Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Monday, 14 March 2011
Wealth
Richness is not found in wealth, as wealth can diminish. Nor can it be found in beauty, for beauty fades with age. Its found in good character & kind hearts. So treat people in such a way & live amongst them in such a manner that when you die they make du'a for you & when you are alive they benefit from you & they thank Allah Most High...
The Carpenter
A highly skilled carpenter who had grown old was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.
The employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter agreed to this proposal but made sure that this will be his last project. Being in a mood to retire, the carpenter was not paying much attention to building this house. His heart was not in his work. He resorted to poor workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.
When the job was done, the carpenter called his employer and showed him the house. The employer handed over some papers and the front door key to the carpenter and said "This is your house, my gift to you."
The carpenter was in a shock! What a shame! If he had only known that he was building his own house, he would have made it better than any other house that he ever built!
Our situation can be compared to this carpenter. Allah Ta'la has sent us to this world to build our homes in paradise by obeying His commands.
Now,
we have to decide how well we wish to build the homes where we will live forever.
The employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter agreed to this proposal but made sure that this will be his last project. Being in a mood to retire, the carpenter was not paying much attention to building this house. His heart was not in his work. He resorted to poor workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.
When the job was done, the carpenter called his employer and showed him the house. The employer handed over some papers and the front door key to the carpenter and said "This is your house, my gift to you."
The carpenter was in a shock! What a shame! If he had only known that he was building his own house, he would have made it better than any other house that he ever built!
Our situation can be compared to this carpenter. Allah Ta'la has sent us to this world to build our homes in paradise by obeying His commands.
Now,
we have to decide how well we wish to build the homes where we will live forever.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Awaken your senses
Now that you are conscious about your intentions and actively renewing it to seek the pleasure of Allah The Most High let’s look at the second step. What does seeking the pleasure of Allah mean to you? Within your heart and mind.Does it mean Jannah (paradise)? Does it mean a standard of life that won’t tempt you into haram? Does it mean healthy parents whom you can be attending to? Does it mean a line of work that you enjoy and it benefits others? It helps when we have a clear idea of what our aim looks, feels, sounds and even smells like.
When you plan to recite the Quran in a melodious voice and with correct tajweed seeking the pleasure of Allah, can you taste the sweetness of those words before even starting.
When you decide to learn Arabic seeking the pleasure of Allah do you see yourself among the companions in Madinah listening to the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) giving the Khutbah (speech) in Arabic.
When you put the kids to beds after they have been driving you crazy all day, can you smell the musk and incense burning on their wedding? Time flies and in-sha’allah it was blessed because you spent it seeking the pleasure of Allah in raising and teaching your children.
When you visited a sick friend seeking the pleasure of Allah, did you hear both of you laughing and enjoying each other’s company in Jannah.
Even though you may know your goal and you know it is something you really want you may, from time to time, need a boost of motivation. Think of your goal and imagine how will the journey and the achievement feel, sound, look, and smell like.
No time is better than the present. Think of a goal that you are pursuing or planning for and try the 'What can you hear, smell, see and feel?' exercise.
This post was submitted by Hanan Basher of Muslimah etc taken from productivemuslimah.com
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Words of Wisdom from Prophet Mohammad
1.. "Acquire knowledge, it enables its professor to distinguish right from wrong; it lights the way to heaven. It is our friend in the desert, our company in solitude and companion when friendless. It guides us to happiness, it sustains us in misery, it is an ornament amongst friends and an armour against enemies." (widely attributed to the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh))
2.. "A Muslim who plants a tree or sows a field, from which man, birds and animals can eat, is committing an act of charity." (Muslim)
3.. "There is a polish for everything that takes away rust; and the polish for the heart is the remembrance of Allah." (Bukhari)
4.. "What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of human beings, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the sufferings of the injured." (Bukhari)
5.. "The most excellent Jihad is that for the conquest of self." (Bukhari)
6.. "If you put your whole trust in Allah, as you ought, He most certainly will satisfy your needs, as He satisfies those of the birds. They come out hungry in the morning, but return full to their nests." (Tirmidhi)
7.. "When Allah created his creatures He wrote above His throne: 'Verily, my Compassion overcomes my wrath." (Bukhari & Muslim)
8.. "Allah will not give mercy to anyone, except those who give mercy to other creatures." (Abdullah b. Amr: Abu Daud & Tirmidhi)
9.. " 'Son, if you are able, keep your heart from morning till night and from night till morning free from malice towards anyone.' Then the Prophet said: 'O my son! This is one of my laws, and he, who loves my laws verily loves me.' " (Bukhari)
10.. "Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people." (Baihaqi)
11.. "Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith." (Muslim)
12.. "When you see a person who has been given more than you in money and beauty, look to those, who have been given less." (Muslim)
13.. "If you do not feel ashamed of anything, then you can do whatever you like." (Abu-Masud: Bukhari)
14.. "O Lord, grant me your love, grant me that I love those who love you; grant me, that I might do the deeds that win your love. Make your love dearer to me than the love of myself, my family and wealth." (Tirmidhi)
15.. "It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad; and it is better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent; but silence is better than idle words." (Bukhari)
16.. "Verily, a man teaching his child manners is better than giving one bushel of grain in alms." (Muslim)
17.. "Whoever is kind, Allah will be kind to him; therefore be kind to man on the earth. He Who is in heaven will show mercy on you."(Abu Daud: Tirmidhi)
18.. "It is difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path, that leads to bliss." (Muslim)
19.. "Once a man, who was passing through a road, found a branch of a tree with torns obstructing it. The man removed the thorns from the way. Allah thanked him and forgave his sins." (Bukhari)
20.. "Who are the learned? Those who practice what they know." (Bukhari)
21.. "Allah has revealed to me, that you must be humble. No one should boast over one another, and no one should oppress another." (Iyad b. Hinar al-Mujashi: Muslim)
22.. "Who is the most favoured of Allah? He, from whom the greatest good comes to His creatures." (Bukhari)
23.. "A true Muslim is thankful to Allah in prosperity, and resigned to His will in adversity." (Muslim)
24.. "A Muslim who meets with others and shares their burdens is better than one who lives a life of seclusion and contemplation." (Muslim)
25.. "Serve Allah, as you would if you could see Him; although you cannot see Him, He can see you. (Umar: Muslim)
26.. "Allah does not look at your appearance or your possessions; but He looks at your heart and your deeds." (Abu Huraira: Muslim)
27.. "The best richness is the richness of the soul." (at the field ofTabuk, Syria, Rajab 9 A.H.: Bukhari)
28.. "Keep yourselves far from envy; because it eats up and takes away good actions, like a fire eats up and burns wood." (Abu Daud)
29.. "Much silence and a good disposition, there are no two things better than these." (Bukhari)
30.. "Verily, Allah is mild and is fond of mildness, and He gives to the mild what He does not give to the harsh." (Muslim)
31.. "Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him." (Bukhari)
32.. "Once the Prophet was asked:'Tell us, which action is dearest to Allah?' He answered:'To say your prayer at its proper time.' Again he was asked: 'What comes next?' Mohammed said: 'To show kindness to parents.' 'Then what?' he was asked, 'To strive for the cause of Allah!' " (Ibn Masad: Bukhari)
33.. "When two persons are together, two of them must no whisper to each other, without letting the third hear; because it would hurt him." (Bukhari & Muslim)
