Refresh Your Imaan

Abdullah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.W) said: "The believer does not insult the honor of others, nor curse, nor commit Fahishah, nor is he foul." [Jami' At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No.1977 (Hasan)]

Ka'b bin Iyad (RA) narrated that the Prophet (S.A.W.W) said: "Indeed there is a Fitnah for every Ummah, and the Fitnah for my Ummah is wealth." [Jami' At-Tirmidhi, Book of Zuhd, Hadeeth No.2336]

It was narrated that Jabir bin Abdullah (radi Allahu anhu) said: "The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) sent us, three hundred men, carrying our provisions on our necks. Our provisions ran out until there would be for (every) man among us one date (a day)." Then it was said, "O Abu Abdullah, how can one date satisfy a man?" He replied, "When we no longer had it, we realized how much it was worth. Then we came to the sea and found a whale that had been thrown up by the sea, and we ate from it for eighteen days." [Ibn Majah - graded sahih] This hadith shows to us the devotion with which the Prophet's Sahabah (radi Allahu anhum) carried out Jihad. They continued in all circumstances, even when they did not have mounts to ride, or food to eat.  The second thing that we learn from this hadith is that dead fish are lawful to eat. Fish do not have to be slaughtered while alive, as some deviant sects believe. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa s...

“Anas (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that the people of Banu Mustaliq sent him to the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) to ascertain to whom they should pay Zakat after him. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘Pay to Abu Bakr.’ Anas (radi Allahu anhu) told them what the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) had said. They again sent him to enquire as to whom they should pay the Zakat to if something happened to Abu Bakr. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘Then pay to Umar.’ When Anas (radi Allahu anhu) informed them, they again sent him back to the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) to find out whom they should pay Zakat to after Umar. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, ‘Then pay to Uthman.’ Anas (radi Allahu anhu) conveyed the reply of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). They once more sent him to the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) to ask whom they should pay Zakat to if something happened to Uthman. The Prophet (sal Allahu al...

Thawban (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.W) said: "The Hour shall not be established until tribes of my Ummah unite with the idolaters, and until they worship idols. And indeed there shall be thirty imposters in my Ummah, each of them claiming that he is a Prophet. And I am the last of the Prophets, there is no Prophet after me." [Jami At-Tirmidhi, Book of Tribulations, Hadeeth No.2219 (Saheeh)]

It was narrated from Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "If anyone of you knew what was wrong with being alone, no one would travel at night by himself." [Sahih Bukhari] In Allah's Infinite Mercy, He warned us through the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) about those things that are beyond our senses to perceive. To protect us we have been warned, men and women, against traveling alone, especially at night.

Narrated Abdullah bin Hisham (RA): We were with the Prophet (S.A.W.W) and he was holding the hand of Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA). Umar (RA) said to Him, "O Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.W)! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self." The Prophet (S.A.W.W) said, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self." Then Umar (RA) said to him, "However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self." The Prophet (S.A.W.W) said, "Now, O Umar, (now you are a believer). [Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Book of Oaths and Vows, Hadeeth No.6632]

It was narrated that Aisha (radi Allahu anha) said: "When he was ill, the Messenger of Allah said, 'I would like to have some of my Companions with me.' We said, 'O Messenger of Allah! Shall we call Abu Bakr for you?' but he remained silent. We said, 'Shall we call Umar for you?' But he remained silent. We said, 'Shall we call Uthman for you?' He said, 'Yes.' So Uthman came and he spoke to him in private. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) started to speak to him and Uthman's expression changed." Qais said: "Abu Sahlah, the freed slave of Uthman, narrated to me that on the Day of the House (when the rebels besieged Uthman in his house and murdered him), Uthman bin Affan said: 'The Messenger of Allah told me what would come to pass and now I am coming to that day.'" In Ali's narration of this hadith, Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) said: "And I am going to bear it with patience." [Ahmad; Tirmidhi; Ib...

Narrated Jubair bin Mutim (radi Allahu anhu): A woman came to the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) who ordered her to return to him again. She said, “What if I came and did not find you?” as if she wanted to say, “If I found you dead?” The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “If you should not find me, go to Abu Bakr.” [The Book of the Virtues of the Companions of the Prophet: Sahih Bukhari] This hadith is another indication by the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) that the person most suitable to be his successor (khalifa) is Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu).

