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The Austere Life Of Abu Zar (R.A)

Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam said, “If I possessed gold to the extent of mount Uhud, I would not like to keep any of it with me for more than three days, except what I put aside for paying a debt”.

Note: Mount Uhud is well known as the biggest mountain near Madinah. Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam has said that, if he had as much gold as the mountain of Uhud, he would like to give it away within three days and would not keep any portion of it with himself.

This is simply meant to convey that it will take at least three days to distribute that huge amount of gold. Of course, if there was a debt to be paid and the creditor was not present, some portion of gold could be retained till the debt could be paid. This shows that payment of a debt is more important than Sadaqah. It was the noble habit of
Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam not to hoard anything. Anas Radhiallaho anho who was the special attendant of Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam says that he never kept anything for the next day.

Once somebody presented three birds to Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam, one of which he gave to his own attendant. The attendant brought back that bird the following day to Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam who said to him “Have I not told you not to keep anything for the next day? Allah Jalla Shanohu Himself will provide food for the next day.” Samurah Radhiallaho anho quoted Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam as saying that he checked the store cabinet frequently to make sure that nothing was left in it, lest he should die with something left behind.

Abu Zarr Ghifari Radhiallaho anho, a famous and extremely pious Sahabi had a particular aversion to wealth, about which several incidents have been reported, one of which has been related under the Ayat given at Serial No. 11 above. He says, “I was once accompanying Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam when he looked at Mount Uhud
and said,
“If this mountain were to turn into gold and be given to me, I would not like to keep a single Dinaar of it with me for more than three days except that which I put aside to pay a debt”. He added, “Many of those who have much property shall gain scanty rewards, except for those who say, “Take this and this, before them, behind them, on their right and on their left”. (The narrator made a gesture indicating that they spend profusely with both their hands, distributing money to people around them). (Bukhari)

In Mishkaat, another incident has been related to Abu Zarr Radhiallaho anho. Abu Zarr Radhiallaho anho was once sitting with Uthman Radhiallaho anho during the period of the latter’s Caliphate when he told Ka’b Radhiallaho anho that Abdur Rahman Radhiallaho anho had died leaving behind some property and asked him what he thought about it. Ka’b replied that there was no harm in leaving such property if he had given what was due on it to Allah Ta’ala.

Hearing this, Abu Zarr raised the stick he was carrying, struck Ka’b, and said that he had heard Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam saying, “If I possessed gold equal in quantity to this mountain, which I could spend and which were accepted from me, I would not like to leave behind even six ‘Auqias’ (a small weight) of it”. Abu Zarr Radhiallaho anho then turned to Uthman Radhiallaho anho and adjured him three times to tell him if he had not heard Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam saying these words. Uthman said that he had.

Imaam Bukhari Rahmathullah alaihe has related still another story about Abu Zarr Radhiallaho anho, on the authority of Ahnaf Ibne Qais Rahmathullah alaihe, who says, “I was once sitting with a group of the Quraish in Madinah Munawwarah when a man came there.

He had stiff, dry, and disheveled hair, was dressed in coarse cloth, and looked like an ordinary man. He stopped by their side, greeted them saying, ‘Assalam-o-Alaikum’ and then addressing the people, said “Give those who hoard up treasures, tidings of a rock heated in the fire of Jahannam, which will be placed on their breasts; its heat will cause their flesh to melt and to boil over their shoulders. The rock will then be put on their shoulders causing it to flow from their breasts”. Saying this, he went into the Masjid and sat down beside a pillar.

I did not know who this Divine was; so, I followed him, sat near him, and said, “The people gathered there did not pay heed to what you said; they rather seemed to dislike your saying so”. The divine replied, “They are fools who lack proper understanding, my most loved friend once told me”. When I asked him who was his most loved friend, he replied, “Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam was my most loved friend who once said to me, ‘Abu Zarr, do you see Mount Uhud over there? I said that I did” (thinking that he wanted to send me on an errand and was telling me how much time remained before sunset.) He then said, “If I had gold to the extent of that mountain I would love to spend all of it except for three Dinaars”.