34.. "Verily, it is one of the respects to Allah to honor an old man." (Bukhari)
35.. "All Muslims are like a foundation, each strengthening the other; in such a way they do support each other." (Abu Musa: Bukhari & Muslim)
36.. "Strive always to excel in virtue and truth." (Bukhari)
37.. "You will not enter paradise until you have faith; and you will not complete your faith till you love one another." (Muslim)
38.. "He, who wishes to enter paradise at the best gate, must please his father and mother." (Bukhari & Muslim)
39.. "I am leaving two things among you, and if you cling to them firmly you will never go astray; one is the Book of Allah and the other is my way of life." (Farewell Pilgrimage: Muatta)
40.. "Allah is One and likes Unity." (Muslim)
41.. "The best of alms is that, which the right hand gives and the left hand knows not of." (Bukhari)
42.. "The perfect Muslim is not a perfect Muslim, who eats till he is full and leaves his neighbors hungry." (Ibn Abbas: Baihaqi)
43.. "He is not of us who is not affectionate to the little ones, and does not respect the old; and he is not of us, who does not order which is lawful, and prohibits that which is unlawful." (Ibn Abbas: Tirmidhi)
44.. "No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that, what he desires for himself." (Abu Hamza Anas: Bukhari & Muslim)
45.. "To strive for the cause of Allah from daybreak to noon and sunset is better than the goods and enjoyment of the whole worldly life." (Bukhari)
46.. "Be not like the hypocrite who, when he talks, tells lies; when he gives a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he proves dishonest." (Bukhari & Muslim)
47.. "The proof of a Muslim's sincerity is, that he pays no heed to that, which is not his business." (Abu Hureira: Tirmidhi)
48.. "Do you know what is better than charity and fasting and prayer? It is keeping peace and good relations between people, as quarrels and bad feelings destroy mankind." (Muslims & Bukhari)
49.. "Conduct yourself in this world, as if you are here to stay forever; prepare for eternity as if you have to die tomorrow." (Bukhari)
50.. "The worldly comforts are not for me. I am like a traveller, who takes a rest under a tree in the shade and then goes on his way." (Tirmidhi)
Courtesy: Dr.Shahid Athar `
2.. "A Muslim who plants a tree or sows a field, from which man, birds and animals can eat, is committing an act of charity." (Muslim)
3.. "There is a polish for everything that takes away rust; and the polish for the heart is the remembrance of Allah." (Bukhari)
4.. "What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of human beings, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the sufferings of the injured." (Bukhari)
5.. "The most excellent Jihad is that for the conquest of self." (Bukhari)
6.. "If you put your whole trust in Allah, as you ought, He most certainly will satisfy your needs, as He satisfies those of the birds. They come out hungry in the morning, but return full to their nests." (Tirmidhi)
7.. "When Allah created his creatures He wrote above His throne: 'Verily, my Compassion overcomes my wrath." (Bukhari & Muslim)
8.. "Allah will not give mercy to anyone, except those who give mercy to other creatures." (Abdullah b. Amr: Abu Daud & Tirmidhi)
9.. " 'Son, if you are able, keep your heart from morning till night and from night till morning free from malice towards anyone.' Then the Prophet said: 'O my son! This is one of my laws, and he, who loves my laws verily loves me.' " (Bukhari)
10.. "Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people." (Baihaqi)
11.. "Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith." (Muslim)
12.. "When you see a person who has been given more than you in money and beauty, look to those, who have been given less." (Muslim)
13.. "If you do not feel ashamed of anything, then you can do whatever you like." (Abu-Masud: Bukhari)
14.. "O Lord, grant me your love, grant me that I love those who love you; grant me, that I might do the deeds that win your love. Make your love dearer to me than the love of myself, my family and wealth." (Tirmidhi)
15.. "It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad; and it is better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent; but silence is better than idle words." (Bukhari)
16.. "Verily, a man teaching his child manners is better than giving one bushel of grain in alms." (Muslim)
17.. "Whoever is kind, Allah will be kind to him; therefore be kind to man on the earth. He Who is in heaven will show mercy on you."(Abu Daud: Tirmidhi)
18.. "It is difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path, that leads to bliss." (Muslim)
19.. "Once a man, who was passing through a road, found a branch of a tree with torns obstructing it. The man removed the thorns from the way. Allah thanked him and forgave his sins." (Bukhari)
20.. "Who are the learned? Those who practice what they know." (Bukhari)
21.. "Allah has revealed to me, that you must be humble. No one should boast over one another, and no one should oppress another." (Iyad b. Hinar al-Mujashi: Muslim)
22.. "Who is the most favoured of Allah? He, from whom the greatest good comes to His creatures." (Bukhari)
23.. "A true Muslim is thankful to Allah in prosperity, and resigned to His will in adversity." (Muslim)
24.. "A Muslim who meets with others and shares their burdens is better than one who lives a life of seclusion and contemplation." (Muslim)
25.. "Serve Allah, as you would if you could see Him; although you cannot see Him, He can see you. (Umar: Muslim)
26.. "Allah does not look at your appearance or your possessions; but He looks at your heart and your deeds." (Abu Huraira: Muslim)
27.. "The best richness is the richness of the soul." (at the field ofTabuk, Syria, Rajab 9 A.H.: Bukhari)
28.. "Keep yourselves far from envy; because it eats up and takes away good actions, like a fire eats up and burns wood." (Abu Daud)
29.. "Much silence and a good disposition, there are no two things better than these." (Bukhari)
30.. "Verily, Allah is mild and is fond of mildness, and He gives to the mild what He does not give to the harsh." (Muslim)
31.. "Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him." (Bukhari)
32.. "Once the Prophet was asked:'Tell us, which action is dearest to Allah?' He answered:'To say your prayer at its proper time.' Again he was asked: 'What comes next?' Mohammed said: 'To show kindness to parents.' 'Then what?' he was asked, 'To strive for the cause of Allah!' " (Ibn Masad: Bukhari)
33.. "When two persons are together, two of them must no whisper to each other, without letting the third hear; because it would hurt him." (Bukhari & Muslim)
34.. "Verily, it is one of the respects to Allah to honor an old man." (Bukhari)
35.. "All Muslims are like a foundation, each strengthening the other; in such a way they do support each other." (Abu Musa: Bukhari & Muslim)
36.. "Strive always to excel in virtue and truth." (Bukhari)
37.. "You will not enter paradise until you have faith; and you will not complete your faith till you love one another." (Muslim)
38.. "He, who wishes to enter paradise at the best gate, must please his father and mother." (Bukhari & Muslim)
39.. "I am leaving two things among you, and if you cling to them firmly you will never go astray; one is the Book of Allah and the other is my way of life." (Farewell Pilgrimage: Muatta)
40.. "Allah is One and likes Unity." (Muslim)
41.. "The best of alms is that, which the right hand gives and the left hand knows not of." (Bukhari)
42.. "The perfect Muslim is not a perfect Muslim, who eats till he is full and leaves his neighbors hungry." (Ibn Abbas: Baihaqi)
43.. "He is not of us who is not affectionate to the little ones, and does not respect the old; and he is not of us, who does not order which is lawful, and prohibits that which is unlawful." (Ibn Abbas: Tirmidhi)
44.. "No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that, what he desires for himself." (Abu Hamza Anas: Bukhari & Muslim)
45.. "To strive for the cause of Allah from daybreak to noon and sunset is better than the goods and enjoyment of the whole worldly life." (Bukhari)
46.. "Be not like the hypocrite who, when he talks, tells lies; when he gives a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he proves dishonest." (Bukhari & Muslim)
47.. "The proof of a Muslim's sincerity is, that he pays no heed to that, which is not his business." (Abu Hureira: Tirmidhi)
48.. "Do you know what is better than charity and fasting and prayer? It is keeping peace and good relations between people, as quarrels and bad feelings destroy mankind." (Muslims & Bukhari)
49.. "Conduct yourself in this world, as if you are here to stay forever; prepare for eternity as if you have to die tomorrow." (Bukhari)
50.. "The worldly comforts are not for me. I am like a traveller, who takes a rest under a tree in the shade and then goes on his way." (Tirmidhi)
Courtesy: Dr.Shahid Athar `
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Sincerity in Religious Acts
Note: Several of the quotes below refer to "Dissimulation" which means to hide under a false appearance or to disguise or hide true feelings, thoughts, or intentions.