Mu'awiyah asked: Messenger of Allah, what is the right of the wife of one of us over him? He replied: That you should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, do not strike her on the face, do not revile her or separate yourself from her except in the house. Abu Dawud said: The meaning of "do not revile her" is, as you say: "May Allah revile you". Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri, Sunan Abi Dawud 2142 (Hasan Sahih) & 2144 (Sahih) graded by Al-Albani

Abu Huraira(RadiAllah Anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.W) as saying: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, a time would come when the murderer would not know why he has committed the murder, and the victim would not know why he has been killed. Sahih Muslim » The Book of Tribulations and Portents of the Last Hour » Hadith#2908

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (radi Allahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) addressed the people saying, “Allah gave a choice to one of his slaves to choose this world or what is with him. The slave chose what is with Allah.” Abu Bakr wept and we were astonished at his weeping caused by what the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) mentioned as to a slave (of Allah) who had been offered a choice, (we learned later on) that Allah’s Messenger himself was the person who was given the choice, and that Abu Bakr knew more than us. Allah’s Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) added, “Abu Bakr has favoured me much with his company and property (wealth), more than anybody else. If I were to take a Khalil other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr, but the Islamic brotherhood and friendship is sufficient. Close all the gates in the masjid except the gate of Abu Bakr.” [The Book of the Virtues of the Companions of the Prophet: Sahih Bukhari]  There are several th...

It was narrated that Anas (radi Allahu anhu) said: "It was asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, which of the people is most beloved to you?' He said, 'Aisha.' It was asked, 'And among men?' He said, 'Her father.'" [Ibn Majah - graded Sahih; Tirmidhi] This hadith clearly affirms the superior position of both Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) and Aisha (radi Allahu anha). Both Abu Bakr and Aisha were extremely beloved to the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). Therefore, anyone who loves them would be loved by the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), while he who harbours hostility or enmity towards them would deserve the displeasure of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and Allah (subhana wa ta'ala).

Abu Razeen reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Allah smiles at the despair of His servants as He will soon change it.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, does the Lord laugh?” The Prophet said, “Yes.” I said, “We will never be deprived of goodness by a Lord who laughs.” Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith#181, Hasan

Sad bin Abu Waqqas narrated from his father that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said to Ali (radi Allahu anhu): "Would it not please you to be to me as Harun was to Musa?" [Sahih Bukhari] The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) spoke these words when he was setting out for the battle of Tabuk, and had charged Ali (radi Allahu anhu) to look after the affairs of Madina in his absence. Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was grieved at being left out of Jihad and said, "Do you want to leave me with children and women?" It was in response to this that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) spoke the words quoted above. [Sahih Bukhari] Some people have tried to deduce from this hadith proof of Ali's right to be the immediate successor of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). Harun (alaihis salam), they argue, was the successor of Prophet Musa (alaihis salam), therefore Ali must also be considered the rightful successor of Prophet Muhamm...

Narrated An-Nu'man bin Basheer (RA): that the Prophet (S.A.W.W) said: "Indeed Allah wrote in a book two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, and He sent down two Aayah from it to end Surah Al-Baqarah with. If they are recited for three nights in a home, no Shaitan shall come near it." [Jami' At-Tirmidhi, Book of The Virtues of The Qur'an, Hadeeth No.2882]

Hudhaifa(RadiAllah Anhu) reported: We were sitting in the presence of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said, “Verily, I do not know how much longer I will remain with you, so after me you should follow the example of these two,” and the Prophet pointed to Abu Bakr(RadiAllah Anhu) and Umar(RadiAllah Anhu). Sunan At-Tirmidhi Hadith# 3663,Sahih

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of `Ashura’. He said, ‘What is this?’ They said, ‘This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Musa (Moses) fasted on this day.’ He said, ‘We have more right to Musa (Moses) than you,’ so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day.” (al-Bukhaari, 1865). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “For fasting the day of `Ashura’, I hope that Allah will accept it as expiation for the year that went before.” (Muslim, 1976). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘If I live to see the next year, in sha Allah, we will fast on the ninth day too.’ But it so happened that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed away before the next year came.” (Muslim, 1916).

It was narrated that Ali (radi Allahu anhu) said: "The Unlettered Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) informed me that none but a believer would love me and none but a hypocrite would hate me." [Sahih Muslim] Ali bin Abu Talib (radi Allahu anhu) was brought up under the careful patronage of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and his venerable wife Khadeeja (radi Allahu anha). He was the first among children to accept Islam. He became the fourth khalifa of the Islamic state.  Unmatched are the feats performed by the senior Companions in the service and defence of Islam. That is why anyone who loves Islam loves and respects them, as their very presence was a thorn in the side of the enemies of Islam. Ali (radi Allahu anhu) is also one among such great Companions. Therefore, love for him is a sign of love of Islam, and enmity towards him is a sign of hypocrisy. Love for Ali (radi Allahu anhu) does not mean going beyond all limits, which is a trait found in some of the ...

