LESSON OF THE DAY 240

Ayah of the Day:
And if you do not bring them a sign, they say, "why haven't you made a selection of them?" Say, "I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord, and guidance and mercy for people who believe. [7: 203]

Hadith of the Day:
Good news to those who are good to their parents: God will increase the length of their lives. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:
People before us used to advise each other of three things -- the one who works for his Hereafter, Allah will take care of the matters of his din and dunya for him; and the who beautifies his inner self, Allah will beautify his appearance; and the one who rectifies that which is between him and Allah, Allah will rectify that which is between him and the people. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
The basis of the love of prominence is to love being considered great by others. Now greatness is one of God's attributes, and this thing is therefore disputing His Lordship.

The basis of the love of money is the love of enjoying one's desires, and this is an attribute of animals. The Prophet, may blessings and peace be upon him, has said: 'God the Exalted says: "Greatness is My lower garment and Pride My upper garment. I shall cast anyone who disputes with Me with regard to either of them into the Fire of Hell." And: 'Two hungry wolves let loose into the sheep's fold will not devastate it more than do the love of prominence and money a Muslim's religion'.

Take little from the world always, and confine yourself to your needs, whether it be in the matter of clothes, food, marriage, housing, or any other comfort. Beware of indulgently seeking its pleasures while claiming to renounce it, using arguments unacceptable to God, and contriving interpretations which are far moved from truth. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Just like stagnant, standing water becomes a breeding ground for filth, an empty and carefree mind becomes a hive for useless and scorn thoughts.

LESSON OF THE DAY 239

Ayahs of the Day:
As for those who are conscientious, when an impulse from Satan strikes them, they are mindful, and so they see. But their brothers cause them to increase in error, and unceasingly at that. [7: 201, 202]

Hadith of the Day:
Do not associate anything with Allah, even if you are tortured with cuts and burns. Do not intentionally miss a prayer, for those who intentionally miss prayer will be on their own. Never drink wine, for it is the key to all evil. Obey your parents. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Glad tidings to the one who leaves the dunya before it leaves him, prepares for his grave before he enters it, and pleases his Lord before he meets Him. [Yahya ibn Muadh]

Guidance of the Day:
Sincere renunciation has many marks. Among these is that one does not rejoice for what one has nor mourn for what one has not, and that the pursuit and enjoyment of the world do not distract one from that which is better for one in the sight of his Lord.

Remove the love of dinars and dirhams from your heart until they become as pebbles and sand in your eyes. Remove the wish to be thought highly of from your heart until you are indifferent to people's praise and condemnation, and to whether they are attracted or repulsed by you. For the love of prominence is more harmful than that of money, and both indicate desire for the world. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Wind, wealth and time are ever changing, so value them. Beware of bad company, a bad friend is as unreliable as a snake. He who guides you to Allah has truly counseled you.

LESSON OF THE DAY 238

Ayahs of the Day:
Take to forgiveness, enjoin benevolence, and avoid the ignorant. And if a suggestion from Satan occurs to you, then take refuge with God, who is all-hearing, all-knowing. [7: 199, 200]

Hadith of the Day:
The major sins, which are nine in number, are as follows: associating partners with Allah, murdering a soul, running from battle, accusing an innocent woman falsely, taking usury, spending the wealth of orphans, talking heresy in the mosque, making light of religion, and causing one's parents to shed tears because of one's disobedience. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Those who were destroyed before you were destroyed due to three traits -- excess in speech, excess in food, and excess in sleep. [Ibrahim al Nakhai]

Guidance of the Day:
The origin of renunciation is the heart's knowledge of the vileness and insignificance of the world, and that 'had it been worth so much as a gnat's wing to God He would not have given a disbeliever a sip of its water,' and that 'it is accursed and all that it contains except that which is for God;' and that anyone who takes more than is necessary from it is unwittingly taking his own destruction.

The intended result of such knowledge is to abandon inwardly desire for the world, and to abandon outwardly delighting in its pleasures. The lowest degree of renunciation is that one is not induced by the world to commit a sin, nor to neglect any act of obedience, while the highest degree is that you take nothing from it unless you know that to take it is more pleasing to God than to leave it. There are many degrees between these two. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Do not fall into the delusion that you will always remain strong, youthful, and wealthy. Do not fall into the delusion that you will stop sinning after doing a sin a few times. Do not delude yourself into thinking that your children will attend to you without your having to looked after your own parents.

LESSON OF THE DAY 237

Ayah of the Day:
Say, "I have no power to profit or harm myself, except as God wills. And if I know the unseen, I would surely have made much of the good; and no ill would have touched me. But I am just a warner, and a herald of good news to people who believe." [7: 188]

Hadith of the Day:
Any Muslim whose parents are Muslims and who wakes up every morning with the intention of doing right by them will have two doors opened for him/her in Paradise by Allah. If only one parent is alive, then one door (will be opened). If he/she angers a parent, Allah will not be pleased with that person until his/her parent is pleased with him/her, even if they (the parents) are unjust. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Never obey your ego even for a moment. Never believe any of its claims no matter what it tells you. [Ahmad al Zarruq]

Guidance of the Day:
You must renounce the world, for renunciation is the forerunner of felicity, the manifestation of Providence, the sign of sanctity. Just as loving the world is the origin of all sins, so also is hating it the origin of all obedience and excellence. It is enough to make you renounce the world to know that in numerous passages in His Book God has called it the Comfort of Illusion, and God the Exalted defined the world as being but a distraction and play to which no intelligent person should pay any attention and to which only fools are attracted.

Know that to renounce the world is an immediate felicity, and that only those whose breasts God has opened up by the dawning of the lights of gnosis and certainty are capable of it. The Prophet has said, may blessings and peace be upon him: 'When light enters the heart it opens up and is enlarged.' (The Companions) said: 'Is there any sign for that? and he replied: 'Yes, to shun the abode of illusion and attend to the abode of immortality.' And he said: 'Renouncing the world relieves the heart and the body, while desire for the world increases worry and sorrow.' And: 'Renounce the world, and God will love you.' [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
A large stone can become an obstacle in the way of a weak person, but becomes merely a stepping stone for the strong willed. Never delay anything that can be done today.

LESSON OF THE DAY 236

Ayahs of the Day:
Whoever God deludes has no guide: God leaves them to wander in their excess. They ask you about the end of time, when it is set. Say, "Only my Lord has knowledge of that, and no one else reveals its time. It weighs heavily on the heavens and the earth. It will only come to you suddenly, as a surprise." They ask you as if you are welcoming it. Say, "God alone has that knowledge, but most of the people do not realize." [7: 186, 187]

Hadith of the Day:
The pleasure of the Lord is in the pleasure of a parent, and the wrath of the Lord is in the wrath of a parent. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:
He who has no manners has no knowledge; he who has no patience has no religion (din); and he who has no God-consciousness has no closeness to Allah. [Hasan al Basri]

Guidance of the Day:
It is part of thankfulness to praise God frequently, and to rejoice for the favors bestowed, because they are means of attaining to the propinquity of God, and because they are evidence of God's solicitude for His servants.

It is part of thankfulness, too, to make much of His favors, even those that are small. It is related that God once said to one of His Prophets: 'Whenever I grant you a poor grain of wheat, know that I have remembered you thereby; therefore thank Me for it.

It is part of thankfulness likewise to speak of God's favors without, however, digressing into anything that might suggest self-righteousness in religious matters or insolence in matters of the world. Deeds are according to the intentions behind them. And all good comes from following our virtuous predecessors in all circumstances; and God knows best. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
A mountain is a pebble for the hardworking, and a pebble is a mountain for the lazy. The lazy keep looking for opportunities, whereas the strong create them. Set backs are what make a person strong.

