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What Shall I do When I Have Sinned?

Repentance of the man who committed a hundred murders
Abu Sa’id Sa’d b. Malik b. Sinan al-Khudri says that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “There was a man among a people before you who committed ninety-nine murders. Then he inquired about the most knowledgeable man on earth, and he was led to a monk. He went to him and told him that he had killed ninety-nine people and asked him if he could repent. The monk told him: NO!’ So the man killed him also and completed his hundred. Then he inquired about the most knowledgeable man on earth and was led to a scholar. He went to him and told him that he had killed a hundred people, and asked him if there was repentance for him. The man told him, ‘Yes. And what can come in between you and repentance?’ ‘Then he told him, ‘Go to such and such a town, for in it live people who are devoted to God. Devote yourself there to God in their company and do not come back to your own town for it is an evil place.’

So the man started towards that town. However, while he was halfway through the journey, death overtook him. The angels of ‘mercy’ and ‘punishment’ descended and began to argue over him. The angels of mercy said: ‘This man had repented and was seeking his Lord, (therefore he is our share),’ while the angels of punishment claimed that, ‘he had never done a good thing in life,’ (so he was their share). While they were thus arguing, another angel arrived in the form of a man. They decided to accept him as their arbitrator. He said: ‘Measure the earth between the two towns and let him be assigned to the fate of the one he is nearer to.’ When they measured, they found him nearer to the town he was heading towards. So the angels of mercy took him away.”

Islam Is Mercy for the Entire Universe, Even Animals

Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I performed with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) two Rak’ah before and two after Zuhr prayers.[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. 199/1113 – Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)

Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) used to perform two Rak’ah short prayer between the Adhan (call to prayer) and the Iqamah of the dawn (Fajr) prayers.[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In another narration, Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to perform two supererogatory Rak’ah prayers of Fajr and make them so short that I used to think whether he (PBUH) had recited Surat Al-Fatihah (in it) or not. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In the narration of Muslim, Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to hear the Adhan (of Fajr prayer), he would perform two supererogatory Rak’ah prayers and would make them short.

Commentary:
“Takhfif” here means that the Prophet (PBUH) used to shorten the standing, recitation, bowing, prostration, etc., in the two Rak’ah of Fajr prayer because soon after performing them, he had to lead the Fajr prayer in which he would prolong his recitation. He would also offer these two Sunnah soon after daybreak or Adhan, which gives an idea of the preparation he made for them. 197/1104 – Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)

Islam is Mercy for the Entire Universe, Even Animals

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Islam teaches us to be merciful to the entire creation, to Muslims and non-Muslims, to friends and enemies, even to the animals. Allah said: We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds. Surah Al-Anbiya 21:107

And Allah said: Then be among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to mercy. Surah Al-Balad 90:17

Blessings And Favors Of The Barzakha

1. Sayyidina Sa‘iid bin Al-Musayyib Radiyallahu ‘Anhu says, Ummul Mu-miniin Sayyiditina ‘Aa-i-shah Radiyallahu ‘Anha said: “Yaa Rasulullah, since you have told me about the voice of Munkar and Nakeer, and the grave pressing its inmate, nothing is helping (consoling) me.” He said: “Yaa ‘Aa-i-shah, the voice of Munkar and Nakeer in the ears of the Mu-miniin (believers) will be like ithmid (surmah) in the eyes (which delights the eyes), and the pressing in the grave for a Mu-min will be (comfortable) like that of a compassionate mother to whom her child complains of a headache and she softly presses his head. But, Yaa ‘Aa-i-shah, woe to those who doubt the existence of Allah, and complain about his commands, they will be pressed in their graves like a stone put on an egg and pressed.” – Bayhaqii, Ibn Mandah.

2. Sayyidina Abii Sa‘iid Al-Khudarii Radiyallahu ‘Anhu narrates that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: “When a Muslim bondsman is buried, the grave says to him, marhaban and ahlan (welcome), you were the most beloved to me from among those who walked on the surface of me. Today, when I have made your servant, and you have come to me, you will observe my dealing with you. Hence, it expands for him as far as his eyes can see, and it opens for him a door to Jannah (paradise). Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said this too. The qabr (grave) is either a garden from among the gardens of Jannah (for the pious), or a pit from among the pits of Jahannam (hell) (for the sinful).” – Tirmithi.

