How to make a fresh start – Part 4
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum.
[Yes, I know. You’re struggling to remember what this series is all about. It’s about the man who murdered 99 people.]
In the last part, I mentioned the importance of having good friends. Here’s one more hadeeth on the importance of being around righteous people:
إن لله ملائكة يطوفون في الطرق يلتمسون أهل الذكر ، فإذا وجدوا قوما يذكرون الله تنادوا : هلموا إلى حاجتكم . قال : فيحفونهم بأجنحتهم إلى السماء الدنيا ، قال : فيسألهم ربهم ، وهو أعلم منهم ، ما يقول عبادي ؟ قال : تقول : يسبحونك ويكبرونك ويحمدونك ويمجدونك ، قال : فيقول : هل رأوني ؟ قال : فيقولون : لا والله ما رأوك ، قال : فيقول : وكيف لو رأوني ؟ قال : يقولون : لو رأوك كانوا أشد لك عبادة ، وأشد لك تمجيدا وأكثر لك تسبيحا ، قال : يقول : فما يسألونني ؟ قال : يسألونك الجنة ، قال : يقول : وهل رأوها ؟ قال : يقولون : لا والله يا رب ما رأوها ، قال : يقول : فكيف لو أنهم رأوها ؟ قال : يقولون : لو أنهم رأوها كانوا أشد عليها حرصا ، وأشد لها طلبا ، وأعظم فيها رغبة ، قال : فمم يتعوذون ؟ قال : يقولون : من النار ، قال : يقول : وهل رأوها ؟ قال : يقولون : لا والله يا رب ما رأوها ، قال : يقول : فكيف لو رأوها ؟ قال : يقولون : لو رأوها كانوا أشد منها فرارا ، وأشد لها مخافة ، قال : فيقول : فأشهدكم أني قد غفرت لهم . قال : يقول ملك من الملائكة : فيهم فلان ليس منهم ، إنما جاء لحاجة . قال : هم الجلساء لا يشقى بهم جليسهم
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): Allah ‘s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Allah has some angels who look for those who celebrate the Praises of Allah on the roads and paths. And when they find some people celebrating the Praises of Allah, they call each other, saying, “Come to the object of your pursuit.’ ” He added, “Then the angels encircle them with their wings up to the sky of the world.” He added. “(after those people celebrated the Praises of Allah, and the angels go back), their Lord, asks them (those angels)… though He knows better than them… ‘What do My slaves say?’ The angels reply, ‘They say: Subhan Allah, Allahu Akbar, and Alhamdulillah.
Allah then says ‘Did they see Me?’ The angels reply, ‘No! By Allah, they didn’t see You.’ Allah says, How it would have been if they saw Me?’ The angels reply, ‘If they saw You, they would worship You more devoutly and celebrate Your Glory more deeply, and declare Your freedom from any resemblance to anything more often.’ Allah says (to the angels), ‘What do they ask Me for?’ The angels reply, ‘They ask You for Paradise.’ Allah says (to the angels), ‘Did they see it?’ The angels say, ‘No! By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.’ Allah says, How it would have been if they saw it?’ The angels say, ‘If they saw it, they would have greater covetousness for it and would seek It with greater zeal and would have greater desire for it.’
Allah says, ‘From what do they seek refuge?’ The angels reply, ‘They seek refuge from the (Hell) Fire.’ Allah says, ‘Did they see it?’ The angels say, ‘No By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.’ Allah says, How it would have been if they saw it?’ The angels say, ‘If they saw it they would flee from it with the extreme fleeing and would have extreme fear from it.’ Then Allah says, ‘I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them.”‘
Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) added, “One of the angels would say, ‘There was so-and-so amongst them, and he was not one of them, but he had just come for some need.’ Allah would say, ‘These are those people whose companions will not be reduced to misery.’ “ [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 8, Hadeeth No. 417]
Does this story sound familiar?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum.
[Yes I’m back, as my intensive course is over, alhamdulillah. Judging by the wide smiles, my classmates and I could have won the award for “Happiest Bunnies on the Planet”.]
So, there I was listening to the recitation of the last page of Surah Fussilat so that I could start memorising it.
I use Tanzil so that I can also check the translation at the same time (to make sure that I didn’t misunderstand).
