"خدا یا ! میری زبان تیری کتاب سے جو کچھ تلاوت کرے،مجھے توفیق دے کہ میں اس میں غور و فکر کروں _خدا یا! مجھے اس کی سمجھ دے ،مجھے اس کے مفہوم و معنئ کی معرفت بخش دے اور اس کے عجئابات کو پانے کی نظر عطا کر_ جب تک زندہ رہوں مجھے توفیق دے کہ میں اس پر عمل کرتا رہوں _بیشک تو ہر چیز پر قادر ہے
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Meaning of "Allah "
taken from Tafseer Ibn Kathir
Allah is the Name of the Lord, the Exalted. It is said that Allah is the Greatest Name of Allah, because it is referred to when describing Allah by the various attributes. For instance, Allah said,
[هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَـدَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَـنُ الرَّحِيمُ - هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَـمُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَـنَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ - هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَـلِقُ الْبَارِىءُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الاٌّسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ]
(He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa, the King, the Holy, the One free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the Almighty, the Wise) (59:22-24).
Hence, Allah mentioned several of His Names as Attributes for His Name Allah. Similarly, Allah said,
[وَللَّهِ الأَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا]
(And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them) (7:180), and,
[قُلِ ادْعُواْ اللَّهَ أَوِ ادْعُواْ الرَّحْمَـنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُواْ فَلَهُ الاٌّسْمَآءَ الْحُسْنَى]
(Say (O Muhammad :) "Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Gracious (Allah), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for to Him belong the Best Names.'') (17:110)
Also, the Two Sahihs recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
«إِنَّ للهِ تِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ اسْمًا، مِائَةً إِلَا وَاحِدًا، مَنْ أَحْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ»
(Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred minus one, whoever counts (and preserves) them, will enter Paradise.)
These Names were mentioned in a Hadith recorded by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, and there are several differences between these two narrations.
"O Allah. Lord of Power (And Rule), Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: In Thy hand is all good. Verily, over all things Thou hast power. "Thou causest the night to gain on the day, and thou causest the day to gain on the night; Thou bringest the Living out of the dead, and Thou bringest the dead out of the Living; and Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest, without measure." (3: 26-27)
Allah is the Name of the Lord, the Exalted. It is said that Allah is the Greatest Name of Allah, because it is referred to when describing Allah by the various attributes. For instance, Allah said,
[هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَـدَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَـنُ الرَّحِيمُ - هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَـمُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَـنَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ - هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَـلِقُ الْبَارِىءُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الاٌّسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ]
(He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa, the King, the Holy, the One free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the Almighty, the Wise) (59:22-24).
Hence, Allah mentioned several of His Names as Attributes for His Name Allah. Similarly, Allah said,
[وَللَّهِ الأَسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنَى فَادْعُوهُ بِهَا]
(And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them) (7:180), and,
[قُلِ ادْعُواْ اللَّهَ أَوِ ادْعُواْ الرَّحْمَـنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُواْ فَلَهُ الاٌّسْمَآءَ الْحُسْنَى]
(Say (O Muhammad :) "Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Gracious (Allah), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for to Him belong the Best Names.'') (17:110)
Also, the Two Sahihs recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
«إِنَّ للهِ تِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ اسْمًا، مِائَةً إِلَا وَاحِدًا، مَنْ أَحْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ»
(Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred minus one, whoever counts (and preserves) them, will enter Paradise.)
These Names were mentioned in a Hadith recorded by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, and there are several differences between these two narrations.
"O Allah. Lord of Power (And Rule), Thou givest power to whom Thou pleasest, and Thou strippest off power from whom Thou pleasest: Thou enduest with honour whom Thou pleasest, and Thou bringest low whom Thou pleasest: In Thy hand is all good. Verily, over all things Thou hast power. "Thou causest the night to gain on the day, and thou causest the day to gain on the night; Thou bringest the Living out of the dead, and Thou bringest the dead out of the Living; and Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest, without measure." (3: 26-27)
Wake up for Fajr Salaah
A man woke up early in order to Pray the Fajr Prayer in the masjid.
He got dressed, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.
On his way to the masjid, the man fell and his clothes got dirty. He got up, brushed himself off, and headed home. At home, He changed His Clothes, made his ablution, and was, again,
on his way to the masjid. On his way to the masjid, He Fell again and at the Same Spot!
He, again, got up, brushed himself off and headed home.
At home he, once again, Changed His Clothes, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.On his way to the masjid, He Met a Man Holding a Lamp.
He asked the man of his identity and the man replied 'I Saw You Fall Twice
on your way to the masjid, So I Brought a Lamp so I can Light Your Way.'
The first man thanked him profusively and the two where on their way to the masjid. Once at the masjid, the first man asked the man with the lamp to come in and pray Fajr with him.
The second man refused.
The first man asked him a couple more times and, again, the answer was the same.
The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray.
He man replied
I am Shetaan(devil/ evil)The man was shocked at this reply.
Shetan went on to explain,
'I saw you on your way to the masjid and it was I who made you fall. When you went home,
cleaned yourself and went back on your way to the masjid, Allah forgave all of your sins.
I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on your way to the masjid.Because of that, Allah forgave all the sins of the people of your household .
I was AFRAID if i made you fall one more time, then Allah will forgive the sins of the people of your village, so I made sure that you reached the masjid safely..'
So do not let Shetan benefit from his actions.
Do not put off a good that you intended to do as you never know how much reward you might receive from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that good. If forwarding this message will bother you, or take too much time from you, then don't do it, but you will not get the reward of it, which is great. Imagine, that when you forward this, you receive 240 good deeds, and so will I for sending it to you! Wouldn't it be easy just to Press Forward ' and receive this Reward?
May Allah (Subhana Ho Wataallah) grant us perfect Muslim Heart n we all do Prayers with our Heart and Soul...
............ .... ......... ......Ameen
He got dressed, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.
On his way to the masjid, the man fell and his clothes got dirty. He got up, brushed himself off, and headed home. At home, He changed His Clothes, made his ablution, and was, again,
on his way to the masjid. On his way to the masjid, He Fell again and at the Same Spot!
He, again, got up, brushed himself off and headed home.
At home he, once again, Changed His Clothes, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.On his way to the masjid, He Met a Man Holding a Lamp.
He asked the man of his identity and the man replied 'I Saw You Fall Twice
on your way to the masjid, So I Brought a Lamp so I can Light Your Way.'
The first man thanked him profusively and the two where on their way to the masjid. Once at the masjid, the first man asked the man with the lamp to come in and pray Fajr with him.
The second man refused.
The first man asked him a couple more times and, again, the answer was the same.
The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray.
He man replied
I am Shetaan(devil/ evil)The man was shocked at this reply.
Shetan went on to explain,
'I saw you on your way to the masjid and it was I who made you fall. When you went home,
cleaned yourself and went back on your way to the masjid, Allah forgave all of your sins.
I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on your way to the masjid.Because of that, Allah forgave all the sins of the people of your household .
I was AFRAID if i made you fall one more time, then Allah will forgive the sins of the people of your village, so I made sure that you reached the masjid safely..'
So do not let Shetan benefit from his actions.
Do not put off a good that you intended to do as you never know how much reward you might receive from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that good. If forwarding this message will bother you, or take too much time from you, then don't do it, but you will not get the reward of it, which is great. Imagine, that when you forward this, you receive 240 good deeds, and so will I for sending it to you! Wouldn't it be easy just to Press Forward ' and receive this Reward?
May Allah (Subhana Ho Wataallah) grant us perfect Muslim Heart n we all do Prayers with our Heart and Soul...
............ .... ......... ......Ameen
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Assemblies of Allah's Remembrance
The Prophet (saw) said, "Allah has some angels who look for those who celebrate the Praises of Allah on the roads and paths. And when they find some people celebrating the Praises of Allah, they call each other, saying, "Come to the object of your pursuit.' " He added, "Then the angels encircle them with their wings up to the sky of the world." He added, "(After those people celebrated the Praises of Allah, and the angels go back), their Lord, asks them (those angels)--though He knows better than them--'What do My slaves say?' The angels reply, 'They say: Subhan Allah, Allahu Akbar, and Alham-du-lillah.'
Allah then says 'Did they see Me?' The angels reply, 'No! By Allah, they didn't see You.' Allah says, ‘How would it have been if they saw Me?' The angels reply, 'If they saw You, they would worship You more devoutly and celebrate Your Glory more deeply, and declare Your freedom from any resemblance to anything more often.' Allah says (to the angels), 'What do they ask Me for?' The angels reply, 'They ask You for Paradise.' Allah says (to the angels), 'Did they see it?' The angels say, 'No! By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.' Allah says, How it would have been if they saw it?' The angels say, 'If they saw it, they would have greater covetousness for it and would seek It with greater zeal and would have greater desire for it.' Allah says, 'From what do they seek refuge?' The angels reply, 'They seek refuge from the (Hell) Fire.' Allah says, 'Did they see it?' The angels say, 'No By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.' Allah says, How it would have been if they saw it?' The angels say, 'If they saw it they would flee from it with the extreme fleeing and would have extreme fear from it.'
Then Allah says, 'I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them.' " Allah's Messanger added, "One of the angels would say, 'There was so-and-so amongst them, and he was not one of them, but he had just come for some need.' Allah would say, 'These are those people whose companions will not be reduced to misery.'" (Bukhari Hadith)
Allah then says 'Did they see Me?' The angels reply, 'No! By Allah, they didn't see You.' Allah says, ‘How would it have been if they saw Me?' The angels reply, 'If they saw You, they would worship You more devoutly and celebrate Your Glory more deeply, and declare Your freedom from any resemblance to anything more often.' Allah says (to the angels), 'What do they ask Me for?' The angels reply, 'They ask You for Paradise.' Allah says (to the angels), 'Did they see it?' The angels say, 'No! By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.' Allah says, How it would have been if they saw it?' The angels say, 'If they saw it, they would have greater covetousness for it and would seek It with greater zeal and would have greater desire for it.' Allah says, 'From what do they seek refuge?' The angels reply, 'They seek refuge from the (Hell) Fire.' Allah says, 'Did they see it?' The angels say, 'No By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.' Allah says, How it would have been if they saw it?' The angels say, 'If they saw it they would flee from it with the extreme fleeing and would have extreme fear from it.'
Then Allah says, 'I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them.' " Allah's Messanger added, "One of the angels would say, 'There was so-and-so amongst them, and he was not one of them, but he had just come for some need.' Allah would say, 'These are those people whose companions will not be reduced to misery.'" (Bukhari Hadith)
No Time to Think
Iblis (Satan) organised an international conference, which was attended by his followers from all over the world. In his opening address, he said:“Oh my friends and helpers, we cannot stop righteous, pious people - believers in Allah, from going to the mosques. We cannot stop them from reading their Holy Book and familiarising themselves with the Truth. We cannot stop them from establishing a deep and meaningful relationship with Allah. But remember, if they are successful in establishing this relationship with their Rubb, we will lose our hold on them. Remember, Allah has told me about them:“Indeed, over My (believing) servants there is for you no authority.”
“So let them go to their place of worship and let them continue with their normal routine. But snatch one thing away from them - their time. Then they will not be able to establish the required connection with their Creator. This is what I want you to do. O my followers, make them inattentive and careless in achieving that closeness, that important relationship with Allah, which is the purpose of their existence. Without bonding with Him, their lives will become meaningless.”
The delegates loved every word he said. This mission gave meaning to their lives. They sat up and asked: “How shall we do it, O Master?” “It’s not difficult,” said Iblis. “Just keep them preoccupied and contented with the unimportant, unnecessary things in their lives. Be creative. Invent numerous ways to keep them busy, busy, busy.”
“Incite them to spend extravagantly and then go around borrowing for their needs. Encourage the wives to spend and spend. Plant ambition in the husbands - they must be ahead in the race for money, status, power. Let them work and work 18-20 hours a day, 7 days a week, to compete in fulfilling the demands of their material self. Deprive them of time to spend with their children. As the family gradually becomes dysfunctional and falls apart, their homes will cease to be a source of peace. With the increasing pressure of work, reluctant to go home, they will look for that peace outside. Make their minds so occupied, they will not be able to hear that small voice crying out to them that something is not right.”
“Encourage them to turn on their radios, CDs and cassettes when they are driving. At home, make sure their PCs , TVs , VCRs, DVD Players and radios are operating round the clock. Let their mobile phones ring incessantly. Their minds, numbed by all the activity, will have no time to think of Allah or their duty to worship Him, at least in the way they should. This way their connection with Allah will be weakened.”
“Fill up their tables with magazines and newspapers. Assault them with a barrage of news, so that their minds are constantly occupied. On the road, let them be distracted by massive billboards and ads, tempting them to buy things they don’t need. Flood their mail-boxes with letters and junk mail. Whatever little time they have left, will be taken up by this.”
“In their recreational activities, let them be excessive. When they return home, they will be so tired and irritable, they will remain so the whole of next week. And don’t let them go near nature, in case they ponder and reflect on Allah’s signs in the universe; instead send them to concerts, cinemas, and stadiums. Keep them busy, busy, busy.”
“Convince them that religion is ‘personal’, the inherited beliefs of their ancestors are best and that ‘majority is authority’. Even when they attend assemblies of Allah’s remembrance, keep their minds preoccupied with worldly thoughts. Or let the arguments between religious scholars where each one claims that he is the only one on the right path, make them so disturbed that they will not go to such assemblies again. And make them waste their goods deeds by gossiping and backbiting.”
“March forward my commandos. Busy them in winning each others hearts and flood their lives with so many good aims, they will have no time to ask Allah for help in achieving them. Very soon they will exhaust themselves, sacrificing their health and their family life for these ‘lofty’ goals. This will be good, this will be super, this will be great!”
What a convention it was! Such a roaring success! What a thunderous applause! With great zealousness and enthusiasm, all the delegates – Satan’s forces went their respective ways and got cracking with their assigned tasks.
So Iblis succeeded in his mission and the believers were seen running around here and there, busy, busy, busy.
“So let them go to their place of worship and let them continue with their normal routine. But snatch one thing away from them - their time. Then they will not be able to establish the required connection with their Creator. This is what I want you to do. O my followers, make them inattentive and careless in achieving that closeness, that important relationship with Allah, which is the purpose of their existence. Without bonding with Him, their lives will become meaningless.”
The delegates loved every word he said. This mission gave meaning to their lives. They sat up and asked: “How shall we do it, O Master?” “It’s not difficult,” said Iblis. “Just keep them preoccupied and contented with the unimportant, unnecessary things in their lives. Be creative. Invent numerous ways to keep them busy, busy, busy.”
“Incite them to spend extravagantly and then go around borrowing for their needs. Encourage the wives to spend and spend. Plant ambition in the husbands - they must be ahead in the race for money, status, power. Let them work and work 18-20 hours a day, 7 days a week, to compete in fulfilling the demands of their material self. Deprive them of time to spend with their children. As the family gradually becomes dysfunctional and falls apart, their homes will cease to be a source of peace. With the increasing pressure of work, reluctant to go home, they will look for that peace outside. Make their minds so occupied, they will not be able to hear that small voice crying out to them that something is not right.”
