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The Inward Adab Of Supplication

Notes from Sheikh Ibn Ata’illah’s (d.709h) Hikam with its commentaries by Ibn Ajeebah and al-Shurnubi with anecdotes from Imam Qushayri’s Risalah

Worldly Provisions are decreed by Divine will previous to the suffering of the human race. This is why human entreaty is not the reason for Divine provision. Man’s supplication is therefore the manifestation of his servitude, poverty, and humility to his Lord. Sheikh Abu al-Hassan al-Shadhili al-Maghribi is recorded to have said, ‘The concern of your supplication should not be success in the fulfillment of your need, since this may leave you unanswered; rather, your purpose should be a humble call to your lord’.

How can your supplication entail Allah’s pre-eternal bestowal? The Divine order is exalted and way above the alliance of causes. Allah’s intention is absolute, where there is no room for qualification, and his will is prevalent where none rescinds His command.

Allah’s favor in you is not because of your supplication, it is because He wanted to favor you before your existence. Do you not ponder? Where were you when His favor embraced you and His shelter embosomed you in pre-eternity? There were no sincere acts, nor were there the states of the hearts at that time!? Yet there was none but purely His Grace and a Great measure of Benevolence for you. Hence, there is no consideration for anything but His decree, so await His kindness.

There are people whose etiquette sometimes leads them to pay no heed to their question whilst solely relying on His distribution and busying themselves in His remembrance. For them, etiquette is to busy themselves in His remembrance rather than their own. Allah says about such people, ‘I shall give the best of what I give to those who ask, to whoever busied himself with my remembrance over his quest’. They know Allah is the knower of the hearts and is the best planner. For the one who remembers Allah, invoking unites his dispersed heart and pervades his will and his broken resolve. This station is indicated in this verse, ‘and those who strive in our cause-We will certainly guide them to our paths’ (29:69). For others, to bring about the supplication to the tongue is to exhibit one’s absolute slavehood and neediness in front of his Lord. Allah says, ‘Call on your Lord with humility and in private’ (7:55). The former make no complaints about their state, knowing that it is not concealed to Him. For the latter, the early stage of their supplication is to mediate to their lord by means of their need of Him ‘faqr ilayhi’. It is then they realise that the Divine Entity is limitless and their need of Him is limited, thus it is merely impossible for them to intercede by their need. The Salik’s station is to mediate through his poverty, and the Arif’s station is to supplicate without this mediation or to stay silent.

For many, supplication is a means of relieving emotional frustration and stress. Upon commencing the supplication, one wants to pour out his/her concern and hurriedly awaits a response. This is not the spirit of supplication. Of course, supplication is a means of relieving one’s tensions, but some inward etiquettes have to be maintained therein.

Why Halal And Haram?

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate
“May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You”

Praise be to Allah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

ALLAH SWT, the Almighty, created this magnificent and immaculate universe to favor HIS crowned creation, human beings. ALLAH SWT mentions in the holy Quran, “And HE has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth – all from him. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought” [Al-Jathiyah 45:13].

By virtue of HIS wisdom, ALLAH SWT has proclaimed many things comprised within this world as Halal (lawful) and few others Haram (unlawful) in order to assess our obedience towards HIM.

One of the objectives of this earthly life is to be constantly examined. Quran quotes, “(HE) who created death and life to test you (as to) which of you is best in deed” [Al Mulk 67:2].

Hence, the one who complies with Halal and abstains from Haram in all his matters will succeed. Imam Bukhari narrated that Jundab (RA) said, “The first thing of the human body to purify is the abdomen, so he who can eat nothing but good food (Halal and lawful) should do so”.

Islamic rulings clearly emphasize Halal and Haram, albeit some matters have not been categorized as legal or illegal. What is the way out then?

Narrated by An-Numan bin Bashir (RA): I heard Allah’s Apostle PBUH saying, Both legal and illegal things are evident but in between them, there are doubtful (suspicious) things, and most of the people have no knowledge about them. So whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honour. And whoever
indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the private pasture (hima) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it. (O people!) Beware! Every king has a hima, and the hima of ALLAH on the earth is HIS illegal (forbidden) things. Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoil the whole body gets spoils and that is the heart.” (Bukhari).

