Our social:

Post from category:

What The Qur’an Teaches: An Appeal By A Compassionate Believer

In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful

Anyone who does a bad deed will be requited with no more than its like, whereas anyone, be it man or woman, who does righteous deeds and is a believer will enter paradise where they will receive blessings beyond reckoning. My people! How is it that I call you to salvation, while you call me to the fire? You call upon me to deny God and to associate with Him others of whom I have no knowledge, the while I call you to the Almighty, the All-Forgiving. There is no doubt that what you call me to is not fit to be invoked either in this world or in the life to come. To God is our return, when the transgressors shall find themselves in the fire.

‘You shall then remember what I am telling you now. As for me, I commit myself to God: God is well aware of all His servants. God delivered him from the evils of their scheming, whereas grievous suffering was to encompass Pharaoh’s folk: before the fire they are brought, morning and evening, and then on the Day when the Last Hour comes, it will be said: “Cast Pharaoh’s people into the worst suffering.”
(The Forgiving; Ghafir: 40: 40-46)

We have been discussing the argument of the believer who lived in Pharaoh’s household when he defended Moses’ case. He states for his people the rule that governs reward and punishment in the life to come: “Anyone who does a bad deed will be requited with no more than its like, whereas anyone, be it man or woman, who does righteous deeds and is a believer will enter paradise where they will receive blessings beyond reckoning.” It is out of God’s grace that good deeds will be rewarded in multiples, while bad ones are requited with no more than what they actually are. God is fully aware of people’s weaknesses, the temptations to which they are exposed, and the impediments they have to face when they try to adhere to His guidance. Therefore, He multiplies their good deeds and makes them a means to erase their bad ones. If, after the reckoning, they attain admittance into heaven, God grants them blessings beyond all ken.

The believer expresses his amazement that he should call them to what saves them from punishment, while they call him to what will lead him to the fire: “My people! How is it that I call you to salvation, while you call me to the fire?” Needless to say, they did not call on him to throw himself into a fire, but they called on him to associate partners with God. The two are synonymous. Therefore, he states the other call in the next verse: “You call upon me to deny God and to associate with Him others of whom I have no knowledge, the while I call you to the Almighty, the All-Forgiving.”

The difference between his and their calls cannot be wider. His call is clear, and straight, requiring them to believe in God, the Almighty, the All-Forgiving. He calls them to believe in the One God, whose work in the universe testifies to His oneness, limitless ability, and infinite power. They should believe in Him so that He will forgive them, as He is the One who forgives all. How does this contrast with what they call him to do? They call him to disbelieve in God, to associate with Him beings of whom he has no knowledge: idols, myths, legends, and paradoxes.

The believer then states in all clarity that those alleged partners have no say on any matter in this present world or in the life to come. All shall return to God Almighty when those who transgress the bounds will be the dwellers of fire: “There is no doubt that what you call me to is not fit to be invoked either in this world or in the life to come. To God is our return, when the transgressors shall find themselves in the fire.”

Thus the basic facts of true faith are laid down, clear, and free of all ambiguity. This believer unhesitatingly states them in front of Pharaoh and his noblemen, although until then he had kept secret the fact that he believed in God. Now he declares his faith openly. What is left for him, then? Nothing other than to surrender himself to God. He has stated the truth as he knew it in the depths of his heart. He warns them that they are certain to remember his words when remembrance will avail them nothing. All matters are referred to God: “You shall then remember what I am telling you now. As for me, I commit myself to God: God is well aware of all His servants.”

The argument is now over, for the believer from among Pharaoh’s household has declared the word of truth, which remains clear and valid for the rest of time.

The surah does not dwell on what happened between Moses, Pharaoh, and the Children of Israel after this, up to the point of Pharaoh’s drowning while Moses and his people were saved. Instead, it affords some glimpses of what happened thereafter, indeed, after life itself: “God delivered him from the evils of their scheming, whereas grievous suffering was to encompass Pharaoh’s folk.”

