Ayahs of the day:
Those who give of their wealth in the way of God are like a grain that sprouts seven ears with a thousand kernels in each ear. And God may choose to multiply what anyone has, at will. And God is all-embracing, all-knowing. [2:261]
Hadith of the day:
And he said (peace and blessings upon him), he who says every morning and evening three times; "Radheetu billahi rabban wa bil islami deenan wa bi Muhammad nabiyyan -- I am satisfied with God as Lord, Islam as religion, and Muhammad as Prophet", God-without doubt -will satisfy him on Resurrection Day. [Ahmad]
Wise quote of the day:
"In the name of God" at the start is remembrance, and "All praise to God" at the end is thanks, and perceiving and thinking of those bounties and gifts of His mercy is reflection. [Badiuzzaman Sa'id Nursi]
Guidance of the day:
Praise and thank God abundantly for the grace of Islam, for it is the greatest and most immense of graces. Were God to give this world all that is in it to one of His servants, but withhold Islam, it would be a catastrophe for him. But were He to grant another of His servants Islam and withhold the whole world, it would not harm him. For when the first dies he will end up in the Fire, while the second, when he dies, will end up in the Garden.
You must maintain yourself in a state of fear and anxiety of a bad ending, for God is who turns the hearts. Know that those who neglect their obligatory prayers often suffer a bad ending to their lives, and so do those who neglect obligatory zakat, pry upon other Muslims' privacy, cheat in weights and measures, deceive Muslims and delude them by causing them confusion, whether in religious or worldly matters, and those who belie God's saints and disparage them unjustly, as well as those who falsely pretend they possess the states of the saints and their stations, and other such loathsome things.
"O Most Merciful of all, we ask You by the light of Your Noble Countenance to take us to You as Muslims and make us join the virtuous, in well being, O Lord of the worlds, ameen." [Counsels of Religion by Imam al Haddad]
Food for thought:
The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts. Think like a man of action and act like a man of thought. Action may not always bring happiness; but their is no happiness without action. It is by acts and not by ideas that people live. Good actions ennoble us, and we are the sons of our own deeds.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Wonderful touching story....
A woman baked chapatti (roti) for members of her family and an extra one for a hungry passerby. She kept the extra chapatti on the window sill, for whosoever would take it away. Every day, a hunchback came and took away the chapatti. Instead of expressing gratitude, he muttered the following words as he went his way: "The evil you do remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!" This went on, day after day. Every day, the hunchback came, picked up the chapatti and uttered the words: "The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!" The woman felt irritated. "Not a word of gratitude," she said to herself...
"Everyday this hunchback utters this jingle! What does he mean?" One day, exasperated, she decided to do away with him. "I shall get rid of this hunchback," she said. And what did she do? She added poison to the chapatti she prepared for him! As she was about to keep it on the window sill, her hands trembled. "What is this I am doing?" she said. Immediately, she threw the chapatti into the fire, prepared another one and kept it on the window sill. As usual, the hunchback came, picked up the chapatti and muttered the words: "The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!" The hunchback proceeded on his way, blissfully unaware of the war raging in the mind of the woman.
Every day, as the woman placed the chapatti on the window sill, she offered a prayer for her son who had gone to a distant place to seek his fortune. For many months, she had no news of him.. She prayed for his safe return. That evening, there was a knock on the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to find her son standing in the doorway. He had grown thin and lean. His garments were tattered and torn. He was hungry, starved and weak. As he saw his mother, he said, "Mom, it's a miracle I'm here. While I was but a mile away, I was so famished that I collapsed. I would have died, but just then an old hunchback passed by. I begged of him for a morsel of food, and he was kind enough to give me a whole chapatti. As he gave it to me, he said, "This is what I eat everyday: today, I shall give it to you, for your need is greater than mine!" " As the mother heard those words, her face turned pale.
She leaned against the door for support. She remembered the poisoned chapatti that she had made that morning. Had she not burnt it in the fire, it would have been eaten by her own son, and he would have lost his life! It was then that she realized the significance of the words:
"The evil you do remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!"
Do good and Don't ever stop doing good, even if it is not appreciated at that time.
If you like this, share it with others and I bet so many lives would be touched.
"Everyday this hunchback utters this jingle! What does he mean?" One day, exasperated, she decided to do away with him. "I shall get rid of this hunchback," she said. And what did she do? She added poison to the chapatti she prepared for him! As she was about to keep it on the window sill, her hands trembled. "What is this I am doing?" she said. Immediately, she threw the chapatti into the fire, prepared another one and kept it on the window sill. As usual, the hunchback came, picked up the chapatti and muttered the words: "The evil you do, remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!" The hunchback proceeded on his way, blissfully unaware of the war raging in the mind of the woman.
Every day, as the woman placed the chapatti on the window sill, she offered a prayer for her son who had gone to a distant place to seek his fortune. For many months, she had no news of him.. She prayed for his safe return. That evening, there was a knock on the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to find her son standing in the doorway. He had grown thin and lean. His garments were tattered and torn. He was hungry, starved and weak. As he saw his mother, he said, "Mom, it's a miracle I'm here. While I was but a mile away, I was so famished that I collapsed. I would have died, but just then an old hunchback passed by. I begged of him for a morsel of food, and he was kind enough to give me a whole chapatti. As he gave it to me, he said, "This is what I eat everyday: today, I shall give it to you, for your need is greater than mine!" " As the mother heard those words, her face turned pale.
She leaned against the door for support. She remembered the poisoned chapatti that she had made that morning. Had she not burnt it in the fire, it would have been eaten by her own son, and he would have lost his life! It was then that she realized the significance of the words:
"The evil you do remains with you: The good you do, comes back to you!"
Do good and Don't ever stop doing good, even if it is not appreciated at that time.
If you like this, share it with others and I bet so many lives would be touched.
Friday, March 09, 2012
Pearls of wisdom 332
1. Treat all in a good way in the belief that they are God's creation.
2. Always abide by the rights of God and the rights of man.
3. God has bestowed on you His infinite blessings -- hence always follow His commands.
4. Establish links with Him, He is all forgiveness.
5. Abandon not the path of righteousness.
6. You will be asked about the deeds, and the relations you maintained with mankind.
7. Sovereignty belongs to Him -- He has granted you a lot and can take all away if He so desires.
8. Strictly observe Akhlaq- Husna (the code of nobility and proper conduct).
9. One should always ponder over the purpose for which he came in this world, and what he has so far achieved.
10. Spend your time in remembering Him. It is He who has granted you this time.
11. Be prepared all the time to return to your original abode.
12. This universe is His book; take lessons from it.
13. Remember Allah, not for some personal interest or worldly benefit, but as your Lord.
14. Consider your loyalty to His loved ones as an obligation you must always follow. [Above quotes by Shaykh Syed Ghulam Muhyuddin]
2. Always abide by the rights of God and the rights of man.
3. God has bestowed on you His infinite blessings -- hence always follow His commands.
4. Establish links with Him, He is all forgiveness.
5. Abandon not the path of righteousness.
6. You will be asked about the deeds, and the relations you maintained with mankind.
7. Sovereignty belongs to Him -- He has granted you a lot and can take all away if He so desires.
8. Strictly observe Akhlaq- Husna (the code of nobility and proper conduct).
9. One should always ponder over the purpose for which he came in this world, and what he has so far achieved.
10. Spend your time in remembering Him. It is He who has granted you this time.
11. Be prepared all the time to return to your original abode.
12. This universe is His book; take lessons from it.
13. Remember Allah, not for some personal interest or worldly benefit, but as your Lord.
14. Consider your loyalty to His loved ones as an obligation you must always follow. [Above quotes by Shaykh Syed Ghulam Muhyuddin]
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
LESSON OF THE DAY 1302
Ayahs of the day:
God is the protector of believers, taking them out of the darkness into the light. As for scoffers, their protectors are the idols, which take them out of the light into the darkness. They are the inmates of hell fire, wherein they remain. [2:257]
Hadith of the day:
He has experienced the taste of faith who is satisfied with God as Lord, Islam as religion, and Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) as Prophet. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
A person who discourses on religion without remembering that he will be questioned by God on what he says knows the value of neither religion nor his own mind. [Imam Abu Hanifah]
Guidance of the day:
A person should strive to guard his Islam and strengthen it by accomplishing those acts of obedience to God which he is commanded to do. He who neglects God's commands exposes himself to die on other than Islam; for his being neglectful is evidence that he cares little for his religion and takes it lightly. Let every Muslim beware of this to the extreme.
He should also avoid sins and evil deeds, for they weaken Islam, render it feeble, shake its foundations, and make it liable to be wrested away at the time of death, as has actually happened -- may God protect us -- to many who persistently committed such acts. So reflect on this and impose upon yourself obedience to the injunctions of God the Exalted, and avoidance of what He has prohibited. Should you slip to any of these, repent to God and beware to the extreme to persist. And constantly ask God for good ending to your life. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al Haddad]
Food for thought:
Death has ten thousand several doors for men to take their exit. Every life is different from any that has gone before it and so is every death. The uniqueness of each of us extends even to the way we die. Unique circumstances of death will be granted to someone with a unique personality.
God is the protector of believers, taking them out of the darkness into the light. As for scoffers, their protectors are the idols, which take them out of the light into the darkness. They are the inmates of hell fire, wherein they remain. [2:257]
Hadith of the day:
He has experienced the taste of faith who is satisfied with God as Lord, Islam as religion, and Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) as Prophet. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
A person who discourses on religion without remembering that he will be questioned by God on what he says knows the value of neither religion nor his own mind. [Imam Abu Hanifah]
Guidance of the day:
A person should strive to guard his Islam and strengthen it by accomplishing those acts of obedience to God which he is commanded to do. He who neglects God's commands exposes himself to die on other than Islam; for his being neglectful is evidence that he cares little for his religion and takes it lightly. Let every Muslim beware of this to the extreme.
He should also avoid sins and evil deeds, for they weaken Islam, render it feeble, shake its foundations, and make it liable to be wrested away at the time of death, as has actually happened -- may God protect us -- to many who persistently committed such acts. So reflect on this and impose upon yourself obedience to the injunctions of God the Exalted, and avoidance of what He has prohibited. Should you slip to any of these, repent to God and beware to the extreme to persist. And constantly ask God for good ending to your life. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al Haddad]
Food for thought:
Death has ten thousand several doors for men to take their exit. Every life is different from any that has gone before it and so is every death. The uniqueness of each of us extends even to the way we die. Unique circumstances of death will be granted to someone with a unique personality.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Remedy for the tarnished heart....
"There is a polish for everything that removes the Rust;
and the polish for the heart is the remembrance of Allah."
(Bukhari)
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (rahimahullah) said:-
“Doubtless, a heart grows tarnished like brass or silver, and its polish is in remembrance of Allah Mighty and Majestic, which may make it shine like a crystal mirror.
When one neglects the remembrance the heart tarnishes,and when one returns it shines.
Since the heart is tarnished by two things -- heedlessness and sin; it is polished by two things -- remembrance and seeking forgiveness.”
and the polish for the heart is the remembrance of Allah."
(Bukhari)
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (rahimahullah) said:-
“Doubtless, a heart grows tarnished like brass or silver, and its polish is in remembrance of Allah Mighty and Majestic, which may make it shine like a crystal mirror.
When one neglects the remembrance the heart tarnishes,and when one returns it shines.
Since the heart is tarnished by two things -- heedlessness and sin; it is polished by two things -- remembrance and seeking forgiveness.”
Monday, February 27, 2012
Pearls of wisdom 331
1. Whatever one does not like for himself, he should not under any circumstances, suggest for others.
2. Every work, spiritual or otherwise, appears difficult in the beginning but perseverance makes it easy.
3. Real pleasure lies not in accumulation but in the distribution of wealth.
4. Love of God and love of mammon cannot subsist in one heart.
5. Malice and ill-will should be rooted out from the heart.
6. One who serves becomes the master.
7. Resignation to the will of God is the real key to peace and satisfaction in life.
8. The purpose of prayer is to get rid of self-conceit. One who is ego-centric and selfish cannot achieve anything spiritually.
9. Every wealth has its zakat, and the zakat of knowledge and learning is to act upon it.
10. Self-criticism and quarrel with one's own self is better than seventy years of prayer.
11. One should be kind-hearted and should deal with people with clemency.
12. Prayers should be inspired neither by the fear of hell nor by love of heaven. Love of God should be the only inspiring motive.
13. Honest dealings alone lead to lasting fame.
14. One should hide, rather than disclose the evil deeds of others.
15. A man is in his worst state when he considers himself good and pious. [Above quotes by Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya]
2. Every work, spiritual or otherwise, appears difficult in the beginning but perseverance makes it easy.
3. Real pleasure lies not in accumulation but in the distribution of wealth.
4. Love of God and love of mammon cannot subsist in one heart.
5. Malice and ill-will should be rooted out from the heart.
6. One who serves becomes the master.
7. Resignation to the will of God is the real key to peace and satisfaction in life.
8. The purpose of prayer is to get rid of self-conceit. One who is ego-centric and selfish cannot achieve anything spiritually.
9. Every wealth has its zakat, and the zakat of knowledge and learning is to act upon it.
10. Self-criticism and quarrel with one's own self is better than seventy years of prayer.
11. One should be kind-hearted and should deal with people with clemency.
12. Prayers should be inspired neither by the fear of hell nor by love of heaven. Love of God should be the only inspiring motive.
13. Honest dealings alone lead to lasting fame.
14. One should hide, rather than disclose the evil deeds of others.
15. A man is in his worst state when he considers himself good and pious. [Above quotes by Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya]
Friday, February 24, 2012
LESSON OF THE DAY 1301
Ayahs of the day:
O Believers, give of what We have provided for you, before there comes a day in which there is no barter, and no friendship, and no intercession. [2: 254]
Hadith of the day:
Gentleness is never mixed with anything without embellishing it nor is it ever taken away from anything without disfiguring it. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Who can be a greater wastrel than a man whom even learning has not been able to keep away from sin and depravity. [Imam Abu Hanifah]
Guidance of the day:
"Die not except as Muslims." [3:102] is a command from Allah the Almighty in His Book, to die adhering to Islam, (the word Islam in this context refers to original meaning of submission to God) -- God's religion, of which He informed us in His Book that it is the only Religion in His sight and that He will accept none other, that it is the religion He found pleasing for His Messenger and His believing servants.
A human being lacks the power to force himself to die as a Muslim, but God has granted him the means to attain to that. When he makes use of the means he would have done what is his to do and obeyed what he was commanded to do, namely to intend to die a Muslim, love this, wish for it, resolve to do it, and loathe to die on any other religion. He should persist in praying for this, imploring God and beseeching Him to take him to Him as a Muslim.
Thus did God describe His Prophets and the virtuous among His servants. He said in mentioning Joseph son of Jacob -- may peace be upon them, "You are my ally in this world and the next, take me as a Muslim and make me join the virtuous, (12:101). And mentioning Pharaoh's magicians when they became believers and were threatened chastisement by Pharaoh, "Our Lord, give us fortitude in abundance and take us as Muslims, (7:126). [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
The world of bees is full of wonders that remind us of Allah's care. The tiny bee leaves its hive in order to seek out sustenance. It lands on a good and pure surface and sucks out the nectar. It then returns with a fluid that provides remedy for people, always returning to its own hive without losing its way -- a lesson to be learned from.
