Honey For The Heart by Taha Chaudhary Part 4

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Minor Offences • Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "O Aishah, abstain from the sins which are looked

upon as trivial, for they too will be inquired about by Allah." [Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Sunan an-Nasai]

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Sins are termed as major or minor essentially because of their gravity in terms of their effects on individuals and society.

Thus, some sins are considered most heinous and incur divine wrath. Among such sins are: shirk (associating partners with Allah), displeasing one’s parents, murder, bearing false testimony, adultery, fornication, practicing black magic, devouring riba (interest), stealing from an orphan’s wealth, etc.

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Minor sins, on the other hand, are minor in so far as the punishment for a single act of one of these is not as severe as for a major sin. Nevertheless, all sins require tawbah (sincere repentance). Sincere repentance involves four steps: The first is for a person to be deeply remorseful of the sin; secondly, to

refrain from it and all of the circumstances that led to it; thirdly, to make a firm resolution never to do it again; and finally, to follow it up by whatever good deeds one can possibly do. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says in the Quran,

“Verily good deeds wipe out bad deeds.” [Hud: 114] The Prophet (pbuh) further explained this by saying: “Allah does not wipe out bad deeds through bad deeds; rather He blots them out through good deeds.”

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To repent, one must quit sinful behavior cold turkey and also cut oneself off totally and entirely from all associations or circumstances that led him/her to such sins. He/she cannot hope to change for the better without such serious measures. If, instead, one persists in the sin, he/she will end up losing the purity of their heart, their moral conscience.

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The Prophet (pbuh) warned us against the pervasive effects of sins on our souls. He said that when a person commits a sin, it falls like a black dot on the clean slate of his heart. If he repents,

the dot is erased. If, however, he persists in the same and continues to sin, the dot continues to expand until it covers his entire heart, in which case his spiritual soul becomes completely sealed off. As a result, he fails to recognize good as

good and evil as evil. The Prophet (pbuh) said that this is what Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) has warned us against in the Quran: “Nay, their hearts have been sealed by the sins they have accumulated.” [Al-Mutaffifeen: 14] •

Abdullah bin Mas'ud (radi Allahu anhu) reported the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) as saying: "Beware of minor sins, for they will gather together on man so much so that they will kill him. [Musnad Ahmad] 1502

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Giant Ship Engine that Failed The following is an incident about an engine failure in a giant ship. The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine. Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he

immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.

Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed!

A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars.

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Giant Ship Engine that Failed‌ "What?!" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!"

So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill."

The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer $ 2.00 Knowing where to tap $ 9998.00

Moral: Effort is important but knowing where to make an effort in your life makes all the difference. Knowledge in Islam is highly valued.

Knowledge will benefit us in this world and in the hereafter.

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Greatest Delight • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi

wa sallam) said: “When those deserving of Paradise enter Paradise, the Blessed and Exalted will ask: ‘Do you wish Me to give you anything more?’ They will say: ‘Have You not brightened our faces? Have You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire?’ He (Allah) will then lift the veil (from their eyes), and of things given to them nothing will be dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Mighty and the Glorious." [Sahih Muslim]

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Doubtless we, men and women, are promised to have what we want in Jannah; Allah says in the Quran: “Therein you shall have (all) that your inner selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) which you ask for.” [41:31-32] But the greatest reward for the people in Jannah will be to view the Countenance (Appearance) of Allah.

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Despite having all that their hearts desire, the greatest treat for the inhabitants of Jannah will be to look at the Countenance of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. There will be nothing more delightful, satisfying and fulfilling, than looking at Him.

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When we view a really scenic place on earth, for example a green valley carpeted with flowers and surrounded by majestic mountains or a white beach with palm trees and clear turquoise water, our eyes wish to keep feasting on the gorgeous scene forever and never have to look at anything drab again. Imagine how beautiful Allah must be that the greatest pleasure in Jannah will be to look at Allah’s Face.

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Making Up a Missed Prayer • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "When any of you sleeps through the prayer or

forgets it, then let him pray it when he remembers, for Allah Mighty and Majestic says, 'Perform the prayer for my remembrance.'" [Sahih Muslim]

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The scholarly majority state that the evidence from this hadith is that despite sleep and forgetfulness being lawful excuses, the obligation to perform the prayer is not eliminated by its time having passed. The person who has slept or forgotten to pray in its proper time is required to make it up when he awakens or remembers. A delay in the obligatory prayer beyond its proper time without a lawful excuse, being a sin, is a separate issue. Nevertheless, the obligatory prayer must still be made up as it is a debt owed to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).

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The words of the Prophet (pbuh) are, "A debt to Allah has better right to be fulfilled." [Sahih Bukhari] This hadith's context is that of making up a deceased person's vowed Hajj by the offspring. The Prophet (pbuh) likened the missed

worship to a debt. Similar ahadith exist about fasting; proving that acts of worship when missed, regardless of the reason, become a debt that must be repaid just as other debts are, and with even better right. We say "regardless of the reason"

because the Prophet (pbuh) did not ask the questioner about the reason for the vowed Hajj having been missed. If this is established in relation to making up the worship of another, it holds with still better right for making up one's own missed acts of worship. [Reliance of the Traveler]

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Glance of Love • Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The pious offspring who casts a single look of affection at his parents receives a reward from Allah equal to the reward of an accepted Hajj.” The people enquired: “O Prophet of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam), if someone casts a hundred such glances of love and affection at his parents, what then?” The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Yes, indeed, even if one does so a hundred times a day, he will

get a hundred-fold reward. Allah is far greater than you imagine and is completely free from petty narrow mindedness.” [Sahih Muslim] 1515

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Love your parents and consider this act as a privilege and a source of reward in the eternal world. How much parents love their children, how much they happily sacrifice for them, and how much they want their child to be more privileged than they are, can only be understood when a person becomes a parent themselves. Nobody likes to see others get ahead of him/her in this world except parents, who love to see their children better off than them in every way and for this they willingly sacrifice whatever they have.

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Allah is the only one who really knows what is inside a parent’s heart. In order to help us to acknowledge and be grateful for their love Allah gives us mountains of reward from Himself for loving our parents. Truly, no-one is as

appreciative as Allah of the love that parents shower on their children.

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Should a person look at his/her parents lovingly even a hundred times a day, Allah will give them the reward of a

hundred accepted Hajjs. There is no scarcity with Him. He needs to set no quotas on how much reward a person may earn in a day. It is humans who are petty and stingy towards each other.

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Mentioned in the Highest Circles • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa

sallam) said: “Allah says, ‘I am in accordance with the thoughts of My slave about Me; and I am with him, when he remembers Me. If he

remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My heart. If he remembers Me in a group, I remember him in a better group (i.e. angels). If

he draws near Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by a cubit. If he draws near Me by a cubit, I draw near him by the space covered by outstretched arms. If he walks towards Me, I go to him running.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

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This hadith shows how willing and eager Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) is to befriend us and draw close to us. Anybody who sincerely wants Allah in his/her life will find Him. It cannot be that a person is sincere in

their search but are not guided to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). The case of Salman Farsi is a perfect example of how the search for truth brought him to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). It is said about him that even if Islam were to be found on the moon, he would have made his way to it. Allah has His own ways of bringing people to that which they seek. Nobody is left helpless in their search. If they are confused, it is only because they wish to remain so.

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In our everyday dhikr we should rejoice in the fact that when we remember Allah Mighty and Majestic, He

takes special note of it. When we talk about Him in any gathering, He mentions us in a much superior gathering. Imagine! The most important entity that exists, discusses you with the angels...

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Gift Giving • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to accept gifts and used to give something in return.� [Sahih al-

Bukhari]

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Gift giving increases love and affection among people. For this the gift does not have to be given on a particular occasion or of a particular standard. Whatever is given to promote harmony between Muslims, seeking with this Allah’s Pleasure, will be a source of happiness on the Day of Judgment. The more we love

Allah the more we will love His creation and desire to give people good things, good sentiments and good advice.

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If we give presents to each other because it is the Sunnah of Allah’s Beloved Messenger and because following his Sunnah will make Allah pleased with us, then this gift giving is praiseworthy.

On the other hand, if we give gifts in order to receive something in return, then this type of gift giving will bring us no lasting good.

When we give presents in order to show off what we can afford to give, this arrogance invites Allah’s wrath and punishment.

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Some other corrupt practices associated with gift giving are: belittling others’ gifts and opening presents in the middle of a gathering of people. When we expose everybody’s gifts to a crowd, we risk embarrassing those who had a smaller budget.

Some people end up having spent more than they could afford to in order not to be publicly humiliated. All in all we take a practice of love and sincerity and turn it into an ugly competition, creating hardships for our brothers and sisters in Islam.

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Musical Instruments • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah Mighty and Majestic sent me as a guidance

and mercy to believers and commanded me to do away with musical instruments, flutes, strings, crucifixes, and the affair of the preIslamic period of Ignorance.” [Sunan

Abu Dawood]

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The evidence against musical instruments, in particular wind and string instruments, is irrefutable. There are many sahih ahadith forbidding the use of musical instruments. The Sunni schools of fiqh all prohibit

wind instruments (e.g. flutes, trumpets) and string instruments (e.g. violins, guitars) categorically, while they differ in their ruling on percussion instruments (e.g. drums). “The Islamic Ruling On Music And Singing In Light Of The Quran, The Sunnah, And The Consensus Of Our Pious Predecessors,” by Abu Bilal Mustafa Al-Kanadi, is a detailed discourse on this topic.

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The ‘duff’ (tambourine), a percussion instrument, is allowed as an exception to the general prohibition on musical instruments. This is proved by numerous instances of the Messenger of Allah’s taqriri Sunnah (i.e. he saw its use but did not forbid it.) The duff, accompanied by song, was used in the Prophet’s time on special occasions and weddings, but not as a general pastime.

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A hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari, on the prohibition of musical instruments is: “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk (by men), the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful…. Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection.” [Sahih Bukhari]

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Singing is not forbidden, provided that the content is appropriate. However, singing to the accompaniment of musical instruments becomes forbidden because of the haraam (forbidden) element of music. We see a large part of the Ummah being deceived about life and morality, wasting the precious little time they have of this life, while engrossed in musical 'entertainment.’

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The obsession with music has become as common as the air we breathe. The seriousness of this sin can be judged by the

following hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), on the authority of Anas (radi Allahu anhu): “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will pour molten lead into the ears of whoever sits listening to a songstress.” [Ibn Asakir in Tareekha] 1526

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Evil in the Self and Deeds • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) taught us to say: “All praise is for Allah; we praise Him

and seek His help and His pardon. We seek refuge in Him from the evil in our selves and from the evil of our deeds.”

[Sunan Abu Dawood]

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• There is agreement amongst those who seek Allah, despite their different schools and practices, that the self (Nafs) stands between the heart and reaching Him. Only the silencing of the self – by turning away from it and ignoring its whims and overcoming it – can lead you into the domain of Allah and make it possible to reach Him.

• Allah, the Exalted, says: “Then as for whoever exceeded the limits and preferred the life of this world, surely his abode will be the Fire; and as for whoever feared to stand before his Lord and restrained the desires of his self (Nafs), surely his abode will be the Garden.” [Quran: Surah Naziaat, Ayaat 37-41]

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The self urges you to wrong actions, and to preferring this life to the next life; while Allah, the Exalted, tells His servants to fear Him, and to restrain the self from following its whims and impulses.

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There are two kinds of people in life: intelligent and foolish. The foolish kind are those whose Nafs have overcome them and led them to ruin because they yielded to them and obeyed their impulses. The intelligent kind of people are those who have overcome their Nafs and made them obey their commands.

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Evil lies hiding in the self, and it is this that leads it on to do wrong. If Allah were to leave the servant alone with his self, the servant would be destroyed between its evil and the evil that it craves; but if Allah grants him success and help, then he will survive. We seek refuge in Allah the Almighty, both from the evil of our selves and from the evil of our deeds.

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Good News for Runners Up • “A man came to Allah’s Messenger (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! What do

you say about a man who loves some people but cannot catch up with their good deeds?’ Allah’s Messenger (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Everyone will be with those whom he

loves.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

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• There are some people who are as rarely to be found as salt is in flour, but when you find them you love them intensely and only because of the love they have for Allah. There is nothing you want from them, except perhaps that they might also love you. You see their good deeds and true nature as much better than yours. You would like

to be like them but see that you fall very short.

You are not envious or jealous of them but love them sincerely. This love that you have for them is because of your love of Allah. The good news for you then is that on the Day of Judgment you will be with those whom you love.

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Love and Sincerity • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa

sallam) said: “Any person who cherishes in his heart sentiments of love and sincerity for his brother, should express his sentiments to his brother and tell him clearly that he holds him in love and affection.”

[Sunan Abu Dawood]

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If you love someone you should express your love to that person. Its psychological effect on that person is that he will develop a sense of nearness to you. Love will then not merely be a feeling confined to your heart

but will begin to play a potent role within practical life.

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In the conduct of mutual relationships adopt a moderate course that may be enduring and long lasting. Umar (radi Allahu anhu) observed: “Your love should not assume the form of madness, nor should enmity excite you to perpetrate torture on another.”

When asked how we exhibit these extremes in behavior he stated: “In this manner that if you love someone you start hugging him in a childlike fashion and display other forms of childish behavior. And if you feel angry with someone, you resolve upon the destruction of his

life and property and utter ruination. [Al-Adab-ulMufrad]

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Gifts of Miraj • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “On the night I was taken from Makkah to Jerusalem,

Allah imposed fifty obligatory prayers upon my Ummah. So I kept petitioning Him in the matter, asking they be lightened, until He made them but five each day and night.” [Sahih

al-Bukhari]

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When your best, most beloved friend comes to your house, and you know it is just going to be once in his lifetime, you want to give the best of everything you have to him. If you could, you’d take your heart out and gift that to him too. So when Allah’s most beloved, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), came to visit him on the Miraj (journey to the heavens), one of the two gifts Allah bestowed upon him was the five daily prayers. The other was the last two Ayaat of Surah al-Baqara.

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These gifts were not limited to the person of the Prophet

(pbuh) but extended to all of his Ummah. A parent can’t fully enjoy good food or an outing unless his/her children are also benefiting from the same blessings, so the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was given gifts which his Ummah could share in with

him.

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The prayer is each person’s direct connection with Allah – no need for intermediaries. Allah has allowed each of us to present ourselves personally before Him five times every day

and ask for whatever we want. If nothing else, unburden ourselves before the Most Merciful, and return to life calm and at peace.

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• The prayer is obligatory upon Muslims who have reached puberty, are sane, and in purity.

Obligatory deeds are highly rewarded by Allah and performing them is more beneficial than performing any other deed. • Although the prayers were reduced to five, they are rewarded as much as fifty. Where else can you

find the example of such a profitable scheme?

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Guarding Spouse’s Privacy • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Among the worst people in Allah’s sight on Judgment Day will be the man who makes love to his wife and she to him,

and he divulges her secret.” [Sahih Muslim]

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• In the Quran, Allah has described spouses as garments for each other. Garments beautify as well as clothe the body, covering it, protecting its privacy, hiding its faults, and shielding it. The more private the matter the more it needs to be guarded from others’ eyes. Among the worst in Allah’s eyes on the Day of Qiyamah will be he/she

who exposed the privacies he/she had access to and that were his/her responsibility to guard.

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Lying about the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam)

• The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever attributes to me words that I did not

say, let him take his place in Hell.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari]

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• Lying about the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) is not like lying about anyone else. Since all that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) communicated to us was conveyed to us through Muhammad (pbuh), lying about him is the same as lying about what Allah said. Attributing to the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam)

something that he did not say, do, or approve of, is the same as attempting to change the message of Islam. This is one of the sins for which Allah has promised Hell. May He (subhana wa ta’ala) save us from it.

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1. Before making dua, having total reliance on Allah (swt) is of utmost importance, so that the dua may be accepted. (Tafsir Mazhari Vol.5. P. 535)

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Grave Widens for Believer • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the believing worshipper is buried, the grave says to him, ‘Welcome, make yourself comfortable. Indeed, to me, you are the most beloved of those who walked upon

me. Since you have been entrusted to me and delivered to me today, you shall see what I have arranged for you.’ It will

then widen for him to the extent that his sight extends, and the door to Jannah is opened for him.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi]

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• One day I will enter my grave. What will I feel then? Will my grave welcome me, widen for me till the limit of my sight? Will I feel comfortable in it and secure? Will a door to Jannah be opened from it so that I might see my place in Jannah from my grave, enjoy its sight and spend my time in my grave in joyful anticipation?

