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Seize The Day, Tomorrow Is Not Yours

Upon hearing about the death of a fellow Muslim, it suddenly struck me how very fleeting life is, and that I was only a twinkling of an eye away from where he is now.

Death is the reality from which none of us can escape. It draws nearer every day, every hour, every minute. So I had to ask myself if I were to die today, would I have done all that I could to ensure Allah’s Favor, and to evade His Wrath? Unfortunately for me, the answer was a resounding NOOO.

At the end of the day, I ask myself, what good have I sent ahead for the benefit of my soul? And again, the answers usually, very little. Time, it seems, is moving by so quickly. It seems just like yesterday that we started the “New Year,” yet we’re already almost a third of the way through it. A month seems like a week, a week seems like an hour and an hour feels like just minutes. This is why I’ve resolved to try my utmost, with the aid of Allah to take advantage of every opportunity to do good deeds, and not to put off until later, what I can do now. Death is coming, are you ready?

Allah says, “Every soul shall have a taste of death, and only on the Day of Judgement shall you be paid your full recompense. Only those who are saved far from the Fire, and admitted to the Garden will have succeeded. For the
life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.” [3:185]

It is so easy for us to get caught up in the comings and goings of our everyday lives, that we tend to forget that we don’t have forever in this worldly life, and get distracted away from our true aim and purpose. We tend to forget that we are here to worship Allah and to avail ourselves of the various opportunities He gives us to store up for ourselves treasures in Heaven. For He, subhanahu wa taala, also says,

“O you who believe! Revere Allah, and let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow; and revere Allah. Allah is well aware of what you do. And be not like those who forgot (disobeyed) Allah, and He caused them to forget themselves. Those are disobedient. Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of Jannah. It is the dwellers of Jannah who will be successful.” [59:18-20]

He also tells us that we do not know the hour of our own deaths, or in what land we will die. But He through His unending Mercy toward us has given us ways to prepare for the inevitable now because once we’ve passed from this life to the next, there is no coming back to do the things we should have done. For Allah says,

“Until death comes to one of them, he says, ‘My Lord, send me back. Perhaps I may do good in that which I have left behind.’ No, it is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is a barzakh until the day when they are raised up.” [23:99-100]

Allah has given us ways to protect ourselves from the punishment of the grave. One of these ways is by fighting in the Cause of Allah. It is reported that a man asked the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, “O Messenger of Allah, why are all the believers tested in the graves except a martyr?” He, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “The flashing of swords over his head was a sufficient test for him.” (An-Nasai)

This may be difficult for most of us to do in this day and age, but Allah has provided us with many other ways to earn ease in the next life. These include reciting Surat ul-Mulk, because the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “Surat Tabarak is the protector from the torment of the grave.” (Al-Hakim) He, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, also said, “When a human being dies, all of his deeds are terminated except for three types: an ongoing sadaqh, a knowledge of Islam from which others benefit, and a righteous child who makes du’a for him.” (Muslim)

Another way to earn a continuing reward is by reviving a lost Sunnah of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. He, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “He who initiates in Islam a good way gets his reward for it, as well as rewards similar to those who follow him into it, without reducing any of their rewards.” (Muslim) For those of us who know of fellow Muslims who have already begun their journey, or who are about to enter, into the next life, there are things we can do to make the transition easier, insha’Allah. These include performing the Janazah prayer for the deceased, fulfilling the deceased’s vows, payment of the deceased’s debts and the supplications of the Muslims.

This life is fleeting. Death is coming. Let us get ready.

Times Duas Accepted By Allah

There are certain times Dua is more likely to be accepted by Allah as mentioned by The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Some of these times are as follows:-

1/ The last third of the night.
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:- “When it is the last third of the night, Allah the Blessed, the Superior, descends every night to the heaven of the world and says, “Is there anyone (demand anything from Me), that I may respond to his invocation: Is there anyone who asks Me for something that I may give (it to) him? Is there anyone who asks My forgiveness that I may forgive him?”
Bukhari V8 book 75 no.:333

2/ An Hour On Friday.
a) The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:- “On Friday there is a particular time. If a Muslim happens to be praying and invoking Allah for something good during that time, Allah will surely fulfill his request.

