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Each of Us Is An Inheritor

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “There is no one among you who does not have two positions, one in Jannah and one in Jahannum. The believer will have a house built for him in Jannah, and his house in Jahannum will be demolished.” [Ibn Katheer] Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has given two positions to every descendent of Adam: a position in Jannah and a position in Jahannum. Then whoever is destined to damnation will inherit the positions in Jahannum that had been allocated to the people of Jannah, and those of the people of Jannah for whom eternal bliss is decreed will inherit the portions of Jannah that had been allocated to the people of Jahannum. After describing the good deeds that would earn Jannah for the successful believers, Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) said: “These are indeed the inheritors, who shall inherit the Firdaws (Jannah). They shall dwell therein forever.” [Quran 23:10-11]

Hajj Mabroor From Lawful Earnings Only

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When a man sets out for Hajj with wholesome provision and places his foot in the stirrup and calls out, ‘At Your service, O Allah,’ then a caller from heaven calls out, ‘At your service and obedience! Your provision is lawful and your mount is lawful and your Hajj is accepted and unencumbered.’ When a man sets out with unwholesome provision and puts his foot in the stirrup and says, ‘At your service, O Allah,’ then a caller from the heaven calls out, ‘You have no service or obedience! Your provision is unlawful and your mount is unlawful, and your Hajj is not accepted.” [Tabarani] This hadith informs us of the benefit of setting out for Hajj with Halal money. Such a person’s Hajj is performed smoothly, as angels assist him/her and smooth out difficulties that may come in his/her path. When he/she says “Labbaik Allahumma (At Your service, O Allah),” the angels answer that they in turn are now at his/her service. To set out for Hajj with H

Usury

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “May Allah curse him who eats of usury (riba) or feeds it to another.” [Sahih Muslim] The prohibition regarding riba is for both accepting it (eating of it) as well as paying it (feeding another with it). “Curse (la’n)” means to put someone far from divine mercy. Riba is usually translated as “interest”. This includes both simple and compound interest. Dealing in riba is one of the kaba’ir (enormities) as it is accursed by Allah’s Messenger in the above hadith, and also carries the threat of punishment in the Hereafter in the words of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala): “O you who believe: fear Allah and forgo what remains of usury (riba) if you are believers. If you will not, then know of a declaration of war (against you) from Allah and His Messenger.” [Quran 2: 278-79] If Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and His Messenger come armed to wage war against a person on the Day of Judgement, does he/she stand a chance? The prohibition regarding riba also ex

Marry If You Can Otherwise Fast

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity. And whoever cannot afford it, then let him fast, for it will be restraint for him.” [Sunan an-Nasai] The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) recommended that Muslims get married. It is against the teachings of Islam to have the financial ability to get married but choose to stay single. There is a specific code of conduct Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has outlined for the people who want to spend eternity as they please in Jannah. One of its requirements is to be careful with where one looks and guard oneself from looking at the opposite gender (except one’s spouse). What the eye sees, the limbs follow to. To look at forbidden things is the first step in the wrong direction. Being married helps to guard one’s gaze and remain within the boundaries of Islam. If a person is not able to get married for some reason, then th

No Perfume to Masjid

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) met a woman who was wearing perfume and heading for the Masjid. He said: “O slavewoman of the Compeller, where are you headed?” She said: “To the Masjid.” He said: “And have you put on perfume for that?” She said: “Yes.” He said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) say, ‘Any woman who puts on perfume then goes out to the Masjid, no prayer will be accepted from her until she takes a bath.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah] A woman’s beauty, attractiveness and charm are for her husband only. The attraction that men feel for women is far greater than the attraction that women feel for men. When a woman applies perfume where there is a chance that non-Mahram men will be attracted to her because of it she jeopardizes simultaneously the happy marital life of many families. Thus, it is not allowed for a woman to apply perfume when she goes out of her house. A woman may go to the Masjid to attend Salaat in Jamaat provided that she avoids adornment and

Going Early to Jum'a

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “On the Day of Jum’a, the angels stand at the door of the Masjid and write down the first to come and then those who follow. When the Imam comes out, they roll up their scrolls and listen to the reminder.” [Sahih Bukhari] Ibn Hajar said in Fath-ul-Bari, “On the Day of Jum’a, Allah sends angels with scrolls of light and pens of light.” The angels mentioned in this hadith are special angels deputed by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) to note down on scrolls the names of all the people who go early to the Jum’a prayer. Once the Khutbah starts (reminder to Muslims of their obligations towards their Lord), these angels roll up their scrolls, sit to listen to the Khutbah themselves, and note no further names. At the end of this hadith in Ibn Majah we find, “Anyone coming after that, comes merely for the sake of the prayer.” The angels mentioned in this hadith are not guardian angels. Guardian angels continue to write down a person’s deeds a

