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The Prayer Of Prophet Ibrahim And His Companions

[Quran 60:4]

[Al-Muntakhab] “But you people have had in Ibrahim and his followers a good example and a distinguished quality of action and conduct that induces imitation. They said to their people: “We are certainly innocent of your ills and of your false gods you worship besides Allah”. “We refuse to recognize you or submit to you, and enmity and hatred between us shall forever prevail until you have abandoned idolatry and submitted to the authority of Allah and until you have sincerely believed in Him alone with works imprinted with wisdom and piety”.

Therefore, do not confuse the issue and fail to distinguish between invoking Allah’s forgiveness on behalf of your dead, and the supplication made by Ibrahim on behalf of his father. Ibrahim had promised his father earlier that he would invoke Allah’s forgiveness on his behalf, albeit he could not guarantee the outcome. But when he realized that his father remained a faithful adherent to Paganism, he once rejected him and declared his innocence of his fatherhood. When Ibrahim and his followers resolved to quit their people and their homeland they prayed: “Our Creator, in You, we trust, and we repent the disagreeable time we spent with our people, and we repent what we might have done or left undone, and You are the end and the purpose for which we are destined”.

[Muhammad Asad] “Indeed, you have had a good example in Abraham and those who followed him, when they said unto their [idolatrous] people: “Verily, we are quit of you and of all that you worship instead of God: we deny the truth of whatever you believe; and between us, and you there has arisen enmity and hatred, to last until such a time as you come to believe in the One God!”

The only exception was Abraham’s saying to his father, “I shall indeed pray for [God’s] forgiveness for thee, although I have it not in my power to obtain anything from God in thy behalf.” [And Abraham and his followers prayed:] “O our Sustainer! In Thee have we placed our trust, and unto Thee do we turn: for unto Thee is all journeys’ end”.

[Amatul Rahman Omar] “There is indeed a noble example for you (to follow) in Abraham and his companions. Behold! They said to their people, We have nothing to do with you, and We disown that you worship apart from Allah. We disapprove of all that you say and do. A long-lasting (type of) enmity and rancor has arisen and become apparent between you and us, no doubt. (It will last) till you believe in Allah alone.’ But (you have no example to emulate) in the words of Abraham to his sire (when he said), I will surely ask forgiveness for you from Allah, though I can do nothing against (the will of) Allah.’ (Abraham and his companions also prayed to their Lord), `Our Lord! in You we put our trust, and to You alone do we turn (in repentance), and towards You alone is the (final) return.

[Commentary Abdullah Yusuf Ali] “This prayer indicates what our attitude should be. We must trust to ALLAH, and not to ALLAH’S enemies to protect and befriend ourselves, our families, or those near and dear to us”

Arshad Chaudhry

Invoke Allah, The Exalted, For Forgiveness, With Reverence, Hope And Expectation

[Allah’s Quran – 7:56] “Nor does He like those who create discord and make mischief on earth after it has been set in order. And invoke Him with mingled feelings of dread of his just punishment and with reverence, hope, and expectation of His mercy and blessings. His mercy is indeed in the immediate proximity of those whose deeds are imprinted with wisdom and piety.”

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #75, Hadith #319] “Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying.” By Allah! I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.”

[Muslim, Book #035, Hadith #6522] “Al-Agharr al-Muzani, who was one amongst the Companions (of the Holy Prophet) reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: There is (at times) some sort of shade upon my heart, and I seek forgiveness from Allah a hundred times a day.”

[Muslim, Book #035, Hadith #6563] “Abu Musa Ash’ari reported on the authority of his father that Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate in these words:” O Allah, forgive me my faults, my ignorance, my immoderation in my concerns. And Thou art better aware (of my affairs) than myself. O Allah, grant me forgiveness (of the faults which I committed) seriously or otherwise (and which I committed inadvertently and deliberately). All these (failings) are in me. O Allah, grant me forgiveness from the fault which I did in haste or deferred, which I committed in privacy or in public, and Thou art better aware of (them) than myself. Thou art the First and the Last and over all things Thou art Omnipotent.”

