Ihyaaul Islaam,Vol 1, Issue 9

ممﻼﺳﻹاءﺎﻴﺣإ

REVIVING ISLAM

this quality in many places and in one

this quality in many places, and in one particular Surah, Surah Fussilat, Allah Ta'ala states:

The Angels line up in rows, placing trays of bounties from Paradise before him, each one bringing glad tidings of a favour from Allah Ta'ala, just as the men of a family put numerous things before a crying baby to soothe its heart. All this is done to bring him delight, even before he enters Paradise itself Finally when he enters Paradise, the joys and rewards are endless and his happiness knows no bounds - a place no eye has seen, no ear has heard of, no heart has perceived.

When a person believes in Allah and remains steadfast in refraining from sin and carrying out acts of devotion, the Angels surround him in this world and bring him glad tidings of paradise. They form his circle of friends, and embark with him in his vehicle as he journeys through life The Angels give him comfort when he is sad, they protect him when he is in danger, they accompany him when he is lonely and they share his joy when he is happy. They navigate him as he drives along his route, directing him which turns to avoid, and which turns to take, lest he gets lost

"We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter..." (Verse 31)

This quality of steadfastness is so supreme, it elevates a person to a level which allows him to befriend the Angels - a pure and sublime creation of Allah Ta'ala Apart from giving him company in this world, as he departs to the Hereafter, the Angels do not abandon him He enters into the unseen, where he is naturally scared and anxious, since he has never traversed this path before Even here the Angels do not desert him, but continue accompanying him until he reaches the various stages of the next realm

"...And you will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you request [or wish]" (Verse 31)

"As accommodation from a [Lord who is] Forgiving and Merciful" (Verse 32)

Perhaps on the odd occasion, this slave of Allah Ta'ala will slip up, puncture a tyre or dent the side mirror, but immediately he will compensate with tears of remorse and regret He will fix his flat tyre, even if he is on the side of a bustling highway, and continue with his journey. He will re-centre his compass and renew his faith each time he falls. If he breaks down, he does not remain stationary, rather he immediately fixes, re-aligns and keeps his tyres moving He picks himself up, dusts himself off and flees back to Allah Ta'ala Allah Ta'ala will overlook his faults and forgive his sins, a Rabb Most Forgiving and Most Merciful

Remember, we are not worshippers of Ramadan, rather we are worshippers of ArRahman, who is with us wherever we are, whichever time of the year we find ourselves in How beautiful it would be if we have the same level of Taqwa, whether it is New Year's Eve, or Laylatul Qadr, whether we are in a mall or a masjid, whether we are surrounded by a group of scholars or complete strangerswe remain conscious of Allah Ta'ala regardless of the time of year, or where we are in the world or who may surround us.

May Allah Ta'ala bless us with the quality of steadfastness. Àmîn.

"Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allah " and then remained steadfast - the angels will descend upon them, [saying], "Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised."

Ayah 30

Sadaqah

Apart from having Īmān and performing Salāh, giving Sadaqah is considered to be a fundemental part of our Īmān. The virtues and merits of giving charity are inumerable as Nabi ﷺ encouraged us to love for others what we love for ourselves. WhiledonesoleyforthepleasureofAllāhandasaninvestmentforourbanksinthe Ākhirah,charitybenfitsusinthisworldaswell.

Nabi ﷺ said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (AlTirmidhi)

Nabi ﷺ said: “Avoid doing injustice to others, for on the Day of Judgment, it will turn into manifold darkness, and safeguard yourself against miserliness, for it ruined those who were before you. It incited them to murder and treating the unlawful as lawful.” (Muslim)

Nabi ﷺ said: "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (continuous charity), knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased)." (Muslim)

Nabi ﷺ said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (AlTirmidhi)

Nabi ﷺ said, “Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Nabi ﷺ said: “Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status. (Muslim)

Consolation can be taken from the fact that charity has not been restricted to monetary wealth on the basis that this would impose difficulty on those who do not have any wealth or posessions to give in charity. Instead, our most Gracious Allāh has given us ample opportunity to earn the same rewards as those who are by the means to give from their wealth.

Nabiﷺsaid,"Everyjointofapersonmustperformacharityeachdaythatthe sun rises: to judge justly between two people is a charity. To help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity. And the good word is a charity. And every step that you take towards the prayerisacharity,andremovingaharmfulobjectfromtheroadisacharity."