Other versions of the Hadith explain why he would like to keep three Dinaars. After this Abu Zarr Radhiallaho anho said, “These people have no sense; they go on hoarding wealth. By Allah, I neither expect them to give me any money nor need to ask them anything about my religion! Then, why should I feel afraid or hesitate to tell them
exactly what I believe to be true?” (Fatah)

Refrence:
Book Name: Fazail-e-Sadqaat.
Author Name: Shiekh ul Hadees Maulana Zikariya Sahab.

Importance Of Sutrah In Prayers

From ibn Umar the Prophet, Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, said, “When one of you is praying then do not let anyone pass in front of him, and if he refuses then fight him for indeed he has a companion [i.e. a shaytaan] with him.”
[Ahmad, Muslim and ibn Maajah].

From Abu Sa’eed who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, saying, “When one of you prays towards something that acts as a Sutrah for him from the rest of the people and someone wishes to pass in from of him [i.e. between him and the sutrah] then push him back, and if he refuses then fight him for he is a Shaytaan.”
[Tirmidhi and ibn Maajah].

[Note: A Sutrah is an object placed in front of the one who is praying such that the people become aware that he is praying and do not pass directly in front of him but rather from beyond the Sutrah.]

His saying [no.1], “When one of you is praying then do not…” this is a general statement that finds specification in the hadeeth of Abu Sa`eed [no. 2], “When one of you prays towards something that acts as a Sutrah for him,” it is not permissible to push back or fight except for the one with a Sutrah.

Pact of Al-Hudaybiyah

Early in A.D. 628, the Holy Prophet decided to proceed to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage. He was accompanied by companions about fourteen hundred in number. Hadhrat Umar RA  also accompanied the Holy Prophet PBUH. In order to convince the Quraish that the Muslims had no war-like intentions against them, the Holy Prophet PBUH decided that they would carry no arms.

When the Muslims halted at Zul Hulaifah six miles from Madina, Hadhrat Umar RA waited on the Holy Prophet PBUH and submitted that no reliance could be placed on the Quraish and accordingly, it was unsafe to proceed to Mecca without arms. Hadhrat Umar RA urged that for self-defense the Muslims should be armed. The Holy Prophet PBUH  accepted the advice of Hadhrat Umar RA, and some persons were sent to Madina to bring in arms.

When the Quraish of Mecca came to know that the Muslims were coming to Mecca they sent Khalid bin Walid and Ikramah bin Abu Jahl with two hundred horsemen to intercept the Muslims, and prevent their advance to Mecca. Finding the way to Mecca barred the Holy Prophet PBUH consulted his companions as to what course of action they should adopt. The consensus of opinion was that they should go ahead. If they were stopped they would fight; otherwise not.

The Holy Prophet PBUH enquired of his companions whether anyone out of them could lead the Muslims to Mecca by a path other than the main route barred by the enemy. One of the companions volunteered to show an alternative way. He led the Muslims on the way full of rough rocks through the ravines of Mudniya. After a weary march, the Muslims reached Hudaibiya on the lower side of Mecca and within the sacred territory.

The Muslims encamped at Hudaibiya, and here Urwa bin Masud came to see the Holy Prophet PBUH on behalf of the Quraish. He talked in diplomatic language and tried to impress that the Quraish were strong and would not allow the Muslims to visit Mecca. He also insinuated that at the time of crisis, the followers of the Holy Prophet PBUH were likely to leave him. Thereupon the companions of the Holy Prophet PBUH said, “May God curse you; how dare you think that we will abandon the Holy Prophet PBUH. Rest assured we will fight to the last for him”. When Urwa returned to the Quraish, he gave his impressions about the Holy Prophet PBUH and the Muslims in the following terms:

“O people of the Quraish! I have seen kings but by God, I have never seen a king as I have seen Muhammad PBUH amongst his companions. If he makes his ablutions they would not let the water fall on the ground; if a hair of his body falls they pick it up. They will not surrender him for anything in any case, do what you may.”