• I hope so. I hope that I do such deeds that I become beloved to Allah. Then I will become beloved to all the angels, all the animals, birds, fish, and plants. I will also become beloved to the earth that I walk upon. Then when I enter my grave, it will be happy to see me and I will be happy to see it.

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The Carpenter A highly skilled carpenter who had grown old was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his family. He would

miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.

The employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter agreed to this proposal but made sure that this will be his last project. Being in a mood to retire, the carpenter was not paying much attention to building this house.

His heart was not in his work. He resorted to poor workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

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The Carpenter‌ When the job was done, the carpenter called his employer and showed him the house. The employer handed over some papers and the front door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house, my gift to you."

The carpenter was in a shock! What a shame! If he had only known that he was building his own house, he would have made it better than any other house

that he ever built!

Moral: Our situation can be compared to this carpenter. Allah (swt) has sent us to this world to build our homes in paradise by obeying His commands. Now, we have to decide how well we wish to build the homes where we will live forever.

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Grave Constricts for Disbeliever • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the wicked worshipper or the disbeliever is buried, the grave says to him, ‘You are not welcome, do not get comfortable. Indeed, to me, you are the most hated of those who walked

upon me. Since you have been entrusted to me and delivered to me today, you shall see what I have arranged for you.’ It will

begin closing in on him (squeezing him) until his ribs are crushing each other.”

[Jami at-Tirmidhi]

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• O Allah! I take refuge with You from the punishment of the grave. None has the right to be worshipped but You. Don’t let me become one of those whose grave does not welcome him. This one home that I will definitely have, don’t let it squeeze and crush me.

• I hope that I am not one of those who think of

themselves as pious but are actually wicked. I must examine my heart to see that I don’t harbor any resentment towards Allah, His chosen Deen, or His obedient slaves. I must not rebel against Allah and what He has chosen for me.

• The earth, my grave, will not welcome me if I have been insolent towards its Creator.

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Long for the Heart of a Bird • Allah’s Messenger (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “There will enter Jannah people whose hearts will be like

the hearts of birds.” [Sahih Muslim]

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This hadith sums up the qualities of the people worthy of Jannah.

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Firstly, just as the hearts of birds are free of jealousy, the hearts of the people deserving Jannah are free of jealousy,

rancor, and envy.

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Secondly, just as birds are always alert (cautious of any danger), the hearts of the people of Jannah are also alert and wakeful. They worry about their Akhirah, they are

alert to not stray off the Straight Path, they are vigilant against the whisperings of Shaitaan, and their hearts are active in the remembrance of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).

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Thirdly, just as birds trust in Allah for their food, the

people of Jannah have complete trust in Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Birds don’t store food for the next day, nor indeed for any contingency. They go out hungry from their nests every morning but return with full stomachs

every evening. The people worthy of Jannah similarly have complete trust (Tawakkul) in Allah regarding not only their sustenance, but, their very existence.

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May my heart become like the heart of a bird. Ameen 1564

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Gratitude for Blessings • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah will be pleased with His slave if, when he eats

some food, he praises Him for it and when he drinks something, he praises Him for it.” [Sahih Muslim]

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• Are we grateful for what Allah bestows upon us or not? If we give thanks while feeling it from our hearts, Allah will be pleased with us and bless us with more. If we refuse to thank Him and are ungrateful, Allah will be angry with us.

• We must make it a habit to say “Alhamdulillah” after we eat or drink anything.

• Gratitude also entails putting gifts to appropriate use. For example, fancy new clothes should be worn to dress up. If the gifter sees us mop floors with them they won’t appreciate it.

• So we must use the energy and health we derive from food and drink, to obey Allah. To use His blessings to rebel against Him is ingratitude of the highest order.

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Learn the Laws of Inheritance • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Learn the laws of inheritance and the Quran,

and teach the people, for I am a mortal.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi]

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There are numerous ahadith to learn and teach the laws of inheritance in Islam. The Arabic word “AlFara’id” is the plural of “Faridah” which means “an enjoined ordinance” or “a duty prescribed by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).” Since the shares of inheritors are meticulously determined by Allah and described in the Shariah, the field of knowledge dealing with these laws

is known as “Ilm Al-Fara’id.”

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The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) reminded people that he was a mortal and would die, therefore, people should learn the laws of inheritance from him in order to be able to continue practicing them after his death.

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Whoever learns the laws of inheritance with the intention of preserving the Sunnah and Allah’s

commands thereby, will be rewarded by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) for doing so, InshaAllah.

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Gentle Examination of Account • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa

sallam) said: “Allah will bring the believer close to Him and shelter him and cover him, then He will say, ‘Do you acknowledge such and such a sin, do you acknowledge such and such a sin?’ He will say, ‘Yes, O Lord,’ until he will have acknowledged his sins, and he will think to himself that he is doomed. Then Allah will say, ‘I concealed it for you in the world, and I

forgive you for it this Day.’ Then he will be given the book of his good deeds. But as for the Kaafireen and Munaafiqeen, the witnesses will say, ‘These are the ones who lied against their Lord! No doubt! The curse of Allah is on the Zaalimoon.’ (Quran: Surah 11, Ayat 18)” [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1575

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Imaam al-Qurtubi said concerning the phrase “will shelter him”: “This means He will cover him with kindness and generosity and will speak to him gently and converse with him in a conciliatory manner. Allah

will say to him, ‘Do you acknowledge?’ and he will say, ‘Yes, O Lord, I acknowledge.’ Then Allah will remind him of His blessings and show His favor upon him by saying, ‘I concealed it for you in the world and

I did not expose it, and I forgive you for it this Day.’” [At-Tadhkirah] •

Such a person will return to his family rejoicing, his face white, his every joint adorned, increased to the height of Adam (pbuh), with a crown on his head, and dressed in beautiful garments. He will be accompanied by an angel who will call out before the people, “This is So and so, the son of So and so, he has attained happiness and will never feel sorrow again.” [AtTadhkirah] 1576

Leaving One’s Leader • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “He who obeys me obeys Allah, and he who disobeys

me disobeys Allah. He who obeys the leader obeys me, and he who disobeys the leader disobeys me.” [Sahih alBukhari]

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The “leader” referred to in this hadith is the caliph (Khalifa) of the Muslims, or his authorized representative.

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Whenever there is a group of three or more Muslims, it

is Sunnah for a leader (Ameer) to be chosen. It is Sunnah to obey such a leader and leaving him or not obeying him contravenes what is recommended but is not unlawful.

•

In all cases, Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) is the most worthy of obedience. It is out of obedience to Him that we obey who He asks us to of humans. So there is no obedience where it requires one to disobey Allah

(subhana wa ta’ala).

•

Once a commander of the Muslims, upset at a mistake of theirs, told them to jump into a fire. They did not obey him. When they returned to the Messenger of

Allah (peace be upon him) they asked him what they should have done. He (peace be upon him) told them that if they had jumped into the fire they would have burned in it for ever.

1578

1579

1580

1581

Good Conduct • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The heaviest thing that will be placed in a person’s

Balance on the Day of Resurrection is good behavior, and Allah hates the obscene immoral person.” [Jami atTirmidhi]

1582

• The thing which will weigh most heavily in the Balance for a person, out of his dealing with other people, is manner and good attitude for the sake of securing Allah’s Pleasure.

• Work on your decency, sincerity, cheerfulness and genuine good conduct towards others.

1583

Luck or Allah • “Whenever any good news or glad tiding was told to the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam), he would

prostrate in gratitude to Allah.”

[Sunan Abu Dawood]

1584

• What do you do when you get good news? Do you thank Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) for His bounty or do you think you are responsible for

your good fortune? Isn’t Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) the one who gave you the body and mind you used? Isn’t Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) the one who

opened the doors of opportunity for you? Should He close them, is there anyone who can open them again?

• We call ourselves lucky (thanking our lucky stars) or we blame our luck, as the case may be. While, doing so, is nothing short of our denying Allah’s

Will and His Provision.

1585

1586

1587

1588

Gentleness Beautifies • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Gentleness beautifies everything. Harshness

disfigures.” [Sahih Muslim]

1589

• There was once a very pious woman who didn’t like to have any pictures in the house because angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture. She had a young daughter who had toys but not a doll, since it would be an imitation of an animate object, like a picture. One day the girl’s maternal aunt gave her a doll and said, “Play

with it in your room but don’t let your mother see it.”

• After a couple of days the mother found out, so she decided to give advice in an appropriate manner. When they sat at the dinner table the mother said, “Dear children, for a couple of days I feel that there have been no angels in the house. If

anybody has any ideas why this could have happened please let me know. There is neither might nor power except with Allah!”

1590

• The young girl listened quietly. After dinner she returned to her room to notice the doll amongst her many toys. She picked up the doll and brought it to her mother and said, “Mum! This is what caused the angels to leave. You may do with it as you please!”

• How wonderful is this approach in correcting

people’s wrongs and giving advice, being gentle and not striking with thunderbolts!

• Allow the one being advised to retain his/her honor. It is possible to drink honey without destroying the honeycomb.

1591

Lawful Earnings • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi

wa sallam) said: “He who lived on lawful earnings, observed my Sunnah, and did not cause mischief to people will be admitted to

Jannah.” The people submitted: “O Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him)! There is a great number of such people at the present

time.” Allah’s Messenger (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Such people will exist even after me.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi]

1592

•

One must not under-estimate the importance of earning a Halaal livelihood. It is not always easy to keep away from income that has some element of Haraam mixed in it. It becomes especially trying when one has dependents to take care of. That is why the reward is no less than Jannah for the one who is mindful of Allah’s defined boundaries and stays within them while trying to feed himself and his family.

•

A lady was married to a man who worked in a bank, i.e., dealt with financial contracts involving Riba (interest). She asked and encouraged him to find some other work. When he wouldn’t, she started stitching clothes for people to earn a little money herself. She would cook meat for her husband from his income and prepare lentils to feed herself and her

children from her own Halaal earned money.

•

Observing the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) does not only mean observing the Prophet’s code of conduct in praying and fasting but is suggestive of taking his example as one’s guide

in every matter of life and death. Those who do, earn Allah’s pleasure, and are admitted to the Jannah He (subhana wa ta’ala) has prepared for us.

1593

1594

1595

1596

Purchase Garments of Paradise • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “If any Muslim clothes a Muslim when he is naked, Allah will clothe him with some green garments of Paradise; if any Muslim feeds a Muslim when he is hungry, Allah will feed him with some of the fruits of Paradise; and if any Muslim gives a Muslim drink when he

is thirsty, Allah will give him some of the pure wine which is sealed to drink.”

[Sunan Abu Dawood] 1597

•

Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has made some things easy for us to acquire, that we otherwise would not have known how to obtain. Had Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) not told us, we would not even have known of Paradise

let alone the garments therein. Not only has he informed us of their existence but made it possible for each one of us to easily get some.

•

Are we getting as excited about it as we do about a clearance sale at our favorite clothes’ store? If not, then there is something wrong with our eeman. Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said that if he were to see Paradise with his own eyes, he would not long for it more than he already longs for it. Nor would he by seeing Jahannum with his own eyes fear it more than he already does. This shows us the level of belief the

Sahabah had in the words of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).

1598

Going After Mugs • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Riches does not mean having a great amount of property, but

riches is self-contentment.” [Sahih alBukhari]

1599

• A group of alumni well established in their careers went to visit one of their old teachers. The conversation soon turned to complaints about stress in life and work. Offering his guests coffee, he went

to the kitchen and returned with a big pot and an assortment of mugs; porcelain, plastic, ceramic, bone china - some plain looking, some expensive and exquisite.

• When all the students had helped themselves to a cup of coffee, the teacher said, “If you notice, all the nice-looking expensive mugs are taken up leaving

behind the plain and cheap ones. Each of you wants only the best mug for himself, and that is the source of your problems. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the mug, but you all consciously went for better mugs and are eyeing each other’s mugs. If life is coffee then the jobs, money and position in society are the mugs.”

1600

• Each of us has life. Each of us has equal opportunity to earn any level of Jannah. The routes will be different depending on whether you have a handicapped child to care for, piety through starvation to display, or restraint to exhibit from spending your wealth to maintain a high standard of living for yourself. But instead

of worrying about what we can earn of Jannah with our lives and Allah’s obedience, we are busy going after nicer mugs.

• Foolish people exchange their peace of mind and tranquility of heart to acquire wealth, while wise people exchange their wealth for peace of mind and tranquility of heart. [Sukun-e-Qalb]

1601

Where do hearts find peace?

1602

1603

1604

1. This was the dua of Ibrahim (a.s).

2. Ibn Abbas (r.a) says it refers to the

sadness of leaving Ismail (a.s) and his mother in a barren land. (Tafsir Mazhari Vol. 6. P. 316) 1605

1606

Good Deeds Rewarded by Intentions • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Actions are only by intention, and every man shall only have

what he intended. Thus, he whose migration was for Allah and His Messenger, his migration was for Allah and His Messenger, and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly

benefit or to take some woman in marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1607

• This hadith means that the reward for an action depends upon the intention behind it. This relates to obligatory, recommended, or permissible actions and not to forbidden ones. Bad intentions can spoil the fruit of good deeds but having good intentions do not make forbidden acts permissible.

• Good deeds which are apparently identical may

differ because the intentions behind them are different in degrees of goodness and badness from one person to another. The Prophet (pbuh) explained this point with the example of Hijra (migration).

• Some of our pious predecessors said: “Many small actions are made great by the intentions behind them. Many great actions, on the other hand, are made small because the intentions behind them are lacking.”

1608

1609

1610

A Thousand Camels In the times of Umar (Radiallahu Anhu) there was a severe famine. All the people of Madinah were suffering due to the shortage of food. A caravan made up of a thousand camels

loaded with a large stock of food grains belonging to Uthman (Radiallahu Anhu) arrived from Shaam (Syria). Several merchants offered to buy all of it. He asked them what profit they would pay. "Five per cent," they said. He answered that

he could get higher profit than that. They began to argue with him, saying that they did not know of any merchant who would offer him more than their quote. He said to them, "I know of one who repays a profit of more than seven hundred

to a dirham (Arabian currency)." He then recited the verse of the Noble Quran in which Allah Ta'ala mentioned this profit.

"The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven

ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower." (2:261).

1611

A Thousand Camels‌ "O traders! Bear witness with me that I donate all this to the poor people of Madinah!" said Uthman

(Radiallahu Anhu).

Source: Related by Shaikh Habibullah Mukhtaar in his book "Bringing Up Children in Islaam" in the chapter of Generosity.

Dear readers, what ever we give for the sake of Allah is really ours and whatever we keep with us will one day be someone else's. Let us follow the footsteps of our Prophet and the pious Sahabah, with whom Allah was pleased with, by helping the needy ones.

1612

1613

Gratitude for Increase in Blessing • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Look to those lower than you, and do not look to those above you, lest you view the favors of Allah as trivial.” [Sahih

Muslim]

1614

• Allah divides people into those who are grateful and those who are ungrateful; and the most displeasing thing to Him is ingratitude and its people; and the most precious thing to Him is gratitude and its people.

• He puts no limit on His reward for gratitude when He refers to it: “We shall reward those who are

thankful.” [Quran: Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ayat 145]

1615

• When the enemy of Allah, shaytaan, learned of the value of gratitude – and that it is one of the most exalted and highest states – he directed his efforts towards distancing people from it:

“Then will I approach them from in front of them and from behind them, and from their right and from their

left; and You will find that most of them are not grateful.” [Quran: Surah Al-Araf, Ayat 17]

1616

• Allah says: “If you are thankful, I will

certainly give you more, but if you are ungrateful, then surely My punishment is terrible indeed.”

[Quran: Surah Ibraheem, Ayat 7] • In this ayat, Allah makes the granting of more blessings conditional on gratitude.

There is no limit to the increase in His blessings, just as there is no limit to being grateful to Him.

1617

Lenient in Collecting • Hudhaifah bin al-Yaman (radi Allahu anhu) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) say: “From the people preceding your generation, there was a man whom the angel visited to take away his soul.

(After it was taken away) he was asked if he had done any good deed. He replied, ‘I do not remember any good deed.’ He was asked to think it over, and he said, ‘I cannot recall any save that I used to trade with people in the world and was lenient with them. I gave respite to the rich and forgave the poor.’ So Allah made him enter Paradise.” [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1618

•

Another version narrated by Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) says: “A trader used to allow debts to his customers.