"Salvation is in Sincerity,"
Calligraphy by Muhammad Zakariya
1. Wahb b. Munabbih would say: "Whoever seeks worldly advancement through his religious acts, God will invert his heart and record him amongst the people destined for Hell."
2. Al-Hasan al-Basri relates that Jesus, Peace upon Him, said: "Whoever endeavors to implement his religious knowledge is a true friend of God."
3. Sufyan b. Tahwri used to say: "My mother advised me: 'My son! Only seek religious knowledge if you intend to implement it. Otherwise, it will be a source of torment for you on the Day of Resurrection.' "
4. Dhun-Nun al-Misri was asked: "When does the servant know that he is sincere in religion?" He replied: "When he asserts himself to the fullest in worship while desiring to gain no esteem with the people because of that."
5. Muhammad b. al-Munkadir used to say: "I love to see the brothers being at their very best during the night [in humble devotion] for surely that is nobler than being at ones very best during the day. The reason for this is that during the day one is seen by people while during the night one is seen by the Lord of the Worlds."
6. It was once asked of Yunus b. Ubayd: "Have you seen anyone worship like Hasan al-Basri?" He replied: "I have not seen anyone speak as he spoke, so how could I see anyone worship as he did? His sermons would cause hearts to weep; the sermons of others do not even move eyes to tears."
7. Yahya b. Mu'adh was asked: "When will a servant be considered sincere?" He answered: "When his character becomes like that of a suckling babe. It does not care if it is praised or condemned."
8. Fudail b. 'Iyad used to say: "As long as a person consciously seeks acceptability from people, he will not be safe from insincerity in his religion."
9. Abu Iyas al-Antaki was known to say: "Whoever strives for sincerity in his outward actions, while his heart is concerned about what people think of him, is seeking the impossible. This is so because sincerity is the life-giving water of the heart and dissimulation kills it."
10. Yusuf b. Asbat used to say: "I have never sincerely reviewed my religious actions except that I found myself guilty of dissimulation."
11. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: "Whoever rebukes himself in the presence of others has in fact engaged in an act of praise."
12. Ibn Sammak used to say: "If one guilty of dissimulation in his religious knowledge and actions were to inform people of his true motivations they would hate him and consider him a fool."
13. Ibrahim b. Adham would say: "Do not ask your brother about his fast. For were he to say, 'I am fasting,' his soul would be pleased with that. On the other hand, were he to say, 'I am not fasting,' his soul would be saddened by that. Each response is an indication of dissimulation. That is a source of disgrace for the questioned and a means whereby the questioner can know his brother's concealed imperfections."
14. 'Abdullah b. al-Mubarak used to say: "A man will be circumambulating the Ka'ba while dissimulating before the people of Khurasan." It was said: "How could that be?" He rejoined: "He is pleased if the people back in Khurasan are saying, 'So and so is in Mecca right now circumambulating the Ka'ba or pacing between Safa and Marwa. Cheers to him!' "
15. Fudail b. 'Iyad would say: "We encountered people who would dissimulate in their religious acts. Now they dissimulate with actions they have not even performed."
16. Abu Ayyub as-Sakhtiyani used to say: "Among the forms of dissimulation with actions you have not performed is exalting yourself over others by mentioning the insightful speech and expressions of religious scholars. That which you are using to exalt yourself with is not the fruit of your effort, nor from your intellectual derivation."
17. Ibrahim b. Adham used to say: "One who loves for people to speak good of him, [while unconcerned about how he stands with God], has attained neither true God Consciousness nor sincerity in religion."
18. Ikrima was known to have said: "Constantly try to have a sincere intention, because dissimulation does not substitute for a good intention in religious acts."
19. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: "People enter Heaven and Hell based on their actions. However, their perpetuity in either of those two abodes is based on their intentions." Note: Actions are a necessary condition for entering Paradise. However, they are not sufficient. Ultimately, anyone's entrance into Paradise will only occur due to the mercy of God.
20. Abu Dawud al-Tayyalisi used to say: "It is incumbent upon a scholar when he edits his compilation that he intends to assist the Religion, and not to be praised by his contemporaries for excellent writing."
21. It is related that every act God accepts is great even if it is small, and every act He rejects is small even if it is great.
22. Fudail b. 'Iyyad used to say: "If the truthful prophets such as Ishmael and Jesus, peace upon them, were asked about their truthfulness, how about liars like us?"
23. Imam 'Ali b. Abi Talib, May God be pleased with him, used to say: "There are three indications of a dissimulator: He is lazy in his worship in private; he conveys his supererogatory prayers sitting when alone and standing when with others; and he increases his devotional acts when praised just as he decreases them when rebuked."
24. Sufyan al-Thawri was known to have said: "Every devotional act I performed in front of others I did not consider of any consequence, because of the incapacity of people like us to have true sincerity towards God in the presence of others."
25. Ibrahim al-Taymi used to dress like an ordinary man. Therefore, no one except his companions knew he was a scholar. He used to say: "A person sincere to God hides his good deeds as much as he hides his bad deeds."
26. Sufyan al-Thawri used to say: "It is rare for a scholar who attracts a large crowd to his lessons not to become conceited."
27. Al-Hasan al-Basri passed by Tawus as he was relating prophetic traditions to a large gathering in the Sacred Mosque. Al-Hasan drew near to him and whispered into his ear: "If you are proud to have attracted such a large audience you should get up and leave." Tawus left immediately.
28. Sufyan al-Thawri would usually only allow three people to sit in his circle. One day he noticed that the circle had grown quite large. He stood up, shaken, and exclaimed: "We have been afflicted with pride! I swear by God! If the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar, had seen my likes seated in such a gathering he would have made me get up and leave, lamenting: 'Your likes are not fit to teach.' " When Sufyan would sit to relate prophetic traditions, he would sit crossed-legged in a fearful state. If a cloud passed overhead he would remain silent until it went by, saying: "I feared that it might be full of stones which it would unleash against me."