As among the Quraish, the Adis specialized in diplomatic skill the Holy Prophet PBUH wanted Hadhrat Umar RA to go to the Quraish to negotiate. Hadhrat Umar submitted that he was a person non grata with the Quraish, and his mission was not likely to be successful. He advised that Hadhrat Usman RA who was soft-spoken and was popular with the Quraish should be sent on the mission. The advice was accepted and Usman was accordingly sent to the Quraish to negotiate regarding the Muslim’s entry into Mecca and performing the pilgrimage.

When three days passed away, and Hadhrat Usman RA did not return from Mecca a rumor got afloat that he had been killed by the Quraish. Hadhrat Umar RA donned his arms and accouterments and waited on the Holy Prophet PBUH. He submitted that if the Quraish had killed Hadhrat Usman RA, the Muslims should fight the Meccans to the bitter end. The Holy Prophet PBUH asked all his Companions about 1,400 in number to assemble and take a vow binding themselves to Jihad against the infidels. The Holy Prophet PBUH sat under a tree, and all the Companions took the oath turn by turn. God approved of this measure, and the following verse was revealed to the Holy Prophet: “Verily Allah was pleased with the faithful that they swore allegiance to thee under the tree.”

In view of the pleasure of God, this oath later came to be called ‘the Bait-ul-Rizwan’- the oath that pleased God. A little later Hadhrat Usman RA returned from Mecca along with some emissaries from the Quraish. After some further negotiations, the terms of a pact between the Muslims and the Quraish were hammered out. These terms were:
There was to be a truce between the Muslims and the Quraish for ten years.

1. If any tribe wanted to enter into a treaty with the Muslims it could do so, and whoever wished to enter a covenant with the Quraish was likewise free to do so.

2. If anyone from the Quraish came to the Muslims without the permission of his guardian, he was to be returned to the Quraish. On the other hand, if a Muslim sought refuge with the Quraish, he was not to be delivered to the Muslims.

3. The Muslims were to withdraw that year without performing the pilgrimage. They were free to perform the Hajj the following year when they could stay in Mecca for three days. Prima facie these terms favored the Quraish and Hadhrat Umar RA felt very bitter about them. He waited on the Holy Prophet PBUH and submitted: “O Prophet of God! Are you not the Messenger of God?” “Certainly I am”, said the Holy Prophet PBUH.
“Are not our enemies idolatrous polytheists?” asked Umar RA.
“Undoubtedly they are”, rejoined the Holy Prophet PBUH.
“Why should then we disgrace our religion?” added Umar RA.
The Holy Prophet  said, “I am the Messenger of God, and I do not act in contravention of His commandments.”

This silenced Hadhrat Umar RA, but he felt these terms to be humiliating to the Muslims. He saw Hadhrat Abu Bakr RA and wanted him to persuade the Holy Prophet PBUH to revise the terms. Hadhrat Abu Bakr RA said: “The Holy Prophet knows things better than we do. What the Holy Prophet PBUH has done is in the interests of the Muslims. Have faith in God. Do not be critical and hold fast to the stirrup of the Holy Prophet  PBUH.” Thereafter the pact which came to be known as the Hudaibiya pact was duly signed between the Muslims and the Meccans. On behalf of the Muslims, the pact was among others signed by Hadhrat Umar RA.