When he found anyone hard pressed, he ordered his employees, ‘Forgive them! Perhaps Allah will forgive us

(because of that).’ So Allah forgave him.” [Sahih Muslim] •

This hadith teaches us to forgive and show favor. These are the attributes of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). If anyone adopts these characteristics in this world then Allah

(subhana wa ta’ala) will deal with him in the Hereafter with these very characteristics.

•

While a creditor has every right to demand his money back, it is better that he is accommodating towards his

debtors. Generally businessmen are not concerned with making their profits in the Hereafter but are focused on maximizing their return in this life. However, a Muslim should never neglect the affairs of the Hereafter. Should

he be benevolent towards others even in business dealings hoping for Allah’s reward, then Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has a greater right to be benevolent towards him. [“Stories from the Hadith” by Mohammad Zakariya Iqbal] 1619

1620

1621

1622

Houses on Bridges • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a

traveler.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1623

• The above narration clearly indicates that we are in this world for a purpose and not for entertainment. We are like travelers during this life on earth. A traveler has a final destination that he/she is eager to reach. They need to use the time of their stop-over wisely, so as not to miss their connecting flight.

• We should remember that earth is not our final destination. We have been encouraged to utilize the blessings Allah has put here for our use, yet we are told not to lose sight of the temporary nature of this life, and to use it to make preparations for the next life. Our souls are on a journey. Remembering death defeats joy. It kills

our tastebuds for the pleasures of this life. But it is the only wise thing to do, in our own interest.

1624

• Concerning the life of this world Hazrat Esa (pbuh) said, "This world is like a bridge, cross it and do not build on it." This life is a bridge from our previous existence as soul to our next existence in the grave, then on the Day of Judgment, then either in The Garden or (Allah Forbid) The Fire. Houses are built on land, connected by bridges where the need arises.

The most appropriate place to build, the focus of our attention, should be the land that we

will set foot on once we cross the bridge that is our earthly existence. Where are you focused on building? On land, or on a delicate bridge that can collapse anytime with your death?

1625

Loudly Lamenting the Dead • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who slaps his cheeks, rips his pockets, or calls out the cries of

the pre-Islamic period of ignorance is not of us.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1626

• It is the beauty of Islam, and Allah’s favor on us, that He (subhana wa ta’ala) did not leave us unguided in any matter of life. For every situation, we were told how to earn Allah’s pleasure. Thus, there is also an etiquette to mourning in Islam.

• Sorrow is a natural feeling and the flowing of tears is from the tenderness of the heart. These are allowed and were experienced by the Prophet (pbuh) on the death of his baby Ibraheem, and no

one had a softer heart than he. But to shout and wail, hit oneself, tear one’s clothes, and in general act out of control in grief is not a part of the Islamic etiquette of mourning.

1627

• When we do deeds according to how Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has asked us to, we draw closer to eternal happiness in Jannah. As Muslims we made a bargain with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) in which we sold our lives and our wealth in exchange for life in Paradise. [Al-Quran 9:111] • Suppose somebody sells their car. Once the payment

has been made, does the seller have any rights left on the car? Would it be fair for him/her to continue to use it as he/she pleases and even give it to the buyer’s enemy to misuse? Then we should keep in mind that since we have sold our worldly lives and wealth to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) in exchange for Jannah, we no longer get to do what we please with ourselves or our assets. We have to conduct ourselves according to how Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) wants us to, rather than how Shaitaan, Allah’s enemy and our enemy, incites us to.

1628

1629

1630

1631

Exchange of Deeds • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever wronged his brother with regard to his honor or any other matter, should seek his forgiveness today, before there are no longer any dinars or dirhams; and if he has any righteous deeds, they will be taken from him, in accordance with the wrong he did; and if he has no Hasanaat (good deeds), some of

the Sayi’aat (bad deeds) of his counterpart will be taken and added to his burden.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari] 1632

• When the Day of Resurrection comes, a man’s wealth and capital will be his Hasanaat (good deeds).

• If he had wronged any people, they will take from his Hasanaat to the extent that he mistreated them. If he does not have any Hasanaat, or if his Hasanaat run out, then some of their Sayi’aat (bad

deeds) will be taken and added to his burden, till all scores are settled.

• Then his deeds will be weighed in the Balance!

1633

Lying while Joking • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Shame on him who tells lies in order to make people laugh!

Shame on him! Shame on him!”

[Sunan Abu Dawood]

1634

• We can say without doubt that lying is one of the most evil characteristics, against which all religions and systems of ethics warn, and which man's innate common sense (Fitrah) also recognizes as wrong. However, many people do not take seriously telling lies when they are joking. Lying is not permissible whether the one

doing it is joking or serious. Practical jokes are another form of lying.

• The Prophet (pbuh) said: “I joke, but I speak

nothing but the truth.” [Al-Tabarani]

1635

1636

1637

1638

Help Your Brother, Wronging or Wronged • Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Help your brother, wronging or

wronged." A man said, "Messenger of Allah, I can help him if he is wronged but tell me how I can help him if he is wronging?" He (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "You can restrain him - or prevent him - from injustice. That is helping him." [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1639

• The current standards of loyalty and love that prevail are the same as those that prevailed at the time of pre-Islamic Jahiliyyah (Ignorance); i.e., stand by your brother, family, clan, friend, or country, regardless of their injustice. This is justified in the name of patriotism, nationalism, friendship and relations.

• But sincerity towards another is that which will help them on the Day of Judgment. Brotherhood in Islam requires that we explain, stop and prevent our loved ones from oppressing others.

Do you truly love those around you or are you only concerned that they think you love them?

1640

Love of Muslims • Narrated Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu

anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘Where are the two who loved one another for My sake? Today I will shade them with My shade, on a day when there will be no shade but

My shade.’” [Sahih Muslim]

1641

•

To love someone for the sake of Allah is to love them because of their Islam; to not expect or want any favors from them but visit them and wish them well only because they are your brother or sister in Islam. There is no relationship or bond other than this that you both love Allah (subhana wa ta’ala), and by keeping each other’s company you both increase in your love of Him.

•

Love has many levels. If you love someone you want to give them gifts. Love makes you want to spend time with your loved ones. The love of parents for their children makes them willing to sacrifice their sleep and comfort for the well being of their child/children. The height of love is that you are willing to lay your life down to protect or rescue your loved one. Many

parents can imagine that they would be willing to risk their own lives to save the life of their child.

1642

•

What about the love that a Muslim is supposed to have for another Muslim? In the words of Syed Qutb Shaheed, “Our words are meaningless until we give them life with our blood.” Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) is asking you and

me: “And what reason do you have not to fight in the cause of Allah, to rescue the helpless oppressed old men, women, and children who are crying: ‘Our Rabb! Deliver us from this town whose people are oppressors; send us a

protector by Your grace and send us a helper from Your presence?’” [Al-Quran 4:75] •

Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) commands: “O believers, fight them until there is no more mischief/fitnah and the Deen

of Allah (way of life prescribed by Allah) is established completely.” [Al-Quran 8:39] Fitnah means shirk as Ibn Abbas and As-Sudi (radi Allahu anhum) said: “When the disbelievers attack and control a country, the Ummah is

endangered in its religion and it becomes susceptible to doubt in its belief. Fighting them becomes an obligation to protect the religion, lives, honor and wealth.” [Al-Qurtubi 2/253] 1643

• Do we love our Muslim brothers and sisters enough to try to rescue them? To save their lives, their honor, their wealth, but most importantly their Islam, that is endangered by occupation?

The reward of this love is nothing less than shade under the Throne of the All-Merciful on the Day when there will be no other shade, and the sun

will be directly overhead, and the sinful will be up to their ears in their sweat.

1644

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1647

Health, Youth and Eternal Life

• Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said that a caller will call out in Paradise when people enter it: “Indeed may you be healthy and never be sick again, may you live

and never die again, may you be young and never grow feeble again, may you enjoy, and never feel sorrow and regret again.” [Sahih Muslim]

1648

• One cause of pain and suffering in this life is disease. But it is non-existent in Jannah. Nobody will feel any sickness or pain in Jannah. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said about the people of Paradise: “They will never fall ill, blow their noses or spit.” [Sahih al-Bukhari] • In other words, there is nothing that is the

slightest bit unpleasant in Jannah. We get used to having to blow our noses, but we do not need to do even this in Paradise. The pleasure and enjoyment therein is untainted by anything that is not a cause of happiness itself. Furthermore, no one will die in Paradise. All shall live eternally, enjoying the pleasures therein.

1649

Love of the Prophet • “During the lifetime of the Prophet (salla

Allahu alayhi wa sallam) there was a man who used to make Allah's Apostle laugh. The Prophet (pbuh) lashed him because of drinking

(alcohol). One day he was brought to the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) on the same charge and was lashed. On that, a man

among the people said, "O Allah, curse him!

How frequently he has been brought (to you on such a charge)!" The Prophet (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) said, "Do not curse him, for

by Allah, I know he loves Allah and His Apostle." [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1650

• We must not underestimate the importance of love of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and His Prophet (pbuh). This does not mean that a public sinner shall not be punished if he loves Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and His Prophet (pbuh). But when a person has been punished, their account is cleared, and there is no need to hate them or curse

them.

• Only Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) knows the sincerity of a person’s repentance. No human can

judge what is in another's heart. So we leave the case of the hearts and intentions to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). A person is treated in this world according to what they do and say. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) will treat them according to what He knows about their reality.

1651

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1654

Hating or Honoring Somebody • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not hate one another, nor be jealous of one another.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1655

•

Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him), one of the earliest converts to Islam, had been appointed by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to be the Muaddhin (the one who makes the Adhan – call to prayer). He was of African descent and had been a slave before being bought and freed by Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him).

Once, after the conquest of Makkah, while Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) was calling the Adhan, three men belonging to the Quraish tribe began to comment on him. These people had only just accepted Islam, in order to be with the winning side, and had not yet been cleansed by its teachings.

•

One of the men remarked how happy he was that his parents were not around to see such a disgusting sight.

The second man sarcastically called Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) a black crow and wondered how the Prophet (pbuh) couldn’t have found anyone other than him to appoint as the Muaddhin. The third man was afraid that Allah would make known their comments to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and so did not say anything.

1656

• Allah did reveal this conversation to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and in addition revealed this ayat of the Quran: “O mankind, truly we have created you from a male and a female, and made you peoples and tribes, so that you may recognize each other. Truly, the most honored of you to Allah is (he who) safeguards himself against evil

with full awareness of Allah’s Laws. Truly, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” [Quran 49:13] • The three men had been discriminating against Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) because of the color of his skin, because of his lineage as he wasn’t of the Quraish or even Arab, and because of what his social status had been before Islam.

What this ayat clarified is that regardless of whether the Prophet (pbuh) finds out or not, Allah is always aware of everything you say and do.

1657

• Additionally, in Allah’s sight a person’s color, lineage, and social status have no importance. It is only piety that makes a person respectable or lovable in the sight of Allah and the ones who lack it, detestable in the sight of Allah. Thus, color, lineage and social status are not parameters that Muslims should be using either, to honor or

humiliate one another, nor are these valid reasons to love or hate one another.

Judge your relationships and see what criteria you use: Piety or something else?

1658

Khinzab Devil Confuses in Prayer • Uthmaan ibn Abi’l-Aas (radi Allahu anhu)

came to the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and said: “The Shaytaan comes between me and my prayer and recitation of Quran, and he is confusing me.” The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “That is a devil called Khinzab. If you notice that, then seek refuge with Allah from him, and spit drily to your left three times.” Uthmaan ibn Abi’l-Aas (radi Allahu anhu) said: “I did that, and Allah took him away from me.” [Sahih Muslim] 1659

• This hadith tells us what to do if in the middle of Salaat we feel distracted or get confused.

• If the Shaytaan is not able to prevent people from obeying Allah, then he strives to corrupt their acts of worship and obedience, so that he can deprive them of the reward. We should seek protection with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) from the devil by saying “Aoodhu billahi min ash-shaytani-rrajeem” before beginning any good deed.

1660

1661

1662

1. In Tirmidhi there is a narration wherein Prophet (saw) says “Dua is

Ibadah.�

2. Anas (r.a) narrates that Prophet (saw) has said: Dua is the essence

(marrow) of Ibadah. (Tafsir Mazhari Vol. 6. P. 317)

1663

1664

How to Ask Allah • Allah’s Messenger (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “When anyone of you appeals to Allah for something, he

should ask with determination and should not say, ‘O Allah, if You wish, give me,’ for nobody can force Allah to do something against His Will anyway.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1665

•

Suppose you had bought a lovely doll house for your daughter, or a great gift for your son and you asked him or her whether they would like to receive the surprises you had ready for them. How would you feel if their responses were, “Well, you can give it to me if you want to”?

•

So ask Allah passionately, from the bottom of your heart, for the good things that you want. Don’t just recite Duas, beg from Allah through your Duas.

•

People get irritated when you keep making requests from them. But Allah dislikes it when people don’t make requests from Him and they don’t ask Him for anything.

To not ask Allah for good things is to be ungrateful

towards Him. He wants to give us, so we shouldn’t have the attitude of not caring to receive what Allah wants to give.

•

Allah will give according to His Will, when and what He

knows to be best for you. If your wishes are not granted in this life, then you will be given your wishes in the form of good deeds on the Day of Judgment. So you always win by asking from Allah.

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The Needs and Desires Once upon a time, there lived a King who, despite his luxurious lifestyle, was neither happy nor content. One day, the King came upon a servant who was singing happily while he worked. This fascinated the King, why was he, the Supreme Ruler of the Land, unhappy and gloomy, while a lowly servant had so much joy. The

King asked the servant, “Why are you so happy?”

The man replied, “Your Majesty, I am nothing but a servant, but my family and I don’t need too much, just a roof over our heads and warm food to fill our tummies.”

The king was not satisfied with that reply. Later in the day, he sought the advice of his most trusted advisor.

After hearing the King’s woes and the servant’s story, the advisor said, “Your Majesty, I believe that the servant has not been made part of The 99 Club.”

1669

The Needs and Desires “The 99 Club? And what exactly is that?” the King inquired. The advisor replied, “Your Majesty, to truly know what The 99 Club is, place 99 Gold coins in a bag and leave it at this servant’s doorstep.” So the King ordered to do it. When the servant saw the bag, he took it into his house. When he opened the bag, he let out a great shout of joy, So many gold coins! He began to count them. After several counts, he was at last convinced that there were 99 coins. He wondered, “What could’ve happened to that last gold coin? Surely, no one would leave 99 coins!”

He looked everywhere he could, but that final coin was elusive.

Finally, exhausted, he decided that he was going to have to work harder than ever to earn that gold coin and complete his collection.

From that day, the servant’s life was changed. He was overworked, horribly grumpy, and castigated his family for not helping him make that 100th gold coin. He stopped singing while he worked.

Witnessing this drastic transformation, the King was puzzled. When he sought his advisor’s help, the advisor said, “Your Majesty, the servant has now officially joined The 99 Club.”

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The Needs and Desires He continued, “The 99 Club is a name given to those people who have enough to be happy but are never content, because they’re always yearning and striving for that extra 1 telling to themselves, “Let me get that one final thing and then I will be happy for life.”

Striving for more is always good, but let’s not strive so hard and for so much that we loses all those near and dear to our hearts, we shouldn’t compromise our happiness for moments of luxuries!

Moral: We can be happy, even with very little in our

lives, but the minute we’re given something bigger and better, we want even more! We lose our sleep, our happiness, we hurt the people around us, all these as a price for our growing needs and desires. We must learn

to maintain a balance of our need and desires to enjoy a happy life with what we already have.

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Home Displayed • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “When anyone of you dies, his destination is displayed

before him in the forenoon and in the afternoon, either in the Fire or in Paradise, and it is said to him, ‘That is your place till you are resurrected and sent to it.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1674

• When a Momin sees his beautiful mansions, his rolling hills, his streams and lakes, his family, his attendants, and the banquets prepared for him in Paradise, he longs to go to them - his real home.

Thus, the Momin waits eagerly for the Day of Resurrection.

• On the other hand, the Kuffar, Munafiqeen and

Murtaddeen are shown the blazing hot fire, the darkness, the boiling water and pus, that is their due. Thus, they pray that the Day of Resurrection never comes.

May Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) give us death while we are Momineen.

1675

Just in Families and Elsewhere • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Those who are fair and just will be with Allah on

thrones of light, on the Right Hand of the Most Merciful – and both His Hands are Right Hands – those who were just in their judgments towards their families and in any matter which was entrusted to them.” [Sahih Muslim] 1676

• To judge fairly and impartially between people is highly rewarded by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).