I was stunned to come across the following ayah (verse):
وَإِذَا أَنْعَمْنَا عَلَى الْإِنسَانِ أَعْرَضَ وَنَأَىٰ بِجَانِبِهِ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ فَذُو دُعَاءٍ عَرِيضٍ
“And when We bestow favor upon man, he turns away and distances himself; but when evil touches him, then he is full of extensive supplication.” [Surah Fussilat (41) : 51]
My eyes popped out because this story sounded…familiar. Very familiar.
In fact, I think that each of us knows somebody who behaves in this manner.
You know who I’m talking about, don’t you?
Of course you do.
This ayah pretty much summarises our life story. What’s amazing is that, despite it being mentioned in the Quran, we still don’t take heed.
So, what should we do? Well, we should also remember Allah in times of ease, not just in times of hardship, because the latter is very easy to do (hey, just ask the person in the mirror) but the former isn’t.
May Allah make us of those who are grateful for His Favours.
Ramadan: The Month of… – Part 2
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum.
[Here’s Part 1.]
The Month of Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness), Prayer, Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Decree) and Dawah (inviting to Islam)
إذا دخل رمضان فتحت أبواب الجنة وغلقت أبواب جهنم ، وسلسلت الشياطين
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 3, Hadeeth No. 123]
[Here’s an explanation of how the devils are chained up.]
الصلوات الخمس . والجمعة إلى الجمعة . ورمضان إلى رمضان . مكفرات ما بينهن . إذا اجتنب الكبائر
Abu Hurairah reported (radiallahu anhu): Verily the Messenger of Allah (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Five (daily) prayers and from one Friday prayer to the (next) Friday prayer, and from Ramadan to Ramadan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals) provided one shuns the major sins.” [Saheeh Muslim, Hadeeth No. 450]
[Want to know more about major sins? I’ve provided two resources here.]
كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا دخل العشر شد مئزره ، وأحيا ليله ، وأيقظ أهله
Narrated Aishah (radiallahu anha): “With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 3, Hadeeth No. 241]
سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول لرمضان : من قامه إيمانا واحتسابا ، غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): I heard Allah’s Messenger (salallahu alaihi wasallam) saying regarding Ramadan, “Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 3, Hadeeth No. 226]
من قام ليلة القدر إيمانا واحتسابا ، غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه ، ومن صام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever established prayers on Laylatul Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 3, Hadeeth No. 125]
“We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night (i.e. the night of Qadr). Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship].” [Surah Ad-Dukhan (44) : 3]
An entire surah (chapter) was revealed concerning this great night:
“Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) “
“And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?”
“The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, (i.e. 83 years and 4 months).”
“Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Jibreel) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees.”
“Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.”
[Surah Al-Qadr (97) : 1-5]
Article: Contemplate…then repent
Assalamu Alaikum.
I’m back*.
[*After a one day blogging break due to Internet issues.]
[Note: My apologies for the delay in replying to your comments. I’ll try to do so soon, insha-Allah.]
Here’s an article for us to contemplate over (fittingly entitled “Contemplate”) in our run up to Ramadan (yes, 6 months ahead just like the early generations).
[A little reminder: Please don’t forget to do dua for our brothers and sisters in Egypt. One of my friends told me that the situation is pretty bad there. There are gangs going around looting and killing people.
We should always remember our Muslim brethren and do dua for them. It doesn’t matter if they come from Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, China, Pakistan, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan or any other country. They are our family and we are their family, simply because of this wonderful religion that we all share.
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ
“The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islشmic religion).” [Surah Al-Hujurat (49) : 10]
Blood may be thicker than water but religion is much thicker than blood.]
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http://www.madeenah.com/article.cfm?id=1343
Contemplate…then Repent
Shaykh Waseeullaah `Abbaas
In the name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa baraakaatuh.