The Muslim Is Forgiven Whilst He Sleeps

Umm ad-Dardaa’ said, “Abud-Dardaa’ stood up one night to pray. He was weeping while saying, ‘O Allah! You perfected my physical form, so perfect my character!’ until morning.
I said, ‘O Abud-Dardaa’, your only supplication for the entire night was for good character!’
He replied, ‘O Umm ad-Dardaa’- the Muslim perfects his character until his good character takes him to Paradise. And he corrupts his character until his bad character takes him to the Fire. The Muslim is forgiven while he is asleep.’
I asked, ‘O Abud-Dardaa’, how can a Muslim be forgiven while he is asleep?’
He said, ‘His brother wakes up at night and performs tahajjud and supplicates and is answered. He supplicates for his Muslim brother and his request is answered.’”
[al-Adab al-Mufrad, #290]

This is in accordance with the hadith where the prophet PBUH said, “The supplication of a Muslim for his brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Every time he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: `Ameen! May it be for you, too.” [Muslim].

Surah Isra 17 verse 80 says: “O my Lord! let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honor and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honor; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me).”
Ameen.

Al-Tirmidhi HadithHadith 2482 Narrated by AbuHurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him) Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) used to say, ” O Allah, grant me benefit in what Thou hast taught me, teach me what will benefit me, and increase my knowledge. Praise be to Allah in all circumstances. I seek refuge in Allah from the state of those who go to Hell.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a tradition whose isnad is Gharib.

Why Do We Delay Repentance?

Repentance is ultimately the goal that we all seek. All sane people are conscious of their numerous sins, and those who believe in Allah and His Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) (may Allah exalt his mention) recognize that they will be held accountable for their sins, and therefore desire to be free of the evil consequences of their misdeeds. Islam offers man the ideal way by which he may be released from the burden of his sins.

The word Tawbah (repentance) in Arabic literally means ‘to return’. In an Islamic context, it refers to the act of leaving what Allah has prohibited and returning to what He, Almighty, has commanded.

The subject of repentance concerns all people who believe in Allah, and is vital for Muslims to understand because our salvation in the Hereafter depends on our repentance to Allah, as Allah commands (means): “…And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, that you might succeed.” [Quran 24:31]

Allah also Says (means): “…Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” [Quran 2:222]

One may have a real intention to repent, but there may be some obstacles to the path of repentance. If this is the case, then he needs to act without hesitation and remove those obstacles to clear the way to a happy soul.

The postponement of repentance may be the result of either a deliberate desire to prolong the illicit pleasure derived from the sin or doubt on the part of an ignorant sinner whether or not Allah would accept his repentance.

However, we have to be certain that Allah will guide us to success and safeguard us against our malice. We also must be confident that Allah forgives our sins and that He, and only He, can judge us. It is only His Judgement that is worthy of our worry and anxiety. So we should fear Him only because sincere repentance removes all sins and disobedience.

The door of repentance is always open, until…
The door to repentance is always open and will not be closed in the face of any repentant person, regardless of his sins. Expect this gate to have two locks: death and the approach of the Day of Judgement. The first was mentioned in the Hadeeth: “Allah accepts a slave’s repentance unless his death approaches.” [At-Tirmithi]

The other was mentioned in the Hadeeth: “Whosoever turns to Allah in repentance before the sun rises in the West, Allah will forgive him.” [Ahmad]

Allah Says in the Quran what means: “But repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds up until, when death comes to one of them, he says: ‘Indeed, I have repented now,’ or of those who die while they are disbelievers…” [Quran 4:18]

O, heedless soul! Hasten to repent before the knock of death sounds and the time of repentance runs out. Do not get caught dying in a state of disobedience to your Most Merciful Lord. Satan gives you long hope and empty promises; he delays your repentance until your heart becomes as callous as a rock by being adamant in sin and disobedience, and you would therefore meet your Lord in a wretched state. If the door of repentance is closed to you, it will never open to you again.

What keeps us from repenting?