LESSON OF THE DAY 235

Ayahs of the Day:
Have they not reflected? Their companion is not possessed---he is but a clear warner. Have they not observed the government of the heavens and the earth and everything God has created, and that their term may be near? Then what account will they believe after that? [7: 184, 185]

Hadith of the Day:
Someone who strives on behalf of widows and the poor is like someone who fights in the way of Allah, and like someone who continually stands at night in prayer and like someone who continually fasts. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Remembrance is the sign of the thankful believer, whereas the hypocrite is rarely found to be invoking. He whose wealth or children distract him from remembering God is lost, but the one who remembers God experiences delight sweeter than the pleasure of food and drink. [Ibn Ataillah]

Guidance of the Day:
The basis of thankfulness is that the heart be aware of such favors, that they are from God alone, and that nothing comes to one through one's own ability and power, but only through God's grace and mercy. The limit of thankfulness is to use each one of His favors in His obedience; if you do not do so you will have neglected to give thanks for it, and if you use them to disobey Him you will have fallen into ingratitude, whereby favors turn into afflictions.

Anyone who still enjoys some favors while using them in disobedience to God is being lured. God the Exalted has said: We shall lure them from whence they do not know. And: We only give them rein that they may grow in sinfulness. Similarly, 'God gives rein to the wrong doer until, when He takes him, He does not let him go.' (Hadith) [The Book of Guidance]

Food for Thought:
Time for love is very short in this world, where do people find time to fill it with so much hate. With love even major differences become minor. Love is unconditional, otherwise it is pretense. Love will itself teach the etiquettes of love.

LESSON OF THE DAY 234

Ayahs of the Day:
As for those who repudiate Our signs, We shall bring them to destruction without them even knowing. Yet I prolong their lives; for My strategy is solid.[7: 182, 183]

Hadith of the Day:
No one has swallowed anything more excellent in the sight of Allah than the anger he restrains, seeking to please Allah Most High. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Good interaction with people is half of intelligence, good questioning is half of knowledge, and good planning is half of subsistence. [Omar radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
You must thank God for all that He has favored you with. You have no good thing, whether outward or inward, religious or worldly, but that it comes from Him. God's favors upon you are more than you can number or beware of, let alone adequately thank Him for. You should do as much as you can to thank your Lord, and confess your total incapacity to do so adequately.

Know that thankfulness leads to perpetuation of favors already received and to the obtaining of others that are desired. He is, Exalted is He, too generous to take away a favor from someone who is thanking Him. And God has exhorted His servants to render thanks to Him many times in His Book. And the Prophet, may blessings and peace be upon him, has said: 'Let each of you have an invoking tongue and a thankful heart.' And: 'Faith has two halves: one is patience and the other thankfulness.'

Know that just as you must thank God for favors which are proper for you, such as knowledge and health, you must also thank Him for favors which are general, such as the sending of Messengers, the revelation of Books, raising up the sky, and stretching out the earth. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Nothing will work unless you do. The only thing achieved without effort is failure. Doing nothing is the most tiresome job in the world, because you cant stop and rest.

LESSON OF THE DAY 233

Ayahs of the Day:
The Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah; so call on Him by them; but shun such men as use profanity in His names; for what they do, they will soon be requited. Of those We created are people who direct (others) with truth, and dispense justice therewith. [7: 180, 181]

Hadith of the Day:
Take advantage of five before (another) five: your life before your death, your health before your illness, your free time before your preoccupation, your youth before your old age and your wealth before your poverty. [Ahmad & Baihaqi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Good character is to have an engaging face, to be generous with good works, and to refrain from doing harm. [Ibn al Mubarak]

Guidance of the Day:
Fourthly, patient renunciation of desires, which are all those boastfully worldly things to which the soul inclines. Perfect patient denial is attained by inwardly stopping the soul from thinking and leaning towards them, and outwardly restraining it for seeking or coming close to them.

This kind of fortitude is helped by knowledge of the distraction from God and His worship which comes from seeking and fulfilling desires, the risks of falling into the suspect and prohibited things and the arousal of greed for the world and the wish to remain therein so as to be able to enjoy its pleasures. Abu Sulaiman al Darani has said: 'To abandon a single desire is of more benefit to the heart than a year's of worship.' God will honor the one who grows accustomed to denying himself his desires by removing these things from his heart until his only desire is the Creator Himself and not the created things.[The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Silence is the language of forbearance. Modesty of the tongue is in its silence. Learn silence just as you learned speech. If speech used to guide you, silence will protect you.

LESSON OF THE DAY 232

Ayahs of the Day:
Evil as an example are people who reject Our Signs and wrong their souls. Whom Allah guides; he is on the right path; whom He rejects from His guidance--such are the people who perish. [7: 177, 178]

Hadith of the Day:
Remember the destroyer of pleasures--death-- often. Verily, no one remembers it during straitened times in his life except that it makes the matter easier upon him. And the one who remembers it during times of ease except that it makes the matter tighter upon him. [al Baihaqi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
You have been shown, if you can see;
and you have been guided, if you have found the way;
and you have been made to hear, if you listen. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
The second kind of unpleasant things comprises those which are caused by other men, whether by way of offenses to oneself and one's honor, or of some act of withholding. Complete fortitude in this regard means preventing oneself from hating the offender, if he is a Muslim, or wishing him to come to harm, preventing one's tongue from praying to God against him, and not reproaching him at all, which thing will be accomplished either by forbearance and fortitude, through one's reliance on God's assistance, or by reconciliation, in the wish for His reward.

This kind of patience is helped by knowledge of that which has been handed down regarding the merit which is in suppressing one's anger, enduring injuries, and forgiving others. The Prophet, may blessings and peace be upon him, has said: 'God fills the heart of one who suppresses his anger when he is able to carry out its demands with serenity and faith. The one who perseveres in this kind of fortitude will be honored by God with a goodly character, which is the source of all virtues and the foundation of all perfections. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
The wise have inherited wisdom by means of silence and contemplation. Speak little with men and much with God, perhaps your heart will behold Him.

LESSON OF THE DAY 231

Ayahs of the Day:
Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our signs, but he passed them by: So Satan followed him up, and he went astray. If it had been Our will, We might have raised him up by means of them, but he clung to the earth and followed his own whim. He might be compared to a dog: if you attack Him, he lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; so relate the story; perchance they may reflect. [7: 175,176]

Hadith of the Day:
Allah has revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no one boasts over another. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
No soul shall die until it fulfills its decreed portion of this world and its appointed time here, so be conscious of God and make your request with dignity. [Ahmad al Zarruq]

Guidance of the Day:
Thirdly, patient endurance of unpleasant things. These are of two kinds: The first comprises those which come from God without an intermediary, as illness, death of a dear relative or a friend etc. This kind of fortitude is realized inwardly by forsaking restlessness, which is to become annoyed and irritated, and outwardly by not complaining to any creature.

This kind of fortitude is helped by the knowledge that impatience is painful in itself, in addition to its leading to punishment and the loss of reward. Complaining to one who can neither benefit nor protect his own self is foolish, and such are all creature. Furthermore, to complain is evidence of not finding one's sufficiency in God, in Whose hand is the Dominion of all things, and also of omitting to remember those verses which relate to the worth of patient endurance of losses, infirmities, and afflictions, and that God the Exalted knows better than a man that which is of most benefit to him. God will give the one who perseveres in this kind of fortitude to taste the sweetness of surrender and find rest in the serenity of contentment. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
He who asks a question may be a fool for five minutes, he who never asks a question remains a fool for ever. Silence at the right time is the proper attribute for men, just as speaking on the right occasion is among the noblest qualities.

LESSON OF THE DAY 230

Ayahs of the Day:
When your Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam from their loins--their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves (saying): "Am I not your Lord (Who cherishes and sustains you)?" They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest you should say on the Day of judgment: "Of this we were never mindful." Or lest you should say: "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods, but we are (their) descendants after them: will You then destroy us because of their deeds of men who were futile?" Thus do We explain the signs in detail; perchance they may turn (unto Us). [7: 172,173,174]

Hadith of the Day:
Whoever seeks knowledge in order to compete with the scholars or to debate with the ignorant or to have people turn their faces to him will be entered by Allah into the Fire. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
One who perseveres patiently will not be without success, even if it takes a long time. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Fortitude (sabr)is of four kinds:

Firstly, patiently enduring one's perseverance in acts of obedience. This is realized inwardly through sincerity and presence of heart, and outwardly through holding constantly to them, showing zeal, and performing them in the correct and lawful way. This kind of fortitude is helped by remembering God's promised rewards, both immediate and to come, for obedience. The one who keeps to this kind of fortitude reaches the station of nearness where he will find indescribable sweetness, pleasure, and intimacy in acts of obedience.