Unfortunately, it is not common because we let personal likes and dislikes, the pressure of relatives, friends and society, the fear of loss of face, popularity or favor, get in the way of justice.

Other times, we simply don’t hear both parties

out and pronounce a judgment after having heard only one side of the story.

• May Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) help us to be

upright.

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Patience on Death of Child • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “When a person's child dies, Allah the Most High asks His angels, ‘Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?’ They reply in the affirmative. He then asks, ‘Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’ They reply in the affirmative. Thereupon he asks, ‘What has My slave said?’ They say: ‘He has praised You and said: Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall be

returned).’ Allah says: ‘Build a house for My slave in Jannah and name it Bait-ul-Hamd (the House of Praise).’” [Jami at-Tirmidhi] 1681

•

One of the greatest worldly calamities for a person is to lose his or her child. None but those who have gone through it know what it is like. This hadith highlights the great merit of exhibiting patience at this time of

calamity. Rather than wailing and complaining, one should submit to the Will of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and try to remember His promised reward. Children who die before reaching the age of puberty cause their parents to be brought to Jannah through them. An attitude of patience brings great reward from Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).

•

How does one reconcile with such events? Another hadith tells us the story of a pious man who loved his wife very much. When she died suddenly, he was devastated. He shut himself off from society, refusing

to talk to or see anyone. Finally, a woman sat outside his house and refused to budge until he talked to her regarding a problem that she had.

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She told him that a friend of hers had given her jewelry for safekeeping which she would often wear. She had had it in her possession for a long time but now her friend had come to ask for it back. The problem was

that since she had had the jewelry for so long, she had gotten used to having it and didn’t want to give it back.

The man immediately replied from inside the house that she must return her friend’s amanah (possessions given in trust). He also realized that the problem she had come to discuss with him was just to make him realize how in fact he must reconcile with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) taking back what belonged to Him. •

Death is only a temporary separation for family

members going to Jannah. People going to Jannah will be reunited therein where they will never suffer separation again.

1683

Horoscopes, Fortune-Tellers and Astrologers

• The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks him about anything, his prayer will not be accepted for forty days.” [Sahih Muslim]

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• The belief that any person has knowledge of the unseen is a sinful and misguided notion. It goes against Islamic teachings which say that knowledge of the unseen belongs to Allah Alone. “(He Alone is) the All-Knower of the Ghayb (Unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghayb.”

[Quran: Surah Jinn, Ayat 26]

• Astrology has to do with decrees and influences, i.e., finding the connection of events on earth and astronomical movements. This is Haraam according to the Quran and Sunnah. The commentator on Al-Aqeedah at-Tahhaawiyyah said: “Astrologers are included in the word fortune-tellers, according to some of the scholars,

and according to some of them both are the same.”

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• When astrologers and fortune-tellers get a prediction right on occasion, it may be either because of insight and intuition, or these words may be something that the Jinn have snatched from the heavens.

• If the matter concerning which true words were spoken is something that has already taken place, such as knowing the name of a thief, or knowing the name of a person who has come to him for the first time, this may be achieved by sending a person to find out about people, or having a means of listening to what they say before they come to him, or it could

be done with the help of devils and Qareens. The knowledge that the devils have about events that have already taken place is not something out of the ordinary. [“The World of the Jinn and Devils,” by Dr Umar S. al-Ashqar]

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Knowledge of Religion - Edible Fruit

• The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever Allah wishes well, He gives knowledge of religion.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

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• Eesa (alaihis salam) is reported to have said, “There are many trees: not all of them bear fruit. There are many fruits: not all of them may be eaten. Many, too, are the kinds of knowledge: yet not all of them are of value to men.”

• Useful knowledge is like the tree that bears edible fruit. If the knowledge can be used to please Allah, then it is useful. If the utility of that knowledge ends with your death -- in the bigger picture of our never-ending existence -- it is

useless.

1694

Jannah Surrounded by Difficult Things • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “When Allah created Paradise, He said to Jibreel: ‘Go and look at it.’ Jibreel went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will fail to enter it.’ Allah then surrounded it with disagreeable things, and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’

He went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord!

By Thy might, I am afraid that no one will enter it.’ When Allah created Hell, He said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’

Jibreel went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might, no one who hears of it will enter it.

‘Allah then surrounded it with desirable things and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibreel.’ Jibreel went, looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy might and power, I am afraid that no one will remain who does not enter it.’

[Sunan Abu Dawood]

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• Hellfire is surrounded by tempting things and sin appears attractive to us; but where sin leads to is horrific. On the other hand, Jannat is surrounded by difficult things such as sharing wealth, exercising self control and sacrifice; yet these deeds lead to unimaginable beauty and happiness. • In school, for instance, we do not consider it fair to give the student who worked hard and did well the same grade as one who did not bother

with his or her studies. Similarly, Allah’s justice does not allow the compensation of the doer of evil and the doer of good to be the same either. It would not be fair for human beings to be given eternal life and eternal happiness without our having at least attempted to earn it.

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Hope versus Stupidity • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “When Allah created the creation, He decreed

something for Himself, and a clear record is with Him confirming that, ‘Truly, My mercy prevails over My wrath.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

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•

The one whose hope in Allah’s forgiveness guides him to obedience of Allah and deters him from rebelling against Him has true hope; whereas the hope which leads a person on to idleness and being immersed in wrong actions is only stupidity in disguise.

•

Yahya ibn Muadh said, “In my opinion, the worst kind of self-delusion is for someone to sin excessively and then to hope for forgiveness without feeling any remorse; or it is to expect to draw near to Allah, the Exalted, without obeying or worshipping Him; or it is to hope for the fruits of the Garden after having only planted the seeds for the Fire; or it is to seek the abode of the obedient through committing wrong actions; or it is to expect a reward after having done nothing worthwhile; or it is to place hope in Allah, Glorious and Mighty is He, after having exceeded all the limits.”

The poet Abu’l Atahiyyah said, “Do you hope for forgiveness when you have not trodden its paths?

A ship does not sail on dry land.

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Imprison My Tongue • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “One of the merits of a person’s Islam is his

abandoning what does not concern him.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi]

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• The least harmful of a tongue’s faults is talking about what does not concern it. It has worse faults too, like backbiting, gossiping, obscene and misleading talk, two-faced and hypocritical talk, showing off, quarrelling, bickering, singing, lying, mockery, derision, falsehood...

• So there are many faults which can affect a servant of Allah’s tongue, ruining his heart and causing him to lose both his happiness and pleasure in this life, and his success and profit in

the next life.

• Perhaps this is why Abdullah ibn Masood (radi Allahu anhu) said: “By Allah, besides Whom no God exists, nothing deserves a long prison sentence more than my tongue.”

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Increase your Love • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “By Him in whose hand is my soul, none of you

will enter Paradise until you believe (have eeman), and none of you will believe until you love each other. Shall I not tell you of something which if you do, will create love among you?

Increase the custom of greeting each other with ‘as-Salamu alaykum.’”

[Sahih Muslim]

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• Let us increase our love for each other with this simple formula. Loving our brothers and sisters, will help us gain eeman/belief and belief is the key to Paradise. Additional recommended etiquettes of greeting are that, "The younger person should greet the older one, and the walking person should greet the sitting one, and the small number

of persons should greet the large number of persons." [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1708

Leave Alone what doesn’t Concern You

• Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed among the excellence of a person’s Islam is that he leaves alone

that which does not concern him.”

[Jami at-Tirmidhi]

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• Abstinence from needless talk and meaningless activity is a necessary requirement of good faith and an adornment of personality which lends beauty to the faith of the person concerned. • In Fayd ul Qadeer, the author writes, "It is understood from this that from a man's deficiency in his religion is his indulging in that which does not concern him. What should concern him is all that relates to his salvation in the Hereafter, that being Islam, emaan, and ihsan. In this way he

stays safe from all forms of evil‌ Part of that which does not concern the worshipper is his learning fields of knowledge of lesser importance whilst leaving knowledge of greater importance, like the person who abandons knowledge which causes benefit to himself and engages himself in learning that which he could correct others with.

1710

•

Islam consists of acting as well as abstaining. The only way one abandons all that does not concern him is by busying himself with that which does concern him, in beliefs and in hurrying to do good deeds mentioned in

the Quran and Sunnah. He should busy himself with correcting himself and his heart, by removing bad characteristics, such as jealousy, showing off, pride, haughtiness towards others and other destructive attributes.

•

There is no way of recognizing what ‘concerns us and what doesn't concern us,’ except through knowledge.

Actions, characteristics and mannerisms are sifted out so that every attribute denounced in the Book and the Sunnah is removed and what remain are the beneficial worthy actions. This is Islam and depending on how

well these things are accomplished, determines the position of the worshipper with Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) and Allah knows best.”

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1. This is also the dua of Ibrahim (a.s).

2. From these ayaat that appear before this dua we learn the etiquettes of dua, it must be made with utmost humility and humbleness - also, the praises and glorification of Allah (swt) should be made with dua. By this, there is a greater possibility that the dua will be accepted. (Mariful Quran Vol. 5. 256)

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Earth’s Information • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi

wa sallam) recited this Ayat: “That Day it (the earth) will declare its information.”

[Quran: Surah Az-Zalzalah, Ayat 4] He

(pbuh) then asked his Companions: “Do you know what ‘its information’ is?” They said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He

(pbuh) said: “‘Its information’ means that it will testify against every man and woman about what they did on its surface. It will say,

‘On such and such a day they did such and such. That is ‘its information.’” [Jami atTirmidhi] 1716

• Among the witnesses against a person will be the earth, and days and nights; they will testify about what was done on/in them and against them.

Wealth will testify against its owner; a person’s own body will testify against him; and the angels who record deeds, both good and evil will also be witnesses. Imaam Qurtubi devoted a chapter to

this subject in his Tadhkirah.

1717

If You Look Above Then Look Below

• The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “When one of you looks at one who stands at a higher level than you in regard to wealth and physical structure he

should also see one who stands at a lower level than you in regard to these things.” [Sahih Muslim]

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•

Comparing ourselves to people whom Allah has given better looks to, more money to, nicer possessions to, better education to, higher status to, etc., is a common cause for our showing ingratitude to Allah. We then automatically discard the blessings that Allah has bestowed on us and can think of only that which we are lacking and someone else has. There will always be something more that we could have.

•

However, Allah is the Originator of all Good/Khair.

Nothing comes from Him that is not good. Therefore, we should not have the attitude, that when we see

ourselves having the blessings of this world we say, "Rabbi akraman" (Allah has blessed/honoured me) and when we face anything lacking in our lives we say, "Rabbi ahanun" (Allah has humiliated me). A believer always says "Rabbi akraman" only, since in his or her every affair Allah is honoring them.

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• Human beings are greedy and ungrateful by nature. Prophet (pbuh) told us that even if we were given two valleys full of gold we would wish for a third and there would be no end to our greed till we died. Therefore, the advice of the Prophet (pbuh) makes perfect sense that whenever we get to see people who have more or

better than what we have, we should immediately look at those people too who have less or worse than what we have. Only then will we be able to remain thankful to Allah.

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1722

Lion, Rats, Snake & The Honeycomb Once a man saw in his dream, that a lion was chasing him. The man ran to a tree, climbed on to it and sat on a branch. He looked down and saw that the lion was still there waiting for him.

The man then looked to his side where the branch he was sitting on was attached to the tree and saw that two rats were circling around and eating the branch. One rat was black and the other one was white. The branch would fall on the ground very

soon.

The man then looked below again with fear and discovered that a big black snake had come &

settled directly under him. Snake opened its mouth right under the man so that he will fall into it.

1723

Lion, Rats, Snake & The Honeycomb The man then looked up to see if there was anything that he could hold on to. He saw another branch with a honeycomb. Drops of honey falling from it.

The man wanted to taste one of the drops. So, he put his tongue out and tasted one of the fallen

drops of honey. The honey was amazing in taste.

So, he wanted to taste another drop. As he did, he got lost into the honey sweetness.

Meanwhile, he forgot about the two rats eating his branch away, the lion on the ground and the snake that is sitting right under him. After a while, he woke up from his sleep.

1724

Lion, Rats, Snake & The Honeycomb To get the meaning behind this dream, the man went to a pious scholar of Islam. The scholar said, the lion you saw is your death. It always chases you and goes wherever you go.

The two rats, one black and one white, are the night and the day. Black one is the night and the white one is the day. They circle around, coming one after another, to eat your time as they take you closer to death. The big black snake with a dark mouth is your grave. It’s there, just waiting for you to fall into it. The honeycomb is this world and the sweet honey is the luxuries of this world.

We like to taste a drop of the luxuries of this world but it’s very sweet.

Then we taste another drop and yet another.

Meanwhile, we get lost into it and we forget about our time, we forget about our death and we forget about our graves.

“This world is like a serpent, so soft to touch, but so full of lethal

poison. Unwise people are allured by it and drawn towards it, and wise men avoid it and keep away from its poisonous effects.” Imam Ali (AS) 1725

1726

Insignificant Good Deeds • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Save yourselves from the fire of Hell even if

it be by giving away a bit of a date, or by uttering a good word." [Sahih alBukhari]

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•

Even a most ordinary good has its weight and value, and the same is true of evil. Even a most ordinary evil will be considered and taken into account; it will not be overlooked. Therefore, no good act however small and

insignificant should be left undone, for many such good deeds can collect and be regarded as a major good in the reckoning with Allah. Likewise, even a most ordinary evil deed should not be committed, for a

large number of such ordinary errors can become serious sins. •

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) encouraged us to do good deeds, even if they appeared to be very small. He (pbuh) said: "Do not look upon any good work as insignificant, even if it be emptying a bucket into the vessel of one asking for water or receiving a brother of yours with a pleasant face." In an advice to women he said: "O Muslim women, no woman should look upon sending a gift to her neighbor as mean, even if it be the hoof of a goat." [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1728

I Don’t Bear Witness • Once a man went to the Prophet (salla

Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and requested him to bear witness that he had given his child a gift of an orchard. The Prophet (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) asked him, “Do you have another child?” The man said, “Yes.” The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam)

asked, “Have you given him an equal gift?”

“No,” replied the man. The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) then said, “I do not bear witness to an injustice.” [Sahih Muslim] 1729

• Treat all your children equitably. Favoring one over the other provokes destructive jealousies.

Don’t ruin the harmony in your house with your own hands.

• Also keep in mind the rule not to bear witness to an injustice. Don’t be a part of any injustice or you will also get a share of the sin. Don’t help any injustice to happen or approve of it, even by silence.

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Indecent Speech • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The worst man in the eyes of Allah on the Day of Judgment

will be the one whom the people avoided on account of his indecent and foul speech.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1734

• Restrain your tongue even if friends, relatives, or strangers, behave in a manner that is offensive to your temper or taste. Do not utter harsh or offensive words in retaliation. Instead, let the matter pass with tact and gentle conduct.

1735

I am the Best of You to My Family • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The best of you is the one who is best to his family and I am the best of you to my family.”

[Jami at-Tirmidhi]

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• Study the life of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to find out what he was like. Emulate him as proof of your love for him! When we love someone we consciously and sub-consciously copy them.

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Intercession on the Day of Judgment (IV)

• The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Then I will come back to my Lord and praise Him in a similar manner. Then I will fall down prostrating before our Lord, and He will say, ‘O Muhammad, raise your head.

Speak and you will be heard, ask and it will be given to you, intercede and your intercession will be accepted.’ I will say, ‘O Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah.’ He will say, ‘Go, and whoever has in his heart faith even less and less and less than that, bring him forth from the Fire.’ So I will go and do that.” [Sahih alBukhari] 1741

• Sad is the case of the Muslim who commits sins on the assurance of eventually being taken out of Hell. They should strike a match and try burning their little finger with it.

• If their instinct of self-preservation doesn’t allow them to roast their finger, then they should let that same instinct kick in to hold them back from

Allah’s prohibitions.

• If they can’t bear for a finger of theirs to burn for a few seconds, how will they tolerate their whole body being incinerated, in a much hotter fire, for Allah knows how long?

• Keep a match box in your pocket with you as a constant reminder. When you feel inclined to sin strike a match and bring it close to your finger!

1742

Iblees Leads Assault • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Iblees sets up his throne on the water, then he sends out his raiding parties. The closest to him of these troops are the ones

who cause the most tribulation (fitnah). One of them comes and says, ‘I have done such and such.’ He (the Shaytaan) says, ‘You have

not done much.’ Then another one comes and says, ‘I didn’t leave him alone until I created troubles and caused division between

him and his wife.’ Then he comes close to him and says, ‘How good you are.’” [Sahih Muslim]

1743

• It’s chilling to see how evil Iblees is!