This hadith enlightens us to refrain from doubtful matters. It also elucidates that the one who consumes unlawful, pollutes his blood that circulates to his heart resulting in the heart being rendered corrupt, and ultimately the whole body is ruined. There could be times when a person may not know the lawfulness of a particular thing, as mentioned in the hadith: “and most of the people have no knowledge about them”. He should then seek advice from a pious scholar. ALLAH the Merciful says, “So ask the people of the message if you do not know” [Al-Anbiya  21:7].

We Muslims have a common tendency to be cautious about food and are casual about other matters concerning Halal and Haram. Sharia (Islamic law) has outlined rules about Halal and Haram in all religious and worldly affairs regarding food, drinks, clothes, marriage, business transactions, behavior towards others, private issues, or issues related to public, hunting, medication, festivals, living habits, and so forth.

In fact, one can say that Islamic rulings are mostly encompassing Halal and Haram, thus making it complicated to elaborate what is lawful and what is not. Rather, the following verses enlighten us …

ALLAH says, “Say, Who has forbidden the adornment of (i.e., from) ALLAH which HE has produced for HIS servants and the good (lawful) things of provision?. Say, They are for those who believe during worldly life (but) exclusively for them on the Day of resurrection. Thus do We detail the verses for a people who know. Say My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – what is apparent if them and what is concealed – and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with ALLAH that for which HE has not sent down authority, and that you say about ALLAH that which you do not know.” [Al Araf 7:32-33]

Furthermore, ALLAH the greatest instructs, “Say: Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. (He commands) that you not associate anything with HIM, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; WE will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which ALLAH has forbidden (to be killed) except by (legal) right. This has HE instructed you that you may use reason. And do not approach the orphan’s property except in a way that is best (i.e, intending improvement) until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice.

We do not charge any soul except (with that within) its capacity. And when you speak (i.e., testify), be just (do justice), even if (it concerns) a near relative.

And fulfill the covenant (message) of ALLAH. This has HE instructed you that you may remember. And (moreover), this is MY path which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow (other) ways, for you will be separated from HIS way. This has HE instructed you that you may become righteous” [Al Anam 6:151-153]

Importance Of Friday In Islam

Friday is the sixth day of the Islamic week. The literal meaning of Friday is congregation. In Islam, this day is given more importance than any other day of the week. Every Friday, the prayer of jummah is offered, and special time is taken for this prayer.

Imams of all masjids deliver khutbah on a special topic every Friday. Muslims practiced this practice even before Muhammad s.a.w.w migrated from Makkah to Madinah, but in low numbers (reference ibn-e Majah 1082).

From various ahadith, it is proven that Muhammad s.a.w.w used to celebrate this day, and he declared jummah as weekly eid for Muslims. He s.a.w.w used to wear clean and new (washed) clothes, used to take bath, wear fragrance, wear surmah for this day specially.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w described the virtues of Jummah prayer in the following hadith with these words: ” When the Friday comes, at every door of the Masjid there stands Angels who write down (the names of) those who come First, then who comes next. When the Imam sits down, the records are closed, and they come to listen to the reminder, i.e. the Khutba….” Muslim 1984.

From the history, it is proven that jummah was the most important day for the previous nations as well. It is still considered a blessed day in many religions, for example, Hinduism. Thus, Friday is considered a special and important day right from the very beginning of humanity.

“Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, “Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutba.” Bukhari,2:425, Muslim,2:582 (Book of Friday Prayer)

Five before Five

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
All praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the most noble of the Prophets and Messengers

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
“Take benefit of five before five:
your youth before your old age,
your health before your sickness,
your wealth before your poverty,
your free time before your preoccupation,
and your life before your death.”
(Hakim)

Youth before old age
One of the things that most people take for granted is their youth. When people are young, they are full of energy and are capable of doing so many things for the sake of Allah Ta’ala, but often, we see that this energy is wasted in one way or another.