“Encourage them to turn on their radios, CDs and cassettes when they are driving. At home, make sure their PCs , TVs , VCRs, DVD Players and radios are operating round the clock. Let their mobile phones ring incessantly. Their minds, numbed by all the activity, will have no time to think of Allah or their duty to worship Him, at least in the way they should. This way their connection with Allah will be weakened.”
“Fill up their tables with magazines and newspapers. Assault them with a barrage of news, so that their minds are constantly occupied. On the road, let them be distracted by massive billboards and ads, tempting them to buy things they don’t need. Flood their mail-boxes with letters and junk mail. Whatever little time they have left, will be taken up by this.”
“In their recreational activities, let them be excessive. When they return home, they will be so tired and irritable, they will remain so the whole of next week. And don’t let them go near nature, in case they ponder and reflect on Allah’s signs in the universe; instead send them to concerts, cinemas, and stadiums. Keep them busy, busy, busy.”
“Convince them that religion is ‘personal’, the inherited beliefs of their ancestors are best and that ‘majority is authority’. Even when they attend assemblies of Allah’s remembrance, keep their minds preoccupied with worldly thoughts. Or let the arguments between religious scholars where each one claims that he is the only one on the right path, make them so disturbed that they will not go to such assemblies again. And make them waste their goods deeds by gossiping and backbiting.”
“March forward my commandos. Busy them in winning each others hearts and flood their lives with so many good aims, they will have no time to ask Allah for help in achieving them. Very soon they will exhaust themselves, sacrificing their health and their family life for these ‘lofty’ goals. This will be good, this will be super, this will be great!”
What a convention it was! Such a roaring success! What a thunderous applause! With great zealousness and enthusiasm, all the delegates – Satan’s forces went their respective ways and got cracking with their assigned tasks.
So Iblis succeeded in his mission and the believers were seen running around here and there, busy, busy, busy.
So WHAT'S Your Excuse For Salah?
Prayer (Salaah) is one of the most important pillars of Islam, second only to the Shahaadah. It is also an individual obligation on each and every one of us. The Ulama say that whoever does not do it because he denies that it is obligatory or he does not do it because he is lazy and heedless, is a kaafir.Yet, there are innumerable excuses we come up with, to not pray, either on time or not pray at all.Some of the most common excuses are:
Excuse #1: Allah is al-Ghafoor ar-Raheem. He will forgive me.Reply: Yes, surely Allaah is al-Ghafoor ar-Raheem but, did you forget, O Muslim, that He also said that He is ash-Shadeed ul-Iqaab (severe in punishment)."And fear Allaah much and know that Allaah is Severe in punishment." (Surah al-Baqarah:196)And the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The covenant that stands between us and them (non-Muslims) is prayer; whoever gives up prayer is a kaafir." (Tirmidhi, al-Nasaa'i, Ibn Maajah--saheeh ).
Excuse #2: I know I have to pray, but I am too tired/lazy.Reply: Praying Salaat at its proper appointed times is an obligation on every single person. Whoever deliberately misses a prayer exposes himself to the wrath of Allaah, and the wise believer does not do something which he knows could result in punishment.Just look at what the people of Hell will say when asked:"What has caused you to enter Hell?" They will say: "We were not among those who prayed (Salaat)." [Surah al-Muddaththir:42-43] The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Between a man and kufr and shirk, there stands his giving up prayer." (Muslim)Ibn Mas'ood said: "No one keeps away from the prayer except a hypocrite who is known for his hypocrisy." (Muslim)
Excuse #3: I am SO busy at work, I don't have time to pray.Reply: So you mean to tell me that you can't take out even a few minutes out of the whole 24 hours to worship the very One Who created you in the first place?? You mean you don't have time to thank the Lord of the worlds for everything He's given you.....ALL His blessings?? What kind of ungrateful soul are you??!!And if He wanted to take all these blessings away from you, is there anything, anything you could do?!!"Men whom neither trade nor business diverts from the remembrance of Allaah nor from performing As-Salaat nor from giving Zakaat; they fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection).That Allaah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace. And Allaah provides without measure to whom He wills." [Surah al-Noor:37-38]
Excuse #4: I pray; I just delay it until it is convenient for me or I pray it Qadaa.Reply: You should understand that delaying prayer beyond the time when it is due is a major sin, because Allaah says:
"Verily, As-Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours." [Surah al-Nisa':103]And Allaah says:
"So woe unto those performers of Salaah (prayers). Those who delay their Salaah (prayer from their stated fixed times)." [Surah al-Maa'oon :4,5]
Excuse #5: I pray the 4 prayers. I only miss Fajr because I have to do Ghusl.Reply: Allaah has enjoined upon you and me the FIVE prayers, NOT FOUR. How can a Muslim willingly expose himself to the wrath of Allaah and His punishment, just because he finds it difficult to do ghusl? In fact, it is NOT difficult to do ghusl, it is VERY easy, apart from the tricks that the Shaytaan tries to play on people. Allaah is talking to you and me when He says:"Enter completely in Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islamic religion)." [Baqarah :208] "Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salaat with all solemnity and full submissiveness...' [al-Mu'minoon:1-2] "And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory) Salawaat (at their fixed stated hours)." [al-Mu'minoon 23:9]
Excuse #6: My position/boss/studies/does not allow me.Reply: Remember that the Prophet (pbuh) mentioned prayer one day and said: "Whoever observes it regularly, it will be light and a proof and salvation on the Day of Resurrection, and whoever does not observe it regularly, it will not be a light or a proof or salvation for him, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be with Qaroon, Fir'aun, Hamaan and Ubayy ibn Khalaf." (Ahmad).Ibn al-Qayyim said: These four people are mentioned because they are the leaders of kufr. This makes an important point about the one who does not observe regular prayer, whether that is because he is distracted by his wealth, his power, his position of leadership or his business. The one who is distracted from it by his wealth will be with Qaroon; the one who is distracted by his power will be with Fir'aun; the one who is distracted by his position of leadership will be with Hamaan and the one who is distracted by his business will be with Ubayy ibn Khalaf."
Excuse #7: If I pray, I will be fired from my job!Reply: Remember that it is not your boss, but Allaah that provides RIZQ for you and me. If this job is keeping you away from the most important duty as a Muslim, is this job really worth it? And whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better than that.
"And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things." [Talaaq:2-3]
Excuse #8: I want to pray but my children are so young I can't leave them and prayReply: "O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allaah. And whosoever does that, then they are the LOSERS." (Surah al-Munaafiqoon:9)
Excuse #9: I can't pray at my job/school/public place. I am too embarrassed /they will think I am a TERRORIST!Reply: How can a Muslim feel embarrassed about proclaiming the truth and worshipping his Lord openly, hastening to fulfill the command of Allaah at the time when Allaah has said it is to be done? Also, if you uphold your duty to pray, Allaah will never let you down. He is the one to protect you and save you from all harm, no matter what anyone tries to plot against you. Remember that the one who is protected by Allaah, NO ONE CAN HARM.
"Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer- verily, to him We will give a good life, and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do." [Surah al-Nahl:97]
Excuse #10: If I pray, people will think that I show off. So I don't pray.Reply: Just as the Shaytaan comes to the Muslim to make him admire his actions and show off to people, sometimes he uses the opposite trick and makes a person think that he is showing off while fulfilling his relogious obligations, so that he will not do it. So just ignore these whisperings from the Shaytaan and don't let him keep you away from this major Ibadah. DO NOT let him win.Ibraaheem al-Nakhaa'i said: "If the Shaytaan comes to you when you are praying and says, 'You are showing off', then you should make it even longer...""And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytaan, then seek refuge with Allaah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower." [Surah al-Aa'raaf:200]
Excuse #11: I have made/am making so many mistakes in my life, it is no use for me to pray. Allaah will never forgive me.Reply: Now, this is another one of the tricks of Shaytaan.He does not want you to do Tawbah, because he knows, if you sincerely repent to Allaah for ALL that you have done, Allaah WILL FORGIVE YOU.Allaah encourages us to do tauba when He said: "Say: 'O My slaves, who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah al-Zumar:53]Subhaan Allaah! How Forgiving is our Rabb and how Merciful!Isn't this Ayah enough, even for the worst of sinners among us?And remember, doing good deeds wipes out sins.
"And perform As-Salaah, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory prayers]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds." [Surah Hood:114]
Excuse #12: I don't pray, but I have a good heart. I am a good person and I never hurt anyone.Reply: The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." (Tabarani).So no matter what good deeds you did in this dunya, if you didn't pray, nothing will count or even be accepted.....no zakaah, no fasting, no Hajj, no nothing."Whoever does not pray 'Asr, his good deeds will be annulled." (Bukhaari).
Excuse #13: But, I pray every Jumuah. Isn't that enough?Reply: With regard to the ruling on one who prays Jumu'ah only, some of the scholars are of the view that one who prays Jumu'ah only is a kaafir, because he comes under the same ruling as one who does not pray at all, because he prays only one of the thirty-five prayers required each week, so he is like one who does not pray at all. (Fatawa Shaykh ibn Baaz and Ibn Uthaymeen).Some scholars said that he is not a kaafir but he is committing a great sin that is worse than riba (usury), adultery, stealing, drinking alcohol etc.
Excuse #14: My spouse/parents don't pray. Why should I??Reply: Just because your family does something sinful, does not mean that you do the same. Remember, they will NOT be there to save you when Allaah will ask YOU about YOUR Salaah. In fact, your duty is to call them to Allah by advising them and setting a good example for them to follow."And enjoin al-Salaah on your family, and be patient in offering them [the prayers]. We ask not of you a provision; We provide for you. And the good end (Paradise) is for the muttaqoon (pious)." [Ta-Ha:132]
Excuse #15: I will pray when I am older/after Hajj/ Ramadhan.Reply: Do you want to be from these people that Allaah is talking about??"Then, there has succeeded them a generation who have given up As-Salaah and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell." [Maryam:59]And, how do you know you will live to be older? Or live until Hajj or Ramadhaan??What if you die tomorrow?? What if it was today???
CONCLUSION: There can be no excuses as far as Salaah is concerned. We have to pray all the five prayers and all of them on time."O you who believe! Fear Allaah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)." [ al-Tawbah:119] "Guard strictly the (five obligatory) prayers, especially the middle Salaat (˜Asr). And stand before Allaah with obedience." [Surah al-Baqarah 2:238]
Excuse #1: Allah is al-Ghafoor ar-Raheem. He will forgive me.Reply: Yes, surely Allaah is al-Ghafoor ar-Raheem but, did you forget, O Muslim, that He also said that He is ash-Shadeed ul-Iqaab (severe in punishment)."And fear Allaah much and know that Allaah is Severe in punishment." (Surah al-Baqarah:196)And the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The covenant that stands between us and them (non-Muslims) is prayer; whoever gives up prayer is a kaafir." (Tirmidhi, al-Nasaa'i, Ibn Maajah--saheeh ).
Excuse #2: I know I have to pray, but I am too tired/lazy.Reply: Praying Salaat at its proper appointed times is an obligation on every single person. Whoever deliberately misses a prayer exposes himself to the wrath of Allaah, and the wise believer does not do something which he knows could result in punishment.Just look at what the people of Hell will say when asked:"What has caused you to enter Hell?" They will say: "We were not among those who prayed (Salaat)." [Surah al-Muddaththir:42-43] The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Between a man and kufr and shirk, there stands his giving up prayer." (Muslim)Ibn Mas'ood said: "No one keeps away from the prayer except a hypocrite who is known for his hypocrisy." (Muslim)
Excuse #3: I am SO busy at work, I don't have time to pray.Reply: So you mean to tell me that you can't take out even a few minutes out of the whole 24 hours to worship the very One Who created you in the first place?? You mean you don't have time to thank the Lord of the worlds for everything He's given you.....ALL His blessings?? What kind of ungrateful soul are you??!!And if He wanted to take all these blessings away from you, is there anything, anything you could do?!!"Men whom neither trade nor business diverts from the remembrance of Allaah nor from performing As-Salaat nor from giving Zakaat; they fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection).That Allaah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace. And Allaah provides without measure to whom He wills." [Surah al-Noor:37-38]
Excuse #4: I pray; I just delay it until it is convenient for me or I pray it Qadaa.Reply: You should understand that delaying prayer beyond the time when it is due is a major sin, because Allaah says:
"Verily, As-Salaah (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours." [Surah al-Nisa':103]And Allaah says:
"So woe unto those performers of Salaah (prayers). Those who delay their Salaah (prayer from their stated fixed times)." [Surah al-Maa'oon :4,5]
Excuse #5: I pray the 4 prayers. I only miss Fajr because I have to do Ghusl.Reply: Allaah has enjoined upon you and me the FIVE prayers, NOT FOUR. How can a Muslim willingly expose himself to the wrath of Allaah and His punishment, just because he finds it difficult to do ghusl? In fact, it is NOT difficult to do ghusl, it is VERY easy, apart from the tricks that the Shaytaan tries to play on people. Allaah is talking to you and me when He says:"Enter completely in Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islamic religion)." [Baqarah :208] "Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salaat with all solemnity and full submissiveness...' [al-Mu'minoon:1-2] "And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory) Salawaat (at their fixed stated hours)." [al-Mu'minoon 23:9]
Excuse #6: My position/boss/studies/does not allow me.Reply: Remember that the Prophet (pbuh) mentioned prayer one day and said: "Whoever observes it regularly, it will be light and a proof and salvation on the Day of Resurrection, and whoever does not observe it regularly, it will not be a light or a proof or salvation for him, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be with Qaroon, Fir'aun, Hamaan and Ubayy ibn Khalaf." (Ahmad).Ibn al-Qayyim said: These four people are mentioned because they are the leaders of kufr. This makes an important point about the one who does not observe regular prayer, whether that is because he is distracted by his wealth, his power, his position of leadership or his business. The one who is distracted from it by his wealth will be with Qaroon; the one who is distracted by his power will be with Fir'aun; the one who is distracted by his position of leadership will be with Hamaan and the one who is distracted by his business will be with Ubayy ibn Khalaf."
Excuse #7: If I pray, I will be fired from my job!Reply: Remember that it is not your boss, but Allaah that provides RIZQ for you and me. If this job is keeping you away from the most important duty as a Muslim, is this job really worth it? And whoever gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better than that.
"And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things." [Talaaq:2-3]
Excuse #8: I want to pray but my children are so young I can't leave them and prayReply: "O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allaah. And whosoever does that, then they are the LOSERS." (Surah al-Munaafiqoon:9)
Excuse #9: I can't pray at my job/school/public place. I am too embarrassed /they will think I am a TERRORIST!Reply: How can a Muslim feel embarrassed about proclaiming the truth and worshipping his Lord openly, hastening to fulfill the command of Allaah at the time when Allaah has said it is to be done? Also, if you uphold your duty to pray, Allaah will never let you down. He is the one to protect you and save you from all harm, no matter what anyone tries to plot against you. Remember that the one who is protected by Allaah, NO ONE CAN HARM.
"Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer- verily, to him We will give a good life, and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do." [Surah al-Nahl:97]
Excuse #10: If I pray, people will think that I show off. So I don't pray.Reply: Just as the Shaytaan comes to the Muslim to make him admire his actions and show off to people, sometimes he uses the opposite trick and makes a person think that he is showing off while fulfilling his relogious obligations, so that he will not do it. So just ignore these whisperings from the Shaytaan and don't let him keep you away from this major Ibadah. DO NOT let him win.Ibraaheem al-Nakhaa'i said: "If the Shaytaan comes to you when you are praying and says, 'You are showing off', then you should make it even longer...""And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytaan, then seek refuge with Allaah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower." [Surah al-Aa'raaf:200]
Excuse #11: I have made/am making so many mistakes in my life, it is no use for me to pray. Allaah will never forgive me.Reply: Now, this is another one of the tricks of Shaytaan.He does not want you to do Tawbah, because he knows, if you sincerely repent to Allaah for ALL that you have done, Allaah WILL FORGIVE YOU.Allaah encourages us to do tauba when He said: "Say: 'O My slaves, who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah al-Zumar:53]Subhaan Allaah! How Forgiving is our Rabb and how Merciful!Isn't this Ayah enough, even for the worst of sinners among us?And remember, doing good deeds wipes out sins.
"And perform As-Salaah, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory prayers]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds." [Surah Hood:114]
Excuse #12: I don't pray, but I have a good heart. I am a good person and I never hurt anyone.Reply: The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." (Tabarani).So no matter what good deeds you did in this dunya, if you didn't pray, nothing will count or even be accepted.....no zakaah, no fasting, no Hajj, no nothing."Whoever does not pray 'Asr, his good deeds will be annulled." (Bukhaari).
Excuse #13: But, I pray every Jumuah. Isn't that enough?Reply: With regard to the ruling on one who prays Jumu'ah only, some of the scholars are of the view that one who prays Jumu'ah only is a kaafir, because he comes under the same ruling as one who does not pray at all, because he prays only one of the thirty-five prayers required each week, so he is like one who does not pray at all. (Fatawa Shaykh ibn Baaz and Ibn Uthaymeen).Some scholars said that he is not a kaafir but he is committing a great sin that is worse than riba (usury), adultery, stealing, drinking alcohol etc.
Excuse #14: My spouse/parents don't pray. Why should I??Reply: Just because your family does something sinful, does not mean that you do the same. Remember, they will NOT be there to save you when Allaah will ask YOU about YOUR Salaah. In fact, your duty is to call them to Allah by advising them and setting a good example for them to follow."And enjoin al-Salaah on your family, and be patient in offering them [the prayers]. We ask not of you a provision; We provide for you. And the good end (Paradise) is for the muttaqoon (pious)." [Ta-Ha:132]
Excuse #15: I will pray when I am older/after Hajj/ Ramadhan.Reply: Do you want to be from these people that Allaah is talking about??"Then, there has succeeded them a generation who have given up As-Salaah and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell." [Maryam:59]And, how do you know you will live to be older? Or live until Hajj or Ramadhaan??What if you die tomorrow?? What if it was today???
CONCLUSION: There can be no excuses as far as Salaah is concerned. We have to pray all the five prayers and all of them on time."O you who believe! Fear Allaah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)." [ al-Tawbah:119] "Guard strictly the (five obligatory) prayers, especially the middle Salaat (˜Asr). And stand before Allaah with obedience." [Surah al-Baqarah 2:238]
Do Not Lose Hope, Trust in Allah SWT
All gain or loss lies only in Allah SWT's control. Allah Ta'ala says:
"If Allah helps you, none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him who can help you? And in Allah alone let the believers put their trust." (Al-Imran: 160) Along with taking practical steps and putting in the utmost effort for constructive work and self-improvement, keep complete faith and trust in Allah's Being and Powers. <>Avoid hopelessness and always remain hopeful of Allah's help.
"O you who believe! If you help Allah, He will help you and make your foothold firm." (Muhammad: 7)
"Verily Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty." (Al-Hajj: 40)
"So do not become weak, nor be sad, and you will be superior if you are indeed believers." (Al-Imran: 139)
But if we abandon Allah's Way then how should His help come?
"If Allah helps you, none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him who can help you? And in Allah alone let the believers put their trust." (Al-Imran: 160) Along with taking practical steps and putting in the utmost effort for constructive work and self-improvement, keep complete faith and trust in Allah's Being and Powers. <>Avoid hopelessness and always remain hopeful of Allah's help.
"O you who believe! If you help Allah, He will help you and make your foothold firm." (Muhammad: 7)
"Verily Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty." (Al-Hajj: 40)
"So do not become weak, nor be sad, and you will be superior if you are indeed believers." (Al-Imran: 139)
But if we abandon Allah's Way then how should His help come?
Seek Help Through Patience, Prayer and Supplication
"O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (prayer). Truly Allah is with the patient." (Al-Baqarah: 153) Try to offer prayers with more punctuality and more concentration. Extraordinary situations call for some extraordinary ibadah. Offer nawafil (voluntary prayers), Tahajjud and Salat-e-Tauba, etc and specially make the following Quranic supplication in these circumstances:
"Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience and set firm our feet and make us victorious over the disbelieving people." (Al-Baqarah: 250) Particularly pray for safety from trials, afflictions and for the protection of your faith. Make excessive supplications for the afflicted people and extend all possible help to stop the oppression and to help the oppressed. Prophet SAW said:
"Supplication is beneficial regarding things (calamities) that have happened and things which have not yet happened, so devote yourselves to supplication, O servants of Allah." (Tirmidhi)
"Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience and set firm our feet and make us victorious over the disbelieving people." (Al-Baqarah: 250) Particularly pray for safety from trials, afflictions and for the protection of your faith. Make excessive supplications for the afflicted people and extend all possible help to stop the oppression and to help the oppressed. Prophet SAW said:
"Supplication is beneficial regarding things (calamities) that have happened and things which have not yet happened, so devote yourselves to supplication, O servants of Allah." (Tirmidhi)
Seek Forgiveness For Sins
Confess your sins before Allah SWT and pay special attention to 'Istighfar' (seeking forgiveness). Allah
Ta'ala says:
"And: Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, turn to Him in repentance that He may grant you good enjoyment for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace. But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day." (Hud: 3)
Prophet Hud (AS) also said the same to his people:
"And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as criminals." (Hud: 52)
"And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful." (An-Nur: 31)
In this situation , we must make a special effort to seek collective repentance. This can be a source of strength in our present state of weakness and helplessness, in this lies the guarantee to success and the solution to our problems.
Ta'ala says:
"And: Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, turn to Him in repentance that He may grant you good enjoyment for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace. But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day." (Hud: 3)
Prophet Hud (AS) also said the same to his people:
"And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as criminals." (Hud: 52)
"And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful." (An-Nur: 31)
In this situation , we must make a special effort to seek collective repentance. This can be a source of strength in our present state of weakness and helplessness, in this lies the guarantee to success and the solution to our problems.
True Love
For a Muslim, TRUE LOVE happens only once and eternally and that is with the Lord, The One Who exists from eternity till forever. For Muslims, love for Him supersedes everything and everyone else.
Love for Allah is meaningful since it then teaches loving all His creatures (and not just a ‘Special Someone’).
Muslims already have a day for expressing love and that is ‘Id-al-Azha when Muslims sacrifice a life to show Allah that they can sacrifice anything for Him-even their own lives. They relive the Sunnah of Sayidina Ibrahim -Allah’s friend-who readily proceeded to sacrifice his most beloved possession, his teenaged son, for Allah. Love demands sacrifice. Do we have that kind of pure and intense love in our life? Who do we love the most-our own selves and desires or Our Rabb? If we love Allah, how can we celebrate a pagan custom when our Beloved Lord abhors paganism more than anything else? Then how deeply do we feel on ‘Id-al-Azha and how do we feel on Valentine’s?
A Muslim’s actions are not purposeless or meaningless. Even his love is meaningful and the expression of love is useful, since instead of spending thousands on flowers, on ‘Id-al-Azha meat is provided for the poor, jobs are created for many, animal skin is used for leather and so on.
A Muslim doesn’t do something just because the whole world is doing it. He doesn’t waste his life. Let us be Muslims in heart, body and soul.Let us then find True Love
True love seeks sacrifice and I’ve given it all.
This, this is true love in it’s purest form.
I turn my face towards You now.
The Lord of my world and the Heavens above.
I am Yours and Yours, alone.
My prayer, my sacrifice are only for You.
My life and death are Yours to take.
A promise I make.
To lay my life for You.
An oath that I worship.
No-one but You.
Love for Allah is meaningful since it then teaches loving all His creatures (and not just a ‘Special Someone’).
Muslims already have a day for expressing love and that is ‘Id-al-Azha when Muslims sacrifice a life to show Allah that they can sacrifice anything for Him-even their own lives. They relive the Sunnah of Sayidina Ibrahim -Allah’s friend-who readily proceeded to sacrifice his most beloved possession, his teenaged son, for Allah. Love demands sacrifice. Do we have that kind of pure and intense love in our life? Who do we love the most-our own selves and desires or Our Rabb? If we love Allah, how can we celebrate a pagan custom when our Beloved Lord abhors paganism more than anything else? Then how deeply do we feel on ‘Id-al-Azha and how do we feel on Valentine’s?
A Muslim’s actions are not purposeless or meaningless. Even his love is meaningful and the expression of love is useful, since instead of spending thousands on flowers, on ‘Id-al-Azha meat is provided for the poor, jobs are created for many, animal skin is used for leather and so on.
A Muslim doesn’t do something just because the whole world is doing it. He doesn’t waste his life. Let us be Muslims in heart, body and soul.Let us then find True Love
True love seeks sacrifice and I’ve given it all.
This, this is true love in it’s purest form.
I turn my face towards You now.
The Lord of my world and the Heavens above.
I am Yours and Yours, alone.
My prayer, my sacrifice are only for You.
My life and death are Yours to take.
A promise I make.
To lay my life for You.
An oath that I worship.
No-one but You.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Stone is Hard
Actually peoples make for history instead history make for persons. many time ago if we look very lot of changes come with our tenure of life. The period of before time provide us many events of society but fortune of nature each event is different with the light of their time and location of universal it is very amazing and sudden. Global is accomplish gift of almighty ALLAH for all mankind. lot of secrets functions of this unique universal create for us and we completely gain profit according to the avail of resources further to it a big awareness compile lot quantity of wisdom in our mind so according to this our pursue for more lenient softer and clean result of Global brightness and glitter.
when history of peoples start certain stone always pay his character many century before stone provide shelter and become cause of invent fire for mankind.
Current period of life also move random around with stone and fire these two things are always important in the history. when peoples start make weapons with stones for personal safety and with the strict accident become cause invent of fire. same as before we always look mountains we gain Gas for our energy. this give us lot facilities in modern period. our personal story teach us good lesson if we consider some time the sure believe it can possible peoples become able attain to consume according requirement of time.
if one fish floating in sea this direct hit stone in sea and then come back move find other way for its journey the same situation appear in our political history of our beloved country its continue circulate with Constitution of 1973 so this law of state become big stone for our credible future all peoples of Pakistan agree with this unique assets country.
and now second good achivements Charter of Democracy popular political parties signed this document in light of requirement of modern period of history.
when history of peoples start certain stone always pay his character many century before stone provide shelter and become cause of invent fire for mankind.
Current period of life also move random around with stone and fire these two things are always important in the history. when peoples start make weapons with stones for personal safety and with the strict accident become cause invent of fire. same as before we always look mountains we gain Gas for our energy. this give us lot facilities in modern period. our personal story teach us good lesson if we consider some time the sure believe it can possible peoples become able attain to consume according requirement of time.
if one fish floating in sea this direct hit stone in sea and then come back move find other way for its journey the same situation appear in our political history of our beloved country its continue circulate with Constitution of 1973 so this law of state become big stone for our credible future all peoples of Pakistan agree with this unique assets country.
and now second good achivements Charter of Democracy popular political parties signed this document in light of requirement of modern period of history.
Examination Hall - are we ready
In few days I will be on my exams. The good thing is that I already know questions that will be asked but the worst thing is that I am not ready for it. If Ii get fail even knowing the questions prior to exams, I certainly deserve penalty.
Grave does our examination hall and we already know the questions that will be asked but never getting ready for that. Why!!! Don't we deserve penalty for that???.
We participate in a stage drama. We go for full dress rehearsal in order to make sure that nothing goes wrong. There is plenty of difference when you face the reality and when you practice. Same goes here, I dead sure if a person goes to grave yard and try lying down in a grave and thinks for a while that angels will right away coming to ask questions from him, he will certainly forget the world. This world is temporary and we are after it and not struggling for what is long lasting and is a real world.
We should think of it... If we alive, we have a chance but once grounded, nothing can help us.
Grave does our examination hall and we already know the questions that will be asked but never getting ready for that. Why!!! Don't we deserve penalty for that???.
We participate in a stage drama. We go for full dress rehearsal in order to make sure that nothing goes wrong. There is plenty of difference when you face the reality and when you practice. Same goes here, I dead sure if a person goes to grave yard and try lying down in a grave and thinks for a while that angels will right away coming to ask questions from him, he will certainly forget the world. This world is temporary and we are after it and not struggling for what is long lasting and is a real world.
We should think of it... If we alive, we have a chance but once grounded, nothing can help us.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Concept of Masajid in Islam
Uses Of The Mosque
Importance of the mosque The mosque was one of the first institutions established by the Messenger of Allah (saw) after the hijrah to Madinah in 622 CE; and to emphasis its important role, he (saw) personally took part in its construction.
The mosque has always been central to the affairs of the Muslim Ummah throughout the history of Islam. It played a key role in maintaining the unified body of the Muslims and acted as a springboard for the Islamic da‘wah to the rest of the world, as opposed to the mundane role that it plays today.
The roles of the mosque
During the time of the Messenger of Allah (saw), the emphasis was on the essence of the mosque rather than its physical appearance. Today the haste for building and decorating the mosque is more so than actually using it for the purpose that it designed for. The Messenger of Allah (saw) showed us the different roles that the mosque plays. The mosque is the place of prayer, it is a place for learning and teaching, it is a resting place for the travellers, a hospital for the sick, an eating place for the hungry and the needy and last but not the least, it was the head quarters of the Islamic State’s leadership.
Construction of mosques
Islam has made it an obligation on the Islamic State to build and maintain the mosque, and a mandub act for the individuals. It has been reported on the authority of ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “He who builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, seeking the pleasure of Allah, will be rewarded by Allah with a dwelling in Heaven.”
Allah's Masajid Or Leaders' Fortresses
When Muhammad (saw) established the Islamic State in Medina, the Masjid that he constructed served a multitude of functions that were instrumental in maintaining the integrity and solidarity of the State. Muslims would gather within the Masjid walls to exchange ideas, discuss the vital issues that confronted them, and to administer the functions of the State. In the Masjid, the Prophet (saw) taught Islam to the Muslims, met with non-Muslim delegates, judged among people, set armies on missions, etc. The Masajid provided an open forum for the circulation and cultivation of ideas that served to maintain the elevated intellectual status and clarity of Islamic concepts in the minds of the public.
Throughout the Islamic State, the Masajid helped to sustain the vibrancy and dynamism of Islamic concepts as centres of education, exchanging ideas, and discussing the problems and contemporary issues of the Ummah with enlightenment. Today, in the absence of Islam as a political force and the resulting subjugation of the Ummah by Kufr from all fronts, the Masajid possess a vital role in the process of revival that the Muslims cannot afford to underestimate or overlook.
