Refresh Your Imaan

Abu Dharr(RadiAllah Anhu) reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, came out during the winter while the leaves were falling from the trees. He took hold of two branches and shook them until the leaves fell. The Prophet said, “O Abu Dharr!” I said, “Here I am, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet said, "Verily, when the Muslim worshiper prays seeking the countenance of Allah, his sins will fall from him just as these leaves fall from this tree.” Musnad Ahmad Hadith# 21046,Hasan

“The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) cursed whoever sits in the middle of a circle of people.” [Tirmidhi] The reason for this prohibition is that such a person sees himself as better than the other people present, while Islam teaches us all to be humble. Only Allah Most High knows the true worth of any person. Therefore, no Muslim should presume himself/herself to be better than any other Muslim or act in a manner that conveys such an impression.

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Beware of going to extremes (in religion), for those before you were only destroyed through excessiveness.” [An-Nasai] Allah Most High says in the Quran, “Say: O people of the Book, do not be excessive in your religion.’” [4:171] Imam Qurtubi says, “According to exegetes, this refers to the extremism of the Jews concerning Eesa (alaihis salam) in accusing Maryam (alaihis salam) of fornication, and the extremism of the Christians in considering him to be a god. For both excessiveness and remissness are evil, and both may be unbelief.” [Al-Jami’ li ahkam al-Quran] Ibn Taymiya says regarding this hadith of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), “His saying ‘Beware of going to extremes in religion’ is a general prohibition applying to all types of extremes, whether in beliefs or works.” [Fayd al-Qadir sharh al-Jami’ al-saghir] Going to an extreme means to leave the Sunnah of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and define piety f

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever has pride in his heart equal to the weight of a mustard seed shall not enter Paradise.” Someone asked, “A person likes to wear beautiful clothes and fine shoes.” He replied, “Allah is beautiful and likes beauty. Pride means rejecting the truth and looking down on other people.” [Sahih Muslim] It is no sin to wear beautiful things or to look good, but to have pride means to feel that one is superior to another because of the provisions that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has provided one with. It is Allah’s will who He decides to give what to in this world. It is not a sign of Allah’s pleasure or displeasure. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) told us that were this world the place of reward and punishment, the Kuffar would not be given even a sip of water to drink. Complete reward and punishment are reserved for the never ending hereafter. This worldly life is in its entirety a test. And what we are provided with in terms o

Anas ibn Malik(RadiAllah Anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "I passed by some men on the night of Ascension whose lips were being sheared by scissors in the Hellfire. I said: O Gabriel, who are these people? Gabriel said: These are preachers from your nation who commanded people to be righteous and they forget it themselves while they recited the Book. Will they not reason?” Musnad Ahmad Hadith# 13103,Sahih

Aisha (radi Allahu anhu) heard the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) say, “So frequently did Jibreel advise me to be kind to neighbours that I thought that he would give them a share in one’s inheritance.” [Sahih Bukhari] Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says in the Quran: “Be kind to parents, and near family, and orphans and the impoverished, and the neighbour who is dhu al-qurba, and the neighbour who is junub, and the sahib bil-janb.” [4:36] An interpretation of “the neighbour who is dhu al-qurba” is the neighbour who lives close, while “the neighbour who is junub” refers to a neighbour whose residence is more distant, and the sahib bil-janb is a fellow traveler. Among the Allah-given rights of neighbours is that they should not go hungry if you have food to eat. You should not bring fruits or other things to your house in such a manner that the neighbours’ children see it and feel deprived. You may not raise your walls in such a manner as to block the light or air of your

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.

It was narrated from Mamar, from Ayyub, from Nafi, from Ibn Umar that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) saw a boy, part of whose head had been shaved, and part of it left. He told them not to do that and said: "Shave all of it or leave all of it." [Abu Dawud - graded sahih] This hadith prohibits having the mohawk kind of hairstyle, or any such hairstyle in which hair is shaved from part of the head only. Unfortunately, the Muslim Ummah has become so divorced from its culture and identity that we do not even know of common, easily available, sahih, ahadith that we can follow to reach Jannah.

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “By Allah, I am not afraid that you will be poor, but I fear that worldly wealth will be bestowed upon you as it was bestowed upon those who lived before you. So you will compete amongst yourselves for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it did them." [Bukhari] Wealth is like water and human beings are like ships. Ships reach their destinations by using water to cover distances. However, if water goes inside the ship, then it causes the ship to sink. Similarly, if we use wealth to earn Allah’s pleasure and bring us closer to Jannah, there is nothing like it. But if the love of wealth enters our hearts, then it destroys us. After we begin to love wealth then we compete with each other for it. Jealousy and ill-will enter our lives. After that it ceases to matter to the person how they earn wealth, by halal means or haram, and they forget about preparing for the Hereafter. They do not use their wealth to earn Janna