When people lose their youth, they inevitably find it harder to do those deeds and acts of worship that they found somewhat easier to do at a younger age. With old age, people find it harder to keep fard (obligatory) fasts, they may not be able to perform wudhu properly or to pray properly, and they may not have the energy to recite the Qur’an very often.

It is common to hear young people claim that they will start ‘practicing’ Islam when they get older. We should always be mindful of the fact that ‘older’ may never come around for us. We have no guarantee that we will even be alive tomorrow, let alone be alive to see our pensions or our grandchildren. And even if we are blessed with a long life, how can we be sure that we have the health – physical and mental – to practice Islam? On top of all this, we should remember that people do not just magically become ‘good’ overnight; often, we find that bad habits are hard to shift – what if we can’t get rid of our bad habits when we get old?

Health before sickness
As with our youth, we often take our health for granted. We are advised to take advantage of our good health before we are overcome with illness or disability. What we often don’t realize is that our health is a blessing from Allah Ta’ala. When we are in good health, we take it for granted and don’t always appreciate what we have. It is only when we fall ill that we realize what a great thing we had and how we let it go to waste by not doing as much ‘ibadah (worship) as we know we could – and should – have done.

Wealth before poverty
Wealth is another blessing granted to us by Allah. Wealth in this context does not necessarily mean that we have large amounts of savings or that we can afford a huge house, a top-of-the-range car, and a state-of-the-art media system. The simpler things such as a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs and food in our fridges make us amongst the world’s wealthiest people – a fact that we, more often than not, seem to overlook, particularly when we see people that have a lot more worldly possessions than we do. There are millions of people in the world today who don’t even have a drop of clean water to drink, and they don’t know where their next meal will come from. These are the people that we need to be helping with our wealth. Even a small donation can go a long way.

We should give as much as we can in the way of Allah, and we are assured of the rewards for doing so by Allah:
‘The likeness of those who spend their money for Allah’s sake, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn), it grows seven ears, every single ear has a hundred grains, and Allah multiplies (increases the reward) for whom He wills, and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures needs, All Knower’. (Al-Baqarah: 261)

Free time before preoccupation
Islam always encourages us to make the most of our time and to spend as much of it as possible in the way of Allah. We should utilize the time we have available to do as much good as we can because before we know it, this time will have passed. As mentioned above, we should use the time we have in our youth to do as much in the way of Allah as possible, because as time passes, as well as having to contend with old age and all that entails, we will inevitably have a lot more things to worry about, like jobs, homes and families – things that most of us at this present moment aren’t necessarily worried about. If we think that finding the time to practice Islam is difficult now, what will we do when life really starts to pick up the pace? There is nothing wrong with getting married and having a family, but we should appreciate the relative freedom that we have now and spend as much of it as we can on good deeds.

The concept of time is so important in Islam that Allah swears by it in the Qur’an: ‘By Time. Verily Man is in loss, except such as have faith and do good deeds, and in the mutual teaching of truth, of patience and constancy.’ (Surah Al-‘Asr)

In line with the above aayaat (verses), we have to discipline ourselves by giving value to the importance of time. We should be prompt in doing good deeds, which will increase our faith and subsequently enable us to gain Allah’s pleasure and mercy.

Life before death
The last thing that we have been advised to take advantage of is our life before our death. Every night, when we go to sleep, we enter a state where our soul leaves us. When we wake up, it is only because Allah has blessed us by returning our souls and granting us the opportunity to worship Him for at least one more day. Upon waking up in the morning, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) used to say (and we are also encouraged to do the same): ‘Praise be to Allah who gave me life after death, and to Him is the final return.’ (Bukhari)

Often, we do not fully appreciate how great a blessing it is to be given another chance. We become relaxed about death, and we don’t fully comprehend or appreciate that at some point – and only Allah Ta’ala knows when – our life will be taken away from us for good, leaving no second chance, no opportunity to make up for the wrongs we have done, and no turning back time. We must not forget what a mercy life is. We should savor every moment and use it to our best advantage. This means pleasing Allah in order to achieve our ultimate goal – Jannah.

