off his harm from me?"

4- Warning the Muslims of someone's evil, such as highlighting the weakness of some reporters or witnesses or authors. That also includes seeing someone buying faulty goods, or someone keeping company with one who is a thief or adulterer, or giving a female relative of his to such a man in marriage, and the like. You should tell them about that by way of sincere advice, not with the aim of causing harm and spreading mischief.

5- If a person openly commits evil or follows bid'ah, such as drinking alcohol and seizing people's wealth unlawfully, it is permissible to speak of what he is doing openly, but it is not permissible to speak against him any other way, unless it is for another reason.

6- For identification, if someone is known by a nickname such as the dim-sighted one, or the blind man or the one-eyed or the lame one, it is permissible to identify him as such, but it is haraam to mention that by way of belittling him, and if it is possible to identify him in some other way, that is better.

However, one should remember a VERY fine line: Many times a person lets loose his grudges against another to seek revenge by backbiting him. Still, this person bluffs himself by claiming his intention is to help that person clear himself of his sin. In such a case, one does not escape the sin of Gheebah.

Clean your heart before it blackens!

"When the servant performs a sin a black spot appears on his heart, and if he seeks forgiveness this black spot is removed, and if he returns to sin the black spot grows until his heart becomes black, and this is the 'Raan' about which Allah said, 'Nay! But on their hearts is the covering of sins (raan) which they used to earn.'" (Qur'an, 83:14)

(An-Nasa'i and Al-Tirmidhi)

Du'a to protect your precious imaan

Assalaamalaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuhu.

Please read this du'a for the protection of your imaan. We never know when our imaan can get weak and shaiytaan leads us away from the Siraat Al-Mustaqeem. In the words of our dear Prophet Muhammad(peace & blessings be upon him):

"A man will go to sleep as a believer and wake up as a kaafir (and vice versa)".
SubhanAllah. It's that easy to get misguided in the type of unislamic atmosphere we live in. So, all of us MUST pray for protection of our imaan & increase in Taqwah(Fear of committing sins). May Allah save us from all sins big and small and free us from the blazing Fire(Aameen). Pls remember me in your du'as too.

Du'a for protection of imaan(Qur'an 3:8)


رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا

وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ

أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

Rabbana la tuzigh quloobana ba'ada idh hadaytana wahab lana mil-ladunka rahmatan innaka antal wahhaabu

"Our Lord!" (they say), "Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence; for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure."

Pass this on. May Allah reward you for it.

11 ways to earn great rewards from Allah

WAYS TO EARN REWARDS FROM ALLAH SWT

1) REPENTANCE DONE SINCERELY TO ALLAH :
Allah's apostle sallallaahu alaihi wasallam said “Allah will forgive the sins of anybody who repents before the sun rises from west (a major sign for day of judgement)” [sahih muslim]

"Allah accepts repentance of his slaves until the time of their death" (i.e when the soul is departing) [tirmidhi]

Anas reported that he heard the Prophet, peace be upon him, saying that Allah says, "O son of Adam, whatever you asked Me and expect from Me I forgave - respecting that which you owed to Me - and I don't care [how great this was]. O Son of Adam, even if your sins pile up to the sky and then you seek My forgiveness I will forgive you, and O son of Adam, even if you have an earthful of sins but you meet Me without associating any other thing with Me I will forgive you.'



2) PERFORMING UMRAH DURING RAMDHAAN
Prophet SAWS said “Performing umrah during ramdhan is like performing hajj with me" (sahih bukhari and sahih muslim)



3) RECITATION OF QUR'AN
Prophet SAWS said "Recite The Qur'an for it will intercede for you with Allah on the Day of Judgement." [sahih muslim]



4)LEARNING AND TEACHING THE QUR'AN
"The best among you is the one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it to others."
[bukhari]



5)THE MENTION OF ALLAH
Allah's appostle SAWS said "Shall I not tell you about the best of your deeds, the most pure, righteous and sincere of them to your Creator that which will entitle you to the highest ranks, which is better for you than donating gold and silver for the sake of allah, which is better than fighting enemies in Jihad where you kill them or you become martyrs." The people replied, "Yes! O messenger of Allah!" So he SAWS said "The mention of ALLAH". [tirmidhi]