Iblees is the one who is planning and leading the battle against mankind. From his base, he sends out troops and raiding parties in all directions, and he holds gatherings with his troops and armies to discuss what they have done. He praises those who have done well and succeeded

in misleading and tempting people.

• However, the devil whom he honors the most is the one who causes misunderstandings between

husband and wife. This is the greatest tribulation (fitnah) for society as it shakes its foundations.

The worst societies on earth are those where the institution of marriage is in worst shape. When husband and wife aren’t in harmony their children and a lot of other people become vulnerable to Shaitaan’s attacks.

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Immersed in Sweat According to Deeds • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The people will sweat on the Day of Resurrection until their sweat penetrates seventy cubits into the earth, then it will come

up to their ears.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

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• People’s sweat will flow until it drenches the earth, then it will start to rise until it reaches a height that will vary according to their actions. For some, their sweat will reach their ankles, for others it will reach their knees, or their waists, and for some it will reach their mouths, like reins.

• Only those who are in the shade of Allah’s Throne

will not sweat. O Allah! Grant us shade under Your Throne that day, when there will be no other shade.

1749

Insulting Allah • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa

sallam) said: “Allah said, ‘The son of Adam tells a lie against Me, though he has no right to do so. As for his telling a lie against Me, it is that he claims that I cannot recreate him as I created him before; and as for his abusing Me, it is his statement that I have a son.

No! Glorified be Me! I am far from taking a wife or a son.’” [Sahih alBukhari]

1750

• The universe, of even whose extent we are not aware, is just one of the many things that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has created. To think that such a miniscule part of the universe, a human, cannot be recreated by the One Who created him in the first place, is illogical and highly ignorant. As it is, doing something for a second time is always

easier than doing it for the first time.

• Attributing a wife or son to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) is equivalent to insulting Him since it

negates His total independence, His Uniqueness, and His Oneness.

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In Shade on the day of Judgment • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “There are seven whom (Allah) will shade with His shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His: the just ruler; the young man who grows up worshipping his Lord; the man whose heart is attached to the Masjid; two men who love one another for the sake of Allah, meeting and parting for that reason; a man who is invited (to sin) by a woman of high status and beauty, but he says, ‘I fear Allah’; a man who gives in charity so secretly that his left hand does

not know what his right hand gives; and a man who remembers Allah when he is alone, and his eyes fill with tears.” [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1755

• When people are standing in that vast arena, beneath the harsh glare of the sun, tasting a torment which even the mighty mountains could not bear, a group of the best among them will be at peace, in the shade of the Throne of the Most Merciful, and they will be spared the distress suffered by the rest of mankind.

• Who are these people?

1756

Illness of a Mushrik • “A Jewish boy used to serve the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and became ill. The Prophet

(peace be upon him) went to pay him a visit and said to him, ‘Embrace Islam,’ and he did embrace Islam.” [Sahih alBukhari]

1757

• A Mushrik is a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah and a disbeliever in the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).

• When a person is sick, it might be his/her final illness. This last chance of inviting them to Islam should not be wasted. Illness is a vulnerable time when a person naturally feels closer to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Your caring visit should be used to invite the person to answer the call of their Creator. The Prophet (pbuh) did not lose any

opportunity to invite a person to Islam.

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1761

Intercession on the Day of Judgment (I) • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa

sallam) said: “When the Day of Resurrection comes, the people will be milling around, then they will come to Adam (pbuh) and say, ‘Intercede for your offspring.’ He will say, ‘I am not able for that, but you can go and ask Ibraheem (pbuh), for he is the Close Friend of Allah (Khaleel-Allah).’ So they will go to Ibraheem, but he will say, ‘I am not able for that, but

you can go to Musa (pbuh), for he is the one who spoke with Allah (Kaleem-Allah).’ So they will go to Musa, but he will say, ‘I am not able for that, but go to Eesa (pbuh), for he is the Spirit created by Allah and His Word.’ So they will go to Eesa, but he will say, ‘I am not able for that, but you can go to Muhammad.’”

[Sahih al-Bukhari] 1762

• When the people are distressed on the Day of Judgment and are seeking relief from its harshness, they will approach the Prophets one by one.

• However, despite the high station enjoyed by each of them, each will feel shy before Allah because of a single mistake they may have made. Each will

feel worried about himself and not fit to intercede for anyone else. Other ahadith mention what each Prophet will say about his mistake and his concern about his own fate with, “Myself, myself, myself.”

• When this is the depth of concern that Allah’s chosen Prophets and Messengers, so pure and high of rank, have about themselves, how much more should we be concerned about ourselves and our fate?

1763

Intercession on the Day of Judgment (II) • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa

sallam) said: “So they will come to me and I will say, ‘I am able for it.’ Then I will go and seek permission from my Lord, and He will grant me permission. So I will stand before Him and praise Him in a manner that I could not do unless He inspired me to do it.

Then I will fall down prostrating before our Lord, and He will say, ‘O Muhammad, raise your head.’ Speak

and you will be heard, ask and it will be given to you, intercede and your intercession will be accepted.’ I will say, ‘O Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah.’ He will say, ‘Go, and whoever has in his heart faith equal to a grain of wheat or barley, bring him forth from it (the Fire).’

So I will go and do that.” [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1764

• Allah has chosen Muhammad (peace be upon him) for the great intercession. This honor will be his on the Day of Judgment.

• Allah says to the Prophet (peace be upon him): “It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqaame-Mahmood (a station of praise and glory, i.e., the honor of intercession on the Day of

Resurrection.)” [Quran: Surah Isra, Ayat 79]

1765

1766

1767

1. This dua was made by the companions of the cave when they took refuge in the cave.

1768

1769

Intercession on the Day of Judgment (III) • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Then I will come back to my Lord and praise Him in a similar manner. Then I will

fall down prostrating before our Lord, and He will say, ‘O Muhammad, raise your head. Speak and you will be heard, ask and it will be given to

you, intercede and your intercession will be accepted.’ I will say, ‘O Lord, my Ummah, my Ummah.’ He will say, ‘Go, and whoever has in

his heart faith equal to a grain of mustard seed, bring him forth from the Fire.’ So I will go and do that.” [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1770

• Smaller than a grain of wheat or barley is a grain of mustard seed. But how much faith is “faith equal to a grain of mustard seed?” Consider the words of the Prophet (pbuh) on this: “Never before me had a Prophet been sent by Allah to his nation who had not among his people disciples and companions who followed his ways and

obeyed his command. Then there came after them their successors who said whatever they did not practice and practiced whatever they were not commanded to do. He who strove against them with his hand was a believer; he who strove against them with his tongue was a believer; and he who strove against them with his heart was a

believer; and beyond that there is no faith, not even as minute as a mustard seed.” [Muslim]

1771

• So the least amount of faith (faith as small as a grain of mustard seed) requires that we at least hate in our hearts the practices that are against Islam. Less than this there is no faith!

• How do you feel when you see non-Mahram men and women socializing together? What is the condition of your heart when Muslims live in

houses, drive cars or go to college on interest (Riba) bearing loans? Examine your feelings when you see a pretty woman not covered as Allah advised her to cover, or a man staring at women on T.V. How do you feel when Muslims turn away from the problems of Muslims? Do you find sadness, disgust and abhorrence in your heart

when Allah’s commands are violated or not?

1772

1773

1774

Four Wives Once upon a time. There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her & gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He’s very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person; always patient & in fact is the merchant’s confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would

always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant’s 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the

1st wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

1775

Four Wives One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, “Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I’ll

be alone. How lonely I’ll be!” Thus, he asked the 4th wife, “I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?”

“No way!” replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. Answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant’s heart.

The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?”

“No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is so good over here! I’m going to remarry when you die!” The merchant’s heart sank and turned cold.

1776

Four Wives He then asked the 2nd wife, “I always turned to you for help and

you’ve always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife.” “At the very most, I can only send you to your grave.” Answer came like a bolt of thunder & merchant was devastated.

Then a voice called out: “I’ll leave with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The merchant looked up and there was his 1st wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition.

Greatly grieved, the merchant said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!”

1777

Four Wives Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it’ll leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth.

When we die, they all go to others.

The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how

close they had been there for us when we’re alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material wealth & sensual pleasure.

Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it’s a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we’re on our deathbed to lament.

1778

1779

Intelligent Retaliation • Aisha (radi Allahu anha) narrated: “The Jews used to greet the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) by saying, ‘As-Saamu alaika (i.e., death be upon you),’ so I understood what they said, and I said to them, ‘Alaikumus-saamu wal-la’natu (i.e., death and Allah’s curse be upon you).’ The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Be gentle and calm, O Aishah, as Allah likes gentleness in all affairs.’ I said, ‘O Allah’s Prophet! Didn’t you hear what they said?’ He said, ‘Didn’t you hear me answering them back by

saying, ‘Alaikum (i.e., the same be upon you)?’”

[Sahih al-Bukhari] 1780

•

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was aware of what was being said to him. And he retaliated; but intelligently without causing a big stir. Without using the bad words the Jews used for him, he returned their evil wishes on

them. Thus, he set an example of the tone and manner in which a Muslim responds to provocation. •

Think of how reactive we are. We immediately jump at the throat of whoever hurts us. Our voices are raised,

our tone becomes harsh. Our reproach is not characterized by calmness or gentleness, although it is possible to retaliate in a mild manner as well. Retaliating while forcing oneself to remain in a calm state ensures that we do not transgress the limits of revenge and become sinful ourselves by overstepping the bounds of the lawful. •

He who uses foul language should think of himself as a Munafiq (hypocrite) as the use of evil language, while in a disagreement, is a particular characteristic of the hypocrites. To be a hypocrite is worse than to be a Kafir.

1781

Istikhara -- Best Advice •

Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) stated: “As the Prophet (pbuh) taught us the Quran, so also he instructed us to observe

Istikhara in every matter. The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to say, ‘When anyone among you is perplexed over an important matter, he should perform two Rakahs of supererogatory (nafl) prayer and then make this dua: O Allah, I ask You to show me what is best through Your knowledge, and bring it to pass through Your power, and I ask You of Your immense favor; for You are All-Powerful and I am not, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of the Unseen. O Allah, if You know this matter to be better for me in my religion, livelihood, and final outcome, then bring it about and facilitate it for me, and bless me with abundance therein. And if You know this matter to be worse for me in my religion, livelihood, and final outcome, then keep it from me, and keep me from it, and bring about the good for me whatever it may be and make me pleased with it.’” [Sahih alBukhari]

1782

•

Istikhara means “to ask for goodness and welfare.”

Suppose you have two job offers. Both are halal. Both are comparable. Which one should you take? Only Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) knows which will be better for your Akhirah and Dunya, long-term and shortterm. There are so many hidden factors that we cannot possibly know about. So why not ask the One who does know and is the Most Sincere for your welfare?

•

It is Sunnah (recommended) to pray two Rakahs and then make the Istikhara dua. However one may make

the dua on its own or pray the two Rakahs alone with the intention of seeking Allah’s guidance in the matter. The two Rakahs may be prayed at any time of day or night except for the forbidden times of prayer.

After you have sincerely sought Allah’s guidance, then you simply follow the course suggested to your heart or that you find is made easy for you to do.

1783

1784

1785

1786

Insulting One’s Parents • Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aas (radi Allahu

anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “It is one of the gravest sins (kaba’ir/enormities) to

abuse one’s parents.” It was asked: “Oh Messenger of Allah! Can a man abuse his own parents?” The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Yes! He insults the father of somebody who in return insults his father; he then insults the mother of somebody who in return insults his mother.” [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1787

• We learn from this hadith that one should not insult anyone’s parents, because if his parents are abused in return, he will be responsible for disgracing his own parents. This is practical advice that encourages us to think about the consequences of our utterances.

1788

Increase in Loveliness • Narrated Anas (radi Allahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam)

said, “In Jannah there is a market to which the people will come every Friday. The northern wind will blow and shower fragrance on their faces and clothes and,

consequently, it will enhance their beauty and loveliness. They will then return to their wives who will also have increased in their beauty and loveliness, and their families will say to them: ‘We swear by Allah that you have been increased in beauty and loveliness since leaving us.’ Thereupon they will reply: ‘We swear by Allah that you have also been increased in beauty and loveliness since we left you.’” [Sahih Muslim] 1789

• Another feature of Jannah is this, that the beauty and charm of the men and women in Jannah goes on increasing with time and thus the love and affection between husbands and wives also keeps on increasing. It is the opposite of what happens here in this world; people lose their good looks with time. In Jannah, you just keep getting more

and more beautiful, without any effort, forever.

1790

1791

1792

1793

Important When Asking Allah • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The supplication of any one of you will be fulfilled (by Allah), provided he does not become so impatient as to say, ‘I

asked, but my request has not been fulfilled.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1794

•

The one who asks Allah should not insist on the immediate fulfillment of his wishes, nor should he say, “I prayed to Allah, but He has not responded to my Dua.” Allah knows better what the best time is for the fulfillment of the Dua.

•

There are some additional observances that are good to follow when supplicating. It is good to be in Wudu, to

be facing towards Makkah, and to repeat the Dua three times.

•

The supplication should begin with praise of Allah, by referring to His Names and His Attributes and His blessings, followed by invoking His blessings on the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). Then the one who asks should describe his needs and make his requests, then finally conclude with reciting more prayers on the Prophet (pbuh), and praise of Allah, Mighty and Glorious is He. 1795

Incentive for the Selfish • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who supplicates for his brother behind his

back (in his absence), the angel commissioned (for carrying dua to his Lord) says: 'Ameen, and it is for you also.'” [Sahih Muslim]

1796

• So the advantage of praying for the eeman, safety, health, prosperity, or any good, for another Muslim, is that we have an angel make the same dua for us. When a person thinks selfishly, they are selfish even in their prayers; why pray for someone instead of for ourselves only, why pray for a Muslim in some remote part of the world?

This hadith provides incentive even for a selfish person to make dua for all Muslim brothers and sisters.

1797

1798

1799

1800

Ice in the Sun • “A man came to the Prophet (salla

Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Guide me to such an action that when I do it, Allah will love me and the people will also love me.’ He (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Be detached from this world and then Allah will love you,

and do not be attached to what people have and then people will love you.’”

[Suan ibn Majah]

1801

•

This hadith shows that Allah loves those who live simply in this life. It has been said that if having love for Allah is the best state to be in, then living simply is the best condition to be in.

•

Living simply means that you should restrain your desire for worldly things in the hope of receiving something better instead. In order to achieve this more easily you should first realize that the things which people yearn for in this world are in fact worthless when compared with what we hope for in the next world.

•

If we know that what Allah has will remain and that the life to come is better and more lasting, then we realize that the life of this world is really like a piece of ice left out in the sun – it soon melts and vanishes. The Akhira, however, never vanishes. The desire one has to exchange this life for the one to come is strengthened by the certainty that there is no comparison between this life and the next.

1802

• Allah says: “Yes, you prefer the life of this world, but the next world is better and more lasting.”

[Quran: Surah al-Ala, Verses 16-17] • Allah says: “…the Life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception.“[Quran: Surah al-Imran, Verse 185] • Allah says: “Truly, the life of this world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter, that is the home that will remain forever.”[Quran: Surah al-Ghaafir, Verse 39]

• Allah says: “…the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment.”[Quran: Surah al-Hadid, Verse 20]

1803

Intercession by the Quran • I heard the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Read the Quran, for it will come as

an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection.” [Sahih Muslim]

1804

•

This hadith tells us one of the many benefits of reciting the Quran and acting upon it. The Day of Judgement will be extremely hot for sinners and 50,000 years long. The fear that will grip people will be so severe that it will produce

in them a drunk like condition. People will be desperate for an intercessor, to save them from the Fire of Hell.

•

On that Day, none will intercede except whom Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) grants permission to, and Allah

(subhana wa ta’ala) will allow the Quran to do so. The Quran will be endowed with the power of speech and it will request Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) to forgive the sins of its reciters who acted upon its teachings. Allah (subhana

wa ta’ala) will accept the request of the Quran, as signified in other ahadith.

•

Another hadith states: “The Quran and the people who applied it, will be brought on the Day of Resurrection

preceded with Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Al-e-Imran arguing on behalf of those who applied them.” [Sahih Muslim] Let’s increase our chances of being saved from the Fire of Hell, by reciting the Quran and applying its

teachings to our lives.