Angels Take Our Salaams to the Prophet

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah has angels travelling about the earth to convey to me the salaams of my ummah.” [An-Nasaai] This hadith indicates to us the high station of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) for Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has appointed angels just to take each person’s salaams to the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). There are more than a billion Muslims on earth today. Five times a day in our prayers we send salaams. When we hear “Muhammad” mentioned in the Adhan we say “sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam.” The Adhan happens around the clock as there is always some corner of the earth from which the Adhan is being called. Whenever mention is made of Allah’s last messenger we send salaams on him. The salaam is a short prayer for peace and blessings on the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). We send salaams on the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), (1) as a form of greeting, (2) out of the love that we have for him, (3) in app

An Extraordinary Dream (I)

“The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) would often say to his Companions, ‘Who among you had a dream last night?’ Then anyone who Allah willed would recount his dream. One morning he said to us, ‘During the night two men came to me and said to me, ‘Come on!’ So I went with them. We came upon a man who was lying on his back while another man was standing over him with a stone which he dropped onto his head and crushed it. Then the stone rolled away from him and he went after the stone to retrieve it. When he returned to him, his head was whole again and had become as it had been in the first place. So he went back and hit him as he had done the first time. I said to them, ‘Glory be to Allah! Who are these two?’ They said, ‘Go on! Go on!’ “….I said to them, ‘This night I have seen marvels, but what are these things which I have seen?’ They said to me, ‘We will tell you. The first man you came to whose head was being crushed with the stone is a man who memorized the Quran a

Angry for My Sake

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah revealed to Yusha bin Nun: ‘I will destroy 40,000 of the best of your people and 60,000 of their worst.’ He asked: ‘My Lord, I can understand the worst of them being destroyed. Why destroy the best of them?’ He said: ‘They didn't become angry for My Anger, and they would give the worst ones food and drink.’ [Ibn Abi ad-Dunya] In Abu Laith’s narration Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) said, “The pious ones did not forbid the evil and did not even consider the sins as an evil. In fact they continued to eat, drink & mix with the sinners.” If we love someone very dearly but then find out that in a gathering where we were being ridiculed our beloved sat comfortably, not getting even a bit upset that we were being made a laughing stock of, then how would we feel? This is what we do with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) when His commands are violated, His religion is ridiculed, His friends are persecuted, and we act as though nothing

Avoid Exaggeration

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Those who exaggerate will be ruined; those who exaggerate will be ruined; those who exaggerate will be ruined." [Sahih Muslim] Simple advice that we can start changing our lives with! Speech that is devoid of exaggeration is almost necessarily devoid of lying. For if a person is careful enough to avoid even exaggeration, it is not possible that they would be careless enough to lie. And one who avoids lying stays on the path to Jannah.

Mathematical Miracles of The Holy Quran

Eid-un Sa'Eid - By Zain Bhikha

Who I Am (Zain Bhikha)

Gates of Heaven

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, "He who spends a pair in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Jannah: ` O slave of Allah! This gate is better for you' and one who is constant in Salat (prayer), will be called from the Gate of Salat; and whoever is eager in fighting in the Cause of Allah, will be called from the Gate of Jihad; and who is regular in observing Saum will be called from Ar-Raiyan Gate. The one who is generous in charity will be called from the Gate of Charity.'' Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! Those who are called from these gates will stand in need of nothing. Will anybody be called from all of those gates?'' He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, "Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them.'' [Al-Bukh

Generousity in Ramadan

Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)   was the most generous of the men; and he (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was   the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night   and recited the Qur'an to him.  During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah   (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)  waxed faster than the rain bearing wind.  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. This Hadith induces us to do two good things frequently and with full preparation in the month of Ramadan. First, benevolence and generosity   so that people get maximum time for worship and reduce their mundane  affairs during this month. Second, recitation of the Qur'an and Mudarsah,  (reading and hearing the Qur'an from one another) as is done by two Huffaz in this manner. The reason for the stress on the Qur'an is that the Qur'an and the month of Ramadan are closely linked with each other. The Qur'a

Ahmed's White Palace

“Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) addressed the people asking three times, ‘Yaum al-khalas, and what is yaum al-khalas. Yaum al-khalas, and what is yaum al-khalas.’ Somebody asked, ‘What is this yaum al-khalas?’ The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘Dajjal will come and climb Mount Uhud. Then he will say to his friends, ‘Do you see that white palace (qasre abyad)? That is Ahmed’s masjid.’ Then he will come towards Madina Munawwara but on every path he takes he will encounter an angel with an unsheathed sword. Then he will go towards Sabghatul Jarf and will strike his camp and Madina Munawwara will be jolted thrice as a result of which every munafiq (hypocrite) man and woman and fasiq (habitually sinning) man and woman will leave Madina and go with him. In this way Madina will be purified of sinners and this is yaum al-khalas (the day of relief).’” [Hakim in Mustadrak] This hadith is Sahih on the conditions of Imam Muslim. Imam Dhahabi has corrobora

