Patience and Gratitude

The Tool of the Unwearied Believers



Faith is of two halves: patience and gratitude. As such it is befitting for one who is sincere to himself, who desires his soul to succeed, and gives preference to its being felicitous, that he not ignore these two principles, and not swerve from these two paths.

And so, the Imam, the jurist, traditionalist, ascetic, indeed polymath, Ibn Al Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, wrote on patience:

Allah, Glorious and Most High, has made patience a race horse that never falters or stumbles, a sword that never loses its sharpness, a vanquishing army that is never defeated, and a fortified stronghold that never breaks and is never taken by force. Patience and Divine Help are two brothers: Divine help comes with patience, relief follows difficulty, and ease follows hardship. Patience aids and supports the individual more so than an army of people, and in the attainment of victory it is like the head to the body. In His book, the Truthful Guarantor has promised that He will repay the patient with a reward that knows no bounds; He informed us that He is with the patient through His guiding them, aiding them, and granting them clear victory. He, Exalted is He says, 'And be steadfast, Allah is with the steadfast.'[1] The patient are victorious by virtue of His being with them, both in this life and the next, and through it they attain both His esoteric and exoteric blessings.
Allah made leadership in the religion dependant upon patience and certainty,

'We appointed leaders from among them, guiding by Our command when they were patient and when they had certainty about Our signs'[2]

He informed us that patience is best for the patient, consolidating this reality by taking an oath,

'But if you are patient, it is better to be patient.'[3]

He informed us that the plots of the enemy are of no avail against the one who has patience and taqwa,

'But if you are steadfast and have taqwa, their scheming will not harm you in any way.'[4]

He informed us that it was the patience and taqwa of his truthful Prophet, Yusuf, that led him to circumstances of nobility and authority,

'As for those who fear Allah and are patient, Allah does not allow to go to waste the wage of a people who do good.'[5]

Success is dependent on patience and taqwa,

'You who have faith! Be patient; be supreme in patience; be firm on the battlefield; and have taqwa of Allah so that hopefully you will be successful.'[6]

He, Exalted is He, gave the greatest encouragement possible concerning patience to those who desire Him saying,

'Allah loves the patient.''[7]

He gave glad-tidings to the patient of three things; each of these things being better than anything that could be envied in this world,

'But give good news to the patient: those who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘We belong to Allah and to Him we will return.’ Those are the people who will have blessings and mercy from their Lord; they are the ones who are guided.''[8]

He enjoined His servants to seeking aid through patience and prayer in the face of the vicissitudes of the world and religion,

'Seek help in patience and prayer. But that is a very hard thing, except for the humble.'[9]

He declared that the grant of victory by way of Paradise and deliverance from the Fire is only for the patient,

'Today I have rewarded them for being steadfast. They are the ones who are victorious.'[10]

He informed us that the desire for His reward and turning away from this world and its allures can only be attained by the patient believer,

'But those who had been given knowledge said, ‘Woe to you! Allah’s reward is better for those who have faith and act rightly. But only the steadfast will obtain it.’[11]

Returning an evil with that which is better transforms an enemy into a close friend,

'Repel the bad with something better and, if there is enmity between you and someone else, he will be like a bosom friend.'[12]

'None will attain this quality but those who are truly patient. None will obtain it but those who have great good fortune.'[13]

Allah, Exalted is He, informed us – making an oath to further stress what is being said,

'Truly man is in loss – except for those who have faith and do right actions and urge each other to the truth and urge each other to patience.'[14]

He divided the creation in two groups: the People of the Right and the People of the Left. He particularised the People of the Right to be those who urge each other to patience and mercy[15] and particularised the patient and grateful as those who truly benefit from his Signs. He said in four verses of His Book,

'There are certainly Signs in that for everyone who is patient and thankful.”[16]

He made forgiveness and reward dependent on righteous deeds and patience – and that is truly easy for the one for whom He facilitates the way –

'Except for those who are patient and do right actions. They will receive forgiveness and a large reward.'[17]

Patience and forgiveness are from the resolute, definite, matters such that the one who trades in them will never face loss,

'But if someone is patient and forgives, that is the most resolute course to follow.'[18]

He ordered His Messenger to be patient for His judgment and informed us that patience can only be for His sake, and through this all calamities become relatively minor and easy to bear,

'So be patient for the judgment of your Lord – you are certainly before Our eyes'[19]

'Be patient. But your patience is only with Allah. Do not be grieved by them and do not be constricted by the plots they hatch. Allah is with those who have taqwa of Him and with those who do good.'[20]

Patience is the rein of the believer tying him down: he may wander for a bit but always returns. It is the pillar of his faith to which he recourses - there is no faith for the one who has no patience. If, in such a case, it does exist, it would be severely weak. The one who has no patience is like one worshipping Allah at the edge of a faltering precipice; if good comes his way he takes comfort, but if trial comes his way the world turns inside out and he loses both it and the Hereafter.

The best livelihood that the felicitous attained was because of their patience. They rose to the most exalted stations because of their gratitude. On the wings of patience and gratitude they soared to the Gardens of perpetual bliss. That is the grace of Allah which He bestows on whoever He will, He is the possessor of great grace.

Faith is of two halves: patience and gratitude. As such it is befitting for one who is sincere to himself, who desires his soul to succeed, and gives preference to its being felicitous, that he not ignore these two principles, and not swerve from these two paths. In this way Allah would place him in the better of the two parties on the Day of His meeting.

Notes:
Source: www.islam21c.com
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[1] al-Anfal (8): 46
[2] al-Sajdah (32): 24
[3] al-Nahl (16): 126
[4] Ali `Imran (3): 120
[5] Yusuf (12): 90
[6] Ali `Imran (3): 200
[7] Ali `Imran (3): 146
[8] al-Baqarah (2): 155-157
[9] al-Baqarah (2): 45
[10] al-Mu’minun (23): 111
[11] al-Qasas (28): 80
[12] Fussilat (41): 34
[13] Redacted from Fussilat (41): 35
[14] al-`Asr (103): 2-3
[15] al-Balad (90): 17
[16] Luqman (31): 31; Ibrahim (14): 5; Saba` (34): 19; al-Shura (42): 33
[17] Hud (11): 11
[18] al-Shura (42): 43
[19] al-Tur (52): 48
[20] al-Nahl (16): 127-128

words to make you think

'Don't look at the minuteness of the sin, look at the greatness of the One you are disobeying.

Slander

Prophet Musa (AS) said:
"O My LOrd, the people say things about me which are not true!" So Allah revealed to him: "O Musa, I did not make that(priveledge) for Myself, so how can I make it the case for you?"
[Al- Adab Al Shariyyah by ibn Muflih]

Remember this:

Next time you hear others saying something about you that isn't true. Leave them to Allh, Is He not the most just of judges?

If you never..

The Almighty said: if you never felt pain or experienced problems, how would you know I am a healer?
If you never made a mistake, how would you know I'm forgiving?
If you were never hurt, how would you know I can comfort you?
If your life was perfect, then why would you need Me?
Remember He is the planner and He knows everything.

Reminder: The Death of the Prophet's Son

When the Prophet's infant son Ibraheem was ill, our Sayyida Mariyah, radi Allahu 'anha, called for Allah's Messenger to come quickly.

When Allah's Messenger, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, arrived, baby Ibraheem was in his final breaths of life.

... now think for a moment, May Allah protect you and your family.

Imagine your son's infant body in your arms cradle.
His eyes bulging, gasping for breath, face turning blue. Dying.
In your hands.

And there is nothing you can do...
except surrender to Allah's Will, with full submission.

This is what Allah's Messenger, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, experienced.

Tears spilled down Allah's Messenger's cheeks. The Sahabah, our Sayyids, flanked the Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and they asked him about the tears. With the tears streaming down his cheeks, he said, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, "

The Eyes Tear
The Heart is in Pain
But (with my tongue) I will only say that which is pleasing to Allah
And we are indeed sad at your departure, O Ibraheem

Lesson: When someone experiences a death in the family, you have access to 4 body parts:

1. Eyes; 2. Heart; 3. Tongue; 4. Hands

It is permissible to cry with the eyes.