I’ll end with a final hadith that I feel sums up the importance of all these issues:
‘A man shall be asked concerning five things on the Day of Resurrection: concerning his life, how he spent it; concerning his youth, how he grew old; concerning his wealth, how he acquired it and how he spent it; and what he did with the knowledge he had.’ (Tirmidhi)

I pray that Allah Ta’ala grant us the tawfiq to make the most of all that He has blessed us with, and that He accepts all our efforts InSha Allah.

Remembrance Of Allah According To Quran And Hadith

Allah, the Exalted, says: “And remember your Rubb by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear and without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful.” (7:205)

“And declare the perfectness of your Rubb before the rising of the sun, and before its setting.” (20:130)

“And declare the perfectness of your Rubb and praise Him in the Ashi (i.e., the time period after midday till sunset) and in the Ibkar (i.e., the time period from early morning or sunrise till before midnoon).” (40:55)

“In houses (mosques) which Allah has ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to be honored), in them His Name is mentioned in the mornings and the afternoons or the evenings. Men whom neither trade nor sale diverts from the remembrance of Allah (with heart and tongue).” (24:36,37)

“Verily, We made the mountains to declare the Perfectness of Allah with him [Dawud (David)] in the `Ashi (i.e., after the midday till sunset) and Ishraq (i.e., after the sunrise till midday).” (38:18)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “He who recites in the morning and in the evening the statement: `Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi (Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with praising Him)’ one hundred times, will not be surpassed on the Day of Resurrection by anyone with better deeds than one who utters the same words or utters more of these words.” [Muslim].

Shahr bin Haushab reported: I asked Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her), “O Mother of the Believers! Which supplication did the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) make frequently when he was in your house?” She said: “He (PBUH) supplicated frequently: Ya muqallib (O Controller of the hearts, make my heart steadfast in Your religion).” [At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: Steadfastness in religion is the conduct of great men, which cannot be acquired without the special Grace of Allah. Many turns occur in a person’s life when he becomes slack or negligent in religious matters or when he deviates from the course prescribed by religion. This prayer has outstanding importance for people who are faced with such a situation. They should recite this prayer very frequently. In fact, they should make its recitation a permanent feature.

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The supplication most often recited by the Prophet (PBUH)
was: “Allahumma atina fid-dunya hasanatan, wa fil-akhirati hasanatan, wa qina `adhab-annar (O our Rubb! give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the punishment of the Fire).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In the narration of Muslim, it is added that whenever Anas supplicated, he used to beseech Allah with this Dua.
Commentary: It is desirable to recite this Dua which is mentioned in the Qur’an (2:201) and which comprehends all that is good, both in this life and the Hereafter. The Prophet (PBUH) made it a habit to recite this Dua, and the Companions were eager to follow him in all his words and actions.

source : Book of Riyadus-Saliheen

Excellence Of Leading An Ascetic Life, And Virtues Of Simple Life

Allah, the Exalted, says: “And put forward to them the example of the life of this world: it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything. Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Rubb for rewards and better in respect of hope.” (Qur’an 18:45,46)

“Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life; but Allah has the excellent return (Jannah with flowing rivers) with Him.” (Qur’an 3:14).

“O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true. So let not this present life deceive you, and let not the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah.” (Qur’an 35:5).

“And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter is the real life if they but knew”. (Quran 29:64).

Al-Mustaurad bin Shaddad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “This
world (i.e., its pleasures and duration) in comparison with the Hereafter is (similar to the amount of water) one gets when he puts his finger in the sea. Let him then see what it returns with”. [Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith shows the value of the Hereafter and its blessings compared to the worldly life. The proportion between the two is that the former is like an ocean, while the latter is like the proportion of water left on one’s finger when dipped in the sea!.