A Disbeliever Grave

Zaid bin Thabit (radi Allahu anhu) narrated how, when the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and his Companions were once passing some graves of polytheists, the Prophet’s horse bolted and almost unseated him. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) explained: “These people are being tortured in their graves, and were it not that you would stop burying your dead, I would ask Allah to let you hear the punishment in the grave which I (and this horse) can hear.” [Sahih Muslim] After the soul of a wicked person is restored to its body, the two fearsome, dread-inspiring angels, Munkar and Nakeer, come to it for its interrogation. After making him sit up, they ask: “Who is your Lord?” The disbelieving soul answers: “Alas, alas, I do not know.” Munkar and Nakeer ask: “What is your religion?” The disbelieving soul says: “Alas, alas, I do not know.” Munkar and Nakeer ask: “What do you say about this man (Muhammad) sent to you?” The disbelieving soul says: “Alas, alas I do

A Disbeliever's Death

The Prophet of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah accepts the repentance of the servant so long as his ruh has not arrived at his throat.” [Tirmidhi] Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says: “If you could see when the wrongdoers taste the pangs of death and the angels stretch their hands out, [saying], 'Deliver up your souls. This day you will be awarded a degrading punishment.'” [Al-Quran 6:93] “When an unbeliever is about to depart from this world, angels with black faces descend from the heavens carrying rough hair-cloth, and sit around the dying person in throngs stretching as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits at the head of the unbeliever and says: 'O foul soul, come out to the wrath and anger of Allah!' The soul inside the disbeliever's body does not want to deliver itself up and divides up in the body of the dying person, whereupon the Angel of Death violently pulls it and it is dragged out like a skewer

A Believer in the Grave

The Prophet of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "When a deceased person is laid in his grave, he hears the sound of the footsteps of people as they go away. If he is a believer, the prayer will stand by his head, the fasting will be to his right, alms to his left, and all other good deeds of charity, kindness to relations, and good behavior will be by his feet." [Ahmad] Then two fearsome, dread-inspiring angels, called Munkar and Nakeer, visit the soul to ask it about its religion, God, and prophet. The believing soul sits upright in its grave as Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) grants it the strength to answer the angels with full faith and certainty. Munkar and Nakeer: “What is your religion?” Believing soul: “Islam.” Munkar and Nakeer: “Who is your Lord?” Believing soul: “Allah.” Munkar and Nakeer: “Who is your Prophet?” (or “What do you say about this man?”) Believing soul: “Muhammad.” Munkar and Nakeer: “How did you come to know these thing

More Worship in Ramadan

Ummul Momineen Sayyidina Aaisha (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to strive more in worship during Ramadan than he (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) strove in any other time of the year; and he (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) would devote himself more (in the worship of ALLAH, Subhanahu wa ta'ala,) in the last ten nights of Ramadan than he (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) strove in earlier part of the month. [Muslim]

Are Your Answers Ready

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "A servant of God will remain standing on the Day of Judgment until he is questioned about his (time on earth) and how he used it; about his knowledge and how he utilized it; about his wealth and from where he acquired it and in what (activities) he spent it; and about his body and how he used it." [Tirmidhi] Have you ever thought about these questions? Try to answer them now. See where you stand. We better have good answers to give on the Day of Questioning.

Affectionate

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) said, "The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) kissed al-Hasan ibn Ali (his grandson) while al-Aqra ibn Habis was with him. Al-Aqra said, 'I have ten children and have never kissed any of them.' The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) looked at him and said, 'Anyone who does not show mercy will not be shown mercy." [Sahih Bukhari] Aisha (radi Allahu anha) said, "Some of the Bedouins came to the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and said, 'Do you really kiss your children?' He said, 'Yes.' They said, 'But, by Allah, we do not!' The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, 'There is nothing I can do if Allah has removed mercy from your hearts!'" [Sahih Bukhari] Emulate the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and be affectionate towards your children.

An Ignorant Judge

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Judges are of three types, two of them will go to the Hellfire and one type will go to Paradise. The one who knows the truth and judges with it – he is in Paradise. One who knows the truth but doesn’t judge by it, will go to Hellfire. The one who doesn’t know the truth and judges between people with ignorance, will go to the Hellfire.” [Abu Daud, Tirmidhi] What the truth is, is determined by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). He has spelt it out for us in the Shariah, that is the Quran and Sunnah. If a person passes judgment according to his or her own standards of right and wrong, rather than what Allah has declared as right or wrong, then that judge is judging with ignorance.