Secondly, patient endurance in renouncing sins. This is realized outwardly by avoiding them and by keeping away from the places where they might be committed, and by preventing the soul from discoursing upon them and from inclining to them, for the very beginning of a sin is a thought.

As for remembering previous sins, if this results in fear or remorse it is good, if not then refraining from it is better. This kind of fortitude is helped by remembering God's threats of punishment in this world and the next for disobedience. The one who keeps to this kind of fortitude will be honored by God with finding all disobedience so repugnant that entering the Fire would be easier for him to bear than the committal of the smallest sin. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
You fall the way you lean. Your character is what you have left when you have lost everything you can lose. Character is much easier kept than recovered.

LESSON OF THE DAY 229

Ayahs of the Day:
After them succeeded an (evil) generation; they inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the vanities of this world, saying (for excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven us." (Even so), if similar vanities came their way, they would (again) seize them. Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them, that they would not ascribe to Allah anything but the truth? And they study what is in the Book. But best for the righteous is the Home in the Hereafter, will you not understand? As to those who hold fast by the Book and establish regular prayer--never shall We suffer the reward of the righteous to perish. [7 169, 170]

Hadith of the Day:
The delaying of repayment by one who has the means is a form of dhulm (injustice). [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Hopes for forgiveness have deceived some people until they left the world as bankrupts, that is, devoid of good works. [Hasan al Basri]

Guidance of the Day:
You must show fortitude (sabr), for it is one of the foundations and is inescapable as long as you are in this abode. It is a noble trait and a great virtue. The Messenger of God, many blessings and peace be upon him, has said: 'Fortitude is the commander of the believer's soldiers.' And: 'There is much good in the patient endurance of that which one finds unpleasant.' And: 'Know that victory comes with fortitude, relief with hardship, and that with each difficulty comes ease.'

Know that happiness depends on the occurrence of nearness to God, which in turn depends on always following the truth and avoiding falsehood. The soul (lower self) is by its very nature inclined to detest truth and lean towards falsehood. The determination of the seeker of felicity is thus always in need of fortitude, sometimes to force the soul to follow the truth and sometimes to force it to avoid falsehood. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Just because you have the gift of sight doesn't mean you can see. Whoever occupies himself with insignificant things, then important things will passby him.

LESSON OF THE DAY 228

Ayah of the Day:
Say: "O People I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; there is no God but He; it is He that gives both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His Words; follow him so that you may be guided. [7: 158]

Hadith of the Day:
For whomever Allah desires good, He gives him the understanding of the religion. And verily, knowledge comes through learning. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The world is like a serpent, soft to the touch but with poison inside. The ignorant heedless one reaches for it, while the intelligent one is wary of it. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Beware of those hopes for forgiveness which will sever you therefrom. These you from deluded people who say that God will forgive all sins, that He stands in no need of us and our works, that His treasures are full of bounty and His mercy envelops everything, but who then persist in committing sins and neglecting good works, as though they were in effect saying that acts of obedience are of no benefit and sins bring no harm. This is a 'formidable falsehood!'

The Prophet, may blessings and peace be upon him, has said: 'The shrewd man is he who accuses himself and works for that which follows death, and the incompetent is he who follows his soul's passions and harbors (illusory) hopes regarding God.'

If you say to one of these deluded people that he should refrain from earning and commerce and God the Exalted will send him his provision, he will ridicule you and reply that he never saw anything come except when sought and pursued, mostly with toil and exertion. Nevertheless, God has guaranteed (his share of) the world for him, but not the Hereafter. Is this anything but an inversion of (the truth) and standing upside down on one's own head? [The Book of guidance]

Food for Thought:
Preconceived notions are the locks on the door to wisdom. A normal person knows right from wrong, a good person admits when he is wrong.

LESSON OF THE DAY 227

Ayah of the Day:
Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures)--in the Law and the Gospel--for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); he releases them from heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them, so it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him--it is they who will prosper. [7: 157]

Hadith of the Day:
Over look the slips of the righteous and pious people, except in matters concerning which there is a prescribed penalty. [Ahmad & Abu Dawood]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Repentance is not simply a matter of stopping one's sins, but is also to refrain in the most beautiful manner from sinning and to amend for one's deeds in the best way possible. [Al Raghib al Isfahani]

Guidance of the Day:
Any hope or fear that does not lead to adherence to obedience and renunciation of transgressions is considered by the people of inward vision to be useless illusion and folly, for the one who (really) hopes for something seeks it and the one who (really) fears something flees from it invariably.

Beware of either despairing of God's mercy or feeling secure from His deception, for both are among the major sins. They only despair of the mercy of their Lord who are astray, and they only feel secure from the deception of God who are the people of perdition.

'Despair' is to be so overwhelmed by fear as to leave absolutely no room for hope, while 'security' is to have so much hope as to leave absolutely no room for fear. The man who has either of the two is ignorant of God, and will inevitably neglect His obedience and transgress. For the one who despairs forsakes obedience because he feels it will be of no avail to him, while the one who is secure commits sins thinking that they will not harm him. We seek God's protection against damnation and against evil destiny. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Turn away from your worries, and leave everything to destiny. Contentment is an inexhaustible treasure.

LESSON OF THE DAY 226

Ayah of the Day:
(Moses said): "And ordain for us that which is good, in this life and the Hereafter; for we have turned unto You." He (Allah) said: "With My punishment I visit whom I will; but My Mercy extends to all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right, and practice regular charity, and those who believe in Our Signs." [7: 156]

Hadith of the Day:
Intercede on each others behalf and you will be rewarded. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The tongue is a wild beast; when it is let loose, it wounds. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Have hope and fear, for these are the two of the most noble fruits of faith, and God has attributed to the Foremost among His servants. The basis of hope is the heart's knowledge of the immensity of God's mercy and generosity, the magnitude of His favors and kindness, and His gracious promise to those who obey him. This knowledge generates a state of joyous relief which is termed 'hope', the intended result of which is that one hastens to acts of goodness and is careful in performance of one's acts of obedience, for obedience is the road to God's Good Pleasure (Ridwan),and His Garden.

The basis of fear is the heart's knowledge of the majesty of God. His invincible might, His independence of any of His creatures, and the severe punishments and painful torments with which He has threatened those who disobey Him and contravene His commands. This knowledge generates a state of apprehension which is termed 'fear', the intended result of which is that one abandons sins and thoroughly guards oneself against them, for sin is the road leading to God's wrath and His place of punishment. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Turn your back on studies for a day, it will turn its back on you for a week. Turn your back on studies for a week, it will turn its back on you for a month. There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.

LESSON OF THE DAY 225

Ayah of the Day:
And those who do wrong but repent thereafter and (truly) believe----verily your Lord is thereafter Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [7: 153]

Hadith of the Day:
Do not backbite the Muslims, and do not search for their private matters. Whoever searches for their private matters will have Allah follow up his private matters. And whose private matters Allah follows, He will expose him even (if his act were done) in the privacy of his house. [Ahmad & Abu Dawood]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Every sin is the result of a person's putting the desires of his soul above his love for Allah and His Messenger. [Ibn Rajab]

Guidance of the Day:
Renew your repentance frequently, for sins are numerous and a servant is never free, outwardly and inwardly, from a great number of rebellious acts, even if his state is good, behavior upright, and obedience continual. It should suffice you (to Know) that the Messenger of God, may blessings and peace be upon him, infallible and absolutely perfect as he was, repented to God and asked for His forgiveness more than seventy times each day.

Ask for forgiveness repeatedly, night and day, especially the last hours of night. The Prophet has said, may blessings and peace be upon him: 'God will grant the one who perseveres in asking for forgiveness relief from everything that worries him, a way out of every difficulty, and provision from whence he did not expect it.' [The Book of Assistance]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Vision is only a minute aspect of success. Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it. Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.