O Believers, give of what We have provided for you, before there comes a day in which there is no barter, and no friendship, and no intercession. [2: 254]
Hadith of the day:
Gentleness is never mixed with anything without embellishing it nor is it ever taken away from anything without disfiguring it. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Who can be a greater wastrel than a man whom even learning has not been able to keep away from sin and depravity. [Imam Abu Hanifah]
Guidance of the day:
"Die not except as Muslims." [3:102] is a command from Allah the Almighty in His Book, to die adhering to Islam, (the word Islam in this context refers to original meaning of submission to God) -- God's religion, of which He informed us in His Book that it is the only Religion in His sight and that He will accept none other, that it is the religion He found pleasing for His Messenger and His believing servants.
A human being lacks the power to force himself to die as a Muslim, but God has granted him the means to attain to that. When he makes use of the means he would have done what is his to do and obeyed what he was commanded to do, namely to intend to die a Muslim, love this, wish for it, resolve to do it, and loathe to die on any other religion. He should persist in praying for this, imploring God and beseeching Him to take him to Him as a Muslim.
Thus did God describe His Prophets and the virtuous among His servants. He said in mentioning Joseph son of Jacob -- may peace be upon them, "You are my ally in this world and the next, take me as a Muslim and make me join the virtuous, (12:101). And mentioning Pharaoh's magicians when they became believers and were threatened chastisement by Pharaoh, "Our Lord, give us fortitude in abundance and take us as Muslims, (7:126). [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
The world of bees is full of wonders that remind us of Allah's care. The tiny bee leaves its hive in order to seek out sustenance. It lands on a good and pure surface and sucks out the nectar. It then returns with a fluid that provides remedy for people, always returning to its own hive without losing its way -- a lesson to be learned from.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
How to take care of the heart....
Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalaanee [rahimahullahu] said:-
The heart has been singled out because it is the leader of the body and through the purification of the leader...
the subjects become purified.
and with its corruption they become corrupted.
So if you, O servant of Allaah, wish to cure your heart then it is upon you to be truthful with regards to---
(1)Seeking refuge with Allaah
and
(2)Putting trust in Him,
to
(3)Pray a great deal of supererogatory prayers,
to
(4)Perform the actions of obedience to Allaah frequently.
(5) Pray the night prayer while the people are sleeping, and to treat your heart by
(6) Making it continuously stick to the remembrances and by
(7) Befriending only the righteous…
and to
(8)Frequently recite the Qur’aan.
And Allaah will indeed allow all of this to be preserved by Him.
The heart has been singled out because it is the leader of the body and through the purification of the leader...
the subjects become purified.
and with its corruption they become corrupted.
So if you, O servant of Allaah, wish to cure your heart then it is upon you to be truthful with regards to---
(1)Seeking refuge with Allaah
and
(2)Putting trust in Him,
to
(3)Pray a great deal of supererogatory prayers,
to
(4)Perform the actions of obedience to Allaah frequently.
(5) Pray the night prayer while the people are sleeping, and to treat your heart by
(6) Making it continuously stick to the remembrances and by
(7) Befriending only the righteous…
and to
(8)Frequently recite the Qur’aan.
And Allaah will indeed allow all of this to be preserved by Him.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Pearls of wisdom 330
1. Many a life is long in years but meager in fruits, and many a life is short in years but rich in fruits.
2. He who has been blessed in life attains in a short time, to such gifts from God that no expression or symbolic allusion could describe.
3. Meditation is the voyage of the heart and the lamp of the heart; when it goes away, the heart has no illumination.
4. He who attributes humility to himself is really proud, for humility arises only out of sublime state.
5. Real humility is the one which rises from the contemplation of His Sublimity and illumination of His Attributes.
6. He made devil your enemy so that, through him, He could drive you toward Himself, and He stirred up your soul against you so that your drawing to Him would be permanent.
7. So long as you have not contemplated the Creator, you belong to the created beings; but when you contemplated Him, created beings belong to you.
8. He only made afflictions come at the hands of people so that you not repose in them. He wanted to drive you out of everything so that nothing would divert you from Him. [Above quotes by Ibn Ata Allah Iskandari]
2. He who has been blessed in life attains in a short time, to such gifts from God that no expression or symbolic allusion could describe.
3. Meditation is the voyage of the heart and the lamp of the heart; when it goes away, the heart has no illumination.
4. He who attributes humility to himself is really proud, for humility arises only out of sublime state.
5. Real humility is the one which rises from the contemplation of His Sublimity and illumination of His Attributes.
6. He made devil your enemy so that, through him, He could drive you toward Himself, and He stirred up your soul against you so that your drawing to Him would be permanent.
7. So long as you have not contemplated the Creator, you belong to the created beings; but when you contemplated Him, created beings belong to you.
8. He only made afflictions come at the hands of people so that you not repose in them. He wanted to drive you out of everything so that nothing would divert you from Him. [Above quotes by Ibn Ata Allah Iskandari]
Monday, February 13, 2012
LESSON OF THE DAY 1300
Ayahs of the day:
Who will lend God a loan of good, which God will multiply for him greatly? And God both takes and grants, restricts and expands; and to God you will be returned. [2: 245]
Hadith of the day:
He who seeks to expose his brother's shameful secrets, God will expose his shameful secrets. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
We must see each others strengths and encourage those strengths, we must see others weaknesses and be patient with those weaknesses. Sometimes even look beyond what we see as weaknesses and move on with compassion, love and respect -- this takes true faith. [Dawud Whansby]
Guidance of the day:
He who fears God is one to whom profitable commerce has been granted. He who knows God but finds not in this knowledge all that he need, he indeed is wretched. He who serves God is never injured by what he may suffer in His service. What gains a servant from the eminence of wealth since all eminence belong to the God-fearing.
Taqwa is to obey God the Exalted's injunctions, and avoid what He has prohibited, outwardly and inwardly, together with feeling how formidable He is and being in fear, awe, and dread of Him. Taqwa is that Allah should be ever obeyed, never disobeyed; ever remembered, never forgotten; ever thanked, never (have his favors) denied. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
Forgive all who have offended you, not for them but for yourself. Forgiveness is the economy of the heart, it saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits. when we forgive, we in no way change the past, but we do sure change the future.
Who will lend God a loan of good, which God will multiply for him greatly? And God both takes and grants, restricts and expands; and to God you will be returned. [2: 245]
Hadith of the day:
He who seeks to expose his brother's shameful secrets, God will expose his shameful secrets. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
We must see each others strengths and encourage those strengths, we must see others weaknesses and be patient with those weaknesses. Sometimes even look beyond what we see as weaknesses and move on with compassion, love and respect -- this takes true faith. [Dawud Whansby]
Guidance of the day:
He who fears God is one to whom profitable commerce has been granted. He who knows God but finds not in this knowledge all that he need, he indeed is wretched. He who serves God is never injured by what he may suffer in His service. What gains a servant from the eminence of wealth since all eminence belong to the God-fearing.
Taqwa is to obey God the Exalted's injunctions, and avoid what He has prohibited, outwardly and inwardly, together with feeling how formidable He is and being in fear, awe, and dread of Him. Taqwa is that Allah should be ever obeyed, never disobeyed; ever remembered, never forgotten; ever thanked, never (have his favors) denied. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
Forgive all who have offended you, not for them but for yourself. Forgiveness is the economy of the heart, it saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits. when we forgive, we in no way change the past, but we do sure change the future.
Friday, February 10, 2012
From the wise sayings of Luqman…
If you are in prayer,
take care of your heart;
If you are eating take care of your throat;
If you are in another person's house, take care of your eyes;
If you are among people take care of your tongue.
Remember two matters and forget two matters:
Remember Allah and Death, forget any good that you have done to another and any evil that was done to you by another.
Umar bin Abdul Aziz said;
Who ever contemplates death frequently -- speaks little.
While he who knows death is certain -- is satisfied with a little.
take care of your heart;
If you are eating take care of your throat;
If you are in another person's house, take care of your eyes;
If you are among people take care of your tongue.
Remember two matters and forget two matters:
Remember Allah and Death, forget any good that you have done to another and any evil that was done to you by another.
Umar bin Abdul Aziz said;
Who ever contemplates death frequently -- speaks little.
While he who knows death is certain -- is satisfied with a little.
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Pearls of wisdom 329
1. Nothing pleads on your behalf like extreme need, nor does anything speed gifts to you quicker than lowliness and want.
2. Were it not for His kindliness of His veiling, no deed would be worthy of acceptance.
3. He who knows God, contemplates Him in everything. He who loves Him prefers nothing to Him.
4. Sometimes you will find more benefit in state of need than you find in fasting or ritual prayer.
5. If you want gifts to come your way, then perfect the spiritual poverty you have -- 'Alms are only for the needy.'
6. Sometimes darkness (difficulties/problems) come over you in order that He make you aware of the value of His blessings upon you.
7. Do not deem His giving to be slow; but rather, deem your approaching to be slow.
8. Your obedience does not benefit Him, and your disobedience does not harm Him. It is only for your own good that He commanded the one and prohibited the other.
9. His sublimity is not increased when someone draws near to Him, and His sublimity is not decreased when someone draws away from Him.
10. Beneficial knowledge is the one whose ray of light expands in the mind and uncover the veil over the heart. [Above quotes by Ibn Ata Allah Iskandari]
2. Were it not for His kindliness of His veiling, no deed would be worthy of acceptance.
3. He who knows God, contemplates Him in everything. He who loves Him prefers nothing to Him.
4. Sometimes you will find more benefit in state of need than you find in fasting or ritual prayer.
5. If you want gifts to come your way, then perfect the spiritual poverty you have -- 'Alms are only for the needy.'
6. Sometimes darkness (difficulties/problems) come over you in order that He make you aware of the value of His blessings upon you.
7. Do not deem His giving to be slow; but rather, deem your approaching to be slow.
8. Your obedience does not benefit Him, and your disobedience does not harm Him. It is only for your own good that He commanded the one and prohibited the other.
9. His sublimity is not increased when someone draws near to Him, and His sublimity is not decreased when someone draws away from Him.
10. Beneficial knowledge is the one whose ray of light expands in the mind and uncover the veil over the heart. [Above quotes by Ibn Ata Allah Iskandari]
Friday, February 03, 2012
LESSON OF THE DAY 1299
Ayahs of the day:
Or do you suppose you will enter paradise without there having happened to you the likes of what happened to those who passed away before you? Misery and distress befell them, and they were so shaken that the messenger and those who believed with him said, "When will God's help come?" Ah, but the help of God is near! [2: 214]
Hadith of the day:
By He in whose Hand my soul is, you will enjoin good and forbid evil, or God will soon send upon you a chastisement from Him, then you will pray Him and He will not respond. [Ahmad]
Wise quote of the day:
Don't just grow up, grow better with time and grow more experienced with age, keep being passionate about whatever you do, keep trying new things, be patient and keep trying your best, the path to God is straight through will full surrender to God's commands. [Dawud Wharnsby Ali]
Guidance of the day:
Allah Almighty has commanded His believing servants to fear Him. It is as if He has gathered in this fear of Him every good, both immediate and delayed, then enjoined it upon His believing servants, that they may succeed and gain all the goodness and merits in it, as well as happiness and success. This He did in compassion to His believing servants, for He is ever Compassionate to the believers.
Taqwa, is the counsel that the Lord of Worlds gave both ancients and the latecomers. For there is no good, immediate or remote, outward or inward, but that the fear of God is the path leading to it and the means to reach it. And there is no evil, immediate or remote, outward or inward, but the fear of God is the strongest protection and most powerful defense against it, to escape its harm. How numerous are the benefactions and immense good fortunes said to depend on it by God the Formidable in His August Book. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge. The glory of Islam is to conquer by forgiveness. Life is an adventure in forgiveness. He who does not forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself, for every man has the need to be forgiven. The weak can never forgive, forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.
Or do you suppose you will enter paradise without there having happened to you the likes of what happened to those who passed away before you? Misery and distress befell them, and they were so shaken that the messenger and those who believed with him said, "When will God's help come?" Ah, but the help of God is near! [2: 214]
Hadith of the day:
By He in whose Hand my soul is, you will enjoin good and forbid evil, or God will soon send upon you a chastisement from Him, then you will pray Him and He will not respond. [Ahmad]
Wise quote of the day:
Don't just grow up, grow better with time and grow more experienced with age, keep being passionate about whatever you do, keep trying new things, be patient and keep trying your best, the path to God is straight through will full surrender to God's commands. [Dawud Wharnsby Ali]
Guidance of the day:
Allah Almighty has commanded His believing servants to fear Him. It is as if He has gathered in this fear of Him every good, both immediate and delayed, then enjoined it upon His believing servants, that they may succeed and gain all the goodness and merits in it, as well as happiness and success. This He did in compassion to His believing servants, for He is ever Compassionate to the believers.
Taqwa, is the counsel that the Lord of Worlds gave both ancients and the latecomers. For there is no good, immediate or remote, outward or inward, but that the fear of God is the path leading to it and the means to reach it. And there is no evil, immediate or remote, outward or inward, but the fear of God is the strongest protection and most powerful defense against it, to escape its harm. How numerous are the benefactions and immense good fortunes said to depend on it by God the Formidable in His August Book. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge. The glory of Islam is to conquer by forgiveness. Life is an adventure in forgiveness. He who does not forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself, for every man has the need to be forgiven. The weak can never forgive, forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Ibn Mubarak's precious advice....
'When intending to do something good, do not delay it until tomorrow.
When involved in something to do with the hereafter, keep yourself involved as long as you can.
When involved in some worldly matter, put your mind to it-
so as to get it done
And if you are praying and Satan whispers, ‘You are showing off,’ then make your prayer even longer.
The Muslim is Contented and Satisfied
Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) said :-
Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) said:-
"Richness is not having many belongings, but richness is the richness of the soul" (contentment).
When involved in something to do with the hereafter, keep yourself involved as long as you can.
When involved in some worldly matter, put your mind to it-
so as to get it done
And if you are praying and Satan whispers, ‘You are showing off,’ then make your prayer even longer.
The Muslim is Contented and Satisfied
Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) said :-
Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) said:-
"Richness is not having many belongings, but richness is the richness of the soul" (contentment).
Friday, January 27, 2012
Pearls of wisdom 328
1. When He gives, He shows you His kindness (birr); when He deprives, He shows you His power (qadr). And in all that , He is making Himself known to you and coming to you with His gentleness.
2. Deprivation hurts you only because of the lack of your understanding of good in it.
3. When He alienates you from His creatures, then know that He wants to open for you the door of intimacy with Him.
4. When He loosens your tongue with a request, then know that He wants to give you something.
5. When He makes you submissive to His command outwardly and provide you with resignation to His power inwardly, then He has enhanced the greatness of the favor accorded you.
6. Ritual prayer is a purification for hearts and an opening-up of the door of the invisible domains.
7. He knew the existence of weakness in you, so He made the number of ritual prayers small; and He knew of your need of His grace, so He multiplied their fruitful results.
8. When He wants to show His grace to you, He creates states in you and attributes them to you.
9. How can the laws of nature be ruptured for you so that miracles result, while you, for your part, have not yet ruptured your bad habits.
10. Cling to the attributes of His Lordship and realize the attributes of your servanthood. [Above quotes by Ibn Ata Allah Iskandari]
2. Deprivation hurts you only because of the lack of your understanding of good in it.
3. When He alienates you from His creatures, then know that He wants to open for you the door of intimacy with Him.
4. When He loosens your tongue with a request, then know that He wants to give you something.
5. When He makes you submissive to His command outwardly and provide you with resignation to His power inwardly, then He has enhanced the greatness of the favor accorded you.
6. Ritual prayer is a purification for hearts and an opening-up of the door of the invisible domains.
7. He knew the existence of weakness in you, so He made the number of ritual prayers small; and He knew of your need of His grace, so He multiplied their fruitful results.