A Goodness Through and Through

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Modesty is a virtue through and through, or said: Modesty is a goodness complete.” [Muslim] Once the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) passed by a man who was admonishing his brother regarding Haya and was saying, 'You are very shy, and I am afraid that might harm you.' On that, Allah's Apostle said, 'Leave him, for Haya is (a part) of Faith.' [Bukhari] This hadith tells us that there is nothing bad about modesty. Therefore, if something is purely good, then however much you have of it, it can only be good for you. This is something to especially remember in these times when ‘moral’ and ‘modest’ are portrayed as ‘backward,’ ‘oppressed' and 'under-confident.’ A person with Haya does not show off his mind, body, or anything else. Haya is translated as modesty but it includes all of the following meanings as well: self respect, bashfulness, having scruples, having awareness of Allah.

Candidate for Supreme Ruler

The death of Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was a great shock to all the companions including Abu Ubaidah (radi Allahu anhu). But they understood that their religion was now complete and that they had to carry it on from here themselves. Abu Ubaidah (radi Allahu anhu) and some other Muslims were busy preparing the body of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) for burial, when they received news that the Ansar had gathered at the Saqifah (meeting place) of Banu Sa'aadah, to decide the successor from amongst themselves. This day is known in history as the Day of Saqifah. This was a delicate issue and could have resulted in a great fitna. Abu Bakr, Umar and Abu Ubaidah (radi Allahu anhum) acted quickly to resolve the matter. They immediately went to the meeting and Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) suggested that the Khalifah should be from the tribe of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) in order for him to be acceptable to all of the Arabs. The Qurai

Artificial Lengthening of Hair

Allah’s Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah has cursed the lady who lengthens (her or someone else’s) hair artificially and also the one who gets it lengthened.” [Sahih Bukhari] All sorts of Haraam (forbidden) practices are in fashion in different parts of the world. Salons and beauty parlours cater to all such desires. Muslims must educate themselves to avoid incurring Allah’s wrath by using false hair and wigs themselves or on others. “When Muawiya (radi Allahu anhu) came to Madina for the last time and delivered a Khutba he took out a tuft of hair and said, ‘I thought that none used to do this (i.e. use false hair) except Jews. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) labeled such practice, (i.e. the use of false hair), as cheating.’” [Sahih Bukhari]

Share With Others

“Allah’s Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was offered something to drink. He drank of it while on his right was a boy and on his left were some elderly people. He said to the boy, ‘May I give these (elderly) people first?’ The boy said, ‘By Allah, O Allah’s Messenger! I will not give up my share from you to somebody else.’ On that Allah’s Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) placed the cup in the hand of that boy.” [Sahih Bukhari] This hadith gives us a clue as to why the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) was loved so dearly by his followers. Whenever he was given anything he immediately shared it with those around him. He always acted selflessly and his love and concern for those around him was obvious to all. In this instance, he was offered a drink but didn’t drink it all by himself. Nor did he embarrass or inconvenience his host by asking for drinks for the others. He drank some of what was offered to him to show his appreciation and then offered

Knowledge will Vanish

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Near the establishment of the Hour there will be days during which (religious) knowledge will be taken away (vanish) and general ignorance will spread, and there will be Al-Harj in abundance, and Al-Harj means killing.” [The Book of Al-Fitan: Sahih Bukhari] If you think about it, the ignorance of religious knowledge, or lack of conviction in it, is the cause of all evil: Shirk, Bidaat (innovations), ignoring the commands of Allah, lying, deception, untrustworthiness, disobedience of parents, immorality, loss of Haya (modesty), murder and killing, not caring for blood relatives, obedience of the Jews and Christians and subservience to them, etc. As people are getting further away from the knowledge of the Quran and hadith they are getting deeper into misguidance and trials. By the time a person reaches middle age they’ve read several hundred books of all sorts. Even the person with only compulsory education has gone

Keeping the Sound Low

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that when the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) would sneeze, he would cover his face with his hand or with his garment, and muffle the sound with it. (Hasan) [The Chapters on Manners: Jami at-Tirmidhi] The good habit and example of the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) teaches that a person should keep the sound minimal and suppressed whilst sneezing, particularly when he/she is in a gathering. They should cover their face with a hand or a cloth, not only to muffle the sound but also to avoid spraying other people. The culture of Islam is a culture that has been washed in the rivers of Paradise. Therefore, to leave the culture of Islam for anything else is a gross error, regardless of what reason people give to adopt something contrary to it.

