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Purifying Ourselves, Physically And Spiritually

WUDU is a pre-condition for Salah. It shows Islam’s stress on purifying ourselves, physically and spiritually.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said about the virtue of Wudhu: “When a slave makes ablution and rinses his mouth, his wrong deeds fall from it. As he rinses his nose, his wrong deeds fall from it. When he washes his face, his wrong deeds fall from it until they fall beneath his eyelashes. When he washes his hands, his wrong deeds fall from them until they fall from beneath his fingernails. When he wipes his head, his wrong deeds fall from it until they fall from his ears. When he washes his feet, his wrong deeds fall from them until they fall from beneath his toenails. Then his walking to the mosque and his prayer fetch him an extra reward.” (Malik, An-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim)

After we complete our Wudhu, one of the Du’as our Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us to say is: “Ash-hadhu An Laa ilaaha illAllahu wahdahu Laa Shareeka Lahu wa Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Abduhu wa Rasuluhu” (I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).

Sheikh Salih Al-Fowzan explained: “The reason behind reciting Dhikr and invocation following ablution is to combine both physical and spiritual purity.

Ablution is a means of attaining physical purity, whereas Dhikr and invocation (implying declaring monotheism and repentance for sins) are signs of spiritual purity.

In this way, one gets into the perfect state of purity (combining both physical and spiritual purity) and becomes pure enough to be admitted to stand before Allah in prayer, imploring Him humbly and submissively. (Mulakhkhas Al-Fiqh, Eng. version, vol. 1, ch. 7, p. 43)

Hazrat Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu)

[Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 3, Number 118] Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): People say that I have narrated many Hadiths (The Prophet’s (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) narrations). Had it not been for two verses in the Qur’an, I would not have narrated a single Hadith, and the verses are: “Verily those who conceal the clear sign and the guidance which We have sent down . . . (up to) Most Merciful.” (2:159-160). And no doubt our Muhajir (emigrant) brothers used to be busy in the market with their business (bargains) and our Ansari brothers used to be busy with their property (agriculture). But I (Abu Huraira) used to stick to Allah’s Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) contented with what will fill my stomach and I used to attend that which they used not to attend and I used to memorize that which they used not to memorize.

[Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 3, Number 119] Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): I said to Allah’s Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) “I hear many narrations (Hadiths) from you but I forget them.” Allah’s Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said, “Spread your Rida’ (garment).” I did accordingly and then He moved his hands as if filling them with something (and emptied them in my Rida’) and then said, “Take and wrap this sheet over your body.” I did it and after that, I never forgot anything.

[Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 3, Number 121] Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): I have memorized two kinds of knowledge from Allah’s Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ). I have propagated one of them to you and if I propagated the second, then my pharynx (throat) would be cut (i.e. killed).

On The Day Of Judgement Every One WIll Be Paid Full Of Recompense

[ALLAH’S Quran – 3:185] “Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said : [Bukhari, Book #76, Hadith#470] “Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “the deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from the (Hell)fire).” they said, “Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah’s Apostle?” He said, “No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me. therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise).

Dua’s Are Not Answerd Because Our Hearts Are Dead

Ibrahim Bin Adham [Allah be pleased with him] was asked as to why our Dua’s do not get accepted even though ALLAH (Azza wa Jal) has said: “And ask of ME I shall grant you…”

So Ibrahim Bin Adham [Allah be pleased with him] answered: Your ‘Dua’s’ do not get answered because your hearts are dead.

They said, ‘Why are our hearts dead ?’ he answered, because of eight things

  1. You know the rights of ALLAH upon you but you do not fulfill them.
  2. You read the ‘Qur’an’ but you do not act on its commandments.
  3. You claim that you love the Prophet (may peace and blessing of ALLAH be upon him) but you don’t follow his way.
  4. You say we fear Death, but you don’t prepare for it.
  5. ALLAH (Azza Wa Jall) says, “Indeed Shaytan is your enemy, so take him as your enemy…” but you obey him in committing sins and disobeying ALLAH!
  6. You claim that you fear the hellfire but you have thrown yourselves therein.
  7. You claim that you love Paradise but you don’t make an effort for it.
  8. When you get up from your beds in the morning, you throw your deficiencies behind your backs and involve yourselves with other people’s faults.

Thus, you have angered your Lord, so why would HE answer your prayers?

Son of Adam! You are nothing but a number of days, whenever each day passes then part of you has Gone. Al-Hasan Al-Basree (r)

Note: Ibrahim ibn Adham [Allah be pleased with him] was a third-century scholar, a teacher, and a companion of Sufyan ath-Thawri,[Allah be pleased with him].
Source: [Taken from: Ihya Ulum al-Din; Kitab Sharh `Aja’ib al-Qalb]

Patience With Trials And Tribulations In Islam

Muslims will endure many trials throughout their lives. Allah tests us with hardship and prosperity in order to validate the sincerity of our faith.

Allah said: It is He who created death and life to test which of you are best in deed, for He is the Almighty, the Forgiving. (Surat al-Mulk 67:2)

In all cases, trials can be good for the true believer. If he is tested with prosperity, he should remain grateful and he will receive a reward. If he is tested with hardship, he should remain patient and he will receive a reward.

Suhaib -may Allah be pleased with him- reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Wondrous is the affair of the believer for there is good for him in every matter and this is not the case with anyone except the believer. If he is happy, then he thanks Allah and thus there is good for him. If he is harmed, then he shows patience and thus there is good for him. (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2999, Grade:Sahih)

Trials can be a sign that Allah intends good for us because through trials our sins are expiated and we have the opportunity to perform good deeds.