LESSON OF THE DAY 224

Ayah of the Day:
Those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right--I will turn them away from My Signs: Even if they see all the Signs, they will not believe in them; and if they see the way of right conduct, they will not adopt it as the way; but if they see the way of error, that is the way they will adopt, for they have rejected Our Signs, and failed to take warning from them. [7: 146]

Hadith of the Day:
Whoever is slowed by his deeds will not be hastened forward by his lineage. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
This worldly life is a deceiving form of enjoyment if it diverts the person from seeking the Hereafter, if it calls a person to seeking Allah's pleasure and seeking the Hereafter, then it is an excellent means. [Saeed ibn Jubair]

Guidance of the Day:
You must repent from every single sin, small or great, outward or inward. Know that repentance cannot be sound unless the sin itself is renounced, remorse is felt, and there is present a determination never to repeat it for the rest of one's life. God loves the penitent. The true penitent is characterized by signs, among which are softness of the heart, frequent weeping, adhering to obedience, and forsaking evil companions and places.

Beware of willful persistence, which is to sin and not repent immediately. It is a believer's duty to guard against sins, both small and great, in the way he would against come across burning fires, engulfing waters or lethal poisons. He should neither commit nor intend a sin, neither talk about it before nor delight in it after it happened. If he does fall into it he should conceal and hate it, and hasten to repent immediately. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Justice is truth in action. It is never too late to mend. One who makes a mistake and doesn't correct it is making another mistake. Hatred is a coward's revenge for being intimidated.

LESSON OF THE DAY 223

Ayahs of the Day:
(Allah) said: "O Moses! I have chosen you above other men, by the mission I (have given you) and the words I (have spoken to you): take then the (revelation) which I give you, and be of those who give thanks." And We ordained laws for him in the Tablets in all matters, both commanding and explaining all things, (and said): "Take and hold these with firmness, and enjoin your people to hold fast by the best in the precepts: soon shall I show you the homes of the wicked. [7: 144, 145]

Hadith of the Day:
Whoever follows a path in order to seek knowledge thereby, Allah will make easy for him, due to it, a path to Paradise. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Do good for the remainder of your life and you will be forgiven for what you did in the past. However, if you do evil in what remains of your life, you will be held responsible for what you did in the past and in the future. [Fudhail ibn al Iyaadh]

Guidance of the Day:
Make frequent supplications, and ask for forgiveness for yourself, your parents, relatives, friends, and all other Muslims, for the prayer of a Muslim for his brother in his absence is answered. The Prophet, may blessings and peace be upon him, has said: 'Some prayers have no veils between them and God: the prayer of the wronged, and that of a Muslim for his brother in his absence.'

Know that Muslims have many mutual obligations. If you want to fulfill these properly then behave towards Muslims, whether they be present or absent, as you would like them to behave towards you. Oppose your own soul, and accustom your heart to wish for Muslims every good that you wish for yourself. The Prophet, may blessings and peace be upon him, has said: 'None of you has believed until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself.' People are either afflicted or free (of affliction) so be compassionate to the afflicted and thank God for freedom (from affliction). [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
The ripest peach is highest on the tree. Its not the outlook but the uplook that counts. The only place SUCCESS comes before WORK is in the dictionary. The secret of happy living is not to do what you like, but to like what you do.

LESSON OF THE DAY 222

Ayahs of the Day:
Most of them We found not men (true) to their covenant: but most of them We found rebellious and disobedient. Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they wrongfully rejected them; so see what was the end of those who made mischief. [7: 102, 103]

Hadith of the Day:
Whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal (his faults) in this life and the Hereafter. Allah is helping the servant as long as the servant is helping his brother. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The one who knows that he is a slave of Allah and that he shall return to Him knows that he is, in fact, to be detained. The one who knows that he is to be detained knows that he is going to be asked. [Fudhail ibn Iyaadh]

Guidance of the Day:
Think well of all Muslims, and beware of thinking ill of any of them. The Prophet, may blessings and peace be upon him, has said: 'Two traits are unsurpassed by any other good: thinking well of God, and thinking well of His servants. And two traits are unsurpassed by any other evil: thinking ill of God, and thinking ill of His servants.'

To think well of Muslims is to regard nothing they do or say as evil when it can be interpreted otherwise. If you cannot find a good interpretation, in the case of sins, for example, then reproach them for committing them, and believe that their faith will eventually drive them to refrain and repent of them.

Thinking evil of Muslims is to regard as evil those acts and words of theirs which are in appearance good. For example, you may see a Muslim who frequently prays, gives charity, and recites the Quran, and you think that he is only doing this so that people may see him, and that his aim is wealth and social position. This corrupt form of thinking occurs only to those who are inwardly vile, and is an attribute of the hypocrites. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
There are none so blind as those who refuse to see. The reactions of others are often results from our own actions.

LESSON OF THE DAY 221

Ayahs of the Day:
To those who inherit the earth in succession to its (previous) possessors, is it not a guiding (lesson) that, if We so willed, We could punish them (too) for their sins, and seal up their hearts so that they could not hear. Such were the towns whose story We (thus) relate to you; There came to them their Messengers with clear (signs); but they would not believe what they had rejected before. Thus Allah seals up the hearts of those who reject faith. [7: 100, 101]

Hadith of the Day:
Whoever relieves a believer's distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from the difficulties of the Hereafter. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
If your heart becomes pure, you will never have enough of the words of your Lord. [Uthman radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Be humble, for humility is the attribute of believers. Beware of pride, for God does not like the proud. Those who humble themselves are raised up by God, and those who are proud are abased by Him. The Prophet, may blessings and peace be upon him, has said: 'Pride is to deny the truth and despise other people.' And: 'The man who looks at himself with admiration and others with disdain is proud.'

There are signs which distinguish the humble from the proud: Signs of humility include a liking for obscurity, a dislike of fame, to accept truth whether it be from a man of high or low birth, to love the poor, associate with them and keep their company to fulfill the rights people have upon you as completely as you can, thank those who fulfill their duties to you, and excuse those who are remiss.

Signs of pride include a liking for sitting in the positions of most dignity when in company or in a public gathering, praising oneself, speaking in a pompous manner, openly displaying haughtiness and arrogance, strutting, neglecting the rights your brothers have upon you while at the same time demanding the rights you have upon them. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred (i.e. forgive)

2. Free your mind from worries (most never happen).

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less.

LESSON OF THE DAY 220

Ayahs of the Day:
Do townsfolk feel secure from Our might striking them at dead of night while they are asleep? Or do the people of the towns feel safe from Our might striking them in broad daylight while they are playing around? Do they feel safe from God's design? No one should feel safe from God's design except for folk who will lose out. [7: 97, 98, 99]

Hadith of the Day:
Whoever defends the flesh of his brother in his absence (i.e. when he is ill spoken about), has a right upon Allah to rescue him from the Fire. [Ahmad & Tabraani]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Lower knowledge is what stops at the tongue; more elevated knowledge is what is evident in the limbs and organs. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Speak truthfully and honor your commitments and your promises, for breaching commitments and breaking promises are signs of hypocrisy. 'The signs of a hypocrite are four: when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks his promise, when he is trusted he betrays the trust, and when he quarrels he acts corruptly.

Be wary of argumentation and wrangling, for they cast rancor in the breasts of men, alienate hearts, and lead to enmity and hatred. If anyone argues against you and has right on his side, accept what he says, for truth must always be followed. If, on the other hand, he is wrong, then leave him, for he is ignorant.

Respect Muslims, especially people of merit such as the scholar, the righteous, the nobleman, and the one whose hair has greyed in Islam. Never frighten or alarm a Muslim; never mock or ridicule, or despise him, for these are part of ominous and blameworthy behavior. The Prophet, may blessings and peace be upon him, has said: 'It is sufficient evil for a man that he should despise his brother Muslim.' [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
The good and bad are not determined by reason, but only by revelation, and therefore only through shariah. The mind's role is not to determine what is good or bad and right or wrong, but, rather to understand and implement the rulings of Allah Most High, as contained in the shariah.

