Sunday, October 31, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 16

Ayah of the Day
Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom the satan by his touch has driven to madness. That is because they say: " trade is like usury", but Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past, there case is for Allah (to judge), but those who repeat ( the offence) are companions of the fire, they will abide therein for ever. [2: 275]

Hadith of the Day

In the evening do not wait for the morning, and in the morning do not wait for the evening. Take from your health for your weakness, and fron your life for your death. [Bukhari].

Wise Quote of the Day

Unless you annihilate your selfish lowerself of desires and lusts through strict and sincere mujahada, your heart will never become illuminated with the light of knowledge. [Imam Ghazali]

Guidance of the Day

There are only four possible states in which the human being can live: A person is either receiving blessings or tribulations from God, or is either living in obedience to God or in disobedience. Each condition invites a response.

When God gives a person blessings, the response is gratitude in all of its manifestations. According to sacred law gratitude is expressed first by performing what is obligatory, then by going beyond that in virtuos deeds or recommended acts. Gratitude is an awakening of appreciation in one's heart, an acknowledgement of what one has received. Abusing one's material assets is a flagrant act of ingratitude.

The response to tribulation is sabr, which is patience, perseverance, steadfastness, and resolve. This is what God demands from people in times of trial---a beautiful patience. (to be contd.) [Purification of the heart].

Saturday, October 30, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 15

Ayah of the Day
(Charity is) for those in need, who in Allah's cause are restricted and cannot move about in the land,seeking. The ignorant thinks because of their modesty, that they are free of want. You shall not know them by their mark, they do not beg importunately from people, and whatever good you give, be assured Allah knows it well. Those who spend (in charity) their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve. [2: 273, 274].

Hadith of the Day
Whoever desires that Allah increase his provision and extend his life, let him maintain his family ties. [Bukari].

Wise Quote of the Day
Invocating causes the vigilance that leads to the station of IHSAN, wherein the servant adores God, as if he saw Him with his very own eyes. It causes one to turn to God often, for whoever turns to God by remembering Him frequently will eventually turn to Him in all his affairs. [Ibn Ataillah]

Guidance of the Day

Being displeased with God's decree (Qadar) destoys deeds.We cannot choose what befalls us, but we can choose our responses to the trials of life,which are inevitable. How many times have we heard a person bemoan, "I do not deserve this" or "why me"? This attitude towards trials stems from the denial of God's omnipotence and that it is God alone who decrees all things.

God conscious people, when asked about what their Lord has given them, say all of it is good. They say this out of knowledge of this world, as a temporary crucible of trial and purification. Because of this elevated understanding, they are patient with afflictions and trials. [Purification of the heart]

Friday, October 29, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 14

Ayahs of the Day
And whatever you spend in charity or devotion, be sure Allah knows it all. But the wrongdoers have no helpers. If you disclose acts of chatity, even so it is well, but if you conceal them, and make them reach those really in need, that is best for you. It will remove from you some of your (stains of ) evil. And Allah is well acquainted with what you do. [2 : 270, 271]

Hadith of the Day

On the day of Resurrection, nothing will weigh heavier upon the scales than good character. [Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day

Invocations are a barrier between the slave and the hellfire, if the remembrance is contineous and permanent then the barrier is good and solid, if not, it is fragile and torn. [Ibn Ataillah].

Guidance of the Day

Seeking to impress humans is a pathetic exercise, an utter waste of time and life, for humanity is in constant and total need of God. If one wants to be close to power and authority, then do not chase men of position and station. There is absolutely no power and might except with Allah. The cause of so many diseases of the heart can be tracked back to a lack of certainty, an impaired sense of faith and trust in Allah. Seek closeness with God, the Master of the universe, the Creator of all things. [Purification of the heart]

Thursday, October 28, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 13

Ayah of the Day
Satan threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allah promises you His forgiveness and bounties. And Allah cares for all and He knows all things. He grants wisdom to whom He pleases, and to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed a benefit overflowing, but none will grasp the message but men of understanding. [2: 268, 26]

Hadith of the Day
No people went astray after been given guidance except after they start argumentation. [Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja]

Wise Quote of the Day
The religious traits of character cannot take firm root in the soul until it has grown accustomed to every good habit and renounced every evil one. [Imam Ghazali]

Guidance of the Day

The scholars have preferred the remembrance of God on the tongue with a heedless heart over a heedless heart and tongue combined. What a person repeats on his tongue might reach the heart, even if the heart is not engaged, for the heart of man lies under his tongue.

When one cleanses the soul of anything that tarnishes one's intentions, this person's knowledge of God will increase. As a consequence everything else in the world will grow insignificant. [Purification of Heart].

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 12

Ayah of the Day
O' you who believe! Give of the good things which you have earned, and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you, and do not even aim at getting anything which is bad, in order that out of it you may give away something, when you yourselves would not receive it except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is free of all wants, and worthy of all praise. [2: 267].