In the absence of the Khilafah as a strong political entity to shield the Ummah, Muslims today feel stranded, alone, and isolated, like stray sheep surrounded by wolves with no shepherd to shelter them. The Masajid provide a place for Muslims to converge and reinstate the feeling of unity and brotherhood that centuries of intellectual onslaught by the Kuffar has dampened and the political disunity maintained by the Muslim regimes continues to censor. As community centres where Muslims gather to exchange ideas and invest in indoctrinating their families and youth with Islamic education, the Masajid should ideally assume the role of revitalising the Islamic way of life by serving as the crucible that melts away the thoughts and ideas of Kufr and feeds the flame of the Islamic revival.
Unfortunately, those who have assumed the position of leadership have, through their personal interests and political submission to the interests of the Kuffar, caused the Masajid to fail miserably in nurturing brotherhood and consolidation among the Ummah and in empowering the Islamic revival by consolidating the Ummah's resources towards re-establishing the Khilafah and revitalising the Ummah's political initiative in the world. Instead of providing an open forum for the circulation of ideas and the development of Islamic thought, the Masajid have metamorphosed from instruments of Islamic revival and veins of solidarity among the Ummah into fortresses teeming with security where the development and exchange of ideas remain under tight scrutiny and the affairs of the Ummah barred and stagnated by rigid shackles of control.
Rather than serving as the crucible where Kufr melts and Islam ignites, such fortress-Masajid maintain an Ice-Box atmosphere that works to harden the existing Kufr and freeze the momentum of the masses in initiating a change in the Ummah's deplorable status quo. The control rod that manifests the fortress environment radiates from a static hierarchical pyramid of “leaders,” prominent scholars, and others bearing titles of eminence, who have handcuffed themselves in diligent servitude to their Lords in the West, in exchange for a lifetime of service by endeavouring day and night to kill the fruits of the Islamic Da’wah. Such “leaders” - as they have the audacity to announce themselves as such - have exchanged the Deen of Allah (swt) for the transient pleasures of this life by bartering the Ayat of Allah (swt) for a few crumbs thrown to them by their masters in the White House and the Land of Saud in much the same way as a pedestrian throws crumbs of bread on the park curb for the flocks of birds who scavenge the sewage muck.
A person who p***ges himself into such an environment in a quest to experience a sense of belonging and self-revival but lacking the political sharpness to realise who resides at the control panels would discover to his dismay that he is alone, everything around him moves in a controlled, monotonous fashion, and forces act from all directions to mould him into the static ineffectiveness of a life of donations, writing letters, baseless khutbas, and a showering epic tale conferences that provide an abundance of glamour but a scarcity of solutions. Most of the Ummah who seek to nurture their children with Islamic personalities and contribute their resources towards reviving the Muslims from their bleak status quo are unsuspectingly swept by the currents of assimilation into the tasteless, stagnant life of “20th century Islam” which stifles the dynamism of the Islamic Da’wah with the democratisation of Islam.
Those who assume the intellectual initiative and emulate the Seerah of the Prophet (saw) in working towards restructuring the society according to the Shariah suffer a fate much worse. As soon as they raise their voice and begin calling for the total implementation of Islam and the destruction of all facets of Kufr, the fortress walls descend for the kill. Such an ideological personality - one that truly would spearhead the Ummah's revival - is instead silenced, his name and reputation tossed between weddings, conferences, banquets and gatherings and stripped of its dignity by a vicious backbiting campaign. All relations are abruptly severed between him and the community, and, whenever he steps into the Masjid, conference, or gathering, he receives cold, empty stares, he finds his words and advice resounding off deaf ears, and he finds himself alone - a stranger in the world that he belongs.
The mere presence of the fortress style of administration smacks of mockery and contempt. During the early Islamic State, even the Khalifah slept without guards, yet today, as mute testimony to the state of the Ummah, armies of security squadrons patrol the Muslims within their own Masajid to fend the relentless onslaught of the malevolent, ominous danger of a few Muslims and their vicious, atrocious tactics of asking questions or demanding a daleel. In the meantime, the Khateeb or speaker stands tall and dignified, a beacon of hope and enlightenment whose Kufr-stained words and Kufr-trained Ph.D. and Kufr-maimed ideas all combine to polish the Daii's prison halls and beef up the masjid's fortress walls.
Those who wish to reinstitute the Houses of Allah (swt) towards their rightful status must strive to topple the fortress walls that guard the Kufr that seeps into the Muslim mind and jails the Islamic thoughts from attaining fruition. As it stands today, those, in charge of administering the affairs of the Ummah and directing the revival process have renovated the Masajid into citadels that bar the Ummah from its intellectual and cultural identity and allow Kufr thoughts and ideas to flourish within its confines by issuing drugs every Jum'a to those who reside within its battalions and mesmerise the Ummah into an opious pattern of begging the Kuffar, chasing abstract concepts of unity and revival mottled with human innovation and imagination, and attending lavish banquets and seminars devoid of tangible solutions. The Ummah must strive to reconstruct the Masajid as open forums where any person, group, or institution from within its body can present its ideas and the Ummah, untainted or distracted by any vague, ambiguous ideas or erroneous concepts, can evaluate all of the possibilities and, naturally arrive at the correct solution and establish from within itself the correct structure that will initiate the correct revival. The Masajid belong to Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) and not to the Horde of Directors or any other honeycomb from any rulers' beehive. “And Masajid belong to Allah, so call none next to Him.” [TMQ Al-Jinn: 18]
During the days of the Sahabah and their successors, the Masajid were an open platform for all types of Islamic thought. When Omar became the 2nd Khalifah, he gave his inauguration speech saying, "If you see crookedness in me correct it ...” A man stood up waving his sword and said, "O Omar, if we see crookedness in You, we will correct it with our sword." The man addressed the Khalifah of all Muslims, he did not address an Imam of a Masjid. This honourable companion and Khalifah did not do what Muslims nowadays do. He did not throw him out of the Masjid or call him a trouble maker. He said, "Al-Hamdulillah that He (swt) created in the Ummah of Muhammad someone who corrects Omar with his sword."
Importance of the mosque The mosque was one of the first institutions established by the Messenger of Allah (saw) after the hijrah to Madinah in 622 CE; and to emphasis its important role, he (saw) personally took part in its construction.
The mosque has always been central to the affairs of the Muslim Ummah throughout the history of Islam. It played a key role in maintaining the unified body of the Muslims and acted as a springboard for the Islamic da‘wah to the rest of the world, as opposed to the mundane role that it plays today.
The roles of the mosque
During the time of the Messenger of Allah (saw), the emphasis was on the essence of the mosque rather than its physical appearance. Today the haste for building and decorating the mosque is more so than actually using it for the purpose that it designed for. The Messenger of Allah (saw) showed us the different roles that the mosque plays. The mosque is the place of prayer, it is a place for learning and teaching, it is a resting place for the travellers, a hospital for the sick, an eating place for the hungry and the needy and last but not the least, it was the head quarters of the Islamic State’s leadership.
Construction of mosques
Islam has made it an obligation on the Islamic State to build and maintain the mosque, and a mandub act for the individuals. It has been reported on the authority of ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “He who builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, seeking the pleasure of Allah, will be rewarded by Allah with a dwelling in Heaven.”
Allah's Masajid Or Leaders' Fortresses
When Muhammad (saw) established the Islamic State in Medina, the Masjid that he constructed served a multitude of functions that were instrumental in maintaining the integrity and solidarity of the State. Muslims would gather within the Masjid walls to exchange ideas, discuss the vital issues that confronted them, and to administer the functions of the State. In the Masjid, the Prophet (saw) taught Islam to the Muslims, met with non-Muslim delegates, judged among people, set armies on missions, etc. The Masajid provided an open forum for the circulation and cultivation of ideas that served to maintain the elevated intellectual status and clarity of Islamic concepts in the minds of the public.
Throughout the Islamic State, the Masajid helped to sustain the vibrancy and dynamism of Islamic concepts as centres of education, exchanging ideas, and discussing the problems and contemporary issues of the Ummah with enlightenment. Today, in the absence of Islam as a political force and the resulting subjugation of the Ummah by Kufr from all fronts, the Masajid possess a vital role in the process of revival that the Muslims cannot afford to underestimate or overlook.
In the absence of the Khilafah as a strong political entity to shield the Ummah, Muslims today feel stranded, alone, and isolated, like stray sheep surrounded by wolves with no shepherd to shelter them. The Masajid provide a place for Muslims to converge and reinstate the feeling of unity and brotherhood that centuries of intellectual onslaught by the Kuffar has dampened and the political disunity maintained by the Muslim regimes continues to censor. As community centres where Muslims gather to exchange ideas and invest in indoctrinating their families and youth with Islamic education, the Masajid should ideally assume the role of revitalising the Islamic way of life by serving as the crucible that melts away the thoughts and ideas of Kufr and feeds the flame of the Islamic revival.
Unfortunately, those who have assumed the position of leadership have, through their personal interests and political submission to the interests of the Kuffar, caused the Masajid to fail miserably in nurturing brotherhood and consolidation among the Ummah and in empowering the Islamic revival by consolidating the Ummah's resources towards re-establishing the Khilafah and revitalising the Ummah's political initiative in the world. Instead of providing an open forum for the circulation of ideas and the development of Islamic thought, the Masajid have metamorphosed from instruments of Islamic revival and veins of solidarity among the Ummah into fortresses teeming with security where the development and exchange of ideas remain under tight scrutiny and the affairs of the Ummah barred and stagnated by rigid shackles of control.
Rather than serving as the crucible where Kufr melts and Islam ignites, such fortress-Masajid maintain an Ice-Box atmosphere that works to harden the existing Kufr and freeze the momentum of the masses in initiating a change in the Ummah's deplorable status quo. The control rod that manifests the fortress environment radiates from a static hierarchical pyramid of “leaders,” prominent scholars, and others bearing titles of eminence, who have handcuffed themselves in diligent servitude to their Lords in the West, in exchange for a lifetime of service by endeavouring day and night to kill the fruits of the Islamic Da’wah. Such “leaders” - as they have the audacity to announce themselves as such - have exchanged the Deen of Allah (swt) for the transient pleasures of this life by bartering the Ayat of Allah (swt) for a few crumbs thrown to them by their masters in the White House and the Land of Saud in much the same way as a pedestrian throws crumbs of bread on the park curb for the flocks of birds who scavenge the sewage muck.
A person who p***ges himself into such an environment in a quest to experience a sense of belonging and self-revival but lacking the political sharpness to realise who resides at the control panels would discover to his dismay that he is alone, everything around him moves in a controlled, monotonous fashion, and forces act from all directions to mould him into the static ineffectiveness of a life of donations, writing letters, baseless khutbas, and a showering epic tale conferences that provide an abundance of glamour but a scarcity of solutions. Most of the Ummah who seek to nurture their children with Islamic personalities and contribute their resources towards reviving the Muslims from their bleak status quo are unsuspectingly swept by the currents of assimilation into the tasteless, stagnant life of “20th century Islam” which stifles the dynamism of the Islamic Da’wah with the democratisation of Islam.
Those who assume the intellectual initiative and emulate the Seerah of the Prophet (saw) in working towards restructuring the society according to the Shariah suffer a fate much worse. As soon as they raise their voice and begin calling for the total implementation of Islam and the destruction of all facets of Kufr, the fortress walls descend for the kill. Such an ideological personality - one that truly would spearhead the Ummah's revival - is instead silenced, his name and reputation tossed between weddings, conferences, banquets and gatherings and stripped of its dignity by a vicious backbiting campaign. All relations are abruptly severed between him and the community, and, whenever he steps into the Masjid, conference, or gathering, he receives cold, empty stares, he finds his words and advice resounding off deaf ears, and he finds himself alone - a stranger in the world that he belongs.
The mere presence of the fortress style of administration smacks of mockery and contempt. During the early Islamic State, even the Khalifah slept without guards, yet today, as mute testimony to the state of the Ummah, armies of security squadrons patrol the Muslims within their own Masajid to fend the relentless onslaught of the malevolent, ominous danger of a few Muslims and their vicious, atrocious tactics of asking questions or demanding a daleel. In the meantime, the Khateeb or speaker stands tall and dignified, a beacon of hope and enlightenment whose Kufr-stained words and Kufr-trained Ph.D. and Kufr-maimed ideas all combine to polish the Daii's prison halls and beef up the masjid's fortress walls.
Those who wish to reinstitute the Houses of Allah (swt) towards their rightful status must strive to topple the fortress walls that guard the Kufr that seeps into the Muslim mind and jails the Islamic thoughts from attaining fruition. As it stands today, those, in charge of administering the affairs of the Ummah and directing the revival process have renovated the Masajid into citadels that bar the Ummah from its intellectual and cultural identity and allow Kufr thoughts and ideas to flourish within its confines by issuing drugs every Jum'a to those who reside within its battalions and mesmerise the Ummah into an opious pattern of begging the Kuffar, chasing abstract concepts of unity and revival mottled with human innovation and imagination, and attending lavish banquets and seminars devoid of tangible solutions. The Ummah must strive to reconstruct the Masajid as open forums where any person, group, or institution from within its body can present its ideas and the Ummah, untainted or distracted by any vague, ambiguous ideas or erroneous concepts, can evaluate all of the possibilities and, naturally arrive at the correct solution and establish from within itself the correct structure that will initiate the correct revival. The Masajid belong to Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) and not to the Horde of Directors or any other honeycomb from any rulers' beehive. “And Masajid belong to Allah, so call none next to Him.” [TMQ Al-Jinn: 18]
During the days of the Sahabah and their successors, the Masajid were an open platform for all types of Islamic thought. When Omar became the 2nd Khalifah, he gave his inauguration speech saying, "If you see crookedness in me correct it ...” A man stood up waving his sword and said, "O Omar, if we see crookedness in You, we will correct it with our sword." The man addressed the Khalifah of all Muslims, he did not address an Imam of a Masjid. This honourable companion and Khalifah did not do what Muslims nowadays do. He did not throw him out of the Masjid or call him a trouble maker. He said, "Al-Hamdulillah that He (swt) created in the Ummah of Muhammad someone who corrects Omar with his sword."
What does Islam Means?
The Arabic word 'Islam' simply means 'submission', and derives from a word meaning 'peace'. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God.'Mohammedanism' is thus a misnomer because it suggests that Muslims worship Muhammad rather than God. 'Allah' is the Arabic name for God, which is used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike.
WHY DOES ISLAM OFTEN SEEM STRANGE?
Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the West today, whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in their minds, and make no division between secular and sacred. They believe that the Divine Law, the Shari'a, should be taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion are still so important.
DO ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY HAVE DIFFERENT ORIGINS?
No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons Muhammad from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the city of Makkah, and built the Ka'abah towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.
WHY DOES ISLAM OFTEN SEEM STRANGE?
Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion does not dominate everyday life in the West today, whereas Muslims have religion always uppermost in their minds, and make no division between secular and sacred. They believe that the Divine Law, the Shari'a, should be taken very seriously, which is why issues related to religion are still so important.
DO ISLAM AND CHRISTIANITY HAVE DIFFERENT ORIGINS?
