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10 Ways To Get Closer To Allah

It should be the desire of every Muslim to draw nearer and closer to Almighty Allah the most compassionate and the most merciful. By drawing closer and near to Allah we gain his help in every aspect of our lives in this world and to be merciful to us so that we may gain mercy in the hereafter in order to enter Jannah in the next world.

When we call upon him he would answer our calls and when we ask of him for anything he would give it to us when we draw nearer to him then our sincerity and intentions will enable us to become closer to him.

So we should strive to draw nearer to Allah, the Glorified the Exalted, who is the majesty of honor and generosity and the giver of peace, the highest and the most honored.

So what can we do to draw closer to him? The following are 10 steps for us to draw closer to our Almighty Allah:

1. Fulfilling obligatory duties and abstaining from prohibited matters.

The Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) has guided us. And Allah, the Glorified and the Exalted has guided us on how to draw near to Him. As He said According to Hadith Qudsi: “Whoever draws near to Me among those drawn near by fulfilling what I have made obligatory on them….
You do not draw near to Allah except by fulfilling the obligatory duties which Allah has made obligatory on you; (that is) the obligatory duties from the obligatory duties (Faraid) such as Prayers, Zakat (obligatory charity), and Hajj, and Fasting and being good to Parents and all these obligatory duties on you draw you near to Allah, the Glorified and the Exalted.

2. Nawafil prayers (supererogatory prayers)

Allah says in Hadith Qudsi: ….and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil(voluntary deeds) until I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My Protection, I will protect him…” [Bukhari]

A Source of Elevation for you
The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Ask (anything).” Rabi’ah said: “I ask of you to be your companion in paradise.” The Prophet said: “Anything else?” Rabi’ah said: “That is it.” The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said to him: “Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., supererogatory prayers).” [Muslim]

3. Zikr (remembrance of Allah) and glorification of Allah

“…Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (13:28)

Remembrance of Allah is the foundation of all good deeds. Whoever succeeds in it is blessed with the close friendship of Allah.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to make remembrance of Allah at all times and also encouraged all of us to do the same. When a man complained, “The laws of Islam are too heavy for me, so tell me something that I can easily follow,” the Prophet told him, “Let your tongue be always busy with the remembrance of Allah.” [Ahmad].

4. Calling upon Allah in Dua (supplication)

In order to build a close relationship with Allah we should always call upon him in all situations and circumstances whether we are happy or sad and we should ask him for all of our needs as well as help and guidance in all aspects of our lives.

Allah the most compassionate says in the Holy Quran, “Call on Me. I will answer your prayer, but those who are too arrogant to serve me will surely find themselves humiliated in Hell” (40:60).

So let us build a close relationship with Allah by making much dua to him. He loves it when his slave calls upon him and it angers him if his slave does not call upon him.

Let us have full hope that our dua’s will be accepted and if you think they won’t they know Allah is keeping the rewards for you in the hereafter and those rewards are so great that one would wish that none of their duas were excepted in this world just so that one can gain all the rewards for their duas in the next world.

5. Building a close relationship with the Qur’an

Recite the Holy Qur’an as much as we can for It will come as an intercessor for its reciter’ on the Day of Judgement [Muslim]
Learn the Qur’an and recite it, because the example of one who learns the Qur’an, reads it, and recites it in Tahajjud is like an open bag full of musk whose fragrance permeates the entire place. And the person who has learned the Qur’an but sleeps while the Qur’an is in the heart is like a bag full of musk but with its mouth closed.

Virtues of reciting the Qur’an
“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the hasanah is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is (considered as) a letter, rather Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter, and Meem is a letter.” [At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darimi]

6. Keeping good company

One of the most important things we must do, which sadly many people neglect, is we should avoid bad company. People, we should avoid taking as friends those who speak too freely, who miss Salah, who do not dress modestly, who backbite, slander, etc.

The company of such people is poison; just even sitting and talking with them will lead one to commit sins. Just as a person who sits for a long time with a perfume seller begins to smell nice, and a person who sits by a gutter cleaner begins to smell awful, similarly a person who spends time in the company of the wicked eventually gets affected badly by them.

Rather, we should seek out pious friends who fear Allah Taala and who have the qualities of humility, charity, compassion, modesty, and knowledge. If we sit with them we will always benefit and they will be a means for us to get closer to Allah Taala!