6) SUPPLICATING BETWEEN ADHAAN AND IQAAMAH
Prophet SAWS said "Supplication between the adhaan and iqaamaah is not rejected". Then the people asked, "What should we ask for?" Prophet SAWS replied "Ask Allah for His forgiveness. " [tirmidhi]


7)PERFORMING THE FIVE DAILY PRAYERS
Prophet SAWS said "There is no Muslim who at the time of prayer, performs ablution properly then performs prayers humbly before ALLAH and perfects its pillars;except that this will expiate all his past minor sins. This is for every prayer through out his life".(sahih muslim)

Allah's Apostle said, "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?" They said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet added, "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds." [bukhari]

8) OFFERING FAJR AND ASR PRAYERS PROMPTLY
"Prophet SAWS said, "Whoever performs the two cool prayers (fajr and asr) on time will enter paradise." [bukhari]



9) PRAY TAHAJJUD
Prophet SAWS urged us when he said, “You should pray Tahajjud, for it is the habit of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you closer to your Lord, expiate for bad deeds, prevent sin, and expel disease from the body.” (Al-Tirmidhi,Ahmad).

Allah's Apostle SAWS said, "Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: "Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?"


10) FOLLOW THE SUNNAH
"The keeper of my Sunnah at the time my Community has lapsed into corruption will receive the reward of a martyr."

The Holy Quran, Sura #59;Ayah #7
"And whatever the RASUL GIVES you, ACCEPT IT and whatever he FORBIDS you, ABSTAIN (from it)"

The Holy Quran, Sura #47;Ayah #33
O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger, and make not vain your deeds



11) RECITING THE KALIMAH OFTEN
The Messenger of ALLAH(PBUH) said,"ALLAH will select a man from my ummah before creatures on the Day of Resurrection, and He will display to him ninety-nine records each of which will be as (long and wide as) the sight can reach. Then He will say,' Do you deny anything from this ? Were My guardian scribes unjust to you?' He will say,'No,O my Lord.' ALLAH will say 'Do you have any excuse?' He will say,'No, O my lord.' ALLAH will say,'Yes you have, for there is a good deed for you with Us, and on this Day you will not suffer from any injustice.' Then a card containing ,'I testify that there is no god but ALLAH, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger,' will appear. Then ALLAH will say,'Witness your scales'. He will say,'O my Lord, what is this card(supposed to do) with these records?' ALLAH will say,' No injustice will be done to you'. He (the prophet) continued ,'Then the records will be put on a scale and the card on the other scale,and the records will become light and the card heavy, as nothing is heavy(when compared with the NAME OF ALLAH)." (At-Tirmidhi,Ahmad, and Ibn Majah)

Allah will hide & forgive your sins if you hide others'...

A believer must conceal the sins of other believers

The Prophet Muhammad SAWS said: “Whoever conceals the faults of others, Allah shall conceal his faults on the day of Qiyaamah.” (Mishkaat)

The Prophet :SAWS said: “The believer will be brought close to his Lord until He conceals him and makes him confess his sin. Allaah will say, ‘Do you remember such and such a sin?’ The man will say, ‘Yes, I admit it.’ The Lord will say, ‘I concealed it for you in the world and I forgive you for it today.’ (Narrated by al-Bukhaari)

The Act that brings you closer to Allah: Kindness to mother

A man came to Ibn Abbas RA and said, "I asked for a women's hand in marriage, and she refused me.

Someone else asked for her hand and she accepted and married him. I felt jealous so I killed her. Will my repentance be accepted?"

Ibn Abbas asked, "Is your mother still alive?"

He said, "No."

So Ibn Abbas told him, "Repent to Allah and do your best to draw close to Him."

Then Ataa' ibn Yasaar RA who over heard their conversation asked, "why did you ask him if his mother was still alive?"

Ibn Abbas said, "Because I know of no other deed that brings people closer to Allah than kind treatment and respect towards one's mother."