No. Together with Judaism, they go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descended from his sons Muhammad from the eldest, Ishmael, and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. Abraham established the settlement which today is the city of Makkah, and built the Ka'abah towards which all Muslims turn when they pray.
Islamic Etiquette and Manners
1) Should greatly respect Parents and follow their orders (within Islamic Law).
2) Should greatly respect Islamic Teachers and Scholars.
3) Should greatly respect Quran. It's HARAM to touch Quran without Wazoo. Should respect Islamic Books and Literature too.
4) Should greatly respect the direction of Qibla. It's prohibited to extend ones feet towards Qibla and to sleep while feet are extended towards Qibla.
5) Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) should be respected and loved more than anyone in the world. Whenever hear his lovely name always say Dorood, at least say Sallal Laho Alaihe Wasalam.
6) Azan should be heard with great concentration and should be answered (repeating the words after every sentence). It is prohibited to talk during Azan.
7) Should be quite when performing Wazoo should not talk to others. Should recite Dua or Dorood during Wazoo.
8) Should eat only Halal and Clean food. Should never ever eat Haram food.
9) Should recite Quran everyday.
10) Must pray five times a day, on time.
11) Should avoid every bad conversation and every bad habit.
12) It is a Great Sin to Dance, to Listen to Music, to Sing songs and to make images or to take photos of living beings ( Human and Animals).
13) Always avoid Lies, Back Biting and Tale Bearing.
14) Always keep your body, cloths and home clean.
15) There is no greater deed than to Learn and Teach Islamic Knowledge. Should never be ashamed of asking any Islamic Question.
16) Should always treat every one with great respect and manners.
17) Children should not call their parents with their names and a wife should never call her husband with his name.
18) It is a bad manner to extend your feet towards elders.
19) Should always respect elderly people and if they are sitting on floor, children should never sit on a chair.
2) Should greatly respect Islamic Teachers and Scholars.
3) Should greatly respect Quran. It's HARAM to touch Quran without Wazoo. Should respect Islamic Books and Literature too.
4) Should greatly respect the direction of Qibla. It's prohibited to extend ones feet towards Qibla and to sleep while feet are extended towards Qibla.
5) Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) should be respected and loved more than anyone in the world. Whenever hear his lovely name always say Dorood, at least say Sallal Laho Alaihe Wasalam.
6) Azan should be heard with great concentration and should be answered (repeating the words after every sentence). It is prohibited to talk during Azan.
7) Should be quite when performing Wazoo should not talk to others. Should recite Dua or Dorood during Wazoo.
8) Should eat only Halal and Clean food. Should never ever eat Haram food.
9) Should recite Quran everyday.
10) Must pray five times a day, on time.
11) Should avoid every bad conversation and every bad habit.
12) It is a Great Sin to Dance, to Listen to Music, to Sing songs and to make images or to take photos of living beings ( Human and Animals).
13) Always avoid Lies, Back Biting and Tale Bearing.
14) Always keep your body, cloths and home clean.
15) There is no greater deed than to Learn and Teach Islamic Knowledge. Should never be ashamed of asking any Islamic Question.
16) Should always treat every one with great respect and manners.
17) Children should not call their parents with their names and a wife should never call her husband with his name.
18) It is a bad manner to extend your feet towards elders.
19) Should always respect elderly people and if they are sitting on floor, children should never sit on a chair.
Best Times to make Dua (Supplication)
There are certain times dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allah (SWT) as mentioned by Prophet (SAW). These times are as follows:
1. The Last Third Of The Night
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?."' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]
Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: 'The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.'[at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, al-Hakim - Sahih]
2. Late at night
When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (SWT) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (SWT) for whatever they need. The Prophet (SAW) said: 'There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.'[Muslim #757]
3. Between Adhan and Iqamah
Anas (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.' [Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]
4. An Hour On Friday
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA): Allah’s Messenger (SAW) talked about Friday and said: 'There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (SWT), then Allah (SWT) will definitely meet his demand.' And he (the Prophet (SAW) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.[Sahih al-Bukhari]
Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque on Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).
5. While Drinking Zamzam Water
Jaber (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.' [Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062]. This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (SWT) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness.... etc.
6. While Prostrating
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW), said: 'The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (SWT) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]
When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (SWT) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (SWT) so it is best to invoke Allah (SWT) at this time. It is said that while in prostration, one should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.
7. When Waking Up at Night
Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai'in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) He is the only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (SWT) All the glories are for Allah (SWT) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) and Allah (SWT) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (SWT) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (SWT), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Sahih al-Bukhari]
8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat:
Narrated Abu Omamah (RA): that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (SWT), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi]. This time is after saying 'At-tahyat' , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer)
9. The Night Of 'Qadr' (Decree)
This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (SWT) said about it, "The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months." [Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]
The Night of Decree is one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the earth is overwhelmed with peace and serenity until the break of dawn and when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.
10. During The Rain
Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa'ad (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain'. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]
'Seek the response to your du'as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls' [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]. The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (SWT) so, one should take advantage of this time when Allah (SWT) is having mercy on His slaves.
11. At the Adhan
'Seek the response to your du'as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls' [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]
In another hadith; 'When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the du'a is answered' [al-Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]
12. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice and Opression
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to Mua'ad Ibn Jabal (RA), 'Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the one who is suffering injustice) and Allah (SWT)' [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The prophet (SAW) declared, 'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
In another hadith; The Prophet (SAW) declared: 'Three du'as are surely answered: The du'a of the oppressed, the du'a of the traveler, and the du'a of the father/mother (upon their child)'. The One who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (SWT) when he invokes Allah (SWT) to retain his rights from the unjust one or oppressor. Allah (SWT) has sworn to help the one who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said.
13. The Traveler
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
During travel supplication is heard by Allah (SWT) if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.
14. The Parent's Supplication for their Child
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
15. Dua after praising Allah and giving salat on the Prophet (SAW) in the tashahhud at the end of salat.
Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'When anyone of you makes du'a, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (SAW), then let him pray for whatever he wants'[abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]
In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (RA) narrated that that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Every du'a is not responded to until one sends blessings upon the Prophet (SAW)' [al-Bayhaqi]
In another hadith; Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'Du'a is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (SAW)' [at-Tirmidhi #486]
After a person has finished his tashahhud and before saying the 'salam', supplication at this time is one likely to be responded to.Ibn Mas'ud narrates: I was once praying, and the Prophet (SAW), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams on the Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (SAW) said:'Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!' [at-Tirmidhi #593 - hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]
16. The dua of a Muslim for his absent brother or sister Muslim stemming from the heart.
The prophet (SAW) said: 'There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence where the angels do not say, 'the same be for you'' [Muslim]
17. Dua on the Day of Arafat
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat'. [at-Tirmidhi and Malik]
The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. On this great and momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together on one plain, from every corner of the world, with only one purpose in mind - to respone to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.
18. Dua during the month of Ramadan
Ramadan is month full of many blessings, thus the du'a of Ramadan is a blessed one. This can be inferred from the Prophet (SAW) saying: 'When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise) are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Shaitans are locked up' Thus, it is clear that du'a during Ramadan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079 and others]
19. Dua when the Armies meet
When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the du'a of a worshipper is accepted.
Sahl ibn Sa'd (RA) narrtaed the the Prophet (SAW) said: 'Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du'a during the call for prayer, and the du'a during the clamity when the two armies attack each other' [Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]
20. When Muslims gather for the purpose of invoking and remembering Allah (Dhikrullah).
The Prophet (SAW) said: If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend onto them and Allah will remember them among those with Him. [Muslim]
21. First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
The Prophet (SAW) said: 'There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than during these ten days'[Sahih al-Bukhai #969 and others]
22. Dua when the heart reaches out to Allah and is ready to be totally sincere
23. At Midnight
Abu Umamah (RA) said, the Prophet (SAW) was questioned; 'Which du'a is heard (by Allah)?' He answered, 'At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer.' [at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
25. Dua of people after the death of a person
In a long hadith, Umm Salamah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, when Abu Salamah had just passed away, and had closed his eyes, 'Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for the angels will say '' to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise his ranks among those who are guided.' [Muslim, abu Dawud, Ahmad]
26. Dua of the one fasting until he breaks his fast.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
27. Dua of the one fasting at the time of breaking fast
The prophet (SAW) declared, 'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
29. Dua of a just Ruler
The prophet (SAW) declared, 'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
30. Dua of a son or daughter obedient to his or her parents
It is well known in the story narrated in hadith os three men who were trapped by a huge stone in a cave. One of them who was kind to kis parents asked Allah to remove the stone, and his du'a was answered. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3:36 #472]
31. Dua immediately after wudu
Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'There is not one of you that makes wudu, and does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah. he is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger', except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he can enter into it through whichever one he pleases' [Muslim #234, abu Dawud #162, Ahmad, an-Nasa'i] Saying what has been mentioned in the hadith that is directly related to it (ablution)
32. Dua after stoning the Jamarat at Hajj
The stoning of the small Shaitan (jamrat sugra), or the middle Shaitan (jamrat wusta) pillars during Hajj. It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make du'a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any du'a. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1753 and others]
33. At the Crowing of a Rooster
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a Shaitan' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami #611]
34. Du'a made inside the Ka'bah
The Ka'bah is a sanctuary that has no comparison in the entire world. The du'a of one who prays inside the hijr is considered as being made inside the ka'bah, as it is part of the house (Baitullah). [This is the semicircle to the right of the Ka'bah if you face the door, opposite to the Yemeni corner and the Black stone wall.]
Usamah ibn Zayd narrated, 'When the Prophet (SAW) entered the House (Ka'bah), he made du'a in all of its corners [Muslim 2: 968 and others]
35. Du'a on the mount of Safa or Marwah during Umrah or Hajj
It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would make long du'as at Safa and Marwah. [Muslim #1218 and others]
36. Dua at any of the holy sites.
37. While reciting Surah al-Fatihah
The Prophet (SAW) said that Allah the Exalted had said: ' I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me, and sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious -- not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. [Muslim 4: 395]
38. Saying '' during prayer
After finishing the recitation of al-Fatihah, the saying of'' in congregation. The Prophet (SAW) said: 'When the Imam says '', then recite it behind him (as well), because whoever's coincides with the of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven.' [Sahih al-Bukhari #780, Muslim #410 and others]
1. The Last Third Of The Night
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?."' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]
Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: 'The closest any worshipper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.'[at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, al-Hakim - Sahih]
2. Late at night
When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (SWT) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (SWT) for whatever they need. The Prophet (SAW) said: 'There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.'[Muslim #757]
3. Between Adhan and Iqamah
Anas (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'A supplication made between the Adhan and Iqama is not rejected.' [Ahmad, abu Dawud #521, at-Tirmidhi #212, Sahih al-Jami #3408, an-Nasai and Ibn Hibban graded it sahih (sound)]
4. An Hour On Friday
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA): Allah’s Messenger (SAW) talked about Friday and said: 'There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (SWT), then Allah (SWT) will definitely meet his demand.' And he (the Prophet (SAW) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.[Sahih al-Bukhari]
Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque on Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).
5. While Drinking Zamzam Water
Jaber (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'Zamzam water is for what it is drunk for.' [Ahmad 3: 357 and Ibn Majah #3062]. This means that when you drink Zamzam water you may ask Allah (SWT) for anything you like to gain or benefit from this water such as healing from illness.... etc.
6. While Prostrating
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW), said: 'The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (SWT) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]
When a Muslim is in his Salat (prayer) he is facing Allah (SWT) and when he prostrates he is the nearest he can be to Allah (SWT) so it is best to invoke Allah (SWT) at this time. It is said that while in prostration, one should not ask for worldy needs (ie a nice car, a new job, etc), but for the Hereafter.
7. When Waking Up at Night
Narrated Ubada Bin As-Samit that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'Whomever wakes up at night and says La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shrika lahu lahulmulku, wa lahul hamdu, wa huwa ala kulli shai'in qadir. Alhamdu lillahi, wa subhanallahi wa la ilaha illallahu, wallah akbir, wa la hawla wala quwata illa billah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) He is the only one who has no partners. His is the kingdom and all the praises are for Allah (SWT) All the glories are for Allah (SWT) And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (SWT) and Allah (SWT) is the most Great and there is neither might nor power except with Allah (SWT) and then says, Allahumma ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me) or invokes Allah (SWT), he will be responded to and if he makes ablution and performs Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) will be accepted. [Sahih al-Bukhari]
8. At The End Of The Obligatory Salat:
Narrated Abu Omamah (RA): that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) was asked, O Messenger of Allah, which supplication is heard (by Allah (SWT), he said the end of the night and at the end of the obligatory Salat (prayer) [at-Tirmidhi]. This time is after saying 'At-tahyat' , and before making Tasleem (finishing prayer)
9. The Night Of 'Qadr' (Decree)
This night is the greatest night of the year. This is the night which the almighty Allah (SWT) said about it, "The night of Al-Qadar (Decree) is better than a thousand months." [Surah al-Qadr, 97: 3]
The Night of Decree is one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. The angels descend down to the earth, and the earth is overwhelmed with peace and serenity until the break of dawn and when he doors of Paradise are opened, the worshipper is encouraged to turn to Allah to ask for his needs for this world and the Hereafter.
10. During The Rain
Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa'ad (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain'. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]
'Seek the response to your du'as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls' [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]. The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (SWT) so, one should take advantage of this time when Allah (SWT) is having mercy on His slaves.
11. At the Adhan
'Seek the response to your du'as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls' [reported by Imam al-Shafi' in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]
In another hadith; 'When the prayer is called, the doors of the skies are opened, and the du'a is answered' [al-Tayalisi in his Musnad #2106, al-Sahihah #1413]
12. The One Who Is Suffering Injustice and Opression
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to Mua'ad Ibn Jabal (RA), 'Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the one who is suffering injustice) and Allah (SWT)' [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The prophet (SAW) declared, 'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
In another hadith; The Prophet (SAW) declared: 'Three du'as are surely answered: The du'a of the oppressed, the du'a of the traveler, and the du'a of the father/mother (upon their child)'. The One who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (SWT) when he invokes Allah (SWT) to retain his rights from the unjust one or oppressor. Allah (SWT) has sworn to help the one who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said.
13. The Traveler
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
During travel supplication is heard by Allah (SWT) if the trip is for a good reason, but if the trip is for a bad intention or to perform illegal things (making sins) this will not apply to it.
14. The Parent's Supplication for their Child
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
15. Dua after praising Allah and giving salat on the Prophet (SAW) in the tashahhud at the end of salat.
Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd (RA): that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'When anyone of you makes du'a, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him, then let him send blessings upon the Prophet (SAW), then let him pray for whatever he wants'[abu Dawud #1481, at-Tirmidhi #3477]
In another hadith; Baqiy ibn Mukhallid (RA) narrated that that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'Every du'a is not responded to until one sends blessings upon the Prophet (SAW)' [al-Bayhaqi]
In another hadith; Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'Du'a is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon your Prophet (SAW)' [at-Tirmidhi #486]
After a person has finished his tashahhud and before saying the 'salam', supplication at this time is one likely to be responded to.Ibn Mas'ud narrates: I was once praying, and the Prophet (SAW), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams on the Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (SAW) said:'Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!' [at-Tirmidhi #593 - hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]
16. The dua of a Muslim for his absent brother or sister Muslim stemming from the heart.
The prophet (SAW) said: 'There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother in his absence where the angels do not say, 'the same be for you'' [Muslim]
17. Dua on the Day of Arafat
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: 'The best supplication is the supplication on the day of Arafat'. [at-Tirmidhi and Malik]
The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. On this great and momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together on one plain, from every corner of the world, with only one purpose in mind - to respone to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.