7. Having fear and hope in Allah

Indeed, no one despairs relief from Allah except the disbelieving people..(Surah Yusuf 12:87)
One must be hopeful of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness and fearful of His punishment. It is this fear that should lead one to seek Allah’s forgiveness with hope. Allah says: Know that Allah is severe in punishment and that Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (Surat al-Maaidah 5:98)

In the above verse, Allah gives us reason to fear because His punishment is justly severe, as well as a good reason to have hope, since He is the Most Forgiving and Merciful. There should be a balance between fear and hope and not too much or too less of one or the other.

8. Voluntary fasting for the pleasure of Allah

Fasting in general and voluntary fasting, in particular, is a great worship. Fasting is not restricted to Ramadhan, but it is an act of worship that can be [and should be in some cases] performed at any time and at any place except when not recommended. Indeed, it is worship that draws the believer closer to Allah and closer to perfection.

Fasting Mondays and Thursdays:
`Aa’ishah said: The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa salam, used to fast Mondays and Thursdays”. [An-Nasaa’i; Sahih]

Abu Hurairah reported that the most the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa salam, would fast be Monday and Thursday. He was asked about that and he said: “The deeds of people are presented to Allah every Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives every Muslim except for those who are deserting each other. He says: “leave them for later.” [Ahmad; Hasan]

9. Sincerely repenting to Allah

Allah says: O son of Adam, if your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky and you would then seek My forgiveness, I would forgive you.

When a person sins and then sincerely turns to Allah for forgiveness, one will find Allah ready to accept his repentance and forgive him, as this verse indicates:

And whoever does a wrong or wrongs himself, but then seeks forgiveness from Allah, he will find Allah forgiving and merciful. (Surat an-Nisaa 4:110)

Everyone commits sin and does wrong, but Allah is always willing to forgive and He always gives them a chance to repent and seek His forgiveness. A believer should never forget the fact that Allah is so forgiving. If Allah had willed, He could have held everyone accountable for his or her sins, but He has decreed that He shall allow His servants to seek His forgiveness and that He shall in fact forgive who and what He wills. In fact, Allah commands that His servants seek His forgiveness:

10. Having good manners, character, and being humble

Many of us think that “a perfect Muslim” is simply one who is correct in the observance of the salah (ritual Prayer), the fasting, the zakah (payment of a certain portion of one’s wealth to the poor), and the Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah). This indeed is not the case.

If the ritual observances do not help the person to be humble, virtuous, and truly God-fearing, then he or she is not a real Muslim. A Muslim should be good and just in dealing with others, no matter their religion, and take special care to keep away from all the shameful and sinful things Allah has forbidden.

One can never get close to Allah by being arrogant, full of pride, and having bad character and manners. Those who have humility and are humble and have good character and manners are the closest to Allah and Allah raises their ranks in the hereafter. The best person is the one who is best toward others.

By: Ahmad Afnan

Al-Khaliq: The Creator

Allah created every animal from water. Some of them go on their bellies, some of them on two legs, and some on four. Allah creates whatever He wills … Allah has power over all things. (Surat an-Nur, 24:45)

Bees accomplish their tasks perfectly. Worker bees construct the hive, ventilate it, and maintain a constant temperature in it. They also bring in the nutrients they collect from flowers. The queen bee, on the other hand, remains in the hive and ensures the community’s continuity. The gnat larva changes its skin four times before it fully completes its development. Toward the end of the pupa period, the pupa cocoon, which is covered with a special viscous liquid that protects the gnat’s head from contact with water, is torn at the top and the adult gnat climbs onto the water with only its feet touching it.

Bees and gnats are the only two types of living beings on this planet. Yet, as is the case with all other living beings, Allah determines when they will be born, live, and die. From the time they are born, they live as Allah considers proper for them and commands them to live. Never do they transgress the boundaries of their assigned duties. This holds true for lizards that survive in deserts where the temperature reaches 50° Celsius (122° Fahrenheit), as well as for penguins living in polar regions where the temperature can drop far below -50° Celsius (-58° Fahrenheit) or sponges whose habitat is thousands of meters below the ocean’s surface. The earlier ones also lived in the same way and the latter ones will continue to do so, for Allah determines a way of life for each living being. Therefore, no living being can determine how it will live, for this determination lies only with Allah, to Whom they all submit.