29. Abu Huraira, may God be pleased with him, used to say: "Were it not for a single verse in the Qur'an I would not have taught you. [That verse is] Surely those who conceal what we have revealed of truth and guidance after we have expounded it to people in the Scripture, they are cursed by God and cursed by all entitled to curse." (Quran 2:159) When Sufyan al-Thawri ceased teaching prophetic tradition, Abu Huraira's saying was related to him. He responded: "If I knew that even one student was seeking knowledge sincerely for the sake of God, I would go to his house to teach him, and not even burden him [to come to me]."
30. Hatim al-Asamm used to say: "No one sits to teach sacred knowledge in the mosque except one seeking worldly gain, or one ignorant of the tremendous responsibilities associated with that [station]."
31. Despite Ibn 'Abbas' vast knowledge, may God pleased with him and his father, he would say upon the conclusion of one his sessions of Qur'anic exegesis: "Let us conclude our gathering by collectively seeking God's forgiveness."
32. Shaddad b. Hakim used to say: "Whoever possesses the following three characteristics should instruct people; if not, then he should leave off teaching. He reminds people of God's favors in order that they give thanks for them; he reminds them of their sins in order that they repent from them; and he reminds them of their enemy in order that they beware of him."
33. Ibn Wahb was known to say: "I asked Imam Malik about Al-Rasikheen bil-'Ilm, who are they?" He said: "They are the scholars who implement their knowledge, and there is nothing mightier than knowledge for it allows its possessor to rule over kings."
34. Ibn Mubarak was asked: "Who do you consider the real people?" He replied, "The sincere scholars who implement their knowledge." He was then asked: "Who are the kings?" He responded: "Those whose hearts are detached from the world." It was then inquired: "Who are the riff raff?" He answered: "Those who sell their knowledge, devotional acts, and religion for worldly benefit."
35. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: "The scholars are the lights of their respective ages. Each scholar is a lamp of his age by which people seek illumination. Were it not for the true scholars people would become like animals."
36. Sufyan al-Thawri would also say: "Knowledge is enlivened by active search and sincere implementation, and it dies through neglecting these two things."
37. 'Ikrima used to say: "Do not teach those who will not pay the price of knowledge." It was said: "What is that price?" He said: "That the scholar places it with one who will implement it." Note: In other words a willingness to implement what one learns is the price of knowledge."
38. Al-Sha'bi used to say: "Among the etiquette of the true scholars is that when they learn something they implement it. At that point, implementation preoccupies them from the people. When they are preoccupied from the people they are sought after. When they are sought after they flee away fearing that they might be cast into tribulation."
39. It is related by prophetic tradition: "The most severely punished person on the Day of Resurrection will be a scholar who did not benefit from his knowledge." And, "A time will come when the devout people in a particular place will be ignorant, and their scholars will be corrupt." Tabarani
40. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: "Do not be like one who studies like a scholar but acts like a fool."
41. Ibrahim b. 'Utba used to say: "The most remorseful person on the Day of Resurrection will be a scholar who used his knowledge to arrogate himself over the common folk."
42. The Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar b. al-Khattab, was known to say: "The thing I fear most for this Muslim community is a scholar who manifests knowledge on his tongue but has ignorance in his heart."
43. Sufyan al-Thawri used to say: "Knowledge will cry out to action [to join it]. If it answers all is well. If it does not knowledge departs."
44. 'Abdullah b. al-Mubarak used to say: "A person will continue to be a scholar as long as he thinks that there is someone in his land more knowledgeable than he. If he thinks he is the most knowledgeable of all he has displayed his ignorance."
45. Yahya b. Mu'adh usd to say: "When a scholar chases the world his nobility vanishes."
46. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: "The punishment of the scholars is in the death of their hearts, and the death of their hearts occurs when they use devotional acts for worldly gain. Such actions draw them close to people obsessed with the world."
47. Al-Makhul used to say: "One who learns the Qur'an, gains religious knowledge, and then goes to the house of the political authorities without a pressing need, sinks ever deeper into Hell with each step he takes."
48. The Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar b. al-Khattab, used to say: "If you see a scholar who loves the world be suspicious of his religious integrity, for every lover will devote himself to that which he loves."
49. Ibrahim al-Taymi used to say: "I never measured my action against my speech except that I found my actions to be liars."
50. Ibrahim b. Adham used to say: "We speak impeccable Arabic, we never make a grammatical error. However, our actions are constantly errant, we are never impeccable [in our intentions]."
Compiled by Imam Zaid Shakir.
You can visit his website at: NewIslamicDirections.com
"Salvation is in Sincerity,"
Calligraphy by Muhammad Zakariya
1. Wahb b. Munabbih would say: "Whoever seeks worldly advancement through his religious acts, God will invert his heart and record him amongst the people destined for Hell."
2. Al-Hasan al-Basri relates that Jesus, Peace upon Him, said: "Whoever endeavors to implement his religious knowledge is a true friend of God."
3. Sufyan b. Tahwri used to say: "My mother advised me: 'My son! Only seek religious knowledge if you intend to implement it. Otherwise, it will be a source of torment for you on the Day of Resurrection.' "
4. Dhun-Nun al-Misri was asked: "When does the servant know that he is sincere in religion?" He replied: "When he asserts himself to the fullest in worship while desiring to gain no esteem with the people because of that."
5. Muhammad b. al-Munkadir used to say: "I love to see the brothers being at their very best during the night [in humble devotion] for surely that is nobler than being at ones very best during the day. The reason for this is that during the day one is seen by people while during the night one is seen by the Lord of the Worlds."
6. It was once asked of Yunus b. Ubayd: "Have you seen anyone worship like Hasan al-Basri?" He replied: "I have not seen anyone speak as he spoke, so how could I see anyone worship as he did? His sermons would cause hearts to weep; the sermons of others do not even move eyes to tears."
7. Yahya b. Mu'adh was asked: "When will a servant be considered sincere?" He answered: "When his character becomes like that of a suckling babe. It does not care if it is praised or condemned."
8. Fudail b. 'Iyad used to say: "As long as a person consciously seeks acceptability from people, he will not be safe from insincerity in his religion."
9. Abu Iyas al-Antaki was known to say: "Whoever strives for sincerity in his outward actions, while his heart is concerned about what people think of him, is seeking the impossible. This is so because sincerity is the life-giving water of the heart and dissimulation kills it."
10. Yusuf b. Asbat used to say: "I have never sincerely reviewed my religious actions except that I found myself guilty of dissimulation."
11. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: "Whoever rebukes himself in the presence of others has in fact engaged in an act of praise."
12. Ibn Sammak used to say: "If one guilty of dissimulation in his religious knowledge and actions were to inform people of his true motivations they would hate him and consider him a fool."
13. Ibrahim b. Adham would say: "Do not ask your brother about his fast. For were he to say, 'I am fasting,' his soul would be pleased with that. On the other hand, were he to say, 'I am not fasting,' his soul would be saddened by that. Each response is an indication of dissimulation. That is a source of disgrace for the questioned and a means whereby the questioner can know his brother's concealed imperfections."