After the pact had been signed Suhail’s son Abu Janda RAl who had accepted Islam and was a captive with the Meccans escaped from the captivity and came to seek refuge in the Muslim camp. Suhail followed his son and demanded that by the Hudaibiya pact, his son should be returned to him. Umar advocated that as Abu Jandal did not want to return, it was unfair to force him to return. The Holy Prophet PBUH said that they had entered into a pact with the Meccans and as Muslims, they could not go back upon their word. He allowed Suhail to take away his son. Turning to Abu Jandal the Holy Prophet PBUH said, “Abu Jandal be patient. God in His bounty will Himself devise some way to facilitate your return to the Muslims”. Hadhrat Umar RA went some distance with Abu Jandal and Suhail. He kept goading Abu Jandal with his sword, and the idea was that he should take the sword and kill his father. Abu Jandal was too depressed and confused to follow the clue. When Suhail and his son rode off to Mecca, Hadhrat Umar RA returned to the Muslim camp crestfallen.

The Muslims struck camp and started on the return journey to Madina. Hadhrat Umar RA felt unhappy. He was bitter that in this deal the Quraish had had the upper hand. In this way, Surah Al-Fath was revealed to the Holy Prophet PBUH. “Verily, We have opened wide for thee the gates of victory.” The Holy Prophet PBUH called for Hadhrat Umar RA and told him that God had that day revealed to him that the Hudaibiya pact would lead to the victory of the Muslims. That made Hadhrat Umar RA rejoice. Hadhrat Abu Bakr RA assessed the Treaty of Hudaibiya in the following terms: “No victory of Islam has more importance than the treaty of Hudaibiya. Men are always for hurrying things on, but God lets them ripen. Previously there had subsisted a wall of partition between the Muslims and the rest of the men; they never spoke to each other, and wherever they met they began to fight. Subsequently, hostility died down, and security and mutual confidence took its place. Every man of even moderate intelligence who heard of Islam joined it, and in the twenty-two months in which the truce subsisted the number of conversions was greater than throughout the whole of the previous period, and the faith of Islam diffused itself in all directions among the people.”

Hudaibiya Pact Developments
In the wake of the Hudaibiya pact there took place developments which affected Umar RA personally. At the time of the Hudaibiya pact, it was undertaken that if any person from the Quraish accepted Islam such a person was to be returned to the Quraish. Some men from among the Quraish accepted Islam and sought shelter with the Muslims. Following the terms of the pact, these persons were returned to the Quraish.

Later a crisis developed when some Quraish women accepted Islam against the wishes of their parents and husbands and sought refuge with the Muslims. The Quraish wanted such women to be returned to them. The Holy Prophet PBUH refused to return such women to the Quraish as in the meantime God had revealed:

“Believers, when believing women came to you as refugees, examine them. Allah knows the state of their faith. If you find them to be true believers do not return them to the unbelievers. They are not lawful to the unbelievers, nor are the unbelievers lawful to them. You shall, however, give to their former husbands what they have spent on them. And you will be doing nothing unlawful after you have given them dowries.” [60: 10]

Another verse on the same subject is provided: “Do not marry idolatresses until they embrace the faith. And do not marry your women to idolaters.”

Hadrat Umar RA had three wives, namely:
1. Zainab bint Mazaun Jamiah;
2. Malaika bint Jarul Khuzai; and
3. Qariba bint Abi Umayya Makhzumi.

Out of these three, only Zainab bint Mazaun had accepted Islam and migrated to Madina. The other two ladies did not accept Islam and did not choose to migrate. After the Hudaibiya pact, Hadhrat Umar RA divorced Malaika as well as Qariba. After being divorced by Hadhrat Umar RA, Malaika married Abu Jahm bin Hazifa while Qariba married Abdur Rahman son of Abu Bakr who was still an infidel.

After the Hudaibiya pact, the first Muslim woman who fled from the Quraish and sought refuge with the Muslims was Sabiha bint al-Haris. Her husband did not accept Islam. When the Quraish came to demand the restoration of Sabiha, the Holy Prophet refused to return her to the Quraish saying that the condition in the pact applied to men only and not to women. The Holy Prophet PBUH had Sabiha married to Umar RA.