LESSON OF THE DAY 219

Ayah of the Day:
If the people of the town had but believed and feared Allah, We should indeed had opened out to them (all kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth; but they rejected (the truth), and We seized them because of what they had been acquiring. [7: 96]

Hadith of the Day:
No man helps a Muslim at a time when his honor is being belittled or his rights are violated except that Allah will help him in a place which he loves to have His help. [Ahmad & abu Dawood]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Get as close to Allah as you can. And realize that you do not get closer to Him by anything that is more beloved to Him than His Own Speech. [Khabbab ibn arat]

Guidance of the Day:
Defend the lives, honor, and wealth of Muslims as you defend your own, whether they be present or not. The one who supports a Muslim will be supported by God, and the one who deserts a Muslim will be deserted by Him.

You must be of good counsel to all Muslims. The highest point of this is that you conceal nothing from them which if made known would result in good or preserve from something evil. Support a Muslim in his absence as you would in his presence.

Do not praise anyone unless you know that your praises will incite him to more good works or unless he is a superior person whose superiority is not well known and you wish to make it so, this being on condition that you are safe from lying and he is safe from conceit. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
After all is said and done, there is more said than done. The wise speak little, but mean much. Those who seek their guidance should reflect in their words, rather than jump to hasty conclusions.

LESSON OF THE DAY 218

Ayahs of the Day:
Whenever We sent a Prophet to a town, We took up its people in suffering and adversity, in order that they might learn humility. Then We changed their suffering into prosperity, until they grew and multiplied, and began to say: "Our fathers (too) were touched by suffering and affluence." So We seized them suddenly while they did not even notice it. [7: 94,95]

Hadith of the Day:
No man forsakes a Muslim when his rights are being violated or his honor is belittled except that Allah will forsake him at a place in which he would love to have His help. [Abu Dawood & Ahmad]

Wise Quote of the Day:
There is nothing in this world except that its end is a cause for grief and regret. Ours is an age where action is abandoned and mere speech is celebrated, where action is left behind and mere information is exulted over. [Abu Hazim Makki]

Guidance of the Day:
Backbiting is to say things about a person, in his absence, which he would have resented had he been present, whether it be verbal, written, or indicated. The Prophet (may blessings and peace be upon him), has said: 'Every part of a Muslim is sacrosanct with regard to other Muslims: his blood, his wealth, and his honor.' And: 'Backbiting is worse than adultery.' God revealed to Moses, peace be upon him: 'The one who dies having repented of his backbiting will be the last to enter the Garden, and the one who dies persisting in it will be the first to enter the Fire'.

Beware of injustice, for it will be darkness on the Day of Rising, especially injustice to others, which is never left alone by God. Therefore, if you ever wrong anyone, hasten to emerge from the situation by submitting to punishment if it is a legal offense, asking to be absolved if it is a matter of honor, and returning to what you have taken if it is a financial injustice.

If you find yourself altogether unable to make reparations for some of your injustices, then seek refuge in God with sincerity, urgency, and an acknowledgment of your powerlessness, that He may get your adversary to accept you; also pray in abundance and ask for forgiveness for those whom you have wronged. [The Book of Assistance]


Food for Thought:
The trials and tests are mercy from Allah. This is why scholars do not see these situations as completely bad, the clouds of trial and difficulty are so often lined with the silver of turning to Allah, and themselves bring showers of subsequent ease.

LESSON OF THE DAY 217

Ayah of the Day:
From the land that is clean and good, by the will of its Cherisher, springs up produce, (rich) after its kind; but for the land that is bad, springs up nothing but that which is niggardly; thus do We explain the signs by various (symbols) to those who are grateful [7: 58]

Hadith of the Day:
May Allah have mercy on the one who is easy going and generous while buying, while selling and when demanding his rights. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Allah has proclaimed in Torah: "My remembrance is a tremendous bounty in this world and in the Hereafter a tremendous reward will be attained thereby. The least of My displeasure with the one whose beloved is this world is that he will be deprived of the sweetness that comes from the zikr and intimate discourse with Me. [Malik bin Dinar]

Guidance of the Day:
Effect reconciliation between the hearts of the believers, and cause them to love each other by bringing to light their virtues and concealing their vices. Restore good relations between them, for such a thing is more meritorious than supererogatory prayers and fasts, especially when effected between a father and his son, or a man and his relatives.

Beware of sowing discord through slander, backbiting or anything else such as will result in antagonism and aversion; for this is considered an immense sin by God.

Slander is to report the words of one person to another with the intention of creating discord between them. The Prophet (may blessings and peace be upon him) has said: 'A slanderer cannot enter the Garden.' And: 'The most abhorrent amongst you are those who damage (relationships) between brothers by slander, and create rifts between brethren. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
In happy moments, praise God.

In difficult moments, seek God.

In quiet moments, worship God.

In painful moments, trust God.

In every moment, thank God.

LESSON OF THE DAY 216

Ayah of the Day:
It is He who sends the winds like heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy: when they have carried the heavy laden clouds, We drive them to a land that is dead, make rain to descend thereon, and produce every kind of harvest therewith: thus shall We raise up the dead; perchance you may remember. [7: 57]

Hadith of the Day:
It is enough of evil for a person to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All of a Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim; his blood, his wealth and his honor. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The contented one is freed from dependence upon the creation. He who leaves his desires attains his freedom. [Hasan al Basri]

Guidance of the Day:
Show delight and pleasure when something good befalls the Muslims, such as the arrival of rains, lowering of prices, or victory over aggressors or disbelievers. Be sad and aggrieved when hardship befalls them such as epidemics, rising prices, and seditions. Entreat God to relieve them of such trials, yet you should accept His decree and ordinance. The Prophet (may blessings and peace be upon him) said: 'The one who is not interested in the affairs of the Muslims is not one of them.'

When a Muslim does you a favor you must accept it, and thank and reward him. If you cannot reward him or you fear to offend him, then pray for him. For the Prophet (may blessings and peace be upon him) said: 'When someone does you a favor reward him; if you are unable to then pray for him until you feel that you have rewarded him.' And: 'The one who says to someone who has done him a favor: "May God reward you with goodness!" has given him an exceedingly good prayer.' [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Man was given two ears and one tongue, so that he may listen more than he speaks. If you think of yourself, you will not speak badly about others.

LESSON OF THE DAY 215

Ayahs of the Day:
Call on your Lord in humility and in private; for Allah loves not those who trespass beyond bounds. Do not make mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts); for the mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good. [7:55, 56]

Hadith of the Day:
A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not wrong him, he does not fail him (when he needs him), he does not lie to him, and he does not show contempt for him. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
When you are greeted, return an even nicer greeting, and when you are done a service, repay it with something even more, though the blessing is with the one who acted first. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Always smile at believers, show them an engaging friendly face, speak well to them, be gentle and 'lower your wing' to them. The Prophet has said, (may peace be upon him): 'Do not disdain any act of goodness, even should this meeting your brother with a face friendly face.' And: 'A kind word is a charity.' It has been handed down that when two Muslims meet and shake hands a hundred mercies are divided between them, ninety-nine of which are for the friendlier of the two.

Beware of breaking off relations with a Muslim for the sake of yourself. If you need to leave him for a religious reason then do not do so for more than three days, for the Prophet has said, (may blessings and peace be upon him): 'The one who deserts his brother for more than three days will be driven by God into the Fire, unless God rescues him through Him mercy.' This relates to desertion for the purpose of discipline; but if it be done because a wrong is being committed or a right neglected, then there can be no restoration until one reverts to right conduct. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
A smile is something nice to see, it does not cost a cent.

A smile is something all you own it, it never can be spent.

A smile is welcome everywhere, it does away with frowns.

A smile is good for everyone, to ease life's ups and down.