Jabir bin `Abdullah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was passing through the bazaar with his Companions on his both sides, when he saw a dead skinny lamb. He held its ear and said, “Who of you would like to have it for a dirham”. They replied, “We do not like to get it for nothing, and what shall we do with it?”. Then he (PBUH) asked, “Would you like to have it for nothing?”. They replied, “Had it been alive, it would have been defective because it is skinny; but when dead it is of no use”. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Truly, the world is more contemptible to Allah than this (the dead lamb) is to you”. [Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith also shows the futility of this world, for which one struggles so madly throughout his life. It is also an indication that the Prophet (PBUH) used to seize the right opportunities to guide and teach his followers.

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Look at those who are inferior to you and do not look at those who are superior to you, for this will keep you from belittling Allah’s Favor to you.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

This is the wording in Sahih Muslim. The narration in Al-Bukhari is: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “When one of you looks at someone who is superior to him in property and appearance, he should look at someone who is inferior to him”.
Commentary: By looking at the worldly goods and riches of others, a person gradually becomes unthankful for the blessings that Allah has bestowed on him. The best remedy for this “disease” is that which has been prescribed by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in this Hadith. The remedy is that one should look at the people who have fewer worldly goods and riches than one’s own. If a person has a small house of his own that can protect him from the harshness of weather, then he does not need to see enviously towards sky-high buildings and palatial houses of others. He should look at the homeless people who spend their nights on footpaths and live in huts that leak in rain like sieves and are swept away by a wave of flood water, etc. But from a religious angle, one should see towards those who are more fearful of Allah and observe their Salat meticulously so that one becomes more fond of obedience of Allah, has a greater fear of Him, and devotes more time to prayer and devotion. This dispensation is also given in other Ahadith.

Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) took hold of my shoulders and said, “Be in the world like a stranger or a wayfarer”.

Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) used to say: “When you survive till the evening, do not expect to live until the morning; and when you survive until the morning, do not expect to live until the evening; (do good deeds) when you are in good health before you fall sick, and (do good deeds) as long as you are alive before death strikes”. [Al-Bukhari].
Commentary: A person who will consider this world as a temporary stage, will certainly not like that his clothes be entangled in thorny bushes of this world. The greatest fault of man is that he does not understand this status of the world. In spite of the fact that he is not sure of a moment’s life here, he occupies himself in amassing goods and riches which would last for a hundred years.

Ka`b bin Iyad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Verily, there is a Fitnah (trial) for every nation and the trial for my nation (or Ummah) is wealth.” [At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: The word “Fitnah” means trial. Anything with which a person is tried is a Fitnah for him. For this reason, children and property have been regarded Fitnah for mankind in the Noble Qur’an. This Hadith strongly urges the Muslim Ummah to exercise moderation in their love for worldly goods and riches, otherwise, all these things, which are Gifts of Allah, can become a source of woeful torture for them.

Abdullah bin Masud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) slept on a straw mat and got up with the marks left by it on his body. Ibn Masud (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “O Messenger of Allah! Would that you make us spread out a soft bedding for you.” He (PBUH) replied, “What have I to do with the world? I am like a rider who had sat under a tree for its shade, then went away and left it.” [At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: Besides mentioning the piety of the Prophet (PBUH), this Hadith tells in a very eloquent manner the
reality of this world by means of an example.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The poor will enter Jannah five hundred years before the rich.” [At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: Al-Fuqara’ (the poor) means those Fuqara’ who are perfect in Faith. Such people will go to Jannah five hundred years before the rich because the latter will have to account for their wealth, from where they had got it and how they had spent it, while the former will not be answerable for any such thing.

Source: Book Of Riyadus-Saliheen 

Living To Die Or Dying To Live

Death is a harsh and fearful reality faced by everyone who lives. No one has the power to avoid it, nor does anyone around a dying person have the ability to prevent it. It is something that happens every moment and is something encountered by the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the strong and the weak. They are all the same in that they have no plan, nor any means of escaping it, no means of intercession, no way to prevent it, nor to delay it.

Allah – the Most High – says: “Say: Indeed, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to Allah, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. And He will then tell you what you used to do.” [Surah al-Jumu’ah 62:8]

“Every soul shall taste death. And We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us will you be returned.” [Surah al-Anbiya 21:34-35].