1805

1806

1807

1808

Pick up the Food you Drop • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a morsel of any of you falls, he should

pick it up and remove any of the dirt on it and then eat it, and should not leave it for Shaitaan...” [Sahih Muslim]

1809

• This hadith tells us to pick up a fallen dry morsel of food and eat it after brushing off any dirt that might be on it. This is an expression of humility and also prevents Shaitaan from deriving blessings from our food. • Present-day Muslims hardly care for this directive of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) thinking that picking up dropped food will bring disgrace and dishonor upon them. To make matters worse, some even throw away unconsumed food in the

garbage, while others deem it necessary to leave a little food in their plates as a sign of their manners or affluence! How far the Muslim community has departed from the teachings and excellent example of their Prophet (pbuh)!

1810

In-Laws and Hijab • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not go near non-Mahram women.” One man

asked him, “O Prophet of Allah, what is the Command about the in-laws of a woman?” The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) responded, “The (dangers in not observing Hijab with)

in-laws are like death.” [Sahih alBukhari] 1811

•

“Non-Mahram” means “those with whom marriage is permissible.”

•

The Prophet (pbuh) compared the men of the in-laws to death. This means that a woman should be even

more careful in observing Hijab with her brothers-inlaw. The reason for this is that since these men are considered part of the family, they freely enter the ladies quarters and are even invited in, becoming too close, which at times results in illegitimate affairs. The husband considers them a part of his household and does not even think about stopping them from freely mixing with his wife. But when they come to his house frequently, and if the husband is frequently away, all kinds of seemingly impossible things may occur. It is not as easy for a neighbor to kidnap a woman as it is for a brother-in-law to kidnap or abuse his sister-inlaw.

1812

• What is Hijab? Hijab literally means screen, curtain, partition, and concealment. In Islamic Shariah, the word means to cover, conceal or hide oneself from the view of non-Mahrams. The Ayat of Hijab was

revealed the day after the Prophet (pbuh)’s marriage to Zainab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her).

It is, “And when you ask (his Wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a Hijab - curtain; that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs.” [Quran: Surah Ahzab, Ayat 53] • Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him),

who used to serve the Prophet (pbuh), said that after the Prophet (pbuh) recited this Ayat he drew a curtain between himself and Anas (may Allah be pleased with him). [Hijab by Dr Mohammed Ismail Memon Madani]

1813

1814

1815

1816

Jannah Unimaginable • Sahl bin Sad As-Saidi (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I was present with the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) in a gathering where he described Jannah,

and at the end of his talk he said, ‘There is in it that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has it ever crossed the heart of man.’” [Sahih Muslim] 1817

•

Imagine what a baby can see while inside its mother’s womb. At that point a baby’s world is very limited. If anyone were to try to explain to the baby that it is about to enter a world full of color, of flowers, butterflies, lakes and trees, how well could the baby imagine such things of which it has no experience. If we tried explaining the colors golden and silver or even purple, pink and blue, could we really communicate anything meaningful to the unborn infant? We would be similarly incapable of describing the wonderful smells and sounds that exist on earth.

•

An unborn child transitions from its extremely confined

existence in a womb to a world much larger in size and multifold in experience. Similar is the transition we will make when we enter the next world after the confines of earthly existence. It is as impossible for us to understand the nature and scope of what Allah has kept in store for us in Jannah as it is impossible for an unborn child to know of the sensory pleasures that await it outside the womb.

1818

• Allah says in the Quran: “Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend (in Allah’s Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.” [As-Sajdah: 16-17]

1819

Is Your Ship Afloat • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “By Allah, I am not afraid that you will be poor,

but I fear that worldly wealth will be bestowed upon you as it was bestowed upon those who lived before you. So you will compete amongst yourselves for it, as they competed for it, and it

will destroy you as it did them."

[Sahih al-Bukhari] 1820

• Wealth is like water and human beings are like ships. Ships reach their destinations by using water to cover distances. However, if water goes inside the ship, then it causes the ship to sink.

Similarly, if we use wealth to earn Allah’s pleasure and bring us closer to Jannah, there is nothing like it. But if the love of wealth enters our hearts, then

it destroys us.

• After we begin to love wealth then we compete with each other for it. Jealousy and ill-will enter

our lives. After that it ceases to matter to the person how they earn wealth, by halal means or haram, and they forget about preparing for the Hereafter. They do not use their wealth to earn Jannat. Thus, the person is destroyed.

1821

1822

1823

1. This was the dua that Musa (a.s) and Harun (a.s) made to Allah (swt) before going to Firoun.

1824

1825

Ignoring the Family • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “It is enough sin for a person, that he ignores those

whom he is responsible for.” [Sunan Abu Dawood]

1826

• Is it sufficient for a man to provide for his own food, clothing, relaxation, intellectual needs and spiritual needs? Can he neglect the same needs of his wife or children? No! A man will be held accountable for taking care of his dependents.

Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has declared the leader of the Muslims as responsible for each and every

one of them, a husband/father as responsible for his family, and a woman as responsible for her children. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1827

1828

1829

The Clever King!

There was a country long time ago where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he would be sent to an island after his one year of being a king.

One king finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye

to all the people. This was the moment of sadness for all the kings who ruled for one year. After saying farewell, the people took the king with a boat to remote island and left him there.

On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently.

They saw a young man who survived by holding on to a floating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be a king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be a king. People told him

about all the rules and regulations and that how he will be sent to an island after one year.

1830

The Clever King!

After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. They agreed and took him to the island. The island was covered with thick Jungles and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of them. The king went little bit inside to check. Soon he discovered the dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left in the island, the animals came and

killed them.

The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took them to the island and instructed them to clean the Jungle, remove all the deadly animals & cut down all excess trees.

He would visit the island every month to see how the work was progressing.

In the first month, all the animals were removed and many trees were cut down. In the second month, the whole island was cleaned out. The king then told the workers to plant gardens in various parts of the island.

He also took with himself useful animals like chickens, ducks, birds, goats, cows etc. In the third month, he ordered the workers to build big houses and docking stations for ships. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place. “You ruined your next world and developed this one; naturally, you do not 1831

like to be transferred from flourishing to decline.�

The Clever King!

The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He

sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them: “I know that I have to go the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now.� But the ministers didn’t agree to this and said that he has to wait for another three months to complete the year.

Two months passed and now it was a full year. The people dressed up the young king and put him on an elephant to take him around the country to say

goodbye to others. However, this king is unusually happy to leave the kingdom.

1832

The Clever King!

People asked him, “All the other kings would cry at this moment and why are you laughing?”

He replied, “Don’t you know what the wise people say? They say that when you came to this world as a baby, you were crying and everyone was smiling.

Live such a life that when you are die, you will be smiling and everyone around you will be crying. I have lived that life. While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully.”

1833

The Clever King!

The moral lesson from this story is about how we

should live our life. The life of this world is to prepare for the life hereafter. In this life, we shouldn’t get lost into the deceiving and attractive

things of this world and forget about what is to come in the afterlife. Rather, even if we are kings, we should live a simple life like our beloved

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and save all our enjoyments for the hereafter. May Allah make it easy for us all. Amin.

1834

The Clever King!

Holy Quran (31:34) says: Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He Who sends down rain, and He Who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does anyone know what it is that he will earn on the morrow: Nor does any one know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and

He is acquainted (with all things).

Holy Quran (59:18) urges us to prepare for tomorrow: O ye who believe! Fear Allah and let every soul look to what (provision) He has sent forth for the morrow. Yea, fear Allah: for Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.

Somebody asked Imam Hassan (AS), Why are we reluctant to die, why don’t we like death?

“Because,” replied the Imam Hassan (AS), “You ruined your next world and developed this one; naturally, you do not like to be transferred from flourishing to decline.”

1835

1836

Jahilliya in Me? • “Once when Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, in

a fit of anger, called Bilal, ‘You son of a black woman,’ the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) turned angrily to him and said, ‘You are a man who still has Jahilliya in him.’

Abu Dharr immediately put his head on the ground at Bilal’s feet in a

gesture of humility and refused to lift his head until Bilal had stepped over it.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1837

• Jahilliya refers to the period of ignorance that preceded Islam. In this ignorance people buried their daughters alive; ten men with one woman was a type of marriage; people killed others for generations just to maintain the superiority of their tribe… In other words, bereft of Allah’s guidance, they lived disgusting lives, not

acknowledging Allah’s rights over them nor knowing how to live decently with other people.

• One of the hallmarks of this period was the condescension with which people viewed each other, each culture, ethnicity, tribe, and nation, held itself in higher esteem than others. One of the criteria of distinction was to be fair skinned as

opposed to colored or black.

1838

•

This incident that took place between Abu Dharr Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) and Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) cautions me to look inside and check myself for the remnants of Jahilliya. I should

ask myself: ➢ Do I consider myself superior to others because I look better or speak better? ➢ Do I hold myself in higher esteem than others because I enjoy a certain worldly status? ➢ Do I genuinely honor each person who is more fearful of Allah than myself, regardless of their appearance and possessions? ➢ Is Allah’s opinion of me the only thing that matters to me? ➢ Do I have the Jahilliya (ignorance) of nationalism or

ethnicism or racism in me? ➢ Can I behave like the great Sahabah, who when they sinned, immediately repented, cleansed themselves of their errors, and begged for forgiveness?

1839

Jannah in Exchange for Poverty Spent in Obedience • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Paradise and Hell engaged in an argument. Hell said, ‘I was

only given the proud and arrogant.’

Paradise said, ‘Why will only the poor and weak of mankind enter me?’ Allah said to

Paradise, ‘You are My mercy, which I will bestow upon whomever I will of my slaves.’

And He said to Hell, ‘You are My wrath,

with which I will punish whomever I will of My slaves.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1840

• It is only fitting that after a life of destitution and resulting humiliation, that was nevertheless spent in complete obedience and devotion to Allah one should be rewarded with Jannah. Unfortunate indeed is the person who was poor and deprived in the world but is also thrown into Hell because of his rebellion against Allah.

• Pride and arrogance mislead a person into thinking that they need not bow down before Allah. It is befitting such people that they should enter Hell.

1841

1842

1843

1844

Jealousy Destroys like Fire • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Keep away from jealousy, for jealousy eats up

virtues in the same way that fire eats up wood.” [Sunan Abu Dawood]

1845

• As wood is consumed by fire, good deeds are destroyed by jealousy. When a person is jealous, they don’t want to help others since they don’t wish for good things to come to fellow Muslims.

They backbite about them, hold grudges against them, and host all sorts of negative emotions.

• The only way out of this losing situation is to

lessen one’s love of the world. Jealousy arises out of competition for the things of this world – its riches, its acknowledgement, its power. Since these things are transitory, why sweat over them?

• How can one lessen one’s love of this world so that they may devote their energies to amassing the Hereafter instead? This is achieved by not caving into the demands of one’s desires (Nafs).

The Nafs is like a spoilt child, the more you pamper it, the worse it becomes.

1846

How is Your Mattress?

• The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) said: “What have I to do with this world? As regards this world, I am like a rider who rests under the shade of a tree, and then continues his journey and leaves it.”

[Jami at-Tirmidhi]

1847

• This is what the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said in response when Umar (radi Allahu anhu) expressed his dismay on seeing the marks left on the Prophet’s skin from not having a decent mattress to sleep on! It is not that the Prophet (pbuh) did not let his need be known; rather, he didn’t consider it to be a need at all! What need

does a rider have of a mattress if he is only resting for a short while under the shade of a tree?

• Life is nothing other than a road

that leads to the Garden, or to the Fire.

Its nights are a man’s workshop, and its days are his marketplace place.

1848

•

Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says: “Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and

adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned

yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.” [Quran: Surah al-Hadid, Ayat 20] 1849

1850

1851

1852

Eavesdropping • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever eavesdrops on people’s conversations

when they do not like that or they try to move away from him, will have molten lead poured into his ears on the Day of Resurrection.” [Sahih alBukhari]

1853

• People who eavesdrop on others will be punished on the Day of Judgment by having molten lead poured into their ears. It isn’t worth it to eavesdrop!

1854

Jannah through Serving Parents • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Woe to him!

Woe to him! Woe to him!” “Who is he,

O Prophet of Allah?” the Sahabah enquired. He (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “He who finds both or any one of his parents in old age and he does not enter Paradise (by serving them.)” [Sahih Muslim]

1855

• One of the routes to Paradise goes through serving one’s parents in their old age, when they are old and irritable, and we are young and have lots of things to do. It is the reverse of when they were young and had lots of things to do but took care of us.

1856

1857

1858

1859

Punctuality in the Fajr and Asr Prayers • Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “There are angels who take turns in visiting you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn (Fajr) and the afternoon (Asr) prayers. Those who have spent the night with you, ascend (to the heaven) and Allah, Who knows better about them, asks, ‘In what condition did you leave My slaves?’ They reply, ‘We left

them while they were performing Salat and we went to them while they were performing Salat.’”

[Sahih al-Bukhari] 1860

•

When the principal of a school makes special mention of the high achievement of one of the students in assembly, it is not because the Principal doesn’t know, but because he/she wants to honor the high achiever by mentioning their achievements before all the other students and faculty. Almighty Allah knows everything but even then, He asks the angels about His pious slaves so that the piety of the believers and their merit and distinction become evident to all.

•

The angels for the night come at the time of Asr when the angels

from the morning are present. The angels of the two shifts assemble at this time and exchange duties. The angels of the night shift then leave their duty in the morning at Fajr, and the angels of the morning shift resume their duty. Thus, the two groups assemble again at this time.

•

Angels are very punctual. They know no such thing as procrastination or delay. Thus, when they are exchanging duties only the people who are punctual in their Salat are engaged in Fajr or Asr prayers. Therefore, we should try very hard to be

punctual in praying the Asr and Fajr Salat so that when Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) asks the angels about us He is told that the angels left us while we were remembering Him and praying and not while we were sleeping, busy in games, watching T.V., or some other worthless activity.

1861

How to Work for the Ocean • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) said: “This world, in comparison with the world to come, is the same as if one of you were to put his finger in the ocean. Consider how much you would have when you pulled it out.” [Sahih Muslim]

1862

• While we know that this world is short lived and our life in the next world is never ending, yet we don’t undertake actions for the ocean, instead devoting our efforts to the drop that will soon vanish. Why do we behave so foolishly?

• To reach my “happy ever after” the most difficult challenge I must overcome is to free myself from the influence of shaytaan and my nafs al-ammara.

If my nafs undertakes this struggle, then it becomes nafs al-lawwama, the reproachful self;

and if the struggle is won, then it becomes nafs almutma’inna.

1863

•

The nafs al-ammara urges evil and openly opposes the nafs al-mutma’inna. Whenever the latter presents a good deed, the former presents an evil deed in return. The nafs alammara tells the nafs al-mutma’inna that jihad is nothing

more than suicide, a widowed wife, orphaned children, and wasted wealth. It tries to convince the nafs al-mutma’inna that zakat and sadaqa are nothing less than an unnecessary expense and a burden, a hole in my pocket, which will lead me to depend on others, so that I too will then be like the poor. [The Purification of the Soul] •

I have to control my nafs, what it does and what it does not do, even its most insignificant activities, for each and every breath I take during my life-time is precious. It can be used to acquire one of the treasures which ensure a state of bliss that is everlasting. If I waste it or use it to acquire things which may cause my destruction, I will suffer great losses, which are only allowed to happen by the most ignorant, foolish and reckless of people. The true extent of such losses will only become apparent on the Day of Judgement.

1864

1865

1866

1867

Earth’s Transformation on Day of Resurrection

• The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, mankind will be gathered on an earth that is ‘Afra,’ like a fine loaf of bread (made from pure

fine flour).” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1868

• The color “Afra” has been translated by various scholars as “dull white,” “white which has a hint of red,” and “pure white.”

• The land on which mankind will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection will not look like this earth of ours. Allah says in the Quran: “On the Day when the earth will be changed to another

earth and so will be the heavens, and they (all creatures) will appear before Allah, the One, the Irresistible.” [Surah Ibraheem: Ayat 48] • The above-mentioned Hadith tells us what this new land will look like. It will have no landmarks for anybody to make use of.

1869

Kind to Neighbors • Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) heard the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) say, “So

frequently did Jibreel advise me to be kind to neighbors that I thought that he would give them a share in one’s inheritance.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1870

•

Allah says in the Quran: “…Be kind to parents, and near family, and orphans and the impoverished, and the neighbor who is dhu al-qurba, and the neighbor who is junub, and the sahib bil-janb…” [4:36] An

interpretation of “the neighbor who is dhu al-qurba” is the neighbor who lives close, while “the neighbor who is junub” refers to a neighbor whose residence is more distant, and the sahib bil-janb is a fellow traveler.