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “It is enough sin for a person, that he ignores those whom he is responsible for.” [Abu Daud] Is it sufficient for a man to provide for his own food, clothing, relaxation, intellectual needs and spiritual needs? Can he neglect the same needs of his wife or children? No! A man will be held accountable for taking care of his dependents. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has declared the leader of the Muslims as responsible for each and every one of them, a husband/father as responsible for his family, and a woman as responsible for her children. [Bukhari]

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Oh Ali, if two people come to ask you to judge between them, do not judge in favour of the first until you hear the word of the second in order that you may know how to judge.” [Ahmad, Abu Daud] Humans are hasty by nature. We are quick to judge. A situation aggravates us and we rush to condemn without bothering to determine all the facts first. In our haste usually only one point of view is considered. This could happen in our households when children get into a fight. This also often happens when we hear things about people. We don’t stay out of things that do not concern us; then we do not bother to hear the other side of the story either. Thirdly, we also get easily influenced with one sided information broadcast at us through the media. In short, we do exactly what Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has forbidden, which is to make haste in passing judgment. Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) used to make dua begging Allah, “Enable me t

"Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) passed by a heap of food. As he put his hand inside it, his fingers got wet. So he said to the vendor: ‘What is this?’ He replied: ‘It was dampened by the rain O Messenger of Allah.’ He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Why don’t you put it on top so that people can see it? He who cheats us is not one of us.’” [Muslim] In order for justice to prevail in society, it is necessary that people are reminded of their moral obligations. The best police is a person's own conscience; the person's awareness of the final accountability before Allah (subhana wa ta'ala). When a community loses its God consciousness, then no quantity of police, courts and prisons are sufficient to keep it free of crime.  While taqwa (Allah consciousness) must be cultivated to keep society healthy, law enforcers are nevertheless needed. There will always be some recalcitrant, unscrupulous elements that will only respond to force. The second khalifah, Uma

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wasallam) said: "The example of a good companion and a bad one is the bearer of musk and the worker on the fires. A bearer of musk would give you some, you might buy some from him, or you might enjoy the fragrance of his musk. The worker on the fires, on the other hand, might spoil your clothes with sparks from his bellows, or you get a bad smell from him." [Sahih Bukhari]   Who are the top 5 people you hang out with? List them. Now look at their qualities and you'll notice that you are a product of the sum of them. Do they have the outstanding qualities that you seek? If not, then it's time to find some bearers of musk that you can truly smell great from.

Narrated Anas (radi Allahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “In Jannah there is a market to which the people will come every Friday. The northern wind will blow and shower fragrance on their faces and clothes and, consequently, it will enhance their beauty and loveliness. They will then return to their wives who will also have increased in their beauty and loveliness, and their families will say to them: ‘We swear by Allah that you have been increased in beauty and loveliness since leaving us.’ Thereupon they will reply: ‘We swear by Allah that you have also been increased in beauty and loveliness since we left you.’” [Sahih Muslim] Another feature of Jannah is this, that the beauty and charm of the men and women in Jannah goes on increasing with time and thus the love and affection between husbands and wives also keeps on increasing. It is the opposite of what happens here in this world; people lose their good looks with time. In Jannah, you ju

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When those deserving of Paradise enter Paradise, the Blessed and Exalted will ask: ‘Do you wish Me to give you anything more?’ They will say: ‘Have You not brightened our faces? Have You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire?’ He (Allah) will then lift the veil (from their eyes), and of things given to them nothing will be dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Mighty and the Glorious." [Sahih Muslim]  Doubtless we, men and women, are promised to have what we want in Jannah; Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says in the Quran: “Therein you shall have (all) that your inner selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) which you ask for.” [41:31-32] But the greatest reward for the people in Jannah will be to view the Countenance (Appearance) of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).  Despite having all that their hearts desire, the greatest treat for the inhabitants of Jannah will be to look at the Countenance of Allah

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Do not speak much without mentioning Allah, for too much speech without mentioning Allah hardens the heart, and the hard hearted are the furthest of all people from Allah Most High." [Tirmidhi] Imam Nawawi explains: "Every legally responsible person should refrain from saying anything except when there is a clear advantage to speaking. Whenever speaking and not speaking are of equal benefit, it is sunnah to remain silent, for permissible speech easily leads to that which is unlawful or offensive, as actually happens much or even most of the time -- and there is no substitute for safety. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say what is good or remain silent.’ (Authenticated by Imams Bukhari and Muslim)" [r 1.1: Reliance of the Traveller by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri]

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Teach! Make things easy! And do not make things complicated! He repeated this three times and then he added: And if you get angry, keep quiet!” [Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, Al-Matalib Al-Aliyah; Ahmad Ibn Hanbal] Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) came with the most important of teachings. He was sent by none other than the Supreme Most Being, the Creator of all that exists. Therefore, it stands to reason that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) must have chosen Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) because he would be the best teacher for this all important message. Considering this, let’s see what we can learn from this hadith regarding the qualities of excellent teachers: 1a. Make things easy for the students. A teacher should not try to complicate matters. In order to teach effectively, the teacher must know his/her material very well. For this adequate preparation is necessary.  1b. In order to communicate effectively, it is essential to

