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Simple Formula To Be The Best

BEING humans, we all crave to have the best in life, to get the best in life, and to be the best in life. Don’t we? How many times have these thoughts crawled in our brains?

“I want to be the best employee or the best student!” “I want to own the best mobile, the best car and be married to the best wife.”

Dear brothers and sisters, as Muslims has the thought ever come to us that “I want to be the best Muslim?” Leave alone working for it, have we ever just thought about it?

Well, now that this topic has come up, give it a second thought. If you believed that to be the best of Muslims you need to spend your full day in the Masjid or fast everyday of your life, you were wrong!

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave us a simple formula to be the best: “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Al-Bukhari)

Subhan Allah, as simple as that! It doesn’t require you to be on your prayer mat 24/7. No, the key is Allah’s speech – the Qur’an.

Hold on to it even if it’s by starting to read a page everyday (make sure you understand it). This is something that Allah has ordered in the Qur’an.

“And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah (i.e. the Quran), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favors on you…” (Qur’an, 3:103)

“And We have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?” (Qur’an, 54:17)

Thanksgiving Is The Whole Life

Then do ye remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and reject not Faith. (Al-Baqarah 2:152)

And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): “If ye are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you; but if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed.” (Ibrahim 14:7)

We bestowed Wisdom on Luqman: “Show (thy) gratitude to Allah.” Any who is (so) grateful does so to the profit of his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, verily Allah is free of all wants, worthy of all praise. (Luqman 31:12)

The Qur’anic word for thanks is “shukr.” It is mentioned in the Qur’an many times. It is the quality of human beings and it is also the quality of Allah. According to scholars Shukr means:

“It is the consideration of the favor and its acknowledgment. Shukr from the human means the recognition of the favor. Shukr from Allah means the reward and appreciation.”

Shukr is a very important principle in Islam. It is a quality of the believers and it is a source of all goodness. Shukr is used in the Qur’an sometimes as equivalent to faith. The faithful are thankful people and the unfaithful are ungrateful people. Allah has described His Prophets and Messengers among those who were thankful people. Prophet Noah was a grateful servant of Allah (Al-Isra’ 17:3). Prophet Abraham used to thank Allah for His many blessings (Al-Nahl 16:121). Prophet David and his family were told to be grateful to Allah (Saba’ 34:13). Allah told His Prophet Muhammad:

Nay, but worship Allah, and be of those who give thanks. (Al-Zumar 39:66)

Allah also promised:
Nor can a soul die except by Allah’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing. If any do desire a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We reward those that who are thankful. (Al ‘Imran 3:145)

In Islam thanksgiving is not only a particular religious act or service; it is the whole life. The whole life should be lived in obedience to our Ultimate Benefactor, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. God has been good to us and so in our thankfulness we should worship Him, obey His commands and orders. Our daily prayers, our fasting during Ramadan, our Zakat and Hajj are all our acts of thanksgiving. We should do them not only as duties that must be performed but as our gratitude to our Lord and Creator.

Tips To Memorize The Qur’an

Realize that memorizing the Qur’an is a spiritual and physical project. It’s a miracle and blessing from Allah that we are able to memorize the Qur’an. If we want to take advantage of this blessing, we should be in a position to receive it. Therefore, let’s strive physically to achieve it and spiritually to get the maximum benefit. Here are 13 tips for memorizing the Qur’an

1. Sincerity
The first matter we must pay attention to is our intention. If we intend good we will get good. Make sure that the intention is for the sake of Allah alone. With this memorization, hope for Allah’s reward in the hereafter. It is not to show off in front of others that you have memorized a lot of the Qur’an. Sincerity is not a one time thing. It’s a continual battle that we always have to renew.

2. Consistency
The more frequently you memorize, the easier it becomes. It is very essential to be consistent, and not to skip even one day. There is no week-end in worship. The minimum that one should memorize is three lines – five is ideal. If we are consistent, In sha Allah, we will be able to be memorize the whole Qur’an within 5-6 years.

3. Timing
The first thing we should do in the day is memorize. Do this even before breakfast because this is our spiritual breakfast. The best time to memorize is right after Fajr.

4. Atmosphere
Go to a secluded place. Memorize in a place that is quiet. We can’t memorize properly with distractions, so turn off all your devices (like cell phones).

5. Familiarity
Start at the same time, at the same place and use the same mushaf (copy of the Qur’an) every day. We need to have our own mushaf, it will later become very dear to you.

6. No magic trick
Repeat, repeat, and repeat over and over again. It is only repetitive recitation and/or listening that will help us memorize with perfection.

7. Memorize with the meaning
Read the translation of the meaning before you start and try to match the Arabic words with their meanings.

Raising Children In Islam

Islam believes that the family is the cornerstone of the Muslin society and the cause of its continuity. This is why Islam has shown so much concern to preserve the solidarity of the family unit. Raising children properly is one of the reasons that help to create a sound society based on ethics and decorum. This task has become very hard in the last three or four decades after children became addicted to watching T.V, video games and finally the internet that swallows children’s time and captures their attention. Parent’s role is to attract their children’s attention to teach them good manners.