14. 'Abdullah b. al-Mubarak used to say: "A man will be circumambulating the Ka'ba while dissimulating before the people of Khurasan." It was said: "How could that be?" He rejoined: "He is pleased if the people back in Khurasan are saying, 'So and so is in Mecca right now circumambulating the Ka'ba or pacing between Safa and Marwa. Cheers to him!' "
15. Fudail b. 'Iyad would say: "We encountered people who would dissimulate in their religious acts. Now they dissimulate with actions they have not even performed."
16. Abu Ayyub as-Sakhtiyani used to say: "Among the forms of dissimulation with actions you have not performed is exalting yourself over others by mentioning the insightful speech and expressions of religious scholars. That which you are using to exalt yourself with is not the fruit of your effort, nor from your intellectual derivation."
17. Ibrahim b. Adham used to say: "One who loves for people to speak good of him, [while unconcerned about how he stands with God], has attained neither true God Consciousness nor sincerity in religion."
18. Ikrima was known to have said: "Constantly try to have a sincere intention, because dissimulation does not substitute for a good intention in religious acts."
19. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: "People enter Heaven and Hell based on their actions. However, their perpetuity in either of those two abodes is based on their intentions." Note: Actions are a necessary condition for entering Paradise. However, they are not sufficient. Ultimately, anyone's entrance into Paradise will only occur due to the mercy of God.
20. Abu Dawud al-Tayyalisi used to say: "It is incumbent upon a scholar when he edits his compilation that he intends to assist the Religion, and not to be praised by his contemporaries for excellent writing."
21. It is related that every act God accepts is great even if it is small, and every act He rejects is small even if it is great.
22. Fudail b. 'Iyyad used to say: "If the truthful prophets such as Ishmael and Jesus, peace upon them, were asked about their truthfulness, how about liars like us?"
23. Imam 'Ali b. Abi Talib, May God be pleased with him, used to say: "There are three indications of a dissimulator: He is lazy in his worship in private; he conveys his supererogatory prayers sitting when alone and standing when with others; and he increases his devotional acts when praised just as he decreases them when rebuked."
24. Sufyan al-Thawri was known to have said: "Every devotional act I performed in front of others I did not consider of any consequence, because of the incapacity of people like us to have true sincerity towards God in the presence of others."
25. Ibrahim al-Taymi used to dress like an ordinary man. Therefore, no one except his companions knew he was a scholar. He used to say: "A person sincere to God hides his good deeds as much as he hides his bad deeds."
26. Sufyan al-Thawri used to say: "It is rare for a scholar who attracts a large crowd to his lessons not to become conceited."
27. Al-Hasan al-Basri passed by Tawus as he was relating prophetic traditions to a large gathering in the Sacred Mosque. Al-Hasan drew near to him and whispered into his ear: "If you are proud to have attracted such a large audience you should get up and leave." Tawus left immediately.
28. Sufyan al-Thawri would usually only allow three people to sit in his circle. One day he noticed that the circle had grown quite large. He stood up, shaken, and exclaimed: "We have been afflicted with pride! I swear by God! If the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar, had seen my likes seated in such a gathering he would have made me get up and leave, lamenting: 'Your likes are not fit to teach.' " When Sufyan would sit to relate prophetic traditions, he would sit crossed-legged in a fearful state. If a cloud passed overhead he would remain silent until it went by, saying: "I feared that it might be full of stones which it would unleash against me."
29. Abu Huraira, may God be pleased with him, used to say: "Were it not for a single verse in the Qur'an I would not have taught you. [That verse is] Surely those who conceal what we have revealed of truth and guidance after we have expounded it to people in the Scripture, they are cursed by God and cursed by all entitled to curse." (Quran 2:159) When Sufyan al-Thawri ceased teaching prophetic tradition, Abu Huraira's saying was related to him. He responded: "If I knew that even one student was seeking knowledge sincerely for the sake of God, I would go to his house to teach him, and not even burden him [to come to me]."
30. Hatim al-Asamm used to say: "No one sits to teach sacred knowledge in the mosque except one seeking worldly gain, or one ignorant of the tremendous responsibilities associated with that [station]."
31. Despite Ibn 'Abbas' vast knowledge, may God pleased with him and his father, he would say upon the conclusion of one his sessions of Qur'anic exegesis: "Let us conclude our gathering by collectively seeking God's forgiveness."
32. Shaddad b. Hakim used to say: "Whoever possesses the following three characteristics should instruct people; if not, then he should leave off teaching. He reminds people of God's favors in order that they give thanks for them; he reminds them of their sins in order that they repent from them; and he reminds them of their enemy in order that they beware of him."
33. Ibn Wahb was known to say: "I asked Imam Malik about Al-Rasikheen bil-'Ilm, who are they?" He said: "They are the scholars who implement their knowledge, and there is nothing mightier than knowledge for it allows its possessor to rule over kings."
34. Ibn Mubarak was asked: "Who do you consider the real people?" He replied, "The sincere scholars who implement their knowledge." He was then asked: "Who are the kings?" He responded: "Those whose hearts are detached from the world." It was then inquired: "Who are the riff raff?" He answered: "Those who sell their knowledge, devotional acts, and religion for worldly benefit."
35. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: "The scholars are the lights of their respective ages. Each scholar is a lamp of his age by which people seek illumination. Were it not for the true scholars people would become like animals."
36. Sufyan al-Thawri would also say: "Knowledge is enlivened by active search and sincere implementation, and it dies through neglecting these two things."
37. 'Ikrima used to say: "Do not teach those who will not pay the price of knowledge." It was said: "What is that price?" He said: "That the scholar places it with one who will implement it." Note: In other words a willingness to implement what one learns is the price of knowledge."
38. Al-Sha'bi used to say: "Among the etiquette of the true scholars is that when they learn something they implement it. At that point, implementation preoccupies them from the people. When they are preoccupied from the people they are sought after. When they are sought after they flee away fearing that they might be cast into tribulation."
39. It is related by prophetic tradition: "The most severely punished person on the Day of Resurrection will be a scholar who did not benefit from his knowledge." And, "A time will come when the devout people in a particular place will be ignorant, and their scholars will be corrupt." Tabarani
40. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: "Do not be like one who studies like a scholar but acts like a fool."
41. Ibrahim b. 'Utba used to say: "The most remorseful person on the Day of Resurrection will be a scholar who used his knowledge to arrogate himself over the common folk."
42. The Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar b. al-Khattab, was known to say: "The thing I fear most for this Muslim community is a scholar who manifests knowledge on his tongue but has ignorance in his heart."
43. Sufyan al-Thawri used to say: "Knowledge will cry out to action [to join it]. If it answers all is well. If it does not knowledge departs."
44. 'Abdullah b. al-Mubarak used to say: "A person will continue to be a scholar as long as he thinks that there is someone in his land more knowledgeable than he. If he thinks he is the most knowledgeable of all he has displayed his ignorance."
45. Yahya b. Mu'adh usd to say: "When a scholar chases the world his nobility vanishes."
46. Al-Hasan al-Basri used to say: "The punishment of the scholars is in the death of their hearts, and the death of their hearts occurs when they use devotional acts for worldly gain. Such actions draw them close to people obsessed with the world."