18. Dua during the month of Ramadan
Ramadan is month full of many blessings, thus the du'a of Ramadan is a blessed one. This can be inferred from the Prophet (SAW) saying: 'When Ramadan comes, the Doors of Mercy (another narration says Paradise) are opened, and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Shaitans are locked up' Thus, it is clear that du'a during Ramadan has a greater chance of being accepted, as the Gates of Paradise and Mercy are opened. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1899, Muslim #1079 and others]
19. Dua when the Armies meet
When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the du'a of a worshipper is accepted.
Sahl ibn Sa'd (RA) narrtaed the the Prophet (SAW) said: 'Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du'a during the call for prayer, and the du'a during the clamity when the two armies attack each other' [Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]
20. When Muslims gather for the purpose of invoking and remembering Allah (Dhikrullah).
The Prophet (SAW) said: If a group of people sit together remembering Allah, the angels will circle them, mercy will shroud them, peace will descend onto them and Allah will remember them among those with Him. [Muslim]
21. First Ten days of Dhul-Hijjah
The Prophet (SAW) said: 'There are no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than during these ten days'[Sahih al-Bukhai #969 and others]
22. Dua when the heart reaches out to Allah and is ready to be totally sincere
23. At Midnight
Abu Umamah (RA) said, the Prophet (SAW) was questioned; 'Which du'a is heard (by Allah)?' He answered, 'At midnight and at the end of every obligatory prayer.' [at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
25. Dua of people after the death of a person
In a long hadith, Umm Salamah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, when Abu Salamah had just passed away, and had closed his eyes, 'Do not ask for yourselves anything but good, for the angels will say '' to all that you ask for. O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, and raise his ranks among those who are guided.' [Muslim, abu Dawud, Ahmad]
26. Dua of the one fasting until he breaks his fast.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said; Three supplications will not be rejected (by Allah (SWT)), the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, at-Tirmidhi - Sahih]
27. Dua of the one fasting at the time of breaking fast
The prophet (SAW) declared, 'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: when a fasting person breaks fast (in another narration, the fasting person until he breaks his fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
29. Dua of a just Ruler
The prophet (SAW) declared, 'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.'[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi - Hasan]
30. Dua of a son or daughter obedient to his or her parents
It is well known in the story narrated in hadith os three men who were trapped by a huge stone in a cave. One of them who was kind to kis parents asked Allah to remove the stone, and his du'a was answered. [Sahih al-Bukhari 3:36 #472]
31. Dua immediately after wudu
Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'There is not one of you that makes wudu, and does it perfectly, then says: I testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah. he is Alone, having no partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger', except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he can enter into it through whichever one he pleases' [Muslim #234, abu Dawud #162, Ahmad, an-Nasa'i] Saying what has been mentioned in the hadith that is directly related to it (ablution)
32. Dua after stoning the Jamarat at Hajj
The stoning of the small Shaitan (jamrat sugra), or the middle Shaitan (jamrat wusta) pillars during Hajj. It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make du'a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any du'a. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1753 and others]
33. At the Crowing of a Rooster
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: 'When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a Shaitan' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami #611]
34. Du'a made inside the Ka'bah
The Ka'bah is a sanctuary that has no comparison in the entire world. The du'a of one who prays inside the hijr is considered as being made inside the ka'bah, as it is part of the house (Baitullah). [This is the semicircle to the right of the Ka'bah if you face the door, opposite to the Yemeni corner and the Black stone wall.]
Usamah ibn Zayd narrated, 'When the Prophet (SAW) entered the House (Ka'bah), he made du'a in all of its corners [Muslim 2: 968 and others]
35. Du'a on the mount of Safa or Marwah during Umrah or Hajj
It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) would make long du'as at Safa and Marwah. [Muslim #1218 and others]
36. Dua at any of the holy sites.
37. While reciting Surah al-Fatihah
The Prophet (SAW) said that Allah the Exalted had said: ' I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Most High says: My servant has lauded Me. When he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of Judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me, and sometimes He will say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. When he (the worshipper) says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast been Gracious -- not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. [Muslim 4: 395]
38. Saying '' during prayer
After finishing the recitation of al-Fatihah, the saying of'' in congregation. The Prophet (SAW) said: 'When the Imam says '', then recite it behind him (as well), because whoever's coincides with the of the angels will have all of his sins forgiven.' [Sahih al-Bukhari #780, Muslim #410 and others]
Entering the House of Rehman (azzawajal)
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful and, Peace and Blessings of Almighty Allah be upon the Chosen Prophet.
Ibrahim bin Adham (Allah be pleased with him) was once about to enter the bathroom. The owner outside the bathroom stopped him and told him he would have to pay a fee to enter.Ibrahim began to cry and remarked: '[It seems] no one can enter the devil's house without an entrance fee. So how will anyone enter the House of Rahman azzawajal (i.e. Paradise) without faith and good actions?'
Moral:
This world and all of its contents and blessings are finite. We find that any favour or ease in this world comes at a price and with effort. So how can anyone expect Paradise - which is an eternal abode infinitely better that anything in this world, along with all of its blessings within - without effort and price? Never. The prerequisite for entrance to Paradise is faith and good actions.
Ibrahim bin Adham (Allah be pleased with him) was once about to enter the bathroom. The owner outside the bathroom stopped him and told him he would have to pay a fee to enter.Ibrahim began to cry and remarked: '[It seems] no one can enter the devil's house without an entrance fee. So how will anyone enter the House of Rahman azzawajal (i.e. Paradise) without faith and good actions?'
Moral:
This world and all of its contents and blessings are finite. We find that any favour or ease in this world comes at a price and with effort. So how can anyone expect Paradise - which is an eternal abode infinitely better that anything in this world, along with all of its blessings within - without effort and price? Never. The prerequisite for entrance to Paradise is faith and good actions.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Religion of God (Deen-e-Elahi)
- If you follow a religion but are devoid of the Love of God, then those that do not follow a religion but have the love of God are better.
- Love is connected to the heart. When the Name of God Allah is synchronized with the heartbeat, it then travels through the blood to all the veins, reaches the spirits and awakens them. Then the spirits are rejuvenated and go into the Love of God.
- Any Name of God in any language is worthy of respect but the original Name of God in the Semitic language is Allah. This (Semitic) is the language of the celestial entities. It is by this Name that the angels call upon God and it is attached to the Title of every Prophet.
- Any individual who is sincerely searching for God, on land or in the sea is also worthy of respect.
- Many Adams came into this world, at the same time and in different places. All the Adams were made in the world with clay from this world except the last Adam who is buried in Arabia. He was the only one made in paradise with clay which was also from paradise. With the exception of this Adam the angels did not bow down before any other Adam. Satan became the enemy of the descendants of this Adam.
- There are seven types of entities in the human body. These are connected to different celestial spheres. They are connected to different heavens and are further connected with different functions within the human body. If these entities are strengthened with light they then resemble the person they are in and travel to many places at the same time. They can travel to the gatherings of Saints and Prophets and even talk to God and see God.
- Every human being has two religions. The first is the religion of the body which ceases to exist after death. The second is the religion of the soul, which has existed since the beginning of time, the Love of God. It is by this religion that a human being is exalted.
- Superior to all the religions is the Love of God and superior to all types of worship is seeing God.
Censure of ignorance
It should be known that the saying "ignorance is an excuse" does not mean that it encourages and calls to ignorance, nor that ignorance has any merits, nor that one is satisfied and pleased with it. Rather it is as one of the Salaf (Pious Predecessor) said: "Allah has not been disobeyed with any sin worse than ignorance."
Ignorance is the reason for sin, it incites sin and leads to it. Ibn al-Qayyim says, "Yousuf the eminently truthful and upright said: "Unless you turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them and be one of the ignorant ones (jaahileen)." [12: 33]
The word 'Jaahil' (ignorant) being used to mean: those who do that which you have forbidden. Allah says: "Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards." [4: 17]
Qataadah said: "The companions of the Messenger of Allah agreed that everything by which Allah is disobeyed is ignorance." Others said: "The companions agreed that anyone who disobeys Allah is an ignorant one (Jaahil)."
Ignorance is the reason for sin, it incites sin and leads to it. Ibn al-Qayyim says, "Yousuf the eminently truthful and upright said: "Unless you turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them and be one of the ignorant ones (jaahileen)." [12: 33]
The word 'Jaahil' (ignorant) being used to mean: those who do that which you have forbidden. Allah says: "Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards." [4: 17]
Qataadah said: "The companions of the Messenger of Allah agreed that everything by which Allah is disobeyed is ignorance." Others said: "The companions agreed that anyone who disobeys Allah is an ignorant one (Jaahil)."
Taqwa
From the morals and manners of the preceeders was that they would strictly analyse their piety (Taqwa) never claiming to be a possessor of such. Allah the Most High has said, "Therefore do not declare yourselves as being purified. He knows best who has Taqwa." [53:32]
The Messenger of Allah (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) said: "Taqwa is here," and he pointed to his chest. [Muslim (16/120, 121) in al-Birr and at-Tirmizi (8/115) in al-Birr and Ahmad (2/277)]
Umar bin Abdul Aziz used to say, "None can reach the station of Taqwa until he possesses neither action nor words that can be exposed to his embarrassment either in this world or the Hereafter."
He was once asked, "When does the worshipper reach the peak of Taqwa?" He replied, "If he put all his thoughts and desires in his heart on a plate and then wandered around in the market, he should not feel ashamed of anything there."
He would frequently say, "The sign of Muttaqi (a pious person) is to bridle oneself from speaking just like one in Ihraam bridles himself from speaking. The Muttaqi needs to be a scholar ('Aalim) of the Shari'ah, all of it, otherwise he leaves Taqwa without realising."
Abu Darda said: "From the completion of Taqwa is that the slaves fears from his Lord even with regards to things the weight of an atom."
The Messenger of Allah (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) said: "Taqwa is here," and he pointed to his chest. [Muslim (16/120, 121) in al-Birr and at-Tirmizi (8/115) in al-Birr and Ahmad (2/277)]
Umar bin Abdul Aziz used to say, "None can reach the station of Taqwa until he possesses neither action nor words that can be exposed to his embarrassment either in this world or the Hereafter."
He was once asked, "When does the worshipper reach the peak of Taqwa?" He replied, "If he put all his thoughts and desires in his heart on a plate and then wandered around in the market, he should not feel ashamed of anything there."
He would frequently say, "The sign of Muttaqi (a pious person) is to bridle oneself from speaking just like one in Ihraam bridles himself from speaking. The Muttaqi needs to be a scholar ('Aalim) of the Shari'ah, all of it, otherwise he leaves Taqwa without realising."
Abu Darda said: "From the completion of Taqwa is that the slaves fears from his Lord even with regards to things the weight of an atom."
Meet the lord of truth
This is a fact that none can escape, yet you go after the treasures of the world and renounce the Lord of Truth.
"Know that the life of this world is but a play and a passing delight and a beautiful show, and the (cause of) your boastful) vying with one another, and (of your) greed for more and more wealth and children." [57:20]
Look at this world with the eyes of your heart, you will find it ugly and loathsome; look at it with your physical eyes and it will lure you to the side and slaughter you.
Be content with whatever Allah has decreed for you. Fear Allah in your innermost being. Implement His commands. Once your heart complies with the Divine Decree, the Lord of Truth will grant you from sources you never imagined:
"And whosoever is conscious of Allah, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Indeed Allah has sent a measure for all things." [65:2-3]
Beg of His mercy; turn to Him with a heart full of sincere repentance.
"O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance." [66:8]
Stand before your Lord with humility, implore the Dispenser of Grace by His Most Beautiful Names and attributes of perfection. If He fulfils your wish, increase in your gratitude and servitude to Him. If He denies your request, then succumb to the Divine Decree of the All-Wise with a submissive heart. Do not argue or object to His will. Always remember:
"...Allah knows and you know not." [24:19]
Allah disposes of everything as He wills, and commands as He wills:
"He is not to be questioned about what He does, though they are subject to His questioning." [21"23]
If wealth and happiness are destined for you, they will come to you at their appointed time according to the Divine Decree of Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Do not be greedy but be moderate because you will receive all that was written for you. If you do so, you will earn the displeasure of the All Mighty, and lose all spiritual comfort in this life.
Hadhrat Maalik bin Deenaar (Rahmatullah Alaihe) once said: "If you want to acquire true knowledge of Allah, the All Mighty, then consent to His management and planning. Make not your mind and desire, passion or will associates to Him."
O you of sound health but weak heart! Wake up and run to your Creator with repentance on your tongue, tears in your eyes, and sincerity in your heart. Cry before Him, before others cry for you. Make haste, O heedless one!
"Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be affected by Allah's Reminder...?" [57:16]
Remove the veils of darkness that have corroded your heart. Adorn it with His fear and love. Do you not fear the moment when you will stand before your Lord? There will be no screen between Him and you, nor an interpreter to translate for you. And your Creator will question you. You will neither find anything to your left nor to your right but the blazing Fire of Hell. Do what the Prophet of Allah (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) advised you, if you truly fear Allah:
"...So let each of you protect himself against Hell-Fire, be it even with half a date -- and if he finds not, then with a kind word."
You are the servant, He is the Master. Prayers come from you, answers come from Him. Abstinence comes from you, protection comes from Him. Repentance comes from you, acceptance comes from Him. Go towards him walking, He will come to you running.
Make your deeds pure for His sake alone, and He will extend His mercy to you. Upload His religion, and He will extend His bounty to you. Follow the Sunnah of His beloved Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam), and He will extend His love to you.
Look forward to your meeting with Allah. It will be very soon. Sooner than you can imagine! Make preparations for this meeting. Get rid of the love of this world from your heart; free it from everything other than the Lord of Truth. Do not buy the world and pay with the hereafter as a price. Do not sell the hereafter to acquire this world.
"...Shall We tell you who are the greatest losers in whatever they may do? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought they were acquiring good by their deeds..." [18:103-104]
The Most Wise did not create you to gratify your base desires and passions, nor did He create you for fun, amusement, eating, drinking, sleeping, or having sex!
He says: "I have created the jinns and the humans solely to worship Me." [51:56]
But you are so heedless as if you have drunk the elixir of immortality. You think that the Angel of Death will never squeeze your soul out of your body? You have forgotten that you will pass through the Bridge of Siraat with the intense Fire of Hell underneath you. You are unaware of the thrashing that awaits you in your grave by the angels of Allah. Hot stones of Jahannam for you to walk on, herbage bitter than aloes, foul putrid meat to eat, your lips to be cut by coarse scissors, getting trampled under the feet of the people of Pharaoh, screaming with your mouths wide open, while the hot coals that you devoured come out of your anuses, cutting your own flesh from the sides to eat it, scratching your chests and faces with brass nails -- all this awaits you if you do not pay the Zakah, if you fornicate, devour usury, slander others, backbite, or malign people's honour.
This is just the grave, Hell is yet to come!