Humanity is a tiny part of life, a being Allah created from a drop of water and granted a way of life. Thus, only He can determine when a person will be born or die, control the aging process, or will one to be immune or susceptible to any weakness or disease. The unprecedented nature of His power and His control over everything is related in the Qur’an, as follows:

He is the Originator of the heavens and Earth… How could He have a son when He has no wife? He created all things and has knowledge of all things. (Surat al-An‘am, 6:101)

Say: “Who is the Lord of the heavens and Earth?” Say: “Allah.” Say: “So why have you taken protectors apart from Him who possess no power to help or harm themselves?” Say: “Are the blind and the seeing equal? Or are darkness and light the same? Or have they assigned partners to Allah, Who creates as He creates, so that all creating seems the same to them?” Say: “Allah is the Creator of everything. He is the One, the All-Conquering.” (Surat ar-Ra‘d, 13:16)

They will ask their skins: “Why did you testify against us?” and they will reply: “Allah gave us speech, as He has given speech to everything. He created you in the first place, and you will be returned to Him.” (Surah Fussilat, 41:21)

Human Psychology

All Praises and Glories to Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Beneficent. Peace be upon Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him), his Sahabas, and all of us.

Man is a creature of haste: soon (enough) will I show you My signs; then ye will not ask Me to hasten them! – (Quran 21:37).

When a person gives you some information that you already knew , do not say I already know it .Because the information is a message for those who did not knew it already, and a reminder for the people, who already knew it.- Prophet (Peace be upon him)

When a person speaks to you do not feel that he is referring to you – Prophet (Peace be upon him)
Do not be carried away by the beauties of Wording – Prophet (Peace be upon him)

Please analyze the above verses. When we go through the above verses, we can understand that human nature is very well defined. Amazing! Isn’t it .Yes, each human have the above qualities, which is well described by whom else than ALLAH, our creator and Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him), his messenger.

No other book in human psychology was/is/will be as comprehensive as The Quran. There was/is/will be no psychologist as good as our Prophet (peace be upon him).

Some Recipes of success are:
Please don’t do things in haste or take decision in hurry. Let us do things calmly and coolly. [“Even if it is time for prayer when you walk to mosque, walk slowly and steadily” – Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him)]

Islam tells that man should not do things on assumptions. So, please don’t do things or make decisions based on assumptions. Man has better communication skills than any other human being. So, it is better to clarify matters rather than to assume them ourselves.

When someone tell something, which we already know, even then we should give an ear to him. We should not go by the western logic that do not repeat obvious thing Even if someone tell us that aero plane flies in the sky, please listen to him.

When someone speaks about anything to us, we should not feel that he is talking with reference to us
Please don’t be carried away by the beauties of the wording, like it is in the case of most poetry. Let us see the meaning. Please don’t see who speaks to us; let us see what he speaks.

Why Should I Study Islam?

Many years ago in Uzbekistan, a baby boy was born blind. His mother, the strong believer that she was, did not lose sight of He who had the power to cure him. She prayed and prayed for her son’s sight, and within a few years, the boy regained his eyesight. But furthermore, she was widowed, and the boy an orphan. Regardless, she traveled with him to Makkah so that he could receive an Islamic education. She arranged for him to attend the circles of the scholars. He began excelling in the science of Hadith. He traveled to distant villages in search of the most authentic sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him). His mother named him Muhammad Ibn Isma’il. Many of us know him today by the book he compiled – the book that stands after the Qur’an in authenticity – Saheeh Al-Bukhari.

Another scholarly name we are familiar with is Imam Suyuti. What many of us may not know is that he authored his first book, Tafseer Bismillaah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem, when he was in the 2nd grade!

Why should we try to follow in the footsteps of these stars of Islam? The knowledge they had was unlike anything else. It was the law of Allah and the inheritance of the Prophets. It is our duty to preserve and protect the estate of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and that cannot happen without there being serious and sincere brothers and sisters spending long days and nights reading, reflecting, and teaching others.

A sincere man once stood on the beach shore watching the waves thrashing a fish up and down. The man decided that he must save the fish. He thrashed into the water and grabbed the fish by the tail. Then he went back to the shore and threw the fish on the beach, satisfied that he had saved it from the water! When we work for the sake of Allah without knowledge of what the path of Allah is, many times we do as this young man did.

We are living in an age of information. We have publishing houses when only yesterday our ancestors wrote the books they owned with their own hands. We have CDs to search the Hadith archives when our scholars spent days upon days searching for proof and evidence in their libraries. Knowledge should increase with all this ease, but it has not.

When a prize is great, the responsibility and work required for it shall also be great. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever seeks out a path to acquire knowledge (of the deen), Allah makes easy a path for him to Jannah” (Muslim)

He also told us that sincere scholars have a place with Allah no one else can reach. He (peace be upon him) said:

“The virtue of the scholar to a worshipper (‘aabid) is similar to the virtue of the moon when it is full to the rest of the stars.” (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah – Authentic)

One of the Hadith scholars that Imam Bukhari took from, Hisham ibn Ammar narrates an incident that happened to him when he was 8 years old. He said, “My father sold a house of his for 20 dinars so that I could go for Hajj (and study Islam). When I arrived in Madina, I went to the circle of Imam Malik. He was sitting amongst his students like a king. People would ask him questions and he would answer. When I entered the crowd and my turn came up I said, ‘Haddathani (recite to me)!’