8. When He wants to show His grace to you, He creates states in you and attributes them to you.
9. How can the laws of nature be ruptured for you so that miracles result, while you, for your part, have not yet ruptured your bad habits.
10. Cling to the attributes of His Lordship and realize the attributes of your servanthood. [Above quotes by Ibn Ata Allah Iskandari]
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
LESSON OF THE DAY 1298
Ayahs of the day:
O believers, enter wholly into Islam, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan, for he is an open enemy to you. [2: 208]
Hadith of the day:
The most blessed marriage (nikah) is the one with the least expense. [Bayhaqi]
Wise quote of the day:
To advise others is an easy matter, the difficulty is accepting advice -- since it is bitter for those who follow their own inclinations and desires. [Imam al Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Just as it is not allowed to backbite anyone so too it is not allowed to listen to one who backbites. If a person is present at a place where another begins to backbite someone then he should stop him from proceeding further. There are two ways to stop him -- telling him in so many words that it is a sin, if he cannot then he should introduce a new topic so that the evil is stopped. If he cannot do either then he should get up from that gathering and go elsewhere. [Spiritual Discourses by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]
Food for thought:
Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom. Without forgiveness life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation. 'I can forgive but I cannot forget', is only one way of saying, "I will not forgive." Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note, torn into two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one. The weak can never forgive -- forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
O believers, enter wholly into Islam, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan, for he is an open enemy to you. [2: 208]
Hadith of the day:
The most blessed marriage (nikah) is the one with the least expense. [Bayhaqi]
Wise quote of the day:
To advise others is an easy matter, the difficulty is accepting advice -- since it is bitter for those who follow their own inclinations and desires. [Imam al Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Just as it is not allowed to backbite anyone so too it is not allowed to listen to one who backbites. If a person is present at a place where another begins to backbite someone then he should stop him from proceeding further. There are two ways to stop him -- telling him in so many words that it is a sin, if he cannot then he should introduce a new topic so that the evil is stopped. If he cannot do either then he should get up from that gathering and go elsewhere. [Spiritual Discourses by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]
Food for thought:
Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom. Without forgiveness life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation. 'I can forgive but I cannot forget', is only one way of saying, "I will not forgive." Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note, torn into two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one. The weak can never forgive -- forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
Friday, January 20, 2012
The Dirty Laundry…
By Abu Muhammad Yusuf
In life we tend to be judgmental and very often look down upon others without exploring deeper and finding out why the person is behaving in such a way. The Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said "It is enough of evil for a person to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All of a Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth and his honour." (Hadith- Muslim)
A young couple moves into a new neighbourhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbour hanging the laundry outside. "That laundry is not very clean", she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap. "Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbour would hang her washing to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
Some time later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean laundry on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."
"The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows"
Lesson: If our windows are dirty so will we see others as dirty too. What we see in others is indeed a reflection of our inner-selves! So it is with life that what we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. It is easy for us to condemn, discuss other people, their lives & things that really doesn't even concern us and we tend to forget - our windows may not be that clean after all! If we are good we will see good…
The Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said:
"A Muslim is a mirror to another Muslim"(Hadith_Abu Dawud)
info@eislam.co.za
In life we tend to be judgmental and very often look down upon others without exploring deeper and finding out why the person is behaving in such a way. The Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said "It is enough of evil for a person to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All of a Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth and his honour." (Hadith- Muslim)
A young couple moves into a new neighbourhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbour hanging the laundry outside. "That laundry is not very clean", she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap. "Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbour would hang her washing to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.
Some time later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean laundry on the line and said to her husband: "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."
"The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows"
Lesson: If our windows are dirty so will we see others as dirty too. What we see in others is indeed a reflection of our inner-selves! So it is with life that what we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. It is easy for us to condemn, discuss other people, their lives & things that really doesn't even concern us and we tend to forget - our windows may not be that clean after all! If we are good we will see good…
The Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said:
"A Muslim is a mirror to another Muslim"(Hadith_Abu Dawud)
info@eislam.co.za
Monday, January 16, 2012
Pearls of wisdom 327
1. If you want to know your standing with Him, look at where He has made you abide now.
2. When He gives you obedience, making you unaware of it because of Him, then know that He has showered you liberally with His graces both inwardly and outwardly.
3. The best that you can seek from Him is that which He seeks from you.
4. Hope (raja) goes hand in had with deeds, otherwise it is a wish.
5. Sometimes He gives while depriving you, and sometimes He deprives you in giving.
6. If you want a glory that does not vanish, then do not glory in glory that vanishes.
7. The real journey is when the world's dimension is rolled away from you so that you see the Hereafter closer to you than yourself.
8. Suffice it as a recompense for the doers of good that He judged you worthy of obedience.
9. It suffices as a reward for the doers of good that He has inspired obedience to Him in their hearts and brought upon them the existence of His reciprocal intimacy.
10. He made the Hereafter an abode to reward his believing servants only because this world cannot contain what He wishes to bestow upon them and because He deemed their worth too high to reward them in a world without permanence. [Above quotes by Ibn Ata Allah Iskandari]
2. When He gives you obedience, making you unaware of it because of Him, then know that He has showered you liberally with His graces both inwardly and outwardly.
3. The best that you can seek from Him is that which He seeks from you.
4. Hope (raja) goes hand in had with deeds, otherwise it is a wish.
5. Sometimes He gives while depriving you, and sometimes He deprives you in giving.
6. If you want a glory that does not vanish, then do not glory in glory that vanishes.
7. The real journey is when the world's dimension is rolled away from you so that you see the Hereafter closer to you than yourself.
8. Suffice it as a recompense for the doers of good that He judged you worthy of obedience.
9. It suffices as a reward for the doers of good that He has inspired obedience to Him in their hearts and brought upon them the existence of His reciprocal intimacy.
10. He made the Hereafter an abode to reward his believing servants only because this world cannot contain what He wishes to bestow upon them and because He deemed their worth too high to reward them in a world without permanence. [Above quotes by Ibn Ata Allah Iskandari]
Friday, January 13, 2012
LESSON OF THE DAY 1297
Ayahs of the day:
And spend for the sake of God, and do not invest in ruin by your own hands. And do good; for God loves those who do good. [2: 195]
Hadith of the day:
Traders will be gathered on the Day of Judgment as transgressors, except those who feared Allah, were righteous in their oaths and spoke the truth. [Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]
Wise quote of the day:
Before the time of prayer comes, the servant must be in a state of preparation and his attitude must be that which is essential for prayer, namely a state of meditation and recollection, free from wandering thoughts and consideration or remembrance of anything save God alone. [Abu Nasr al Sarraj]
Guidance of the day:
The Qur'an says backbiting is like eating flesh of a dead brother. It is a grave sin, a kabirah, not an ordinary one. Backbiting is a sin just as consuming wine, eating pork, stealing or robbing are sins. Rather, it is more severe. To drink wine or to consume pork is to violate rights of Allah and the sin pertains to the self of the perpetrator and has no relation with rights of fellow men. Hence, if Allah will enable the sinner at anytime and he repents to Him then He will forgive the sin.
The sin of backbiting, however, pertains to fellow human beings. The principle in such cases is that the sin is not forgiven unless the owner of the rights forgives it. The sinner may make repentance and seek forgiveness for thousands of times, offer salah and fasting, but the sin of backbiting will not be forgiven. Allah has said, "I will forgive you My rights. But, if you damage My slave physically or his property, or his honor; or you violate his rights then until he pardons you or you repay him his rights, I will not forgive you." The case of rights of fellow men is very serious but we have considered it very ordinary and minor. Backbiting is also among rights of fellow men. [Spiritual Discourses by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]
Food for thought:
Faith means, no worrying. Faith is passionate intuition. Every tomorrow has two handles -- we can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. He who has faith has an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well, even though to the world it may appear to come out badly.
And spend for the sake of God, and do not invest in ruin by your own hands. And do good; for God loves those who do good. [2: 195]
Hadith of the day:
Traders will be gathered on the Day of Judgment as transgressors, except those who feared Allah, were righteous in their oaths and spoke the truth. [Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]
Wise quote of the day:
Before the time of prayer comes, the servant must be in a state of preparation and his attitude must be that which is essential for prayer, namely a state of meditation and recollection, free from wandering thoughts and consideration or remembrance of anything save God alone. [Abu Nasr al Sarraj]
Guidance of the day:
The Qur'an says backbiting is like eating flesh of a dead brother. It is a grave sin, a kabirah, not an ordinary one. Backbiting is a sin just as consuming wine, eating pork, stealing or robbing are sins. Rather, it is more severe. To drink wine or to consume pork is to violate rights of Allah and the sin pertains to the self of the perpetrator and has no relation with rights of fellow men. Hence, if Allah will enable the sinner at anytime and he repents to Him then He will forgive the sin.
The sin of backbiting, however, pertains to fellow human beings. The principle in such cases is that the sin is not forgiven unless the owner of the rights forgives it. The sinner may make repentance and seek forgiveness for thousands of times, offer salah and fasting, but the sin of backbiting will not be forgiven. Allah has said, "I will forgive you My rights. But, if you damage My slave physically or his property, or his honor; or you violate his rights then until he pardons you or you repay him his rights, I will not forgive you." The case of rights of fellow men is very serious but we have considered it very ordinary and minor. Backbiting is also among rights of fellow men. [Spiritual Discourses by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]
Food for thought:
Faith means, no worrying. Faith is passionate intuition. Every tomorrow has two handles -- we can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. He who has faith has an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well, even though to the world it may appear to come out badly.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Gentle Reminders....
'When intending to do something good, do not delay it until tomorrow.
When involved in something to do with the hereafter, keep yourself involved as long as you can.
When involved in some worldly matter, put your mind to it-
so as to get it done
And if you are praying and Satan whispers, ‘You are showing off,’ then make your prayer even longer.
Ibn Al-Mubârak in Al-Zuhd wa Al-Rqâ’iq Vol.1 p126
The Muslim is Contented and Satisfied
Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) said :-
Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) said:-
"Richness is not having many belongings, but richness is the richness of the soul" (contentment).
Muslim -2/501/ # 2287)
When involved in something to do with the hereafter, keep yourself involved as long as you can.
When involved in some worldly matter, put your mind to it-
so as to get it done
And if you are praying and Satan whispers, ‘You are showing off,’ then make your prayer even longer.
Ibn Al-Mubârak in Al-Zuhd wa Al-Rqâ’iq Vol.1 p126
The Muslim is Contented and Satisfied
Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) said :-
Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) said:-
"Richness is not having many belongings, but richness is the richness of the soul" (contentment).
Muslim -2/501/ # 2287)
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Pearls of wisdom 326
1. One of the signs of relying on one's own deeds is the loss of hope when a downfall occurs.
2. Your striving for what has been guaranteed to you (i.e. dunya), and your remissness in what is demanded of you (i.e. akhirah), are sings of the blurring of your intellect.
3. If in spite of intense supplication, there is delay in the timing of the Gift, let that not be the cause for your despairing. For He has guaranteed you a response in what He chooses for you, not in what you choose for yourself, and at the time He desires not the time you desire.
4. Actions are lifeless forms, but the presence of an inner reality of sincerity within them is what endows them with life-giving spirit.
5. Nothing benefits the heart more than a spiritual retreat wherein it enters the domain of meditation.
6. How can it be conceived that something veils Him, since He is the one who manifests every thing?
7. How can it be conceived that something veils Him, since He is more manifest than anything?
8. How can it be conceived that something veils Him, since He is nearer to you than anything else?
9. How can it be conceived that something veils Him, since He is alongside of whom there is nothing?
10. How can it be conceived that something veils Him, since were it not for Him, the existence of everything would not have been manifest? [Ibn Ataillah Iskandari]
2. Your striving for what has been guaranteed to you (i.e. dunya), and your remissness in what is demanded of you (i.e. akhirah), are sings of the blurring of your intellect.
3. If in spite of intense supplication, there is delay in the timing of the Gift, let that not be the cause for your despairing. For He has guaranteed you a response in what He chooses for you, not in what you choose for yourself, and at the time He desires not the time you desire.
4. Actions are lifeless forms, but the presence of an inner reality of sincerity within them is what endows them with life-giving spirit.
5. Nothing benefits the heart more than a spiritual retreat wherein it enters the domain of meditation.
6. How can it be conceived that something veils Him, since He is the one who manifests every thing?
7. How can it be conceived that something veils Him, since He is more manifest than anything?
8. How can it be conceived that something veils Him, since He is nearer to you than anything else?
9. How can it be conceived that something veils Him, since He is alongside of whom there is nothing?
10. How can it be conceived that something veils Him, since were it not for Him, the existence of everything would not have been manifest? [Ibn Ataillah Iskandari]
Friday, December 30, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1296
Ayahs of the day:
Righteousness is not that you should turn your faces to the East or the West; rather, the righteous are those who believe in God and the last day, and the angels and scriptures and prophets; and who give material gifts out of love for God, even what they care for, to relatives and orphans, and the poor and the traveler and the needy.......[2: 177]
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:
A man of bad character punishes his own soul. [Imam al Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Courage is such a thing created by Allah that it enables a man, Muslim or non-Muslim, to accomplish exceptional feats and Allah blesses his efforts. Allah will certainly bless the courage of a believer who works hard to submit to Him and avert disobedience. Allah has blessed the quality of courage with exceptional power so that great things can be achieved with firm resolve.
The tasks that a person is asked to do are within his ability. He only has to show courage. One has to courageously show obedience and keep away from sin. One has to spend one's whole life doing it and if there ever is a slip, he must courageously renew his efforts. It is through courage that man moves forward but without courage he can do nothing in the world. Only courage enables him to do everything.
The method to correct deeds and inner condition is to oppose the sentiments of the nafs (lower self) and accustom it to hard work. The more you accustom it to hard work, the more it responds and you will get your work done, inshaAllah. As a result, the apparent deeds will be corrected and the unseen character will also be reformed. [Spiritual Discourses by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]
Food for thought:
Good judgment comes from experience and often experience comes from bad judgment. What one has not experienced, one will never understand. Experience is simply the name we give to our mistakes. Learn all you can from the mistakes of others -- you won't have time to make them all yourself. Nothing is a waste of time if you use your experience wisely.
Righteousness is not that you should turn your faces to the East or the West; rather, the righteous are those who believe in God and the last day, and the angels and scriptures and prophets; and who give material gifts out of love for God, even what they care for, to relatives and orphans, and the poor and the traveler and the needy.......[2: 177]
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:
A man of bad character punishes his own soul. [Imam al Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Courage is such a thing created by Allah that it enables a man, Muslim or non-Muslim, to accomplish exceptional feats and Allah blesses his efforts. Allah will certainly bless the courage of a believer who works hard to submit to Him and avert disobedience. Allah has blessed the quality of courage with exceptional power so that great things can be achieved with firm resolve.
The tasks that a person is asked to do are within his ability. He only has to show courage. One has to courageously show obedience and keep away from sin. One has to spend one's whole life doing it and if there ever is a slip, he must courageously renew his efforts. It is through courage that man moves forward but without courage he can do nothing in the world. Only courage enables him to do everything.
The method to correct deeds and inner condition is to oppose the sentiments of the nafs (lower self) and accustom it to hard work. The more you accustom it to hard work, the more it responds and you will get your work done, inshaAllah. As a result, the apparent deeds will be corrected and the unseen character will also be reformed. [Spiritual Discourses by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]
Food for thought:
Good judgment comes from experience and often experience comes from bad judgment. What one has not experienced, one will never understand. Experience is simply the name we give to our mistakes. Learn all you can from the mistakes of others -- you won't have time to make them all yourself. Nothing is a waste of time if you use your experience wisely.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Love of Almighty Allah !!!