One of the mistakes that some parents commit is that they deal with their children as stupid beings that should be spoon-fed or filled with information. They are intelligent beings and parents have to appreciated and respect this fact in order to be able to approach them correctly.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stresses in more than one Hadith the importance of the role of parents in bringing up their children properly. He asks parents to pay attention to the age of their children when deciding to choose the best way to deal with them: at a certain age it is important to be strict with them, but when they become teenagers, it is of prime importance to befriend them to be able to approach their world.

Some parents believe that toughness is the best way to raise their children which is totally wrong. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to share the fun and light moments with his grandchildren making them enjoy their time with him.

The final advice that can be given in this respect is a Qur’anic one,” Let those (disposing of an estate) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own if they had left a helpless family behind: Let them fear Allah, and speak words of appropriate (comfort).” (Qur’an, 4:9)

One important fact that has to be stressed in this respect is that the father’s role is as important as that of the mother because some parents believe that their role consists of earning money and providing the basic necessities of life to their family.

They believe that it is the mother’s business to raise children, but this is not true at all. Islam addresses both parents as being responsible for bringing up their children and teaching them the noble values of Islam.

Subtle Secrets In Our Prayers

Not many of us realize the subtle and hidden secrets that lie behind our movements in Salah (prayer). Some of us may even rush through it without giving much thought to the hidden intricacies and the hidden beauty. How many people stand in Salah but their mind does not stand focused? How many people bow down but their inner soul refuses to bow? How many people prostrate but their heart fails to do so? And how many people pray but a prayer has not been written for them? Ibn Al-Qayyim gives a beautiful description of prayer in his book Asrar Al-Salat. An excerpt of which follows:

It has been prescribed for the servant to extol and praise his Lord as he is rising up from Rukoo’ (i.e. bowing in prayer). So he exalts and praises his Lord because Allah has guided him to attain this humbleness which others have been prevented from attaining. He is returned to a state of uprightness, standing up to be in his Lord’s service. He stands in front of Him just as he stood in front of Him during recitation (when reciting Al-Fatihah), and for that reason it is prescribed that he praises and exalts Him just like he praised and exalted Him during the recitation.

There is a special meaning to this rising: It is a state that reaches and penetrates the heart. It is for this reason that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to prolong this standing (after the Rukoo’) just as he prolonged the Rukoo’ and Sajdah (prostration). He would praise and exalt Allah much therein.

In the night prayer, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to repeatedly say during this standing after the Rukoo’, “For my Lord is all Praise, for my Lord is all Praise.” (Abu Dawood and Nasa’i)

Repetition
It has been prescribed for the servant to repeat these actions and words (i.e. repeat recitation of Al-Fatihah, Tasbeeh in Rukoo’, Sajdah etc), as it is a source of nourishment for the heart and soul. There is no strength in them (the heart and soul) except by this. Repeating it is just like repeatedly eating food – mouthful after mouthful until a person eats his fill, and drinking again and again until his thirst is quenched. If a hungry person only took one mouthful of food and then pushed his food away, what will that mouthful do for him? In fact, it may even cause him to become hungrier!

For this reason, one of the Salaf said: “A person who prays but does not find tranquility in his prayer is like a person who is hungry, then food is brought to him but he only takes one or two handfuls. What will it then do for him?”

Umm Salamah – A Woman Of Character

Umm Salamah, a widow, was a woman who combined beauty with character, noble birth and a wealth of experience. Her deceased husband was one of the early converts to the new faith when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) began preaching his message in secret. Being a woman of sagacious mind, she joined him in declaring her belief in Islam, realizing that idolatry is an absurdity, which defies human logic. Her father was a man who earned great honor in his own right. He was given the nickname Zad Al-Rakb, which means the “provider for all travelers.” When he went on a trip, he would not allow anyone who joined his caravan to take any food with him. He provided all the food necessary for them all. His generosity and hospitality was of the highest order.

Such a woman would not stay unmarried for long. The fact that she had four children, one of them was still newly born, was no hindrance in the Arabian society, which accepted polygamy as normal. Hence, when her waiting period of four months and ten days was over, a succession of suitors sent their proposals. These included Abu Bakr and Umar, but Umm Salamah, or Hind, to use her original name, politely and gently rejected them all. She had lost a husband of great character, whom she dearly loved.

She reports that her husband had told her of a Hadith he heard the Prophet stating: “Whoever meets a misfortune should resort to what God has ordered in such cases, saying, ‘We all belong to God and to Him we all return. My Lord! Grant me support in my misfortune and compensate me with something better.’ If he does so, God will certainly give him support and is sure to give him better compensation.” Continuing her report, she said: “When my husband died, I frequently said this prayer. Then I thought who could be better for me than Abu Salamah? Yet I hoped that God would give me support to bear my loss.” (Related by Muslim).

A different report mentions that before his death, her husband said this prayer: “My Lord! When I have died, give Umm Salamah a man who is better than me, who would take care of her and give her nothing to upset her or cause her grief.” When her husband died she wondered who could be better than him.