>>So next time you see someone crying at the death of a loved one, you don't have to insist that they stop crying.

It is permissible to feel sadness in the heart.

>>So next time you see someone sad at the death of a loved one, you don't have to 'reprimand' them.

But it is with the TONGUE and/or Hands that one either wins the mercy of Allah, or slips in to displeasing Allah. (With hands one must not slap their face, pull at their clothes or hair)

If you've been through a calamity, you cannot bring back what was lost.

But there is an infinite reward of PATIENCE that is awaiting your tongue's response.

My advice to you, dear brother and sister, is that there is nothing to gain by missing out

on being patient during this difficult time. Be Patient, and Say the Most Pleasing Thing to Allah, "


Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon
"We are all Allah's property, and we will all surely return to Him."

Taken from http://muhammadalshareef.blogspot.com

Ar-Rayyan: Are you a club member?

by Yaser Birjas

If you are an elite status frequent flyer with one of the national airlines, you will realize the benefits of such status when you need it the most - when the airport is crowded and you need to secure your spot on the airplane. If you are a club member of any of the national or international flying programs, you will enjoy privileges not available to the public. The number one privilege is status. When passengers are called for departure they are mentioned by their flying status; first class is first and foremost, next comes the club members and then all other travelers through general boarding.

As a club member you are recognized for your hard work. You enjoy boarding earlier than others with no long delays. You even walk through a special path with a club logo on the carpet. Once you pass through it, it closes after you leaving the rest of the crowd waiting to enter later through a different path. As a club member you enjoy traveling rewards for your hard work on the journeys you had undertaken throughout your career with the carrier. You receive rewards such as, and not limited to, spontaneous upgrades, waving charges for extra baggage, and most importantly a private lounge in the busy airport. The gates of the club are opened only for members of the flying club, and if you are not a member; no entry.

“Ar-Rayyan” is a gate for exclusive heavenly elite, it is the gate of Paradise through which members of a special class will enter and once they are all in it will close. It is a gate for an exclusive club; a club for those who travel the distance with a special airline: “aS-Saa’imoon” , the fasting people.

Narrated Sahl ibn Sa’ad, radiyallahu anh, the Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “In paradise there is a gate which is called Ar-Rayyan through which the people who fasted will enter on the day of Judgment, and no one else shall enter along-side them. It will be asked, `where are the Saa’imoon, those who fasted?’ and they will walk through it, and upon the entry of the last of them, it will be locked, and no one else will walk through it.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

In order to enter through this gate you have to be a member of the club “Ar-Rayyan”. Membership was secured for all those who follow the rules of fasting, and privileges hence, will be provide thereafter.

What are some of the privileges of this membership?

1. Upgrade to an elite status, the status of “Muttaqeen” - Righteous.

As a club member you shall receive a status upgrade, from average to exceptional from regular worshiper to Muttaqi - righteous, all by the will of Allah.

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may become Righteous.” Al-Bakara 2:183.

It was reported that Ali ibn Abi Talib, radiyallahu anh, said: “Be concerned more over the acceptance of your deeds than over the deeds themselves for Allah does not accept deeds except from the righteous. Didn’t you read Allah’s statement: “Verily, Allah accepts only from the Muttaqeen -Righteous.” Al-Maa’iedah 5:27.

2. Earning bonus miles

As a club member you will receive thousands of miles and even more, that takes you far away from the heat of Jahannam to extremely outstanding destination, destination: Jannah.

Narrated Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, radiyallahu anh, the Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will remove him a distance of seventy years’ from the Hell-fire.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

3. No charges for extra load

As a club member you will not be charged for extra load and baggage. Now that is Forgiveness, and by the grace of Allah, all sins will be forgiven.

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says: “For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward.” Al-Ahzaab 33:35.

4. Firewall protection

As a club member you shall be protected by a firewall to shield you from sins and errors in this Dunya and from the Hellfire in the Akhira.

Narrated Abu Hurayrah, radiyallahu anh, the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “Fasting is protecting shield, so when it is the day when one of you are fasting, let him not behave or speak indecently; if someone tries to abuse him or fight him, let him say, `I am fasting’.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Ibn AbdelBarr rahimahullah said: “Protecting shield means screening from the Hellfire, and that is enough virtue for the fasting one.” Qadhi Iyaad rahimahullah says also: “Protecting shield means a screen and a deterrence from committing obscenity and sins, or could be a barrier and screen from reaching the Hellfire, or a protection from all of the aforementioned. “

5. Divine fragrance

As a club member you will enjoy acquiring a fragrance that is most beloved by the Divine, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.

Narrated Abu Hurayrah, radiyallahu anh, the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell emanating from the mouth of the one fasting is better with Allah than the fragrance of musk.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

6. Hotline with the Owner

As a club member you have the privilege of being rewarded directly from the Owner of the day of Judgment subhanahu wa ta’ala, and Owner of the gate “Ar-Rayyan”.

Narrated Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with, the Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “All of the actions of the son of Adam are for him except the fast, for that is for me and I will reward it Myself.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

7. Two special moments of joy and happiness

As a club member you will have two special moments of joy and happiness, one is in this world before departure and the other one when you reach your destination safely, in the Akhira.

Narrated Abu Hurayrah, radiyallahu anh, the Messenger of Allah salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “The one fasting has two time of joy, when he breaks his fast he is happy and when he meets his lord he will rejoice at his fasting.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

8. A brand new software for your heart, called: generosity

As a club member you shall receive a special software upgrade to your already existing heartware. It is a gift of peace and serenity and the love of generosity. You shall happily rid yourself of stinginess and miserly. Enjoy your new big heart.

Narrated Ibn `Abbas, radiyallahu anh who said: “The Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous during Ramadan when Jibreel met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night in Ramadan until it was over and the Prophet would go through the Qur’an with him. The Messenger of Allah was more generous with good things than the blowing wind (which brings rain and welfare).” (Bukhari)

If you would like to become a member, it’s easy. Just open an account with “aS-Saa’imoon” and become a frequent flyer i.e. fasting. Do not stop after Ramadan otherwise your account will become inactive and you lose your mileage and privileges. Keep your account active and fly the distance with “aS-Saa’imoon” . Imam An-Nawawi rahimahullah said: “Scholars say of the meaning of this (hadith Ar-Rayyan), that a person is known through his worship and deeds for frequent fasting.” Therefore it’s all about days following Ramadan until the next Ramadan. How often are you going to fly with “aS-Saa’imoon” ?

Now, are you a club member? Join Now and open an account with your intention today. Become a member, club Ar-Rayyan

How to get an A grade final Exam

You may know someone who is studying for final exams these days. Final exams are always a nice time to focus on the true exam of life.



1. In school, you can often redo your exam if you fail. In the hereafter, if one fails there is no going back.

2. In school, you often do not know what questions will be asked. In the hereafter, there are only
3 questions: Who is your Lord? What is your Deen? And who is this man who was sent to you? But the answers are answers you live by.

3. In school, we stay up at night to prepare for the exam the next day. So too in Allah's exam, we should be staying up in night prayers.

4. In school, we pray and hope and work for an outstanding mark. So too should be our attitude towards Allah's exam.

5. In school, when we get a great mark, we erupt with happiness. So too will the believers erupt in happiness when they get their books in their right hands. Work for it.

6. In school, when we get a bad mark, sadness can be seen on our faces, and we dislike to face others. So too in the hereafter. Protect yourself from that.

7. During a school exam, you cannot ask anyone for help. In the hereafter, you can prepare from now to get assistance from Allah's Messenger, the Quran, and other ways of intercession.

8. In school, when exam time draws near, we banish distractions to focus on what is really important. In Allah's exam, isn't death within 1 heart beat? Banish distractions and focus.