This present world is over, and we see the first event that succeeds it. We see the believer who stated the truth being saved from Pharaoh and his aides’ scheming. They could not cause him any harm in this world, or after it. By contrast, Pharaoh’s folk were engulfed by suffering: “Before the fire, they are brought, morning and evening, and then on the Day when the Last Hour comes, it will be said: Cast Pharaoh’s people into the worst suffering.”

Signs Of Kibr (Pride/Arrogance)

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “No one who has an atom’s-weight of Pride in his heart will enter Paradise.” A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, what if a man likes his clothes and his shoes to look good?” He (PBUH) said, “Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty, Pride means rejecting the truth and looking down on people”(Sahih Muslim).

Commentary:
The word or the name for arrogance/pride in Arabic is ‘Kibr’. This is the inner quality of pride. The name of the outward quality is ‘Takabbur’ which means arrogance.

Arrogance is a blameworthy characteristic that is the feature of Iblees and his followers in this world, those on whose hearts Allah Ta’ala has placed a seal.

11 Signs of a Person Having Pride/Arrogance:

  • He doesn’t like others to have what he has
  • He cannot avoid anger
  • He cannot avoid being jealous of others
  • He doesn’t accept advice from others
  • He doesn’t want to listen or accept advice from a learned person or even attend lessons
  • When advising people he always puts them down
  • When speaking he will say good remarks about himself
  • When he speaks he speaks with pride to let people know he has knowledge
  • He deals with people in a bad way
  • He walks in a bad way
  • He looks down on people because he is wealthier, or has a better appearance.

The cure for arrogance involves Knowledge and Action which involves the following remedies:
Firstly, you should know and recognize your Lord and know and recognize your own self as you should be recognized, and that you are not worthy of greatness and that true greatness and pride are only for Allah Ta’ala

Secondly, you should think of yourself as being just like other people and realize that they are like you; they were born from a mother and a father just as you were, and that Taqwa (piety, fear of Allah) is the true criterion of superiority.

Allah Ta’ala says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqoon (the pious)” (Al-Hujuraat, 49:13)…

And finally, know and realize that on the Day of Resurrection the person with pride will be gathered in a small form like an ant which will be trampled underfoot as The Prophet (PBUH) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, the arrogant will be gathered like ants in the form of men. Humiliation will overwhelm them from all sides. They will be driven to a prison in Hell called Bawlas, with the hottest fire rising over them, and they will be given to drink of the juice of the inhabitants of Hell, which is teenat al-khabaal” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi).

Arrogant people are hated by other people just as they are hated by Allah Ta’ala; people love humble, tolerant, and gentle people, and they hate those who are harsh and cruel to people.

And Allah knows best!

10 Extraordinary Motivational Sentences!

Sometimes all it takes to change the way people think is one simple sentence. A tiny piece of inspiring information can make us look at something in a totally different light. Whether it’s about success, happiness, or something else entirely, words have the power to make a significant impact.

Therefore, with this in mind, below you’ll find 10 motivational sentences, of which it might take just one to change your life today.

1. “Everybody is given the same number of hours every day to accomplish what they want to accomplish, and that’s 24…no more, no less.”

We all get given the same number of hours to use each given day. This means that the likes of Bill Gates, Richard Branson, and Warren Buffet all have the same amount of time every day as we do. So really, if they can be successful, we can too.

We have the same amount of time to use to our advantage, so why can’t we put in the same amount of work and get the same results as they do?

2. “Some of the most successful people in the world have been rejected hundreds of times before finally reaching success.”

What do Colonel Sanders, Tim Ferriss, and J.K. Rowling have in common?

They were all rejected a number of times. In fact, they were rejected so many times that if you tried to count, you’d run out of fingers and toes pretty quickly.

Rowling and Ferriss’ books were rejected by more than 20 publishers, and Colonel Sanders’ KFC recipe was rejected over 100 times before it started making him some serious money.