“He said, ‘Rather you read.’

“I said, ‘No, you haddathani!’

“Imam Malik said, ‘No you read!’

“When I talked back and argued, he got angry and said to another student, go outside with me and hit me 15 times! That student took me outside and hit me 15 times with a stick and then brought me back to Imam Malik. I said, ‘You have wronged me! My father sold his house so that I could come to you and be honored by listening to your teaching and seeking knowledge from you. But you smacked me 15 times without any crime on my part. I shall not forgive you!’

“Imam Malik then said, ‘What is the expiation for this wrong?’

“I said, ‘You have to recite 15 Hadith to me as expiation.’

“So Imam Malik began reciting the Hadith to me until he completed 15. When he ended I told him, ‘Beat me more and read more Hadith to me.’

“Imam Malik laughed and said, ‘Be off.”

(Ma’rifat Al-Qurraa’ Al-Kibaar by Imam Adh-Dhahabi)

From the beginning of time, there has been a race between the doers of good and the doers of evil.

‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) once said, “I seek Allah’s protection from the Jalad (the strength and enthusiasm) of the sinner, and the laziness of the God-fearer.” It is as if he was contemplating the time that we are now living in.

Why are we too lazy to pray 2 Rakat at night, when the people of the Dunya spend the entire night watching movies?

Some of the Fuqahaa’ who came before us said, “For years I desired to eat Hareesah (a sweet dish) and I wasn’t able to because it was only sold during class time.”

Imam Su’bah said, “If I ever saw someone running in the streets of the village I would only think one of two things: He was either crazy or a student of Hadith!”

To correct the situation we must reflect on the following:

· We must be sincere in our desire to learn Islam. It is not a coincidence that the first Hadith in Saheeh Al-Bukhari is, “Verily actions are (judged) by their intentions…” The scholars are reminding us from page one that our path to learning must be for the sake of Allah. Allah ordered us to be sincere to Him in our actions:

“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat: and that is the right religion.” (Qur’an, 98:5)

· We should understand that we are in a continuous war with Satan and that he does not want us to succeed in this studying. Allah says:

“So when you want to recite the Qur’an, seek refuge with Allah from Shaitan (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one).” (Qur’an, 16:98)

One way Satan will sit in your path is by making you procrastinate. He will tell you that you are busy now and that later in your life you shall take the time out to study Islam. Life will pass and the ‘after’ shall live forever.

· We should never forget to pray to Allah to bless us with His Mercy in succeeding in our intentions to learn Islam for His sake. Allah says:

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.” (Qur’an, 2:186).

Islamic Perspective On Personal Privacy

The personal privacy of the individual is an integral part of his dignity. The private dwelling is therefore made immune to intrusion of all kinds. Strangers who wish to enter private homes are required to greet the inhabitants and familiarize themselves with courtesy and respect (See: Qur’an, 24:27). Permission to enter a private home is thus to be solicited thrice, and if it is still not granted, there should be no further repetition and the stranger must leave. This is clearly stated in a Hadith which directed the believers that “asking for permission is (allowed up to) three times. If it is not granted to you, you must return.” (Sahih Muslim)

The Hadith here elaborates on the two requirements of familiarization (isti’nas) and greeting (taslim) that are laid down in the above-mentioned Qur’anic verse. The order of priority between these two requirements has also been specified in another Hadith which simply declared that “The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Greeting precedes the speech.” (Mubarakfuri, ‘Aradat Al-Ahwadhi, Sharh Jami’ Al-Tirmidhi)

Spying (tajassus) is forbidden by the clear text of the Qur’an, and so is indulgence in suspicion and surreptitious activities that are degrading and offensive to the personal dignity of the individual (Qur’an, 49:12). The Qur’anic prohibition on spying occurs in general terms.