9. In school, until exam results come out, we worry about the result. In Allah's exam, we don't know what our result will be, so we spend our days in hope and worry until the results come out.

By Muhammad Alshareef

7 Good reasons for attending a sisters' halaqa

From forging a sense of community to providing an iman boost, the benefits of attending a weekly halaqah are many. Fahmeeda Gill shares seven good reasons to get you out of your house on the path of knowledge.

When was the last time you attended an Islamic talk or listened to a khutbah? In many areas, mosques are not even accessible to women, while children and childcare may make some courses out of your reach. Learning is still an obligation on every Muslim, and your weekly sisters’ halaqa may be your solution and inspiration.

The Arabic word ‘halaqah’ means a ring and it is used to refer to a circle of Islamic knowledge. Historically, the transmission of knowledge usually took place in the masjids, a practice that can be traced back to the Prophet (S). This tradition was preserved by the Companions (RA) and their successors and scholars throughout the history of Islam up until the present day.

Many ahadith extol the virtues of halaqahs as well as the etiquettes that should be observed. Moreover, this has been one of the main ways in which women learned about Islam from the outset. As a hadith tells us: “A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (S) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, the men have taken all your time; give us a day when we can come to you and you can teach us what Allah has taught you.’ He said, ‘Gather together on such and such a day in such and such a place.’ So they gathered and the Messenger of Allah (S) came to them and taught them what Allah had taught him” (Bukhari and Muslim).

If that is not enough, here are 7 more reasons to inspire you:

Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim: How much time do you set aside for learning the deen? For most of us, life is a blur of work and/or studies, family, housework, salah, some Qur’an and the odd talk. There are ample opportunities to learn about Islam via the internet or Islamic books. However, these methods are not an adequate substitute for attending a halaqah. Alone, you are more vulnerable to the ploys of shaytan, not least of which is procrastination in the face of other “more pressing” priorities. In addition, when leaving your home to learn, you are rewarded for every step you take in the pursuit of knowledge.

Benefitting from the blessings of the circles of knowledge: "Whenever some people gather in one of Allah's houses(mosques) to recite the book of Allah and study it among themselves – then calmness (tranquillity) descends upon them, the angels surround them, mercy covers them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with him” (Muslim). Subhanallah, how many of us are striving to benefit from this hadith?
Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil: The Prophet (S) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, you either enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allah will certainly soon send His punishment onto you. Then you will make supplication and it will not be accepted” (At-Tirmidhi). This duty is incumbent upon all of us especially given the trials we are witnessing at present. Most of us may revile what we see in our hearts, but feel ill-equipped to challenge and make a change. Attending a halaqah will give you both the knowledge and confidence to make a difference – and to do so with wisdom.

Forging a sense of sisterhood: A hadith tells us that on the day of Judgement, seven groups of people will be under the shade of the throne of Allah. Among them will be “two (people) who love each other for the sake of Allah, meeting and parting for that reason alone…” (Bukhari). Halaqas are a wonderful way to get to know and to love your sisters in Islam.

Akhlaq and Self-Discipline: Instead of fitting your life around deen, you will learn to organise your life around your commitment to the deen in general and learning in particular. This can enable you to develop a positive competitive spirit towards learning. Group activities encourage you to learn and observe the etiquettes of gatherings, to interact with different personalities and to encourage only positive speech.
Iman Rush: As you establish the commitment to attending and take your learning seriously, taking notes etc. you will immediately feel your iman is boosted. Just being in the company of other righteous sisters can inspire and humble you and make you grateful for the favours of Allah (SWT).

Most beloved deeds by Allah: "The Prophet (S) told us that these are the most regular constant deeds even though they are few (Bukhari). It is hard to sustain our efforts to learn consistently and we tend to have periods of activity and long periods of inactivity unless we are incredibly self-disciplined. Even if we multi-task, listen to talks or Qur’an as we cook, we still hit blips or have interruptions. A weekly halaqah offers a regular space for you to learn at a steady pace and this knowledge can be reinforced by immediately sharing what you learn with your family.

What are you waiting for? I am praying to Allah (SWT) that you will now be motivated to get to your local halaqah or, if you are homebound, to find an online halaqah.

Deeds to benefit after death

Anyone who has ever been on an out-of-town journey would testify to the pre-travel stress and jitters. One aspect of the preparations is to make sure that the packing is done properly and that the travel arrangements are adequately made. Another aspect of planning a journey, however, is to ensure that everything the traveler leaves behind, from his belongings, to his family, to his house, is well protected and cared for, until he returns.

This analogy can be appropriately applied to the life of a believer. Not only does he prepare for his journey to the Akhirah which begins with his death, but he also ensures that what he leaves behind in the world is also beneficial for him after he has gone.

"Whatever is with you, will be exhausted, and whatever is with Allah (of good deeds) will remain."

[Qur'an - Surah Al-Nahl 16:96]


Allah's Messenger [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] said: "When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and righteous offspring who will pray for him." [Sahih Muslim: 3084]
Al-Nawawi [may Allah have mercy on him] said in Sharh Muslim:

"The scholars said: the meaning of this hadith (above) is that the deeds of the deceased come to an end when he dies, and the renewal of reward ceases for him, except in these three cases, because he is the cause of them: his offspring is counted among his earnings, as is the knowledge that he leaves behind through teaching or writing, and ongoing charity, i.e., a waqf (Islamic endowment)."

The narrations below add further details:

Narrated Abu Hurairah [رضی اللّٰہُ عنہ]: "The Messenger of Allah [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] said: "The good deeds that will reach a believer after his death are: knowledge which he learned and then spread; a righteous son whom he leaves behind; a copy of the Qur'an that he leaves as a legacy; a mosque that he built; a house that he built for wayfarers; a canal that he dug; or charity that he gave during his lifetime when he was in good health. These deeds will reach him after his death."
[Ibn Majah: 224]

It was narrated that they slaughtered a sheep at the time of the Prophet [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] and gave it in charity except for its shoulder. The Prophet [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] asked ‘A'ishah, "What is left of it?" She said: "Nothing is left except the shoulder." He said: "All of it will remain except its shoulder."
[Al-Tirmidhi: 2470]

Consequently, a Muslim must not just persist in doing good deeds while alive, but should also pursue projects that will reap benefit after death. Options for such endeavors are listed below:

Constantly remembering death: One of the best ways to actively do good deeds and leave behind avenues that will continue to benefit after death, is to remember death itself, often and consistently.

Invest money in welfare projects: Whether it's a hospital, school, mosque, domestic shelter or a welfare organization that generally helps the needy, a Muslim should invest some money in it, in order to ensure that the rewards for charity will keep coming even after they have died, when the money they invested continues to benefit others in different ways.

Spread beneficial knowledge through media: - Educate another person or teach others a skill; contribute in starting a regular Islamic class. The more students you have, the farther your trail of good deeds will extend after you have left this world.

"And We record that which they send before (them), and their traces, and all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book."
[Qur'an, Surah Yaseen: 12]

All it takes is an hour once a week to start teaching others what you know. The point is: just start!
- Sponsor the printing and distribution of the Qur'an or Islamic books.
- Record and distribute Islamic classes and lectures: Videos or audios of Islamic lectures can be recorded on various formats and spread physically among people, or uploaded on the worldwide web.

- Write articles and books. E-books now make it easier for writers to get published. Lulu is a tool that allows users to publish their own books for no cost.

- Build and maintain an Islamic website, or write Islamic content for other websites: If you are tech-savvy, you can start your own Islamic website! Else, small articles can be easily self-published on the Internet, by registering to write on websites such as Helium, AssociatedContent, Hubpages, etc.

- Start and maintain an Islamic blog: Wordpress, Blogger and IslamicInk allow individuals to upload their personal content for the world to see. Even if you write something just once a month, after several years, you may have accumulated a vast pool of content for others to read. Be it personal reflections on the Qur'an, tips and advice on acting upon Islam, or general musings, maintaining a blog will benefit you well after your death, insha'Allah.