It is a stage that all of those who are striving and competing are competing for it and it is a kind of life that if you are missing it you are one of the dead.
It is a light that if you are without it you are in and ocean of darkness.
It is a medicine or cure that if you are without it, your heart becomes a place of sicknesses.
It is a sweetness or pleasure that if you are without it,
life becomes a thing of worries and of pain.
“And verily for everything that a slave loses there is a substitute, but the one who loses Allah will never find anything to replace Him.”
[Ibn al-Qayyim ]
It is a light that if you are without it you are in and ocean of darkness.
It is a medicine or cure that if you are without it, your heart becomes a place of sicknesses.
It is a sweetness or pleasure that if you are without it,
life becomes a thing of worries and of pain.
“And verily for everything that a slave loses there is a substitute, but the one who loses Allah will never find anything to replace Him.”
[Ibn al-Qayyim ]
Friday, December 23, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 325
1. Do not abandon the invocation (dhikr) because you do not feel the presence of God therein. For your forgetfulness of the invocation of Him is worse than your forgetfulness in the invocation of Him.
2. Perhaps He will take you from an invocation with forgetfulness to one with vigilance, and from one with vigilance to one with the presence of God (hudur), and from one with the presence of God to one wherein everything but the invoked (al-Madhkur) is absent. "And that is not difficult for God."
3. There is no minor sin (saghira) when His justice confronts you; and there is no major sin (kabira) when His grace confronts you.
4. No deed is more fruitful for the heart than the one you are not aware of and which is deemed paltry by you.
5. He only made an inspiration (warid) come upon you so that you would go to Him.
6. He made an inspiration come upon you so as to get you out of the grip of alterities (aghyar) and free you from the bondage of created beings.
7. He made an inspiration come upon you so as to take you out of the prison of your existence to the unlimited space of your contemplation.
8. Whoever does not draw near to God as as result of the caresses of love is shackled to Him with the chains of misfortune.
9. Whoever is not thankful for graces runs the risk of losing them, and whoever is thankful fetters them with their own cords.
10. Be fearful lest the existence of His generosity towards you and the permanence of your bad behavior towards Him not lead you step by step to ruin. [Above quotes by Ibn Ataillah Iskandari]
2. Perhaps He will take you from an invocation with forgetfulness to one with vigilance, and from one with vigilance to one with the presence of God (hudur), and from one with the presence of God to one wherein everything but the invoked (al-Madhkur) is absent. "And that is not difficult for God."
3. There is no minor sin (saghira) when His justice confronts you; and there is no major sin (kabira) when His grace confronts you.
4. No deed is more fruitful for the heart than the one you are not aware of and which is deemed paltry by you.
5. He only made an inspiration (warid) come upon you so that you would go to Him.
6. He made an inspiration come upon you so as to get you out of the grip of alterities (aghyar) and free you from the bondage of created beings.
7. He made an inspiration come upon you so as to take you out of the prison of your existence to the unlimited space of your contemplation.
8. Whoever does not draw near to God as as result of the caresses of love is shackled to Him with the chains of misfortune.
9. Whoever is not thankful for graces runs the risk of losing them, and whoever is thankful fetters them with their own cords.
10. Be fearful lest the existence of His generosity towards you and the permanence of your bad behavior towards Him not lead you step by step to ruin. [Above quotes by Ibn Ataillah Iskandari]
Monday, December 19, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1295
Ayahs of the day:
Believers, eat of the good things We have provided for you, and be grateful to God, if it is God that you worship. [2: 172]
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:
Try to gladden the hearts of believers in every possible way, as long as these ways are not sinful.
Guidance of the day:
The lower self (nafs) is like a child. It is accustomed to sin and disobedience and finds pleasure in these things. It keeps away from obedience. If it is not stopped from sinning, it will never give up its habit. If it is prevented from those things, there certainly will be much difficulty in the beginning but finally it will relent and give up its sinful ways. Man must resist laziness and be submissive and give up his sinful ways.
Allah has given man the character trait of laziness and also courage. Courage is a great thing. It can be compared to rubber which will stretch as much as we pull it. Courage is like that. One can stretch it as much as he wills and take it to heights. The accomplishments of men in this world have courage behind them whether it relates to worldly affairs or religion. Even meaningless pursuits and sinful feats are accomplished through courage. [Spiritual Discourses by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]
Food for thought:
Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.
Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open mind.
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing temper or self-confidence.
Education is being able to differentiate between what we know and what we do not know.
Believers, eat of the good things We have provided for you, and be grateful to God, if it is God that you worship. [2: 172]
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:
Try to gladden the hearts of believers in every possible way, as long as these ways are not sinful.
Guidance of the day:
The lower self (nafs) is like a child. It is accustomed to sin and disobedience and finds pleasure in these things. It keeps away from obedience. If it is not stopped from sinning, it will never give up its habit. If it is prevented from those things, there certainly will be much difficulty in the beginning but finally it will relent and give up its sinful ways. Man must resist laziness and be submissive and give up his sinful ways.
Allah has given man the character trait of laziness and also courage. Courage is a great thing. It can be compared to rubber which will stretch as much as we pull it. Courage is like that. One can stretch it as much as he wills and take it to heights. The accomplishments of men in this world have courage behind them whether it relates to worldly affairs or religion. Even meaningless pursuits and sinful feats are accomplished through courage. [Spiritual Discourses by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]
Food for thought:
Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.
Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open mind.
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing temper or self-confidence.
Education is being able to differentiate between what we know and what we do not know.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Precious words of guidance....
Imam Sufyaan once wrote to one of his Muslim brothers
May Allaah, with His Mercy, protect both me and you from the Hellfire.
I advise both you and myself to fear Allaah.
And I warn you not to turn to ignorance after you have learned, not to turn to destruction after you have seen and recognized the truth, and not to leave the (Straight) Path after it has been made clear to you.
Do not become deceived by worldly people, and do not become unduly impressed by the way they strive for and greedily gather worldly things, for the terror (that will envelop them on the Day of Resurrection) is indeed SEVERE.
The danger (of the Day of Resurrection) is grave indeed, but what is more, is that it is near at hand.
So occupy yourself exclusively with the Hereafter, and empty your heart of all other thoughts; once you have done that, work hard! Do not waste time! And flee from the world and its temptations! Travel to the Hereafter (with your worship) before you are taken there… I have indeed given you the same advice that I gave myself.
And understand that success comes from Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). The key to gaining His help is supplication, prayer, feeling remorse for past negligence, and complete submission to Him.
Your days and nights are numbered, so use the time you have left wisely, and do not be negligent in fulfilling the rights of your Lord.
I ask Allaah, Who has blessed us to know Him, not to entrust us and you to our ownselves; and I ask Allaah to be our Guardian and Helper, just as He is the Guardian and Helper of His beloved, righteous slaves.
Beware of doing that which will spoil your deeds, and know that it is showing off that spoils a person’s deeds; and if it is not showing off, then it is conceitedness – for you to imagine that you are better than one of your Muslim brothers, when in reality he performs more good deeds than you do; or perhaps he performs his deeds with a purer intention than you do.
And even if you are not conceited, beware of developing a love for praise.
Be ever so careful not to come to love other people’s praise of your good deeds, or the respect they feel for you and bestow upon you because of your good deeds.
And beware of desiring that others should help you in your personal affairs just because they have become impressed with your good deeds.
You surely claim (as does everyone else), after all, that you are doing good deeds only for the sake of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'ala); well, then turn that claim into a reality.
If you want to be less desirous of this world – its things, wealth, and pleasures – and more desirous of the Hereafter — Paradise and its bliss – then remember death frequently.
And know that you have long term hopes for this world – which one should not have — if you fear Allaah only a little or if you recklessly perpetrate sins.
And one will be sufficiently regretful and wretched on the Day of Resurrection if he has knowledge but does not apply it.
* Transcribed from: The Biography of Sufyaan Ath-Thauree, rahimahullaah, page 181-182
May Allaah, with His Mercy, protect both me and you from the Hellfire.
I advise both you and myself to fear Allaah.
And I warn you not to turn to ignorance after you have learned, not to turn to destruction after you have seen and recognized the truth, and not to leave the (Straight) Path after it has been made clear to you.
Do not become deceived by worldly people, and do not become unduly impressed by the way they strive for and greedily gather worldly things, for the terror (that will envelop them on the Day of Resurrection) is indeed SEVERE.
The danger (of the Day of Resurrection) is grave indeed, but what is more, is that it is near at hand.
So occupy yourself exclusively with the Hereafter, and empty your heart of all other thoughts; once you have done that, work hard! Do not waste time! And flee from the world and its temptations! Travel to the Hereafter (with your worship) before you are taken there… I have indeed given you the same advice that I gave myself.
And understand that success comes from Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala). The key to gaining His help is supplication, prayer, feeling remorse for past negligence, and complete submission to Him.
Your days and nights are numbered, so use the time you have left wisely, and do not be negligent in fulfilling the rights of your Lord.
I ask Allaah, Who has blessed us to know Him, not to entrust us and you to our ownselves; and I ask Allaah to be our Guardian and Helper, just as He is the Guardian and Helper of His beloved, righteous slaves.
Beware of doing that which will spoil your deeds, and know that it is showing off that spoils a person’s deeds; and if it is not showing off, then it is conceitedness – for you to imagine that you are better than one of your Muslim brothers, when in reality he performs more good deeds than you do; or perhaps he performs his deeds with a purer intention than you do.
And even if you are not conceited, beware of developing a love for praise.
Be ever so careful not to come to love other people’s praise of your good deeds, or the respect they feel for you and bestow upon you because of your good deeds.
And beware of desiring that others should help you in your personal affairs just because they have become impressed with your good deeds.
You surely claim (as does everyone else), after all, that you are doing good deeds only for the sake of Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'ala); well, then turn that claim into a reality.
If you want to be less desirous of this world – its things, wealth, and pleasures – and more desirous of the Hereafter — Paradise and its bliss – then remember death frequently.
And know that you have long term hopes for this world – which one should not have — if you fear Allaah only a little or if you recklessly perpetrate sins.
And one will be sufficiently regretful and wretched on the Day of Resurrection if he has knowledge but does not apply it.
* Transcribed from: The Biography of Sufyaan Ath-Thauree, rahimahullaah, page 181-182
Monday, December 12, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 324
1. Your postponement of deed till when you are free is one of the frivolities of the ego.
2. No search pursued with the help of your Lord remains at a standstill, but any search pursued by yourself will not be fruitful.
3. Among the signs of success at the end is, the turning to God at the beginning.
4. He who is illumined at the beginning is illumined at the end.
5. Appeal to no one but Him to relieve you of a pressing need that He Himself has brought upon you.
6. Travel not from creature to creature, otherwise you will be like a donkey at the mill. Rather go from creatures to the Creator.
7. Do not keep company with anyone whose state does not inspire you and whose speech does not lead you to God.
8. You might be in a bad state: then, your associating with one who is in worse state makes you see virtue in yourself.
9. No deed arising from a renouncing heart is small, and no deed arising from an avaricious heart is fruitful.
10. Good works are the results of good states. Good states arise from the stations wherein those having spiritual realization abide. [Above quotes by Ibn Ataillah Iskandari]
2. No search pursued with the help of your Lord remains at a standstill, but any search pursued by yourself will not be fruitful.
3. Among the signs of success at the end is, the turning to God at the beginning.
4. He who is illumined at the beginning is illumined at the end.
5. Appeal to no one but Him to relieve you of a pressing need that He Himself has brought upon you.
6. Travel not from creature to creature, otherwise you will be like a donkey at the mill. Rather go from creatures to the Creator.
7. Do not keep company with anyone whose state does not inspire you and whose speech does not lead you to God.
8. You might be in a bad state: then, your associating with one who is in worse state makes you see virtue in yourself.
9. No deed arising from a renouncing heart is small, and no deed arising from an avaricious heart is fruitful.
10. Good works are the results of good states. Good states arise from the stations wherein those having spiritual realization abide. [Above quotes by Ibn Ataillah Iskandari]
Friday, December 09, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1294
Ayahs of the day:
Everyone has an aim, to which God gives direction; so preserve everything good. Wherever you are, God will bring you together. For God has power over everything. [2: 148]
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:
The outward appearance of an angry person is ugly enough, yet his inner appearance is even uglier. [Abdul Khaliq al Shabrawi]
Guidance of the day:
If man was free from urge to commit sin then there would have been no difference between him and angels. The angels lack the urge to sin, as also anger, sexual incitement, hunger and thirst. If man was also deprived of these things then he would have no excellence over the angels. Man enjoys excellence over them because he is endowed with the capacity to do good as well as evil and resists the temptation to do evil.
The angels are not only innocent, they are also devoted exclusively to prostration and glorifying Allah while man is endowed with possibility to commit sin and he resists that urge for the sake of Allah. The merit itself demands that the ability to err and sin should remain in him. With that possibility there, he will continue to struggle against temptation. In the beginning, the struggle will be severe but after mujahidah (striving) it will become mild. He should not be anxious or hopeless because of it nor neglect it.
In short, one should suppress the temptations and urge of the soul through mujahidah so that they are moderated and keep him away from the unlawful. He must continue this all his life. The struggle mitigates with passage of time. [Spiritual discourses by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]
Food for thought:
No one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow. As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death. Healthy children will not fear life and their elders have the integrity not to fear death. He who doesn't fear death dies only once.
Everyone has an aim, to which God gives direction; so preserve everything good. Wherever you are, God will bring you together. For God has power over everything. [2: 148]
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:
The outward appearance of an angry person is ugly enough, yet his inner appearance is even uglier. [Abdul Khaliq al Shabrawi]
Guidance of the day:
If man was free from urge to commit sin then there would have been no difference between him and angels. The angels lack the urge to sin, as also anger, sexual incitement, hunger and thirst. If man was also deprived of these things then he would have no excellence over the angels. Man enjoys excellence over them because he is endowed with the capacity to do good as well as evil and resists the temptation to do evil.
The angels are not only innocent, they are also devoted exclusively to prostration and glorifying Allah while man is endowed with possibility to commit sin and he resists that urge for the sake of Allah. The merit itself demands that the ability to err and sin should remain in him. With that possibility there, he will continue to struggle against temptation. In the beginning, the struggle will be severe but after mujahidah (striving) it will become mild. He should not be anxious or hopeless because of it nor neglect it.
In short, one should suppress the temptations and urge of the soul through mujahidah so that they are moderated and keep him away from the unlawful. He must continue this all his life. The struggle mitigates with passage of time. [Spiritual discourses by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani]
Food for thought:
No one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow. As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death. Healthy children will not fear life and their elders have the integrity not to fear death. He who doesn't fear death dies only once.
Monday, December 05, 2011
“O my eye! All men have eyes!”
Let not your tongue mention the shame of another
For you yourself are covered in shame-
And all men have tongues.
If your eye falls upon the sins of your brother
Shield them and say:-
“O my eye! All men have eyes!”
Imam Shafi'i (Rahimahullah)
"Never Despair Of The Mercy Of Allah"
'Son of Adam! You are nothing but a number of days, whenever each day passes then part of you has Gone.'
[Al-Hasan Al-Basree]
For you yourself are covered in shame-
And all men have tongues.
If your eye falls upon the sins of your brother
Shield them and say:-
“O my eye! All men have eyes!”
Imam Shafi'i (Rahimahullah)
"Never Despair Of The Mercy Of Allah"
'Son of Adam! You are nothing but a number of days, whenever each day passes then part of you has Gone.'