Noble reader, let us consider some of the verses of the Book of Allaah (the Majestic and Exalted):
*Contemplate the saying of Allaah,
{…they are the ones cursed by Allaah and cursed by those who curse.} [2:159]
He then said after this, ‘Except those who repent…’
*Contemplate the saying of Allaah (the Most Exalted),
{They will abide therein (Hell). Neither will their torment be lightened, nor will it be delayed or postponed.} [03:88]
He said after this, ‘Except those who repent…’
*Contemplate the saying of Allaah (the Majestic and Exalted),
{Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire; no helper will you find for them.} [04:145]
After this He said, ‘except those who repent…’
*Contemplate the saying of Allaah (the Majestic and Exalted),
{…and a great torment is for them in the Hereafter.} [05:33]
Also contemplate the saying of Allaah (the Majestic and Exalted),
{Surely, disbelievers are those who said: Allaah is the third of the three (in a Trinity)} [05:73]
He then said after this, ‘Will they not repent to Allaah’
*Contemplate the saying of Allaah (the Majestic and Exalted),
{…and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.} [25:68]
He said after this, ‘Except he who repents…’
*Contemplate the saying of Allaah,
{So they will be thrown in Hell.} [19:59]
He then said after it, ‘except he who is repentant’
*Contemplate the saying of Allaah (the Majestic and Exalted),
{…and that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.} [15:50]
He said before it, ‘Truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful.’
*Contemplate the saying of Allaah (the Majestic and Exalted),
{[They] will have the torment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the burning Fire.} [85:10]
He said before it, ‘…and then they do not turn in repentance, (to Allaah).’
Great Verses
Allaah (the Glorified and the Most High) said,
{…but whosoever repents after his crime and does righteous good deeds, then verily Allaah will pardon him.} [05:39]
{…and I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes and does righteous good deeds; and then remains constant in doing them.} [20:82]
{…and ask forgiveness of your Lord and turn unto Him in repentance. Verily, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving.} [11:90]
{Truly, Allaah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance} [02:222]
{O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with sincere repentance.} [66:08]
An Invitation…
If only we would account for ourselves…
If only we would answer the call of our Lord…
My noble brother…
Remember the following conditions of repentance:
1 – To give up the sin immediately.
2 – To regret what has happened in the past.
3 – To have a firm resolve not to go back to the sin.
Glad-Tidings…
– The door to repentance is open.
– You should know that Allaah is pleased with the repentance of His slave.
– The one who repents from a sin is like the one who has no sins remaining.
– Repentance wipes away that which came before it.
– Whoever leaves something for the sake of Allaah, He replaces it with something better for him.
May Allaah guide us all to every type of goodness.
May he bless us with the lofty Al-Firdaws in Paradise.
Ameen.
Do you not want to be from amongst those whom Allaah loves?
Do you not want Allaah to forgive you?
Six months to go…
Assalamu Alaikum.
Yes, Ramadan is a little over six months away.
So, we need to ask ourselves two main questions:
1) How much progress have we made since the end of Ramadan 2010?
2) What are our goals for the end of Ramadan 2011 and how much progress do we need to make before we reach them?
Some of the questions that we could ask ourselves before we make a list of goals for the next Ramadan are:
a) Tawheed (worshipping Allah alone)
Has our knowledge and application of tawheed increased?
What else do we need to do to strengthen our aqeedah (creed)?
b) Salah (prayers)
How is the quality of our prayers?
Have we started doing any new prayers (e.g. Dhuha or Tahajjud) on a regular basis?
c) Arabic
Has our Arabic improved?
Will we be able to understand the Taraweeh prayers come Ramadan?
d) The Quran
Has our relationship with the Book of Allah improved?
Do we recite it daily? And with tajweed (rules of recitation)?
How much can we understand without the use of a translation?
Have we memorised any new surahs? How much do we plan on memorising before next Ramadan?
Have we read the tafsir?
How much of the Quran do we apply?
e) Charity
Do we spend more on charity now?
Do we help the needy on a regular basis?
f) Adhkar (remembrance)
Have we increased in the remembrance of Allah?
Have we memorised any new adhkar?
g) Fasting
Have we made up our missed fasts from previous Ramadans?
Do we do any of the optional fasts?
h) Seeking knowledge and doing dawah (calling to Islam)
Do we regularly attend Islamic lectures/classes?
Do we read beneficial books?
Do we spread this knowledge to others?
i) Akhlaq (Character)
Has our character improved?
Are our tongues more restrained?
j) Health
Has our health improved?
Are we better equipped to handle the long qiyam al-layl prayers next Ramadan?
We don’t need to wait for Ramadan to make a change, nor should we wait for it. Rather, we should always be eager to improve no matter what time of year it is.
Lecture: He, who has no one, has Allah
Assalamu Alaikum.
Two lectures in two days, you ask?
Well, that wasn’t the plan but then I came across this lecture and…..whoa.
Whoa? Yes, whoa.
It’s one of those. You know, the kind which make you think “I’m so glad that I heard this. I’ve been waiting for something like this!”