Indeed, it is death that causes fear in the souls, and with it, one’s actions are sealed, and what comes after is even more fearful and fear-inducing. For is there a place one can flee to in order to escape from the constrictions suffered in the grave? What will our reply be when we are questioned in the grave? Indeed, not a single one of us knows where we will end up. Will it be Paradise whose width is like the heavens and the earth, or shall it be the Fire whose fuel is of men and stones?

Ibrahim ibn Adham said, when he was asked about the verse: “Call upon Me and I will respond to you.” [Surah Ghafir 40:60] They said: We call upon Allah, but He does nor respond to us. So he said:

  • “You know Allah, yet you do not obey Him.
  • You recite the Qur’an; yet you do not act according to it.
  • You know Shaitan; yet you continue agreeing with him.
  • You claim to love Allah’s Messenger(Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam); yet you abandon his Sunnah (guidance and way).
  • You claim to love Paradise, yet you do not work for it.
  • You claim to fear the Fire, yet you do not stop sinning.
  • You say, Indeed death is true; yet you have not prepared for it.
  • You busy yourselves with the faults of others, yet you do not look at your own faults.
  • You eat the sustenance that Allah provides for you, yet you are not grateful to Him and
  • You bury your dead, yet you have not heeded its lesson.” [Khushu’ fis-Salah, Ibn Rajab]

So this – O noble reader – is the reality which must be firmly established in one’s heart; the reality that life in this world is limited and has an appointed end, and that this end will surely come …

The righteous will die, and the wicked will die. The warriors who fight jihad will die, and those who sit at home will die. Those who busy themselves with correct beliefs will die; And those who treat people as their slaves will die. The brave who reject injustice will die, and the cowards who seek to cling to this vile life will die. The people of lofty-goals and ambitions will die; And the wretched who live for cheap enjoyment will die.

“Every soul shall taste death.” [Al-‘Imran 3:185].

So keep in mind the point of death, and of one’s passing on to the next life, and the number of sins that one has committed and the small amount of good that one has done. Think of the good that you would earnestly like to do at that time – then bring that forward and do it today. And think of all those things which you would desire to clear yourself of- then clear yourself from them now.

Life Of This World, A Test For The Believers

[ALLAH’S Quran – 18:7] “We have caused the material world on earth to be of the nature of an embellishment and ornamentation in order to test the peoples’ reaction to the grace of Allah and distinguish those of them who will imprint their deeds with wisdom and piety.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said :
[Muslim, Book #007, Hadith #3183] “Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: For one among my Ummah who shows endurance against the hardships and rigors of Medina, I would be an intercessor or a witness on his behalf on the Day of Resurrection.”

[Sunan Abudawud, Book #35, Hadith #4250] “Narrated Al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad: I swear by Allah, I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) say: The happy man is he who avoids dissensions: happy is the man who avoids dissensions; happy is the man who avoids dissensions: but how fine is the man who is afflicted and shows endurance.”

Action Items For The Muttaqun

Action Items for the Muttaqun (people who fear Allah):

If a Muslim is incorrect in his words or actions, do not embarrass or degrade him in correction; instead, kindly guide him to the Truth.

It is not “kind” to dilute the truth, so the kindness comes in the manners and the love for your brother or sister by showing him/her the truth when he is first seeking.

Your brother’s reaction to the truth is of no concern and should not stop you from speaking the truth in an appropriate manner. Too often, we see people more afraid of hurting another person’s feelings or angering them than telling them the truth. It is not kindness to withhold the truth from someone, but it is not kindness to dispute over a non-fundamental issue either once the facts have been presented. And if you don’t have facts to back up what you’re saying, DON’T SAY IT, or you will likely be the cause of fitnah!

Study the proper way to give dawah and IMPLEMENT this method when a difference of opinion occurs between people of the Sunnah.

Look at each difference as a learning opportunity and be sure to have your proof and facts together before challenging a Muslim, especially one whom you have no reason to believe to be non-trustworthy (such as if he is an established person of bid’a, or an established liar and has not told enough lies to re-establish himself as a truth-teller).