1. Taking sins lightly:
The problem with many of us today is that we do not fear Allah, which means that we do not think seriously about disobeying Him and therefore fall into sin, without giving any real thought to it. Hence, we should think about the statement that Ibn Mas’ood, may Allah be pleased with him, made: “A believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain which he is afraid may collapse on him, whereas the wicked person considers his sins as flies passing over his nose which he just drives away like this (and he waved his hand across his face to illustrate this).” [Al-Bukhari]

The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Take caution against minor sins because such sins are like a group of people who temporarily settled in the middle of a valley. Then, they decided to make a fire, so each one of them brought a stick until they were able to make it, so they baked their bread… Thus, minor sins (when they accumulate) may destroy the one who commits them.” [Ahmad]

2. “What is the point? I will only end up doing it again”
Such an approach is the result of a misunderstanding. Indeed, one of the conditions of repentance is having a real intention not to return to the same sin. This, however, does not mean that Satan will never tempt you to commit the same sin again. Thus, if you have failed yourself, and you returned to the same sin, it does not mean that your first repentance was a lie. You should hasten to make additional repentance, with a real intention not to return to this sin, keeping in mind that Allah’s mercy extends over everything.

3. “Allah is forgiving, so let me sin”
When reminded of repentance and the hideousness of disobedience, some people would respond that Allah is Oft-Forgiving and most Merciful. An atheist once said in sarcasm: “You should commit as many sins as you can because you are heading towards the Lord who is Most-Generous.” There is no doubt that such a view is complete ignorance of the religion of Allah because Allah’s mercy is close to the righteous and not to the wrongdoers.

4. “I am destined to be a sinner”
Some people may choose to blame Al-Qadr (fate) for their sins. For example, if you ask any of them, “Why do you not perform the Prayers? Why do you not fast? Why do you drink or smoke? Why do you not repent from your disobedience?” They would respond by saying: “This is Allah’s Qadr” or: “I am doomed to do this.” This is a grave misconception and an evasion of the truth. Believing in Al-Qadr does not mean that one is destined to commit sins. It is true that Allah has written all human beings’ deeds, good or bad, and only He knows the unseen, but the believer is not forced to perform a good deed, nor is he forced to commit any disobedience. Instead, he has been granted the ability to reflect, reason, and then make a decision freely. Al-Qadr is only responsible for the calamities and blessings that an individual may confront because he can do nothing about them. For example, if a couple were to marry and have three children, then this is their Qadr. It is impermissible to fault Al-Qadr for our sins and disobedience because doing so is akin to being in confrontation and showing dissatisfaction with Allah.

Repentance wipes out all sins, major and minor:
Being confused, some people may think that repentance is only required for major sins. It should be noted that repentance from all sins is obligatory.

Even the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) who was sinless, asked Allah to forgive him on a daily basis. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) is reported to have said: “O people! Make repentance to Allah. I swear by Allah that I make repentance to Him more than seventy times every day.” [Al-Bukhari]

Therefore, we all need to fear Allah, ask His forgiveness, and be aware that there is no sin that is minor with persistence, and no major sin with seeking Allah’s forgiveness (i.e. if the minor sin is repeated many times it becomes a major one.) Thus, sincere repentance wipes out all committed sins.

Never despair!
Someone might say: “I want to repent but my sins are too many.” But Allah Says what means: “Say: ‘O my slaves who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” [Quran 39:53]

Therefore, we should never lose hope or stop asking for Allah’s forgiveness. Its importance is shown to us in the Hadeeth in which the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “O people! Turn to Allah in repentance and seek His forgiveness, for I make repentance to Him a hundred times every day.” [Muslim]

Repentance is such a great act of worship that doing it can erase all our sins altogether, as the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “One who repents from sin is like one without sin.” [Ibn Maajah]

Ramadan: A Month Of Enormous Blessings

We Are Now So Fortunate That Allah Ta’ala Has Blessed Us With This Great Month Of Ramadan. We Wish To Share With You Some Beautiful Advise As Passed On To Us By The Greatest Teacher The Noble And Final Messenger Of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him). This Message Was Delivered On The Last Day Of Sha’baan.

Salman (Radhiallaho Anhu) reports On the last day of Shabaan, Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) addressed us and said: Oh people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months.

It is a month in which Allah has made fasting compulsory by day and has made sunnah the Taraweeh by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a Fard in any other time and whoever performs a Fard, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy faraaidh in any other time.

This is indeed the month of patience and the reward for true patience is Jannah (paradise). It is the month of sympathy with one’s fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer’s rizq is increased.

Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast (at sunset), for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from the fire of Jahannam (hell) and for such feeder shall be the same reward as the one who fasted (who he fed) without that person’s reward being decreased in the least.

Thereupon we said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast’ Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) replied Allah grants the same reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date or a drink of water or a sip of milk.

This is a month, the first of which brings Allah’s mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness, and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahannam.

Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (bondsmen) this month; Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannam.

And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah (i.e. recite the Kalimah Tayibbah Laa Ilaaha illallah) and make much Istighfaar (beg Allah’s forgiveness with Astaghfirullah) and as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah entrance into paradise and ask refuge in Him from Jahannam.

And whoever gives a person water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to drink from my fountain, such a drink whereafter that person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters Jannah.

(HADITH-BAIHAQI)

The Extension Of Islam’s Universal Mercy To Animals

The universal mercy of Islam embraces not only human beings, whether unbelievers, People of the Book, or Muslims but all other living crea of Allah as well. Accordingly, Islam prohibits cruelty to animals. Thirteen hundred years before any societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals were established, Islam had made kindness to animals a part of its faith and cruelty to them a sufficient reason for a person to be thrown into the Fire.

The Prophet (peace be on him) related to his Companions the story of a man who found a dog panting with thirst. The man went down into a well, filled his shoes with water which he gave to the dog, and continued to do so until the dog’s thirst was quenched. The Prophet (peace be on him) said, ‘Then Allah was grateful to him and forgave him his sins.’ The Companions asked, ‘Is there a reward for us in relation to animals, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied ‘There is a reward in (relation to) every living creature.’ (Reported by al-Bukhari.)

With this radiant picture of Allah’s forgiveness and pleasure, the Prophet (peace be on him) drew another picture depicting Allah’s anger and punishment. He said, A woman was sent to the Fire because of a cat. She imprisoned her and neither fed her nor set her free to feed upon the rodents of the earth. (Reported by al-Bukhari.)

Respect for Allah’s living creatures reached such an extent that when the Prophet (peace be on him) saw a donkey with a branded face, he denounced such a practice saying, “I would not brand an animal except on the part of its body farthest from its face.” (Reported by Muslim.)

In another report, he passed by a donkey with a branded face and said, “Have you not heard that I have cursed anyone who brands an animal on its face or who hits it on its face?” (Reported by Abu Daoud and al-Tirmidhi.)

We have already mentioned that when Ibn ‘Umar saw some people practicing archery using a hen as a target, he said, “The Prophet (peace be on him) cursed anyone who made a living thing into a target.”

Ibn ‘Abbas said that the Prophet (peace be on him) forbade that animals be made to fight each other since people would goad animals into fighting each other until one of them was pecked or gored to death, or close to it. Ibn ‘Abbas also reported that the Prophet (peace be on him) strongly condemned the castration of animals. (Reported by al-Bazzar on sound authority.)

The Qur’an condemned the Arabs of Jahiliyyah for slitting the ears of cattle, calling this a practice inspired by Satan. (4:119)

In relation to the method of slaughtering an animal, we have already pointed out that Islam insists that the manner of slaughter should be that which is least painful to the victim, and it requires that the knife be sharpened but not in front of the animal. Islam also prohibits the slaughtering of one animal in front of another. Before Islam, the world had never witnessed such concern for animals, a concern that was beyond its imagination.

O Allah, O Sufficer of the isolated and weak and Protector against terrifying affairs! Offenses have isolated me, so there is none to be my companion. I am too weak for Thy wrath and there is none to strengthen me. I have approached the terror of meeting Thee and there is none to still my fear. I beg for Your Mercy! Ameen

12 Ways To Erase Sins

Following is a compilation of Ahadith that speaks of ways in which we can erase our sins, InshaAllah!

1. Repenting

O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it. [Hadith Qudsi]

Abu Bakr radhiAllahu anhu reported: “I heard the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam saying: ‘Allah forgives the man who commits a sin (then feels ashamed), purifies himself, offers a prayer and seeks His forgiveness.’ Then he recited the ‘ayyah: ‘And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins – and who can forgive sins except Allah? – and will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. The reward of such will be forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever- a bountiful reward for workers.”‘ [al-‘lmran: 135-136]. [Abu Dawud, an-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, al-Baihaqi, and at-Tirmidhi who calls it hasan.]

