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Preparing For The Day Of Judgment

Fear Allah and not do anything that earns His displeasure. Allah protects those who fear Him and makes Paradise their abode.

The sun will come nearer to the earth and nobody will escape its scorching heat. On that Day, there will be no tree to provide shade, no water to give some relief, and no rock beside which to take rest. The land will be flat. The Day of Judgment will be equivalent to 50,000 worldly years.

The level of the people’s sweat will be measured by their deeds. The sweat will cover some up to their anklebones, some to their knees, some to their hips, and others to their mouths.

Amidst this suffering, there are some among the believers whom Allah will provide with shade on the Day when there will no shade except that provided by Him. There are seven categories of people whom Allah will provide with shade. These include a just leader (Imam), a youth who grows up in the worship of Allah, a person whose heart is attached to the mosques, two people who like each other for the sake of Allah, a man who, when called by a beautiful woman of high social standing (for immoral acts), says, “I fear Allah”, one who gives alms and does not disclose it to anyone, and the one who remembered Allah privately and tears flowed from his eyes.

The Prophet (peace be upon him)  said that deeds are driven by intention and that what a person gets depends upon his intention (niyyah). Allah commands a Muslim to do good deeds and keep away from committing sins and all that He has forbidden at all times. However, there is an emphasis on doing good deeds when a person becomes old especially when approaching the last days of life. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The deeds are judged by the final deeds.” Therefore, whoever Allah grants success to do good deeds in the final days or hours of his life, then Allah has written a good end for him.

Whoever Allah does not grant success and does an evil deed in his final hour Allah’s wrath will be brought against him. Allah has commanded Muslims to seek a good end.

Whoever succeeds in having a good end, will be happy in the Hereafter, but whoever does an evil deed in the last hours of life, is at a loss in this world and in the Hereafter.

Pious believers are always keen to do good deeds prior to the final hour and they also seek to have a good end. They have good faith in Allah but bad faith in themselves.

Whoever has sincere and good faith in Allah, follows the teachings and Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the guidance of the Prophet’s companions is successful in having a good end because good intentions and sincerity are conditions for deeds to be accepted by Allah.

Means of securing a good end are performing the five obligatory prayers in congregation with the Muslims. Other deeds include belief (Iman), being God-conscious in private and in public, obeying Allah and keeping away from all that He has forbidden, keeping away from major and minor sins, following the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), following the path of the Muhajireen and Ansar, keeping away from being unjust to others, being kind toward others and refraining from innovations in religion (bida’).

Food In Quran

[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[16:115] He only prohibits for you dead animals, blood, the meat of pigs, and food which is dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

The vegetarian diet is perfectly acceptable in the light of the Quran.  Please review the following verses:

[5:4] They consult you concerning what is lawful for them; say, “Lawful for you are all good things, including what trained dogs and falcons catch for you.” You train them according to GOD’s teachings. You may eat what they catch for you, and mention GOD’s name thereupon. You shall observe GOD. GOD is most efficient in reckoning.

[5:5] Today, all good food is made lawful for you. The food of the people of the scripture is lawful for you. Also, you may marry the chaste women among the believers, as well as the chaste women among the followers of previous scripture, provided you pay them their due dowries. You shall maintain chastity, not committing adultery, nor taking secret lovers. Anyone who rejects faith, all his work will be in vain, and in the Hereafter, he will be with the losers.

[5:93] Those who believe and lead a righteous life bear no guilt by eating any food, so long as they observe the commandments, believe and lead a righteous life, then maintain their piety and faith, and continue to observe piety and righteousness. GOD loves the righteous.

[6:145] Say, “I do not find in the revelations given to me any food that is prohibited for any eater except (1) carrion, (2) running blood, (3) the meat of pigs, for it is contaminated, and (4) the meat of animals blasphemously dedicated to other than GOD.” If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then your Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[7:157] “(4) follow the messenger, the gentile prophet (Muhammad), whom they find written in their Torah and Gospel. He exhorts them to be righteous, enjoins them from evil, allows for them all good food, and prohibits that which is bad, and unloads the burdens and the shackles imposed upon them. Those who believe in him, respect him, support him, and follow the light that came with him are the successful ones.”

[10:24] The analogy of this worldly life is like this: we send down water from the sky to produce with it all kinds of plants from the earth and to provide food for the people and the animals. Then, just as the earth is perfectly adorned, and its people think that they are in control thereof, our judgment comes by night or by day, leaving it completely barren, as if nothing existed the previous day. We thus explain the revelations for people who reflect.

[16:115] He only prohibits for you dead animals, blood, the meat of pigs, and food which is dedicated to other than GOD. If one is forced (to eat these), without being deliberate or malicious, then GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[22:30] Those who reverence the rites decreed by GOD have deserved a good reward at their Lord. All livestock is made lawful for your food, except for those specifically prohibited for you. You shall avoid the abomination of idol worship, and avoid bearing false witness.