To avoid quarrels, sincerely ask questions to seek the Truth, just as the Muslim revert does before accepting Islam.
Take note of the humble method in which Sheikhs present their disagreements. The pious Muslim may dispute the facts and have no desire to tear apart the person with whom they disagree, but rather, rush to hide any sins of their fellow Muslim and stick to discussing the relevant evidence in Quran and Sunnah.

Stop thinking you have to force your views on others as though this is love. It is love to tell them, but what they choose to do with Truth is up to them. But surely Allah, SWT, has already decided who will choose guidance and who will choose misguidance.

BE HUMBLE. Stop talking about it; actually, be it. This not only applies to the person who realizes their views were weak but also to the person who presents the truth. Arrogance has no place amongst Muslims.

Be patient and take your time before reacting.
Understand that many people mean well but are simply using bad logic and need to be lovingly shown the right path.
Spend more time listening (to persons of good character and knowledge) than speaking, ESPECIALLY when there is a difference of opinion starting to form in the conversation.

Repent to Allah, SWT, for any fitnah you have created when speaking without having facts to back you up; for example, if someone gives you evidence, and you maintain your weak position instead of giving it up altogether and embracing the Truth in whole. For example, your brother sees you and says, “Hey, how’s it going?” and you, at some point, remind him, “Brother, the Quran instructs us to greet one another saying As salaamu alaikum, and so I recommend you only use that greeting.” Do you really want to create fitnah by disagreeing with such a strong, true point? Whether you agree or not, if you have no facts to support your view over another, THE CORRECT REPLY IS ALHAMDULILAH (or something similar) and perhaps even JAZAKALLAH, and then to GO SEEK THE TRUTH on your own time.

Remember, Allah Subhanuhu Wa Tala, Knows everything we do!

Zaitoon (Olive) Is Cure For Seventy Diseases

Zaitoon (Olive) Is Cure For Seventy Diseases “Eat the olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is a holy (Mubarak) tree.” (Tirmizi, Ibn Maja)

Zaitoon (Olive) the sign of peace and friendship in this world has its description in the Holy Qur’an Allah says: By the fig and olive, And the mount of Sinai, And the city of security We have indeed created man in the best of molds. Then do we abase him (to be) the lowest of low Except such as believe and do righteous deeds for they shall have a reward unfailing What then, can after this, make you deny the last judgment Is not Allah the wisest of judges” (The Fig, Surah 95)

The plant of olive goes up to a height of 3 meters, its leaves are bright green and very attractive and the fruits are of bright bluish or violet color, possessing a metallic taste. It is known from old ages. While excavating ancient Egyptian graves, vessels full of olive oil were found with other articles. According to the scholars of Hadith, on the subsidence of Toofan-E-Nooh, when the water level came down, the first thing on the earth that was seen, was the olive plant. The plant is extensively found in Asia Minor, Palestine, Roman territory, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Italy, North Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, California in America, Mexico, Peru, and the South zone of Australia. Usually, it is imported from Spain, Italy, France, Turkey and Greece. Though olive fruits are very nutritious, it is not usually eaten due to its metallic taste. Rather, pickles of its fruits are largely consumed in Europe. The fruits preserved in vinegar are imported from Greece and liked very much in Europe and Arabian countries.

Olive oil is a good preservative for other eatables too. Sardine and other fishes are tinned and preserved in olive oil. The smoke-less burning of olive oil is a peculiar feature, which produces a bright light. Holy Qur’an stresses the importance of Zaitoon on several occasions: (141-M-AlInaam-6), (99-K-AlInaam-6), (11-K-AlNahl-16), (AlNoor-35), (Moominoon). Hazrat Sayyed Al-Ansari narrates that the Prophet said “Eat the olive oil and massage it over your bodies since it is a holy (Mubarak) tree.” (Tirmizi, Ibn Maja) Hazrat Alqama Bin Amir narrates that the Prophet said, “There is olive oil for you, eat it, massage over your body since it is effective in Hemorrhoids (Piles).” (Ibn Al-Jozi, Zanbi)