2. Performing Wudhu

Narrated Abû Hurayrah radhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam said: When a bondsman – a Muslim or a believer – washes his face (in course of ablution), every sin he contemplated with his eyes will be washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will be washed away with the water, or with the last drop of water, with the result that he comes out pure from all sins. [Sahih Muslim]

Narrated Uthman ibn AffanradhiAllahu anhu: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: He who performed ablution well, his sins would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails. [Sahîh Muslim]

3. Performing Prayer

Narrated Uthman ibn Affan radhiAllahu anhu: “I heard Allah’s Apostle sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam say: When the time for a prescribed prayer comes if any Muslim performs ablution well and offers his prayer) with humility and bowing, it will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he has not committed a major sin; and this applies to all times. [Sahîh Muslim]

Narrated Abu Hurayrah radhiAllahu anhu: “The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: He who purified himself in his house, and then he walked to one of the houses of Allah for the sake of performing fard (obligatory act) out of the Fara’id (obligatory acts) of Allah, both his steps (would be significant) as one of them would obliterate his sin and the second one would raise his status. [Sahih Muslim]

4. Attending the Jumu’ah Salah

Narrated Abû Hurayrah radhiAllahu anhu: The Messenger of Allah sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam said: Five prayers and from one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are not committed. [Sahih Muslim]

Narrated by Salman Al Farsi radhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jumua prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque), then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the Khutba, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

5. Doing good deeds

Narrated Ibn Masud radhiAllahu anhu: A man kissed a woman and then came to Allah’s Apostle and told him of that, so this Divine Inspiration was revealed to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam: “And offer Prayers perfectly at the two ends of the day, and in some hours of the night; (i.e. (five) compulsory prayers). Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (small sins). That is a reminder for the mindful.” (Qur’an: 11.114) The man said, Is this instruction for me only?” The Prophet said, “It is for all those of my followers who encounter a similar situation.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

6. Performing Umrah and Hajj

Narrated by Abû Huraira: The Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radhiAllahu anhu narrated that the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Alternate between Hajj and ‘Umrah (regularly), for these two remove poverty and sins just as the blacksmith’s bellows removes all impurities from metals like iron, gold, and silver. The reward for Hajj Mabrur is nothing short of Paradise.” [Nasa’i and Tirmidhi, who regard it a sound hadith ]

Narrated Abû Huraira radhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “(The performance of) ‘Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

7. Saying ‘Aamin’

Narrated by Abu Huraira radhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “When the Imam says ‘Aamin’, then you should all say ‘Aamin’, for the angels say ‘آmin’ at that time, and he whose ‘Aamin’ coincides with the ‘Aamin’ of the angels, all his past sins will be forgiven.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

8. Fasting and performing prayers on the night of Qadr in Ramadan

Narrated by Abû Huraira radhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven .” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

9. Sending salutations

Abû Talha Al Ansari radhi Allahu anhu said, “The Prophet, Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, woke up one day cheerful and beaming. His companions exclaimed, ‘O Prophet of Allah, you woke up today cheerful and beaming.’ He replied,

‘Yes! A messenger of Allah, the Mighty, and the Glorified, came to me and said, “If anyone from your ummah sends you a salutation, Allah will record for him ten good deeds, wipe off ten of his sins, and raise him thereby ten degrees in rank, and He will return his salutation with a similar salutation”.’ [Ahmad] Ibn Kathir considers this a sound hadith]

10. Being kind to animals

Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, ‘This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth, and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.” The people asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?” He replied, “Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

11. Leaving grey hair

Amr ibn Shu’aib related on the authority of his father from his grandfather that the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Do not pluck the grey hairs as they are a Muslim’s light. Never a Muslim grows grey in Islam except that Allah writes for him, due to that, a good deed. And he raises him a degree. And he erases for him, due to that, one of his sins.” [Related by Ahmad, Abû Dawûd, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah] And Anas said, “We used to hate that a man should pluck out his white hairs from his head or beard.” [Sahîh Muslim]