According to another Hadīth, charity is best given in secret in order to ensure one's sincerity, the Angels make Du'ā for the giver of charity and one would be fulfilling two acts of worship by giving charity to family members; giving charity, and maintaining family ties. SubhānAllāh!

May Allāh make us enthusiastic to spend in His path and allow us the gain close proximity to Him on account of our spending. Âmîn.

Recreation within

‘Hadhrat Aaishah narrates:

I once accompanied Rasulullah ﷺ on one of his journeys while I was still a young girl and light in weight. During the journey, Rasulullah ﷺ instructed the Sahaabah saying, “Proceed ahead.” After the Sahaabah had gone ahead (and we were now in seclusion), Rasulullah ﷺ said to me, “Come! Let me race with you!” We therefore raced and I beat the Messenger of Allah

ﷺ on this occasion, Rasulullah ﷺ did not say anything. Some time later, when I had picked up some weight and had forgotten (the previous race), I again accompanied Rasulullah ﷺ on one of his journeys. During the journey, Rasulullah ﷺ instructed the Sahaabah saying, “Proceed ahead.” After they had gone ahead (and we were in seclusion), Rasulullah ﷺ said to me, “Come! Let me race with you!” We again raced and this time, Rasulullah ﷺ beat me. On beating me, Rasulullah ﷺ began to smile and said, “This is in return for that (i.e. I beat you on this occasion, whereas you beat me on the previous occasion).”

When our respected mother, Hadhrat Aaishah raced with Rasulullah ﷺ, it was done in complete privacy and seclusion, thereby maintaining the highest levels of hayaa (modesty) and hijaab and not violating any command of Allah Ta‘ala in the process. It is thus clear that before engaging in recreation, be it in the form of exercising, cycling, swimming, etc., it is necessary for us to first ensure that no law of Allah Ta‘ala will be broken. If the activity will inevitably lead to the law of Allah Ta‘ala being broken, then the activity will have to be abandoned. Similarly, when going on holiday, care and precaution has to be taken to ensure that we do not go to places which are not in keeping with the demands of hayaa.

Abū Hurairah

narrates that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: "There are two phrases whuch are light on the tongue, weighty in the scale, and most beloved to the Merciful (Allāh): "SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi,Subhanallahil Adheem,” Bukhārī and Muslim

From the grace and kindness of Allah, these two phrases have been made "light on the tongue", meaning that they only contain those Arabic letters which are easy to pronounce. These two phrases will also be " weighty in the scale" of deeds on the day of Qiyāmah due to the blessings of the name of Allāh and the proclamation of Tawhīd within them. If these phrases are beloved to Allāh, then surely its reciters will become the beloveds of Allāh as well! Ar-Rahmaan (The Most Merciful) has been appropriately used in the Hadīth to indicate the vastness of Allāh's mercy and kindness for granting great rewards for small acts of goodness. By reciting ﷲ نﺎﺤﺒﺳ, one testifies that Allāh is free from all qualities not befitting His grand status, هﺪﻤﺤﺑ و is an acknowledgment of His perfection and ﻢﻴﻈﻌﻟا ﷲ نﺎﺤﺒﺳ is one's acknowledgment of one’s inability to appropriately praise and glorify Allāh. Tasbīh is usually mentioned before Tahmīd because vindication and clearing comes before beautification and decoration. This was the last Hadīth narrated by Imām Bukhārī in his Sahīh. How infinite are the blessings and favours of Allāh upon us! It is therefore only natural that we remember and thank Allāh Dhikr, the object of which is to gain closeness to Allāh and increase our ranks in the Ākhirah. However, through the virtue of Dhikr, one would also be rewarded with goodness the Dunyā. It generates peace of mind and tranquility, it cures illness, it purifies the heart, it draws sustenance and protects one from the evil whisperings of Shaitān. May Allāh Ta’aala make us from the Dhakireen, Ámín.

STAYING

STRONG THROUGHTESTS

IS IT A MERCY OR A PUNISHMENT?

THE MESSENGER OF ALLĀH SAID:

"How wonderful the affair of the believer is! Indeed, all of his matters are good for him. This is for no one but the believer. If something good befalls him, he is grateful to Allāh, so it is good for him. And if something bad afflicts him, he bears patience, which is good for him."