•

Among the Allah-given rights of neighbors is that they should not go hungry if you have food to eat.

You should not bring fruits or other things to your house in such a manner that the neighbors' children see it and feel deprived. You may not raise your walls in such a manner as to block the light or air of your

neighbor. And your neighbors should feel safe and protected in their property, person and reputation by your presence rather than bothered or ill at ease.

1871

1872

1873

1874

Horns of Shaytaan • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the sun starts to rise, then delay your prayer

until it has risen fully, and when the sun starts to set, then delay your prayer until it has set fully, and do not deliberately set out to pray at the time when the sun is rising or setting, for it

rises between the two horns of the Shaytaan.� [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1875

• Groups of Mushrikeen used to worship the sun, and they would prostrate to it when it was rising and when it was setting. So the Shaytaan would set himself up in the direction of the sun, so that the sun-worshippers would be prostrating to him. • If the Qibla is due east and one performs Salah while the sun is rising or if the Qiblah is due west and one performs the prayer when the sun is setting, then he/she would inadvertently be

bowing down to the Shaytaan. Thus, we were told to avoid praying at these two times, of the rising and setting of the sun.

1876

Knowledge will Vanish • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Near the establishment of the Hour there will be

days during which (religious) knowledge will be taken away (vanish) and general ignorance will spread, and there will be Al-Harj in abundance, and Al-Harj means killing.” [Sahih al-

Bukhari]

1877

• If you think about it, the ignorance of religious knowledge, or lack of conviction in it, is the cause of all evil: Shirk, Bidaat (innovations), ignoring the commands of Allah, lying, deception, untrustworthiness, disobedience of parents, immorality, loss of Haya (modesty), murder and killing, not caring for blood relatives, obedience of the Jews and Christians and subservience to them, etc. As people are getting further away from the knowledge of the

Quran and hadith they are getting deeper into misguidance and trials.

1878

• By the time a person reaches middle age they’ve read several hundred books of all sorts. Even the person with only compulsory education has gone through tens of books. Had Allah asked us to read this many books of His we might have had an excuse not to. But it is only one single book that He has asked us to go through. Can we not

find the time to go through one book that suffices for all of our lives? Must we delay it till the angel of death comes to us unannounced?

• Muslims’ literacy of the Quran was abysmal enough when a president declared in 2001 that they would drain the swamps (madrassas) that produce the mosquitoes (ulema). The time has

come that each person take it as a Fardh (obligation) to read the Tafseer of the Quran for themselves.

1879

1880

1881

1882

1. This is a dua made by a group of Muslims. They used to continuously make this dua.

2. In this dua the believers are addressing

Allah (swt) by saying, “O Allah (swt) we have brought Iman, hence forgive us and have mercy on us�.

1883

1884

Kiraaman Kaatibeen – Recording Angels

• The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “A person may say something that is pleasing to Allah but he does not realize it, and Allah raises his status by many degrees

because of it, and a person may say something that angers Allah, but he does not realize it, and for that he may be thrown deep into Hell.” [Sahih alBukhari] 1885

• We must always be wary of the words that slip out of our mouths. Allah has appointed angels to record the deeds, both good and bad, of the children of Adam (pbuh). These are the angels referred to in the Ayaat: “But verily, over you (are appointed angels) to watch you, Kiraaman Kaatibeen – writing down. They know all that

you do.” [Quran 82:10-12]

1886

• “Kiraaman Kaatibeen” means “honorable scribes” and refers to the two angels that Allah has appointed for each person who are always present and who never leave him; they record in detail all that he does.

• Allah says: “(Remember) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive, one sitting on the right

and one on the left. Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” [Quran 50:17-18]

1887

1888

• Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), the honorable Sahabah and Mufassir of the Quran, said: “Everything that you say, good or bad, is written down. Even when a person says, ‘I ate’, ‘I drank’, ‘I went,’ ‘I came,’ ‘I saw’.

• Ibn Katheer mentioned that Imaam Ahmad used to moan when he was sick. Then he heard that

Taawoos (one of the Tabi’een narrators of hadith) said, “Everything is written down, even (a person’s) moans.” After that, Imam Ahmad never moaned until he died, may Allah have mercy on him.

1889

1890

1891

Put The Glass Down!

A professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see

and asked the students, “How much do you think this glass weighs?”

‘50 gms!’.... ‘100 gms!’...... ‘125 gms’ ...... the students answered.

“I really don’t know unless I weigh it,” said the professor, “but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?”

“Nothing” the students said.

“Ok! What would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?” the professor asked. “Your arm would begin to ache,” said one of the students.

1892

Put The Glass Down!

“You’re right, now what would happen if I held it for a

day?”

“Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!”

ventured another student; and all the students laughed.

“Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?” asked the professor. “No” the students said.

“Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?”

The students were puzzled. “Put the glass down!” said one of the students.

“Exactly!” said the professor. “Life’s problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem okay. Think of them for a long time and they begin to ache. Hold it even longer and they begin to

paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.”

1893

Put The Glass Down!

“It’s important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to have trust in Allah (swt) and to ‘put them down’ at the end of every day before you go to sleep.

That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong and can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!”

So, as it becomes time for you to leave office today, Remember friend to “PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY” and have tranquility by putting trust in Almighty Allah (swt).

Holy Quran (48:4) says: “He it is who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they might have more faith added to their faith.”

Tranquility is sign of strong faith while worries and stress is sign of weak faith. Tell to your mind every day before you go to sleep: “YAA AYYATUHAN NAFSUL MUTMAINNAH, IRJI’II ILAA RABBIKI RADHIYATAN MARDHIYYAH, FADKHULII FII IBAADII WADKHULII JANNATII”. (Al-Fajr 89:27-30) “O soul that is at rest satisfied. Return to your Lord well-pleased (with

Him), well-pleasing (Him). So, enter among My servants, and enter into my Paradise.”

1894

By worrying so much, do not turn your life to hell. Good luck.

1895

Height of Aadam • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah created Aadam. His height was sixty cubits. He said to him, ‘Go and greet that group of angels and listen to how they reply, for that will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring.’ Aadam went and said, ‘As-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you).’ And they answered, ‘As-salamu alayka wa rahmat Allah (Peace be on you and the mercy of Allah).’ So, they added the words ‘and the mercy of Allah.’ So, whoever will enter Paradise will be of the shape

and picture of Aadam. Since then the stature of the children of Aadam is being diminished continuously till the present time.” [Sahih al-

Bukhari]

1896

• When Aadam (alaihis salam) was created he had a height of about 90 feet. Height has been decreasing for humankind ever since. In the Hereafter people will have the same height as Aadam (alaihis salam). Scientists today believe that the earth was once much smaller, hence had less gravity. With less pull of gravity, living

creatures would be much larger and taller.

1897

Kings Called to Account • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah will seize the earth on the Day of

Resurrection and will roll up the heavens in His Right Hand, then He will say, ‘I am the King, where are the kings of the earth?’” [Sahih alBukhari]

1898

•

The kings of the earth and those who hold power will have to pay for each creature whose life their authority adversely affected.

•

It was this accountability that the Ulema feared

because of which they kept themselves and their families away from positions of power and authority.

So much so that the great Tabi'ee scholar of Madeena, Saeed bin Musayyab, rejected the marriage proposal sent for his beloved, beautiful and gifted daughter, from an Umayyad prince (Abdul Malik bin Marwan’s son).

•

Instead, he got her married to one of his favorite students whose wife had just died, although his student was very poor. The reason he gave was that his daughter was a trust bestowed on him by Allah, and he did not want to put her to trial (in Fitna) regarding the temptations of the world, by getting her married into wealth.

1899

• Do I understand that I’m here only to take an exam and that I shouldn’t add to my exam questions by seeking positions of power?

• Am I enchanted by royal families?

• Would I consider marrying myself or anyone I love into one?

• Do I understand the nature of this world as explained by Allah and His Prophet (pbuh)?

• Do I want to be royalty in Jannah or are the pleasures of the world all I seek?

1900

1901

1902

1903

Lying Blackens The Heart • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Truthfulness leads to righteousness and

righteousness leads to Paradise; a person remains truthful until he is written as a Siddeeq (truthful person) with Allah. Lying leads to sin and sin leads to the Fire; a person keeps lying

until he is written as a Kadhdhab (liar) with Allah.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim]

1904

•

Imam Malik records that Abdullah ibn Masud would say, “Each time someone lies a black spot appears on his heart until his whole heart becomes black and he is written with Allah as a Kadhdhab.” He also records

that it was asked of Luqman, “How have you reached this level in excellence?” He replied, “By being true in speech, fulfilling trusts and leaving what does not concern me.”

•

Such is the importance of remaining truthful that the Prophet (pbuh) said that a Momin could at any one time perform one sin or the other but he could never be a liar. Shaitan incites us to lie, saying it is only one lie.

But that is how the habit develops and before a person knows it, each black dot has had its cumulative effect of blackening the whole heart. The complete blackening of the heart is the proof a person presents to Allah to have him or her written down as a kadhdhab -- a confirmed liar.

1905

Honest Trader is Companion of Prophets • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “A truthful and honest trader will be a companion of the prophets, the righteous and the martyrs on the Day of Judgement.”

[Jami at-Tirmidhi]

1906

•

Be honest and trustworthy in your business dealings. Do not turn your lawful earnings into unlawful income by supplying defective goods, by indulging in profiteering, or by lying.

•

The reward for honesty in business transactions is fantastic. Through this honesty you can gain the companionship of the best people who walked the surface of the earth.

•

We are willing to go to such great lengths to be able to hang out with the influential. Honesty in business dealings is a very small price to pay in return for which we may be blessed with the companionship that all of

mankind will be dying to have on the Day of Judgement.

•

You will in any case make only as much money as is written in your Rizq. Don’t let the Day of Judgement become “Yaum al-Hasara – The Day of Regret” for you.

Control yourself now, so that you don’t end up wishing on that greatest of days that you had done better in the world.

1907

1908

1909

1910

Leaves from an Autumn Tree • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "No Muslim is afflicted with any harm but for that Allah will cause his sins to be shed as the leaves of a tree fall down." [Sahih

al-Bukhari]

1911

• According to Islamic faith, Allah in His wisdom prescribed suffering for essential purposes. For the unjust, suffering is a punishment. This is a fact that has long been proved in scriptures when the fate of the people of Lut, the Pharaoh and his army, the people of Nuh, etc, is told. • As for those who believe, even if they are sinners,

suffering carries a different message. It could be a test through which Allah wants to elevate His pious servants to higher ranks in the hereafter. It could be a means to wash away the believer's sins and bring him or her back to his or her earlier purity.

1912

• In this context, Prophet (pbuh) said, "If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials." [Sahih Bukhari] This is the reason all of Allah's messengers were tried in this life: Think of Eesa (pbuh) when he was betrayed and driven to the threat of the cross, before he was rescued by Allah. Think of Muhammad (pbuh)

who lost five of his six children, including the only male child, during his life as a father. Think of Ayyub (pbuh) and his long suffering with sickness. Think of all the rest: None of them led a normal, cozy life. Allah made them suffer because He loved them, He wanted them to return to Him absolutely pure, and He wished to

grant them such high stations in reward as could not be achieved by their efforts.

1913

• Two reactions are expected from believers when they are exposed to any suffering. The first is to show patience, and the second is to show gratitude to Allah for sending them this test. Allah says:

"...those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure..." [Al-Quran 39:10] • Patience and gratitude are not easy reactions. In fact, they need a lot of training till they become an inherent behavior. It is useful for suffering people to understand that showing intolerance or feeling annoyance or displeasure in relation to what Allah

destines for them, may deprive them of the fruitful reward of their suffering. This fact should help them to discipline themselves to these nobler feelings of acceptance and contentment and overcome the natural human reactions of shock and panic.

1914

Haste is from Shaitaan • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Deliberateness is from Allah, and

haste is from the Shaitaan.” [Jami atTirmidhi]

1915

•

Doing one’s tasks with serenity, composure and dignity is a commendable trait. On the other hand, haste and hurry is an evil trait provoked by Shaitaan.

•

Serenity, composure and dignity should not be confused with slowness and tardiness. Nor should haste and hurry be confused with efficiency and speed.

•

When you plan your time wisely and live in a disciplined manner you can do your work efficiently yet calmly. On the other hand, if you live in an indisciplined way, without prioritizing your time, or working by any schedules, then you jump from one thing to the next and are constantly in a fire-fighting mode.

•

Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has already set a framework

for your day with the Salah. Decide how best to use your time in between. Use the Sunnah as your guide and you will be blessed in your time InshaAllah.

1916

1917

1918

1919

1920

Like Lightning or Crawling • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said about crossing over the Siraat (bridge over Hell): “The first of you will cross it like

lightning.” Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: “May my father and my mother be sacrificed for you! How can it be like lightning?” He (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Have you not seen lightning, how it goes and comes back in the blinking of an eye? Then (some will pass) like the wind, or like birds and fast horses, and the speed at

which people cross will be according to their deeds…. until the people’s deeds will be failing in strength, and a man will come who can only move by crawling. At the edges of the Siraat will be hooks, hanging ready to catch anyone whom they are commanded (to catch).”

[Sahih Muslim]

1921

• In life we have choices: We can choose to travel on Siraat-e-Mustaqeem, Allah’s prescribed Path to Jannah, or we can keep off it and live as we please.

• Even if we choose to stay on Siraat-e-Mustaqeem (the Straight Path), we choose the speed with which to move on it. Some people rush to obey

Allah (subhana wa ta’ala), some go crawling, some stand still on it, hardly moving, and some sometimes-hit reverse.

• Pay heed to what you are doing! The manner and speed with which you travel on Siraat-eMustaqeem in life, will determine the manner and speed with which you will cross the Siraat over Hell.

1922

Hard Work • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The Momin dies with his sweat on his

brow.” [Sunan an-Nasai]

1923

• To have sweat on one’s brow indicates labour and hard work. This means that a momin dies working. Our concepts have gotten messed up.

We think that the place of recompense is this world; that once you reach a certain age you should be living in luxury, if not all your life. But where in the Quran does Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) say that a luxurious life (eeshatin raadhia) is supposed to happen anytime on earth? All of Allah’s promises of never-ending ease, of comfort to your heart’s content, unblemished happiness,

freedom and plenitude, are regarding Jannah.

This life is our qualifying exam to get there. As a sensible person in the middle of an exam does not say, “I’m tired of writing,” and retire from the exam, Muslims also need to realize that death is the only time of retirement for him/her.

1924

•

Some girls think that the place where all their wishes should come true is their husbands’ home. Nowhere does Allah or His Messenger state this to be the case. When you get married you simply move from one exam room to another.

There is an increase in the number of questions you now have to answer correctly to successfully pass the exam of life. First you had to correctly deal with your parents, siblings and other relatives. Now there is an increment in your responsibilities and you also have to correctly deal with

your husband, children, in-laws, etc. The place where all your wishes will come true is only and only Jannah. It is not possible that this should happen in the temporary life of this worldly.

•

Hard work is considered to be one of the most important traits of Muslim men and women alike. Never shy away from work. It is your key to Jannah. If a man works to earn for his family and his wife takes care of the children and other household chores, this does not mean that either person’s work is more important or valuable than the other’s. You are both just managing different areas to efficiently run your home. Both of you contribute to this partnership, as the two wheels of a bike, so make sure that

1925

no one is treated less in any way.

1926

1927

1928

Least Punishment • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The least punished person of the people of Hell-Fire on the

Day of Resurrection will be a man under whose arch of the feet two smoldering embers will be placed, because of which his brain will boil just like Al-Mirjal (copper vessel) or a

Qum-qum (narrow-necked vessel) boils with water.” [Sahih al-Bukhari] 1929

• Nobody can bear the least punishment of HellFire. But whoever enters it will have to endure the punishment as there will be no death anymore. How stupid is the person who barters away the Hereafter for the enjoyment of the world. This is what the people of Hell-Fire will say about themselves: “Had we but listened or

used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the Companions of the Blazing Fire!”

[Quran 67:10] • The Nobel laureates, the Pulitzer prize winners, the scholarship holders of the world, the business tycoons, the crafty politicians, all will realize that their intelligence was of no use to them if it does

not secure them from the worst calamity nor allow them to attain the greatest felicity.