LESSON OF THE DAY 214

Ayah of the Day:
Your Guardian Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He established Himself on the Throne (of authority): He draws the night as a veil over the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession; He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and govern? Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds! [7: 54]

Hadith of the Day:
By Allah in Whose hand is my soul, you must order good and forbid evil or Allah will soon send upon you a punishment from Himself and then you will supplicate to Him and He will not respond to you. [Ahmad & Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
We need to remember what our scholars say: "What stems from the heart finds its way to the heart, yet what is delivered by the tongue will not go beyond the ear."

Guidance of the Day:
Relieve those in hardship, fulfill the needs of those in need, and keep the sinner's disgrace concealed. For the Prophet (may blessings and peace be upon him), has said: 'God shall grant ease to him who eases the hardship of another, and shall conceal, in this world and the hereafter, (the sins) of him who conceals (the disgrace of) a believer; and He shall relieve from one of the hardships of the Day of Rising the one who relieves a Muslim from one of the hardships of this world; He shall fulfill the need of the man who fulfills his brother's need. He assists His servants as long as he assists his brother.'

Try to gladden the hearts of believers in every possible way, as long as these ways are not sinful. Intercede for anyone who requests it of you with those with whom you are influential, for God will ask His servant to account for his influence just as He will ask him to account for his money. If, following an act of intercession, you receive a gift for it you should refuse it, for it is a form of usury. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Don't expect to enjoy the cream of life, if you keep your milk of human kindness all bottled up. You can never speak a kind word too soon, for you never know how soon is too late.

LESSON OF THE DAY 213

Ayahs of the Day:
For We had certainly sent unto them a Book, based on knowledge, which We explained in detail--a guide and a mercy to all who believe. Do they just wait for the final fulfillment of the event? On the day the event is finally fulfilled, those who disregarded it before will say: "The Messengers of our Lord did indeed bring true (tidings). Have we no intercessors now to intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back? Then should we behave differently from our behavior in the past." In fact they will have lost their souls, and the things they invented will leave them in the lurch. [7: 52,53]

Hadith of the Day:
There is no people among which evil is committed and they have the ability to change that but they do not change it except that Allah will soon afflict them with a punishment that will affect all of them. [Abu Dawood & Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The tongue is a wild beast; when it is let loose, it wounds. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Comfort the brokenhearted, be gentle to the weak and the needy, console the poor, be lenient with the insolvent, and lend to those who ask you. 'The reward for a loan exceeds that for charity eight times.' (Hadith). This is because a loan is only taken by one who is in need of it. Console those who are stricken by adversity, for the prophet has said, (may blessings and peace be upon him): 'The one who consoles a man stricken by adversity, that is, helps him endure patiently, has a reward similar to his.'

Beware of gloating, which is to rejoice at another Muslim's misfortune, for the Prophet has said, (may blessings and peace be upon him): 'Do not show any gloating in regard to your brother, lest God release him and afflict you,'

Beware of openly reviling a Muslim for a sin he has fallen into, for the one who does so will be afflicted likewise before he dies. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Nothing is more beneficial that you benefit from yourself, than doing what is befitting for the time.

LESSON OF THE DAY 212

Ayahs of the Day:
The companions of the Fire will call to the companions of the Garden: "Pour down to us water or anything that Allah has provided for your sustenance." They will say: "Both these things Allah has forbidden to those who rejected Him--Such as took their religion to be mere amusement and play, and were deceived by the life of the world." That day shall We forget them as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs, and as they rejected Our signs." [7: 50,51]

Hadith of the Day:
If a sin is committed on the earth, the one who witnessed it and hated it (rebukes it), is like one who was not present. And the one who was not present at the time of the sin but is pleased with the sin is like the one who was present (and did not repel it). [Abu Dawood & Tabraani]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The most difficult of matters is that a man watch over his tongue and speak ill of no one. [Mohammad Waase']

Guidance of the Day:
Be merciful to the servants of God and compassionate to His creatures, and be gentle and kind, and easy to approach. Beware of being callous, coarse, obscene, and difficult to approach. The Prophet has said, (may blessings and peace be upon him): 'God is only merciful to those of His servants who are merciful; those who show no mercy are shown no mercy.' And: 'A believer is affable and easy to approach; there is no good in anyone who is neither affable nor easy to approach.'

Teach the ignorant, guide those who stray, remind the distracted, and beware of neglecting any of these things. For teaching and reminding are part of practicing what one knows, and great men only become great by the grace of God and by their guiding God's servants to His path. If you are unworthy now (of teaching), then the only way you can become worthy is to do good and invite people to it. Evil lies only in making claims and leading others to other than the truth. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
There are two types of ignorance: simple and compound. Simple ignorance is that the ignorant knows of his ignorance. Compound ignorance is that the ignorant thinks he knows, when in reality he is ignorant, and this is worse.

LESSON OF THE DAY 211

Ayahs of the Day:
The men on the Heights will call to certain men whom they will know from their marks, saying: "Of what profit to you were your hoards and your arrogant ways? Behold! are these not the men whom you swore that Allah with His Mercy would never bless? Enter the Garden: no fear shall be upon you, nor shall you grieve. [7: 48,49]

Hadith of the Day:
Be aloof from the world and Allah will love you. Be aloof from what people possess and the people will love you. [ibn Maajah & Tabraani]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Paradise is not attained through outward deeds alone, rather it is attained through sincerity and intention. [Hasan al Basri]

Guidance of the Day:
You must love and hate for the sake of God, for this is one of the firmest handholds of faith. When you love the servant who is obedient to God because of his obedience, and hate the one who is disobedient to God because of his disobedience, and not for any other reason, then you are the one who truly loves and hates for the sake of God. If you find in yourself no love for the people of goodness, because of their goodness, and no loathing for the people of evil, because of their evil, then know that your faith is weak.

Keep the company of the best people and avoid that of the worst; sit with the virtuous and avoid the unjust. Know that associating with people of goodness and keeping their company implant the love of goodness in the heart and help to practice it, while associating with the people of evil and keeping their company implant the love of evil in the heart and the love of practicing it. The one who associates closely with a particular group of people, inevitably ends up loving them, whether they are good or evil, and a man is with those he loves both in this world and in the hereafter. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Death has ten thousand several doors for men to take their exits. Unique circumstances of death will be granted to someone with a unique personality.

LESSON OF THE DAY 210

Ayahs of the Day:
Between them shall be a veil, and on the Heights will be men who would know everyone by his marks; they will call out to the Companions of the Garden, "Peace on you": They have not yet entered it even though they long to. When their sight is shifted towards the inmates of the Fire, they will say: "Our Lord, do not place us alongside such wrongdoing folk!" [7: 46,47]

Hadith of the Day:
Verily, Allah, the Exalted, has prescribed the obligatory deeds, so do not neglect them. He has set the limits, so do not go beyond them. He has forbidden some things, so do not violate them. And He has been silent about some things, out of mercy upon you and not out of forgetfulness, so do not seek after them. [Baihaqi & Haakim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The heart which is free from rancor is pleased with its Lord. No happiness can be attained by the heart which is not happy with his Lord. [Habib Ajmi]

Guidance of the Day:
Be loyal to your parents, for this is a most certain duty. Beware of severing your ties with them, which is one of the greatest sins. You must, therefore seek to make them pleased with you, and obey them except in committing sinful things or omitting obligations. Prefer them to yourself and give their affairs priority over your own. Disloyalty includes withholding from them any good that you are able to bring them, as well as frowning and chiding.

Parents should help their children to be loyal to them by not insisting on every one of their rights, especially in these days when loyalty is scarce, evil rife. Respect your ties of kinship and start with the closest to you; give generously of the good things you have and start with the nearest. Maintaining ties of kinship and kind behavior towards neighbors will not be complete unless one refrains from harming them, endures the harming they do, and does good to them according to the means at one's disposal. [The Book of Guidance]

Food for Thought:
Remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a GIFT, that is why it is called "THE PRESENT".