The Granter And Acceptor Of Repentance

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying: “On the Day of Resurrection, my followers (or Ummah) will be summoned Al-Ghurr Al-Muhajjalun from the traces of Wudu. Whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary:
The word “Ghurr” is the plural of “Agharr” which means shining or white. It is used for animals (like a horse), i.e., a white mark on its face. Here, it refers to that radiance which will issue from the brows of the believers on the Day of Resurrection and which will make them prominent. Muhajjalun is from Tahjil, which also means whiteness, but it refers to the whiteness found on all four legs, or at least on three legs, of a horse. Here, it refers to that light which will shine through the hands and feet of the believers because of their habit of performing Wudu. This means that the believers among the Muslims will be distinguished from other communities by virtue of the refulgence issuing from their faces, hands, and feet on the Day of Resurrection in the same way that a horse with a white forehead is easily distinguished from other horses.
185/1024 – Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)

At-Tawab (The Granter and Acceptor of Repentance)

By Dr. Muhammad Ratib An-Nabulsi

[He turns to His slaves and accepts their repentance, no matter how grievous or numerous their sins might be]

God’s name “At-Tawab” (The Granter and Acceptor of Repentance) is wholly an issue of His divine mercy: the issue that God (The Granter and Acceptor of Repentance) can deal with His slaves in accordance with His holy justice, and, thus, they would deserve Hell-Fire.

Never Forget To Repent And Ask For Forgiveness For Your Wrongdoings

But to those who do evil in ignorance and then after that repent and put things right, to them your Lord is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nahl: 119)

Having a grasp of the importance of sincerity towards Allah leads one not to falter in turning to Him, and to repent and seek His forgiveness, regardless of the wrongdoing. This is an example of Allah’s infinite mercy, as recounted in the Qur’an:

Anyone who does evil or wrongs himself and then asks Allah’s forgiveness will find Allah Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nisa’: 110)

Allah grants His servants the opportunity to make amends for any wrongdoing. In Allah’s sight, what matters is not the significance or insignificance of the wrongdoing, but one’s sincerity. This is certainly a great mercy bestowed upon believers:

Those who, when they act indecently or wrong themselves, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their bad actions—for who can forgive bad actions except Allah?—and do not knowingly persist in what they were doing. (Surah Al ‘Imran: 135)

Believers must acknowledge that no matter how serious a mistake may be, even the greatest offense one could possibly imagine, turning to Allah with a sincere repentance will relieve that person of his burden. As the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not. (Abu Dawud)

It may well be that a person had disbelieved all through his life, until that very moment. He may have pursued only his whims and desires. However, in return for one’s repentance for his wrongdoings, following a firm and sincere resolve never to commit the same error again, one can always hope for Allah’s forgiveness. Remember that to experience relief from the burden of the offenses committed against Allah takes only a moment through sincere repentance and is the only way to salvation. Basically, a person needs to keep only his promise to Allah and be sincere to Him:

Allah only accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and then quickly repent after doing it. Allah turns towards such people. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. There is no repentance for people who persist in doing evil until death comes to them and who then say, “Now I make repentance,” nor for people who die disbelievers. We have prepared for them a painful punishment. (Surat an-Nisa’: 17-18)

No matter what the sin may be, never forget to turn to Allah in repentance. Keeping in mind that death may come upon you at any moment, bringing to a sudden end any further opportunity to repent, ask for forgiveness now.

Certainly, it is difficult except for the humble (Surat al-Baqara: 45); but remember that such people will enter Hell abjectly (Surah Ghafir: 60), and be dragged face-first into the Fire (Surat al-Qamar: 48). On that day they will be banned from the presence of their Lord; Allah will neither speak to them nor purify them…

Except for those who repent and believe and act rightly: Allah will transform the wrong actions of such people into good – Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful – for certainly all who make repentance and act rightly have turned sincerely towards Allah. (Surat al-Furqan: 70-71)

The Messenger of Allah (Sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam)

Loving Allah and His messenger (salAllaahu alayhi wa salam) is a duty upon every Muslim. Loving the Prophet of Allah (salAllaahu alayhi wa salam) should be manifested in both our speech and actions. It is not sufficient to simply claim to love the Prophet Muhammad yet continue to disobey Allah and His Messenger. Loving the Prophet Muhammad (salAllaahu alayhi wa salam) means following his Sunnah and avoiding bid’ah.