47. Al-Makhul used to say: "One who learns the Qur'an, gains religious knowledge, and then goes to the house of the political authorities without a pressing need, sinks ever deeper into Hell with each step he takes."
48. The Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar b. al-Khattab, used to say: "If you see a scholar who loves the world be suspicious of his religious integrity, for every lover will devote himself to that which he loves."
49. Ibrahim al-Taymi used to say: "I never measured my action against my speech except that I found my actions to be liars."
50. Ibrahim b. Adham used to say: "We speak impeccable Arabic, we never make a grammatical error. However, our actions are constantly errant, we are never impeccable [in our intentions]."
Compiled by Imam Zaid Shakir.
You can visit his website at: NewIslamicDirections.com
Saturday, 24 May 2008
The Meaning of "Saddidu wa Qaribu"
His (peace and blessings be upon him) saying in the hadith of Abu Hurayrah and 'Aisha, "Be firm, steadfast, and balanced," [1] Saddidu means to act with firmness and fortiude. It means to take a balanced path in worship, not being deficient by leaving off what one has been commanded with, or by taking on more than one can bear. Nadr Ibn Shumayl said, 'al-sadad means to take the path of balance in the religion.'Similarly Qaribu means the same thing: taking to a path between deficiency and excessiveness. As such they are two words carrying the same or similar meanings. This is the meaning of his (peace and blessing be upon upon him) words in he other narration, "Stick to a middle path".
His (peace and blessing be upon him) saying, "....upon which have glad tidings," means that whoever obeys Allah upon firmness and balance, for him are glad tidings because he will reach the goal and outstrip the one who expends a great deal of effort in performing deeds. The path of balance and firmness is better than all other paths; being balanced in following the Sunnah is better than striving hard in other than it, "The best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)." [2] Whoever tranverses his path will find it closer with Allah than any other path. Virtue is not attained by doing a great deal of outward deeds, rather it is attained by deeds being sincere for Allah and being correct in that that are done in accordance with the Sunnah, and through gnosis of the heart and its actions.
Whoever has more knowledge of Allah, His religion, and His ordinances, and has more fear, hope and love for Him is better than the one who has not attained his level, even if the latter do more outward deeds. This understanding is derived from the hadith of 'Aisha, "Be firm, steadfast, and balanced upon which have glad tidings for indeed actions alone will not cause one to enter Paradise. The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are done continuously and persistently, even if they are few."
Therefore he ordered us to take the middle path in deeds and to add to this, knowledge of the most beloved deeds to Allah, and he informed us that deeds alone will not cause one entry to Paradise.It is for this reason that some of the Salaf said, 'Abu Bakr did not outstrip you by virtue of much fasting or prayer, but rather because of something that had taken root in his heart.' [3] Some of them said, 'What was in the heart of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was the love of Allah and sincerity to His servants."Some of the Gnostics said, 'None who reached the heights did so through a great deal of fasting and prayer, rather through generosity of the soul, soundness of the heart, and sincerity to the nation.' [4] some added, 'and censure of their own souls.' One of them said, 'The difference in their ranking lay in their objectives and intent, not in a great deal of fasting and prayer.'
It is for this reason that the authentic hadith mentions, "It is well possible that one who prays by night gets nothing from it save weariness and a person fasting gets nothing from it save hunger and thirst." Recorded by Tabarani and Ahmad. [5]
[1] Saddidi wa Qaribu[2] Muslim #867/2005[3] Hakim al-Tirmidhi, al-Nawadir as a saying of Bakr ibn 'Abdullah al-Muzani.[4] Abu Na'aym, vol 8, p.103, from Fudayl ibn 'Iyad[5] Ahmad #8856 on the authority of Abu Hurayrah and Tabarani #13413 on the authority of ibn Umar. It was declared sahih by ibn Khuzaymah #1997 and Hakim #1571 with Dhahabi agreeing. Haythami, vol 3, p.202, said its narrators were trustworthy and precise.
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Truly in the hearts there is a void...
"Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed except with the company of Allah. And in it there is a sadness that can not be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah and being true to Him. And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled except with love for Him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him. And if a person were given all of the world and what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness."
Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyya.
"If a praying person knew to what extent he was surrounded by Allah's Mercy, he would never raise his head from Prostration"
Or do you think that you shall enter the garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: “When (will come) the help of God?” Ah! Verily, the help of God is (always) near!} (Al-Baqarah 2:214)
So worship only Him and continue to worship;for do you know of any other beingthat even comes close to Him? [19:65]
No vision can grasp Him, but His Grasp is over all vision. He is the Most Subtle and Courteous, WellAcquainted with all things. -Al-Anaam 103
"And if you say anything aloud, He hears it-since, behold, He knows even the secret thoughts of man as well as all that is yet more hidden within him. God-there is no deity but Him; His alone are the attributes of perfection” 20: 7-8.
When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.
Baqarah: 186
"He that fears Allah may be provided a way out by Him, and given sustenance from the sources he could never imagine; for Allah is all sufficient for the person who puts his trust in Him."
(Al-Quran, Chapter 65, Verses 2,3)
024.035 Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light: Allah doth set forth Parables for men: and Allah doth know all things.
Our five senses are like five doors opening on the external world; but, more wonderful than this, our heart has a window that opens on the unseen world of spirit.In the state of sleep, when the avenues of the senses are dosed, this window is opened, and we receive impressions from the unseen world and sometimes foreshadowings of the future. Our hearts are like a mirror that reflects what is pictured in the Tablet of Fate. But, even in sleep, thoughts of worldly things dull this mirror, so that the impressions it receives are not clear. After death, however, such thoughts vanish, and things are seen in their naked reality.~Imam al-Ghazzali (may Allah have mercy on him)
"Be like the flower that gives its fragrance to even the hand that crushes it." -Imam Ali (AS)
It was written by a 16 year old convert- Yahya Dyer
Imagine you are lost, travelling alone for days on end in the willderness, with no food, no water, no shelter, no companions - nothing. Then imagine all the difficulties you would face; great hunger, thirst, exposure to the roaring elements, aching solitude. Add on to all of that terific fear of unseen beasts, and worst of all, the tyrany of complete darkness, and you would be in quite a state. Then imagine you are no longer alone. Imagine a man comes, a man whom you have never seen before, a man whom you can neither help nor hurt, a man who owes you nothing. Imagine he turns on the light. He gives you fire, and you can see, and you are warm, and you are safe from deadly creatures. You can make your way through the darkness. Imagine he feads you, and clothes you, and waters you. Imagine he builds for you a shelter, and joins you together with others like yourself. Imagine he provides for you, and more. Imagine this man asks you to thank him, would you? Imagine that this man asks you to use the fire you have been given to see what is good and to take from it, and to see what is bad and refrain from it. Would you adhere to his request? Well, imagine he tells you that everything he has given you is nothing, not even a drop in the ocean, not even a blade of grass on the great green earth. Imagine he tells you of something so great, your mind cannot even comprehend its splendor. Would you want it? Imagine he tells you that all you have to do is thank him, and he will give you it all. And then imagine, just imagine, if he told you, that in order to thank him, all you had to do was whatever was best for yourself, and hold back from what was bad for you. Imagine all you had to do to get to this wonderland he has described is to keep yourself safe and well. Imagine. You probably know where this is going, but dont shut off. If you are a person of understanding, please don't shut off. Was it not that you had nothing, and Allah (SWT) fed you? Was it not that you had nothing, and Allah (SWT) clothed you? Was it not that you had noone, and Allah (SWT) gave you 1.6 billion brothers and sisters? And above all, has Allah not given you majestic fire, Islam, as a means of guidence for you? Does Islam not give you the best of life styles? Is it not that by living this wonderful way, you will please and thank your benefactor? And is it not that by pleaseing Him (SWT), you will get Jannah, the best of resting places, and at the same time avoid the worst!!! Will you not then live in the best of ways, and thank the One who deserves to be thanked, and take your portion of the home of the faithful?!?