LESSON OF THE DAY 209

Ayahs of the Day:
The inhabitants of the Garden will call out to the inmates of the Fire: "We have indeed found the promises of our Lord to us true: Have you also found your Lord's promises true? They will say: "Yes!" But an announcer among them will call out: "The curse of Allah is on the wrong doers--who obstruct God's path and try to make it crooked, and are disbelievers in the Hereafter. [7: 44,45]

Hadith of the Day:
Surely, if you abandon the jihad and spend all of your time with your agriculture you deal in al-eenah (a type of business deal that implicitly involves interest (riba), then Allah will make humiliation accompany you and not allow you to be rid of it until you repent to Allah. [Ahmad]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Satan needs not misguide the one who runs after the world, for he is already misguided. [Mohammad Waase']

Guidance of the Day:
As for your 'public charges', these are all people entrusted by God to your custody, such as children, wife, and slave, all of whom are part of your charge. It is your duty to guide them to the performance of that which God has made obligatory and the avoidance of that which He forbade. Beware of allowing them to neglect an obligatory or commit a forbidden act; summon them to that in which their salvation and happiness in the hereafter lies.

Teach them courtesy and do not plant in their hearts love of the world and its cravings, for you would thus have done them harm. It has been said that the wife and children of a man shall clutch him before God and say: 'O Lord! This one did not teach us Your rights upon us; therefore give us retaliation from him!'

You must treat them with justice and graciousness. Justice is to give them everything that God has made rightfully theirs in the way of expenditure, clothes, and living with them charitably. As for graciousness, this is to treat them gently, and not to be harsh in asking them for the rights assigned to you by God, and to treat them with nobility, and to laugh with them at times without falling into sin, in a manner that removes estrangement and repugnance but maintains reverence and respect. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
One sincere criticism is worth a hundred praises. Beware of your ego, and trust not its mischief; the ego is worse than seventy Devils.

LESSON OF THE DAY 208

Ayahs of the Day:
And those who believe and work righteousness--no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear--they will be Companions of the Garden, therein to dwell (for ever). We will strip away any rancor (that lingers) in their breasts. Rivers will flow beneath them and they will say; "Praise be to God Who led us to this! We would never have been guided if God had not led us. Our Lord's messengers have brought the Truth." They will hear someone call out: "Here is the Garden you have inherited because of what you have done." [7: 42,43]

Hadith of the Day:
The best among people is a believer who strives his utmost in Allah's cause with his life and property. [Bukhari]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Patience is of two kinds: first, patience with trials and calamities; second, patiently avoiding that which Allah has prohibited. [Hasan al Basri]

Guidance of the Day:
Deal justly with those in your charge, whether 'public' or 'personal'. Be altogether protecting and solicitous for them, for God will call you to account in their regard, and 'every shepherd will be asked to account for his flock.'

By your 'personal charges' I mean your seven organs, which are your tongue, ears, eyes, stomach, genitals, hands and feet. These are your charges which God has given you and a trust with which He has entrusted you, which you should restrain from sin and use in His obedience. For God the Exalted created them only that by means of them you might obey him; they are among His greatest of His favors, for which we should thank Him by using them to obey Him, and not in His disobedience.

If you do not do this you will be turning God's favor into ingratitude. Had God the Exalted not made these organs to be your servants and made them to obey you by disposition, you would not have been able to use them to disobey Him at all. You will one day stand before God and these organs will testify to every good deed or evil in which you used them. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Work is not man's punishment, it is his reward and his strength and his pleasure. The best prize life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. Nothing ever comes to one that is worth having, except as a result of hardwork.

LESSON OF THE DAY 207

Ayahs of the Day:
To those who reject Our Signs and treat them with arrogance, no opening will there be of the gates of heaven, nor will they enter the Garden, until the camel can pass through the eye of the needle: such is Our reward for those in sin. For them there is Hell, as a couch (below) and folds and folds of covering above: such is Our requital of those who do wrong. [7: 40,41]

Hadith of the Day:
The prayer is the best matter. Whoever can increase (his prayers) should do so. [Al-Tabraani]

Wise Quote of the Day:
One who cautions you is as one who brings you good news. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Beware of spying, which is seeking to know the private affairs of other Muslims and their hidden sins. The Prophet (may blessings and peace be upon him) has said: 'The one who seeks out the secrets of his brother Muslim will have God seeking out his secrets until He exposes him, even should he be in the depth of his house.

Know that a concealed sin harms only its doer, but when it becomes public and is not stopped its harm becomes general.

When sins and reprehensible things become obscenely in evidence where you live, and you despair of truth being accepted, then isolate yourself, for in this lies safety; or emigrate to another place, which action is better. For when chastisement falls on a place it includes both the wicked and the good; to a believer who was neglectful in supporting God's religion it is an expiation and mercy, but for others it is a chastisement and an affliction. And God knows best. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. work is the true elixir of life. The busiest man is the happiest man. It is your work in life that is the ultimate seduction. Nobody can be successful unless he loves his work.

LESSON OF THE DAY 206

Ayahs of the Day:
He (Allah) will say: "Enter in the company of the peoples who passed away before you--men and Jinns--into the Fire." Everytime a new People enters, it curses its sister (nation) until, when they have caught up with one another, the last of them will say to the first: "Our Lord, these (people) have misled us, so give them double torment from the Fire!" He will say: "Each shall have double, eventhough you do not realize it." The first of them will tell the last: "What advantage have you over us? Taste torment because of what you have earned." [7: 38,39]

Hadith of the Day:
You should perform the late-night prayer for verily it was the custom of the pious people before you. Certainly, the late-night prayer is an act that brings one closer to Allah, keeps one away from sins, expiates for evil deeds and repels disease from the body. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Consider it near the day when this world will vanish and all that will remain will be the world to come. [Hasan al Basri]

Guidance of the Day:
Beware of dissimulation, for it is a crime. This is to remain silent for fear of losing a position, money, or any other benefit the source of which is the person committing the reprehensible act or any other depraved person.

Anyone who has true vigilance for God, reliance upon Him, and has acquired the attribute of mercy towards His servants, cannot prevent himself from removing every evil that he sees except when prevented from doing so by means which he cannot overcome. [The Book of Guidance]

Food for Thought:
To find out what one is fitted to do, and to secure an opportunity to do it, is the key to happiness. Opportunities are usually disguised as hardwork, so most people don't recognize them. Work is a necessity for man.

LESSON OF THE DAY 205

Ayahs of the Day:
And those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance--they are companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (forever). Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or rejects His Signs? For such, their portion appointed must reach them from the Book (of Decrees): Until, when Our messengers (of death) arrive and take their souls, they say: "Where are the things that you used to invoke besides Allah?" They will reply, "They have left us in the lurch," and they will bear witness against themselves, that they had rejected Allah. [7: 36,37]

Hadith of the Day:
The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is that during the depths of the night. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
He who takes pride in his good deeds is in sin, and he who is ashamed of his evil deeds is in obedience. [Imam Ja'afar al Sadiq]

Guidance of the Day:
Whenever you enjoin good and forbid evil and are not listened to you must leave the place where evil is being committed and those who commit it until they return to God's ordinance. Likewise you must detest sins and those who persist in committing them, and abhor them for the sake of God; this being a duty for all Muslims.

When you become angry because you were wronged or insulted, and this shows on your face and you find that your loathing of that deed and the person who did it are more than your loathing of any evil that you see or hear about, then know for certain that your faith is weak, and your honor and wealth are dearer to you than your religion. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Great ideas originate in the muscles. The best preparation of good work tomorrow is good work today. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.

LESSON OF THE DAY 204

Ayahs of the Day:
To every people is a term appointed, when their term is reached, not an hour can cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in application). O Children of Adam! Whenever there come to you Messengers from amongst you, rehearsing My signs unto you--those who are righteous and mend (their lives)--on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve. [7: 34,35]

Hadith of the Day:
Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah the size of a pigeon's nest or smaller, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise. [Ahmad & Ibn Maajah]

Food for Thought:
He who is pleased with the creator, depends not on the creation. [Abu Hazim Makki]

Guidance of the Day:
You must enjoin good and forbid evil, for this is the pivot around which religion revolves, and is the reason why God revealed His Books and sent His Messengers. It is considered a duty by the consensus of all Muslims, and a great many passages in the Book and the sunna enjoin it and warn about its neglect.