As Muslims, we should love the Prophet (salAllaahu alahi wa salam) more than we love ourselves and our family. It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn Hishaam said: We were with the Prophet (salAllaahu alahi wa salam) when he was holding the hand of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab. ‘Umar said to him: “O Messenger of Allah, you are dearer to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet (salAllaahu alahi wa salam) said: “No, by the One in Whose hand is my soul, not until I am dearer to you than your own self.” ‘Umar said to him: “Now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet (salAllaahu alahi wa salam) said: “Now (you are a true believer), O ‘Umar.” [al-Bukhaari, 6257]

Love of the messenger of Allah (salAllaahu alayhi wa salam) can be shown in various ways. A sign of love for him is to obey him (salAllaahu alayhi wa salam). Allah has commanded us to follow the Prophet (salAllaahu alahi wa salam). Allah says: “And obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad)…” [al-Maa’idah 5:92]. When you love someone, you follow them, imitate them and do what you can to please them. Allah has told us that obedience to the Prophet (salAllaahu alahi wa salam) is obedience to Allah. Allah says: “He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad) as a watcher over them” [al-Nisa’ 4:80]

By refusing to obey the messenger of Allah (salAllaahu alayhi wa salam) we are, in reality, refusing to enter jannah. “All of my ummah will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, who would refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise and whoever disobeys me has refused.” Everything that the Prophet (salAllaahu alayhi wa salam) said and did leads to paradise and eternal salvation, whereas everything he stayed away from and warned against leads to hellfire and eternal condemnation.

Our Lord, Allah, has given us a man as a mercy not only to humans but to the whole of creation. It is our duty to honor him and defend him when others attack him, even after his death. Allah says: “Verily, We have sent you (O Muhammad) as a witness, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a Warner. In order that you (O mankind) may believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you assist and honor him, and (that you) glorify (Allah’s) praises morning and afternoon” [al-Fath 48:8-9].

Love In Quran

And yet there are some people who replace Allah with rivals, loving them as Allah is loved. But the believers love Allah more intensely

It was made attractive to people, the love of things they crave; women, sons, heaped-up heaps of gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and will-tilled land. But that is for the enjoyment of this worldly life, but Allah, with Him is the beautiful homecoming

ALLAH LOVES
Those who do good deeds

Spend your wealth for the cause of Allah, and be not cast by your own hands to ruin; and do good. Lo! Allah loveth the beneficent.

Those who ask Him for forgiveness & Those who purify themselves

They question thee (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not in unto them till they are cleansed. And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah hath enjoined upon you. Truly Allah loveth those who turn unto Him, and loveth those who have a care for cleanness.

Those who are Allah-fearing
Nay, but (the chosen of Allah is) he who fulfilleth his pledge and wardeth off (evil); for lo! Allah loveth those who ward off (evil).

Those who are steadfast
And with how many a prophet have there been a number of devoted men who fought (beside him). They quailed not for aught that befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor were they brought low. Allah loveth the steadfast.

Those who trust Him
It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him).

Those who act justly
Listeners for the sake of falsehood! Greedy for illicit gain! If then they have recourse unto thee (Muhammad) judge between them or disclaim jurisdiction. If thou disclaimest jurisdiction, then they cannot harm thee at all. But if thou judgest, judge between them with equity. Lo! Allah loveth the equitable.

Those who strive for His cause
Lo! Allah loveth them who battle for His cause in ranks, as if they were a solid structure.

Those who follow His Prophet
Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

ALLAH DOES NOT LOVE

The Aggressors
Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors.

The Disbelievers
Say: Obey Allah and the Messenger. But if they turn away, lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers (in His guidance).

Those who Inflict Injustice
And as for those who believe and do good works, He will pay them their wages in full. Allah loveth not wrong-doers.

Evil
The Jews say: Allah’s hand is fettered. Their hands are fettered, and they are accursed for saying so. Nay, but both His hands are spread out wide in bounty. He bestoweth as He will. That which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is certain to increase the contumacy and disbelief of many of them, and We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection. As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguisheth it. Their effort is for corruption in the land, and Allah loveth not corrupters.

And Evil Doers
And when he turneth away (from thee) his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle; and Allah loveth not mischief.

Those who are Arrogant
And serve Allah. Ascribe nothing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents, and unto near kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and unto the neighbor who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbor who is not of kin, and the fellow-traveller and the wayfarer and (the slaves) whom your right hands possess. Lo! Allah loveth not such as are proud and boastful,

Those who Spend Lavishly
He it is Who produceth gardens trellised and untrellised, and the date-palm, and crops of divers flavour, and the olive and the pomegranate, like and unlike. Eat ye of the fruit thereof when it fruiteth, and pay the due thereof upon the harvest day, and be not prodigal. Lo! Allah loveth not the prodigals.

