Wisdom from my Teachers {Part 1}

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Unity and love, coming together, staying together and helping one another. This is very important so that we can help, encourage and inspire one another to enjoin good and forbid wrong. 

This is our responsibility.

Our religion is not a religion of selfishness. Our religion is a religion of helping and caring, having mercy and being compassionate to each other. The more we do this, the more Allah will help us.

When a group comes together, helping one another and when they are united, then Allah will make decisions of mercy, goodness, blessings and peace for this group.

Allah helps His servant so long as the servant helps his brother.

The most important thing is that we have to stay united.

Life is too short to hate one another. Life is too short to have jealousy in our hearts for someone else. 

It's not worth it.

Wasalaam!

The First Freedom Fighter

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

She lived in the greatest palace of her time, with many slaves, male and female at her command. Hers was a life of luxury and ease.

Her name was Asiyah bint Muzahim, wife of Pharaoh - may Allah be pleased with her - one woman, physically weak, but she was a believer who was at peace in her palace. The light of faith had dawned in her heart and she challenged the system of ignorance at the head of which was her husband.

She had deep insight and did not care about palaces and luxurious furnishings or having many slaves and servants. Hence, she deserved to be mentioned by the Lord of the Worlds in His Holy Book, where she is given as an example for those who believe, as Allah, the Exalted, says:

And Allah has set forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said: "My Lord! Build for me a home with You in Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his work, and save me from the people who are wrongdoers.

(Quran 66:11)

The scholars said, commenting on this verse:

Asiyah chose the Hereafter over this world. She also deserved to be mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) among the perfect women, when he said:

Many men attain perfection, but no women attained perfection except Asiyah the wife of Pharaoh and Maryam bint Imran, and the superiority of Aishah over other women is like the superiority of tharid (bread, meat and broth) over other foods.

This is Asiyah the believer, the lamp that shone in the darkness of Pharaoh's palace. Who could light a lamp for us that shines with such patience and steadfastness, calling us to Allah, the Almighty?

(Dr. A'id al-Qarni)

Wasalaam!

The Water of Repentance is the Purest Water

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Allah loves those who repent, and He loves those who purify themselves. He rejoices over the repentance of His slave more than a man rejoices when he finds his mount which carries his food and drink, after losing it in a barren land falling into despair and sitting by the root of a tree to await death, then he suddenly sees his animal standing by his head, with his food and drink on it, so he gets up and takes hold of its reins, and cries out in joy, "O Allah, You are my Lord and I am your slave". 

Glory be to Allah, how great He is and how Merciful, for He rejoices at His slave's repentance and his attaining Paradise and earning his pleasure. Allah calls His believing slaves with the words:

".... And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you may be successful".

(Quran 24:31)

Repentance cleanses the heart with the water of tears and the fire of regret which burns in the heart, and with a feeling of humility and tears in the eyes.

This is the first step of those who seek a path to Allah, it is the capital of those who are successful, and the key to correcting those who have gone astray.

The one who repents, prays to Allah and beseeches Him, weeping. When others relax, he does not. When others are still, his fear does not rest and the longing of his heart never ceases. 

He stands before his Lord with a grieving heart and distressed mind, bowing his head and trembling when he remembers how many sins he committed.

His grief overwhelms him and his tears flow. He prepares himself to be a winner tomorrow and to shed his worldly load so that he may pass quickly over the bridge of Hell.

May Allah give us all the ability to repent sincerely and truly - Ameen!

Wasalaam!

11 Suggested Activities for the Last Ten Days of Ramadan

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. Make a big effort to increase all your religious activities for the last 10 days, such as extra prayers and more Dhikr.

2. Keep reciting this special dua:

Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni

O Allah, You are indeed Forgiving and You love to forgive, so forgive me.

3. Make Tawbah (sincere repentance).

4. Evaluate yourself and see how you could be a better person.

5. Make long and sincere duas.

6. Spend quality time with your family.

7. Try to finish the Quran and read the dua for the completion of Quran recitation.

8. Spend some time in Itikaaf. 

If you cannot fulfil the Sunnah of sitting in Itikaaf for 10 days then you can sit in seclusion for any length of time with the sole purpose of drawing closer to Allah and you will, insha Allah, be rewarded accordingly.

9. Try to minimise the time you spend on worldly matters. You could try not watching TV, listening to music or surfing the internet for this short period of time and this will all help you in drawing closer to Allah.