"...the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they but knew." [68:33]
"Know that the life of this world is but a play and a passing delight and a beautiful show, and the (cause of) your boastful) vying with one another, and (of your) greed for more and more wealth and children." [57:20]
Look at this world with the eyes of your heart, you will find it ugly and loathsome; look at it with your physical eyes and it will lure you to the side and slaughter you.
Be content with whatever Allah has decreed for you. Fear Allah in your innermost being. Implement His commands. Once your heart complies with the Divine Decree, the Lord of Truth will grant you from sources you never imagined:
"And whosoever is conscious of Allah, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Indeed Allah has sent a measure for all things." [65:2-3]
Beg of His mercy; turn to Him with a heart full of sincere repentance.
"O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance." [66:8]
Stand before your Lord with humility, implore the Dispenser of Grace by His Most Beautiful Names and attributes of perfection. If He fulfils your wish, increase in your gratitude and servitude to Him. If He denies your request, then succumb to the Divine Decree of the All-Wise with a submissive heart. Do not argue or object to His will. Always remember:
"...Allah knows and you know not." [24:19]
Allah disposes of everything as He wills, and commands as He wills:
"He is not to be questioned about what He does, though they are subject to His questioning." [21"23]
If wealth and happiness are destined for you, they will come to you at their appointed time according to the Divine Decree of Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Do not be greedy but be moderate because you will receive all that was written for you. If you do so, you will earn the displeasure of the All Mighty, and lose all spiritual comfort in this life.
Hadhrat Maalik bin Deenaar (Rahmatullah Alaihe) once said: "If you want to acquire true knowledge of Allah, the All Mighty, then consent to His management and planning. Make not your mind and desire, passion or will associates to Him."
O you of sound health but weak heart! Wake up and run to your Creator with repentance on your tongue, tears in your eyes, and sincerity in your heart. Cry before Him, before others cry for you. Make haste, O heedless one!
"Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be affected by Allah's Reminder...?" [57:16]
Remove the veils of darkness that have corroded your heart. Adorn it with His fear and love. Do you not fear the moment when you will stand before your Lord? There will be no screen between Him and you, nor an interpreter to translate for you. And your Creator will question you. You will neither find anything to your left nor to your right but the blazing Fire of Hell. Do what the Prophet of Allah (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) advised you, if you truly fear Allah:
"...So let each of you protect himself against Hell-Fire, be it even with half a date -- and if he finds not, then with a kind word."
You are the servant, He is the Master. Prayers come from you, answers come from Him. Abstinence comes from you, protection comes from Him. Repentance comes from you, acceptance comes from Him. Go towards him walking, He will come to you running.
Make your deeds pure for His sake alone, and He will extend His mercy to you. Upload His religion, and He will extend His bounty to you. Follow the Sunnah of His beloved Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam), and He will extend His love to you.
Look forward to your meeting with Allah. It will be very soon. Sooner than you can imagine! Make preparations for this meeting. Get rid of the love of this world from your heart; free it from everything other than the Lord of Truth. Do not buy the world and pay with the hereafter as a price. Do not sell the hereafter to acquire this world.
"...Shall We tell you who are the greatest losers in whatever they may do? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought they were acquiring good by their deeds..." [18:103-104]
The Most Wise did not create you to gratify your base desires and passions, nor did He create you for fun, amusement, eating, drinking, sleeping, or having sex!
He says: "I have created the jinns and the humans solely to worship Me." [51:56]
But you are so heedless as if you have drunk the elixir of immortality. You think that the Angel of Death will never squeeze your soul out of your body? You have forgotten that you will pass through the Bridge of Siraat with the intense Fire of Hell underneath you. You are unaware of the thrashing that awaits you in your grave by the angels of Allah. Hot stones of Jahannam for you to walk on, herbage bitter than aloes, foul putrid meat to eat, your lips to be cut by coarse scissors, getting trampled under the feet of the people of Pharaoh, screaming with your mouths wide open, while the hot coals that you devoured come out of your anuses, cutting your own flesh from the sides to eat it, scratching your chests and faces with brass nails -- all this awaits you if you do not pay the Zakah, if you fornicate, devour usury, slander others, backbite, or malign people's honour.
This is just the grave, Hell is yet to come!
"...the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they but knew." [68:33]
Allah created mercy in 100 parts
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allaho anho) related that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) said: "Allah created mercy in one hundred parts and sent down to earth only one part. Because of this one part, there is mutual love amongst creation, so much so that an animal will lift up its hoof from its young one, fearing that it might harm it. Allah has reserved the remaining ninety-nine parts of this mercy to favour His believing servants on the Day of Judgment. " (Bukhari and Muslim)
Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) related: Once there was a woman who was frantically searching for someone amongst the prisoners of war who had been brought to the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). When she found a child amongst the prisoners, she took it and pressed it against her chest for it to suckle.
At that point the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) turned to his Companions and said: "Do you think that this woman will ever allow her child to be thrown into a fire?" They said: By Allah! As far as it lies within her power, she will never allow the child to be thrown into a fire. The Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) then said: "Indeed Allah is kinder to His servants than this woman is to her child." (Muslim)
Abdullah bin Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) relates that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) mounted the pulpit and said in a loud voice: "O You who have accepted Islam with your tongues, but in whose heart faith has not yet entered! Do not annoy the Muslims nor revile them, nor seek out their faults. For whosoever seeks out the fault of his brother Muslim, Allah will seek out his faults. He whose faults are sought out by Allah, then Allah will expose him, even if he is inside his house." (Muslim)
Hadhrat Ubadah bin Saamit (Radhi Allaho anho) related that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) said: "Whosoever seeks forgiveness for the believing men and the believing women, Allah will record for that person -- equivalent to every believing man and believing woman -- a good deed." (Majma'-uz-Zawaaid)
Hadhrat Amr bin Abasah (Radhi Allaho anho) said: I came to the Messenger of Allah (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) and said: O Messenger of Allah! Who is with you in this matter: He said: "A free man and a slave." (Meaning Abu Bakr and Bilal). I asked: What is Islam? He replied: "Good speech and serving food.
"I asked: What is faith? He replied: "Patience and excellence." I asked: What Islam is the most excellent? He replied: The one from whose hands and tongue other Muslims are safe." I asked: What faith is most excellent? He replied: "Good character." I asked: What prayer is most excellent? He replied: "Standing in humility and recitation for a long while."I asked: Which migration is most excellent. He replied: "That you leave that which your Lord hates." I asked: What Jihad is most excellent? He replied: That in which one's stead is injured and one's blood is shed." I asked: What hour is most excellent? He replied: The last half of the night." (Ahmad)
Hadhrat Abu Jaree Jaabir bin Saleem said: I have seen a man whose opinion is followed, he does not say anything except that they take it. I said: Who is he? They said: This is the Messenger of Allah (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). I said (twice): 'Alaik-us-Salaam (upon you be Allah's prayers) O Messenger of Allah. He said: "Do not say 'Alayhis-salaam, for that is the greeting of the dead, rather say: Assalaam-o-'Alaika.
I said: Are you the Messenger of Allah? He said: "I am Allah's Messenger, whom if an affliction touches you and you were to invoke Him, He removes it. And if a year of famine comes upon you and you invoke Him, He causes the crops to sprout for you. And if you were in a water-less desert and your she-camel strays and you invoke Him, He returns it to you."
I said: Give me advice. He said: "Do not abuse anyone." After that, I did not abuse any free man, slave, camel or sheep. He said: "Do not look down upon any good work, and when you speak to your brother then be cheerful to him by your face, and that is from goodness..." (Abu Dawood, Ahmad and Haakim)
Hadhrat Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) related: Once there was a woman who was frantically searching for someone amongst the prisoners of war who had been brought to the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). When she found a child amongst the prisoners, she took it and pressed it against her chest for it to suckle.
At that point the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) turned to his Companions and said: "Do you think that this woman will ever allow her child to be thrown into a fire?" They said: By Allah! As far as it lies within her power, she will never allow the child to be thrown into a fire. The Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) then said: "Indeed Allah is kinder to His servants than this woman is to her child." (Muslim)
Abdullah bin Umar (Radhi Allaho anho) relates that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) mounted the pulpit and said in a loud voice: "O You who have accepted Islam with your tongues, but in whose heart faith has not yet entered! Do not annoy the Muslims nor revile them, nor seek out their faults. For whosoever seeks out the fault of his brother Muslim, Allah will seek out his faults. He whose faults are sought out by Allah, then Allah will expose him, even if he is inside his house." (Muslim)
Hadhrat Ubadah bin Saamit (Radhi Allaho anho) related that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) said: "Whosoever seeks forgiveness for the believing men and the believing women, Allah will record for that person -- equivalent to every believing man and believing woman -- a good deed." (Majma'-uz-Zawaaid)
Hadhrat Amr bin Abasah (Radhi Allaho anho) said: I came to the Messenger of Allah (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) and said: O Messenger of Allah! Who is with you in this matter: He said: "A free man and a slave." (Meaning Abu Bakr and Bilal). I asked: What is Islam? He replied: "Good speech and serving food.
"I asked: What is faith? He replied: "Patience and excellence." I asked: What Islam is the most excellent? He replied: The one from whose hands and tongue other Muslims are safe." I asked: What faith is most excellent? He replied: "Good character." I asked: What prayer is most excellent? He replied: "Standing in humility and recitation for a long while."I asked: Which migration is most excellent. He replied: "That you leave that which your Lord hates." I asked: What Jihad is most excellent? He replied: That in which one's stead is injured and one's blood is shed." I asked: What hour is most excellent? He replied: The last half of the night." (Ahmad)
Hadhrat Abu Jaree Jaabir bin Saleem said: I have seen a man whose opinion is followed, he does not say anything except that they take it. I said: Who is he? They said: This is the Messenger of Allah (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). I said (twice): 'Alaik-us-Salaam (upon you be Allah's prayers) O Messenger of Allah. He said: "Do not say 'Alayhis-salaam, for that is the greeting of the dead, rather say: Assalaam-o-'Alaika.
I said: Are you the Messenger of Allah? He said: "I am Allah's Messenger, whom if an affliction touches you and you were to invoke Him, He removes it. And if a year of famine comes upon you and you invoke Him, He causes the crops to sprout for you. And if you were in a water-less desert and your she-camel strays and you invoke Him, He returns it to you."
I said: Give me advice. He said: "Do not abuse anyone." After that, I did not abuse any free man, slave, camel or sheep. He said: "Do not look down upon any good work, and when you speak to your brother then be cheerful to him by your face, and that is from goodness..." (Abu Dawood, Ahmad and Haakim)
The mother and wife
Islam looks at the woman as a wife and a mother. In contrast, some non-Islamic societies look at the woman mainly as a female at the expense of her role as a wife and her role as a mother. As a result, Islam shapes instructions to suit the woman's role as a wife and the woman's role as a mother, because the family needs a wife dedicated to her husband and a mother dedicated to her children.
We said that Islam blocks the way to illegitimate children by blocking the ways leading to illegal sexual intercourse. This is one way to protect the child.
The second way to protect the child is to protect the family. When marriage takes place, a new family is established. When children are born, the family grows in number. Islam protects the family from divorce, which damages all the members of the family.
Islam does not allow the husband to intermingle freely with other women so as to protect his relation with his wife. Islam does not allow the wife to intermingle freely with other men so as to protect her relation with her husband.
In Islam, the husband is wholly tied to his wife and the wife is wholly tied to her husband. This is the only way to protect marriage from divorce, to protect the family from destruction, and to protect children from fatherlessness, motherlessness, or both.
In contrast, in societies that allow the two sexes to intermingle freely, there are two main problems. First, in such societies there are many cases of illegal intercourse and illegitimate children.
Secondly, marriage does not live long and divorce is the end of most marriages. Of course, divorce is not only the end of marriage, but also the beginning of problems for the ex-husband, the ex-wife, and their children.
I must admit that although the Western countries are scientifically and technologically progressive and are sensitive to statistics related to industry and economy, they do not show the same sensitivity to statistics related to social life. When a Western economist considers the figures and numbers of a certain economy, he concludes something about that economy. In contrast, when a Western sociologist or psychologist considers the statistics of divorce in his country, he concludes nothing.
In some Western countries, 60 per cent of marriages end up with divorce. What does this mean? It simply means that the social structure there destroys marriage and that the Western way of life nowadays leads to the destruction of marriage and the destruction of the family.
This result is not difficult to expect. In the West, the two sexes mingle freely; alcohol is drunk as frequently as water; women are almost naked everywhere. The result of this mixture is clear.
In some non-Islamic countries, the formula now is this: males + females + alcohol + feminine nakedness = illegitimate children + destruction of marriage + homeless children.
In contrast, the Islamic formula is exactly the opposite: males separated from females + no alcohol + feminine decency = legitimate children + protection of marriage + protected children.
I think it is time for Western specialists in psychology and sociology to look into the statistics about their social diseases and to compare these statistics with others in Islamic countries in order to have a practical clue about the difference between Islam and non-Islam.
Islam protects the child by protecting the family and by protecting marriage. Islam guarantees a true father and a true mother for every child and thus secures the psychological health of the child.
We said that Islam blocks the way to illegitimate children by blocking the ways leading to illegal sexual intercourse. This is one way to protect the child.
The second way to protect the child is to protect the family. When marriage takes place, a new family is established. When children are born, the family grows in number. Islam protects the family from divorce, which damages all the members of the family.
Islam does not allow the husband to intermingle freely with other women so as to protect his relation with his wife. Islam does not allow the wife to intermingle freely with other men so as to protect her relation with her husband.
In Islam, the husband is wholly tied to his wife and the wife is wholly tied to her husband. This is the only way to protect marriage from divorce, to protect the family from destruction, and to protect children from fatherlessness, motherlessness, or both.
In contrast, in societies that allow the two sexes to intermingle freely, there are two main problems. First, in such societies there are many cases of illegal intercourse and illegitimate children.
Secondly, marriage does not live long and divorce is the end of most marriages. Of course, divorce is not only the end of marriage, but also the beginning of problems for the ex-husband, the ex-wife, and their children.
I must admit that although the Western countries are scientifically and technologically progressive and are sensitive to statistics related to industry and economy, they do not show the same sensitivity to statistics related to social life. When a Western economist considers the figures and numbers of a certain economy, he concludes something about that economy. In contrast, when a Western sociologist or psychologist considers the statistics of divorce in his country, he concludes nothing.
In some Western countries, 60 per cent of marriages end up with divorce. What does this mean? It simply means that the social structure there destroys marriage and that the Western way of life nowadays leads to the destruction of marriage and the destruction of the family.
This result is not difficult to expect. In the West, the two sexes mingle freely; alcohol is drunk as frequently as water; women are almost naked everywhere. The result of this mixture is clear.
In some non-Islamic countries, the formula now is this: males + females + alcohol + feminine nakedness = illegitimate children + destruction of marriage + homeless children.
In contrast, the Islamic formula is exactly the opposite: males separated from females + no alcohol + feminine decency = legitimate children + protection of marriage + protected children.
I think it is time for Western specialists in psychology and sociology to look into the statistics about their social diseases and to compare these statistics with others in Islamic countries in order to have a practical clue about the difference between Islam and non-Islam.
Islam protects the child by protecting the family and by protecting marriage. Islam guarantees a true father and a true mother for every child and thus secures the psychological health of the child.