Your Sustainer Has Willed Upon Himself The Law Of Grace And Mercy

[Quran – 6:12] “Say: “Unto whom belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth?” Say: “Unto God, who has willed upon Himself the law of grace and mercy. He will assuredly gather you all together on the Day of Resurrection, [the coming of] which is beyond all doubt: yet those who have squandered their own selves-it is they who refuse to believe [in Him],”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #54, Hadith #416] “Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne, ‘My Mercy overpowers My Anger.”

[Muslim, Book #037, Hadith #6626] “(2) Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When Allah created the creation as He was upon the Throne, He put down in His Book: Verily, My mercy predominates My wrath”

[Sunan Abudawud, Book #41, Hadith #4923] “Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The Compassionate One has mercy on those who are merciful. If you show mercy to those who are on the earth, He Who is in the heaven will show mercy to you.”

[Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith # 1011] The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “It is better for a leader to make a mistake in forgiving than to make a mistake in punishing.”

The Quran On Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was the last messenger of Allah. History shows that he was known to be truthful and trustworthy even before he received the divine inspiration and became the Messenger of Allah. His actions, decisions, relaying the Divine Revelation, method of inviting people to the straight path, and implementing injunctions received from Allah, the Most Wise, are evidence of his absolute honesty, piety, and spirituality. As Muslims, our belief in Islam is not complete until we obey Allah and His Prophet (s). Allah commands us to do so in the same verse in the Quran:

Islam in the Quran on Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
“And obey Allah and the messenger (Muhammad (SAW)… (Quran, Surah Al-Maeda:92) Allah also told us about the excellence of the prophet’s (SAW) character in the following verse: Islam on The Quran on Prophet Muhammad (SAS) “And Verily, For you (Muhammad (SAW)) are on an exalted (standard of) character” (Quran, Surah Al-Qalam:4). However, we are also not to elevate the prophet (s) to a level beyond the standard that Allah set for him and we are not to overstep the mark with regard to what the Quran states about the message and humanity of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)  said: “Do not exaggerate about me as was exaggerated about ‘Eesa ibn Maryam. Say: the slave of Allah and His Messenger.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6830.) The following paragraphs highlight some of the Quranic verses where Allah clarifies the role of the Prophet (SAW).

The Prophet was sent as a mercy to all mankind
Islam on the Quran on the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). We have only sent you as a mercy to the worlds (Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 107)

The Prophet was sent as a messenger and a Warner
Islam on The Quran on Prophet Muhammad (mercy )“O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad SAW), making (things) clear unto you, after a break in (the series of) Messengers, lest you say: “There came unto us no bringer of glad tidings and no Warner.” But now has come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a Warner. And Allah is Able to do all things. (Quran, Surah Al-Maida:19)”

Only Allah knows the unseen and decides how much to reveal to His messengers
Islam in The Quran on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) “(He Alone) the All-Knower of the Ghaib (unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghaib (unseen).”

Except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He informs him of unseen as much as He likes), and then He makes a band of watching guards (angels) to march before him and behind him. Quran (Surah Al-Jinn:27)”

The Prophet (SAW) did not have the power to guide anyone – He was only a messenger
Allah says in the Quran: Islam in the Quran on Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
“Indeed, (O Muhammad), you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. (Quran, Surah Qasas, Verse 56)”

The prophet’s words were a reminder for all mankind
Islam in the Quran on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) “And verily, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes through hatred when they hear the Reminder (the Quran), and they say: “Verily, he (Muhammad SAW) is a madman!”

But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the Alameen (mankind, jinns, and all that exists). (Quran, Surah Al-Qalam:51-52)”

The Prophet (SAW) never forged any of Allah’s messages
Islam in the Quran on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) “And if he (Muhammad SAW) had forged a false saying concerning Us (Allah), We surely should have seized him by his right hand (or with power and might), And then certainly should have cut off his life artery (Aorta), And none of you could withhold Us from (punishing) him. (Quran, Surah Al-Haqqah:44-47)

Allah also states that it is not up to the Prophet (SAW) to change Allah’s words in this verse. “And when Our Clear Verses are recited unto them, those who hope not for their meeting with Us, say: Bring us a Quran other than this, or change it.” Say (O Muhammad SAW): “It is not for me to change it on my own accord; I only follow that which is revealed unto me. Verily, I fear if I were to disobey my Lord, the torment of the Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). (Quran, Surah Yunus:15).