Therefore, no matter how much rejection you suffer in life, there’s always hope. Don’t forget that.

3. “20% of your problems are the reason for 80% of your unhappiness.”

This is the old Pareto principle; 20% of your efforts can equal 80% of the results. This principle also works for other areas and aspects of your life.

Once you have realized this, you can identify the 20%, solve the issues, and remove them from your life.
This is something that you can apply to many areas of life, whether it’s productivity, goals, happiness, or something else.

4. “It’s possible for you to be earning half the amount of money somebody else is earning, and still live a better and healthier life.”

It’s never about how much you are earning, it’s about what you do with the money you earn, as well as how you’re earning.

Someone could be slaving away working 80 hours a week in a job they hate, earning a six-figure salary, but spend that money on material things they never even have the time to use.

Whereas somebody else could be traveling around the world doing what they love, earning just enough to scrape by. They only work 30 hours a week and are much happier. The difference in your life’s quality is never in how much money you’re earning, but in how you’re earning and spending it.

5. “If you never ask for things, you’ll never get them.”

People like to wonder why there aren’t any opportunities for them out there. Well, it’s because you’re not asking for them! You’re not knocking on that door!

Even with small things, such as getting a discount on something you buy, asking somebody out on a date, or getting an extra egg for breakfast from the hotel. It’s all about friendly smiles, conversations, and actually asking questions. This is can be applied to any situation in life. The sole thing to remember is that you shouldn’t wait for them to come to you.

6. “Big things have small beginnings, so don’t be put off by starting out small.”

Amazon, Apple, Dell, Google, and many other billion-dollar companies actually started off in garages or bedrooms.
If this doesn’t inspire you, then nothing will. All these companies started off small, and just look at how much they have grown over the years.

Never be put off by the fact that you might be starting a business or any other skill at the bottom of the barrel as big things always start from small beginnings.

7. “You don’t laugh at the same joke repeatedly, so why do you cry over the same problems repeatedly?”

The first time we hear a joke it’s hilarious. The second time, it’s funny. By the third, you probably won’t laugh. However, when it comes to a problem we have, we get upset over it repeatedly.

We need to learn to worry less, and not waste our precious time crying over the same problem.

8. “There won’t always be tomorrow; so, it’s safe to say that if you’re putting off something until tomorrow, it won’t get done.”

You can never say for certain if you’ll be waking up to another day tomorrow. It’s a sad reality, that one day you can be here, and the next you’re gone.

The excuse of “I’ll do it tomorrow,” just doesn’t fit right.

9. “Many people often hit rock bottom at some point and still become successful.”

There are some people out there who have grown up in rough neighborhoods, poor families, dire circumstances, 3rd world countries, and they’ve still gone on to become successful.

If people from all over the world who come from challenging situations achieve big things, then why can’t you?

10. “The most valuable thing you will ever have in life is time, and it’s always running out, so use it wisely.”

More than friends, more than money, more a job, more than possessions, time is the most valuable asset you have in life.

However, most people don’t treat time like it’s that valuable. They care more about the other things that are mentioned above. You can always earn more money, find a new job, and make new friends, but you cannot get more time.. It’s impossible.

The way you spend your time should be the most important thing to you. Don’t spend a second of your life complaining, worrying, or being unhappy.

Hafsah: The Qur’an’s Keeper

The wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) shared all the normal traits that women have in common. They competed for the Prophet’s love and feelings. Therefore, if one of them was able to do something that pleased him while the others could not do the same she would not hesitate to do it. Zaynab bint Jahsh used to give the Prophet a special type of honey, which he particularly liked. The Prophet used to stop at each of his wives’ homes every afternoon, enquiring whether they needed anything. Then he would spend the night with whoever it was her turn. One day, he came into Ayesha’s place after having had his honey at Zaynab’s. As he entered, Ayesha said to him: “You have had some Maghafir.” (Maghafir was a sweet drink that gave an unpleasant smell). He said that he only had honey at Zaynab’s. She said: “Then the bees that produced that honey must have fed on Maghafir.” The Prophet was unhappy because he was keen that he should always have a good smell.