12. Supplications

Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever says, ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,’ one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever says: ‘La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir,’ one hundred times will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Narrated Abu Hurayrah radhiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Apostle sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam said: If anyone extols Allah after every prayer thirty-three times [SubhanAllah], and praises Allah thirty-three times [Alhamdulillah], and declares His Greatness thirty-three times [Allah hu Akbar], ninety-nine times in all, and say to complete a hundred: “There is no god but Allah, having no partner with Him, to Him belongs sovereignty and to Him to praise due, and He is Potent over everything,” his sins will be forgiven even if these are as Abûndant as the foam of the sea. [Sahih Muslim]

Remember Allah; It’s The Greatest Act

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 195] And spend in the way of Allah and cast not yourselves to perdition with your own hands, and do good (to others); surely Allah loves the doers of good.

[4.Surah An-Nisaa: Ayah 103] “Then when you have finished the prayer, remember Allah standing and sitting and reclining, but when you are secure (from danger) keep up prayer.”

[7.Surah Al-Araf: Ayah 205] “And remember your Lord within yourself humbly and fearing and in a voice not loud in the morning and the evening and be not of the heedless ones.”

[8.Surah Al-Anfal: Ayah 45] “O you who believe! when you meet a party, then be firm, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.”

[13. Surah Ar-Ra’d: Ayah 27-28] “Surely Allah makes him who will go astray, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him). Those who believe and whose hearts are set at rest by the remembrance of Allah; now surely by Allah’s remembrance are the hearts set at rest.”

[20. Surah Taha: Ayah 14] “Surely I am Allah, there is no god but one, therefore serve Me and keep up prayer for My remembrance.”

[29. Surah Al-Ankabut: Ayah 45] “Certainly the remembrance of Allah is the greatest, and Allah knows what you do.”

[33. Surah Al-Ahzab: Ayah 35,41-42] “And the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember– Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a mighty reward.”

“O you who believe! remember Allah, remembering frequently, And glorify Him morning and evening.”

[62. Surah Al-Juma: Ayah 10] “Remember Allah much, that you may be successful.”

[63. Surah Al-Munafiqun: Ayah 9] “O you who believe! let not your wealth, or your children, divert you from the remembrance of Allah; and whoever does that, these are the losers.”

[73. Surah Al-Muzzammil: Ayah 8] “And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with (exclusive) devotion.”

[74. Surah Al-Muddathhir: Ayah 3] “And magnify the glory of your Lord,”

[76. Surah Al-Insan: Ayah 25-26] “And glorify the name of your Lord morning and evening. And during part of the night adore Him, and give glory to Him (a) long (part of the) night.”

[94. Surah Al-Sharh: Ayah 7-8] “So when you are free, nominate. And make your Lord your exclusive object.”

[110. Surah Al-Nasr: Ayah 3] “Then celebrate the praise of your Lord, and ask His forgiveness; surely He is oft-returning (to mercy).”

[Sahih Hadith: Volume 8, Book 75, Number 416] Narrated ‘Abu Musa (Radi Allah Anhu): The Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) said, “The example of the one who remembers (glorifies the Praises of his Lord) Allah in comparison to the one who does not remember (glorifies the Praises of his Lord) Allah, is that of a Living creature to a Dead one.”

O You Who Believe! Spend (Benevolently) 