Be keen to get married and bear children: Muslims should be very concerned about instilling high Islamic values in their children. All the more so, because they know that if their children grow up to be righteous, they'll benefit them even after they are dead; but if they grow up to be disobedient to Allah, their evil actions will bring punishment to them in the Hereafter. Therefore, a Muslim tries his or her best to marry a pious person, and to start and raise a family according to Islamic values. They are upright and firm in keeping the influence of Satan out of their homes.

Plant trees, and install water-sources for travelers: Planting trees and other vegetation, particularly that which yields produce such as fruit, vegetables, or grains; which provides shade to the passersby, and oxygen to the environment, is a great ongoing act of charity. Having wells dug, or water-coolers installed on wayfarers' paths is also the most excellent charity. Narrated Anas bin Malik [رضی اللّٰہُ عنہ]: Allah's Messenger [صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم] said, "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows a seed, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but it is regarded as a charitable gift from him."
[Sahih Al-Bukhari 40:1071]

Leave no dues unpaid: The Muslim also worries about whether he or she owes anyone any debts at the time of death - this is because when they die, their debts will still have to be repaid. Consequently, the pious Muslim makes up qaza fasts of yesteryears, gives qaza zakah of assets which he was heedless of in the past, and makes sure he lives as debt-free as possible. Since Muslims constantly think about, and prepare for, their death - they ensure their transition from this world is as smooth as possible, and when they return to their Lord, they have no dues - either that of His, or of other people - left to be repaid.

Using all available resources, tools and technologies to benefit others; to facilitate the growth and spread of Islamic knowledge, and to help alleviate the misery and suffering of those who are less fortunate, enables a Muslim to prepare for his exit from the transient life of this world in such a way, that even after they'll be gone, the "ripple effects" of their fruitful actions will still be felt by succeeding generations, insha'Allah.

Author: unknown

Impressions‏

Huma Iman looks at the lasting impressions we all make, every day of our lives.

First Impression...Last Impression...Lasting Impressions

Have you ever stood by a pond and thrown a pebble into it? Didn't it create an infinite number of ripples? Similarly, over the span of our lives, every one of us is constantly creating a series of unending ripples by our words, actions, presence and personality. This ripple-effect stays long after we are gone or our action is over, in the form of traces and impressions, and continues to influence and inspire others. Thus, the chain continues.

Allah (SWT) states:

"... We record whatever deeds they have sent ahead, and the traces (aathaarahum) which they left behind; for of all things do we take account in a clear record." (Surah Ya-sin 36:12)
We know that Allah (SWT) is meticulous in His Accountability and fair in His Judgment. Thus, He informs us that His recording includes everything big and small, exposed or concealed, good and bad with numerical clarity. He (SWT) records not just deeds but also the traces, impact and impressions of those deeds, with precision.

"Whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it. Whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it." (Surah az-Zalzalah 99: 7-8)

Everyday, whatever we do is presented to Allah (SWT). What remains are the impressions, and these we will find in our Book on the Day of Accountability. Therefore, with the right intention, knowledge and actions we can strive to leave impressions that just might play an important role in tipping the scale in our favour.

The Arabic word, 'Aathaar' cannot be translated into one word in English as it encompasses various sublime concepts depending on the context in which it is used:

Impression of a deed on one's body - for example, tasbeeh on fingers. The Prophet (SAW) said, "Count on your fingers, for they will be asked, and will be made to speak."
Impression of our body on the environment - for example, footsteps on the way to the masjid. The Prophet (SAW) said, "...And your footsteps will be recorded." [Bukhari]
Effects of direct instruction or imparting knowledge. "When the son of Adam dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: knowledge which is beneficial to others, a righteous child who prays for him, or an ongoing charity which he leaves behind." (Muslim)
Effects of setting an example or through inspiring others. "Whoever starts (or sets an example of) something good in Islam, will have a reward for it. And a reward equal to that of everyone who does it after him, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest..." [Muslim]
Direct impact of a deed performed and its continuation. "...An ongoing charity which he leaves behind." [Muslim]
In the light of the above, let us take a look at examples of things that we can do that will leave beautiful, lasting impressions, insha Allah.

Adopt good Islamic manners. Our personality leaves an impression on others and plays a crucial part in attracting them towards Islam. This includes our temperament, speech, character, behaviour and interaction with others.

"Forbidden upon the Hell Fire is every easygoing, flexible, easy-to-deal-with, and easy-to-be-sociable-with person." [Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Musnad (hasan)]

Spread knowledge. Record or print books, CDs or pamphlets for distribution in your community.

"The one who tells another about something good is like the one who does it." [Muslim]

Learn, adopt or revive a forgotten Sunnah, for example learn cupping (hijamah) for treatment.

"Whoever revives one of my Sunnahs that has died out after I am gone, will have a reward like that of everyone who does it, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest." [Tirmidhi]

Teach or help someone memorise the Quran.

"The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it." [Bukhari]

Write a good book, a beneficial article or launch a useful website. Your work will remain long after you are gone and you will continue to reap the benefits.

Meet your family and sisters in Islam with a smile. Nothing warms people up more than this easy (and infectious!) form of sadaqah.

"Every good deed is charity, and indeed, it is a good deed to meet your brother with a cheerful face..." [Ahmad] .

Begin a phone call with a quick dua. Seek protection for your tongue from gossiping, lying or backbiting before picking up the phone.

"On the Day when their tongues, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to their actions." [Surah Noor 24:24]

Give charity from your excess food. When eating out, parcel up the surplus food you ordered and give it to a hungry homeless person outside the restaurant.

Give a unique gift that encourages a sunnah, for example, a bottle of original kohl with a card describing how the Prophet (SAW) used it.

Clean the masjid. Pick up litter after the prayer is over & people have left.

"The Messenger of Allah (SAW) commanded us to set up mosques among our houses and commanded us to clean them." [Musnad Ahmad]

Quench someone's thirst.Take bottle of water or juice when you go out and offer it to someone working in the hot sun.

Make dua for your sister. Look at the needs and problems of your sisters and supplicate for them without even being asked.

"The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Every time he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angels appointed for this particular task says: "Ameen! May it be for you, too." (Muslim)

There are infinite opportunities to do good, and myriad examples to draw on for inspiration. Let us start exploring those prospects and create the ripples of our own athaar.

Test of Moral Character

Salmaan ibn Fahd al-'Awdah

Moral integrity and upright conduct are held in high esteem by all people and all religions. They are a fundamental part of the Message of all the Prophets (peace be upon him), so much so that the last of the Prophets – Muhammad (peace be upon him) – said: “I was only sent to perfect good moral character.”

There is no need to speak at lengths on this point, since it is something about which all people agree. You find that even those who campaign against moral character and act immorally and unscrupulously invariably speak highly of moral character and admit to its virtue.

A person might adopt good manners under certain circumstances, simply because they are prevailing or he might do so little by little. Even this is something good. Abû al-Dardâ said – and some narrations have him attribute the words to the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Knowledge is attained only through learning and gentleness is attained only through being gentle. Whoever is intent on attaining goodness will be given it and whoever keeps away from evil will be spared it.” [Târîkh Baghdâd and Târîkh Dimashq]

However, it is not at all praiseworthy for a person to make a show of good character in order to take advantage of others or win them over for some personal benefit or ulterior motive. The true test of a person’s moral fiber is constancy. This is why the old Arabic saying goes: “You see the true character of men when you travel with them.”

A person’s true character shows forth when he is at home in how he deals with his wife through the long years, in hardship and ease, when things are going well and when things go wrong. This is where has to hold himself together and where his patience is tested. His ability to keep clear of vanities, to remain clement and tolerant, and to exhibit good conduct are all tested by his married life and his family life.

The same can be said regarding friendships when a person is constant and sincere regardless of the changing circumstances. How often does a person see his friend as the one who he can rely on in need, only to find that “friend” adds to his hardships when that time of need arrives?