[23:18] We send down from the sky water, in exact measure, then we store it in the ground. Certainly, we can let it escape.
[23:19] With it, we produce for you orchards of date palms, grapes, all kinds of fruits, and various foods.
[23:20] Also, a tree native to Sinai produces oil, as well as relish for the eaters.
[23:21] And the livestock should provide you with a lesson. We let you drink (milk) from their bellies, you derive other benefits from them, and some of them you use for food.

Thank you and may God guide us,
 M. Irtaza

Assalamu Alaikum, Not Just Words

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “When Allah created Adam, He said to him: `Go and greet that company of angels who are sitting there – and then listen to what they are going to say in reply to your greetings because that will be your greeting and your off-springs.’ Adam said to the angels: `As-Salamu `Alaikum.’ They replied: `As-Salamu `Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.’ Thus adding in reply to him: `wa Rahmatullah (and Mercy of Allah)’ to his greeting.’’ (Al-Bukhari)

All right, mate! What’s up! How are you? Good morning and afternoon are all famous greetings around the world. Different cultures, races, and communities say it in their own way and languages. Muslims, however, no matter from which country, race, or culture, greet each other in the same way all over the world. But have we ever stopped to think about the impact and beauty of what we utter? Hearts and bonds are strengthened every time we exchange this greeting.

This salutation was prescribed from the beginning of time as mentioned in the Hadith. The meaning translates: “May peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.” By saying this, we are in fact making Du’a for our brothers and sisters and spreading love and peace simultaneously. Another benefit is that it ends enmity. We may see someone whom we don’t like, but by saying these words, our hearts may Insha Allah open up and allow friendship to sow its seeds.

The importance of this greeting is exemplified in a Hadith collected by Al-Bukhari and Muslims from Abdullah Bin Umar. A man asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): “What is the best thing in Islam?” He replied, “Feeding others and giving the greeting of Salam to those whom you know and those whom you do not know.”

The Prophet mentioned feeding someone and giving salaams together as the best things in Islam. We often lose sight of the simplest things that have great rewards.

Among the perfect attributes of Imaan – believing in the six articles of faith – is passing on salams.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Should I not guide you to something which will install love amongst you? ‘Spread Salams amongst you.’” (Abu Dawood, vol. 3, no. 5174)

In today’s scenario, love and a stronger bond between Muslims is more than needed. Several people embrace Islam every day and many face hostility and are sometimes boycotted by their non-Muslim relatives as a result. It is upon us Muslims to welcome them. We are their kinsfolk.

By spreading salams we are obeying the Prophet (peace be upon him) as he told us that we should give salams to people we know and people we do not. Is this what we are doing? I’m afraid we are not. When walking down the street how many of us greet those who pass by?

Here are a few things to keep in mind next time we meet each other:

  • Be the first to initiate the Salam.
  • Greet Muslims whom you know and you don’t.
  • Begin your conversation with the Salam.
  • If someone tells us that so-and-so gave their Salaams to us, then reply, “Wa Alaika Wa Alayhis Salam.”
  • A person riding a mount should greet the one who is walking; a person on foot should greet the one who is sitting; a smaller group should greet a larger group; and the young should greet their elders. (Al-Bukhari, vol. 8, book 74, no. 250-251)
  • Whenever you enter a house, yours or others, enter by saying the Salam. (Qur’an, 24:61)
  • Shake hands because it wipes out the (minor) sins. (Al-Tirmidhi)

Love For Prophet: The Sahabah Way

No matter how much we write about the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), we cannot fairly describe their merits, virtues, and excellence.

The best of generations to ever live in this world, they were chosen by Allah to accompany His Last Messenger. They sacrificed their wealth, families, and lives defending and propagating the truth.

Embracing Islam and then being groomed by the Prophet (peace be upon him) transformed a community that came from the ruthless deserts into a fine people with exceptional character and behavior. The men who would bury their daughters alive turned into fathers who rejoiced at the birth of daughters and who took extra care in bringing them up.

The Ahadith that throw light on their lifestyles and virtues are plenty. One such aspect was their unconditional obedience to Allah and His Messenger. Faith was deeply ingrained in their hearts. They knew the Messenger did not instruct them except based on Allah’s revelation.

When Urwa Bin Mas’ud came to negotiate with the Prophet (peace be upon him) during the incident that’s popularly known as the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, he witnessed firsthand the attitude of the Companions towards Muhammad (peace be upon him). He went back to the Quraish and gave that powerful description:

“O, people! By Allah, I have been to the kings and to Caesar, Khosrau (Persian emperor) and An-Najashi, yet I have never seen any of them respected by his courtiers as much as Muhammad is respected by his companions. By Allah, if he spat, the spittle would fall in the hand of one of them (i.e. the Prophet’s companions) who would rub it on his face and skin; if he ordered them, they would carry out his order immediately; if he performed ablution, they would struggle to take the remaining water; and when they spoke, they would lower their voices and would not look at his face constantly out of respect.” (Al-Bukhari, 3/50, no. 891)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not establish a relationship between a master and disciples. The term Sahabah is not used without meaning. The Sahabah literally lived as the companions of Muhammad (peace be upon him).