And I’m still only half way through the lecture……
If you haven’t listened to this already, I HIGHLY recommend that you do so.
Note: It is a very, very, very emotional lecture. Be prepared.
He, who has no one, has Allah by Navaid Aziz
Lecture: Doing Istighfar Outside Ramadan
Assalamu Alaikum.
Here’s a nice lecture that I came across today. It talks about seeking Allah’s Forgiveness outside of Ramadan.
Doing Istighfar Outside Ramadan by Abu Saifillaah Abdul Qaadir
You know, it’s amazing. We bawl like babies on Laylatul Qadr asking Allah to forgive our sins. Then a few days after that, we return back to our sorry states. And then we return the next year all ready to bawl like babies on Laylatul Qadr.
Is this really sincerity? Or do we just keep deluding ourselves?
You know, if we were really sincere (and I have no idea about your sincerity so I’m not judging you), we wouldn’t need to be standing in prayer, listening to the Imam’s dua in the last ten nights of Ramadan, in order to desperately ask for Allah’s Forgiveness. We’d do it every time we transgressed against the rights of Allah, regardless of whether we were on top of Burj Khalifah or in Masjid An-Nabawi. For the sincere person, the place doesn’t really matter because they know that Allah is watching them all the time and that He is the All-Hearer and All-Seer.
“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqoon (the pious). Those who spend [in Allah’s Cause – deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinoon (the gooddoers). And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; – and none can forgive sins but Allah – And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know. For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allah’s Orders).” [Surah Aal-Imran (3) :133-136]
And no, being from amongst the above mentioned people is not a dream. If it was not possible to do it, then Allah would not have mentioned it. So, ask Allah to make you from amongst them and then do the best that you can.
As long as you are still alive, it’s never too late for a fresh start.
Article: Farewell Ramadan
Assalamu Alaikum.
Another day, another article.
[The Learning Arabic Post will be continued tomorrow, insha-Allah.]
You know what makes me sad? Let me tell you.
This blog got a whole lot more visitors during Ramadan.
Am I sad because my blog traffic went down? No, because ultimately blog popularity is not at all important.
I’m sad because people seemed to have lost their enthusiasm for Ramadan a mere two weeks after it has ended. If this is what happens a few weeks after Ramadan, then what will happen after a few months??? Subhan Allah, it’s really sad.
What’s also sad is that we do things the wrong way around. We start advertising Ramadan a few weeks before it starts (rather than a few months ahead as it should be done) and then after the last day of Ramadan, we hear one or two lectures on steadfastness and that’s it.
The early generations prayer for Ramadan for 6 months in advance and prayed to get Ramadan 6 months after it ended.
[Actually, it should be 5.5 months if you do the math, but anyway…]
Here’s another Adios Ramadan article:
[This lecture seems to have been right at the end of one of the previous Ramadans, hence he mentions zakaatul fitr, etc.]
[Note: I has some issues formatting the article so it looks a bit strange in some places. My apologies.]
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http://www.alminbar.com/khutbaheng/2260.htm
Farewell Ramadan
Abdur Rahman As-Sudais
Summary
1) The course of life.
2) The anguish at the end of Ramadaan.
3) Those who rejoice during Ramadaan.
4) Acceptance of good deeds was the greatest concern of the salaf.
5) Acts of worship performed during Ramadaan.
6) The wonderful opportunity that Ramadaan represents
7) Persistence on obedience.
8) The effects of Ramadaan upon the soul.
9) The painful predicament of our Ummah.
10) Propaganda against Islaam and Muslims.
11) Salvation is achieved through sound faith.
12) Good deeds at the end of Ramadaan.
13) Zakaatul-Fitr (charity paid at the conclusion of Ramadaan).
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allaah, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah, for that is the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. It is the best provision for the Abode of Peace and whoever possesses it will prosper and be saved from all evils.
Fellow Muslims! When one ponders over the history of nations, they will realise that all are in the process of constant change. This is the course destined for them by Allaah and nothing can change that.
Brothers in Islaam! Tell me, if an honourable guest visits you in your dwellings, showers you with goodness and loves you – which you reciprocate; then the time for his departure arrives, how are you going to bid him farewell and how are you going to feel? What separation is then greater and more emotional than that from the beloved guest of the Muslims, the blessed month of Ramadaan?
The Greatest Month 