10. Try to memorise some of the shorter Surahs in the 30th Juz which you can recite in your salah.

11. Read and learn some hadith and try to practice these in your daily life.

May Allah give us all the ability to do our best in these last few blessed days - Ameen!

Wasalaam!

11 Things You Can Do When You Are Menstruating

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. Read a translation of the Quran or a commentary of the Quran - with wudhu and without touching the actual Arabic text.

2. Make dua and spend time engaging in dhikr.

3. Listen to the Quran.

4. Read Islamic books.

5. Attend religious classes - although not those taking place in the actual prayer area of the mosque.

6. Increase your dawah activities by encouraging others to do good.

7. Give in charity.

8. Help around the home with the intention of gaining reward.

9. Offer to help out with taking care of children so that others can pray.

10. Get involved with Islamic activities that are taking place in your local area.

11. Try and feed as many fasting people as you can.

Remember, it is your intention that matters.

Wasalaam!

2 Weeks Before Ramadan: "Increase Your Efforts and Allocating Zakaat and Sadaqah Week"

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. Spend more time than you already are reading and understanding the Quran.

2. Focus even more on your Salah.

3. Increase the number of Rakat you pray for Qiyam ul Layl and tahajjud.

4. Increase the amount of time you are spending on tasbeeh and Istighfar.

5. Allocate your zakat if you are due to pay it.

6. Allocate the amount you want to pay for sadaqah in Ramadan and set it aside. As you do so, make an effort to read about the plight of those less fortunate than ourselves. This will have the two fold effect of making you grateful for what you have and wanting to do more for charity.

Wasalaam!

3 Weeks Before Ramadan: "Night Prayer and Charity Week"

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Things To Do 3 Weeks Before Ramadan:

1. If one of your weak points is getting up for Fajr, now is the time to get this right by going to bed early and setting the alarm for Fajr time.

2. Start to pray Qiyam-ul-Layl after Isha. (2 rakats minimum after the Isha prayer).

3. Start getting up for Tahajjud; you only need to wake up half an hour before you normally would for Fajr. (2 rakats minimum before Fajr time begins.)

4. Agree with a friend or family member to wake each other up for Tahajjud.

5. Think of ways you can benefit your community and the Ummah with charitable acts. Be imaginative, try and involve as many people as you can and remember that even the smallest act of kindness counts as charity.

Wasalaam!

4 Weeks Before Ramadan: "Fasting and Quran Week"

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Things To Do 4 Weeks Before Ramadan, Inshallah:

1. Start making up the Qadah of the missed fasts from previous Ramadans.

2. Once you have made up all your Qadah fasts, start fasting on Mondays and Thursdays. It is Sunnah to fast on these days.

3. Involve your family and friends by encouraging them to fast as well.

4. Fix a certain amount of Quran to read each day and ensure that you do it.

6. Get an English translation and a tafseer (commentary) book or app to help you understand the Quran better. Make a habit to read these regularly.

Wasalaam!

How to Pray Salaat-ul-Tasbeeh

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) taught this namaaz (Salaat-ul-Tasbeeh) to his uncle Hazrat Abbas (ra).

 He (saw) told his uncle that by performing this prayer, all past, present, old, new, small and big sins would be forgiven, inshallah.

Prophet Muhammad (saw) also stressed that this namaaz can be prayed everyday, once a week, once a month, once a year or even at least once in a lifetime.

Method: Firstly, make the niyyah (intention) that I am praying 4 rakaats Salaat-ul-Tasbeeh for the sake of Allah and I am facing towards the Holy Kabah, then say Allah-u-Akbar.

Then, men fold their hands on the navel whilst women fold their hands on their chest, and then say the prayers as per the following chart with this tasbeeh which will be recited 75 times in every rakaat.

For more information about Salaat-ul-Tasbeeh, click here.

Wasalaam!

Evaluation

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

He who does not work shall have no reward. 

It is reported that a man of Bani Israeel worshipped Allah the Exalted for 70 years. Allah intended to test him before the angels, so He sent him an angel to tell him that he did not merit Paradise even with this worship.

When the angel informed him of this, the worshipper replied:

We are created for worship and we can but worship Him.

The angel returned saying:

O my God, you know best what he said.