[Al-Hasan Al-Basree]
Friday, December 02, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 323
1. Remembrance of Him is the light of the heart, and His presence is the key to the invisible.
2. Real knowledge of what is good implies dwelling in it and real knowledge of evil implies departure from it.
3. Real prostration is the yielding of the heart to the ordinance of the Lord.
4. If anyone has faith in the divine apportionment (qisma), he should not dispute the divine wisdom (hikma).
5. There are two virtues that facilitate the way to God; mystical knowledge and love. Your love for material things renders you blind and deaf.
6. Mystical knowledge is that which has severed you everything except God and brought you back to Him.
7. Whenever the lower self (nafs) is dominant and the spirit (ruh) is subordinate, then occur drought and sterility, the whole order is overturned, and every evil befalls. So heed the guiding of Qur'an and the healing words of His Apostle.
8. Any affliction for which a hope for reward is entertained and punishment is feared, is not an affliction. An affliction for which a reward is not hoped nor a punishment is feared -- that only is an affliction.
9. O servant of God, detach yourself from converse with the lower-self, the desire of Satan, obedience to lust, and emotion of chronic illness, and you will be righteous.
10. Sustenance is divinely apportioned. It is not the piety of a pious man that increases it nor it is the impiety of an impious man that diminishes it.
11. Preserve God in the heart and He will preserve you. Keep God in mind and you will find Him in front of you. Worship God with means of purification and be of the thankful ones. [Above quotes by Shaykh Abul Hasan al- Shadhili]
2. Real knowledge of what is good implies dwelling in it and real knowledge of evil implies departure from it.
3. Real prostration is the yielding of the heart to the ordinance of the Lord.
4. If anyone has faith in the divine apportionment (qisma), he should not dispute the divine wisdom (hikma).
5. There are two virtues that facilitate the way to God; mystical knowledge and love. Your love for material things renders you blind and deaf.
6. Mystical knowledge is that which has severed you everything except God and brought you back to Him.
7. Whenever the lower self (nafs) is dominant and the spirit (ruh) is subordinate, then occur drought and sterility, the whole order is overturned, and every evil befalls. So heed the guiding of Qur'an and the healing words of His Apostle.
8. Any affliction for which a hope for reward is entertained and punishment is feared, is not an affliction. An affliction for which a reward is not hoped nor a punishment is feared -- that only is an affliction.
9. O servant of God, detach yourself from converse with the lower-self, the desire of Satan, obedience to lust, and emotion of chronic illness, and you will be righteous.
10. Sustenance is divinely apportioned. It is not the piety of a pious man that increases it nor it is the impiety of an impious man that diminishes it.
11. Preserve God in the heart and He will preserve you. Keep God in mind and you will find Him in front of you. Worship God with means of purification and be of the thankful ones. [Above quotes by Shaykh Abul Hasan al- Shadhili]
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1293
Ayahs of the day:
Thus We have made you a centered nation, that you may be witnesses to humanity. [2: 143]
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:
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 al-Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
God bestows material wealth and poverty upon individuals for reasons known only to Him. There is good in whatever He bestows. It is not wealth or poverty in itself that is good, but rather the state of mind that has disciplined (and triumphed over) the worldly self and set its sight upon eternal life.
The surest way for the believers to progress is to understand that whatever God gives is designed to perfect them. Regardless of personal circumstances, believers should strive to improve the welfare of others and trust inwardly and outwardly in the All-Mighty and All-Merciful. The best attitude toward this world, which is only a resting place on the way to our everlasting destination, is expressed in this brief poem:
I accept, my Lord, whatever comes to me from You,
For whatever comes to me from You is my good;
Whether a robe of honor comes or a shroud,
Whether a sharp thorn or a sweet, fresh rose,
If it comes with Your blessing,
It is my good that comes. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity. The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of our eternity. We cannot banish dangers, but we can banish fears, we must not demean life by standing in awe of death. To be idle is a short road to death, and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle and wise people are diligent.
Thus We have made you a centered nation, that you may be witnesses to humanity. [2: 143]
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:
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 al-Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
God bestows material wealth and poverty upon individuals for reasons known only to Him. There is good in whatever He bestows. It is not wealth or poverty in itself that is good, but rather the state of mind that has disciplined (and triumphed over) the worldly self and set its sight upon eternal life.
The surest way for the believers to progress is to understand that whatever God gives is designed to perfect them. Regardless of personal circumstances, believers should strive to improve the welfare of others and trust inwardly and outwardly in the All-Mighty and All-Merciful. The best attitude toward this world, which is only a resting place on the way to our everlasting destination, is expressed in this brief poem:
I accept, my Lord, whatever comes to me from You,
For whatever comes to me from You is my good;
Whether a robe of honor comes or a shroud,
Whether a sharp thorn or a sweet, fresh rose,
If it comes with Your blessing,
It is my good that comes. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity. The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of our eternity. We cannot banish dangers, but we can banish fears, we must not demean life by standing in awe of death. To be idle is a short road to death, and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle and wise people are diligent.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Muharram Mubarak -- Happy new year!!!
Abu Hurayra (radi Allahu anhu) reported:
the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said,
"Wealth is not diminished by giving (in charity).
Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'ala) augments the honour of one
who forgives; and one who displays humbleness towards
another seeking the pleasure of ALLAH (Subhanu wa Ta'ala),
Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'ala) exalts him in ranks.''
[Muslim].
Commentary:
This Hadith has described three facts.
First, Sadaqah does not
diminish wealth because Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'ala) blesses the rest of it and thus
recompenses it in this world, and the almsgiver will certainly be rewarded on the Day of Resurrection.
Second, man
thinks that a conciliatory or forgiving attitude will weaken his position in the eyes of others. He erroneously takes it as his disparagement and insult. However, this Hadith reveals the reality that by this way, Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'ala) raises his image and he is not belittled at all, because a forgiving gesture will enhance his esteem in the hearts of people. And in the Hereafter, Divine reward for it will definitely lead to his elevation.
Third, if somebody displays affability and humbleness
in his behaviour, Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'ala) will project his prestige and dignity into the hearts of others and bless him in the Hereafter.
the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said,
"Wealth is not diminished by giving (in charity).
Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'ala) augments the honour of one
who forgives; and one who displays humbleness towards
another seeking the pleasure of ALLAH (Subhanu wa Ta'ala),
Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'ala) exalts him in ranks.''
[Muslim].
Commentary:
This Hadith has described three facts.
First, Sadaqah does not
diminish wealth because Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'ala) blesses the rest of it and thus
recompenses it in this world, and the almsgiver will certainly be rewarded on the Day of Resurrection.
Second, man
thinks that a conciliatory or forgiving attitude will weaken his position in the eyes of others. He erroneously takes it as his disparagement and insult. However, this Hadith reveals the reality that by this way, Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'ala) raises his image and he is not belittled at all, because a forgiving gesture will enhance his esteem in the hearts of people. And in the Hereafter, Divine reward for it will definitely lead to his elevation.
Third, if somebody displays affability and humbleness
in his behaviour, Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'ala) will project his prestige and dignity into the hearts of others and bless him in the Hereafter.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 322
1. Remembrance of God strengthens the spirit and acts as its wings and feathers in its heavenward flight.
2. Even if the spirit does not reach heaven, every moment it achieves a loftier height.
3. We may not attain to the Essence of God, but remembrance of Him, whether it be with the tongue or in the heart leave its mark upon us.
4. It is only burnished breast freed from greed, avarice, and hate, a heart cleansed of all taints of corruption that can reflect the Divine Light.
5. Death is no occasion for sorrow, but an occasion for rejoicing for it means Homeward flight of the human spirit, freed from the trammels of matter.
6. If you have no eyes, do not walk blindly; take a staff in your hand.
7. If you have no staff of insight, do not walk without a guide.
8. Hidden creatures good and bad always touch the heart -- the touch of the angel is inspiration; Satanic touches temptations untold.
9. Tarry with patience until your confusion is resolved and you know whom you rejected and who became the leader of your heart.
10. As he beheld the light of God he felt protected, and was delivered from the throes of doubt. [Mawlana Rumi]
2. Even if the spirit does not reach heaven, every moment it achieves a loftier height.
3. We may not attain to the Essence of God, but remembrance of Him, whether it be with the tongue or in the heart leave its mark upon us.
4. It is only burnished breast freed from greed, avarice, and hate, a heart cleansed of all taints of corruption that can reflect the Divine Light.
5. Death is no occasion for sorrow, but an occasion for rejoicing for it means Homeward flight of the human spirit, freed from the trammels of matter.
6. If you have no eyes, do not walk blindly; take a staff in your hand.
7. If you have no staff of insight, do not walk without a guide.
8. Hidden creatures good and bad always touch the heart -- the touch of the angel is inspiration; Satanic touches temptations untold.
9. Tarry with patience until your confusion is resolved and you know whom you rejected and who became the leader of your heart.
10. As he beheld the light of God he felt protected, and was delivered from the throes of doubt. [Mawlana Rumi]
Friday, November 18, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1292
Ayahs of the day:
That was a people that has passed away; they will get what they earned, and you will get what you earned. And you will not be questioned about what they used to do. [2: 134]
Hadith of the day:
Rights will be given to those who they are owed on the Day of Judgment, even the hornless sheep will have retaliation from the horned sheep. [Muslim]
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 al-Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
We cannot attribute evil to God, for that comes from ourselves. We have only ourselves to blame for what we suffer. What happens to us is based upon our choices and actions, and accords with the law of the cause and effect that God has decreed for His creation. Thus, those who persistently adhere to false beliefs and refuse to listen to and obey Divine commandments gradually lose the ability to perceive the truth.
Happiness in the Hereafter is the natural consequence of our efforts to attain righteousness and inner illumination while alive. God does not cause anyone to go astray. Deserving His favor and blessings or deserving their withdrawal depend upon our free choice, and nothing else. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Things do not change unless we change. If there is something we wish to change in a child/adult, we should first examine it and see whether it is something that could better be changed in ourselves. If we don't change, we don't grow, if we don't grow we aren't really living. They must often change, who would be constant in happiness and wisdom. We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.
That was a people that has passed away; they will get what they earned, and you will get what you earned. And you will not be questioned about what they used to do. [2: 134]
Hadith of the day:
Rights will be given to those who they are owed on the Day of Judgment, even the hornless sheep will have retaliation from the horned sheep. [Muslim]
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 al-Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
We cannot attribute evil to God, for that comes from ourselves. We have only ourselves to blame for what we suffer. What happens to us is based upon our choices and actions, and accords with the law of the cause and effect that God has decreed for His creation. Thus, those who persistently adhere to false beliefs and refuse to listen to and obey Divine commandments gradually lose the ability to perceive the truth.
Happiness in the Hereafter is the natural consequence of our efforts to attain righteousness and inner illumination while alive. God does not cause anyone to go astray. Deserving His favor and blessings or deserving their withdrawal depend upon our free choice, and nothing else. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Things do not change unless we change. If there is something we wish to change in a child/adult, we should first examine it and see whether it is something that could better be changed in ourselves. If we don't change, we don't grow, if we don't grow we aren't really living. They must often change, who would be constant in happiness and wisdom. We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Means to increase Allah's love....
Ibn Qayyim al-Jaoziyah mentioned in his book 'Madarij al-Salikeen' ten points that produce will Allah's Love in a person's heart. Also, such points and causes result in Allah's Love for him/her. We briefly state these points and causes as follows:
1. To read, understand and consider the Qur'an carefully.
2. To keep on coming closer to Allah by performing Nawafil (optional good deeds). Such an action will help one to be lifted to the rank of being Allah's beloved after one loves His Lord.
3. To mention Allah at all states and in all occasions. The more you mention Allah, the more beloved you will be.
4. To prefer what Allah likes to what one likes.
5. To think about Allah's Names and Attributes, since whoever becomes aware of His Names and Attributes will certainly love Him.
6. To think of Allah's innumerable blessings and favors, hidden and apparent.
7. To show subordination, submission and surrender to Allah, The Great and Almighty.
8. To perform optional prayers at midnight and read Qur'an and to end such actions with repentance and seeking forgiveness.
9. To associate with the righteous and religious and to get benefit from their good words.
10. To avoid every misdeed and sin that may come between a slave and His Lord, Allah.
As for acquiring the Messenger's Love (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), know that there are two matters that bring forth such a love:
1. To consider carefully the Qur'anic verses that describe and praise the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) character such as: "And verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) are on an exalted standard of character." [68:4].
2. To read and regard the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) biography, good features and stories attentively.
Allah knows best.
===============================================
1. To read, understand and consider the Qur'an carefully.
2. To keep on coming closer to Allah by performing Nawafil (optional good deeds). Such an action will help one to be lifted to the rank of being Allah's beloved after one loves His Lord.
3. To mention Allah at all states and in all occasions. The more you mention Allah, the more beloved you will be.
4. To prefer what Allah likes to what one likes.
5. To think about Allah's Names and Attributes, since whoever becomes aware of His Names and Attributes will certainly love Him.
6. To think of Allah's innumerable blessings and favors, hidden and apparent.
7. To show subordination, submission and surrender to Allah, The Great and Almighty.
8. To perform optional prayers at midnight and read Qur'an and to end such actions with repentance and seeking forgiveness.
9. To associate with the righteous and religious and to get benefit from their good words.
10. To avoid every misdeed and sin that may come between a slave and His Lord, Allah.
As for acquiring the Messenger's Love (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), know that there are two matters that bring forth such a love:
1. To consider carefully the Qur'anic verses that describe and praise the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) character such as: "And verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) are on an exalted standard of character." [68:4].
2. To read and regard the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) biography, good features and stories attentively.
Allah knows best.
===============================================
Friday, November 11, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 321
1. We must go through the fire of self-mortification and purge ourselves from self's pollution.
2. Nothing is of greater merit in this world of afflictions than a good disposition.
3. From good disposition good manners arise.
4. Good manners are forbearance with the ill-mannerly people.
5. Whatever gloom and grief comes upon us is the result of our insolence, that is, of flouting religious injunctions; it is the result of our indiscipline.
6. Abstinence is the result of piety. It involves abstaining from what the Lord has forbidden. It also involves abstaining from everything except God.
7. Full abstinence cannot be achieved so long as desire is not renounced.
8. Exertion is necessary in our daily life as well as on the spiritual path.
9. Envy is the worst of all evils. Pride and envy led Satan to disobey the Lord's command to bow to Adam and caused his expulsion from Paradise.
10. Trust in God is an important station on the spiritual path. The elect do not tremble for fear of hunger -- in trust in God, they live full-fed. [Above quotes by Mawlana Rumi]
2. Nothing is of greater merit in this world of afflictions than a good disposition.
3. From good disposition good manners arise.
4. Good manners are forbearance with the ill-mannerly people.
5. Whatever gloom and grief comes upon us is the result of our insolence, that is, of flouting religious injunctions; it is the result of our indiscipline.
6. Abstinence is the result of piety. It involves abstaining from what the Lord has forbidden. It also involves abstaining from everything except God.
7. Full abstinence cannot be achieved so long as desire is not renounced.
8. Exertion is necessary in our daily life as well as on the spiritual path.
9. Envy is the worst of all evils. Pride and envy led Satan to disobey the Lord's command to bow to Adam and caused his expulsion from Paradise.
10. Trust in God is an important station on the spiritual path. The elect do not tremble for fear of hunger -- in trust in God, they live full-fed. [Above quotes by Mawlana Rumi]
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1291
Ayahs of the day:
And make us submissive to You, our Lord, and make our descendants a people submissive to You. And show us our places for rituals, and be relenting toward us, for You are Most Relenting, Most Merciful. [2: 128]
Hadith of the day:
It is sin enough for a man that he neglects someone whom he is supposed to feed. [Abu Dawud]
Wise quote of the day:
Never break a Muslim's heart by refusing what he offers you, when you know that anything that comes to you through him is in reality from God, and he is only His powerless and compelled means. [Imam al Haddad]
Guidance of the day:
Satan also uses obscene scenes to lead believers astray. He torments us with call to illicit pleasures. On such occasions, we must remind ourselves that indulging in any illicit pleasure will engender remorse and may engender both our present and future lives. We must never forget that the life of this world is but a passing plaything, a comforting illusion, and that the real or true life is that of the Hereafter.