He then went to Hafsah, and she said to him the same thing. He was really upset, and he said that he would not have that honey again. God then revealed Surah 66, which opens with a statement that the Prophet should not forbid himself something God made lawful to him. It warns the Prophet’s two wives that they must never collude in a scheme against him, or else they would face God’s anger.

An event that shocked the Muslim community in Madinah was that the Prophet’s wives asked him for a more comfortable standard of living. He felt that worldly comforts should not be their preoccupation. When they persisted, he was angry and swore that he would not come near them for a month. They were very unhappy to have so displeased him. After a month was over he acted on God’s instructions, giving them a choice between staying with him, even though he was a life of hardship, or leaving him for a more comfortable life. He would then divorce anyone who chose the latter option and give her good gifts. Every one of them chose to remain his wife. None would prefer anything to be a wife of the Prophet and a mother of all believers.

That was perhaps the last point of disagreement in which Hafsah was involved. After that, she realized that she had to restrain her feelings in order to be more worthy of her position. She turned to her devotion with more dedication.

During Abu Bakr’s short reign as Caliph, the Qur’an was collected in a single volume. This was the first complete copy of the Qur’an. It remained with the Caliph until he passed away. It was then kept by the second Caliph, Umar until he died. Thereafter, it was with Hafsah and remained in her custody as long as she lived. During Uthman’s reign, the Qur’an has collated anew, and several copies were written down. When these copies were completed, the first copy that was with Hafsah was used to check their accuracy. A copy was sent to each main population center to serve as the reference copy. Hafsah’s copy was returned to her and remained in her custody until she died.

– By Adil Salahi

Contemplations On Hajj

You are set to depart to accomplish a great obligation. Make this journey to Allah’s House as Allah wants. Think of the next journey that is surely coming, the one that leads to the meeting of Allah, the Highest. This raises questions like What did I prepare for that Day? Am I following Allah’s Commands? Am I a follower of the Sunnah? Allah says: “And invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but He, everything will perish save His Face, His is the Decision, and to Him (all) shall be returned.” [Soorah al-Qasas (28): 88]

When you equip yourself with enough provision to reach the sacred land of Makkah – remember your journey to Allah and the Hereafter where you will require the provision of your good deeds to reach your desired goal. Before you are death and grave, accounting and scales and al-Siraat followed by either Paradise or Hell. The blessed one will be he whom Allah saves, therefore follow the Command of Allah “and whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the Journey, but the best provision is at-Taqwa.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 197]

Putting on the two garments of Ihram should remind you of the moment of shrouding when your body will be wrapped and put in a grave. This prompts you to give up disobedience and sins, just as you abandoned your expensive clothes and dressed in two clean, white garments. Clean and purify your heart from all stains of sins and disobedience.

When you stand in meeqat, remember that there is still another meeqat that is sure to come soon. It is the meeqat (appointed meeting) on the Day of Resurrection: “Say (O Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): Verily, those of old, and those of later times. All will surely be gathered together for an appointed Meeting of a known Day.” [(57): 49-50]

Upon entering Makkah remember you are in a secure sanctuary: “Have We not established for them a secure sanctuary (Makkah), to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves, but most of the men know not.” [Soorah (28): 57]

Remember the sanctuary on the Day of Resurrection, which none can achieve except those who truly believe in Allah and avoid all kinds of Shirk because “It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their Belief with Zulm (wrong, i.e. by worshiping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are guided.” [al-An’aam 6:81]
“If you were to join gods with Allah, truly fruitless will be your deeds.” [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 65] So, commit yourself to repentance, having a good opinion of Allah, hoping that Allah will grant you security from His Punishment.