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 261] The parable of those who spend their property in the way of Allah is as the parable of a grain growing seven ears (with) a hundred grains in every ear; and Allah multiplies for whom He pleases; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 262] (As for) those who spend their property in the way of Allah, then do not follow up what they have spent with reproach or injury, they shall have their reward from their Lord, and they shall have no fear nor shall they grieve.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 263] Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury; and Allah is Self-sufficient, Forbearing.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 264] O you who believe! do not make your charity worthless by reproach and injury, like him who spends his property to be seen of men and does not believe in Allah and the last day; so his parable is as the parable of a smooth rock with earth upon it, then a heavy rain falls upon it, so it leaves it bare; they shall not be able to gain anything of what they have earned; and Allah does not guide the unbelieving people.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 265] And the parable of those who spend their property to seek the pleasure of Allah and for the certainty ‘of their souls is as the parable of a garden on an elevated ground, upon which heavy rain falls so it brings forth its fruit twofold but if heavy rain does not fall upon it, then light rain (is sufficient); and Allah sees what you do.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 266] Does one of you like that he should have a garden of palms and vines with streams flowing beneath it; he has in it all kinds of fruits; and old age has overtaken him and he has weak offspring, when, (lo!) a whirlwind with fire in it smites it so it becomes blasted; thus Allah makes the communications clear to you, that you may reflect.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 267] O you who believe! spend (benevolently) of the good things that you earn and or what We have brought forth for you out of the earth, and do not aim at what is bad that you may spend (in alms) of it, while you would not take it yourselves unless you have its price lowered, and know that Allah is Self-sufficient, Praiseworthy.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 268] Shaitan threatens you with poverty and enjoins you to be niggardly, and Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and abundance; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 269] He grants wisdom to whom He pleases, and whoever is granted wisdom, he indeed is given a great good and none but men of understanding mind.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 270] And whatever alms you give or (whatever) vow you vow, surely Allah knows it, and the unjust shall have no helpers.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 271] If you give alms openly, it is well, and if you hide it and give it to the poor, it is better for you; and this will do away with some of your evil deeds, and Allah is aware of what you do.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 272] To make them walk in the right way is not incumbent on you, but Allah guides aright whom He pleases; and whatever good thing you spend, it is to your own good, and you do not spend but to seek Allah’s pleasure, and whatever good stuff you spend shall be paid back to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 273] (Alms are) for the poor who are confined in the way of Allah – they cannot go about in the land; the ignorant man thinks them to be rich on account of (their) abstaining (from begging); you can recognize them by their mark; they do not beg from men importunately; and whatever good thing you spend, surely Allah knows it.

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 274] (As for) those who spend their property by night and by day, secretly and openly, they shall have their reward from their Lord and they shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve.

Our Lord! accept from us; surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing.

Al-Muntaqim: The Retaliator

Then when they had provoked our wrath, we inflicted our retribution on them and drowned every one of them. ( Surat Az- Zukhruf, 43:55)

Allah warns every nation through his chosen messengers so that they might be saved from idolatry and degeneration. As for those who ignore these warnings and grow more insolent, Allah punishes them. and, his retribution is surely unlike that of people:

Those who did not Believe will be Addressed: “Allah’s Abhorrence of you, when you were called to faith but then chose unbelief, is even greater than your hatred of yourselves.” ( Surat al-Ghafir, 40:10)

In most cases, Allah may delay His punishment upon those people who were warned, and thus were informed of the truth, to give them more time to acquire faith and purify themselves. However, the majority of people use this time to strengthen their existing insolence. Therefore, they deserve a humiliating punishment. As Allah states:

It is coming closer to you and closer. Then closer to you and closer still. Does man reckon that he will be left to go on unchecked? ( Surat al-Qiyama, 75:34-36)

According to the Qur’an, denying our Lord, being insolent and ungrateful toward Him, and refusing to abandon such defiant attitudes are among the greatest crimes a person can commit. This is why Allah punishes unbelievers in ways that they could never have imagined. In one verse, Allah informs us that He is the Retaliator:

On the day We launch the Great Assault, We will certainly inflict Our retribution. ( Surat ad-Dukhan, 44:16)

This aside, many verses speak of Allah’s infinite compassion and the manifestations of His attributes of al-Rahman and al-Raheem. The punishments waiting for unbelievers in the Hereafter are the result of their resolute unbelief. Allah reminds people of this fact and informs them that He does not wrong them, as follows:

[ Angels will say to unbelievers: ] “That is for what you did. Allah does not wrong His servants.” ( Surat al-Anfal, 8:51)

Allah would not punish them while you were among them. Allah would not punish them as long as they sought forgiveness. ( Surat al-Anfal, 8:33)

These are Allah’s Signs, which We recite to you with the truth. Allah desires no wrong for any being. (Surah Al ‘Imran, 3:108)

Our Lord, Who is Most Merciful, also relates that He intends to lead all of His servants to the right path and to perfect His blessings upon them, as follows:

Allah desires to make things clear to you, to guide you to the correct practices of those before you, and to turn toward you. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. ( Surat an-Nisa’, 4:26)

Allah does not want to make things difficult for you; rather, … He wants to purify you and perfect His blessing upon you so that hopefully you will be thankful. ( Surat al-Ma’ida, 5:6)