When Satan whispers evil thoughts, believers should realize that he is using his weakest strategy and it can be ignored. Dwelling on such thoughts only exaggerates and aggravates our weakness or susceptibility. We also must avoid heedlessness and make sure that we do not neglect of worship, for such oversights attract Satan's attention. If we remember the All-Merciful, focus on noble or sacred phenomena and living a religious life, we will be able to resist Satan. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Life belongs to the living and he who lives must be prepared for changes. Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens -- the sleeper must awaken. The world hates change, but it is the only thing that has brought progress.
And make us submissive to You, our Lord, and make our descendants a people submissive to You. And show us our places for rituals, and be relenting toward us, for You are Most Relenting, Most Merciful. [2: 128]
Hadith of the day:
It is sin enough for a man that he neglects someone whom he is supposed to feed. [Abu Dawud]
Wise quote of the day:
Never break a Muslim's heart by refusing what he offers you, when you know that anything that comes to you through him is in reality from God, and he is only His powerless and compelled means. [Imam al Haddad]
Guidance of the day:
Satan also uses obscene scenes to lead believers astray. He torments us with call to illicit pleasures. On such occasions, we must remind ourselves that indulging in any illicit pleasure will engender remorse and may engender both our present and future lives. We must never forget that the life of this world is but a passing plaything, a comforting illusion, and that the real or true life is that of the Hereafter.
When Satan whispers evil thoughts, believers should realize that he is using his weakest strategy and it can be ignored. Dwelling on such thoughts only exaggerates and aggravates our weakness or susceptibility. We also must avoid heedlessness and make sure that we do not neglect of worship, for such oversights attract Satan's attention. If we remember the All-Merciful, focus on noble or sacred phenomena and living a religious life, we will be able to resist Satan. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Life belongs to the living and he who lives must be prepared for changes. Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens -- the sleeper must awaken. The world hates change, but it is the only thing that has brought progress.
Friday, November 04, 2011
Eid Mubarak!!!
POINTS ON HOW TO IMPROVE LIFE
1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey
is all about.
2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest
your energy in the positive present moment.
3. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
4. Don't waste your precious energy and time on gossip.
5. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
6. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind people of their mistakes
of the past. That will ruin their present happiness.
7. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
8. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
9. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
10. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
11. Each day give something good to others.
13. Forgive everyone for everything -- hoping to be forgiven by Allah.
14. What other people think of you is none of your business,
just do the right things.
15. Put Allah first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
16. The best is yet to come -- Paradise!-- strive for it.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. If you know Allah you will always be happy. So, know Him and be happy.
19. The hardship of obedience disappears and its reward remains.
20. The pleasure of sins disappears and its punishment remains.
1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey
is all about.
2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest
your energy in the positive present moment.
3. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
4. Don't waste your precious energy and time on gossip.
5. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
6. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind people of their mistakes
of the past. That will ruin their present happiness.
7. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
8. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
9. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
10. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
11. Each day give something good to others.
13. Forgive everyone for everything -- hoping to be forgiven by Allah.
14. What other people think of you is none of your business,
just do the right things.
15. Put Allah first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
16. The best is yet to come -- Paradise!-- strive for it.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. If you know Allah you will always be happy. So, know Him and be happy.
19. The hardship of obedience disappears and its reward remains.
20. The pleasure of sins disappears and its punishment remains.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 320
1. He who walks on the mystic path, has no longing after fine palaces and fair gardens; in his heart is nothing but the pain of yearning love of God.
2. Though you build lofty palaces as high as the heavens, yet in the end you will come to be buried under the earth.
3. Be not unmindful of Eternity and set not your heart upon the transient goods of this world.
4. Be patient in the midst of the trials and tribulations of this life and when things go well give thanks to God Most High.
5. He who truly knows God by contemplation, realizes that Eternal life means passing away from the personal self -- without this knowledge man has no real existence.
6. Seek for Reality within your own heart, for Reality, in truth, is hidden within you.
7. Cast aside the veil from existence and nonexistence, and you will see forthwith the true meaning of God's purpose.
8. O Lord! How glorious is the manifestation of Your Light! You are the Sought and the Seeker. [Above quotes by Khwaja Fariduddin Attar]
2. Though you build lofty palaces as high as the heavens, yet in the end you will come to be buried under the earth.
3. Be not unmindful of Eternity and set not your heart upon the transient goods of this world.
4. Be patient in the midst of the trials and tribulations of this life and when things go well give thanks to God Most High.
5. He who truly knows God by contemplation, realizes that Eternal life means passing away from the personal self -- without this knowledge man has no real existence.
6. Seek for Reality within your own heart, for Reality, in truth, is hidden within you.
7. Cast aside the veil from existence and nonexistence, and you will see forthwith the true meaning of God's purpose.
8. O Lord! How glorious is the manifestation of Your Light! You are the Sought and the Seeker. [Above quotes by Khwaja Fariduddin Attar]
Friday, October 28, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1290
Ayahs of the day:
And be wary of a day when no soul can compensate for another soul, and no compromise will be accepted from it, and no intercession will avail it, and they will not be helped. [2: 123]
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:
Devotion to one's religious 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. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
In fact, the guile of Satan is ever feeble (4: 76). It is like a cobweb appearing before you -- it cannot prevent you from going forward, and you do not have to attach any great importance to it. Satan only suggests or whispers, gilds sinful acts and presents them in falsely ornamented wrappers. Believers must never accept his invitations.
When Satan resorts to whispering, we should realize that he is using his weakest strategy and ignore him. If we pay attention to these whisperings, we may be defeated. Believers who listen to Satan weaken their ability to resist both him and their carnal selves. In the end such believers are defeated. Believers who want to avoid this trap should remain far away from sins, all of which Satan tries to make attractive. Heedlessness and neglect of worship are invitations to Satan's "arrows". Remembering the All-Merciful, thinking about noble or sacred phenomena, and living a religious life protect us from Satan's attacks. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Morality, reason, judgment, and enthusiasm are the qualities of a leader and the foundations for success. Nothing so conclusive proves a man's ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.
And be wary of a day when no soul can compensate for another soul, and no compromise will be accepted from it, and no intercession will avail it, and they will not be helped. [2: 123]
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:
Devotion to one's religious 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. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
In fact, the guile of Satan is ever feeble (4: 76). It is like a cobweb appearing before you -- it cannot prevent you from going forward, and you do not have to attach any great importance to it. Satan only suggests or whispers, gilds sinful acts and presents them in falsely ornamented wrappers. Believers must never accept his invitations.
When Satan resorts to whispering, we should realize that he is using his weakest strategy and ignore him. If we pay attention to these whisperings, we may be defeated. Believers who listen to Satan weaken their ability to resist both him and their carnal selves. In the end such believers are defeated. Believers who want to avoid this trap should remain far away from sins, all of which Satan tries to make attractive. Heedlessness and neglect of worship are invitations to Satan's "arrows". Remembering the All-Merciful, thinking about noble or sacred phenomena, and living a religious life protect us from Satan's attacks. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Morality, reason, judgment, and enthusiasm are the qualities of a leader and the foundations for success. Nothing so conclusive proves a man's ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Zaki's Interview
An Interview with Zaki Hasan, Professor of Communication and Media Studies:
http://www.islamintheageofnewmedia.com/blog/59/zaki-hasan-interview/
http://www.islamintheageofnewmedia.com/blog/59/zaki-hasan-interview/
Monday, October 24, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 319
1. When you get up in the morning, start your day with the glorification of the Most Glorious.
2. Aspirant of worldly indulgence is like a person who drinks salt water of the sea -- the more he drinks, the more his thirst increases.
3. To overcome appetitive desire, is the quality of the angels and to be overpowered by them is the traits of animals.
4. The best device to get vigilant awareness in prayer is to keep in view the meanings of what you recite.
5. Heart can never be radiant by Divine light unless ego and carnal desire, by undergoing austerities and mortification, become subservient to Shariah.
6. The servants desire of worldly gains is more disastrous than the tricks of Satan.
7. To revile the calamities and turmoil of the world is equal to assail God with bitter abuse.
8. Be moderate in worship of Him, shun heaviness but be consistent.
9. Attain that knowledge which creates awareness of your inmost being.
10. To earn lawful livelihood for the dependents is the task of abdal, to bring them up teaching good manners and best conduct is the greater jihad. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
2. Aspirant of worldly indulgence is like a person who drinks salt water of the sea -- the more he drinks, the more his thirst increases.
3. To overcome appetitive desire, is the quality of the angels and to be overpowered by them is the traits of animals.
4. The best device to get vigilant awareness in prayer is to keep in view the meanings of what you recite.
5. Heart can never be radiant by Divine light unless ego and carnal desire, by undergoing austerities and mortification, become subservient to Shariah.
6. The servants desire of worldly gains is more disastrous than the tricks of Satan.
7. To revile the calamities and turmoil of the world is equal to assail God with bitter abuse.
8. Be moderate in worship of Him, shun heaviness but be consistent.
9. Attain that knowledge which creates awareness of your inmost being.
10. To earn lawful livelihood for the dependents is the task of abdal, to bring them up teaching good manners and best conduct is the greater jihad. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
Friday, October 21, 2011
The Masjid invites you....
A few days after Ramadan, many masjids were seen to cry.
Someone asked one, why?
You ask me why I am so grieved?
It's because I have been deceived.
I ask, Oh Muslim, where have you gone, where are you?
Was the past month a dream? It doesn't seem real or true.
Oh my beloved, was it all a dream, was it all a show?
That is why my tears do flow.
Why don't you visit me, why have you not returned?
From the past month is this what you learned?
My soul is empty without you and also my heart
How can you feel at ease being so far apart?
You are the one, whom the Lord chose for his own remembrance,
So why should I not lament at your absence?
Why do I no longer hold any charm?
From where else will you attain inner peace or calm?
I call you every day but you do not respond
Day by day weakens our bond!
I call you in the day and I call you at night.
What's happened? For sure something's not right
Don't you recognize me anymore? Don't you hear my voice?
Is it deliberate or do you really have no choice?
When will you light me up again? Will I have to wait another year?
Going by past experience, that is what I fear.
*****
Someone asked one, why?
You ask me why I am so grieved?
It's because I have been deceived.
I ask, Oh Muslim, where have you gone, where are you?
Was the past month a dream? It doesn't seem real or true.
Oh my beloved, was it all a dream, was it all a show?
That is why my tears do flow.
Why don't you visit me, why have you not returned?
From the past month is this what you learned?
My soul is empty without you and also my heart
How can you feel at ease being so far apart?
You are the one, whom the Lord chose for his own remembrance,
So why should I not lament at your absence?
Why do I no longer hold any charm?
From where else will you attain inner peace or calm?
I call you every day but you do not respond
Day by day weakens our bond!
I call you in the day and I call you at night.
What's happened? For sure something's not right
Don't you recognize me anymore? Don't you hear my voice?
Is it deliberate or do you really have no choice?
When will you light me up again? Will I have to wait another year?
Going by past experience, that is what I fear.
*****
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1289
Ayahs of the day:
Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it really is to be read; they believe in it. And if any repudiate it, then they are the losers. [2: 121]
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:
Good character consists in three traits -- avoiding that which is forbidden; seeking that which is permitted; and being generous towards others. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Satan does everything he can to seduce us. We are very complex beings, for God manifests all of His names on us in this world of testing. We are sent here to be trained so that we can serve as a mirror to God and earn eternal happiness.
In order to do this, we must train and develop all of our God-given feelings, faculties, and potentials. If some of these are not trained (e.g., intellect, anger, greed, obstinacy, and lust) and directed to lofty goals, but abused and used for disagreeable purposes, we will place our present and future life in danger. This is also true if we do not restrict our natural desires and animal instincts by satisfying them in acceptable ways. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
There are no secrets to success -- it is result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failures. Try, try, try, and keep trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything. Luck is when opportunities and preparation meet.
Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it really is to be read; they believe in it. And if any repudiate it, then they are the losers. [2: 121]
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:
Good character consists in three traits -- avoiding that which is forbidden; seeking that which is permitted; and being generous towards others. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Satan does everything he can to seduce us. We are very complex beings, for God manifests all of His names on us in this world of testing. We are sent here to be trained so that we can serve as a mirror to God and earn eternal happiness.
In order to do this, we must train and develop all of our God-given feelings, faculties, and potentials. If some of these are not trained (e.g., intellect, anger, greed, obstinacy, and lust) and directed to lofty goals, but abused and used for disagreeable purposes, we will place our present and future life in danger. This is also true if we do not restrict our natural desires and animal instincts by satisfying them in acceptable ways. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
There are no secrets to success -- it is result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failures. Try, try, try, and keep trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything. Luck is when opportunities and preparation meet.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 318
1. It cannot be denied that where Beauty is perceived, it is natural to love it and if it is certain that God is Beauty, He must be loved by the one to whom His Beauty and His Majesty is revealed.
2. God has created His creatures in darkness and then He shed upon them His light -- it is by the help of this light that the search for truth must be carried out.
3. Human nature in fact testifies that it is subject to the will of God and governed in accordance with His laws.
4. To believe in the Prophet is to admit that there is above intelligence a sphere in which are revealed to the inner vision truths beyond the grasp of intelligence.
5. The highest faculty in man is reason which fits him for the contemplation of God.
6. The real light is He in whose hand lies creation and its destinies.
7. It is the mark of saint ship to show compassion to all God's servants, to be kind towards them and to fight for them and with them against the forces of evil.
8. It is incumbent on a man to dive deep into the sea of love; if the wave of love lands him on the shore of favor, he has attained the highest achievement.
9. It is difficult to save from wickedness unless lustful glance is protected.
10. It is better to disclose good deeds of others and connive their evil acts. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
2. God has created His creatures in darkness and then He shed upon them His light -- it is by the help of this light that the search for truth must be carried out.
3. Human nature in fact testifies that it is subject to the will of God and governed in accordance with His laws.
4. To believe in the Prophet is to admit that there is above intelligence a sphere in which are revealed to the inner vision truths beyond the grasp of intelligence.
5. The highest faculty in man is reason which fits him for the contemplation of God.
6. The real light is He in whose hand lies creation and its destinies.
7. It is the mark of saint ship to show compassion to all God's servants, to be kind towards them and to fight for them and with them against the forces of evil.
8. It is incumbent on a man to dive deep into the sea of love; if the wave of love lands him on the shore of favor, he has attained the highest achievement.
9. It is difficult to save from wickedness unless lustful glance is protected.
10. It is better to disclose good deeds of others and connive their evil acts. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
Monday, October 10, 2011
Friends who bring us closer to Allah should be sought....
Not everyone suits to be your friend
Friends have a large influence on our lives. Islam has emphasized on choosing companions who are upright and noble. The Prophet (peace be upon him said), “Man is on his friend’s religion. Therefore, man should see with whom he is making friends.” (Abu Dawood, no.4815).
Friendship that leads one to Allah’s disobedience is not worth it. Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi mentions in his book Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qasidin (pg. 126-132) some valuable points on this topic:
Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the neccessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:
• He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him.
• He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him.
• He must not be a fasiq, the one who openly disobeys Allah, as such a person would not fear Allah, and whoever does not fear Allah cannot be trusted.
• He must not be an innovator, as his over-indulgence innovation is feared from befriending him.