Dua for 1st 2nd 3rd Ashra Of Ramadan

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Rides

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “On the Day of Qiyamah, people shall be divided into three groups; those walking on foot, those riding on mounts, and those who shall walk upon their faces.” The Companions were shocked, “Ya Rasul Allah! How will these people walk upon their faces?” He replied, “God who gave them the ability to walk on their feet will make them walk on their faces and let it be known that they shall avoid every hurdle, rocks and thorns with their faces as well.” [Tirmidhi] We are consumed by petty rivalries in Duniya (this world): small car, big car, old car, new car, the very best shining huge car. We are occupied with rides in this world while we neglect to arrange appropriate rides for ourselves for the Day of Judgement that is 50,000 years long! In the Akhirah, ordinary Muslims will be walking on foot, the pious will be riding mounts, while those who refused to walk straight on the guidance brought by Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) will have t

Fast of Tongue

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Fasting is not (abstaining) from eating and drinking only, but also from vain speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’” [Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban. Sahih according to Imam Muslim’s criteria.] Fasting is an act of worship that draws one closer to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Allah has prescribed it to purify the soul and to train it in good deeds. The fasting person must be on guard against any act that may cause him to lose the benefits of his fast. Thus, one must not use foul speech even in retaliation. If one is being cursed or annoyed he should nevertheless practice self restraint and respond to the provocation by saying, “I am fasting.” While the fact that a Muslim will be fasting in Ramadan should be evident to all, saying so is a reminder to the other person that he too is fasting and should not spoil his fast. Saying “I am fasting” is also a reminder to oneself

An Image or Dog

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Jibrail came to me and said, ‘Indeed I had come to you last night, and nothing prevented me from entering upon you at the house you were in, except that there were images of men at the door of the house, and there was a curtain screen with images on it, and there was a dog in the house. So go and sever the head of the image that is at the door so that it will become like a tree stump, and go and cut the screen and make two throw-cushions to be sat upon, and go and expel the dog.’” So the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) did so, and the dog was a puppy belonging to Al-Husain or Al-Hasan which was under his belongings, so he ordered him to expel it. (Sahih) [The Chapters on Manners: Jami At-Tirmidhi] The display of pictures of humans or animals causes one to be deprived of the blessed and merciful supplications of the angels; while a person is in need of mercy and blessing at ev

Focus on Yourself

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "O you who have entered Islam with your tongues but whose hearts faith has not entered: do not slander people, and do not ferret out people's shameful points. Whoever searches out the shameful points of his brother, Allah will search out his shameful points, and if Allah searches out a person's shameful points, be sure that He will disgrace him even if he should remain in the middle of his house." [Abu Dawud] This hadith teaches us a number of things: 1. It points to the difference between being a Muslim and being a Momin. A person who has embraced Islam but not reformed his heart and inner self through it, is called a Muslim but not a Momin. 2. One characteristic that differentiates a Muslim from a Momin is that a Muslim may be on the look out for people's hidden flaws and shameful secrets: but a Momin would never waste his or her time in such a disgraceful activity. This is because a Momin knows that in the Final R

The Doors of Sadaqah

Abu Dhar al-Ghafari said: “The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘Sadaqah is prescribed for every person every day the sun rises.’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, from what do we give sadaqah if we do not possess property?’ He said: ‘The doors of sadaqah are takbir (Allahu Akbar), Subhan Allah, Alhamdulillah, La-ilaha-ilAllah, Astaghfirullah, enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing thorns, bones and stones from the paths of people, guiding the blind, listening to the deaf and dumb until you understand them, guiding a person to his object of need if you know where it is, hurrying with the strength of your legs to one in sorrow who is appealing for help, and supporting the weak with the strength of your arms. These are all the doors of sadaqah.” [Ahmad] In other words one does not need to have financial resources to earn the reward of sadaqah. There are many deeds that qualify as sadaqah with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). In addition to those listed above the following

You Know What She Said...

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “He who stirs enmity among people, by quoting their words to each other, will not enter Paradise.” [Bukhari] Unfortunately, this is a common social evil these days. Rather than mend relations among people, Shaytaan has us excited about carrying tales to each other. “You won’t believe what he did!...Can you imagine what she said?...” Refuse to listen to what other people have said or done. It is backbiting, just to hear it. If what you are being told about is not true, it is an even bigger sin, both for the person telling it and the person listening to it. If you tell yourself not to believe everything you hear, your heart will nevertheless be tainted by it. That is why the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) told his companions not to say things about each other to him, since he didn't want to meet them with disquiet in his heart. If Rasul Allah's feelings for people had the possibility of getting soured by hearing tales about th

SALE – 100% Off!!