Abu Mas’ood al-Badri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I was beating a slave of mine with a whip, then I heard a voice behind me saying, “Remember, Abu Mas’ood.” I did not recognize the voice because I was so angry, but when he drew close to me I saw that it was the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and he was saying, “Remember, Abu Mas’ood; remember, Abu Mas’ood.” I threw the whip aside and he said, “Remember, Abu Mas’ood, that Allaah has more power over you than you have over this slave.” I said, “I will never beat another slave again (Saheeh Muslim 1659)

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu): “Allah’s Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘Whoever has oppressed another person concerning his reputation or anything else, he should beg him to forgive him before the Day of Resurrection when there will be no money (to compensate for wrong deeds), but if he has good deeds, those good deeds will be taken from him according to the oppression which he has done, and if he has no good deeds, the sins of the oppressed person will be loaded on him.” [The Book of Al-Mazalim: Sahih Bukhari] Nothing goes unnoticed by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala), nor does He, in His infinite Justice, let the slightest injury go uncompensated for. Should a person settle his account with others before his/her death it is best for them. Otherwise, they will have to pay with their good deeds on the Day of Judgement.  When all of one’s good deeds vanish and accounts still have to be settled with others, they will be settled by having the sins of the victim put to

Narrated Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu): “The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) sent Muadh (radi Allahu anhu) to Yemen and said, ‘Be afraid, from the curse of the oppressed as there is no screen between his invocation and Allah.’” [The Book of Al-Mazalim: Sahih Bukhari] A person’s character can be judged by their treatment of the people who are weaker than them, i.e. those in a subordinate position to them. As we deal with those who are weaker than us, Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) will deal with us on the Day of Judgement. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) responds to the oppressed person’s invocation and punishes the oppressor sooner or later. There is no escaping Allah’s justice. Therefore, one should always keep Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) in mind when dealing with others.

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud(RadiAllah Anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Regret is part of repentance.” In another narration, the Prophet said, “The one who repents from his sin is as if he had never sinned at all.” Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith#4250,4252 Hasan

It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If you deal in usury (riba) and hang onto the tails of cows, being satisfied with cultivation and ceasing to take part in Jihad, Allah will inflict a humiliation upon you which will not be removed until you return to your religion.” [Reported by Ahmad and Abu Dawud and graded as authentic by Al-Qattan. Al-Hafiz states in Al-Bulugh that the chain of narrators is trustworthy and reliable.] This hadith lists three practices of the Muslim community that will result in their being humiliated in the world. The first one mentioned is dealing in riba. Taking or paying interest, witnessing it or writing up a contract involving it are all major sins condemned in the Quran. When dealing in riba becomes a common malaise, Muslims should expect to be disgraced in this world and the next. Hanging ono the tails of cows imples not only agriculture but involvement in all trades and

Ubayy bin Ka'b (radi Allahu anhu) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'Abu Mundhir! Do you know which Ayat in Allah's Book is the greatest?' I said: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) again said: 'Do you know which Ayat in Allah's Book, according to you, is the greatest?' I (Abu Mundhir) replied: ‘It is 'Allah la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum...'' [2:255] Thereupon, he (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) patted me on the chest and said, 'Rejoice by your knowledge, O Abu Mundhir!' (i.e, may this knowledge be a source of respect, honour and benefit to you)." [Sahih Muslim]  The reason that Ayat al-Kursi is the most excellent Ayat (verse) is that it mentions the names of Allah Most High more than any other Ayat does, thus it contains the most remembrance (dhikr) of Allah Most High. In Ayat al-Kursi, the names of Allah Most High have been mentioned seventeen ti

Narrated Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu): “Allah’s Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) drank milk, rinsed his mouth and said, ‘It has fat.’” [The Book of Wudu: Sahih Bukhari]  This hadith tells us that it is a Sunnah to rinse one’s mouth after drinking milk. These are simple things we can do to show our love for the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and earn reward for following his way.

Umme Salamah (radi Allahu anha) narrates that she said to Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam): "O Rasul Allah, are the women of this world superior or the hoors (of Paradise)?" He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, "The women of this world will have superiority over the hoors just as the outer lining of a garment has superiority over the inner lining." Umme Salamah (radi Allahu anha) then asked, "O Rasul Allah, what is the reason for this?" He answered, "Because they performed salah, fasted, and worshipped [Allah]. Allah will put light on their faces and silk on their bodies. [The human women] will be fair in complexion and will wear green clothing and yellow jewelry. Their incense-burners will be made of pearls and their combs will be of gold. They will say, 'We are the women who will stay forever and we will never die. We are the women who will always remain in comfort and we will never undergo difficulty. We are the women who wi