When a stranger would come to Madina, he would not recognize the Prophet as if he was sitting in a group because there were no special seats for him, no elevated chairs that would distinguish him from others, and to be sure no special clothes indicating that he was in fact the ruler of Madina.

Despite this humility, the status of the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not diminish. The Companions gave the Prophet his due right and respect. As preceded, the kings of Romans and Persians were disobeyed and followed as the Prophet (peace be upon him) was.

Admittance To Paradise

There is no doubt that the joy of the believers will be incomparable when they are led, group by honorable group, to the blessed Gardens of Paradise.

When they reach Paradise its gates will be opened for them, and they will be welcomed by noble angels  congratulating them on their safe arrival after suffering so much hardship and witnessing so much horror:

“And those who feared their Rabb will be led to the garden in crowds, until, behold, they arrive there; its gates will be opened and its keepers will say “Peace be upon you! Well, have you done! Enter here, to dwell therein“. (39:73)

In other words, your words, thoughts, and deeds were good so your hearts and souls became pure and for that you deserve Paradise.

Signs Of Allah In Our Tongues

Have you ever wondered about your tongue? It is one of the wonderful creations of Allah. Allah Ta’ala gave each of us one tongue. But this one tongue is able to taste thousands of different types of food and drinks. If our taste buds on the tongue were to become inactive, we would not know the difference between an orange and a stone.

Moreover, like fingerprints, everyone has a different tongue print.

Relative to its size, the tongue is also the strongest muscle in the human body. And it is the only muscle that is connected to only one side. The tongue is so strong that it can create pressure on the roof of the mouth equivalent to the weight of two double-decker buses!

The strongest muscle of our body, the tongue, has been created by Allah for us to glorify Him. Truly, with the help of this tongue, we are able to recite the Glorious Quran and talk about Allah’s Greatness. Let us not spoil the tongue by backbiting, slandering, and lying.

May ALLAH make us the one who always chants His name and praises Him all the time…..Ameen

Death Is A Reality, Not Philosophy

FIRST of all, let me point out that the afterlife is not a philosophical matter in Islam. It is a reality that every Prophet sent to mankind (peace be upon them all) has warned his people about. There are numerous references to the Hereafter in the Qur’an and the Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Many descriptions and warnings about the Day of Judgment can be found in both sources and we, as Muslims, take them to be fact, not conjecture or philosophy.

A belief in life after death in Islam is a pillar of faith. It is the main rationale for the religion of Islam itself. In saying this, I mean that there is not much point for Allah in giving us the beautiful gift of Islam as a way of life if there is no continuation of life in the Hereafter.

If there were no belief in the Hereafter, people would feel free to do as they pleased, at least to the limits that other people would set for them and enforce. They would only have their personal desires as a guide for behavior and belief. They would not feel accountable for the deeds that are hidden from the knowledge of society. A belief in the Hereafter helps us to keep in mind that there is a God, Allah, and He has prepared a great reward for those who do good and severe punishment for those who only follow their selfish desires.

Death is actually just a transitional point, where we leave this worldly life and enter into a different, everlasting life. For some – I ask Allah that we would all be in this category In sha Allah   – the next life is a pleasant existence, which is much better than we could even ever imagine it could be. For others I ask Allah that none of us would end up in this category – the next life is a terrible existence, which is unimaginable in its torments.

The Day of Judgment is a fixed day in the future when everyone will be brought to stand before their Creator, Allah, to account for all that they did in their life.

Those who believed in Him and observed righteousness will be rewarded and those who were irresponsible and did evil deeds will be punished severely. Many people, however, have already passed away and are still waiting for the Day of Judgment in their graves.

For those who believed and did well in this life, their graves will be spacious and well-lit. Their deeds will come to them in the form of a handsome attendant who will speak kindly and keep them company till the Day of Judgment. From their graves, they will be able to see their place in Paradise. They will beg Allah to bring the Day soon so that they can receive their reward as soon as possible.

For those who did not believe in Allah or did evil in this world, their grave will be very dark, narrow, and crampling so much so that they will feel their ribs crossing over each other in the middle of their chest. Their deeds will come to them in the form of an ugly and mean attendant. From their graves, they will be able to see their place in Hellfire. They will beg Allah not to bring the Day of Judgment so that they would not suffer what is in store for them.

There is a wealth of information available to those who would like to know more about this key issue for all of mankind. All we need to do is read the Qur’an and books of Hadith that deal with this subject. The truth about the next life is easily accessible in these two sources.