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) pointed out with his hand. We thought that he wanted to illustrate how short that time was” *

b) The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:- “Seek the time in which hope is placed on Friday from after the afternoon prayer till sunset” *
Bukhari V8 book 75, no:409 &Tirmidi Hadith 1360

3/ The Night Of Qadr (Decree)
This night in Ramadan is the greatest night of the year. The Almighty Allah said about it. “The night of Al-Qadar is better than a thousand months” Quran 97:3.

4/ The Dua Of A Muslim For is Muslim Brother Or Sister.
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:- “He who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence), the angel commissioned (for carrying dua to his Lord) says: ‘ Ameen, and it is for you also”.
Muslim book 035 no:6589.

5/ Dua During The Month Of Ramadan.
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:- “When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of mercy are opened and gates of Hell are locked and devils are chained”
Muslim book 6 no2361.

6./ A Traveller’s And Parent’s Dua.
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said: – three ( 3 ) duas are answered, there is no doubt about them:-
that of a father,
that of a traveler.
and that of one who has been wronged!
Abu Dawud book 8, # 1531.

An Enemy Inside You

Every Muslim has perfect faith in that Allah Almighty has sent man in this world to prepare for the world to come. The one, who succeeds in making preparation here, must be successful by the grace of Allah on the Day of Judgment, whereas the ignorant and the one, who falls prey to skeptical incredulity, will face utter failure and dejection and also incur the anger of Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgment.

Where Allah Almighty has provided with the innumerable blessings to facilitate the preparation, he has also put some hurdles in the path to test His men. For those devoted Muslims who have a natural desire for heaven, must know how to cross these hurdles, otherwise it seems almost impossible to attain eternal success.
If we briefly look at these hurdles, four things will come before us.
1. World
2. Creation
3. Nafs
4. Satan

Of these four “NAFS” and “SATAN” are the most dangerous. The world and the creature are particularly apparent, whereas the other two are invisible and it is as clear as a day that invisible enemy is more dangerous than the visible.
Which one is more destructive”NAFS” or “SATAN” Reasoning on it

Of the “NAFS” and “SATAN”, the more destructive one is to be picked without any shadow of a doubt it would be “NAFS”. Because “NAFS” is the disastrous evil that had destroyed even Satan”s faith. Briefly going through it, when Allah Almighty after creating Adam (ALAIHE SALAAM) ordered all the angles including “SATAN” to prostrate to Adam, all the angles carried out the orders but “SATAN” refused to do so and was cursed forever. Allah Almighty says, “He (the SATAN) refused and became too proud and turned out disbeliever. (34, Albaqra; Part 1 Translation from The Kanzul-Iman)

Imam Ghazali (RAHMA TULLAH ALAYH) says when “SATAN” denied there was no other SATAN to instigate him, what was the cause for which he lost his faith”… the Imam maintains that it was his “NAFS” which drove him to arrogance and revolt and compelled him to fall into the pit of destruction.

This argument has proved that “NAFS” is more dangerous for our destiny the “SATAN”. Therefore, declaring it “THE BIG BROTHER} of the “SATAN” won”t be wrong.

Now the question arises, what necessary measures are to be taken to fight and to dominate it? For this, the following things are noteworthy.

To take cognizance of “NAFS” in respect of its reality. And where does it’s abode is.
We have to be aware of its attacking strategies and to get knowledge of those things which assist it to persuade the man towards activities and indifference?
The ways are to be found to defend his attacks and to subdue it completely.

Now Insha Allah (by the will of Allah) all these points shall be discussed in detail.