Allah, the Exalted said:

Since he did not turn away from worshipping Us, then with grace We shall not turn away from him. O my angels, bear witness that I have forgiven him.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

Evaluate your works before you are asked to account for them. Weigh your works before you are evaluated.

Ali (ra) said:

Those who think they can achieve their aims without work are dreaming, and those who think they will attain their goals through exertion alone are over-confident and consider themselves self-sufficient.

Hasan (ra) said:

Seeking and demanding Paradise without actions is a sin from amongst the sins ... The sign of attaining reality is in giving up regard for work, not in giving up the work.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

The wise man is he who judges himself and works for what is after death, and the fool is he who pursues his desires and (vainly) longs for Allah, the Exalted.

(Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali)

Wasalaam!

5 Weeks Before Ramadan: "Heart Focus" Week

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Things To Do 5 Weeks Before Ramadan:

1. Make Tawbah Nasooha - repent sincerely to Allah for all your sins.

2. Listen to Islamic lectures. Choose a scholar and topic that you feel will motivate you and get your heart into the right state.

3. Read Islamic books about self-development and purifying the heart.

4. Do your very best to pray all your Namaaz on time.

5. Ensure that you pray the sunnah-al-muakkadah rakat with your five daily fardh prayers.

6. Actively focus on improving your concentration in Namaaz by spending more time on it and focusing on what you are saying.

7. Allocate time to doing tasbeeh and istighfar especially after Namaaz.

Wasalaam!

6 Weeks Before Ramadan: "Wake Up Call" Week

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Things To Do 6 Weeks Before Ramadan Begins:

1. Recite the following dua to make it to Ramadan. Do this repeatedly throughout the day and every day leading up to Ramadan:

Allahumma baarika lana fi Rajab wa Sha'ban wa ballighna Ramadan

2. Write down specific targets, no more than five, of things that you want to achieve this Ramadan.

3. Start to read books about Ramadan. This will help you get into Ramadan mode and you will also learn about the do's and don'ts of fasting, which is important if you want to derive maximum benefit from it.

Wasalaam!

Allah's Mercy

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Be not bankrupt of good deeds, nor void of spiritual status. Know for certain that abstract knowledge alone will neither increase you in power nor strengthen your situation.

Likewise, if a brave warrior in possession of ten Indian swords and other weapons was alone in the wilderness, and a great ferocious lion attacked him, do you think the weapons could defend him if they were not used against the lion?

It is well known that weapons cannot defend people unless they are brought into use. By the same principle, if a man read a hundred thousand scientific theories, they would be of no use to him if he did not try and apply them.

Similarly, if a man suffering from fever and a kidney disorder, he should be treated with ginger and other plants. Without treatment, no recovery is achieved.

A poet once said:
Though you measure two thousand bottles of wine
Unless you drink, no thrill is thine

If you studied a hundred years and collected a thousand books, you would not be prepared for the mercy of Allah, the Exalted, except by action.

Allah says:
Man shall have nothing but what he strives for.
(53:39)

Whosoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness.
(18:110)

A recompense for what they used to do.
(9:82)

As for those who believe and do good work, they will have for them the gardens of Paradise as an abode. No change will they desire from them.
(18:107)

Except he who repents, believes and does good work.
(25:70)

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) also said:
Islam is built on five pillars: testifying that there is no deity but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing the Prayer; paying the Zakat; Fasting in Ramadan and performing the Hajj at the sacred house for those able to do so.

Iman (faith) is confession with the tongue and belief with the heart and performance of the pillars of Islam. 

There are countless proofs on the necessity of actions; this is despite the fact that the servant shall attain Paradise only by the grace and favour of Allah the Exalted, but such (grace) follows the servant's readiness to obey and worship Him. Verily, the mercy of Allah is very close to the doers of good.

It may be said that the servant may reach that status through faith alone. We say "Yes", but when will he be able to reach it? How many obstacles will he be faced with?

The first of these obstacles is the ravine of Iman; and who is secure (enough to guarantee) that he will not lose his Iman? And if a man loses his Iman, he will be bankrupt and dismayed in the Hereafter.

Hasan al-Basri said:
Allah will say to His servants on the Day of Judgement:
"Allow My servants to enter Paradise by My mercy and divide it amongst them according to their deeds".

(Imam Ghazali ra)

Wasalaam!

Knowledge

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

To advise others is an easy matter.