Hadith of the Day
Abandon anything that gives doubt for what gives you no doubt. Truthfulness is peace of mind and lying is doubt. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day
Do not dispute anyone in any matter as far as possible. For in argumentation lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam Ghazali]

Guidance of the Day
Fearing or desiring anything other than God runs contrary to trust and reliance on God. If one is obsessed with other mortals, his or her reliance on God is weak. This diminishes one's certainty in God and certainty that everything good - all that is worthy of pursuit and time comes from none other than God. The cause of so many diseases of the heart can be traced back to a lack of certainty, an impaired sense of faith and trust in God.

A person can be in pursuit of attaining benefit from people and fall into the trap of neglecting his obligations, as well as those meritorious acts that invite untold blessings and dimensions of realization to one's life. Always keep in mind that God alone holds all benefit, and that only He tests people and provides relief and provision. [Purification of the heart].

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 11

Ayah of the Day
O' you who believe cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the last day. They are in parable like a hard barren rock on which is a little soil, on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And Allah guides not those who reject faith. [2: 264]

Hadith of the Day

If the son of Adam possessed a valley of gold he would want to have two valleys, yet his mouth will only be filled by earth. Allah turns towards those who turn to Him in repentance. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day
Devotion to one's religios duty (taqwa) is the foundation of all that is good, it is a source of worldly benefit, a source of wisdom and all kinds of knowledge of purity of heart and of many secrets. [Abdul Qadir Jilani].

Guidance of the Day

Recognizing that there is no harm or benefit except with God purifies the heart of vain pursuits and ostentation (Ri'ya). Veiling one's actions from the eyes of others is its practical treatment and also the frequent recitation of SARAH AL IKHLAS.

This does not mean never do good deeds in front of others, but do them also when others are not watching. Each person is a shepherd of his or her own soul. The root source of ostentation is desire , wanting something other than a source other than God. The cure is actively and sincerely seeking out purification of the heart by removing four things: love of praise,fear of blame, desire for worldly benefit from people, and fear of harm from people. May Allah help us in our understanding and practice, ameem. [Purification of the heart]

Monday, October 25, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 10

Ayahs of the Day
Those who spend their substance in the cause of Allah, and follow not up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury for them, their reward is with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Kind words and covering of faults is better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants, and He is most forbearing. [2: 262, 263 ]


Hadith of the Day
Fear Allah wherever you are and follow up an evil deed with a good action which will wipe it out. Treat people well. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day
Whoever busies himself with that which does not concern him , will miss out on much of that which does concern him. [Abdul Qadir Jilani].

Guidance of the Day
Fear of poverty originates in having a bad opinion of God the Exalted, and its cure is in having a good opinion, and knowing that what God possesses is never diminished in the least and that what has been apportioned to you will reach you inevitably. God will never set aright one's worldly affairs when he or she destroys religion. People who are righteous do not suffer anxiety that tears down the body and mind. They are content to do good and trust in God. It is usually the irreligious who are in a state of turmoil, their hearts never at ease. [Purification of the heart]

Friday, October 22, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 9

Ayah of the Day
The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn, it grows seven ears
and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases, and Allah cares for all and He knows all things. [2; 261].

Hadith of the Day

Truly hearts rust just as iron rusts, and their polishing is LA ILAHA ILLALLAH and seeking forgiveness.

Wise Quote of the Day

Good character consists of three traits: avoiding that which is forbidden, seeking that which is permitted and being generuos to one's family. [Imam Ghazali].

Guidance of the Day
[Treatment for envy contd.]

Another treatment of envy is to know with certainty that holding envy against another person brings harm to oneself. Envy can infact damage one's sanity. The basis of the remedy for envy is TAQWA of ALLAH.

The causes of envy are arrogance, low self esteem, love of leadership and covetousness. It is important to be aware of the feelings that reside in one's heart. This self awareness is essential for the purpose of purification.


Another cause of envy is vying for another's love or affection, which can become vicious; and its effect can linger in a person for a very long time, which is often the case when siblings compete for parental love. On this topic one may read Frank J. Sulloway's Born to Rebel. [Purification of the Heart].

Thursday, October 21, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 7

Ayah of the Day
O' you who believe! Spend out of the bounties We have provided for you, before the Day comes when no bargaining will avail, nor frienship nor intercession. Those who reject faith are the wrongdoers. [2: 254]

Hadith of the Day
Faith wears out in the heart of anyone of you, just as clothes wear out, so ask Allah to renew the faith in your heart. [Tabrani]

Wise Quote of the Day
Give priority to the Hereafter over this world, because you will then gain both of them together. If you give this world priority over the Hereafter, you will then lose both, as your punishment for having preoccupied yourself with something you were not put incharge of.
[Shk. Abdul Qadir Jilani]

Guidance of the Day
Enviers develop a mindset that makes it impossible for them to admit they were wrong. The person enslaving himself to his whims leads only to moral descent in this life, as a consequence, perdition in the Hereafter.