Bukhari, Al-Adab al-Mufrad, 1/45 baab birr al-umm.

If you are BORED...

The society we live in is centered around Having Fun.
The whole purpose of life seems to be just that. Everything is supposed to be "Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment".

All our energies are spent gaining the "pleasures" of this life. And although, seeking pleasure in a Halaal way is absolutely allowed, yet that is NOT the purpose of our creation.

Rather, to worship Allaah while enjoying the blessings He gave us in ways that are pleasing to Him.

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

Nowadays, although the ummah needs to increase the love between its individual members and to relieve itself of boredom, we have gone too far with regard to relaxation, laughter and jokes. This has become a habit which fills our gatherings and wastes our time, so that our lives are wasted and our days are gone.

Our newspapers are filled with jokes and trivia, and there is no mention of the life to come. Our evenings are spent in front of the TV, watching senseless shows and comedies, even containing haraam. And that too, with our families! Subhaan Allaah!

And what a waste of time all that is! And we do all this to entertain and relax ourselves. With what?

With what Allaah has declared as Haraam?!

The Prophet said: "If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much."

In Fath al-Baari it says: "What is meant by knowledge here has to do with the Might of Allaah and His vengeance upon those who disobey Him, and the terrors that occur at death, in the grave and on the Day of Resurrection.

Our youth constantly want to be entertained all the time. They spend literally hours at a stretch, playing video games, chatting on the computer, talking on the phone, watching movies or TV or even sleeping or else they get BORED.

The Prophet said: "Grab five things before five others: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your leisure before your work, and your life before your death." (Al-Hakim)

This Hadith is a direct call on all Muslims to invest their time as early as possible when conditions are favorable, i.e , youth, health, wealth and time before being handicapped by hurdles, such as old age, sickness, poverty or preoccupation.

The Righteous Salaf were extremely careful about occupying their time with useful deeds, and they hated laziness and lethargy.

Umar Ibn-Al-Khattab said, "I hate to see any of you unoccupied, doing nothing for this world or the Hereafter."

Yet, our sisters/brothers spend way too much time in the malls, on the phone, in the beauty salons, decorating their homes (excessively) , too much time in cooking, or if nothing else, just window shopping.

O sisters/brothers! Allaah will ask us how we spent our time in this world!

"On the Day of Resurrection the feet of the son of Adam will not move away till he is questioned about four matters: how he spent his lifetime, how he spent his youth; from where he acquired his wealth and how he spent it, and what he did with his knowledge." (Tirmidhi)


Now, I am not saying that we should forsake the world and go into a jungle to worship Allaah or turn ourselves into hermits!
That is NOT ISLAAM either.


We need to find that perfect balance in our lives that governed the lives of the Prophet (SAWS) and the Sahabah. They would earn a livelihood during the day, laugh and relax with each other, but only to a degree that would be pleasing to Allaah. Never would they let the Dunyaa distract them from praying, doing righteous deeds or forgetting the Aakhirah. And NEVER would they waste time.

Bilaal ibn Sad said: "I saw them [the Sahaabah] jokingly pretending to fight over some goods, and laughing with one another, but when night came they were like monks(i.e., devoted worshippers) ."
Ibn Umar was asked, "Did the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) laugh?" He said, "Yes, and the faith in their hearts was like mountains."

We need to ask ourselves….

How much of the Dunyaa did the Prophet (SAWS) ask for?
And how much of the Aakhirah did he (SAWS) strive for?
What was the proportion of the Duniya in his life as compared to the Aakhirah?
Was his life all fun and games and being entertained most of the time?

We need to follow the example of such people, who were knights by day and devoted worshippers by night. We need to choose righteous and serious friends in our lives, who will help us to make the right choices, appropriate use of our time and strive for the sake of Allaah with seriousness and steadfastness.

Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi says, "Leisure time will never remain unoccupied. It will be occupied with good or evil. If one does not occupy himself with truth, that self will make him occupied with falsehood. Successful is he who fills his time with what is good and righteous, and woe to him who fills it with evil and corruption.