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: "I will be the leader of sons of Adam on the day of resurrection, the first for whom the grave is opened, the first one to intercede and the first one whose intercession will be accepted." Sahih Muslim Ch: 4, Hadith: 2

It was narrated that Aisha (radi Allahu anha) said: "The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'O  Uthman, if Allah places you in authority over this matter (as the khalifa) some day and the hypocrites want to rid you of the garment with which Allah has clothed you (i.e. the position of khalifa), do not take it off.' He said that three times." [Ibn Majah - graded Sahih; Tirmidhi] This hadith foretells an impending trial or affliction for Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) that happened exactly as was foretold by the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). The hypocrites leveled various allegations against Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) to remove him from office. Although Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) publicly addressed the people regarding the charges against him to clear his name, yet the followers of Abdullah ibn Saba still did their best to instigate rebellion against him.  This hadith proves that Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) was the rightful ruler of the be...

The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.W) said: "It is sufficient lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears."[Saheeh Muslim, Introduction, Hadeeth No.7,8,9 Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Manners, Hadeeth No.4992]

Narrated Anas(RadiAllah Anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.W) said about Abu Bakr and 'Umar: "These two are the masters of the elder people among the inhabitants of Paradise. From the first ones and the last ones, not including the Prophets and the Messengers." Jami at-Tirmidhi » Chapters on Virtues » Hadith#4026,Hasan

Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with both of them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of 'Ashura (10th of Muharram). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to them: What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it? They said:  It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Moses(Musa(A.S)) and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh(Firaun) and his people, and Moses observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:  We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Moses than you have; so Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) observed fast (on the day of 'Ashura), and gave orders that it should be observed.  Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Hadith: 2656

"The Messenger of Allah mentioned a Fitnah (tribulation) that had drawn near. Then a man passed by with his head covered. The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'On that day, this man will be following right guidance.' I leapt up and took hold of Uthman's arms, then I turned to face the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and asked: 'This man?' He confirmed: 'This man.'" [Ibn Majah - graded Sahih; Imam Ahmad] The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) foretold many things about the future at Allah's bidding, and they came to pass exactly as he had foretold. This is a proof of the veracity of his prophethood. This hadith, among others, proves that the accusations labeled against Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) by the mischief-mongers were totally unfounded and baseless. Their leader was Abdullah bin Sabah who had converted from Judaism. The fitnah sowed by him caused the first civil war in Islam. Uthman's conduct w...

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...

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The universe compared to Allah’s kursi (footrest) is like a ring in a desert. And Allah’s kursi compared to His ursh (throne) is like a ring in a desert.” [Ibn Hibban, Ibn Abi Hatim]  The size of our planet earth compared to the size of the universe is like a grain of sand compared to the size of the earth. Now read again how the size of the universe compares to Allah’s kursi and His ursh! When we consider Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) as our Creator and the Creator and Maintainer of the entire universe, when we consider revelation to have come from Him, of what value is our opinion and intellect against His? Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) as our Creator knows our nature best and has graciously informed us which laws are ideal for us, so we can live by Divine Guidance and avoid the pain of trial and error. When mines are planted, mine maps are made. Mine maps help the army that has the mine map to safely cross the mine field themselves. Alla...

Yahya ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "Do not be impressed with someone's tolerance until you see him angry, nor his honesty until he becomes greedy (in need) because you do not know which of these two ends (for each quality) his reality is at." (Al-Hilyah)

‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “He is not one of us who strikes his cheeks, rends his garment, or cries with the cry of the Jaahiliyyah.”  Al-Bukhaari (1294) and Muslim (103) What the Shi’ah do on ‘Ashoora’ of beating their chests, slapping their cheeks, striking their shoulders with chains and cutting their heads with swords to let the blood flow are all innovations that have no basis in Islam. These things are evils that were forbidden by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), who did not prescribe for his ummah to do any of these things or anything similar to them to mark the death of a leader or the loss of a martyr, no matter what his status.  During his lifetime (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) a number of senior Sahaabah were martyred and he mourned their loss, such as Hamzah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib, Zayd ibn Haarithah, Ja’far ibn Abi Taalib and ‘...

The Prophet of Allah, Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), said: "If anyone has a good or evil inner nature Allah will make apparent some sign of it by which it will be recognised." [Mishkat al-Masabih]  What you are on the inside will eventually reveal itself on the outside and on your face. Umar (radi Allahu anhu) was an expert face reader. Once a man passed Umar (radi Allahu anhu) and he remarked that the man had dealt with magic: that he was either a magician or had been a magician. People inquired from him and he admitted that he had been a magician prior to Islam.  Silvan Tomkins, a modern day expert at mind reading was tested. He was able to tell looking only at photographs of faces, with all contextual clues removed, that members of one tribe of Papua New Guinea were a sweet, gentle, very peaceful, very indulgent people. The faces alone of the men of another tribe in the same jungles of Papua New Guinea  made Tomkins describe them as "violent, and there is lo...