The Prophet (SAW) did not claim to know anything more than what Allah had taught him
This is made clear when Allah says in the Quran, “Say (O Muhammad SAW): “I don’t tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor (that) I know the unseen; nor I tell you that I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me by inspiration. Say: Are the blind and the one who sees equal? Will you not then take thought? (Quran, Surah Al An’aam, 50)”

Allah’s direct command to the Prophet (SAW) about conveying Allah’s message
In fact, we see the Quran’s (Allah’s) stern message when reminding the Prophet (SAW) of his responsibilities. Allah says in the Quran: “O Messenger (Muhammad SAW)! Proclaim (the Message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message. Allah will protect you from mankind. Verily, Allah guides not the people who disbelieve” (Quran, Surah Al-Maeda:67).

The Prophet (SAW) was Allah’s last messenger
Obedience to Allah is what the Prophet exemplified. His (SAW) character epitomized Quranic teachings. His faith in Allah was pure and absolute. Through his manner of living and fulfilling the obligations of Islam, he illustrated Quranic teachings. In all, this he was following the instructions received from his Maker, Allah the Supreme, Who says in the Quran: “Muhammad (S) is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allah is Ever All Aware of everything. (Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab:40)”

True Love

Dear brothers and sisters…I pray that you are all in the highest state of faith and health, and Insha Allah, your minds and hearts are full of love for Allah subhana wa ta.alaa, His messenger, peace be upon him, and your fellow Muslim brothers and sisters. Alhamdulillah, as Muslims, we learn that Allah azza wa jal, in His infinite mercy and love for us, asks us to reciprocate that love to Him through obedience and to spread it among ourselves. In this way, we can strengthen the bonds within our communities and with our Creator. Part of this love entails having mercy and compassion for our brothers and sisters and loving them regardless of their shortcomings and faults. For, we all know that NO ONE is perfect. Allah subhana wa ta.alaa says in suurat al Hujurat, ayat 11-12,

“O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used by one) after he has believed: and those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong.”

“O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it…but fear Allah: for Allah is oft-Returning, Most Merciful.”

and in suurat an-Nur, ayat 24, Allah azza wa jal says, “…let them forgive and overlook, do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

The perfect example of this can be seen in the kind and merciful behavior of Abu ad-Darda’, May Allah be pleased with him, one of the companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him:

Once, Abu ad-Darda was going about on his way when he came upon a group of people who had gathered around a man whom they were beating and cursing. He asked them what the problem was, and they told him that the man had done something very sinful. Abu ad-Darda’ said to them,

“If he had fallen into a well, would you not have pulled him out?”
“Of course we would have,” they said.
“Do not curse or beat him then. Instead, explain to him and enlighten him, and praise Allah subhana wa ta.alaa for saving you from falling into the same sin,” he said.
“Do you not hate him?” they asked Abu ad-Darda’.
“I only hate what he has done and if he repents of it, he is my brother.”

When the man whom they were beating heard this, he began to weep and said that he repented and would not return to his sin.

Subhana Allah, his mercy and kindness set an example for all of us…how many times do we see someone doing something non-Islamic, and the first thing we think or say is something negative and critical about that person, instead of thinking positively, “Oh, my poor brother/sister in Islam, I must help him/her to improve…maybe he/she didn’t know that what they did was wrong, maybe I can advise him/her and Insha Allah, and help to bring both of us closer to Allah subhana wa ta.alaa.”

Like Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, once said, “You see the believers as regards to their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.” Sahih al-Bukhari Vol. 8 : No. 40

The love and mercy shown by the Prophet, peace be upon him and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them, is unmatched to today… and that is why WE must strive to achieve that level of love in our hearts…for Allah subhana wa ta.alaa, for the Prophet, peace be upon him, and for each other…this true love will then manifest itself in ourselves and our communities, and perpetuate the true meaning of Islam

I ask Allah subhana wa ta.alaa to forgive me for any of my shortcomings…all praises are due to Him only, and anything good that has come of this is from Allah azza wa jal and anything bad is from my own shortcomings, and Shaitan… Please forgive me if I have offended anyone, as that was not my intention… I pray that Allah subhana wa ta.alaa will accept this humble work for his sake…and Insha Allah, I hope that all of us will continue to strive for the sake of Allah subhana wa ta.alaa. May we all meet in the highest level of paradise… Ameen.

May Allah azza wa jal continue to guide and protect us on our journey to the highest level of paradise.

Sister Khadija Lin