May the lives of those who are faithful and sincere be beautiful and blessed, those who resolve within themselves not to be fickle when circumstances change and not to turn their backs in times of misfortune. How rare such people are.

Long acquaintance and association reveal how substantial or superficial a person’s moral character really is.

There is another important test of moral character that shows how true or false a person’s morals are, and that is the test of power. A person who is weak might exhibit good moral conduct and a present a passive, subdued disposition. He does not do so because it is part of his nature, but simply because he does not have the power to behave any other way.

The Arabic poet al-Mutanabbî said:

Oppression is human nature, so if you find
Someone abstain from it, there is some reason why.

Perhaps al-Mutanabbî borrowed these words from Aristotle who said: “Oppression is part of human nature. Only one of two reasons withholds people form it: religiousness or fear or reprisal.”

When a person is in a position of strength, then his true moral character shows forth. If a person who attains power, wealth, or prestige continues to uphold his moral values, maintains his affection for others, remains humble, and shows clemency to those who ill treat him, this is a sign of the true nobility of his character and the true goodness of his person.

Alas, how often do we find people who are not corrupted by power, fame, and sudden wealth?

A third test of moral character is disagreement. Most people exhibit good conduct with those who agree with them and share their way of thinking, on account of their common interests. However, when differences arise, whether ideological or material, people tend to expose their true selves.

A person of dignity and good character will remain composed and sensible. He will articulate his disagreements in a clear and precise manner. Moreover, he will be respectful when doing so and avoid accusative, insulting, and offensive language. His moral character will prevent him from conducting himself in a mean and lowly fashion, so he will be able to retain his composure while talking to others, in spite of his disagreement with them. He will not react emotionally in a way that detracts from his character and merely demonstrates his inability to prevail on the strength of his opinion.

Another person, in the same situation, will start cursing and hurling accusations at his opponents, acting as if only he is right and everyone else is by necessity wrong. His misplaced anger will destroy the edifice of his good character. He may go so far to concoct lies and make false claims. He might resort to deceptive arguments to make his opponents stumble and deliberately take the words of others out of context.

People like to say that disagreements do not spoil their interpersonal relationships and it is good that they say so, but what really counts is how they conduct themselves in actual practice, not just in theory. I have observed many young, religious people in their disagreements amongst themselves, and have encountered them applying to one another statements so horrid and injurious that it grieved my heart made my eyes well up with tears. They would call each other idiots, insult each other, and accuse one another of deception, heresy, immorality, and unbelief. I would ask myself: When will these sick disputes come to an end? When will they attain a level of moral character suitable for the community that Allah has chosen and favored? When will they put into practice the values set forth by the Qur’ân and Sunnah that teach us how to deal with others, even our enemies, in a decent manner? “And do not let the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just. That is nearer to piety.” [Sûrah al-Mâ’idah: 8]

When will we come to realize that sometimes our motives stem from our own temperaments and emotions, though we might mistake them for religious conviction?

Then I would turn my attention to some writers who were regarded as being educated and intellectual, and not just part of the common folk. However, I found them to be the same, if not worse in their double standards and their shamelessness.

There are aggressive, predatory tendencies and feelings of enmity latent in the hearts of people, lurking in wait. Sometimes, with the mere appearance of a disagreement in ideology or politics, outward appearances of civility are often cast aside and people fall upon one another with the greatest possible ferocity.

When will we learn to preserve our amicable relationships with others when we disagree? When will we keep up the level of decorum that we want people to see from us? When will our moral values and principles translate from theory into a practical way of life, into something that endures throughout our lives and throughout our relationships, no matter how long they last? They must be values that stay with us even if we become powerful or attain to high administrative office, or a prominent media spot, or social prestige, or success in business. They must endure even when we disagree with one another, so we do not have to be always faced with the choice of either destroying our relationships or remaining silent whenever we disagree or see someone making a mistake.

Frankly, though I write all this, I do so with a pen that is hesitant and slow. It is as if it turning to me and asking: “Do you really live up to all of this?” I have to reply: “No, but I promise you that I will try to live up to it, and no matter how often I might stumble, I will keep trying…”

Need To Have Good Company

For various moral, psychological, and social reasons, people need good company and close friendship. We often come into contact with people and find that we like their personality enough to want to make friends with them. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes in a friend and their own preferences.

However, the type of friends you have often indicate the type of person you are. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) once advised, "A person molds his way of life (his deen) according to his friends. So you should be careful about who you make your friend!" [Ahmad]

The Prophet {p.b.u.h} pointed to the value of good company when he said that it is better to be alone than in the company of the wicked, i.e. those who take you away from the real purpose of life as Muslim, and it is better to be in the company of the good than to be alone.

The True Friendship

Good company can be a great source of help and support to leading a righteous life, as principled and morally conscious individuals, while bad company can lead to crime, immorality, irresponsible behavior, and sin.

This is exactly the implication of above quoted verse, where Allah is reminding us to be with those 'who remember God morning and evening, seeking His Countenance (pleasure)', and let us not admire someone because of their social status, sinful lifestyle, wealth, their 'coolness', or 'their fashionable clothes', etc. Nor obey those whose heart Allah has permitted to neglect His remembrance.

Prophet's Advice: 'He Who Helps You Remember'

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has given similar advice in choosing companions and forming friendships. He was asked, "What person can be the best friend?" "He who helps you remember God, and he who reminds you when you forget Him," he replied. Then the Prophet was asked, "And which friend is the worst?" "He who does not help you when you remember God and does not remind you of God when you forget," he replied. The Prophet was further asked, "Who is the best among people?" He replied, "He who when you look at him, you remember God" (because of his noble character, devotion to God, and concern for others).

These are the principles that should guide our friendships. Is this the criteria we use in our friendships today? Indeed, there is no blessing greater than a friend who helps us succeed in this life and reminds us about the real purpose in this life, only if we realized before it's too late! It can be very difficult to live up to these principles when we have people of the same age urging us on to be "part of the posse", and to be involved in forbidden, illegal, immoral, or Haram fun for "the pomp and glitter of this life".

Difference Between 'Friendship' & 'Acquaintance'

It should be pointed out that there is difference between a "friend" (someone with whom you can share your values, secrets, and trust), and "acquaintence" (someone to whom you should be nice and caring, but don't neccesarily share your values and principles with). Therefore, such Quranic verses should not be used to urge people to isolate themselves from society and hate the people around them who do not necessarily share the same beliefs and values they do.

In fact, we know from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that this was never the case. The authentic biographies of the Prophet are replete with incidences and sayings encouraging Muslims to be kind, generous, and loving towards their neighbors and acquaintances, regardless of their ethnic, religious, or social background. Very often non-Muslim bedouins, neighbors, or travellers would benefit from the generosity and extraordinary concern of the Prophet towards them.

[compiled from "Islam: The Natural Way" by Abdul Wahid Hamid (MELS, London, 1989) and
"What Islam is All About" by Yahya Emerick (International Books & Tapes Supply, New York, 1997)]

The pleasures of seeking knowledge

The rise of Muslims to the zenith of civilization in a period of four decades was based on lslam's emphasis on learning. This is obvious when one takes a look at the Qur'an and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad which are filled with references to learning, education, observation, and the use of reason. The very first verse of the Qur'an revealed to the Prophet of Islam on the night of 27th of Ramadan in 611 AD reads:

"Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created man from a clot. Recite: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not." (Quran, 96:1-5)

"And they shall say had we but listened or used reason, we would not be among the inmates of the burning fire." (Quran, 67:10)

"Are those who have knowledge and those who have no knowledge alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful. " (Quran, 39:9)

The Qur'an encourages people towards scientific research:.

"And whoso brings the truth and believes therein such are the dutiful." (Quran, 39:33)

Every Muslim man's and every Muslim woman's prayer should be:

"My Lord! Enrich me with knowledge.." (Quran, 20:114)

The pursuit of knowledge and the use of reason, based on sense and observation is made obligatory on all believers.