In many contexts has God attributed enjoining good and forbidding evil to the believers, on some occasions (even) before attributing faith to them, and on others, before mentioning the regular performance of prayers and giving of zakah . The Messenger of God (may blessings and peace be upon him) has said: 'By the One in Whose Hand lies my soul, you will enjoin good and forbid evil, or God will soon send His punishment upon you; whereupon you will pray and not be answered.' And: 'The one who is not compassionate to our young and respectful to our elders, and who does not enjoin good and forbid evil, is not one of us.

Know that enjoining the obligatory and forbidding prohibited things is itself an obligation. Enjoining recommended and forbidding disliked things is itself recommended. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
The one thing that overcomes hard luck is hardwork. The harder I work the luckier I get. Life grants nothing to us mortals without hardwork.

LESSON OF THE DAY 203

Ayah of the Day:
Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah, for which He has given no authority; and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge of. [7: 33]

Hadith of the Day:
I left you all on a clear matter, whose night is like its day (with respect to clarity). No one strays from it after me but the destroyed one. [Ahmad & ibn Maajah]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Triumph comes about through resoluteness, resoluteness comes through thinking ideas through, and ideas come from keeping inmost thoughts inaccessible. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
A man's scrupulousness is measured by his abstaining from anything suspect until its status is clarified. A servant (of God) does not become a true man of taqwa until he abstains from things which are undoubtedly licit for fear of that which may follow and be doubtful or illicit.

Scrupulousness is rendered easy for those who want only what is necessary from the world. When you have suspicions, then scrupulousness obliges you to abstain even though that thing may be, to all outward appearances, lawful. For sin is that which causes inward suspicion and hesitation. But this concerns those whose hearts are illuminated and who incline to the side of abstinence, and not that of indulgence.

Do not think that scrupulousness involves only food and clothes; rather it involves everything. However, if you are in possession of lawful and more purely lawful, or lawful and suspect things, then use the most lawful that you have in matters of food. For everything depends on food which, licit, has a great illuminating influence on the heart and gives the body energy for worship. One of our predecessors has said: "Eat what you will, for in the same wise your actions will be." [The Book of Guidance]

Food for Thought:
Being busy doesn't always mean real work. The object of all work is production and accomplishment. Seeming to do is not doing. Hard work spotlights the character of people. Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction.

LESSON OF THE DAY 202

Ayah of the Day:
Say: Who has forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of Allah, which He has produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure, (which He has provided) for sustenance? Say: They are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) purely for them on the Day of Judgment. Thus do We explain the signs in detail for those who understand. [7: 32]

Hadith of the Day:
A person is on the religion of his close friend. Therefore, you should look to see who you take as a close friend. [Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Renew your wudu whenever you break it, for wudu is the weapon of the believer, and when the weapon is in evidence, the enemy does not approach. [Abdallah ibn Alawi al Haddad]

Guidance of the Day:
You must scrupulously avoid prohibited and suspect things. Scrupulousness (wara') is the pillar of religion and it is the pivot emphasized by the practicing scholars. The Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) has said: "the one who guards himself against suspect things has protected his religion and his honor, and the one who falls onto suspect things will fall into the prohibited."

Know that those who acquire prohibited and suspect things are seldom granted success in performing good deeds, and when they appear to be doing so, these are inevitably inwardly tarnished with hidden things which will spoil them, such as self-admiration and ostentation.

In any case, the works of those who subsist on illicit (resources) are rejected, for God is Good and accepts only that which is good. The explanation of this is that acts can only be performed by using the body, and the body can only move by the energy obtained from food. If that food is vile the energy it produces and the movements which result will also be vile. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Every noble work at first is impossible. Nothing will work until you do. There is no substitute for hardwork. Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

LESSON OF THE DAY 201

Ayahs of the Day:
Some He has guided; others have (by their choice) deserved the loss of their way; they have adopted the devils as their patrons instead of God, and reckon they are guided! O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer; eat and drink; but waste not by excess, for Allah does not love the extravagant. [7: 31,32]

Hadith of the Day:
Righteousness is good character. A sin is that which wavers in your soul and which you dislike the people finding out about. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
A scrupulous person is most worshipful of people because those who eat things that are absolutely lawful (al halal al khalis) cease to tire from worship, and those who don't tire from worship are more worshipful than those who do. [Abdal Wahab al Sharani]

Guidance of the Day:
Try never to do anything habitual without first forming a good intention. When you put on your clothes intend to cover the parts that God has ordered you to cover. Put on the right sleeve of shirts and similar garments first, and take it off last.

Acquire only such clothes as you need to wear; do not seek to acquire the most luxurious or the coarsest of the clothes, but adhere to moderation. You must utter only words of goodness. Everything that it is forbidden to say is forbidden to listen to. Beware of delving into that which does not concern you or of swearing by God too frequently. Beware of all kinds of lying, because this is incompatible with faith.

Beware of backbiting and slander, and of excessive levity. Avoid all other kinds of ugly talk. Think about what you say before you say it. The Prophet has said (may blessings and peace be upon him): "May God have mercy on a man who said words of goodness and thus gained, or refrained from saying evil and thus was safe." [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another. You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers, but you can tell whether a person is wise by his questions. Wisdom is knowing what to do next, virtue is doing it.

LESSON OF THE DAY 200

Ayah of the Day:
Say: "My Lord has commanded justice; and that you set your whole selves (to Him) at every time and place of prayer, and call upon Him, making your devotion sincere as in His sight; such as He created you in the beginning, so shall you return. [7: 29]

Hadith of the Day:
Whoever does not thank people, does not thank Allah. [Ahmah & Tirmidhi]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The measure of a man depends on the scope of his resolution, and his sincerity depends on the degree of his chivalric virtues. His courage depends on the degree of honor he has, and his integrity is based on the degree of his sense of shame. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the Day:
Adhere to the good manners of the sunna outwardly and inwardly; make them habitual to you and you will have perfected your following and emulation of the Messenger of Mercy, the Prophet of Guidance. Know that the one who observes the Prophetic good manners in his everyday activities is preserved by God from trespassing into the base attributes and behavior that are outside them, and obtains the worldly benefits that God has set, through His wisdom, within them.

Anyone who would be pleased to become completely free and clean of impurities and human passions should make all his outward and inward motions and times of stillness conform to the Law, and follow the dictates of both Law and reason. Begin everything you do with the Name of God; if you forget the Name at the beginning, say when you remember: "In the Name of God at its beginning and its end." [The Book of Guidance]

Food for Thought:
Wisdom denotes the pursuing of the best ends by the best means. The art of wisdom is the art of knowing what to overlook. It requires wisdom to understand wisdom, music is nothing for the deaf audience.

LESSON OF THE DAY 199

Ayah of the Day:
O Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you, in the same manner as he got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame; for he and his tribe watch you from a position where you cannot see them; We made the evil ones friend (only) to those without faith. [7: 27]

Hadith of the Day:
No Muslim plants a plant or sows seeds and has a bird, human or animal eat from it except that it will be for him as a charitable act. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The attentiveness of a servant is equal to his love for his Lord. Love is consequent upon knowledge, as much as one grows more knowledgeable of Him, so also shall love Him more and worship Him more abundantly. [Abdallah ibn al Alawi al Haddad]

Guidance of the Day:
You must take care of your outward and inward cleanliness, for the one who is completely clean becomes inwardly and in his spirit a spiritual angel, although in his body and outward form he remains a physical human being.

Inward cleanliness is achieved by purifying the soul from vile traits of character such as pride, ostentation, envy, love of the world, and other similar things, and by adorning it with noble traits of character such as humility, modesty, sincerity, generosity, and so forth.

As for the outward cleanliness, this depends on avoiding transgressions, and keeping to obedience. The one who adorns his outward with perseverance in good works, and his inward with taking on praiseworthy attributes, has completed his cleanliness. Otherwise, he would only have a share of it proportionate to his remoteness from reprehensible traits and acts, and nearness to good ones. [The Book of Assistance]

Food for Thought:
Wisdom out weighs any wealth. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom, turn your wounds into wisdom. Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age, sometimes age just shows up all by itself.