In Madina, Hadhrat Umar RA married an Ansar lady Asiah bint Sabat Ansari

.On marriage Hadhrat Umar changed her name to Jamila. Hadhrat Umar resided with her at Quba. It is reported that for some years she was Hadhrat Umar’s favorite wife. A few years later, Hadhrat Umar divorced her and shifted to Madina. The reason why Hadhrat Umar divorced her is not known.

Allah Detests Every Boastful Who Exalts Himself Unduly And Displays Inordinate Self Esteem

 

وَاعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُواْ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالاً فَخُورًا

[Quran 4:36]

[Translation – AL-Muntakhab] “And worship Allah and do not incorporate with Him other deities, and commit your parents to your kind care and display to them and to the kindred who are related by blood and to the orphans a friendly and kind disposition. A similar disposition is extended to the poor and to the neighbor related or immediate, to the associate and to the wayfarer, and to those on-hand, whether they be captives or reduced to servile state. And do realize that Allah detests every boastful who exalts himself unduly and displays inordinate self-esteem”

[Commentary Abdullah Yusuf Ali] “Real deeds of service and kindness proceed, not from showing off or from a superior sort of condescension (Cf. “White Man’s Burden”), but from a frank recognition of our own humility and the real claims, before ALLAH, of all our fellow-creatures. For in our mutual needs, we are equal before ALLAH, or perhaps the best of us (as the world sees us) may be worse than the worst of us (from the same point of view)”

[Commentary ALA-MAUDUDI] Serve Allah and ascribe no partner to Him. Do good to your parents, to near of kin, to orphans, and to the needy, and to the neighbor who is of kin and to the neighbor who is a stranger, and to the companion by your side, and to the wayfarer, and to those whom your right hands possess. Allah does not love the arrogant and the boastful,

8 Productivity Lessons From Surah Al-Layl

What is wealth? Some would say the riches of this life – cars, phones, and houses. Others would say their wealth is the spiritual happiness they feel in their relationships with others.

A surah in the Quran explains the link to your deeds and wealth in this life and the next. It’s time to learn how to be productive – through Surah Al-Layl!

Allah ‘azza wa jall says: Certainly, your efforts and deeds are diverse. [Quran, 92:4]
By the night as it envelops; And by the day as it appears in brightness; And by Him Who created male and female; Certainly, your efforts and deeds are diverse (different in aims and purposes). [Quran, 92:1-4]
{وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَىٰ ﴿١﴾ وَالنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّىٰ ﴿٢﴾ وَمَا خَلَقَ الذَّكَرَ وَالْأُنثَىٰ ﴿٣﴾ إِنَّ سَعْيَكُمْ لَشَتَّ

1. Know who deserves your best.
Look at these amazing things Allah ‘azza wa jall created: the darkness of the night and the brightness of the day and the male and female as two opposites, not only in humans but in animals and plants as well. Know that no matter how dark the night is, the brightness of the day will follow, and let this inspire you to battle your problems and stress, knowing that after difficulty comes ease.

Reflecting on night and day and female and male qualities in creation should humble you and make you realize two things: there is a creator, and this creator fully deserves to be obeyed.

2. Keep renewing your intention.
Allah says: inna sa’yakum lashatta – certainly your efforts and deeds are diverse. Sa’aykum comes from sa’ee, which means walking or pacing fast, and when something important is concerning you, you walk fast.

What do your deeds show of what is important to you? There are huge differences in the deeds and works of people, the energy spent in them, and their goals; are they for Allah ‘azza wa jall or for a temporary objective in this world?
Whatever you do for Allah will stay forever. In daily life, we sometimes seem to lose track of the purpose of things we do and we forget about making our intention for Allah in both big and small daily deeds and efforts. For example, if you go to work in order to provide for your family and thereby please Allah, cook for your family for the sake of Allah, and even sleep reviving the Sunnah of sleeping and in order to be stronger to worship, you are transforming all your “wordily” deeds into deeds for His sake!