• He should not be too eager in seeking the dunya. Which means that he is not willing to sacrifice his hereafter for it.
Friends have a large influence on our lives. Islam has emphasized on choosing companions who are upright and noble. The Prophet (peace be upon him said), “Man is on his friend’s religion. Therefore, man should see with whom he is making friends.” (Abu Dawood, no.4815).
Friendship that leads one to Allah’s disobedience is not worth it. Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi mentions in his book Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qasidin (pg. 126-132) some valuable points on this topic:
Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the neccessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:
• He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him.
• He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him.
• He must not be a fasiq, the one who openly disobeys Allah, as such a person would not fear Allah, and whoever does not fear Allah cannot be trusted.
• He must not be an innovator, as his over-indulgence innovation is feared from befriending him.
• He should not be too eager in seeking the dunya. Which means that he is not willing to sacrifice his hereafter for it.
Friday, October 07, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1288
Ayahs of the day:
To God belongs the East and the West; and wheresoever you turn, there is the presence of God. For God is omnipresent and omniscient. [2: 115]
Hadith of the day:
Anyone who shows the way to something good has the same reward as the person who does it. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Give priority to the Hereafter over this world, because you will then gain both of them together. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
God revealed religion out of His mercy, because we need it and cannot be truly human without it. Only those who have passed through the trials of religious experience are worthy of eternal happiness and will be distinguished in the Hereafter.
True religion is the assemblage of Divine Revelations and Divine Laws by which we can know bliss in this world and the next. Our peace and happiness depend upon leading a religious life, for only through religion can the Law be observed in all the inner and outer spheres of our existence. Only religion makes it possible for us to deserve Paradise and the vision of God. Such achievements are beyond the power of every human-made civilization, regardless of how advanced they are. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
So little done; so much to do. Time is the scarcest resource and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed. Don't simply retire from something, have something to retire to.
To God belongs the East and the West; and wheresoever you turn, there is the presence of God. For God is omnipresent and omniscient. [2: 115]
Hadith of the day:
Anyone who shows the way to something good has the same reward as the person who does it. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Give priority to the Hereafter over this world, because you will then gain both of them together. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
God revealed religion out of His mercy, because we need it and cannot be truly human without it. Only those who have passed through the trials of religious experience are worthy of eternal happiness and will be distinguished in the Hereafter.
True religion is the assemblage of Divine Revelations and Divine Laws by which we can know bliss in this world and the next. Our peace and happiness depend upon leading a religious life, for only through religion can the Law be observed in all the inner and outer spheres of our existence. Only religion makes it possible for us to deserve Paradise and the vision of God. Such achievements are beyond the power of every human-made civilization, regardless of how advanced they are. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
So little done; so much to do. Time is the scarcest resource and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed. Don't simply retire from something, have something to retire to.
Monday, October 03, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 317
1. To be a believer means to abide continuously in God and to live at peace with men.
2. The right attitude toward fellow-men is that you should not lay burdens upon them but rather burden yourself for them.
3. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
4. Faith is not made perfect unless one desires for others what he desires for himself.
5. God alone should be the object of love and worship for the believer.
6. A believer's heart is free from defilement and from distraction, because of his love for his Lord.
7. A believer does not rely upon anything, save Him who he worships.
8. The means of cleansing the heart of all but Him is dhikr and concentration of every thought upon Him.
9. Love for God means soul's contemplation of Divine Attributes.
10. God grants the vision of His Divine Qualities to His friends (auliya) and hence His lovers love Him because He wants that He should be loved. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
2. The right attitude toward fellow-men is that you should not lay burdens upon them but rather burden yourself for them.
3. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
4. Faith is not made perfect unless one desires for others what he desires for himself.
5. God alone should be the object of love and worship for the believer.
6. A believer's heart is free from defilement and from distraction, because of his love for his Lord.
7. A believer does not rely upon anything, save Him who he worships.
8. The means of cleansing the heart of all but Him is dhikr and concentration of every thought upon Him.
9. Love for God means soul's contemplation of Divine Attributes.
10. God grants the vision of His Divine Qualities to His friends (auliya) and hence His lovers love Him because He wants that He should be loved. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
Friday, September 30, 2011
You will reap what you plant....
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap success.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.
If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap success.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.
If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.
Monday, September 26, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1287
Ayahs of the day:
Surely anyone who surrenders his being to God and is a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord and there will be no fear upon them, and they will not sorrow. [2: 112]
Hadith of the day:
Abandon anything that gives you doubt for what gives you no doubt. Truthfulness is peace of mind and lying is doubt. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
If men wish to draw near to God, they must seek Him in the hearts of men. They should speak well of all men, whether present or absent, and if they themselves seek in a light to guide others, like the sun, they must show the same face to all. [Shaykh Abu Sa'id bin Abil Khair]
Guidance of the day:
While we cannot resemble the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) physically, we can -- and should -- try to resemble him in our behavior and actions. Doing so is our way of promising God that we will do good deeds, that He may protect us from Hell.
Islam teaches that virtue also consists in avoiding sins. Pursuing virtue, whether by observance or avoidance, prayer and remembrance, or establishing the Revealed Law and justice, are essential elements of Islam's unity. Such unity is integral, for one part cannot be separated from another.
While even the wisest philosophers have gone astray, the most ordinary Muslims have been able to lead upright lives because they follow the clear way of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him). Muslims who seek God's approval and take the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) as their guide can lead a most fruitful life, one in harmony with their deepest nature as responsive and responsible creatures of God. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the after glow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. Shoot for moon -- even if you miss you will land among the stars.
Surely anyone who surrenders his being to God and is a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord and there will be no fear upon them, and they will not sorrow. [2: 112]
Hadith of the day:
Abandon anything that gives you doubt for what gives you no doubt. Truthfulness is peace of mind and lying is doubt. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
If men wish to draw near to God, they must seek Him in the hearts of men. They should speak well of all men, whether present or absent, and if they themselves seek in a light to guide others, like the sun, they must show the same face to all. [Shaykh Abu Sa'id bin Abil Khair]
Guidance of the day:
While we cannot resemble the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) physically, we can -- and should -- try to resemble him in our behavior and actions. Doing so is our way of promising God that we will do good deeds, that He may protect us from Hell.
Islam teaches that virtue also consists in avoiding sins. Pursuing virtue, whether by observance or avoidance, prayer and remembrance, or establishing the Revealed Law and justice, are essential elements of Islam's unity. Such unity is integral, for one part cannot be separated from another.
While even the wisest philosophers have gone astray, the most ordinary Muslims have been able to lead upright lives because they follow the clear way of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him). Muslims who seek God's approval and take the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) as their guide can lead a most fruitful life, one in harmony with their deepest nature as responsive and responsible creatures of God. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the after glow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. Shoot for moon -- even if you miss you will land among the stars.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 316
1. When a man is satisfied with God's decrees, it is a sign that God is satisfied with him.
2. Eternal life is gained by spiritual sacrifice and by renunciation of self-interest in fulfilling God's commandments.
3. Mortification stands in the same relation to contemplation as Divine blessing to obedience.
4. There is no contemplation without mortification.
5. When you have obtained the knowledge of the lower soul, you recognize that it can be controlled by discipline.
6. When a person resigns himself to God, God protects him.
7. God has caused the prophetic evidences to remain down to the present day and has made the saints the means whereby it is manifested.
8. God is not finite that the imagination should be able to define Him or that the intellect should comprehend His nature.
9. The true object of pilgrimage is not to visit the kaaba, but to obtain contemplation in God. [Above quotes by Shaykh Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri]
2. Eternal life is gained by spiritual sacrifice and by renunciation of self-interest in fulfilling God's commandments.
3. Mortification stands in the same relation to contemplation as Divine blessing to obedience.
4. There is no contemplation without mortification.
5. When you have obtained the knowledge of the lower soul, you recognize that it can be controlled by discipline.
6. When a person resigns himself to God, God protects him.
7. God has caused the prophetic evidences to remain down to the present day and has made the saints the means whereby it is manifested.
8. God is not finite that the imagination should be able to define Him or that the intellect should comprehend His nature.
9. The true object of pilgrimage is not to visit the kaaba, but to obtain contemplation in God. [Above quotes by Shaykh Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri]
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The soul is a grinding stone & never left idle
It is well known that man has not been given to power to kill his thoughts nor the strength to severe them.
They invade him just as his breathing invades his body.
However the strength of Imân and intellect helps him to accept his best thoughts , to be pleased with them, to experience peace and tranquility from them.
It also helps him to repulse his most evil thoughts and dislike and recoil from them.
Allâh created the soul similar to a grinding stone that goes round and round – one that does not stop;and always in need of something to grind.If seeds are placetherein it will grind them.If stones are placed therein it will still grind them.So the thoughts that revolve in the soul are like a seed that is placed in a grinding stone.That grinding stone is never left idle.
Something or the other has to be placed inside it. From amongst the people are those whose grinding stone grinds seeds which comes out as flour – which he and others derive benefit from.
But most of them grind soil, stones, straw and so forth – when the time of making the dough and baking comes; he sees the reality of what he ground.
Source:-[Ibn al Qayyim رحمه الله , al-Fawaa’id p31 & 173-174]
They invade him just as his breathing invades his body.
However the strength of Imân and intellect helps him to accept his best thoughts , to be pleased with them, to experience peace and tranquility from them.
It also helps him to repulse his most evil thoughts and dislike and recoil from them.
Allâh created the soul similar to a grinding stone that goes round and round – one that does not stop;and always in need of something to grind.If seeds are placetherein it will grind them.If stones are placed therein it will still grind them.So the thoughts that revolve in the soul are like a seed that is placed in a grinding stone.That grinding stone is never left idle.
Something or the other has to be placed inside it. From amongst the people are those whose grinding stone grinds seeds which comes out as flour – which he and others derive benefit from.
But most of them grind soil, stones, straw and so forth – when the time of making the dough and baking comes; he sees the reality of what he ground.
Source:-[Ibn al Qayyim رحمه الله , al-Fawaa’id p31 & 173-174]
Friday, September 16, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1286
Ayahs of the day:
And pray regularly, and give alms; whatever you send forth for your souls, you will find it with God; for God sees whatever you do. [2: 110]
Hadith of the day:
Part of the excellence of a person's Islam is in leaving alone what does not concern him. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
You must fill up your time with acts of worship so that no period of time elapses whether by night or by day, without being used in some act of goodness. [Imam al Haddad]
Guidance of the day:
The vigor and stability of our faith depends upon worship and good deeds. Muslims who neglect the religious obligations may end up doing little more than speaking well of certain ancestors who lived a disciplined, religious life. Faith not nourished by worship and good deeds eventually dies.
Praying five times a day strengthens our faith and renews our covenant with God. As long as we worship with an alert and conscious intent, we receive assurance from God and thereby strengthen our will and ability to fulfill our obligations. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Holding to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing at someone else -- you are the one who gets burned. For every minute you remain angry you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size.
And pray regularly, and give alms; whatever you send forth for your souls, you will find it with God; for God sees whatever you do. [2: 110]
Hadith of the day:
Part of the excellence of a person's Islam is in leaving alone what does not concern him. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
You must fill up your time with acts of worship so that no period of time elapses whether by night or by day, without being used in some act of goodness. [Imam al Haddad]
Guidance of the day:
The vigor and stability of our faith depends upon worship and good deeds. Muslims who neglect the religious obligations may end up doing little more than speaking well of certain ancestors who lived a disciplined, religious life. Faith not nourished by worship and good deeds eventually dies.
Praying five times a day strengthens our faith and renews our covenant with God. As long as we worship with an alert and conscious intent, we receive assurance from God and thereby strengthen our will and ability to fulfill our obligations. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Holding to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing at someone else -- you are the one who gets burned. For every minute you remain angry you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 315
1. Knowledge is a Divine attribute and action is a human attribute.
2. Ordinary people seek indulgences to keep themselves within the pale of the sacred law, but the elect practice self-mortification to feel the fruit thereof in their hearts.
3. God preserves His saints in all circumstances from the guiles of Satan.
4. Learning is not learning unless it is practiced.
5. The heart is the seat of the knowledge of God and is more venerable than the Kaaba.
6. Men are ever looking to the Kaaba, but God is ever looking to the heart.
7. The friends of God behold in every gift and benefit the Giver and the Benefactor.
8. When you are reconciled to God in affliction, you see only the Author of affliction, and the affliction itself does not come.
9. If you are not reconciled to God when affliction comes, your heart is filled with anguish.
10. When a man sees God's choice and abandons his own choice, he is delivered from all sorrow. [Above quotes by Shaykh Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri]
2. Ordinary people seek indulgences to keep themselves within the pale of the sacred law, but the elect practice self-mortification to feel the fruit thereof in their hearts.
3. God preserves His saints in all circumstances from the guiles of Satan.
4. Learning is not learning unless it is practiced.
5. The heart is the seat of the knowledge of God and is more venerable than the Kaaba.
6. Men are ever looking to the Kaaba, but God is ever looking to the heart.
7. The friends of God behold in every gift and benefit the Giver and the Benefactor.
8. When you are reconciled to God in affliction, you see only the Author of affliction, and the affliction itself does not come.
9. If you are not reconciled to God when affliction comes, your heart is filled with anguish.
10. When a man sees God's choice and abandons his own choice, he is delivered from all sorrow. [Above quotes by Shaykh Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri]
Friday, September 09, 2011
Words of wisdom....
1. Whoever puts their trust in Allah, Allah will never disappoint them.
2. Allah's help always comes so long as one has patience and perseveres.
3. The love and dedication that parents have for their children is extra special.
4. We need to appreciate our parents while they are still with us.
5. Practicing Islam is not an obstacle to our material progress, in fact it aids our progress.
6. Never give up hope despite the odds.
7. If we work for Allah, Allah will work for us.
"Don't tell Allah how big your problems are...
tell your problems how big your Allah is"
Keep Smiling
2. Allah's help always comes so long as one has patience and perseveres.
3. The love and dedication that parents have for their children is extra special.
4. We need to appreciate our parents while they are still with us.
5. Practicing Islam is not an obstacle to our material progress, in fact it aids our progress.
6. Never give up hope despite the odds.
7. If we work for Allah, Allah will work for us.
"Don't tell Allah how big your problems are...
tell your problems how big your Allah is"
Keep Smiling
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1285
Ayahs of the day:
Is it that you believe in some of the Book, yet disbelieve in some of it? What is the reward for those who do that, other than disgrace in life in the world? On the day of resurrection, they will be returned to the most intense torment, for God is not heedless of what they do. [2: 85]
Hadith of the day:
No child can repay his father unless he finds him enslaved and then buys him and sets him free. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
In an expansive character lie the treasures of provision. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
To find and deserve guidance, you must strive for it sincerely and search for the ways leading to it. Those whom God has blessed with guidance should set good examples and call others to it through all lawful (Islamic) means. The one who leads another to guidance receives the same reward as the new believer, without any decrease in his or her own reward.
Those who lead others to guidance should not remind them of this by saying such things as: "If I hadn't been a means to your guidance, you never would have been guided." This is a grave sin and shows ingratitude to God, for only God guides and causes one to lead another to guidance.