Yet this is exactly what happened to Hind bint Abu Umayyah ibn Al-Mugheerah, who is better known as Umm Salamah. After rejecting a succession of suitors, she received an offer of marriage no Muslim woman could refuse. It was the Prophet who wanted her to join his household as a new wife. Recognizing the great honor such a marriage would give her, she was delighted. Yet at the same time she felt reluctant. She sent him word saying: “I am too jealous, and old, and I am mother of several children.” It was an answer that meant no refusal, but provided grounds for the Prophet not to proceed with his proposal. The Prophet sent her a kind reply saying: “God may take away your jealousy. As for your age, I am older than you. And you may entrust your children to God and His messenger.”

Who could take better care of any widow’s children than God? Who could be a better stepfather than God’s messenger? Hence, the marriage was soon celebrated and Umm Salamah realized that God had compensated her with a husband who was much better than her first husband, great indeed as Abu Salamah was.

– By Adil Salahi

Tomorrow Will Surely Be Better Than Today

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said : “Nations are about to scheme against you in the same way as greedy eaters vie with one another on the dining-table.” One of the Companions (Allah be pleased with them all) asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Will that relate to being few in numbers?” The Prophet said: “No, but your huge number will be of little effectiveness, and (Allah) will cast Al-Wahan in your hearts.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, what does Al-Wahan mean?” He said, “Your hearts are strongly attached to life luxuries and you feel strong aversion to death.” (Reported by Ahmad and Abu-Dawud)

The above-mentioned Hadith is considered one of the miracles with which the Prophet (peace be upon him) was blessed with. The Hadith refers to what will happen when the end of this world is near. In other words, it shows the extent of the moral decay that will affect the Muslim Ummah, and will encourage its enemies to terrorize it, especially after neglecting Allah’s Commands and their ignoring His Prophet’s teachings

The miracles that Allah Almighty has granted His Prophets (peace be upon them all) to help in delivering their messages are not only rules and regulations from which the Muslim Ummah can seek guidance regarding what is lawful and what is prohibited; rather, they serve as a means of encouraging the Muslim to bear the sufferings and tribulations of life with patience and fortitude, keeping in mind that Allah will never forsake him.

The words of the Hadith show that the state of weakness facing the Muslim Ummah nowadays is transitory. Some scholars claim that the doom is approaching and that the darkness looms large and there are troubles on the horizon. Actually, such premonitions bring benefits to none and make things get worse. This leads to the belief that there is no hope for a change or reform and that the coming days carry nothing but bad events. This is, in fact, a very wrong way of thinking and it is plainly a pessimistic approach to life. Muslims are to stick their mind to many glad tidings of the coming victory of Islam, and they should have faith in Allah that the coming days will be more bright and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Thus, it is necessary for Muslims to derive from the following glad tidings glimpse of light to fill their hearts with and let despair vanish and fade away. Here are some of the glad tidings mentioned in the Qur’an:

1) Almighty Allah says: It is He who hath sent His Messenger (Muhammad, peace be upon him) with guidance and the Religion of Truth (Islam), to make superior over all religions even though the Mushrikun (polytheists, disbelievers) hate (it). (At-Tawbah, 9:33)

2) Almighty Allah also says: They intend to put out the Light of Allah with their mouths. But Allah will bring His Light to perfection even though the disbelievers hate (it). (As-Saff, 61:8)

The Palaces And Tents Of Paradise

Allah (swt) will build good and beautiful dwellings for the people of Paradise:

“and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting bliss” [9:72]

In some places in the Qur’an, Allah (swt) described these dwellings as ghurafaat [chambers or dwellings]:

“and they will reside in the high dwellings [Paradise] in peace and security.” [34:37]

The reward for the slaves of the all-Merciful will be:

“Those will be rewarded with the highest place [in Paradise] because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect” [25:75]

Allah (swt) described these Ghurafaat:

“But for those who fear Allah and keep their duty to their Rabb [Allah], for them are built lofty rooms, one above the other, under which rivers flow. [This is] the Promise of Allah, and Allah does not fail in [His] Promise.” [39:20]

Ibn Katheer said: “Allah has told us about His blessed slaves who will have rooms [or dwellings] in Paradise: these will be lofty palaces, “lofty rooms, one above another – story upon story, well-constructed, strong and decorated. The Prophet (saw) described these palaces to us. According to a hadith narrated by Ahmad, and Ibn Hibbaan from Abu Maalik al-Ash’ari and by at-Tirmidhi from ‘Ali (ra) the Prophet (saw) said:

“In Paradise there are dwellings whose inside can be seen from the outside, and the outside can be seen from inside. Allah [swt] has prepared them for those who feed the hungry, and speak softly and gently, fast continuously and pray at night whilst the people are asleep.” [Saheeh al-Jaami’ as-Sagheer, 2/220, no. 2119]

Allah (swt) has told us that there are tents or pavilions in Paradise:

“Houris [beautiful, fair females] restrained in pavilions” [55:72]