 The difficulty is accepting advice, since this is a bitter thing for those who follow their own inclinations and desires. 

They love the forbidden from the depth of their hearts. 

This is more applicable to seekers of knowledge and students of learning, those of them who are busy in the grace of spirits and the benefits of this world. 

They believe that mere abstract knowledge, without proper action, will rescue them. This is the belief of the philosophers. 

Praise and glory be to Allah, the Greatest of all.

They do not know this much, that when they acquire knowledge, if they do not work according to it, the indictment against them is certain.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

The person most severely punished on the Day of Judgement is the learned one who did not follow Allah's guidance and did not benefit from his knowledge.

It has been narrated that someone saw al-Junayd (ra) after his death in a dream. Al-Junayd was asking:

What news do you have, Abul Qasim?

He replied:

Perished are the speeches and vanished are the allusions; nothing benefited us except the prostrations which we made in the middle of the night.

(Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali)

Wasalaam!

Morning and Evening Prayers

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

This morning, I came across these two videos on YouTube. One contains the Sunnah duas to pray in the morning, and the other for the evening.

Morning prayers

Evening Prayers

I hope you benefit from them and share with others, inshallah!

Wasalaam!

Tala al Badru Alayna

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

It's Friday today - the most blessed day of the Muslim week. The day where we should recite as much Durood Shareef upon our Prophet Muhammad (saw) as we can.

I was listening to this nasheed after such a long time and thought I'd share some of the lyrics with you. The nasheed is about Tala al Badru Alayna.

Best caller to Gods way

The word to be obeyed

The bright moon in the valley of darkness

His eyes slowly rising 

Sunrise warms the horizon

Sand dunes form in the distance

He's up and out in an instant

The crowd, they all were waiting

Watching and anticipating

A man appears from a far

Could it be the one sent by Allah?

He shouts, "Here comes the Prophet

His face is a light that drives out the darkness

Words are alive, his message is living

Joy everywhere, our voices are singing"

He steps and reaches to touch

This man who suffered so much

His own troubles could not compare

To the Prophet scorned everywhere

He was shunned away by his own kin

Ridiculed and stoned by the townsmen

His blood was shed for the truth

But he never was vengeful or rude

Then the Prophet turns, and he smiles

Radiance that spreads out for miles

Embraces his hand with kindness and care

His heart sings out for all those to hear

Wakes up, alarm clock is ringing

Moonlight, the sun hasn't risen

Faint sounds of cars on the street

But inside his heart, he feels peace

He starts recalling his dream

The Prophet's face he had seen

He remembers then the tradition

In a dream, it truly will be him

Allah, oh what a feeling

So many years he followed his teachings

And this is the greatest time in his life

He prays to Allah and sings through the night

Here is the full nasheed:

Wasalaam!

A Beautiful Dua of Prophet Musa (a.s)

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Wasalaam!

Time

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Among the many pieces of advice which the Messenger of Allah (saw) gave to the Muslims was the following:

The sign that Allah has turned away from His worshipper is his busying himself in what does not concern him; and if a man has passed an hour of his life in other than for which he was created, it is certainly fitting that his grief should be prolonged (on the Day of Judgement), and whosoever has reached (the age of) forty, and his good deed does not surpass his evil, let him prepare for the Fire.

This advice should suffice the people of knowledge.

(Imam Ghazali ra)

Wasalaam!

Revelation

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

May Allah grant you a long life as His obedient servant and may He place you in His service alone.

May Allah guide you to the right path of those who love Him and are loved by Him.

Know that real advice should be sought in the Revelation and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

If you have attained advice from it, what need have you of my advice?

And if not, then tell me, what you have attained in these past years.

(Imam Ghazali r.a)

Wasalaam!

Sunnahs of the Night

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

A Sunnah is an action that was carried out by the Prophet Muhammad (saw). As Muslims, he is our role model in all aspects of life therefore we try to follow his ways in even the minutest detail.

Allah says in the Quran:

Say, (O Muhammad), "If you should love Allah, then follow me, so Allah will love you and forgive your sins, and Allah is Forgiving, the Merciful.

(Surah Aale-Imran)

The following are the Sunnah practices of the night:

1. To recite Bismillah while closing and locking the doors of the house.

2. Open food and water should be covered with the recitation of Bismillah. A stick could also be used to cover but Bismillah should be read.