Allah will grant a way out for anyone who heeds Him, andprovide for him in a manner he could have never anticipated.Allah is enough for anyone who relies on Him; Allah willaccomplish His purpose. Allah has granted everything in dueproportion.}~ Surat Talaq 65/2-3
"Be yourself beautiful, and you will find the world full of beauty."
In a Hadith Qudsi (Sacred Hadith), the Prophet (SAWS) mentioned that Allah (SWT) said,Myself, Mankind and Jinn are in a great serious state. I create them, then they worship other gods that they make for themselves; I bless them with my bounties, then they thank someone else for what I sent them; My Mercy descends to them while their evil deeds ascend to Me; I endear them with my gifts even though I have no need to any of them while they alienate themselves from Me with their sins even though they are desperate for my help. Whoever returns to Me, I accept him no matter how far he is; and whoever turns away from Me, I approach him and call on him.
Whoever leaves a sin for my sake, I reward him with many gifts and whoever seeks to please Me, I seek to please him. Whoever acknowledges My Will and Power in whatever he does, I make the iron bend for his sake. My dear people are those who are with Me (i.e. whoever would like to be with Me, let him supplicate to Me and remember Me). Whoever thanks Me, I grant him more blessings; whoever obeys Me, I raise him and endear him more. Whoever disobeys Me, I keep the doors of My Mercy open for him; if he returns to Me, I bestow him with My Love since I love those who repent and purify themselves for My Sake. If he does not repent, I still treat him by putting them in hardship to purify him.
Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyya.
"If a praying person knew to what extent he was surrounded by Allah's Mercy, he would never raise his head from Prostration"
Or do you think that you shall enter the garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: “When (will come) the help of God?” Ah! Verily, the help of God is (always) near!} (Al-Baqarah 2:214)
So worship only Him and continue to worship;for do you know of any other beingthat even comes close to Him? [19:65]
No vision can grasp Him, but His Grasp is over all vision. He is the Most Subtle and Courteous, WellAcquainted with all things. -Al-Anaam 103
"And if you say anything aloud, He hears it-since, behold, He knows even the secret thoughts of man as well as all that is yet more hidden within him. God-there is no deity but Him; His alone are the attributes of perfection” 20: 7-8.
When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.
Baqarah: 186
"He that fears Allah may be provided a way out by Him, and given sustenance from the sources he could never imagine; for Allah is all sufficient for the person who puts his trust in Him."
(Al-Quran, Chapter 65, Verses 2,3)
024.035 Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light: Allah doth set forth Parables for men: and Allah doth know all things.
Our five senses are like five doors opening on the external world; but, more wonderful than this, our heart has a window that opens on the unseen world of spirit.In the state of sleep, when the avenues of the senses are dosed, this window is opened, and we receive impressions from the unseen world and sometimes foreshadowings of the future. Our hearts are like a mirror that reflects what is pictured in the Tablet of Fate. But, even in sleep, thoughts of worldly things dull this mirror, so that the impressions it receives are not clear. After death, however, such thoughts vanish, and things are seen in their naked reality.~Imam al-Ghazzali (may Allah have mercy on him)
"Be like the flower that gives its fragrance to even the hand that crushes it." -Imam Ali (AS)
It was written by a 16 year old convert- Yahya Dyer
Imagine you are lost, travelling alone for days on end in the willderness, with no food, no water, no shelter, no companions - nothing. Then imagine all the difficulties you would face; great hunger, thirst, exposure to the roaring elements, aching solitude. Add on to all of that terific fear of unseen beasts, and worst of all, the tyrany of complete darkness, and you would be in quite a state. Then imagine you are no longer alone. Imagine a man comes, a man whom you have never seen before, a man whom you can neither help nor hurt, a man who owes you nothing. Imagine he turns on the light. He gives you fire, and you can see, and you are warm, and you are safe from deadly creatures. You can make your way through the darkness. Imagine he feads you, and clothes you, and waters you. Imagine he builds for you a shelter, and joins you together with others like yourself. Imagine he provides for you, and more. Imagine this man asks you to thank him, would you? Imagine that this man asks you to use the fire you have been given to see what is good and to take from it, and to see what is bad and refrain from it. Would you adhere to his request? Well, imagine he tells you that everything he has given you is nothing, not even a drop in the ocean, not even a blade of grass on the great green earth. Imagine he tells you of something so great, your mind cannot even comprehend its splendor. Would you want it? Imagine he tells you that all you have to do is thank him, and he will give you it all. And then imagine, just imagine, if he told you, that in order to thank him, all you had to do was whatever was best for yourself, and hold back from what was bad for you. Imagine all you had to do to get to this wonderland he has described is to keep yourself safe and well. Imagine. You probably know where this is going, but dont shut off. If you are a person of understanding, please don't shut off. Was it not that you had nothing, and Allah (SWT) fed you? Was it not that you had nothing, and Allah (SWT) clothed you? Was it not that you had noone, and Allah (SWT) gave you 1.6 billion brothers and sisters? And above all, has Allah not given you majestic fire, Islam, as a means of guidence for you? Does Islam not give you the best of life styles? Is it not that by living this wonderful way, you will please and thank your benefactor? And is it not that by pleaseing Him (SWT), you will get Jannah, the best of resting places, and at the same time avoid the worst!!! Will you not then live in the best of ways, and thank the One who deserves to be thanked, and take your portion of the home of the faithful?!?
Allah will grant a way out for anyone who heeds Him, andprovide for him in a manner he could have never anticipated.Allah is enough for anyone who relies on Him; Allah willaccomplish His purpose. Allah has granted everything in dueproportion.}~ Surat Talaq 65/2-3
"Be yourself beautiful, and you will find the world full of beauty."
In a Hadith Qudsi (Sacred Hadith), the Prophet (SAWS) mentioned that Allah (SWT) said,Myself, Mankind and Jinn are in a great serious state. I create them, then they worship other gods that they make for themselves; I bless them with my bounties, then they thank someone else for what I sent them; My Mercy descends to them while their evil deeds ascend to Me; I endear them with my gifts even though I have no need to any of them while they alienate themselves from Me with their sins even though they are desperate for my help. Whoever returns to Me, I accept him no matter how far he is; and whoever turns away from Me, I approach him and call on him.