The following traditions of the Prophet supplement the foregoing teachings of the Qur'an in the following way:

Seek knowledge "even though it be in China."

"The acquisition of knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim, whether male or female."

"The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr."

"Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave."

"God has revealed to me, 'Whoever walks in the pursuit of knowledge I facilitate for him the way to heaven.'

"The best form of worship is the pursuit of knowledge."

"Scholars should endeavor to spread knowledge and provide education to people who have been deprived of it. For, where knowledge is hidden it disappears."

Some one asked the Prophet : "Who is the biggest scholar?" He replied: "He who is constantly trying to learn from others, for a scholar is ever hungry for more knowledge."

"Seek knowledge and wisdom, or whatever the vessel from which it flows, you will never be the loser."

"Contemplating deeply for one hour (with sincerity) is better than 70 years of (mechanical) worship."

"To listen to the words of the learned and to instill unto others the lessons of science is better than religious exercises."

"Acquire knowledge: it enables its possessor to distinguish right from the wrong, it lights the way to heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless - it guides us to happiness; it sustains us in misery; it is an ornament among friends and an armor against enemies."

The Islamic Empire for more than 1,000 years remained the most advanced civilization in the world. The main reasons for this was that Islam stressed the importance and respect of learning, forbade destruction, cultivated a respect for authority, discipline, and tolerance for other religions. The teachings of Qur'an and Sunnah inspired many Muslims to their accomplishments in science and medicine.

By the tenth century their zeal and enthusiasms for learning resulted in all essential Greek medical and scientific writings being translated into Arabic in Damascus, Cairo, and Baghdad. Arabic became the international language of learning and diplomacy. The center of scientific knowledge and activity shifted eastward, and Baghdad emerged as the capitol of the scientific world. The Muslims became scientific innovators with originality and productivity.

For example Islamic medicine is one of the most famous and best known facets of Islamic civilization in which the Muslims excelled. The Muslims were the great torchbearers of international scientific research. Some of the best and most eloquent praises of science came from the pens of Muslim scientists who considered their work to be acts of worship. The same motives led to the establishment of Al-Azhar (800 AD) the first university in the world. They hit the "source ball of knowledge" over the fence to Europe. In the words of Campbell, "The European medical system is Arabian not only in origin but also in its structure. The Arabs are the intellectual forbearers of the Europeans."

Learning is a natural pleasure. This pleasure is inborn and instinctive. The pleasure of learning is one of the essential pleasures of the human race. Without learning, survival itself is threatened.

The process of learning starts right after birth. It is true that babies who can barely talk investigate problems with all the zeal and excitement of explorers, make discoveries with the passion and absorption of dedicated scientists. At the end of each successful investigation, one can see on the tiny face an expression of innocent and pure heartfelt pleasure. The process of physical growth stops when a boy or girl reaches puberty, that is with the on set of menarche in the girls and with the change in the voice and growth of moustache and beard in boys. After puberty it is impossible to increase the height both in boys and girls.

On the other hand the mental faculties grow from birth until death. At some point in our lifetime, the physical body becomes sick or ill and gradually dies; even the emotions become duller. But the mind continues to live, and even grows more lively and active, enjoys itself more, works and plays with more expansion and delight. I have seen grandparents obtaining Bachelors, Masters and Ph. D. degrees at the ages of 70, 80 or 90.

There are many examples in the history of Art, Music and Science, of both men and women who significantly contributed and lead mentally productive lives at their ripe old ages. Learning extends our lives into new dimensions. It is cumulative. Instead of diminishing in time, like health and strength, its dividends go on increasing, provided one continues to learn throughout life and integrate the thoughts and make learning harmonious. One should make it a point to learn at least one piece of new information each day.

The pleasure of learning is not confined to learning from textbooks, which are too often tedious. But it does include learning from book magazines (periodicals), newspapers, movies, television, radio and traveling.

When you stand in a big library in front of thousands of books do not think they are lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves. Each has its own voice, which is as inaudible as the radiobroadcast waves falling directly on ears. Just as one switches on the radio to listen, similarly a person needs to open a book to hear the voice far distant in time and space. One can hear the voice speaking, mind to mind, and heart to heart. Reading of books gives you two different delights. One is the pleasure of understanding the unknown and the unexpected. The other pleasure is of deepening one's knowledge of a specified field.

Apart from books, learning means keeping the mind open and active to receive all kinds of experience. As pointed out earlier there is great emphasis on learning and seeking knowledge in Islam. The Prophet Mohammed ordered Muslims to be active in their search for learning, crossing oceans and continents if necessary. " Seek knowledge even in China" he said. Learning also means learning to practice one' s own professional skills - that of a physician, engineer, musician or craftsman.

Crafts and hobbies lead you into fresh fields of enjoyment and give you relaxation and activity without tension. One should know that tension is the prime cause of heart attacks, ulcers, hypertension, and most of the human diseases.

Traveling is an important activity in the pleasures of learning. There are many examples of exceptionally informed people who never read books and newspapers, but acquire knowledge through traveling. One should travel with an open mind, an alert eye and a wish to understand other people and other places.

A saying of Prophet Muhammad is ... With knowledge man rises to the heights of goodness and to a noble position, associated with sovereigns in this world, and attains the perfection of happiness in the next.

It is fitting here to mention the story of Diogenes, the great Greek philosopher who lived during the time of Alexander the Great. Diogenes was a very learned man who shunned both power and wealth. He was known to have wandered around searching for an honest man carrying a lantern during day and night. He gave up everything he possessed, except a coconut shell for drinking water. One day he saw a man drinking water forming a cup with his hand. After seeing this Diogenes threw away his last possession, the coconut shell.

The name of Diogenes spread throughout Greece. Alexander the Great heard about Diogenes and one day decided to see him. Mounted on horseback, Alexander the Great went to Diogenes who was sitting on the ground. Alexander said ' Oh Diogenes, I have heard a great deal about you and your life. I am very much impressed by your life and it is my earnest desire to help you in whatever way I can. Please let me know your desires so that I can fulfill them". To which Diogenes replied "Your Excellency my only request is that you get aside and allow the sun's rays to fall on my body." Alexander the Great was deeply moved by Diogenes's reply and said "If I were not Alexander the Great. I would be Diogenes." Now the point I want to make here is that Diogenes never went to Alexander the Great, but that Alexander the Great came to Diogenes for he was such a learned philosopher.

There are many people in this world who have played themselves to death, or eaten and drunk themselves to death. Nobody ever died because of thinking or learning. People who avoid learning, or abandon it, find no joy in life, find that life is dry. No learner has ever run short of subjects to explore. The pleasures of learning lead to happiness. One can live a long, healthy and rewarding life by attaining and preserving the happiness of learning. Learning is everyone's birthright. Everyone - young or old, rich or poor, male or female, has access to learning. Exercise your birthright. Remember what you have learned cannot be taken away by others.

Ibrahim B. Syed, Ph. D. is President of Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc

Achievement of Patience and The Curing of Grief‏

I found this advice from Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim (RH) to be quite outstanding , so I thought it would be worth a share. I hope that others, who might not have read it before, find it beneficial .The Imaam beautifully explains that...

...Curing grief and anguish comes through knowing that missing the rewards for being patient and content, such as mercy and correct guidance that Allah has promised in return for being patient, is much larger than the calamity itself. A part of the cure also comes through knowing that grief brings comfort to the heart of the enemy, grief to the friends, anger to the Lord, joy to the devil, destruction to the reward and weakness to the heart. On the other hand, when one observes patience and satisfaction, he will expel the devil and defeat his plots, will please the Lord, bring joy to the friends and sadness to the enemy. In this case, the person would say words of condolence to his friends instead of they to him. This, indeed, is the sought after perfection and firmness, unlike striking the cheeks, uttering foul words and being dissatisfied with what Allah has decided.