Rasūlullāh ﷺ explains the manner in which a believer responds to the everchanging episodes of life; that aside from good conditions and happiness, we will indeed be tested with difficulty, and that whether we are in conditions of ease or hardship, the mu'min is to react in a manner pleasing to Allāh. This becomes easier when we realise that all situations are sent from Allāh, and is in the Hands of Allāh whilst understanding well, that none handles affairs better than He who knows all things. Allāh informs us, "Do people think that they will be left to say: “We believe,” and that they will not be tested?"

ests are inevitable. Difficulties afflict both the sinners and the righteous. Sometimes it is a blessing and sometimes a punishment and consequence of what we

it is a punishment and consequence of what we have committed. For a Mu’min, it will be a blessing and mercy if it causes him to turn towards Allāh Ta’ālā. If, during this difficulty, we are granted the ability to follow the Sunnah, increase in our love for Allāh, experience a special connection and feeling of closeness to Allāh and are pleased with Him, then it is a means of drawing one closer to Allāh and a blessing.

On the other hand, if, within a difficulty, we sense a darkness in our hearts, feel distanced and aloof from Allah Ta’ala, become angry with Him, and don't turn to Him in repentance, then this misfortune is a punishment caused by our evil deeds. However, bear in mind even if our condition is such that we have been put through tests as a punishment because Allah is angry with us, it is very easy to please Allāh again. Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar rahmatullah alaih explained, “Imagine if doctors had to invent such a balm that would immediately cure the severest of burns, not only providing immediate relief from the pain and the burning sensation, but leaving no evidence on the skin to suggest that the person had been burnt. Actually, upon application, the skin would become even better than it was before. A medicine of this nature has not, and in all likelihood, will never be formulated. However, Allāh has given us the Ummah— a medicine of this nature, and placed it in our spiritual ‘medicine chests’; it is the balm of taubah. After one has burnt himself by sinning and is suffering its excruciating effects, all he needs to do is make sincere taubah. He will be forgiven immediately and will return to a state even better than before. His sins will be wiped out and he will become beloved to Allāh. Even if one does not realise where he had faltered, the antibiotic of taubah will perform its function and remove the ‘bug’ or virus’." From a broader lense, regardless of whether it is a punishment or a blessing, we can view these tests as an opportunity whether major illness, financial distress, or other difficulties it is indeed

This project will give future generations a rich resource of information and perhaps allow them to appreciate being part of the family even more

an opportunity by which we can earn forgiveness. If Allah gives us the tawfeeq to do this, then it matters not if the trial was a punishment, to begin with, it is in actual fact, a mercy in disguise. For if Allāh disliked us, He would not have afflicted us. Rather, He would have left us in heedlessness, on a path leading further away from Him. Instead, He sent a calamity that forced us to acknowledge our sins and negligence, allowing us to take heed and mend our relationship with our Khaaliq. Perhaps, we never would have turned back to Him, had we not been afflicted.

We can then find comfort and strength through fleeing back to Allah! And never away from Him. It is through trusting that Allāh intends good for us, even if the situation appears negative that we find the courage to do so.

Ponder; is this situation not then a mercy and blessing in disguise?

It is clear that man benefits totally from every sort of difficulty experienced. Take the example of one who is suffering from sorrow or is in desperate need calling upon Allāh in abject humility by crying and weeping. Can a person making dua to Allāh while in ease and comfort ever be equal to him? The calamity of the former draws him nearer to Allāh Ta’ālā and enables him to develop a strong bond with Him because grief inculcates feelings of humility in the heart. Allāh says, “Verily Allāh Tā'āla is with those who make sabr (patiently persevere).”

As reassurance, Allāh informs us in the Qur’ān of the unequalled wisdom through which He manages our lives. He says, “Many a time you dislike a thing while (in fact) it is good for you, and many a time you love a thing while it is evil for you. And Allah knows while you do not know.”

(Surah Baqarah v.16)

because this line is

Never busy Always understands No hang up Will always listen

Loves Loves

Our Beloved Nabi ﷺ said, “When Allah loves a slave, He calls out Jibraeel and says: ‘I love so-and-so; so love him.’ Then Jibraeel loves him. After that he (Jibraeel) announces to the inhabitants of heavens that Allah loves so- and-so; so love him; and the inhabitants of the heavens (the angels) also love him and then make people on earth love him”.

Interacting

1. As mentioned in the above Hadeeth, we should always greet with the Sunnah and the best of greetings; the Salaam.

2. Always try to keep a gleeful smile as well as a bright and pleasant attitude. It is mentioned in an authentic Hadeeth that there was no one who smiled more than Rasulullah ﷺ

3.Avoid useless arguments and using the tongue for ill purposes such as: backbiting, slandering, lying, insulting others etc

4. Congratulate and wish others well

5. Always try to conceal the faults and sins of your fellow brothers and sisters in Islaam. If one does so, Allah Subhaanahu WaTa'aalah will surely conceal his faults and sins in this world and the hereafter.