A good tip to keep renewing your Eemaan and intention is to repeatedly say during the day: laa ilaaha illAllah.
As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, And believes in Al-Husna. We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness).[Quran, 92:5-7]
{فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَىٰ وَاتَّقَىٰ ﴿٥﴾ وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنَىٰ ﴿٦﴾ فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْيُسْرَىٰ ﴿٧

3. Check your expenditures.
Looking at the money you spend; how much is for the sake of Allah? Wealth can be a blessing and a trial. How can you turn your material wealth into spiritual wealth in the Hereafter and purify your soul instead of corrupting it? By paying zakat, by spending for the needs of your family, by giving voluntary charity (sadaqah) with your time and money, and even by doing da’wah! Look at your expenditures, and order them according to priority for your Hereafter!

4. Balance fear and hope.
One of the best pieces of productivity advice is to fear Allah in everything you do. Be motivated out of fear of His punishment as well as out of good hope in His reward, and let this balance be reflected in all your efforts.
Some people say, it seems I can never stop sinning, or, it’s so hard to stay on the right path. Although they know the good path, some still willingly go for the bad path, while others will follow the good path while they know the evil path.

Know that one thing is for sure: when you make that sincere effort and strive for Him, Allah will make the path to good easy for you. All you need to do is keep begging Him.

“But he who is greedy, miser and thinks himself self-sufficient. And gives the lie to Al-Husna; We will make smooth for him the path for evil; And what will his wealth benefit him when he goes down (in destruction). [Quran, 92:8-11]”
وَأَمَّا مَن بَخِلَ وَاسْتَغْنَىٰ ﴿٨﴾ وَكَذَّبَ بِالْحُسْنَىٰ ﴿٩﴾ فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْعُسْرَىٰ ﴿١٠﴾ وَمَا يُغْنِي عَنْهُ مَالُهُ إِذَا تَرَدَّىٰ

5. Don’t ever think you are self-sufficient.
When people have power and wealth they often think they are not in need of Allah because in their mind wealth represents power. One enormous disease therefore is istaghnaa— thinking we are free of need. In your daily life, keep reminding yourself you need Allah ‘Azza wa Jall for everything, and stay humble no matter how much money you earn, how many friends you have, or how beautiful you are.

Truly, on Us is (to give) guidance. And truly, to Us (belong) the last (Hereafter) and the first (this world). [Quran, 92:12-1]

6. Know that guidance comes from Allah only.
Some believers become proud of their good deeds. Know that you cannot get guidance by deeds alone; you always have to keep begging Allah for (hidaayah guidance). That’s why in Surah Al Fatiha we Muslims keep saying: ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem – guide us on the straight path. Say this with your heart each time you pray!
Therefore I have warned you of a Fire blazing fiercely (Hell). None shall enter it save the most wretched, who denies and turns away. [Quran, 92:14-15]

7. Think of how hard you are trying to follow the sunnah.
Once the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam said: ‘All of my followers will enter Paradise on the Day of Judgment except for whoever refuses.’ He was asked, ‘Who would refuse, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied, ‘Whoever obeys me, he will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me, then he has refused.’ [Al-Bukhaari] Make an effort to study the Sunnah and to stick to it, and ask Allah to protect you from the fire each day.

And the righteous will be far removed from it (Hell). He who spends his wealth for increase in self-purification, And have in his mind no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, Except only the desire to seek the Countenance of his Lord, the Most High; He surely will be pleased (when he will enter Paradise). [Quran, 92: 17-21]

8. Don’t expect a reward from anyone but Allah.
I can’t believe I did all of that for him and he treats me like this? I went out of my way for her, and she doesn’t even do this for me?
Sound familiar? Instead of expecting rewards from others, try to focus on your reward with Allah whenever you do something for others so you won’t get disappointed so quickly. Only Allah is Ash-Shakoor, The Most Appreciative of your intentions and deeds!

May Allah ‘azza wa jall enable us to live by the guidance of the Quran, Ameen.