The remedy is to do the opposite of one's temptations. Being beneficient to the person against whom one feels envy often makes that person incline toward's the envier. In general good people are inclined to love those who show good to others. [Purification of the heart]

Monday, October 18, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 6

Ayahs of the Day
O' You who believe enter into Islam completely , and do not follow the footsteps of satan, for he is to you a vowed enemy. If you backslide after the clear signs have come to you, then know that Allah is Exalted in power and Wise. [2: 208,209].

Hadith of the Day

Allah does not look at your bodies nor your forms, but He looks at your hearts and your actions. [Bukhari & Muslim]


Wise Quote of the Day
You must fill up your time with acts of worship so that no period of time elapses without being used in some act of goodness. [Imam al Haddad].

Guidance of the Day

Vain pursuits wear out the soul. If you seek immortal glory, seek glory in the immortal. Remembering death is a spiritual practice that cleanses the heart of frivolousness. Prolonged amusement has the capacity of anesthetizing the soul.

It serves the soul to be actively aware that the door to death awaits each human being and that it can open at any time, we must keep the spectacle of death before our eyes and realize its proximity. [Purification of the Heart]

Saturday, October 16, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 5

God says, concerning His Majestic Book: The Month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance for mankind, [containing] clear proofs of guidance, and the criterion of distinguishing right from wrong. Al-Qur’an 2:185

  1. We encourage all of the believers to refrain from all of the ruinations of the tongue during Ramadan. In his seminal work, “Quickening the Religious Sciences,” Imam al-Ghazali mentions them as the following:

a) Speaking in matters that do not concern one.

b) Excessive speech.

c) Speaking about sinful matters.

d) Disputation and contestation.

e) Argumentation.

f) Excessively embellished speech.

g) Lewd, insulting, or crude speech.

h) Invoking the Curse of God on someone.

i) Singing indecent songs, or relating immoral poetry.

j) Excessive joking.

k) Sarcasm and ridicule.

l) Revealing secrets.

m) False promises.

n) Lying and false oaths.

o) Backbiting and slander.

p) Instigating tense relations between people.

q) Being two-faced.

r) Praising someone who is either undeserving, or unable to remain humble when praised.

s) Speaking about involved subjects and ideas one lacks the necessary knowledge or eloquence to adequately convey.

t) Ordinary folk speaking in subjects that are the domain of specialists.

May God spare us from these ruinations both during and after Ramadan.

The Prophet, Peace and Blessing of Almighty God be upon Him, said: “Whoever fails to leave off ruinous speech, and acting on it [during Ramadan], God does not need him to leave off eating and drinking.” Al-Bukahri

  1. We encourage the believers to avoid all arguments, disputes, and unnecessary worldly entanglements during this blessed month. This is a time for deep devotion and dedication to Allah.
  1. We encourage the believers to work to restore any severed relations or kinship ties they may be experiencing. This is a time when the gentle breezes of Divine Facilitation are blowing. Any good we endeavor during this blessed month will come to bear its proper fruits, Insha Allah.
  1. We encourage all of the believers to eat simply during this month. One should try to make a vow to give up unnecessary, and generally unhealthy fare during this blessed month. Pizza, ice cream, fast food, pastries, and soda should all go. We should make our solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters in other lands real, and not something confined to speeches and pamphlets.
  1. If one is in the habit of watching television, or listening to commercial music, one should also try to give these things up for Ramadan. They are things that divert us from the remembrance of God in any case. During this special month when every letter we recite from the Majestic Qur’an is tremendously rewarded, we should busy ourselves with recitation, and drop other pastimes.
  1. Married believers should encourage their wives to engage in spiritual pursuits during this month, i.e. reciting the Qur’an, attending Tarawih, etc. They should especially avoid burdening their wives with long hours in the kitchen in order to host extravagant Iftars. While it is certainly virtuous to provide the wherewithal for the believers to break their fast, dates, water, and simple dishes suffice in that regard.

These are some of the things we wanted to convey to you. Hopefully, they will prove of benefit. Again, we wish you a very successful Ramadan and would like to thank all of you for past, present, and future support. May Allah bless us to serve you better in the future.

On behalf of the Zaytuna Staff,

Your Brother in Islam,

Imam Zaid Shakir

Thursday, October 14, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 4

Ayah of the Day
When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed (close to them), I listen to the prayerof every suppliant when he calls on me. Let them also, with a will, listen to My call,and believe in Me. That they may walk in the right way. (2: 186)

Hadith of the Day

If you were to rely on Allah as He should be relied on, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning hungry and return in the evening full. (Tirmidhi).