1. Cognizance of “NAFS” and its abode.
According to terms of “sharia”, the soul is called “NAFS”. It is quoted in “Maram al klam fi akaid al Islam” “For “NAFS”, it is what has been named soul in the “Sharia”.
What is the reality of the soul? Three sects have been quoted in “Maram al klam”.

a) It is not allowed to argue over it because it is one of those things which Allah Almighty has specified with His divine knowledge.
b) It is an alone spirit, which has not diffused into the body but has the relation of possession and device with the body. Thus life is based on the perpetuity of this and its opposite side is death. Imam Ghazali (RAHMAT ULLA ALAIH) is convinced of it.
c) It is a delicate substance that has been transmigrated into the body. This is the creed generally represented by “Ehle sunnat wal jamat”

In the light of this creed, it is clear that the definition of “NAFS” is, “It infects the second name for the soul whose abode is the human body.

In the holy book of Quran Allah Almighty has mentioned “NAFS” with these three attributes.

NAFS-e-Ammara
According to its nature when it instigates man towards negligence, disregard, and evil, it is called “Ammara”. As is quoted in the holy Quran, “Surely the self incites to the evil except for those on whom my Rubb (Sustainer} has conferred Mercy.” (53, YOUSUF; PART 13 TRANSLATION FROM THE KANZUL-IMAN)

  NAFS-e-Lawama
When a Muslim falls short of virtuous deeds………or…..commits evil acts, some times his “NAFS” condemns it. For this reason, it is called Lawama”. This system of condemnation is found in abundance in those steady Muslims who try to do virtuous deeds and refrain from the evils, and rare in sinners. Probably it is “NAFS-e-Lawama” which is generally called the conscious. As Allah Almighty said, ?And indeed I call to witness the reprehensive self.?
(2, ALQIYAMHA; PART 29 TRANSLATION FROM THE KANZUL-IMAN)

 NAFS-e-Mutma inna
When a man after a hard struggle makes his “NAFS” habitual to yield and surrender to the will of Allah Almighty, it is called “Mutma inna”. As Allah Almighty said, “O you contented human self! Return to you Rubb (Sustainer) so pleased with Him, as He is pleased with you. So you enter among My chosen devotees; and you enter My Paradise.”
(27-30, ALBALAD; PART 30 TRANSLATION FROM THE KANZUL-IMAN)

The type of “NAFS” under discussion
NAFS-e-Ammara is the type that is under discussion here out of the three. This is one which is declared the “BIG BROTHER” of the “SATAN” due to its ability of wickedness and vice. It has destroyed its younger brother’s faith and, will play an important role to damage the Muslims, till the last Day of Judgment. It is useless to expect any good from it. It is a brutal enemy. The only way of resurrection is to subdue it through a fight. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to protect the faith.

Islam & The Concept Of Friendship

Humans have always been social creatures and in need of friends and companions. Much of our lives are spent in interaction with others. For us Muslims who are living in a society where we are clearly a minority, the issue of choosing the right companions is essential for preserving our Deen. Befriending righteous and virtuous Muslims is an essential means for staying on the Straight Path. Strong individuals, on the other hand, are the core of a strong community, something that Muslims should always strive for.

We all know that we were created for a specific purpose and that Allah the Highest has given us life in order to test us. None of us will deny that we are here for a relatively short period of time and that we shall meet Allah ( s.w.t.) one Day.

Once we know our purpose and our goal, we should seek ways to achieve them so as to benefit our own selves. All of us believe that Allah has sent us a Messenger ( s.a.w.) and revealed to us the Qur’an, the Best Speech.

In an authentic Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ( s.a.w.) said:
“A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look at whom you befriend.”(1).

The person most noble in character and dealings with fellow humans gave us a very clear message and advice in regard to friendship. We should choose the friend that is satisfied with our Deen and avoid the friend that is displeased with it. Whoever we see and are pleased with his Deen, we should befriend him and whoever we are displeased with his Deen and his manners, we ought to avoid him. There is no good in the companion who does not wish for us (from good) what he wishes for himself. It is also no good in the companion who wishes for us what he wishes for himself if what he likes for his own soul is leading him towards destruction and Hellfire.