It was narrated from Abu Musa (radi Allahu anhu) that Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "If one of you passes through our Masjid or our marketplace, with an arrow, let him hold it in his hand by its point, lest he harm one of the Muslims with it in some way." [#6665: The Book of Al-Birr: Sahih Muslim] Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "A Muslim is unlawful to another Muslim; his blood, his wealth and his honour." [#6541: The Book of Al-Birr: Sahih Muslim] Each Muslim life is so sacred to Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) that He would rather have the Kaaba and its surroundings destroyed than the life of a single Muslim. What we see these days though is Muslim armies killing Muslims with bombs, missiles, guns and embargoes. All they feel the need to do is to put a label on the Muslim to make his or her blood lawful in their eyes. It is not the first time in history that Muslims are serving in the ...

Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "O Aishah, abstain from the sins which are looked upon as trivial, for they too will be inquired about by Allah." [Musnad Ahmad, Nasa'i]  Sins are termed as major or minor essentially because of their gravity in terms of their effects on individuals and society. Thus, some sins are considered most heinous and incur divine wrath. Among such sins are: shirk (associating partners with Allah), displeasing one’s parents, murder, bearing false testimony, adultery, fornication, practicing black magic, devouring riba (interest), stealing from an orphan’s wealth, etc. Minor sins, on the other hand, are minor in so far as the punishment for a single act of one of these is not as severe as for a major sin. Nevertheless, all sins require tawbah (sincere repentance). Sincere repentance involves four steps: The first is for a person to be deeply remorseful of the sin; secondly, to refrain from it and all of the circumstances that le...

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Save yourselves from the fire of Hell even if it be by giving away a bit of a date, or by uttering a good word." [Sahih Bukhari]   Even a most ordinary good has its weight and value, and the same is true of evil. Even a most ordinary evil will be considered and taken into account; it will not be overlooked. Therefore, no good act however small and insignificant should be left undone, for many such good deeds can collect and be regarded as a major good in the reckoning with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Likewise, even a most ordinary evil deed should not be committed, for a large number of such ordinary errors can become serious sins.  Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) encouraged us to do good deeds, even if they appeared to be very small. He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Do not look upon any good work as insignificant, even if it be emptying a bucket into the vessel of one asking for water, or receiving a brot...

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); knowledge which is beneficial; or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (the deceased).” [Sahih Muslim] “His deeds come to an end” means that he/she is not able to perform any deeds any more and therefore does not receive reward for actions anymore. But there are three categories of actions for which he/she can receive reward even after death.  First, Sadaqah Jariyah: This is any good deed done from which people continue to benefit despite the demise of the person who originated it. For example, the establishment of a madrassa or masjid from which people are rightly guided will be sadaqah jariya for the person who established it. Having a well dug or a shade or fruit tree planted will also accrue good deeds for a person, as long as the well or tree benefits people.  Second, “knowledge which is beneficial” means k...

Narrated Aisha (radi Allahu anha): “The family of Muhammad never ate their fill of wheat bread for three successive days from the time they migrated to Medina until the death of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam).” [Sahih Bukhari]   How many times today are we going to fill our stomachs, even though Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), Allah's beloved, did not fill his for three successive days? Before we jump at the smallest annoyance and make a mountain out of it, let us have some shame and remember the true example of our Prophet's gratitude.

Narrated Anas bin Malik (radi Allahu anhu): "Milk mixed with water was brought to Allah's Messenger (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) while a bedouin was on his right and Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was on his left. He drank (of it) and then gave (it) to the bedouin and said, 'The right. The right (first).'" [Sahih Bukhari]  These are simple table manners that will pave our way to Jannah, inshaAllah. Table manners are first and foremost those taught to us by Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). After that, and not in contradiction to them, other cultural norms may be followed. Muslims pass first to the right.

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “A believer never gets satisfied doing good until he reaches Jannah.” [Tirmidhi]  According to this hadith, it is a quality of a Muslim that he or she is very concerned about acquiring virtues and doing good, and never tires of struggling for and living by virtuous deeds. This is because “a believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain which, he is afraid, may fall on him; whereas the wicked person considers his sins as flies passing over his nose and he just drives them away like this. Abu Shihab (the sub-narrator of this statement of Abdullah ibn Masud’s) moved his hand over his nose in illustration.” [Sahih Bukhari] High achieving students never stop studying because they never feel satisfied that what they know is sufficient. They don’t limit themselves to the bare minimum amount of knowledge needed to pass. One who does so is in danger of failing. Even when they are well prepared they feel that they co...