One must act on the basis of what he knows through direct observation without recourse to spying, eavesdropping, and other methods of searching for evidence. (Al-Dughmi, Ahkam Al-Tajassus, p. 149)

The second Caliph, Umar Bin Al-Khattab clarified the government’s position when he said that the government acts on what is evident; one who exhibits good character should not be suspected of anything but good; for the inner secrets of people are only known to Allah Most High. (Al-Tabari, Tarikh, v. 26)

The general text of the Qur’an on the prohibition of spying similarly means that all varieties of espionage are included. Furthermore, the Qur’anic text on espionage is immediately preceded by an address to the believers to “avoid indulgence in suspicion, for sure suspicion in most cases is sinful, and spy not…” (Qur’an, 49:12)

Espionage originates in suspicion, which is also to be avoided as far as possible, although the wording of the text is not as categorical on suspicion as it is on spying. The text here seems to permit suspicion that is based on reasonable grounds. The point, however, is that both are seen as a threat to personal dignity and a violation of the individual’s right to privacy.

The prohibition of spying also includes the opening of personal letters and confidential correspondence. This is, in fact, the subject of a Hadith to the effect that “one who looks into the letter of his brother without his permission is like looking into the fire of Hell.” (Al-Suyuti, Al-Jami’ As-Saghir, p. 165; Ibn Majah, Al-Adab Al-Shar`iyya, vol. 2, p. 166)

The prohibition of espionage is thus addressed to everyone and to all concerned, including, that is, law enforcement agencies, individuals, and government leaders.

– The Dignity of Man, Ilmiah Publishers

Never Give Up: Don’t Let Satan Win

Most of the issues new Muslims face in Islam can be easily overcome if they remain patient, seek knowledge, and remain positive.

“I’ve had it! I’m done!
I’ve tried as much as I can, and nothing seems to ever work out the way it is supposed to.
No matter what I do it never seems to be enough.
I will never be a good Muslim, and I will never hold up to everyone’s expectations of me.”

Does this sound familiar to you?
You or someone you know have probably said this during some stage in life.
It happens. Life happens. What was the outcome of that hopeless time period?

Reverts’ Challenges
– Challenges of Hijab for New Reverts
– Traps of Satan for New Muslims!
– Reverts’ Challenges at College & Work
– New Muslims Overcoming Isolation
– Reverts: Heroes or Social Misfits?

It passed right?
All things get resolved in time, we just have to be patient and remain positive. I’m sure there was a time in your life when you couldn’t find a job and felt you never would, but eventually, you found one. You probably had a conflict with a family member that you thought was going to be the end of the world, but somehow, things are back to normal.

If you look in hindsight at every struggle we have ever faced, you can usually say that you overcame all of them. The only time we face a hardship that is not overcome is typically when we fail to do something about it, and fail to remain positive and hopeful.

I’m frequently contacted by new Muslims all around the world with various life struggles with various strenuous circumstances that have left them in a state of hopelessness and despair. Whether it is a marriage falling apart due to the strain of their ability to implement and practice Islam to the expectations of their spouses, or inability to learn the prayers for whatever reason, criticisms of the community they live in, or even putting so much pressure on themselves to be perfect and feeling that they will never reach that state, leaves them to start contemplating if they made the correct choice in accepting Islam.

New Muslims are always told that “Islam is easy”, which can be a bit misleading to a new Muslim depending on the mindset and way that they interpret a particular matter based on whatever struggles they are having.

When a new Muslim is told that “Islam is easy”, yet something about the religion for them seems extremely difficult (for whatever circumstances or reasons), it can cause them to think that they will never be a good Muslim, because if it is so easy, then why can’t they feel that themselves? Then they start to doubt themselves, and Islam in general.

So, what is the problem? Why do some new Muslims give up?

What can new Muslims do to remain positive and not give up?

Remaining Positive Is the Key to Everything!

our worst enemy – wants to see new Muslims in a state of despair.

Most of the issues new Muslims face in Islam can be easily overcome if they remain patient, seek knowledge, and remain positive.

Shaitan (Satan) – our worst enemy – wants to see new Muslims in a state of despair and will whisper to them things that will make them pity themselves and have doubts. This is his job, and he is the expert in it! He loves nothing more than making someone walk away from God. He is a pest… What do we do when pests enter our homes?

Do we sit in utter doom thinking that there is no solution? Do we feel sorry for ourselves and never let the light of hope enter? No! We don’t, because we know that it may take some time, but we can get rid of them. We get bug spray and eliminate them.

The same rule applies here. Get your can of shaitan spray in hand and be on guard. Be ready to spray anytime you see him show his ugly face. Don’t let shaitan ever feel that you are scared of him and what he can do, otherwise, he will invade every part of your home and life. When he sees that you are strong and don’t want to live with his ugliness, your ability to be positive will grow and grow. No one wants to live with pests, right? You will feel hopeful and positive that you will eliminate this pest when you have armed yourself with what he hates most! Pest spray (Faith and trust in God).