The bases for the actions of those who follow the evil ways are corrupt; their actions are built upon misguidance and deviation. Their deeds are worthless to them as Allah ( s.w.t.) said: “And We will proceed to what they have done of deeds, so We shall render them to scattered floating dust.” [25:23]. Their actions, even if we regard them as righteous and noble are of no value to them, so how can they be of benefit to us? Friends are those who feel for their companions, in both happy and sad moments. If we share our feelings with the wrongdoers whose actions are worthless and based on corruption, then we are following the same ways and standards as they are. The affection which results from that friendship leads to love and closeness to other than the righteous believers, and this may even lead to avoiding those who are on the Straight Way. Mixing with followers of any way other than that of the Guidance also results in a change in one’s behavior, morals, and conduct. If we agree, follow, and are pleased with such friends, then we inherit their habits, behaviors, and even religion. Such a Muslim would find himself in a situation wherein he is willing to hide his Islam in front of those who despise it (those that he considers as friends) and to separate from the believers. When this situation occurs, a point is reached when there is a very slight difference between the Muslim and his wrong-doing companion. Such companionship is the root of the sickness of one’s heart and the loss of one’s Deen.

Instead of making friends with the misguided ones we should befriend the righteous and treat the rest in a gracious and just manner. Staying on a sufficient distance is necessary, yet treating everybody in a noble and kind manner is required.

In another Hadith, Prophet Muhammad ( s.a.w.) said:
“The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him.” (2)

In his commentary of this Hadith, Imam an-Nawawy said that the Prophet (s.a.w.) compared a good companion to a seller of musk and spoke of the virtue of having companions who are good, who have noble manners, piety, knowledge and good culture. Such are those who grant us from their virtue. And he ( s.a.w.) forbade us to sit with those who do evil, commit a lot of sins and other bad deeds, as well as with innovators, backbiters, and so forth. Another scholar said: “keeping good company with the pious results in the attainment of beneficial knowledge, noble manners, and righteous actions, whereas keeping company with the wicked prevents all of that.”

Many times a Muslim is encouraged by his friends to do evil and to forget his duties. The result is that Muslims themselves are often ashamed to leave them to perform the prayer, their friends thus causing them to clearly deviate from the Right Path.

Allah the Exalted says in the Qur’an:
“And (remember) the Day when the wrong-doer will bite his hands and say: Woe to me! Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger. Woe to me! If only I had not taken so-and-so as a friend! He has led me astray from this Reminder (the Qur’an) after it had come to me. And Satan is ever a deserter to man in the hour of need.” [25:27-29]

So take heed before the inevitable Day comes and we are reckoned for our acts.

Allah, the All-Wise also says: “Friends on that Day will be enemies one to another, except al-Muttaqoon (i.e. those who have Taqwah).” [43:67]

Hafidh Ibn Katheer, commenting on this verse, relates a story on the authority of Ali Ibn Abi Talib ( r.a.a.) and says that any friendship for other than Allah is turned into enmity, except what was in it for Allah the Mighty and Majestic: Two who are friends for Allah’s sake; one of them dies and is given the good news that he will be granted al-Jannah, so he remembered his friend and he supplicated for him, saying: O Allah, my friend used to command me to obey You and to obey Your Prophet ( s.a.w.) and used to command me to do good and to forbid me from doing evil. And he told me that I will meet You. O Allah, do not let him go astray after me until you show him what you have just shown me, until You are satisfied with him, just like You are satisfied with me.” So he is told: “Had you known what is (written) for you friend, would you have laughed a lot and cried a little.” Then his friend dies and their souls are gathered, and both are asked to express their opinions about each other. So each one of them says to his friend: you were the best brother, the best companion and the best friend.” And when one of the two disbelieving friends die, and he is given tidings of Hellfire, he remembered his friend and he said: O Allah, my friend used to order me to disobey You and disobey Your Prophet, and commanded me to do evil, and forbade me from doing good, and told me that I would not meet You. O Allah, do not guide him after me until you show him what you have just shown me and until you are dissatisfied with him just like You are dissatisfied with me.” Then the other disbelieving friend dies, and their souls are gathered, and both are asked to give their opinions about each other. So each one says to his friend: you were the worst brother, the worst companion and the worst friend.”