Develop humility in prayers
It is reported from Abu Darda (Radhi Allaho anho) that he said, "That may face be covered in dust for my Rabb (is most loved by me), for that is the best kind of worship for Allah." So let none of you fear the dust, nor find it distasteful to make sujud (prostrate) in it, for there is no doubt that every one of you comes from it (ie mankind was created from dust). Nor should any of you fear an excess of it, for verily, it is by this means that one attempts to attain freedom from slavery and salvation from the Hellfire, a fire before which the fixed lofty mountains which were placed as pegs (holding the earth) could not stand, nor the seven strong heavens, built one above another, which are placed as a well graded canopy over us, nor the earth, which was placed as a dwelling for us, nor the seven seas, of which none knows their depths or their size except the One Who created them. Then what about us, with our feeble bodies, our delicate bones, our flimsy skin?
We seek refuge with Allah from the Fire! So should any of you stand in prayers then let him be as if he sees Allah before him, for though he may not see Allah, verily, Allah sees him. It is narrated in a Hadith that Allah's Messenger (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) advised a man, saying: "Fear Allah as though you see Him, for verily, though you may not see Him, He sees you." [Something similar to this wording is quoted in the Hadith in which the Holy Prophet spoke to Jibril informing him about the meaning of 'ihsaan', as reported by Bukhari, Muslim].
This then, is the advice of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) to the slave in all his affairs, so what about when he performs prayers, when he stands before Allah, in a particular place, a sacred place, desiring Allah and turning his face towards Him? Does not his standing, his situation in prayer merit the same Ihsaan as all his affairs? It says in a Hadith: "Verily, the slave, when he starts his prayers, should turn his face to Allah, and he should not turn it away from Him until he leaves or turns to right and left." [ie, when he recites Salaam in the end]. (Ahmad, Abu Dawood and Nasai). It is also narrated in a Hadith: "Verily, the slave, as long as he is in prayer, possesses three qualities: Blessings are showered upon his head from the heavens above, the angels sit around him, from his feet to the heavens and a caller says: 'If the slave knew the One Who hears his whispered utterances, he would never leave his prayer.'"
Allah showers His Mercy upon the worshipper who approaches prayer in a state of humility and meekness towards Allah, in fear and supplicating Him with desire (for His Pleasure), and in hope (of His Mercy), offering prayer to his Creator, his most important consideration, dedicating his whispered utterances to Him and his standing erect in worship and his Ruku` and his Sujud, poring out his heart and his feelings and struggling to perfect his acts of worship, for he knows not whether he will offer another prayer after it, or whether he will be overtaken (by death) before he can offer prayer again. He stands before his Creator, earnestly, with deep feelings, hoping for its acceptance and fearing its rejection, for verily, its acceptance is a cause for joy, while its rejection is a cause for misery and wretchedness.
Nothing could be more important to you in this prayer, or indeed in any of your actions [i.e. that Allah should accept them]. What is more deserving of your distress and misery, your fear -- indeed your terror -- you know not whether your prayer will find favour with Allah at all, nor whether any of your good deeds will be accepted. Do you know if your sins will be forgiven at all? After all this, you have no assurance that you will be spared from it (ie the punishment of the Hellfire). So, who is more deserving of your tears and sadness than Allah -- that He may accept from you (your deeds)?
In addition to this, you know not whether or not you will be awaken in the morning, nor if you will still be here in the evening, will you be given the good news of Paradise, or the bad news of the Hellfire? I only desire to warn you of this terrible danger. It is not fitting that you should be happy because of your family, your wealth or your children.
It is a most amazing thing that you should continue to be unmindful, chasing after vain desires, wasting your time in disregard of this most important matter, for you are being driven at a fierce pace (towards death) day and night, hour by hour, like the blink of an eye.
We seek refuge with Allah from the Fire! So should any of you stand in prayers then let him be as if he sees Allah before him, for though he may not see Allah, verily, Allah sees him. It is narrated in a Hadith that Allah's Messenger (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) advised a man, saying: "Fear Allah as though you see Him, for verily, though you may not see Him, He sees you." [Something similar to this wording is quoted in the Hadith in which the Holy Prophet spoke to Jibril informing him about the meaning of 'ihsaan', as reported by Bukhari, Muslim].
This then, is the advice of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) to the slave in all his affairs, so what about when he performs prayers, when he stands before Allah, in a particular place, a sacred place, desiring Allah and turning his face towards Him? Does not his standing, his situation in prayer merit the same Ihsaan as all his affairs? It says in a Hadith: "Verily, the slave, when he starts his prayers, should turn his face to Allah, and he should not turn it away from Him until he leaves or turns to right and left." [ie, when he recites Salaam in the end]. (Ahmad, Abu Dawood and Nasai). It is also narrated in a Hadith: "Verily, the slave, as long as he is in prayer, possesses three qualities: Blessings are showered upon his head from the heavens above, the angels sit around him, from his feet to the heavens and a caller says: 'If the slave knew the One Who hears his whispered utterances, he would never leave his prayer.'"
Allah showers His Mercy upon the worshipper who approaches prayer in a state of humility and meekness towards Allah, in fear and supplicating Him with desire (for His Pleasure), and in hope (of His Mercy), offering prayer to his Creator, his most important consideration, dedicating his whispered utterances to Him and his standing erect in worship and his Ruku` and his Sujud, poring out his heart and his feelings and struggling to perfect his acts of worship, for he knows not whether he will offer another prayer after it, or whether he will be overtaken (by death) before he can offer prayer again. He stands before his Creator, earnestly, with deep feelings, hoping for its acceptance and fearing its rejection, for verily, its acceptance is a cause for joy, while its rejection is a cause for misery and wretchedness.
Nothing could be more important to you in this prayer, or indeed in any of your actions [i.e. that Allah should accept them]. What is more deserving of your distress and misery, your fear -- indeed your terror -- you know not whether your prayer will find favour with Allah at all, nor whether any of your good deeds will be accepted. Do you know if your sins will be forgiven at all? After all this, you have no assurance that you will be spared from it (ie the punishment of the Hellfire). So, who is more deserving of your tears and sadness than Allah -- that He may accept from you (your deeds)?
In addition to this, you know not whether or not you will be awaken in the morning, nor if you will still be here in the evening, will you be given the good news of Paradise, or the bad news of the Hellfire? I only desire to warn you of this terrible danger. It is not fitting that you should be happy because of your family, your wealth or your children.
It is a most amazing thing that you should continue to be unmindful, chasing after vain desires, wasting your time in disregard of this most important matter, for you are being driven at a fierce pace (towards death) day and night, hour by hour, like the blink of an eye.
Acquiring knowledge
The adage that ignorance is bliss could not be farther from the truth when seriously put into practical application. Throughout the annals of time, what great accomplishments has ignorance made? What great empires and what marvels of science and technology now bear witness to ignorance's strength and power? That's right, none. Nothing of true worth is achieved without wisdom and knowledge.
It was with supreme knowledge that Allah Almighty laid the foundations of the heavens and the earth. It was with wisdom, knowledge and understanding that Hadhrat Sulaiman (Alaihis Salaam) ruled the greatest empire the world has ever known. Our own Prophet, Hadhrat Mohammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) told us that acquiring knowledge was a duty placed on each and every Muslim. But the knowledge of what and who, remains the question.
Many of us have used the above saying of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam), to justify dealing in Riba (interest), in order to send our sons and daughters to the finest universities to become doctors, lawyers and engineers. We use it to justify sending our children to private schools, because they supposedly have higher academic standing and prestige than ordinary Muslim schools. We say we are doing it, because the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) said to get knowledge, but is this the knowledge he was speaking about?
It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Musa (Radhi Allaho anho) that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) said: "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain-water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain- water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilised it for drinking, (making their animals drink from it) and to irrigate the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren, which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then the land was of no benefit). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit from the knowledge, which Allah has revealed through me and learns and then teaches it to others. The (last example is that of a) person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's Guidance revealed through me (He is like the barren land.)" (Bukhari)
Through the above narration, the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) is telling us of the superiority of religious knowledge. This is the knowledge that we should give priority to. All other knowledge will not be of benefit if we do not have this one. First and foremost, comes the knowledge of Allah. Knowing His names and His attributes. Knowing what is expected of us in regard to our servitude to Him, and what mutual rights exist between us.
Secondly, we should strive to know Allah's Book, the Holy Qur'aan. We should learn to read it in Arabic, if we don't already know how to do so. We should also be trying to memorise as much of it as possible, and stressing the importance of both of these things to our children. Reading the Holy Qur'aan should be something commonplace in every Muslim home, and is an activity that the whole family can, and should participate in.
Thirdly, we should know about Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) and his Companions. It's by reading their stories that we learn of their bravery, love for the religion and their complete devotion to Allah. It's by knowing them that we grow to love them, and through loving them, we strive to become more and more like them. This is especially true, when most children nowadays want to be like Mike (Michael) or Janet Jackson or some other celebrity. They want to emulate these people, because they know so much about them. It then becomes increasingly important for us, Muslims, to introduce our children to our heroes. Who were braver in battle than Hadhrat Umar and Hadhrat Hamza (Radhi Allaho anhuma); who was more wise and gentle than Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhi Allaho anho); and which women were more graceful and honourable than the wives of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) were?
Yes, in these times of increasing technology and information superhighways, it is important to obtain secular knowledge. Also, as a nation, we do need doctors, lawyers and engineers. But we need people who are knowledgeable of their religion first and foremost. What good will it do us to have a nation of professional people who do not know how to make the salah, or to calculate the zakat, or how to perform Hajj? Knowledge is the key to success. It gives us the power to govern ourselves, our households, and ultimately our communities.
It was with supreme knowledge that Allah Almighty laid the foundations of the heavens and the earth. It was with wisdom, knowledge and understanding that Hadhrat Sulaiman (Alaihis Salaam) ruled the greatest empire the world has ever known. Our own Prophet, Hadhrat Mohammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) told us that acquiring knowledge was a duty placed on each and every Muslim. But the knowledge of what and who, remains the question.
Many of us have used the above saying of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam), to justify dealing in Riba (interest), in order to send our sons and daughters to the finest universities to become doctors, lawyers and engineers. We use it to justify sending our children to private schools, because they supposedly have higher academic standing and prestige than ordinary Muslim schools. We say we are doing it, because the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) said to get knowledge, but is this the knowledge he was speaking about?
It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Musa (Radhi Allaho anho) that the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) said: "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain-water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain- water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilised it for drinking, (making their animals drink from it) and to irrigate the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren, which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then the land was of no benefit). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit from the knowledge, which Allah has revealed through me and learns and then teaches it to others. The (last example is that of a) person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's Guidance revealed through me (He is like the barren land.)" (Bukhari)
Through the above narration, the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) is telling us of the superiority of religious knowledge. This is the knowledge that we should give priority to. All other knowledge will not be of benefit if we do not have this one. First and foremost, comes the knowledge of Allah. Knowing His names and His attributes. Knowing what is expected of us in regard to our servitude to Him, and what mutual rights exist between us.
Secondly, we should strive to know Allah's Book, the Holy Qur'aan. We should learn to read it in Arabic, if we don't already know how to do so. We should also be trying to memorise as much of it as possible, and stressing the importance of both of these things to our children. Reading the Holy Qur'aan should be something commonplace in every Muslim home, and is an activity that the whole family can, and should participate in.
Thirdly, we should know about Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) and his Companions. It's by reading their stories that we learn of their bravery, love for the religion and their complete devotion to Allah. It's by knowing them that we grow to love them, and through loving them, we strive to become more and more like them. This is especially true, when most children nowadays want to be like Mike (Michael) or Janet Jackson or some other celebrity. They want to emulate these people, because they know so much about them. It then becomes increasingly important for us, Muslims, to introduce our children to our heroes. Who were braver in battle than Hadhrat Umar and Hadhrat Hamza (Radhi Allaho anhuma); who was more wise and gentle than Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhi Allaho anho); and which women were more graceful and honourable than the wives of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) were?
Yes, in these times of increasing technology and information superhighways, it is important to obtain secular knowledge. Also, as a nation, we do need doctors, lawyers and engineers. But we need people who are knowledgeable of their religion first and foremost. What good will it do us to have a nation of professional people who do not know how to make the salah, or to calculate the zakat, or how to perform Hajj? Knowledge is the key to success. It gives us the power to govern ourselves, our households, and ultimately our communities.
Wisdom: purity of the soul
Shaqiq al-Balkhi (Rahmatullah alaihe) said that one of the knowers of Allah said, "Know that purity of state is only attained by the purity of one's realisation of four matters:
1. Knowing the Lord (Mighty and Exalted),
2. Knowing the lower self (nafs),
3. Knowing death,
4. Knowing that which comes after death of promises and warnings.
This is because the one who knows his Lord (Most High) fulfils His rights. Whoever knows his lower self (nafs) opposes it. Whoever knows death prepares for its coming. Whoever witnesses the promise of Allah (Most High) obeys His commands. And whoever witnesses His warnings avoids His prohibitions.
These matters are governed by three things:
1. Loyalty (wafa'),
2. Propriety (adab),
3. Dignified behaviour (muru'a).
As for loyalty, it is to make one's sole concern Allah's Solitariness (fardaniyya), to remain firm upon beholding His Oneness (wahdaniyya), and to find intimacy in the light of His Firstness (awwaliyya).
As for propriety, it is to guard one's movements and thoughts, to preserve one's moments, and to leave the interdicted.
As for dignified behaviour, it is to remain steadfast upon remembrance (Zikr) with purity, in word, deed, and intent; to protect oneself from prohibited and doubtful matters of the outward and inward; to hold fast to proper manners to be mindful of what is coming; and to make up anything missed, whether minor or major.
Whoever has all these traits will find the sweetness of union; will have avoided the pain of separation; and their heart will be ablaze with the fires of passion." (al-Wasiti, Majma` al-Ahbab Mukhtasar Hilyat al-Awliya', 3.530)
1. Knowing the Lord (Mighty and Exalted),
2. Knowing the lower self (nafs),
3. Knowing death,
4. Knowing that which comes after death of promises and warnings.
This is because the one who knows his Lord (Most High) fulfils His rights. Whoever knows his lower self (nafs) opposes it. Whoever knows death prepares for its coming. Whoever witnesses the promise of Allah (Most High) obeys His commands. And whoever witnesses His warnings avoids His prohibitions.
These matters are governed by three things:
1. Loyalty (wafa'),
2. Propriety (adab),
3. Dignified behaviour (muru'a).
As for loyalty, it is to make one's sole concern Allah's Solitariness (fardaniyya), to remain firm upon beholding His Oneness (wahdaniyya), and to find intimacy in the light of His Firstness (awwaliyya).
As for propriety, it is to guard one's movements and thoughts, to preserve one's moments, and to leave the interdicted.
As for dignified behaviour, it is to remain steadfast upon remembrance (Zikr) with purity, in word, deed, and intent; to protect oneself from prohibited and doubtful matters of the outward and inward; to hold fast to proper manners to be mindful of what is coming; and to make up anything missed, whether minor or major.
Whoever has all these traits will find the sweetness of union; will have avoided the pain of separation; and their heart will be ablaze with the fires of passion." (al-Wasiti, Majma` al-Ahbab Mukhtasar Hilyat al-Awliya', 3.530)
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