When you enter al-Masjid al-Haraam, from one of the gates, now you see what you hoped to see for a long time. Thank Allah for making this possible and hope that He will grant you the greatest reward of seeing His Majestic Face on the Day of Reckoning. This thankfulness is not just to say ‘Al-Hamdulillah’, but also to obey His Commands during the Hajj and all your life through.

Kissing the Black Stone should install in your love for the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), remember the saying of Umar (radhi allahu anhu), “I know that you are a mere stone that can neither harm nor do any good. If I had not seen the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) kissing you, I would have never kissed you.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee (1520) and others]

You start your Tawaaf; know that Tawaaf is a great time for magnifying Allah. Remember Him and busy yourself in Du’aa. Reflect upon the time when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was prevented from doing the same what you are performing!! Then think how Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) cleansed the House of Allah from every symbol signifying worship to others besides Allah. All idols were demolished! Ask Allah to make you steadfast on the correct belief and Path of the Salaf and make you die on the Deen al-Hanifiyyah.

Drink the water of Zam-Zam and supplicate to Allah and Glorify Him. Remember the blessing of Allah, which He has bestowed upon mankind in the form of this blessed water.

When you are in the Sa’ee (running between al-Safa’ and al-Marwa), contemplate on Hajrah, the mother of Isma’eel alaihis-salaam, when she asked her husband, Ibraheem alaihis-salaam: “Did Allah order you to do this (meaning leave me and my baby in the deserted area of Makkah)? When he (Ibraheem alaihis-salaam) replied in the affirmative, her strong belief, trust, and reliance on Allah was seen when she responded to him saying: “Then He (Allah) will not neglect us!!” This great statement of Haajar exemplifies the robust endurance, perseverance, and trust a Muslim should have in Allah. Here in the deserted Makkah was Hajrah with full conviction in Allah and there on the mountains was Ibraheem alaihis-salaam invoking Allah: “O our Rabb! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley with no cultivation, by Your Sacred House, in order, O our Rabb that they may offer prayers perfectly, so fill some hearts among men with love towards them, and (O Allah) provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.” [Soorah Ibraheem (14): 37] Allah answered the Du’aa of Ibraheem alaihis-salaam and valued the firm belief of Hajar – Men and fruit came to Makkah from different places and their son grew up to be a Prophet of Allah.

The Sa’ee and the struggle of Hajrah convey the lessons of Patience in adversity, and that man should turn to Allah, Who alone is the source of help. When a man remembers the struggle and patience of this woman, it makes it easier for him to bear his own problems.

Standing in Arafat (Wuqoof) and the crowd should remind you of the Day of Resurrection when all men from first to the last will stand in front of their Lord, barefooted, naked, and uncircumcised for fifty thousand years. Humble yourself to Allah and manifest your worship to Him alone. Determine to abandon all sins, rush to perform good deeds, and free yourself of all pride and arrogance.

Gather pebbles and when you are about to embark on stoning the jamaraat, remember the Hadeeth of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): “When you cast the small pebbles (i.e. at the jamaraat), it will be a light for you on the Day of Judgment.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah vol: 6, no: 2515] This stoning at the Jamaraat is a manifestation of Uboodiyyah because even if a man does not understand the complete reason and wisdom behind the stoning, he follows the Command of Allah in submission.

Before you perform the sacrifice, purify your intention because: “It is neither their meat nor their blood which reaches Allah, but it is your devotion that reaches Him.” [Soorah al-Hajj (22): 37] When you slaughter your Hady (sacrifice), remember the event when a father (Ibraheem (alaihi as-salaam) submitted to the Command of Allah and willingly agreed to sacrifice his only son (Isma’eel alaihis-salaam) who had grown and become a help for his old age. This teaches us to respond to the Command of Allah, just as Isma’eel did: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded Insha’Allah you will find me from the Saabireen (the patient ones).” [Soorah as-Saffat (37): 102]

After the completion of your Hajj, do not think that the remembrance of Allah has ended, carefully read what Allah says: “So when you have accomplished your Manaasik (i.e. the rites of Hajj) remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 200]