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said that Allah said: “I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen and no ear has heard, nor has it occurred to human heart.” [Bukhari] In other words, Jannat is better than anything you can imagine. Our human experience does not prepare us to imagine how wonderful it could be. “And no soul knows what joy for them (the inhabitants of Paradise) has been kept hidden.” [Al-Quran 32:17] Ever been to a sale where everything was 100% off? Actually you have. You bought Jannah for practically nothing. Allah insisted on buying our earthly lives from us in exchange for eternal life in Paradise. He made us and He made Jannah. He needs neither. Then why make either? Because He wanted US -- you and me! Only when you really want something do you insist on buying it despite its defects. Humans are impatient, hasty, weak, stingy and irritable, yet Allah(subhana wa ta’ala) insisted on buying our faulty earthly lives in exchange for infinite h

Reason to Forgive

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who does not show mercy to people, Allah also does not show mercy to him.” [Bukhari] When we want to be mean to somebody or punish them, we are able to give ourselves a hundred justifications for it. This hadith gives us one huge compelling reason to put our anger and meanness aside, and practice forgiveness and gentleness instead. No one can do without Allah's mercy, so don't shut the door of goodness on yourself by being petty with others. It's not worth it!

Five Questions

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "The two feet of the son of Adam will not move from near his Lord on the Day of Judgement until he is asked about five (matters) concerning his life - how he spent it; about his youth - how he took care of it; about his wealth - how he earned it; and where he spent it and about that which he acted upon from the knowledge he acquired." [Tirmidhi] So there is no escape from being questioned about: 1. Your life - how you spent it. Was it in righteousness and piety or in sin and transgression? 2. Your youth - how you spent it. Was it in acts of obedience or acts of sin? 3. Your wealth - how you acquired it. Was it from that which is halaal or from that which is haraam? 4. Your wealth - how you spent it. Did you give others their rights in it - your relatives, the needy, the orphans, the mujahideen... or did you squander it on yourself alone? 5. Your knowledge - how you acted upon it. How much of your knowledge of Allah’s Deen did yo

Purpose of Knowledge

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Do not attain learning in order to express pride before the ulema (scholars), nor by its help quarrel with foolish people, nor through it try to overwhelm meetings, but he who does so, his destination is fire.” [Ibn Majah] The purpose of seeking knowledge of the Deen is to be in a better position to seek Allah's pleasure. All Muslims are required to obtain that knowledge by which they may enter Jannah and escape the Fire. Ignorance is not bliss, for we will be held accountable for that which we could have found out. If we acquire this knowledge to seek worldly gain then it will be rejected by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Knowledge that is gained so that we may show it off and appear knowledgeable is a source of destruction.

On with Right, Off with Left

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When one of you puts on his sandals let him start with his right, and when he takes them off let him start with his left; let the right be the first to be put on, and let the left be the first to be taken off.” [Sunan Abu Dawud] Muslims are disciplined in all matters. This includes putting shoes on and taking them off. Everything reminds them that they have been sent to the world to serve high purposes. A person who is disciplined about the minute matters of life cannot be indisciplined about the purpose of life and serving its higher goals. It is not possible that a person who takes care in how to put on and take off his shoes be chaotic in running the rest of their life.

No Scent

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whichever woman applies scent should not join us for the Isha prayers.” [Abu Dawud] During the early Islamic era, women used to perform salaat behind Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), in congregation. On one occasion Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) told the women that they should not come to the masjid perfumed. While the women are coming to the masjid to earn sawaab/hasanaat, their presence should not cause the salaat of other people to be ruined. If the fragrance of the perfume distracts men and instills desire in their hearts, then the women would have gotten more sawaab by staying home and not being a cause of fitnah/corruption in society. If Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) prevented women who applied perfume from attending the masjid during his noble era, one can imagine how much worse it is for women to mingle with men decked up and perfumed.

Readying for Death

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) told us that there was a group from the Bani Israel who went to visit a graveyard. There they said, “How about if we pray two rakahs and ask Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) to resurrect someone, so we can ask him about death.” So they prayed two rakahs and asked Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) to resurrect one of the dead. A dark man was resurrected, who had the sign of sujood (prostrations) on his forehead. He said, “What do you want from me? I died one hundred years ago and the pain of death only just stopped at this moment. Pray to Allah and ask him to return me to as I was.” [Abu Daud] There are three lessons to learn from this hadith: 1. The pain of death is severe and it lasts for a long time. We should pray to Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) to make it easy for us. 2. The value of shahada. One of the many honors that Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) will give a shaheed is that his/her pain of death would feel no more then the sting of a mosquito.

Make Dua After Burial

Uthman ibn Affan (radi Allahu anhu) relates that when the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) used to finish burying someone, he would stand by the grave and say, ‘All of you, ask Allah to forgive your brother and make him steadfast, for he is now being asked.” [Abu Dawud] The dead are questioned in their graves. It is legally valid and recommended after burial for a living person to ask Allah to forgive the deceased and make him steadfast for the questioning of the two angels.