That is the end of those who do not have Taqwah and those who befriend for a sake other than that of Allah the Exalted. Allah has surely spoken the truth and we all should grasp what He has informed us of. It is through the good company that Allah, the Highest, saves those who are astray and guides the wicked. The benefit of mixing with the righteous is immense, and it will, insha’Allah, be even more obvious to us in the Hereafter. One of the early Muslims said that it is from Allah’s blessings upon a youth when he turns to worship that he is given brother who is a follower of the Sunnah encouraging him upon it”.

Sealing a friendship for Allah’s sake will result in one’s receiving protection of Allah ( s.w.t.). And as Ibn Abbas said: “No one may taste true faith except by this (i.e. building relationships for Allah’s sake), even if his prayers and fasts are many. People have come to build their relationship around the concerns of the world, but it will not benefit them in any way.”

A scholar has said: “To seal a friendship for Allah’s sake indicates the obligation of establishing relationships of love and trust for His sake; this is a friendship for the sake of Allah. It also indicates that simple affection is not enough here; indeed what is meant is a love based upon alliance. This entails assistance, honor, and respect. It means being with those whom you love both in word and deed.”

Loyalty for the sake of Allah really means to love Allah and to come to the assistance of His Deen; to love those who are obedient to Him and to come to their help. Moreover, the Shahadah “La Ilaha Illa Allah” requires us to ally ourselves for the sake of Allah, and it requires us to ally ourselves to the Muslims wherever we find them.

In two other authentic narrations of the Prophet ( s.a.w.) we were commanded to keep company with a believer only (3), and told that a person will be with those he loves (4). So if we love and associate ourselves with those who are misguided, we should fear for our fate. The wise person is the one who prepares himself for the Hereafter, not the one who neglects his faith and falls into the trap of Satan who tells him that he will be forgiven and that he can do whatever he wishes. If we truly believe that the best speech is the Speech of Allah and that he best guidance is the guidance of Prophet Muhammad ( s.a.w.), we should act in accordance with them, lest we build a proof against ourselves. Ali (r.a.a.) said: “Mix with the noble people, you become one of them, and keep away from evil people to protect yourself from their evils.” If we are truly concerned about our fate, we must come to this realization: those who take us away from remembering Allah, from obeying Him and His Prophet ( s.a.w.), those who fail to remind us of our daily prayers and those who do not give us sincere advice in regard to our Deen; such are really our foes and not our friends.

On the other side, a believer in the mirror of his brother” (5), and if he sees any faults in the other believer, he draws his attention to it, helps him to give it up, and helps him wipe away any evil that he may have. Ibn Hazm said: Anyone who criticizes you cares about your friendship. Anyone who makes light of your faults cares nothing about you.”

How can we expect sincere advice and exhortation in regard to our religion from those who are displeased with our Deen or are simply indifferent? Are they going to help us achieve the purpose of our life, or will they take us away from it? Will they desire for us Allah’s pleasure or is that Completely irrelevant to them and not their concern at all? Are they leading us to al-Jannah or to the Hellfire? These are the questions we have to ask ourselves, lest we wake up after we die.

“O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow the right guidance and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong no hurt can come to you from those who are in error. The return of you all is to Allah, then He will inform you about (all) that which you used to do.” [5:105]

We ask Allah to make us of the righteous ones and give us companions that will take us away from His Wrath and lead us to His Pleasure and Paradise.

References:
1- Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee
2- al-Bukhary and Muslim.
3- Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee.
4- Al-Bukhary and Muslim.
5- Abu Dawood, Hassan Hadith.