6. Do not unnecessarily interact with the opposite gender unless for absolute necessity.

7. Avoid rejecting the opinion of others and try having an open mind and heart. Always take in the opinions and advices of others and try doing Mashoorah in all matters

8. Have tolerance and patience when interacting with others (especially family) and avoid having a short temper.

9. Always interact with others in a kind, respectful and polite manner. Speak in an appropriate tone and do not go above the boundaries of others, causing them inconvenience or discomfort.

10. Ending the conversation/interaction with Salaam. Rasulullah ﷺ said: "Whoever meets his brother, let him greet him with the salaam. If a tree or a wall comes between them, then he meets him again, let him greet with him the Salaam." (Bukhaari)

Abu Umaamah

narrated, Rasūlullah ﷺ said: "Indeed, the closest people to Allah are those who greet with Salaam"

(Abu Dawood)

Greatest Greatest

Abu Sa’id ﻪﻨﻋﷲﻲﺿر reported: Rasūlullah ﷺ would seek refuge from jinn and the evil eye of man, until the two chapters of refuge were revealed, al-Falaq and al-Nas. After they were revealed, he held to both of them and left everything else.

Someone once complained to Mufti Mahmoud Hasan Gangohi ﷲ ﻪﻤﺣر about being affected by sihr, Mufti Mahmood ﷲ ﻪﻤﺣر replied: Recite Mu’awwadhatain (Surah Falaq and Surah Naas) eleven times together with Durood Shareef seven times before and after. Recipe this every morning and evening and then blow it on yourself There is no ‘amal more effective than this since these two surahs were revealed to repel the effects of sihr from Nabi ﷺ.

Ibn ‘Abis al-Juhani ﻪﻨﻋ ﷲ ﻲﺿر reported: Rasūlullah ﷺ said to him, “O Ibn ‘Abis, shall I not tell you about the best way to seek refuge for those who seek it?” He said, “Of course, O Rasūlullah ﷺ ” Rasūlullah ﷺ said: (These two Surahs) Qul ‘Aoothubi Rabbil Falaq, and Qul ‘Aoothubi Rabbin Naas,”

Surah Falaq and Surah Naas are two surahs that we have memorized from the time we were little. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to recite them daily and seek refuge in Allah by means of them Many people complain about being afflicted by sihr (black magic), Nazar (evil eye), hasad, etc. These two surahs encapsulate all of those things and even more. May Allah Ta'aala protect us and grant us the ability to honour these surahs. Ámîn.

Ettiquettes Ettiquettes o o f f

Du’aa literally means request, invocation or supplication. Du’aa is when a servant asks our Kind Allah for His help and continued support. It is a form of ‘Ibaadah (worship) and Dhikrullah (remembrance of our Kind Allah). Du’aa should be offered in a proper manner, in hopes that they will be granted. Therefore, our Beloved Nabi Muhammad ﷺ taught us some Aadaab (etiquettes) of Du’aa.

While there are many Aadaab of making Du’aa, a few are listed below:

1. To abstain from haraam (prohibited) food, clothing and earnings.

2 To make Du’aa with sincerity One should firmly believe that nobody but our Kind Allah will fulfil our needs

3. One should perform a good deed prior to making the Du’aa and mention this good deed during the Du’aa. For example, “Oh my Kind Allah, I gave charity for Your pleasure only. Oh my Kind Allah, accept my Du’aa due to the barakah of that deed)”

4. To make wudhu before the Du’aa and be in a clean, pure state.

5. To sit in tashahud position and face the Qiblah.

6 To spread out both hands and raise them up to the shoulders

7 To abstain from raising the eyes towards the sky whilst making Du’aa

8. To make Du’aa in a soft voice.

9. To recite the Ad’iyyah (plural of Du’aa) that were recited by our Beloved Nabi Muhammad as he did not leave out a single need of the Deen, Dunya and Aakhira.

10. To make Du’aa with firm conviction.

11. To make Du’aa with enthusiasm and yearning.

12 Try to have a ‘presence of mind and heart’ while making the Du’aa

13. To make the Du’aa repeatedly. Try and repeat it at least thrice.

14. To rub both hands over the face when ending the Du’aa.

15. The one making the Du’aa and the one listening to it should say Aameen

15 The one making the Du’aa and the one listening to it should say Aameen at the end

How to Structure the Du’aa:

1. Begin by praising and glorifying our Kind Allah.

2. Send Salawaat upon our Beloved Nabi Muhammad.

3. Ask Allah by His beautiful names and by His Oneness.

4 To seek forgiveness and repent from sins

5 To mention that one is helpless without our Kind Allah and dependent on Him completely.

6. To make Du’aa in favour of oneself first, then one’s parents and then to include the entire Muslim Ummah in the Du’aa as well.