Let’s discuss a few forms shaitan gets to people
There are many methods by that shaitan attack new Muslims to make them doubt their decisions. We can evaluate how their attitudes and outlook can change everything if they just remain positive and seek out solutions.

The Lonely Shaitan
Shaitan is lonely and wants to be your friend, so don’t become his best pal! I realize that loneliness is a horrible feeling, and I can’t just snap my fingers and put friends and family in front of me, but that doesn’t mean it is the end of the world as you know it. Just because he is there wanting your attention doesn’t mean that he is the friend you need to have.

If you are a negative thinker, you will probably stay at home and pout, and the lonely shaitan will entertain you day and night. Get your pest spray out and get rid of that loneliness shaitan! Be positive, and get out and go do something! Anything! Meet new people. They don’t have to be Muslims, but if there is a large Muslim community near you, do your best to make new friends with them. Frequent places where they gather, visit the masjid regularly, get involved in events and you will make new friends. It takes time, but it takes time to make a new friend regardless of where you meet them, or what their religion is, right?

The Marital Shaitan
Shaitan prides himself in keeping people unmarried or divorced. Always remember that. Just because you may be single doesn’t mean that you are the victim of shaitan, but don’t let him be what prevents you from getting married. Watch out though….he may actually be the one to have you marry a particular person that is not good for you because he loves to see people divorce.

New Muslims are pushed to marry quickly and encouraged to marry someone that may not match them. Don’t be one of these people that lets other people make their decisions for them. Shaitan thrives on people that can’t think for themselves.

Know what you want, make it known, and don’t accept anything less, even if it takes time. Look for a pious spouse, and make sure that you are a pious spouse worth being sought out for. Remaining hopeful and positive while being patient will pay off in the long run in this matter because if you make a rushed decision, it can destroy you in a heartbeat through a divorce.

The Poor & Jobless Shaitan
He is weak, and when he becomes desperate, he is easier to convince to go against Allah.
When we are in misery, the shaitan is happy. When a person is struggling financially, the shaitan sees an opportunity to influence a believer. He is weak, and when he becomes desperate, he is easier to convince to go against Allah. The perfect example of this is the single mother that reverted to Islam and is the sole provider for her child. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and shaitan is usually successful. Shaitan can make a woman feel that she will never find a job wearing a hijab, and as she becomes desperate, she may consider removing her hijab just for the sake of getting a job.

{Do men think that they will be left alone by saying, “We believe”, and that they will not be tested?} (29:2)

{Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.} (2:155)

Allah is our provider, and as long as we are trying to do our best to please Him, He will provide for us in ways unexpected. Stay positive and don’t become weak, and He will open the doors of opportunity in places you were not expecting that are better for you than the jobs you were seeking. He may close a door, but He will open another if you put your trust in Him and remain patient and steadfast.

{And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.} (65:3)

The Black Sheep Shaitan
Family is the core support for an individual. Parents have no ulterior motives for their children and always look out for their best interests. New Muslims typically lack this after accepting Islam, leaving them without this core support system. Shaitanpreys on these individuals because of it! So be alert!

This is a very prominent occurrence amongst new Muslims. They try to do everything prescribed in Islam from day one. Always be hopeful and ask Allah to guide your family to Islam, open their hearts and make it easy to have a loving relationship with them. Even if you don’t have a great relationship with your family, be grateful that you have one. Think of the orphans all around the world that don’t have a family to have any sort of relationship with! Alhamdulilah

The Burn Out
This is a very prominent occurrence amongst new Muslims. They try to do everything prescribed in Islam from day one, and 99% of the time, find themselves exhausted, unable to keep up, and wanting to give up. They burn out.

This is a joyous event for the shaitan. If you try to do too much, too quickly, you will be overwhelmed, and won’t be able to keep it up, and then have doubts about if you could ever be a good Muslim. Many new Muslims leave Islam for this reason alone. They feel doomed to hellfire. Don’t fall into this trap.

Conclusion:
Our troubles erase our sins, while patience with them raises us in status, and when Allah loves His creation, He tests him.

Think Positive!

Think positively of Allah and positive things will come.

Prophet Muhammad said: “Allah says: ‘I am as My slave thinks I am, and I am with him when he calls on Me.’” (Al-Bukhari 7405 and Muslim 2675)

By Shannon Abulnasr

The Signs Of The Munafiqs

[Extracted from Sahih Muslim , Kitab Sifat Al-Munafiqin ]

Turning away from the Intercession of the Holy Prophet Muhammed Salalaahu Alahi wasallam in seeking Allah’s forgiveness

Jabir b. Abdullah reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: He who climbed this hill, the hill of Murar, his sins would be obliterated as were obliterated the sins of Bani Isra’il.