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If Allah intends good for someone, then he afflicts him with trials. (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5321, Grade: Sahih)

Mahmud ibn Labeed (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If Allah loves a people, then he afflicts them with trials. Whoever is patient has the reward of patience, and whoever is impatient has the fault of impatience.(Musnad Aḥmad 23122, Grade: Sahih)

Mus’ad ibn Sa’eed (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The servant will continue to be tried until he is left walking upon the earth without any sin.(Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2398, Grade: Sahih)

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If Allah intends good for his servant, then he hastens the punishment for him in this world. If Allah intends evil for his servant, then he withholds punishment for his sins until he appears on the Day of Resurrection.

In another narration, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Verily, with greater rewards come greater trials. Verily, when Allah loves a people he will test them. Whoever is pleased will be satisfied, and whoever is displeased will have indignation.(Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2396, Grade: Hasan)

Despite the incidental blessings that might come about from trials, a Muslim should never wish to be put on trial because he does not know if he will succeed.

Miqdad ibn Al-Aswad (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Verily, the blessed person is one kept away from trials. Verily, the blessed person is one kept away from trials. Verily, the blessed person is one kept away from trials. How good is one who is afflicted but bears it patiently!(Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4263, Grade: Sahih)

Instead, Muslims should supplicate to Allah for security and well-being.

Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: You will not be given anything after sincere faith as good as security, so ask Allah for security.(Musnad Aḥmad 11, Grade: Sahih)

Likewise, a Muslim should never rush into trials whether among the Muslims or the non-Muslims.

Allah said: Our Lord, make us not a trial for the unbelievers and forgive us, our Lord. Verily, You are the Almighty, the Wise.(Surah al-Mumtahanah 60:5)

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: There will be tribulations during which a sitting person will be better than the one standing, and the one standing will be better than the one walking, and the one walking will be better than the one running, and whoever exposes himself to these tribulations will be destroyed, so whoever finds a place of protection or refuge should take shelter in it. (Ṣaḥiiḥ al-Bukharii 6670, Grade: Sahih)

One of the greatest trials a Muslim might endure is the death of a loved one such as a spouse, a parent, or a child. If he remains patient and praises Allah in such a situation, then Allah has guaranteed a house for him in Paradise.

Abu Musa Al-Ashari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When the child of a servant dies, Allah says to the angels: Have you taken the life of my servant’s child? They say yes. Allah says: Have you taken the fruit of his heart? They say yes. Allah says: What has my servant said? They say: He has praised you and said to Allah we belong and to Allah we return. Allah says: Build a house for my servant in Paradise and name it the House of Praise.(Sunan al-Tirmidhī 1021, Grade: Hasan)

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Allah the Exalted says: I have nothing to give to my faithful servant if I cause his dear friend to die and he remains patient, other than Paradise. (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukharii 6060, Grade: Sahih)

The trials of pain and loss are very difficult, but in some ways, the trials of prosperity are even more difficult.

Abdur Rahman ibn Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) said: We were tested with hardship alongside the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and we were patient. Then we were tested with prosperity after that and we were not patient.(Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2464, Grade: Hasan)

An abundance of wealth is one of the greatest trials for the Muslim nation because in such a situation the Muslims are obligated to spend generously from it in charity.

Ka’b ibn Iyad (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Verily, every nation has a trial and the trial of my nation is wealth.(Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2336, Grade: Sahih)

Muslims are tested with great acts of oppression committed by authorities and powerful groups in the world, but we must remember that Allah has promised us that those who oppress us will give us their good deeds on the Day of Resurrection or take some of our sins.

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever oppresses his brother in his honor or anything else should resolve the matter today before it cannot be resolved with gold and silver coins. If he has good deeds to his credit, they will be taken from him according to the measure of his oppression, but if he has no good deeds left, then he will bear the evil deeds of his companion. (Ṣaḥī-iḥ al-Bukharii 2317, Grade: Sahih)

In such a situation, we must remember that Allah will avenge us in the Hereafter so we should not let our hatred or anger at our oppression lead us to commit further acts of injustice.

Allah said: O you who believe, be persistently standing firm for Allah as witnesses in justice and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just, for that is nearer to righteousness. Fear Allah, for Allah is aware of what you are doing. (Surat al-Ma’idah 5:8)

One of the greatest trials is the temptation to resort to violence when confronted with an unjust government, but in such a situation we must be patient and attempt to reform the government without declaring a violent rebellion.

Hudhayfa ibn al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Rulers after me will come who do not follow my guidance and my tradition. Some of their men will have the hearts of devils in the human body. I said, “O Messenger of Allah, what should I do if I live to see that time?” The Prophet said: You should listen and obey them even if the ruler strikes your back and takes your wealth, even still hear and obey. (Ṣaḥiiḥ Muslim 1847, Grade: Sahih)

The righteous predecessors (al-salaf) decried the violent rebels who lived in their time because their rebellion always led to further suffering, injustice, and division among the Muslims.

Hasan Al-Basri -may Allah be pleased with him- said: If the people had patience when they are being tested by their unjust ruler, it will not be long before Allah will give them a way out. However, they always rush to their swords, so they are left with their swords. By Allah, not even for a single day did they bring about any good.(Source: al-Ṭabaqat al-Kubra 8789)

Therefore, Muslims will endure many trials throughout life such as being afflicted by a calamity, suffering oppression, or even ingratitude in the face of prosperity. A Muslim must remain patient with the command and decree of Allah so as to avoid injustice, selfishness, and various evil deeds that might come about during a trial.

We ask Allah to relieve the suffering of Muslims and to guide us through the trials of life and death.

By Abu Amina Elias