7. Beg our Kind Allah with utmost humility and desperation.

8. To make Du’aa for one’s needs of Deen, Dunya and Aakhira.

9. To send Salawaat upon our Beloved Nabi Muhammad when finishing the Du’aa

10. To end by praising and glorifying our Kind Allah.

Most Comprehensive Du' aa

O Allah, I beg You the good which Your Prophet Muhammad ﷺ begged of You; and I seek refuge in You from the evil where from Your Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sought refuge. You are the One from Whom help is sought and Yours is the responsibility to communicate (the truth). There is no power or strength except with Allah the Exalted, the Great Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Rasûlullah ﷺ made many supplications which we did not memorize. We said to him: "O Messenger of Allah! You have made many supplications of which we do not remember anything " He said, "Shall tell you a comprehensive prayer? Say: (above dua)"

[Riyad as-Salihin 1492]

Dear Muslima

In the frighte re showcasing oneself for the whole world to gaze upon has become the new normal, it is now the time for us to constantly remind ourselves why our deen is most perfect and express extreme gratitude to Allah Ta’ala for granting us Imaan and blessing us with this most perfect deen which has the most perfect laws. Without a doubt, Allah Ta’aala loves us immensely despite our infinite sins and shortcomings, the love of Allah Ta’ala is truly something which you and I cannot comprehend. He loves us and sees us trying, He knows our intentions and what we wish to do despite being so feeble. It’s important for you and I to remember that Allah Ta’ala loves us so much and He does not wish to make things difficult for us, rather out of His extreme divine love and unmeasurable mercy, He wants us to always be safe from the harms of this world and from the harms which we could bring upon ourselves. He only wants the best for us. He says in Surah Ahzaab: “O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful”. As the servants of Ar-Rahman, we can only find happiness in this world when we fully submit ourselves to the commands of Allah Ta’ala He commanded us to conceal ourselves from the dangers of the outside world, the evil glances, and the harms of society, so naturally when we conceal ourselves, we will feel our happiest. How extremely fortunate we are to have something like the Niqaab, which reminds us of who we really are, servants of Allah, submitting to the commands of our Loving Creator, Alhamdulillah. It is completely understandable that when one thinks about wearing niqaab, a million questions come to ones mind as well as Shaytaan’s whispers which tries to turn your heart off the idea, but my Dearest Muslimah, I want you to know that when you do something for the pleasure of Allah , He makes that thing so easy for us, Subhan’Allah. How true is it that a Muslimah is treated like a rare gem, not showcased for the whole world to see and let their eyes on, but rather concealed from the world and all it’s evils. To conceal yourself for the pleasure of Allah is not only the most rewarding feeling but also the best

feeling, but also the best decision any Muslim woman can ever make for herself. Indeed we are extremely feeble and flawed, yet this does not mean that we must not try. No matter how old you feel, or you feel that it’s too late, or that you’re not worthy of it, or perhaps you feel that you won’t manage it, I can assure you that once you take that first step for the pleasure of Allah, He makes the rest so easy for you, don’t overthink it! The niqaab saves us from many evils Alhamdulillah. There’s a sense of noor that enters ones life, you become more cautious of your surroundings and you naturally conduct yourself better, these are only the little blessings that we notice, one can only imagine what the actual immense reward which lies with Allah must be.

Don't overthink it, make duaa for Istiqaamah and watch how Allah Ta’ala makes everything so easy for you. Remind yourself why you’re wearing it and for Who you’re wearing it.

At times when you feel demotivated, Renew your intention and think about how beautiful the niqaab is, let yourself completely fall In love with the niqaab.

Do not be so hard on yourself and do not put yourself down, it’s understandable that it will take a little time to adjust to leaving your home and being in public with your face covered, and that’s completely okay. Sooner or later, that piece of cloth which you use to conceal your face becomes a part of who you are.

May Allah keep us steadfast and allow us to live our life in a way which is most pleasing to him and May he make us from amongst his most beloved servants, Aameen.

My Dearest Sister, my advice to you and anyone who wants to wear the niqaab is: 1. 2. 3. 4.