Keys of Paradise

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The key to Paradise is prayer (salat), and the key to prayer is ritual purity (tuhur).” [Ahmed] Paradise has eight doors. If you have the key to a door, you can turn the key in the lock and the door easily opens for you. If, on the other hand, you don’t have the keys, you could keep trying other keys that don't fit, or attempt to break the door down. When the keys are easily available though, only a foolhardy person would insist on trying wrong keys, or try to get in by breaking the door down. The keys to Jannah have been given to you. Don't waste your time with trying wrong ones. The keys to Jannah are the obligatory five daily prayers. And purification of the body, through wudhu and ghusl, are the keys to the prayer. In everyday life, if we were to keep looking at a person, they would feel obliged to turn to look at us. Allah Most Mighty and Majestic is much more obliging than all of His creation. When you pray, you are address

Jannah Surrounded by Difficult Things

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “When Allah created Paradise, He said to Jibreel: ‘Go and look at it.’ Jibreel went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will fail to enter it.’ Allah then surrounded it with disagreeable things, and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ He went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, I am afraid that no one will enter it.’ When Allah created Hell, He said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ Jibreel went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will enter it. ‘ Allah then surrounded it with desirable things and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ Jibreel went, looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might and power, I am afraid that no one will remain who does not enter it.’ [Abu Daud] Hellfire is surrounded by tempting things and sin appears attractive to us. On the other hand, Jannat is surrounded by difficult th

Have Book But Knowledge Is Lost

Imam Ahmed narrates that Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said regarding something: “That would happen when knowledge is lost.” One of the Sahabah asked, “O Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), how could knowledge be lost when we have studied the Quran, we are teaching it to our children and our children will teach it to theirs.” Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Woe to you! I thought you were one of the most learned men of Medinah. Can’t you see the Jews and Christians are not benefiting even though they have their scriptures (Torah and Injeel) right with them?” This hadith makes clear that if there is no application of the Quran, its recitation becomes useless. If we know what the Quran contains but don't apply it, we become like donkeys carrying books as our burdens, not benefitting from our loads. How did the Sahabah study the Quran? If we take the example of Abdullah ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu), it took him 14 years to finish memorizing Sura

Greetings

A man asked the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), "What Islamic traits are the best?" The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, "Feed the people, and greet those whom you know and those whom you do not know." [Bukhari] One of the minor signs of the Day of Judgement is that people will only give salaam to the people that they know. [Ahmad] Nowadays we see that salaam is not considered the right of every Muslim. It used to be that salaam was given to any Muslim, whether one knew them or not. In fact, if you offer salaams to strangers today they might look at you funny, trying to figure out if they know you. Nevertheless, let us make an effort to revive this sunnah for the love of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and as a practice of one of the best traits of Islam.

Finger Dipped In Ocean

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “By Allah, this world in comparison to the hereafter is nothing but as though one of you dipped his finger in the sea. So ponder how much (of sea water), the finger returns with.” [Mishkaat] The duration of the Day of Judgment is equal to 50,000 years. The sun will be brought overhead so that it is unbearably hot. People will be drenched in their sweat according to the amount of their sins. Some will be ankle deep in it, some will be in it up to their ears. In this condition, people will be standing for hundreds of earth years and not even a minute of that day will have gone by. Those who love Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) in this world will be under the shade of Allah’s Throne on the Day of Judgment – the only shade available that Day. That is why Luqman Hakeem advised his son: “Serve this world according to the time you are going to spend in it, and work for the akhirah according to the time you are going to spend in it.” After we have been

THIRTY QUALITIES ARE CONNECTED TO THE HEART

1. Belief in ALLAH [1] 2. To believe that everything other than ALLAH was non-existent. Thereafter, ALLAH Ta'ala created these things and subsequently they came into existence. [2] 3. To believe in the existence of angels (Malaaikah). [3] 4. To believe that all the heavenly books (Kutub) that were sent to the different prophets are true. However, apart from the Quran, all other books are not valid anymore. [4] 5. To believe that all the prophets are true. However, we are commanded to follow Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) alone. [5] 6. To believe that ALLAH Ta'ala has knowledge of everything from before-hand and that only that which He sanctions or wishes will occur. [6] 7. To believe that Qiyaamah will definitely occur. [7] 8. To believe in the existence of Jannah. [8] 9. To believe in the existence of Jahannam. [9] 10. To have love for ALLAH Ta'ala. [10] 11. To have love for Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) [11] 12. To love or hate someone solely because

Eeman Is The Judging Criteria

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “A time will come when it will be said about a man how intelligent he is, and how cool he is, but there won’t be a single grain of eeman in his heart.” This is one of the minor signs of the Day of Judgement. Today we see that people in many walks of life are admired as being cool or brilliant; athletes, pop stars, actors, scientists, businessmen, entertainers, politicians, etc. Yet these are often people who exhibit no morality, conscience, character or taqwa. When the people that we look up to are devoid of the fear of Allah, undoubtedly our behaviour will model theirs. We should seek refuge with Allah from making people who have no eeman in their hearts our role models.