1930

Momin Dies Working • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "The momin dies with his sweat on his

brow (i.e. with labour and hard work)." [Jami at-Tirmidhi, Sunan an-Nasai]

1931

•

A momin's work is never done. If a conscientious student is sitting for a three hour exam and gets done in two and a half hours, he/she will go over their work making sure that they did not miss anything or make

any mistakes. Moreover, if an exam has been designed for three hours, it is meant to take around three hours to finish. •

Our lifespan should likewise be fully utilized to make

sure we have not left anything undone that we could have earned Jannat with. This is the only chance we get; there will be no exams after this, only results.

Therefore, we have to give this one exam our best shot.

•

If somebody is sitting around with nothing to do, it means that they have not understood the purpose of life, what Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) gave it to us for!

There is no time to waste, no moment to lose. As long

as we are alive, we can keep earning sawaab. A momin, therefore, keeps working to please Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) before death overtakes him, and his exam paper is taken away from him.

1932

1933

1934

1935

Last Third of Night • Allah’s Messenger (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Every night when it is the last third of the night, our Lord,

the Exalted, the Blessed, descends to the nearest heaven and says, ‘Is there anyone to invoke Me that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me so that I may grant

him his request? Is there anyone asking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?’” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1936

• This hadith informs us of the excellence of the last third of the night, how Allah is hoping for someone to ask him for something at that time, so He may grant it to them. Although Allah hears us, watches us, and is aware of our feelings at all times, but the time before dawn is extra special. • Wake up a little before Fajr to capitalize on these

moments of extraordinary nearness to Allah, the Exalted, the Blessed.

1937

Hand-Shaking Wipes Away Sins • Al-Bara (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “No two Muslims meet and shake hands except that their sins are forgiven (by Allah) before they depart.”

[Sunan Abu Dawood]

1938

•

This hadith tells us that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) forgives the minor sins of the two believers who shake hands. Thus, when two Muslims meet they should follow the Sunnah of shaking hands to increase their mutual love and to have their minor sins pardoned by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).

•

We should make the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh)

our culture so that we can be close to him on the Day of Judgement and are blessed with his intercession.

•

If I only understood how much effort the Prophet (pbuh) made for me, and what he suffered so that Islam could reach me, I would love him. And once I love him I would love to copy every thing about

him. And by loving Allah’s Beloved I would become eligible for even more of Allah’s love.

1939

1940

1941

1. This dua is a supplication which should be continuously made by the believers. Because one of

their qualities, is that despite being obedient to Allah (swt), they still remain in fear regarding the punishment of Allah (swt), and regarding the Akhirah. Because of this fear they become practical

and continue making dua. (Mariful Qur’an. Vol. 6. P. 504) 1942

2. Ali (r.a) narrates that Prophet (saw) has said: Allah (swt) sent wahi to one Prophet of the Bani Israil (i.e. Dawud [a.s]) “Tell the obedient servants from your ummah not to only rely on their good actions, as on the day of reckoning, whichever servant I wish to punish I will punish in conformance to my (justice) and tell the disobedient servants not to throw themselves into destruction by their own hands (i.e. they should not give up hope of forgiveness) as I will forgive major sins also if I wish, and I will not care (i.e. in giving anybody punishment or forgiving anybody – (Abu Naim.)

Tafsir Mazhari Vol. 8 P. 486

1943

1944

Prayer for Fulfillment of a Need • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa

sallam) said: “When someone seeks fulfillment of a need from Allah or man, he should first carefully perform ablution, say two Rakahs of superoragatory (Nafl) prayer and then offer thanksgiving and praise to The Lord; afterwards, he should invoke peace and blessings of Allah on the Prophet, and finally utter this prayer to Allah: La ilaha illallahul-halimul-karim.

Subhanallahi rabbil-arshil-azeem. Wal-hamdu lillahi rabbil-alameen. As’ aluka mujibati rahmatika wa azaaimi maghfiratika wal-ghanimata min kulli birrin was-salamata min kulli ithmin la tada li dhanban illa ghafartahu wa la hamman illa farrajtahu wa la haajatan hiya laka ridan illa qadaitaha ya arhamarrahimeen.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi] 1945

•

Whenever any need arises, big or small, stand before Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and ask through this prayer. The translation of the words of this dua are: “There is no deity save Allah, the Clement, the Bountiful. Glory be to Allah,

Lord of the Magnificent Throne! Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds! I beg of You the means of (obtaining) Your Mercy and securing Your Pardon; participation in every righteousness and protection from every sin. Leave no sin of mine unforgiven, no anxiety unrelieved, and let no need of mine go unfulfilled wherewith You are pleased. O You the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!”

•

When your children ask you for favors, direct them to ask Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) through this dua and Salaat.

Make their connection with Allah strong. It is only if Allah puts it in your heart and provides you with the means,

that are you able to fulfill the needs of your children. Put your reliance and the reliance of your children in Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). It is He who loves us more than we love each other or ourselves.

1946

1947

1948

The Seasons Of Life There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn to not judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a

great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no – it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

1949

The Seasons Of Life The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfilment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right,

because they had each seen but one season in the tree’s life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are – and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life – can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it’s winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfilment of your fall.

Moral: Don’t judge a life by one difficult season. Don’t let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.

1950

1951

My Best Day • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah will say to the inhabitants of Paradise: ‘O

inhabitants of Paradise!.... Are you contented?’ And they will say: ‘And how should we not be contented, O Lord, when You have given to us that which You have given to no one else of

Your creation?’” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1952

• Out of all His creations, Allah chose me to give eternal life to. He made Jannat for me. Allah wishes to be with me for eternity. For this He bestows eternal life to me. After I reach Jannat I become immortal. The ultimate pleasure in Jannat is that I will be allowed to look at Allah’s face. All that exists is perishable except Allah’s face. [Al-Quran 28:88] Allah tells us that He was a hidden treasure. He created us so that we could have this treasure. Those who realize this

are intense in their love of their Lord. [Al-Quran 2:165]

1953

•

Allah’s justice demanded that He ask us to do something, no matter how insignificant, in exchange for which we are loved more than all creation and granted immortality. So He gave us free will – the

choice to recognize Him or deny Him. But He loaded the scales heavily in favor of our being able to recognize Him. He created all our souls at the time that He created Adam (pbuh) and we all testified to

Allah being our Creator and Cherisher at that time.

Our testimony is embedded in our sub-conscious mind, because of which we know instinctively that He is to be worshipped and that the beauty of the universe is His doing.

•

May we love Allah as He should be loved, and may we worship Him as He should be worshipped. A dua made by a bedouin that particularly impressed the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was: “Oh Allah; Make my best day – the Day that I meet You.” 1954

Hearts as One • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “There will be no hatred or

resentment among them, their hearts will be as one, and they will glorify Allah, morning and evening.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari]

1955

•

This hadith explains the state of the people in Jannah. Remorse felt due to rifts in personal relationships will be non-existent in Paradise. There will be no enmity between people, nor any ill-

feelings: “And We shall remove from their breasts any (mutual) hatred or sense of injury (which they had, if at all, in the life of this world)…” [Quran 7:43] •

People will never hear any evil or hurting comments or speech in Paradise. They will only hear pleasant words and words of peace. The hearts of the people of Jannah will be pure, their speech will be good, their deeds righteous. There will be no offensive, upsetting or provocative talk there, for Paradise is free of all things worthless. If we were to discuss all

the causes of anguish in this life, we would surely find their absence and opposite to be true in Paradise.

1956

1957

1958

1959

Most Beloved • Abdallah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) was never immoderate or obscene. He used to say, ‘Among those of you who are most beloved to me are those who have the finest character.’” [Sahih Muslim]

1960

• The character of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was the best of all humankind and testified to by Allah . Therefore, if we would like to be among the most beloved to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), and also most beloved to Allah , we must make his character our model, as it was displayed in the masjid, in the market place, in the battle

field, in his home and everywhere.

• Allah has told us explicitly through the Quran and Hadith what is “good” and what is “bad”. So this is not for any individual or human rights group to determine for anyone anymore. Some of the attributes of good character are: – suppressing anger that is for the sake of one’s ego,

– not vindicating or justifying oneself when in the wrong, – hating oppressors and the immoral, – being gentle and humble with believers, – being honest and decent in speech.

1961

•

Imam al-Bayhaqi gives a few practical examples of good character saying: “A person with good character makes ‘what is better’ the imam of his soul, and obeys it completely,” making it the basis of his dealings with others. “When he deals with other people, he is tolerant in claiming what is his right, and

does not ask for anything which is not; but he discharges all the duties which he has towards others. When he falls ill or returns from a trip, and no-one visits him, or when he gives a greeting which is not returned, or when he is a guest but is not

honored, or intercedes but is not responded to, or does a good turn for which he is not thanked, or joins a group of people who do not make room for him to sit, or speaks and is not listened to, or proposes to a woman but is not allowed to marry her, or asks for more time to repay a debt, but is not given more time, and all similar cases, he does not grow angry, or seek to punish people, or feel within himself that he has been snubbed, or ignored; neither does he try to retaliate with the same treatment when able to do so, but instead tells himself

that he does not mind any of these things, and responds to each one of them with something which is better, and closer to goodness and piety, and is more praiseworthy and pleasing (to Allah).” [The Seventy-Seven Branches of Faith by Imam AlBayhaqi, p.48-49]

1962

Hardening of the Heart • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Do not speak much without mentioning Allah, for too

much speech without mentioning Allah hardens the heart, and the hard hearted are the furthest of all people from Allah Most High."

[Jami at-Tirmidhi]

1963

• Imam Nawawi explains: "Every legally responsible person should refrain from saying anything except when there is a clear advantage to speaking. Whenever speaking and not speaking are of equal benefit, it is sunnah to remain silent, for permissible speech easily leads to that which is unlawful or offensive, as

actually happens much or even most of the time -- and there is no substitute for safety. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say what is good or remain silent.’ (Authenticated

by Imams Bukhari and Muslim)" [r 1.1: Reliance of the Traveller by Ahmad ibn Naqib

al-Misri]

1964

1965

1966

1967

Maintaining Relations with Relatives

• The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoso desires that his sustenance may be made ample for him and that his term of life be prolonged, let him keep affinity with

his relatives.� [Jami at-Tirmidhi]

1968

• Being kind to relatives, visiting them, honoring them, being present on their occasions of sadness and joy, when done for the sake of Allah’s pleasure will make one’s entry into Jannah easier, Allah willing. The additional worldly benefit of keeping relations with relatives is that because of it Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) increases one’s provisions and

prolongs one’s life span.

1969

How Do You Smell • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) said: "The example of a good companion and a bad one is the bearer of musk and the worker on the

fires. A bearer of musk would give you some, you might buy some from him, or you might enjoy the fragrance of his musk. The worker on the fires, on the other hand, might spoil your clothes with sparks from his bellows, or you get a bad smell from him." [Sahih alBukhari] 1970

• Who are the top 5 people you hang out with?

List them. Now look at their qualities and you'll notice that you are a product of the sum of them. Do they have the outstanding qualities that you seek? If not, then it's time to find some bearers of musk that you can truly smell great from.

1971

1972

1973

1974

Permissible Lying • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) said: “He who settles disagreements between people to bring about good or says something

commendable is not a liar.” Umm Kulthum (radi Allahu anha) added: “I did not hear him permit untruth in anything people say, except for three things: war, settling disagreements, and a

man talking with his wife or she with him (in smoothing over differences.)” [Sahih Muslim]

1975

•

This is an explicit statement that lying is sometimes permissible, scholars having established criteria defining what types of it are lawful. Imam Abu Hamid Ghazali says: “Speaking is a means to achieve

objectives. If a praiseworthy aim is attainable through both telling the truth and lying, it is unlawful to accomplish through lying because there is no need for it…It becomes obligatory to lie if an obligatory deed cannot be achieved except by lying. When, for example, one is concealing a Muslim from an oppressor who asks where he is, it is obligatory to lie about his being hidden. Or when a person deposits an article with one for safekeeping and an oppressor wanting to appropriate it inquires about it, it is obligatory to lie about having concealed it, for if one informs him about the article and he then seizes it, one is financially liable to cover the article’s cost….” [Reliance of the Traveller

by Ahmad ibn Naqib Al-Misri] 1976

Make Dua After Burial • Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be

pleased with him) relates that when the Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to finish burying someone, he would stand by the grave and say, ‘All of you, ask Allah to forgive your brother and make him steadfast, for he is now being asked.”

[Sunan Abu Dawood]

1977

• The dead are questioned in their graves. It is legally valid and recommended after burial for a living person to ask Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) to forgive the deceased and keep him steadfast during the questioning of the two angels about to ensue.

1978

1979

1980

1981

Monopoly • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “He who holds a monopoly is a sinner.” [Sahih

Muslim]

1982

• A Muslim is one who likes for others what he likes for himself. To hoard and monopolize what others need, and over-charge for it, contradicts the character that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) wants us to develop and exhibit towards each other. A Muslim cannot be a capitalist, because for him Allah’s Pleasure has the highest priority, not

money.

• There is no shortage with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). So instead of squeezing what you want out of other people, ask Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) to give it to you.

1983

Grateful Servant • The Prophet (salla Allahu alayhi wa

sallam) is reported to have stayed up in prayer all night until his feet swelled up. He was asked, “Why do you do this when Allah has already forgiven you all your past and

future wrong actions?” He (peace be upon him) said, “Should I not still be a grateful servant?” [Sahih alBukhari] 1984

• If your friend gave you a beautiful sweater as a gift should you feel grateful to her in your heart? And if you feel grateful to her in your heart, shouldn’t you also use your tongue to show your appreciation of her favor? Gratitude doesn’t end here: Shouldn’t you then wear it on appropriate occasions? How would your friend

feel if she saw you mopping the floor with her gift?

• True gratitude involves the heart, tongue and

limbs. That is why the Prophet (pbuh) would stand up long during the night in prayer – to show with his limbs that he was grateful to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) for his blessings on him.

1985

1986

1987

1988

Most Hated • The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu

alayhi wa sallam) said: “The most hated man (person) to Allah is the one who is the most quarrelsome of the opponents.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

1989

• Quarreling never settles disputes. Extricate yourself from quarrels as soon as possible. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) does not like either of quarreling opponents, but the more quarrelsome one is the more hated to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).

1990

• Keep this checklist in mind if a quarrel seems to be in the offing: 1)

Let your opponent have the last word

(ostensibly). In reality, the one who is quiet is the one who is defended eloquently by angels.

2)

Stop trying to prove that you’re right.

3)

Accept blame where the fault is yours.

4)

State your position just once and then listen.

5)

Before the blaming becomes unbearable, politely,

either change the topic or physically leave the place of argument.

6)

Remember that all cases will be reopened and settled on the Day of Judgment, and on that day none will be able to lie, trick or deceive in any way, to support their position.

1991

Get Married • The Messenger of Allah (salla

Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Get married, reproduce, and let your number increase.” [Sunan ibn Majah]

1992

•

Islam stresses the importance of the institution of marriage and the desirability of having children and taking good care of all members of the family. Healthy societies are built on healthy families. Remaining single, having relationships outside of marriage, or neglecting one’s family, are looked down upon and contrary to the teachings of Islam.

•

Whoever desires to gain Allah’s Pleasure and win his/her everlasting abode in Paradise needs to take care of the responsibilities that Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) wants us to shoulder on earth and which (anyway) satisfy the demands of human nature. Marriage should be looked forward to as a way to earn good deeds and the most responsible and fitting way in which to satisfy the cravings of human nature.

•

Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) mentions as one of His favors on us: “And Allah has made for you mates of your own nature; and made for you, out of them, children and grandchildren; and provided for you sustenance of the best. Is it, then, falsehood that they believe in, and the blessing of Allah that they reject?” [Quran: Surah an-Nahl, Ayat 72] 1993

1994

1995

1. Regarding the “coolness of the eyes” Hasan

Basri states: The original coolness of the eyes is to see a person's family involved in the obedience of Allah (swt). The health and welfare and happiness of the family is also included in it.

(Mariful Qur’an Vol. 6. P. 509)

1996

2. Allah’s (swt) chosen servants are not only concerned with their own reformation and are satisfied by their good deeds alone. They are also concerned with the reformation and actions of their wives and children. They continue to make an effort in this regard, and part of their effort is to make dua also.

3. Qurtubi states: There can be nothing more soothing / cooling to the eyes than seeing a person’s wife and children being obedient to Allah (swt).

(Mazhari Vol. 8 P. 499) 4. Ikramah says: The Mufassirin have not taken the meaning of beauty and grace. But they say it means “to be obedient to Allah (swt). (Ibn Kathir Vol. 3 P.

342)

1997