Further on in the chapter the Imaam writes:

Ahmad and At-Trimidhi related that the Prophet (Sallalahu Alayhi Wa Salam) said:
"When Allah loves a people, He tests them with trials. If they are content, then they will achieve contentment. Those who get enraged, will only reap rage."

Curing grief also entails knowing that no matter how much grief one feels he will sooner or later be forced to forego the matter. And then, he will not be rewarded for this forced patience. A wise man once said, "In the first day when a calamity strikes, the wise person behaves just like the ignorant person behaves days later. Those who do not observe an honorable patience, will soon be forced to forget just as the animals do."

Also in the Sahih it is related that the Prophet (Sallalahu Alayhi Wa Salam) said:
"Verily, patience is at the stroke of the calamity."

Further, Al-Ash'ath bin Qays said, "Observe patience with Faith and await the reward from Allah alone. Otherwise, you will be forced to forget just as the animals do."

Finally I feel it will be best to end the Imaam's words with a brilliant quote from part of his conclusion to the chapter.

Curing grief also entails knowing that the bitterness of this life is itself the sweetness of the Life Hereafter, as Allah will turn it to sweetness later on. Also the sweetness of this life is itself the bitterness of the Life Hereafter. Moving away from a short-lived bitterness to acquire an eternal sweetness is surely better than vice versa.

[Quotes taken from: Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah's, At-Tibb an-Nabawi]

Is the Qadr of Allaah flipping you over to negatives?

To believe that every single thing (even the falling of the leaf from the tree) that happens in this dunyaa is the will of Allah, the Qadr of Allaah and will of Allaah is a part of our Aqeedah, part of Eemaan and part of being a Mumin. Thus without a doubt we believe in this- the Qadr of Allaah, the good of it AND the bad of it.

In one way or another we kind of all have some kind of plan sorted out in life. Like we are going to finish up with school then go ahead and finish up with college/uni- get married in between or after, strive even more with dawa after getting married, have kids, move on with our lives, etc. All this keeping in mind IF Allaah wills of course. Sometimes things in life seem as though they are going pretty smooth, tests and trials are there of course but over all things seem to be running smooth.

All of a sudden an extreme trial hits life or something that just makes our life, well everything in life just seems so dull and unsmooth to us thereafteer. As though now life will be unbearable and to live another day is like having to live another thousand years. Seconds seem like hours, hours seem like days, days seem like years, and well years just seem like decades or centuries. We start wondering how or why things are going the way they are going. We all know in heart that whatever trial hit us it will definitely with the infiinite mercy of Allaah be a purifier and we need to have patience, trust in Allaah and turn to Him- but still in our hearts we try so hard to understand the wisdom behind whats happening in our life- for no doubt about it, there is wisdom and a reason behind everything that happens to us in life. We try to understand and ponder all day over the reason that Allaah is letting things go in our life the way they are going.

A good example of where one may feel really overwhelmed and as though life will be difficult to live, is when a person is married to a spouse who is really not practicing or is just totally with the dunyaa and running after this lowly life. They have to continue on with the marriage or it will end with divorce but the person keeps thinking that they made istikhara before having gotten married and things all seemed really good- so why would such a thing be happening now after the married? If the person made istikhara before getting married and made loads of duaa to Allaah before having gotten married and they end up with a person who is really not much in touch with the deen, even though maybe at first before marriage the person appeared to have good deen, all other things were positive and the marriage ended up taking place without any fitnah- the person may start thinking "oh there was no point in my istikhara" or "I made so much duaa that whatever is best happens, and now I will probably end up in divorce and things in my life are going so horribly ever since I got married, oh did Allaah betray me" etc etc.

Another situation may be where a couple may not be able to have children, this also leads to similar reactions from us these days.Other situations in which people become dumbfouned is perhaps when they become victims to earthquakes- lose their homes, jobs, lack of food, clothing, basic needs etc. Or perhaps when family members fall so ill with say cancer or other such deadly illnesses.When such extreme trials befall us- most of us try so hard to understand what exactly is the wisdom behind the things that are happening with us. We even start looking at the lives of our companions and wondering why they may not have the trials we have, even though they appear to be stronger Muslimeen than us, they are going through easier tests etc.

Such thoughts run through many of us- and I have come across so many Muslimeen who feel this way.Everyday we make duaa to Allaah. Duaas along the lines of: "Oh Allaah, oh Al-ayyul wal Qayyum- give us the good in this dunyaa and in the hereafter, make all our affairs pleasing to you, forgive us our sins, make light the punishment in the hereafter for us and straighten out our affairs in this dunyaa and hereafter, help us against our own nafs and shayaateen and make us worshippers of YOU and SOLELY you. Make us of the Mutaqeen, Mutawakkileen, Muhsineen, Muqarabeen, Saabiroon, etc"

How about when we make istikhara- we ask Allaah to guide us the decision which will bring about the best results sooner or later - we ask Allaah to make us content with whatever He decrees and tawfeeq to accept. Stop and think for a minute- are not our trials and tribulations giving us even more of a reason to turn to Allaah? Are not the sudden trials that come upon us all of a sudden- giving us a perfect reminder of the fact that we can plan all we want but the ULTIMATE plan is in Allaahs Hands, thus we must turn to him. Are not our affairs causing us to cry to Allaah and show Him yet again and again that we are weak, feeble and cannot be without Him for even a mini seconds worth of time- so we are calling upon Him even more convinced in our hearts that He is the ONLY one who can help us.

Are not our trials and things that happen in life yet another excellent reason for worshipping Allaah solely and turning away from every other thing in this dunyaa because of the realization that Allaah is the ONE we ultimatley MUST turn to.

Whether you just lost a beloved one, whether someone you love was just imprisoned, whether or not you just found out that a beloved one was recently diagnosed with cancer or some other life threatening illness, whether or not you ended up with a life partner who is the total opposite of the Mutaqqi you had wanted, or whether or not you lost everything that you have- remember the duaa that you make everyday for the BEST in AKHIRA- you ask for the best in this dunyaa and AKHIRA. Dont sit trying to figure out the whys/what/how of the things that are happening in your life. Rather constantly try to obey Allaah to the best of your ability, repenting to Him and have YAQEEN that whatever is happening to you is what Allaah has decreed for you and if not in this dunyaa then for a surety in the hereafter your dunyaa affairs will be BEST for you- so as long as you held onto Quraan and Sunnaah.

So next time dont let the Qadr of Allaah flip you over to the wrong side- let it flip you back to your fitrah, to the positive side. Let it make you realize even more without a doubt that what your Lord decrees is what is BEST for you- and He (swt) has a plan in store. We can plan and will all we want, but in the end of the day it is Allaah's Plan(s) and Allaah's Decree that will over ride all of ours. We have free choice on whether or not we will be content with what Allaah decrees- but think about it, if we are displeased that is to our own loss but if we remain pleased then without a doubt our reward and the best is only for the hereafter inshaAllaah...Keep making duaa and hold fast to Allaah.

Remember that there will be so many things in life that will make you feel as though nothing makes sense anymore or that you just cannot bare to live life anymore- but hey we have said the Shahada- so now are we all just talk or are we going to prove with our lives that YES we do truly want the best in the AKHIRA and not just dunya?

May Allaah ease all our affairs in this Dunyaa and Hereafter and make us of those who will inherit Jannatul Firdaws and nothing less- Allahumma Aameen.

Mother, or indeed anyone else

We all have quarrels with our mother. It is indeed a tough challenge for us not to give our mother even the slightest gesture of annoyance ‘UFF’ as Allah instructs. It’s very hard to restrain our emotions when an event or interaction with our mother triggers a past painful event (which we felt really hurt by). BUT Allah has told us that, with pain there is gain (verily! with hardship there is relief). On the road of life, we are guaranteed to experience hard times and pain. However, with every difficult experience that we get through, we come out as a much stronger person in every way. We have to have yaqeen in, that Allah does not put us in a difficult situation without giving us guidance and support.