You Are Not Blind

Once a blind man came into the house of Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) told Ummul Mumineen Aisha (radi Allahu anha) to go behind a curtain. She replied, “O Prophet of Allah, he is blind. How can he see us?” The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: “He may be blind, but you are not blind.” [Ahmad] From this hadith we can deduce that just as it is forbidden for a man to look at a non-mahram woman, it is similarly forbidden for a woman to look at a non-mahram man. Both men and women need to guard their glances in order to protect their faith and modesty. The glance opens the door to lustful looking, which in turn slowly and surely takes one down the road to adultery or fornication. Another hadith describes the gaze of a non-mahram as one of the arrows of the Shaitaan. These arrows tear into the fabric of our ruh/soul, shredding it to bits so that we are not able to return victoriously to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) with a qalb

Hazrat Mahdi will Bring Justice

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If there was only one day left of this world, Allah would lengthen that day, until He sent a man who is of me, or of my family, whose name is the same as my name, and whose father’s name is the same as my father’s name. He will fill the world with fairness and justice as it was filled with wrongdoing and injustice.” [Abu Dawud] Regarding the emergence of Imam Mahdi, it has been the consensus of the Ahle-Sunnah wal Jamaah for the past fourteen hundred years, that he will appear in the end times to lead the Muslims. His name will be Muhammad and his father’s name will be Abdullah. He will be the leader of the Mujahideen and through Qitaal in the Path of Allah will bring Allah’s land under Allah’s rule. As a result of this, the world will be filled with justice and prosperity. Mufti Nizam-ud-Deen Shamzai (shaheed, rahimuhullah) has provided a detailed and documented account in his book, “Aqeedah Zahoor-e-Mahdi Ahadith ki Roshni M

Signs of Qayamat

The Prophet Muhammad (Salallaho Alaihi Wassallam) foretold 72 signs that would appear near Doomsday: 1. People will leave prayer 2. People will usurp Ama'naat 3. Lying will become an art 4. There will be murders on the slightest of disagreements 5. Interest will become common 6. There will be very tall buildings 7. People will sell Religion for the world 8. People will treat relatives badly 9. Justice will become a rarity 10. Lies will be considered truth 11. Clothes will be of silk 12. Persecution will become common 13. Divorces will become common 14. Sudden deaths will increase 15. The usurper of Ama'naat will be considered honest and honourable 16. The keeper of Am'naat will be called an usurper of things given to him for safekeeping 17. Liars will be thought of as honest 18. Honest people will be thought of as liars 19. False accusations will become the norm 20. It will be hot in spite of rain 21. Instead of wishing for children, people will pray that they not have chil

Ask Your Heart

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Ask yourself for a decision, ask your heart for a decision (saying it three times.) Righteousness is that with which the soul is tranquil and the heart is tranquil, but sin is that which rouses suspicion in the soul and is perplexing in the breast, even if people give you a decision in its favour.” [Mishkat] Everybody has within them the sense to distinguish right from wrong. And each person will be held accountable for using this sense. It is possible to twist facts and get people to give the decision that you want to hear, but if your heart is not at peace with the decision then know that it is most likely sinful for you to act on it. Unfortunately, if a person sins enough then the heart becomes dead and the ability to feel disquiet dies. Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Leave that which causes you doubt for that which does not cause you doubt.” [Tirmidhi] This hadith is one of the ahadith around which the whole religion

A Muslim’s Prison

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The world is a prison for a believer and Paradise for a non-believer.” [Muslim] A believer is ever mindful of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Therefore, he/she is not free to do what they please. They cannot wait to get to Jannah where they will have no restrictions of any kind, no suffering, no sacrifice, and no separation from their loved ones. That is why this world feels like a prison to them. Those believers who are even more cognizant of Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) are in even more pain because of their separation from Him. An ashiq/lover always yearns to join his Beloved (subhana wa ta’ala). This is the sole thought occupying his or her mind. You are the true innermost desire of my heart, Love of You is the deepest thought in my mind. Whenever I glance at the world around me, I find that today there was naught but You, And that tomorrow holds naught but You. When an ashiq looks around, he finds the heedless people of the world trapped

Bad Breath

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "When a person tells a lie, the bad smell that comes out of the lie keeps the angels one mile away." [Tirmidhi] Keep in mind that you are pushing the angels that protect you away from you when you tell lies. Many are the lies that we are aware of telling. Yet how many more lies do we tell without even considering them as lies, so far away are we from having Islamic morals. Once a Sahabiah called her son in telling him that she wanted to give him something. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) then asked her if she had in fact given anything to her son. She replied that she had given him a date. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) told her that if she had not given him anything she would have been recorded as lying to her child. We need to be very careful not to say anything that we are not committed on fulfilling, for all lies are written down. A small lie is noted down as a small lie and a big lie is written down as