Anas (radi Allahu anhu) mentioned that a man said to the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam), "I really love this surah." The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, "And your love for it will enable you to enter Paradise." [Tirmidhi] A person's love for Surah Ikhlas symbolizes his/her love of Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) and His uniqueness. This surah affirms Allah's Oneness, and shows the true understanding of the Mighty Creator, who neither shares His power with anybody nor stands in need of anything. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said about Surah Ikhlas, "By Him in Whose hand my soul is, it is equal to one third of the Quran!" [Sahih Bukhari]

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever keeps a (pet) dog which is neither a watch dog nor a hunting dog, will get a daily deduction of two Qirat from his good deeds." [Sahih Bukhari] Do we have so many good deeds that we can afford to waste two mountains of good deeds a day? What is the need to keep a dog as a pet? This was never the custom of Muslims.  We call ourselves Muslims but have become so estranged from Islam that we are no longer aware of the well-known things that are reducing our chances of getting into Jannah. It is our attempt to resemble the Kuffar that has us mimic their tastes and their likes and dislikes. Were our belief in the Hereafter firmer we would try much harder to find out what Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) likes, what the person He loved the most (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) liked, and try to follow in his (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam's) footsteps. What used to happen in olden times is that when nations went to war, the defea...

Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever follows the funeral procession and offers the funeral prayer for it, will get a reward equal to one Qirat, and whoever attends it till burial, will get a reward equal to two Qirat.'' It was asked, "What are two Qirat?'' He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, "Equal to two huge mountains.'' [Sahih Bukhari] Participation in a Muslim's funeral procession and prayer for him brings a Muslim a great reward - like the massiveness of a big mountain. And if he stays beside the grave till the burial takes place, the reward will become two-fold, that is, equaling the massiveness of two huge mountains. Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) in His mercy has attached reward to all those things which bring us closer to Jannah. When a person attends another's funeral, especially when he is witness to his/her being lowered into the grave, alone and wra...

"Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) used to seek refuge from the jinn as well as from the evil eye until Surah al-Falaq and an-Naas were revealed. When they were sent down, he utilised them and left other things." [Tirmidhi] This hadith affirms the reality of the harm that can befall an individual from the envious, jealous gaze of a person who when he/she looks at you does not wish well for you. After the revelation of these two surahs, the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) sought refuge with Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) against the evil of the envious person, the evil of magic and all other evil, by using these surahs. Regarding Surah al-Falaq and an-Naas, Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said that these are ayaat "the likes of which have never been seen before." [Sahih Muslim] Aisha (radi Allahu anha) reported that when the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over them afte...

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu), the Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “O people! Allah is Pure and, therefore, accepts only that which is pure. Allah has commanded the believers as He has commanded His Messengers by saying: ‘O Messengers! Eat of the good things, and do good deeds.’ (23:51) And He said: ‘O mankind! Eat of what is lawful and goodly in the earth.” (2:168) Then he (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) spoke of “a man on a long journey, wild-haired and dusty, who raises his hands up to heaven, saying, ‘Lord! Lord!’ yet his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothes unlawful and his nourishment unlawful: how, then, shall his prayer be answered?” [Sahih Muslim]  For the fulfillment of dua it is essential that one’s earning be through honest means. Once, Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) ate something given to him by his servant. ‘Do you know what that was?’ the boy asked him, and Abu Bakr said, ‘What?’ ‘In the Jahiliyya (Age of Ignoranc...

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If you knew what I know you would laugh a little and cry a lot!” Once Hasan al-Basri passed by a man who was laughing and asked him: “Oh my nephew! Have you safely passed over the Sirat (bridge over Hell)?” He replied, “No.” Hasan al-Basri asked: “Have you received news whether you will end up in Paradise or Hell?” The man replied that he hadn’t. So Hasan al-Basri asked, “Why do you laugh then, may Allah save you, while the matter ahead is horrifying?” That man was never seen laughing until he died. (But he smiled as this is a part of the Sunnah of the Prophet.) [Al-Hasan Al-Basri p.89, quoted in Silent Moments by Abdul-Malik Al-Qasim] The horror of Jahannum is such that one look at it will have a man willing even to throw his children, his wife, his brother, his parents, and his entire clan into it if by doing so he can escape himself. We cannot imagine throwing our children into any fire on earth to escape it ourselves, yet this is wh...