So the first to take their horses were the people of Banu Khazraj. Then there was a ceaseless flow of persons and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to them:

” All of you are those who have been pardoned except the owner of a red camel.”

We came to him and said to him: You also come on, so that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) may seek forgiveness for you.

But he said: By Allah, so far as I am concerned, the finding of something lost is dearer to me than seeking of forgiveness for me by your companion (the Holy Prophet), and he remained busy in finding out his lost thing.
Sahih Muslim Book 38, Number 6691 :

Plotting against the near and dear of the Holy Prophet Muhammed Sallalaahu Alaihi wasallam and turning away from the Intercession of the Holy Prophet Muhammed Salalaahu Alahi wasallam in seeking Allah’s forgiveness

 

Zaid b. Arqam reported: We set out on a journey along with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) in which we faced many hardships.

‘Abdullah b. Ubayy said to his friends: Do not give what you have in your possession to those who are with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) until they desert him.

Zubair said: That is the reciting of that person who recited as min haulahu (from around him) and the other reciting is man haulahia (who are around him).And in this case when we would return to Medina the honorable would drive out the meaner therefrom (lxiv. 8)

.I came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) and informed him about that and he sent someone to ‘Abdullah b. Ubayy and he asked him whether he had said that or not. He took an oath to the fact that he had not done that and told that it was Zaid who had stated a lie to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him)

.Zaid said: I was much perturbed because of this until this verse was revealed attesting my truth: “When the hypocrites come” (lxiii. 1).

Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) then called them in order to seek forgiveness for them, but they turned away their heads as if they were hooks of wood fixed in the wall (lxiii. 4), and they were in fact apparently good-looking persons.
Sahih Muslim Book 38, Number 6677:

Finally the Quranic verses for the Munafiqs
The Glorious Quraan Surah Nisa Verse 60-Verse 65
Verse 60. Have you not seen these (hypocrites) who claim (verbally) that they believe in this (Book i.e. the Qur’an,) which has been revealed to you and also in those (revealed Books) which were sent down before you? (But) they desire to take their disputes (for settlement) to Satan (i.e. the law based on defiance against Allah’s Commandments) although they have been ordained to reject it (openly). And Satan only desires to lead them far astray.

Verse 61. And when they are asked to come to what Allah has revealed (the Qur’an) and to the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him), you will see that the hypocrites turn away from (coming towards) you( O Beloved ).

In the above verse, Allah reveals to his beloved Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alahi wasallam two kinds of Dawah to the Ummah.
1. Come to Allah and what he has revealed
2. Come to the Apostle Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alahi wasallam

The Munafiqs will turn away from the second Dawah, they may come to Allah and what he has revealed, BUT they will not come towards The Holy Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alahi wasallam

Verse 62. Then what will be their plight (at that time) when some disaster befalls them on account of their own crooked works, and they will appear before you swearing by Allah, (saying): ‘We intended nothing but piety and mutual harmony’?

Verse 63. These are the (hypocrite and vicious) people that Allah knows best every secret of their hearts. So, avoid them and admonish them persistently and establish effective communication with them about themselves.

Verse 64. And We have not sent any Messenger but that he must be obeyed by the Command of Allah. And, (O Beloved,) if they, having wronged their souls, had come to you imploring the forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) had also asked forgiveness for them, then (owing to this mediation and intercession) they would certainly have found Allah Most Relenting, Ever-Merciful.

The Wasilla(Intermediation) of prophet Muhammed Salalaahu Alahi Wa Sallam is established in the above verse

Allah says that he would have forgiven the Munafiq’s had they come to Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alahi Wa Sallam and asked for Allah’s forgiveness from him and Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alahi Wa Sallam also would have asked for their forgiveness from Allah, then they would have found Allah most forgiving.

Verse 65. So, (O Beloved,) by your Lord, they cannot become true believers until they make you a judge in every dispute that arises amongst them, and thereafter they do not feel any resentment in their hearts against the judgment that you make, and submit (to your decision) gladly, with total submission.