As for those who found guidance, they should think: "Seeing my need and helplessness, God, my Master, used one of His servants to lead me toward guidance. All praise be to Him." Nevertheless, the one led to guidance should be thankful to the person so used by God. After all, since God is the Creator of us and whatever we do, He also creates the means to enable guidance and misguidance. But this does not negate or diminish our free will when it comes to guidance or misguidance. [[M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
He who angers you conquers you. No man can think when his fists are clenched. Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
Is it that you believe in some of the Book, yet disbelieve in some of it? What is the reward for those who do that, other than disgrace in life in the world? On the day of resurrection, they will be returned to the most intense torment, for God is not heedless of what they do. [2: 85]
Hadith of the day:
No child can repay his father unless he finds him enslaved and then buys him and sets him free. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
In an expansive character lie the treasures of provision. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
To find and deserve guidance, you must strive for it sincerely and search for the ways leading to it. Those whom God has blessed with guidance should set good examples and call others to it through all lawful (Islamic) means. The one who leads another to guidance receives the same reward as the new believer, without any decrease in his or her own reward.
Those who lead others to guidance should not remind them of this by saying such things as: "If I hadn't been a means to your guidance, you never would have been guided." This is a grave sin and shows ingratitude to God, for only God guides and causes one to lead another to guidance.
As for those who found guidance, they should think: "Seeing my need and helplessness, God, my Master, used one of His servants to lead me toward guidance. All praise be to Him." Nevertheless, the one led to guidance should be thankful to the person so used by God. After all, since God is the Creator of us and whatever we do, He also creates the means to enable guidance and misguidance. But this does not negate or diminish our free will when it comes to guidance or misguidance. [[M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
He who angers you conquers you. No man can think when his fists are clenched. Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 314
1. Every good and evil that happens to man is decreed by God.
2. Implore God to deliver you from the wickedness of your soul.
3. Whoever refrains his soul from lust, verily Paradise shall be his abode.
4. God alone can help a man to do good deeds.
5. Knowledge without action is not knowledge.
6. The Divine knowledge penetrates what is hidden and comprehends what is manifest.
7. It behooves the believer to contemplate God in every act, knowing that God sees him and all that he does.
8. Whoever bows his head with humility, like a servant, God will exalt his state in both worlds.
9. Knowledge and action cannot be divorced in any way, just as the light of the sun cannot be separated from the sun itself.
10. Anyone who pretends to know God without lowliness and fear, is an ignorant fool. [Above quotes by Shaykh Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri]
Monday, August 29, 2011
Eid Mubarak!!!
Remember Allah Most High always gives us:
Enough happiness to keep us sweet.
Enough trials to keep us strong.
Enough sorrow to keep us human.
Enough hope to keep us happy.
Enough failure to keep us humble.
Enough success to keep us eager.
Enough friends to give us comfort.
Enough enthusiasm to make us look forward.
Enough wealth to meet our needs.
Enough determination to make our each day a better day than the last.
What we need to do is -- to stop complaining and fill our hearts with gratitude.
Allah Most High has guaranteed "If your are grateful, I will grant you increase;" [14: 7]
Enough happiness to keep us sweet.
Enough trials to keep us strong.
Enough sorrow to keep us human.
Enough hope to keep us happy.
Enough failure to keep us humble.
Enough success to keep us eager.
Enough friends to give us comfort.
Enough enthusiasm to make us look forward.
Enough wealth to meet our needs.
Enough determination to make our each day a better day than the last.
What we need to do is -- to stop complaining and fill our hearts with gratitude.
Allah Most High has guaranteed "If your are grateful, I will grant you increase;" [14: 7]
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Night of Power!
Allah, Most Wise, says:
"The Night of Power is better than a thousand months." (97:3 Quran)
The Messenger of Allah Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is reported to have said:
"Whosoever stands in "Ibaadah-Worship" on this night, with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
"Seek it (laylatul qadr) in Ramadan in the last ten nights. For verily, it is during the odd nights, 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadhan." (Sahih Hadith Ahmad 5:318)
From traditions we learn that among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the
"Shayateen" on that night; it lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the Sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in it's fullness. On that day, Allah prohibits the "Shayateen" from rising up with the Sun.
What to do on this night?
Worship during this night can take on many forms. Here are a few suggestions to help you through Laylatul Qadr:
· Take a vacation for Allah! If possible, for the last 10 days of Ramadan.
· Plan ahead if you are working. Discuss the importance of this night with your friends and family.
· Perform Itikaaf (seclusion in a mosque for worship) –If you cannot stay at your local mosque ask family or friends to help out during your Itikaaf at home. If you cannot spend all 10 days in Itikaaf, then do as many days as you can - even if it is only one day.
· According to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam whosoever performs "I'tikaaf" for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will spread three trenches between him and the fire of Hell, the width of each trench being greater than the distance between Heaven and the Earth.
· Increase the recitation of the Qur'an [reflect on the meaning of the verses, especially the verses used in Salah. This will help you concentrate.]
· Increase Salah (prayer). Read as many Nawaafil Prayers as possible.
· Make abundant Zikr [i.e remembering Allah, sending salawaat on our belove Prophet (pbuh) and making Istigfaar(seeking forgiveness from Allah]
· Dua (Asking from Allah)- Spend lots of time begging from Allah to fulfil your needs and the needs of the Ummah both in this world and the hereafter. Ramadaan is replete with moments when duas are accepted.
· Aaisha (RadhiAllaho anha) reports: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), should I find myself the "Laylatul Qadr", what shall I pray. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) replied: say, Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tohibbul'afwa fa'fu anna "O Allah, Thou art the One who grants pardon for sins. Thou lovest to pardon, so O pardon me." (Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi)
· Make list of Things you need from Allah-Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. Once this list is ready then use it in your prayers.
· Make long, sincere and deep Duas.
· One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night.Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet(pbuh) said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Hadith-Bukhari, Muslim).
· Take regular breaks during the night to avoid getting over-exhausted. Try switching between different forms of worship.
May Allah accept our prayers and allow us to take full benefit of this Mubarak night. Ameen!
"The Night of Power is better than a thousand months." (97:3 Quran)
The Messenger of Allah Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is reported to have said:
"Whosoever stands in "Ibaadah-Worship" on this night, with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
"Seek it (laylatul qadr) in Ramadan in the last ten nights. For verily, it is during the odd nights, 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadhan." (Sahih Hadith Ahmad 5:318)
From traditions we learn that among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the
"Shayateen" on that night; it lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the Sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in it's fullness. On that day, Allah prohibits the "Shayateen" from rising up with the Sun.
What to do on this night?
Worship during this night can take on many forms. Here are a few suggestions to help you through Laylatul Qadr:
· Take a vacation for Allah! If possible, for the last 10 days of Ramadan.
· Plan ahead if you are working. Discuss the importance of this night with your friends and family.
· Perform Itikaaf (seclusion in a mosque for worship) –If you cannot stay at your local mosque ask family or friends to help out during your Itikaaf at home. If you cannot spend all 10 days in Itikaaf, then do as many days as you can - even if it is only one day.
· According to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam whosoever performs "I'tikaaf" for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will spread three trenches between him and the fire of Hell, the width of each trench being greater than the distance between Heaven and the Earth.
· Increase the recitation of the Qur'an [reflect on the meaning of the verses, especially the verses used in Salah. This will help you concentrate.]
· Increase Salah (prayer). Read as many Nawaafil Prayers as possible.
· Make abundant Zikr [i.e remembering Allah, sending salawaat on our belove Prophet (pbuh) and making Istigfaar(seeking forgiveness from Allah]
· Dua (Asking from Allah)- Spend lots of time begging from Allah to fulfil your needs and the needs of the Ummah both in this world and the hereafter. Ramadaan is replete with moments when duas are accepted.
· Aaisha (RadhiAllaho anha) reports: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), should I find myself the "Laylatul Qadr", what shall I pray. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) replied: say, Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tohibbul'afwa fa'fu anna "O Allah, Thou art the One who grants pardon for sins. Thou lovest to pardon, so O pardon me." (Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi)
· Make list of Things you need from Allah-Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. Once this list is ready then use it in your prayers.
· Make long, sincere and deep Duas.
· One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night.Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet(pbuh) said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Hadith-Bukhari, Muslim).
· Take regular breaks during the night to avoid getting over-exhausted. Try switching between different forms of worship.
May Allah accept our prayers and allow us to take full benefit of this Mubarak night. Ameen!
Monday, August 22, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1284
Ayahs of the day:
And beware of a day when no soul can compensate for another soul, for anything; and no intercession will be accepted from one, and no ransom will be taken from one; and they will not be helped. [2: 48]
Hadith of the day:
Be in the world as though a stranger or a passerby. [Bukhari, Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
From the signs of relying in one's works is loss of hope when a downfall occurs. [Ibn Ataillah]
Guidance of the day:
The ego or self (nafs) is created and entrusted to us that we may know and declare the Creator's Existence and Unity. Therefore, we prove God's Existence with our own existence, and show God's Attributes with our own attributes. For example, our deficiencies and imperfections show God's all sufficiency and perfection; our privations show God's wealth and abundance; and our inability, weakness, and poverty show God's power, favor, and benevolence. Our proper response is to know and declare God's Existence throughout creation and to perceive His Light in all lights. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Consider how much more you suffer from your anger and grief, than from those things for which you are angry and grieved. How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it!
And beware of a day when no soul can compensate for another soul, for anything; and no intercession will be accepted from one, and no ransom will be taken from one; and they will not be helped. [2: 48]
Hadith of the day:
Be in the world as though a stranger or a passerby. [Bukhari, Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
From the signs of relying in one's works is loss of hope when a downfall occurs. [Ibn Ataillah]
Guidance of the day:
The ego or self (nafs) is created and entrusted to us that we may know and declare the Creator's Existence and Unity. Therefore, we prove God's Existence with our own existence, and show God's Attributes with our own attributes. For example, our deficiencies and imperfections show God's all sufficiency and perfection; our privations show God's wealth and abundance; and our inability, weakness, and poverty show God's power, favor, and benevolence. Our proper response is to know and declare God's Existence throughout creation and to perceive His Light in all lights. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Consider how much more you suffer from your anger and grief, than from those things for which you are angry and grieved. How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Hadith -- Best of both the worlds
Sayyiduna Abu Razin (RadhiAllaho anho) narrates that
Rasul'Allah (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
Should I not guide you
to the fundamentals of Deen
by which you will obtain
the best of this world and the Hereafter?
Make it incumbent upon yourself
to frequent the gatherings of those
who engage in Dhikr.
And when you are alone,
engage your tongue
in the remembrance of Allah
as much as you can.
{Baihaqi, Mishkat}
Rasul'Allah (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
Should I not guide you
to the fundamentals of Deen
by which you will obtain
the best of this world and the Hereafter?
Make it incumbent upon yourself
to frequent the gatherings of those
who engage in Dhikr.
And when you are alone,
engage your tongue
in the remembrance of Allah
as much as you can.
{Baihaqi, Mishkat}
Monday, August 15, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 313
1. Freedom from lower qualities is an essential qualification required for spiritual progress.
2. If you wish that God should dwell in your heart, purify your heart from all save Him for the king will not enter a house filled with stores and furniture. He will only enter a heart which is empty of all save Himself.
3. Take one step out of yourself that you may arrive at God.
4. God bestows purity of self upon him who earnestly desires it and is eternally nourished by Him through His contemplation.
5. Knowledge of the Unity of God (tawhid) is revealed in the illuminated hearts of the saints.
6. The behavior of a true saint of God towards His creation always remains friendly and affectionate.
7. If men wish to draw near to God, they must seek Him in the hearts of men.
8. To bring joy to a single heart is better than to build many shrines for worship.
9. To enslave one soul by kindness is worth more than the setting free of a thousand slaves.
10. The true believer is he who is pleased with all that God does, in order that God may be pleased with all that he does.
11. The true man of God is that who sits in the midst of his fellow men, eats, drinks, sleeps, buys, sells, who gets married, has social dealings and yet is never for one moment forgetful of God. [Above quotes by Abu Sa'id ibn Abil Khayr]
Friday, August 12, 2011
Time -- the coin of your life.
Remember to keep your focus on your ultimate purpose of life -- how you define your life.
Remember to keep your focus on where you are going and what route you are going to take.
Remember each day is one step towards your dream, and each day will define your life – so take each day seriously and plan it out.
Remember you cannot keep the time but you know how to well spend it.
Remember you cannot own the time but you can use it to your benefit.
Remember time is priceless but you are blessed with it – so use it wisely.
Remember when you plan your day, you are removing time wasters out of your schedule and making more time for yourself, your family, your life!
Plan your day so you don’t find yourself as a person who is always rushed through life, or a person who did not finish a project he/she always wanted to complete, did not find time to earn some bonus points on his/her Ibadah.
Plan your day, plan your life!
Plan and you will find yourself more productive and at the end of the day, you will be able to measure your success and feel accomplished, because by planning, you will earn some extra time for yourself, you can measure your success and feel more accomplished by looking at the list of things you have completed and look forward to another productive day, inshaAllah.
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Remember to keep your focus on where you are going and what route you are going to take.
Remember each day is one step towards your dream, and each day will define your life – so take each day seriously and plan it out.
Remember you cannot keep the time but you know how to well spend it.
Remember you cannot own the time but you can use it to your benefit.
Remember time is priceless but you are blessed with it – so use it wisely.
Remember when you plan your day, you are removing time wasters out of your schedule and making more time for yourself, your family, your life!
Plan your day so you don’t find yourself as a person who is always rushed through life, or a person who did not finish a project he/she always wanted to complete, did not find time to earn some bonus points on his/her Ibadah.
Plan your day, plan your life!
Plan and you will find yourself more productive and at the end of the day, you will be able to measure your success and feel accomplished, because by planning, you will earn some extra time for yourself, you can measure your success and feel more accomplished by looking at the list of things you have completed and look forward to another productive day, inshaAllah.
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Monday, August 08, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1283
Ayahs of the day:
And seek help by patience and prayer, though that is formidable but for the humble, those who believe they are to meet their Lord, that there is where their destiny leads. [2: 45,46]
Hadith of the day:
Patience is illumination. [Muslim, Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
You must thank God for all that He has favored you with; whatever good you have, whether outward or inward, religious or worldly, but it comes from Him. [Imam al Haddad]
Guidance of the day:
We are in constant need of help, guidance, and counsel. If we pray according to the revealed method, we avoid pitfalls of excess and impropriety, and obtain advantage and blessings beyond our imagination. With every word, gesture, movement, and pattern, we may be opening hidden doors and secret locks to hidden realms and eternal bliss.
Prayer straightens all ways and opens all doors. God hears our recitals and supplications, and angels gather around us when we prostrate with sincerity. As the Creator knows what will cause us to prosper in this world and the next, we should follow what He has revealed and how His Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) practiced it in his daily life. It is we who need to worship God; not God who needs to be worshipped -- He is free of all needs. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
We end up as we deserve -- in old age we must put up with the face, the friends, the health, and the children we have earned. We pay when old for the excesses of youth.
And seek help by patience and prayer, though that is formidable but for the humble, those who believe they are to meet their Lord, that there is where their destiny leads. [2: 45,46]
Hadith of the day:
Patience is illumination. [Muslim, Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
You must thank God for all that He has favored you with; whatever good you have, whether outward or inward, religious or worldly, but it comes from Him. [Imam al Haddad]
Guidance of the day:
We are in constant need of help, guidance, and counsel. If we pray according to the revealed method, we avoid pitfalls of excess and impropriety, and obtain advantage and blessings beyond our imagination. With every word, gesture, movement, and pattern, we may be opening hidden doors and secret locks to hidden realms and eternal bliss.
Prayer straightens all ways and opens all doors. God hears our recitals and supplications, and angels gather around us when we prostrate with sincerity. As the Creator knows what will cause us to prosper in this world and the next, we should follow what He has revealed and how His Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) practiced it in his daily life. It is we who need to worship God; not God who needs to be worshipped -- He is free of all needs. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
We end up as we deserve -- in old age we must put up with the face, the friends, the health, and the children we have earned. We pay when old for the excesses of youth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)