With our mothers, there are several things we can do to stop having grudges against our mothers. When we feel our emotions resurfacing, we should immediately remember Allah and seek refuge in Him from the whispers that may compel us to disrespect our mothers. We need to try to give ourselves a few seconds to think about Allah, reflect, and breathe deeply before we quickly respond.

“when the devil whispers an idea to you, you shall seek refuge in God. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.” 41:36
We should continue to pray to Allah that He gives us the strength to be patient, understanding in relating with our mother’s. Our number one priority is to please Allah and not to let the emotions of bitterness and animosity get in the way of growing our souls. We need to focus on developing the traits of righteousness that Allah advocates in the Quran.
We should eagerly race towards forgiveness from our Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the heavens and the earth; it awaits the righteous who give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. Allah loves the charitable. Allah is encouraging the righteous to race towards forgiveness and an awesome paradise and He is informing us that the righteous are suppressors of anger and pardoners of the people. They forgive when they are angered. Allah is talking to you and me. It’s a small price to pay for such an amazing reward. We should think about this tradeoff whenever our feelings of anger towards our mother come out.

Allah informs us how to deal with an inappropriate response. Not equal is the good response and the bad response. We should resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy may become your best friend. None can attain this except those who steadfastly persevere. None can attain this except those who are extremely fortunate. Can you imagine how someone would feel if you responded kindly to an insult. Your response alone shows the other person how wrong they are for speaking with you in a bad manner and would cause them to reflect on their statements.

May Allah help us to strive to reform ourselves by following the guidance that He has blessed us with in the Quran so that we may attain His Rahmah. Ameen Walhamdulillah Rabb-il Alameen.

Intention is the Key to Eternal Living in Paradise or Hell-Fire

Some people ask: Why is it that the unbelievers are punished in hell forever while they were not disobedient to Allah forever? Similarly, why will the believers be rewarded with heaven forever while they were obedient to Allah for only a short time in this life? The answer is that the unbelievers had the intention to disobey Allah forever while the believers had the intention to obey Allah forever. Thereby, they are rewarded according to their intentions.

As al-Qaari pointed out, entrance into Paradise is due to faith, the levels of Paradise are due to the deeds performed and remaining therein forever is due to the intention that the person had to obey Allah as long as he could have lived. Similarly, entrance into Hell is due to disbelief, its levels are due to the evil deeds that the person performed and its eternity is due to the intention the unbeliever had to forever disobey Allah.

The disbelievers may do some deeds that seem to be good because they bring positive results for others, such as humanitarian acts. However, that does not mean that such acts are good for the person himself. Ibn Rajab stated,

Ordering good is a type of charity. Bringing about reconciliation and peace between two is a good deed, even if it is not done for the sake of Allah, due to the benefit that it brings for others. The people receive goodness and good. However, as for the one who brought it about, if he did that for the sake of Allah and seeking His pleasure, then it is good for him and he shall be rewarded. If that was not his intent, it is actually not good for him nor shall he be rewarded for it.
The problem with the deeds of all the disbelievers- in general- is that none of them, no matter how utilitarian or humanitarian they seem, are for the sake of Allah. They perform deeds for the sake of the false, claimed gods, such as Jesus. Or they perform deeds to make their own egos feel good. Sometimes- many times- they do acts to impress others. Hence, their deeds are never really for the sake of Allah and therefore, they are not deserving of reward from Allah in the Hereafter. They claim to be doing good while at the same time they are refusing to submit to Allah. Hence, there can truly be no good in them. They are as those described in the Qur'an,
"Say (O Muhammad): Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought they were acquiring good by their deeds? Those are they who deny the signs of their Lord and the meeting with Him [in the Hereafter]. So their works are in vain, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall not give them any weight. That shall be their recompense - Hell, because they disbelieved and took My signs and My Messengers by way of jest and mockery." (al-Kahf, 18/103-106)

However, Allah may reward them for their deeds in this world. Allah has stated, as was mentioned earlier,
"Whosever desires the life of this world and its glitter, to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds they did therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do." (Hood, 11/15-16)

One Way Ticket

When we are leaving this world for the next one, it shall be like a trip to another country.

Where details of that country won't be found in glamorous travel brochures but in the Holy Qur'aan and the Ahadiths.

Where our plane won't be British Airways, Gulf Air or American Airlines but Air Janazah.

Where our luggage won't be the allowed 23 kgs but our deeds no matter how heavy they weigh. You don't pay for excess luggage. They are>carried free of charge. With your Creator's compliment.

Where our dress won't be a Pierre Cardin suit or the like but the white cotton shroud.

Where our perfume won't be Chanel, Paco Rabane, but the camphor and attar.

Where our passports won't be British, French or American but Al Islam.

Where our visa won't be the 6 months leave to stay or else but the "La>Illaha Illallah.."

Where the airhostess won't be gorgeous females but Isra'iil and its like

Where the in-flight services won't be 1st class or economy but a piece of beautifully scented or foul smelling cloth.

Where our place of destination won't be Heathrow Terminal 1 or Jeddah International Terminal but the Qabarastaan.

Where our waiting lounge won't be nice carpeted and air-conditioned rooms but the 6 feet deep gloomy Qabar.

Where the Immigration Officer won't be Her Majesty's officers but Munkir and Nakir. They only check out whether you deserve the place you yearn to go.

Where there is no need for Customs Officers or detectors.

Where the transit airport will be Al Barzaakh.

Where our final place of destination will be either the Garden under which rivers flow or the Hell Fire.

This trip does not come with a price tag. It is free of charge. So your savings would not come handy.

This flight can never be hijacked so do not worry about terrorists.

Do not worry about legroom; you won't need it, as your legs will become things of the past.

Do not worry about delays. This flight is always punctual. It arrives and leaves on time.

Do not worry about the in-flight entertainment programme because you would have lost all your sense of joy.

Do not worry about booking this trip, it has already been booked the day you became a foetus in your mother's womb.

Ah! At last good news! Do not worry about who will be sitting next to you. You will have the luxury of being the only passenger. So enjoy it while you can. If only you can! One small snag though, this trip comes with no warning. Are you prepared?

The Story of an African King and His Friend

A story is told about a King in Africa who had a close friend that he grew up with. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that everoccurred in his life (positive or negative) by remarking, "This is good,Allah Almighty knows best"

One day the King and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. Thefriend would load and prepare the guns for the King. The friend hadapparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for aftertaking the gun from his friend, the King fired it and his thumb was blownoff.

Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good! AllahAlmighty knows best." To which the King replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and ordered his soldiersto put his friend into jail.

About a year ! later, the King was hunting in an area that he should haveknown to stay clear of. Cannibals captured the King and took him to theirvillage. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and boundhim to the stake.

As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the King wasmissing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone who was lessthan whole. So after untying the King, they chased him out of the village. When the King reached his Palace, he was reminded of the event that hadtaken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He wentimmediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right" the King said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off."And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this." "No," his friend replied, "this is good...Allah Almighty knows best" "What do you mean, 'this is good'! How could it be good that I sent myfriend to jail for a year?"

The King's friend replied: "Remember that the Almighty knows best and if Ihad NOT been in jail, I would have been with you on that hunting trip." "He knows what is before them And what is behind them: And to Allah go backAll questions (for decision)" Qur'an:Surah Al Hajj 22:76

Do Not Judge Things or Events by its Immediate Outcome! Almighty, the Most High, is the All-Knowledgeable, the All-Knower... He chooses to show us things... but sometimes... we are not shown thewisdom behind some things. When we are confronted by circumstances that arenot very pleasing.... we are quick to say: "This is not good..." but... is it really? We might not know the purpose behind it. It might turn to be agood thing.... thus.. .when we are faced with any situation... do not betoo quick to judge... always remember.... this life is a test... the good and the bad.... and there is nothing that happens for no reason... our brains are just not gifted enough to understand these reasons yet. Sometimes ... things happen to us for a reason.