Allah says to his beloved Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alahi Wa Sallam that the Munafiqs cannot be True Believers until they make prophet Muhammed Salalaahu Alahi Wa Sallam a judge in every dispute that arises amongst them and then after Muhammed Salalaahu Alahi wasallam makes any judgment, they have to accept his judgment by their heart, and this can happen only when they have Love and Respect of prophet Muhammed Salalaahu Alahi wasallam above everything else in their hearts, This verse shifts the focus of Attention from Allah The Creator to Allah’s Beloved Prophet who is a Creation, and The Holy Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu Alahi wasallam was made the center of Imaan by Allah and Imaan depends Hugely on the Love and Respect of the Holy Prophet

Tanveer Pasha

Do Not Ridicule And Defame Others

[ALLAH’S Quran – 49:11] “O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name [i.e., mention] of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers..”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:

[Bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #58] “Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet was not one who would abuse (others) or say obscene words, or curse (others), and if he wanted to admonish anyone of us, he used to say: “What is wrong with him, his forehead be dusted!”

[Bukhari, Book #73, Hadith #72] “Narrated Anas: Allah’s Apostle was neither a Fahish (one who had a bad tongue) nor a Sabbaba (one who abuses others) and he used to say while admonishing somebody, “What is wrong with him? May dust be on his forehead!”

[Bukhari, Book #46, Hadith #721 ] “Narrated Al-Ma’rur bin Suwaid: I saw Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing a cloak. We asked him about that (i.e. how both were wearing similar cloaks). He replied, “Once I abused a man and he complained of me to the Prophet. The Prophet asked me, ‘Did you abuse him by slighting his mother?’ He added, ‘Your slaves are your brethren upon whom Allah has given you authority. So, if one has one’s brethren under one’s control, one should feed them with the like of what one eats and clothe them with the like of what one wears. You should not overburden them with what they cannot bear, and if you do so, help them (in their hard job).”

[Sunan Abu Dawud, Book #41, Hadith #4859] “Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The gravest sin is going to lengths in talking unjustly against a Muslim’s honor, and it is a major sin to abuse twice for abusing once.

[Muslim, Book #032, Hadith #6263] “Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When two persons indulge in hurling (abuses) upon one another, it would be the first one who would be the sinner so long as the oppressed does not transgress the limits.”

Allah, Be He Glorified From All That They Ascribe As Partner To Him

[ALLAH’S Quran – 9:31] “They have taken as lords beside Allah their rabbis and their monks and the Messiah son of Mary when they were bidden to worship only One Allah. There is no Allah save Him. Be He Glorified from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said : [Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 8] Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) mentioned the greatest sins or he was asked about the greatest sins. He said, “To join partners in worship with Allah; to kill a soul which Allah has forbidden to kill, and to be undutiful or unkind to one’s parents.” The Prophet (PBUH) added, “Shall I inform you of the biggest of the great sins? That is the forged statement or the false witness.” Shu`ba (the sub-narrator) states that most probably the Prophet said, “the false witness.”

Sincerity In Obedience

Ikhlas (Sincerity)
Sincerity in obeying Allah is among the obligations of the heart. It is also one of the good characteristics. Sincerity in obeying Allah is doing good deeds for the sake of Allah only. It is not doing them to seek the praise and respect of people. Allah made sincerity a condition for the acceptance of good deeds.

Allah, Ta’ala, said in the Qur’an:
Ayah 110 of Surah Al-Kahf means: “Let the one who believes in the Day of Judgment do good deeds without seeking the praise of the people by doing so.”

The sincere person is the one who performs good deeds be it praying, fasting, Hajj, Zakah, or reciting the Qur’an seeking the reward from Allah, and not for the sake of people praising and mentioning him.

The one who is praying should be performing obedience for the sake of Allah only, not so that the people will say: “So and so prays, he does not miss any obligation.”

Also, the one who is fasting should be fasting for the sake of Allah only. The same applies to, the case of the one who is giving Zakah, sadaqah, reciting the Qur’an, or anyone who is performing a good deed.

The Prophet, sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam, said:  “Certainly, Allah loves for one of you when performing a deed to perform it properly.”
Someone said: “How is that, O Messenger of Allah?”
He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) replied: “One does it only for the sake of Allah and according to the rules of the Religion.”
(Narrated by As-Suyutiyy.)

Riya (Insincerity)
Is the opposite of sincerity. It is doing good deeds, such as fasting, for the praise of the people and their admiration.
Insincerity nullifies the reward of the deed. The performer of any deed that is done with insincerity receives no reward, whether it was done for the praise of people only or coupled with seeking the reward. Moreover, such a person commits an enormous sin.

Priding oneself in obeying Allah
After performing certain types of obedience, some people feel conceitedly proud of these actions. They feel they have high status because of performing these actions, forgetting that Allah is the One Who inspired and enabled them to do these good deeds.

Insincerity and priding oneself on obeying Allah are two sins of the heart. They are also two bad characteristics that the pubescent person must avoid. One should be sincere while obeying Allah to earn the reward from Allah.