Wise Quote of the Day
If someone's state does not lift you up, and his words do not lead you to Allah, then do not keep his company. (Ibn ata Illah)


Guidance of the Day

Ramadan is a merciful portal of time that opens and then closes, and none of us know whether or not we will see another Ramadan. So seize the moment to gain God's mercy, forgiveness and salvation. There is no capital more worthy of our concern and effort than this.

The time between late afternoonand sunset is a special time for Dhikr. Asr time is the signalling of the end of another day we have been blessed to see, the sunset signifies the end of a life time. Ramadan is an exceptional opportunity to cleanse our hearts of the diseases of them. Recitation of the Quran during Ramadan is especially effective in reviving one's relationship with the book of God. (Purification of the heart)

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 3

Ayah of the Day
It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards east or west; but it is righteousness to believe in Allah and the last day and the angels and the book and the messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for him for your kin, for orphans, for needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves, to be steadfast in prayer and practice regular charity, to fulfill the contracts which you have made, and to be firm and patient in pain (or suffering) and adversity and throughout all periods of
are thepanic. Such people of truth, the God fearing. (2:177)

Hadith of the Day

Any one who shows the way to something good has the same reward as the person who does it. (Muslim)

Wise Quote of the Day

Goodness of character was the attribute of the master of messengers, and was ever the most righteous action of the truthful saints. (Imam Ghazali)


Guidance of the Day

Taking controlof the desires defeats satan. Patience is the key to spiritual wayfaring. If we do not learn patience from the act of fastinf, then we have missed somethingabout this great rite of worship. Scholars throughout the ages recommended that in order to get the most from Ramadan one should not engage in excessive speech,this is an Islamic ethic that should be practiced in general. But in Ramadan, it is especially advised to be vigilant about what we say, since higher fasting involves the tongue. Also it is important to utilize our time well. (Purification of the heart)

Monday, October 11, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 2

Verse of the Day
Allah the Almighty says ' seek [Allah's] help with patience perseverance and prayer, it is indeed hard , except to those who bring a humble themselves, who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him.[ 2;45,46]

Hadith of the Day
The Prohet [ may Allah send His peace & blessings on him said' A man follows the religion of a close friend , so each of you should be careful about whom he takes as a close friend.

Wise Quote of the Day
When the inward is good the outward is also inevitably so, for the outward follows the inward, whether for good or evil [ Iman Abdullah ibn Alawi al Haddad]

Purification of the Day

Wantonness[Batar], one sign of these conditions is the ease with which people enter into debt and live contentedly with it.

People are conciously living beyond their means in order to maintain the appearance of a certain life style.

It is part of advertising theory that when people are constantly exposed to such images, they not only incline toward the product but desire the culture associated with it.

The treatment of watonnessis to willfully experience hunger and to reflect seriously on death and the Hereafter. Hunger can be achieved through voluntary fasting or by simply reducing what one eats, it is commonly held that people who eat in abundunce become hard hearted, scholars of religion often expounded on hunger as an important sensation that feeds spiritual growth.

Freeing the heart of diseases like wantonness requires the remembrance of the Hereafterand its various states and tumultuos scenes, constant reflection of this nature lessens the value of extravagance and in general, all the fleeting things this world has to offer, whether it is wealth, prestige, fame or the like,

May Allah open our hearts for guidance [ameen]

Saturday, October 09, 2004

LESSON OF THE DAY 1


Verse of the Day

Allah the Almighty says ' seek [Allah's] help with patience perseverance and prayer, it is indeed hard , except to those who bring a humble themselves, who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him. [2;45,46]
Hadith of the day; The Prohet [ may Allah send His peace & blessings on him said' A man follows the religion of a close friend , so each of you should be careful about whom he takes as a close friend.

Wise Quote of the Day
When the inward is good the outward is also inevitably so, for the outward follows the inward, whether for good or evil [Iman Abdullah ibn Alawi al Haddad]

Purification of the Day

Wantonness[Batar], one sign of these conditions is the ease with which people enter into debt and live contentedly with it.

People are conciously living beyond their means in order to maintain the appearance of a certain life style.

It is part of advertising theory that when people are constantly exposed to such images, they not only incline toward the product but desire the culture associated with it.

The treatment of wantonness is to willfully experience hunger and to reflect seriously on death and the Hereafter. Hunger can be achieved through voluntary fasting or by simply reducing what one eats, it is commonly held that people who eat in abundunce become hard hearted, scholars of religion often expounded on hunger as an important sensation that feeds spiritual growth.

Freeing the heart of diseases like wantonness requires the remembrance of the Hereafterand its various states and tumultuos scenes, constant reflection of this nature lessens the value of extravagance and in general, all the fleeting things this world has to offer, whether it is wealth, prestige, fame or the like,

May Allah open our hearts for guidance [ameen]