Whoever leaves a sin for my sake, I reward him with many gifts and whoever seeks to please Me, I seek to please him. Whoever acknowledges My Will and Power in whatever he does, I make the iron bend for his sake. My dear people are those who are with Me (i.e. whoever would like to be with Me, let him supplicate to Me and remember Me). Whoever thanks Me, I grant him more blessings; whoever obeys Me, I raise him and endear him more. Whoever disobeys Me, I keep the doors of My Mercy open for him; if he returns to Me, I bestow him with My Love since I love those who repent and purify themselves for My Sake. If he does not repent, I still treat him by putting them in hardship to purify him.
Whoever favors Me over others, I favor them over others. I reward every single good deed ten times over or seven hundred times over to countless times over. I count every single bad deed as one unless the person repents and ask for My Forgiveness in which case I forgive even that one. I take into account any little good deed and I forgive even major sins. My Mercy supersedes My Anger; My Tolerance supersedes My Blame; My Forgiveness supersedes My Punishment as I am more merciful with My slaves than a mother with her child.
Speak the truth even though it be bitter. [Ibn Hibban]
'And none will you find as a refuge other than Him.'18.27
Friday, 16 May 2008
The Greatest Of All Losses
Know that the greatest of all losses is the involvement with someone who weakens your relationship and standing with Allah, cutting you off from Him, wasting your time, dispersing your heart, weakening your resolve and dividing your aspirations.
Therefore, if you are tested with this [kind of situation] - and it is inevitable that you will be - then bear up for the sake of Allah, and acknowledge Him as much as you are able. Draw near to Allah by whatever of it pleases Him. Make your association [with wordly people] a profit not a loss.
Be like the man travelling along, whom another invites to stop: seek to take him along with you. When he comes along, lead him but be not lead by him. And if he refuses, and you have no hope that he will journey, then [at least] do not let him detain you. Rather, hasten on, pay him no heed. Do not [even] turn in his direction, for he is a highway robber regardless.[Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah: The Invocation of God]
Therefore, if you are tested with this [kind of situation] - and it is inevitable that you will be - then bear up for the sake of Allah, and acknowledge Him as much as you are able. Draw near to Allah by whatever of it pleases Him. Make your association [with wordly people] a profit not a loss.
Be like the man travelling along, whom another invites to stop: seek to take him along with you. When he comes along, lead him but be not lead by him. And if he refuses, and you have no hope that he will journey, then [at least] do not let him detain you. Rather, hasten on, pay him no heed. Do not [even] turn in his direction, for he is a highway robber regardless.[Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah: The Invocation of God]
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
'Ibaadah (worship) and Levels of Love
Al-'Ibaadah (worship) which we are commanded to perform includes the meaning of humility and love, it contains intense humility before Allaah (swt - Glory be to He, Allah, the Most High) together with the intense love for Him.
The uppermost level of love is the adoration (Tatayum) and its lowermost level is the interest, because the heart is first interested in the beloved. After the interest comes the affection, then the love, and finally the adoration. In Arabic "Taym-u-Allaah" (the adorer of Allaah) is used to mean "Abd-u-Allaah" (the worshiper of Allaah) because the adorer is the one who yields completely to their lover.
One who submits to someone with hatred is not worshiping him. And one who loves someone without submitting to him is likewise not worshiping him; this is like a man who loves his son and friends. Therefore, neither love nor submission alone are sufficient in worshiping Allaah (swt). Allaah must be loved most by Al-'Abd (the slave) and He (swt) must be the greatest of all in his sight. Nothing deserves complete love and submission except Allaah . It is a futile love when anything has been loved for other than the sake of Allaah (swt). And whatever has been highly regarded without it being by the Command of Allaah, its glorification is rejected.
The love for Allaah (swt) and Ar-Rasool (the messenger Mohammed) [saws - may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him], should override any other love.
Allaah (swt) said:
"Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allaah and His Messenger, and striving hard and Fighting in His Cause; then wait until Allaah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allaah guides not the rebellious folk." [At-Tawbah:24]
Thus, the essence of love should be due to Allaah and His Messenger, so too with the obedience. For the obedience is due to Allaah and His Messenger, and pleasing is due to Allaah and His Messenger, "But it is more fitting that they should please Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad) if they are (true) believers." [At-Tawbah:62]
The uppermost level of love is the adoration (Tatayum) and its lowermost level is the interest, because the heart is first interested in the beloved. After the interest comes the affection, then the love, and finally the adoration. In Arabic "Taym-u-Allaah" (the adorer of Allaah) is used to mean "Abd-u-Allaah" (the worshiper of Allaah) because the adorer is the one who yields completely to their lover.
One who submits to someone with hatred is not worshiping him. And one who loves someone without submitting to him is likewise not worshiping him; this is like a man who loves his son and friends. Therefore, neither love nor submission alone are sufficient in worshiping Allaah (swt). Allaah must be loved most by Al-'Abd (the slave) and He (swt) must be the greatest of all in his sight. Nothing deserves complete love and submission except Allaah . It is a futile love when anything has been loved for other than the sake of Allaah (swt). And whatever has been highly regarded without it being by the Command of Allaah, its glorification is rejected.
The love for Allaah (swt) and Ar-Rasool (the messenger Mohammed) [saws - may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him], should override any other love.
Allaah (swt) said:
"Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight are dearer to you than Allaah and His Messenger, and striving hard and Fighting in His Cause; then wait until Allaah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allaah guides not the rebellious folk." [At-Tawbah:24]
Thus, the essence of love should be due to Allaah and His Messenger, so too with the obedience. For the obedience is due to Allaah and His Messenger, and pleasing is due to Allaah and His Messenger, "But it is more fitting that they should please Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad) if they are (true) believers." [At-Tawbah:62]
Monday, 12 May 2008
The Lion and the Lamb
Philosophers and sages of the past have often stated the bitter realities of life in parables and fables, to help the common man understand and reconcile with the facts of life. But it would be wrong to accept them holding good forever and universally applicable, because the realities change with time and circumstances.Take for example the story of the lion, who was drinking water from a stream. Seeing a lamb having a drink nearby whetted his appetite. "Why are you making the water dirty?" he roared."But I am down stream while you are drinking water upstream" said the lamb meekly."Maybe so, but you called me names last summer when I came this way" said the lion visible annoyed."It could not be me, because I was only born in spring this year" said the lamb somewhat relieved."If it was not you, it must be your mother" roared the lion again before making a short meal of the lamb.
Things have changed since the story was told about a thousand years ago.Progress has helped the power to grow into the status of super-power, with the freedom to do whatever that suits it. Using the idiom of modern power-play the lion would have neither the patience nor the time to waste on the weakling. The king of the jungle would have cut the conversation short in the first instance saying " That is enough. I know that you intend to call me bad names now" before eating up his prey in his pre-emptive wisdom.But new knowledge has also provided counter point to every point made by the history. The cliches of the past like the lion being the "king of the jungle", the world being run according to the "law of jungle", and "might is right" are thus open to question.
One can see how the arrogance of the mightiest powers has brought them to their own destruction. The law of jungle is not unilateral but based on balance that helps to sustain it self. The ferocious king of jungle was dethroned the day he was seen running for his life, chased by an angry herd of grass eating buffaloes. Power does not lie in the weapons of tooth and claw but in unity and resolve of the deprived ---- a lesson that the powerful must not forget and the weak must remember.
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