3. To put out any burning fire.

4. To switch off or put out anything which may catch alight, if left on like a candle.

5. To discuss with members of the household matters relating to Islam, for example, telling stories about the Sahabah (ra). 

6. When children reach the age of 9 or 10 years, the beds of females should be separated from that of the males.

7. To apply surma 3 times in the right eye and 3 times in the left eye. Apply it on to the children also.

8. To lay or spread the bedding by yourself.

9. To dust the bed before sleeping.

10. To make miswaak even though one has already made miswaak for the Isha salah.

11. Before sleeping, recite with Bismillah each time:

Surah Al-Ikhlas

Surah Al-Falaq

Surah An-Nas

and thereafter blow on the palms which should be rubbed 3 times on ones entire body - beginning from the head and ending at the toes.

12. To use pillows to rest ones head on. The Prophet Muhammad's (saw) pillow was made of leather and filled with date palm leaves.

13. To use leather and hide as bedding for sleeping.

14. To use a straw mat for sleeping.

15. To sleep on bedding.

16. To sleep on a mat or carpet made of cloth.

17. To sleep on the floor.

18. To sleep on a bed.

Note - sleeping on any of the above with the intention of Sunnah shall merit reward.

19. The Prophet (saw) prohibited lying downwards on the stomach.

20. The Prophet (saw) also prohibited lying flat on the back with one leg on the other. (If there is no fear of exposing the private parts then it is permissible to lie down in this manner).

21. To sleep on the right side, facing towards the Qibla.

22. To sleep with the right hand under the head and with the knees bent.

23. To recite the following duas when one lies down:



In Your name I have laid my side and with Your help I shall rise. If You withhold my life then forgive it and if You send it back then protect it as You would protect Your pious servants.



24. To recite the following Istighfaar 3 times:



I seek forgiveness from Allah besides whom there is none worthy of worship, the Living, the Sustainer (of life) and to Him I repent.

25. To recite any Surah from the Quran that one remembers especially Surah Al-Mulk, Surah As-Sajdah and Surah Yaseen. 

26. Reciting of Surah Al-Waqiah before sleeping safeguards one from hunger and poverty.

27. To sleep in a state of purity i.e. wudhu and ghusl (if necessary). If one has done wudhu before sleeping, then it would not be necessary to repeat it.

28. To recite Subhanallah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times and Allahu Akbar 34 times. For full story, see here. Recite the Kalima Tayyibah once also:



29. To keep the prayer mat for the Tahajjud prayer besides the head before sleeping.

30. If one experiences a good dream and wishes to relate it to somebody then he should relate it to a learned and compassionate person so that it is interpreted correctly.

31. After a nightmare, one should recite once:



I seek protection with Allah from the accursed Shaytan.

and spit or blow on the left side 3 times. One should change the position that one was sleeping in, and should not mention such dreams to anyone, and inshallah, no harm shall come to that person.

32. To have water and miswaak ready in advance for wudhu.

33. To sleep with the intention of getting up for the Tahujjad prayer.

34. To read the Tahujjad prayer before the Fajr prayer.

35. Our Prophet Muhammad (saw) used to read such long rakaats for Tahajjud that his blessed feet became swollen. Whilst recting Quran in salah, he used to cry a lot due to which a sound used to come from his chest as if a pot of water is boiling. This was due to his fear of Allah.

36. For Tahajjud, pray at least 2 rakats and a maximun of 12 rakaats. This is the Sunnah. However, there is no limit for Nafl prayers. As many rakats can be prayed. One may also do Zikr, Tilawah and it is also permissible to sleep, provided that the Fajr prayer is not missed.

37. Zaid bin Thabit (ra) complained to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) about his sleepless nights. The Prophet (saw) advised him to read the following dua:

اللَّهُمَّ غَارَتِ النُّجُومُ وَهَدَأَتِ الْعُيُونُ وَأَنْتَ حَيٌّ قَيُّومٌ * لَا تَأْخُذُكَ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ أَهْدِئْ لَيْلِي وَأَنِمْ عَيْنِي 
o Allah, the stars have sunk in and the eyes have become tranquil and quiet and You are alive and everlasting. Neither does sleep overcome You. O the live and everlasting One, make my night tranquil and give my eyes sleep.

May Allah give us all the ability to follow the Sunnah whenever the night falls - Ameen!

Wasalaam!