Advice from the Quran: How to Attain Sincerity.

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

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Free oneself from the opinion of others:

..... only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.

(Surah Al-Insan, Verse 9)

Compete in doing good:

.... Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation (united in religion) but (He intended) to test you in what He has given you; so race to (all that is) good. To Allah is your return all together ...

(Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 48)

Increase the fear of Allah:

Or who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision? But they have persisted in insolence and aversion.

(Surah Al-Mulk, Verse 21)

Understand that every soul shall taste death:

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your (full) compensation on the Day of Resurrection .... And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

(Surah Aale Imraan, Verse 185)

Only expect the Pleasure of Allah:

And whoever of you devoutly obeys Allah and His Messenger and does righteousness - We will give her her reward twice; and We have prepared for her a noble provision.

(Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 31)

May Allah give us all the ability to bring sincerity into every part of our lives - Ameen.

Wasalaam!

The Blessing of Knowledge

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

.... And Allah taught you that which you knew not. And Ever-Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad (saw).

(Surah An-Nisa, Verse 113)

Ignorance can kill a person's conscience and soul.

... I admonish you, lest you be one of the ignorant.

(Surah Hud, Verse 46)

Knowledge is a light that leads to wisdom. It is life for your soul and fuel for your character.

Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out?

(Surah Al-'An'am, Verse 122)

Happiness and high spirits come with enlightenment because through knowledge, one may fulfil his goals and discover what was previously hidden from him. The soul, by its very nature, longs for the acquisition of new knowledge to stimulate it and the mind.

Ignorance is boredom and grief, because the ignorant person leads a life that never offers anything new or mind provoking. Yesterday is like today, which in turn is like tomorrow.

If you desire happiness, then seek out knowledge and enlightenment, and you will find that anxiety, depression and grief will leave you.

.... And say: "My Lord! Increase me in knowledge".

(Surah Taha, Verse 114)

Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists).

(Surah Al-'Alaq, Verse 1)

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:

If Allah wishes good for someone, He gives him an understanding of the Religion.

Therefore, if someone is ignorant, let him not be proud of either his wealth or his status in society: his life is lacking in meaning and his achievements are woefully incomplete.

Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed unto you (O Muhammad (saw) from your Lord is the truth be like him who is blind? ...

(Surah Ar-Ra'd, Verse 19)

Az-Zamakhshari, the well-known commentator of the Quran, said in verse form:

The sleepless nights I spend in learning the sciences, are more beloved to me than the company or caresses of the enchanting woman, 

My rapturous exhilaration when understanding a difficult concept, is more delicious to me than the most exotic drink,

More delightful to me than the sound of a woman's hands on the drum, are my hands on my papers in order to remove dust.

O he who tries to attain my level by wishful thinking, how much difference there is between the one who finds the pain of climbing to be too much and between the one who climbs and reaches the summit.

Do I toil through the night, while you sleep through it, yet you hope to surpass me?

How noble is enlightenment? And through it, how happy is the soul?

Is he who is on a clear proof from his Lord, like those for whom there evil deeds that they do are beautified for them, while they follow their own lusts (evil desires)?

(Surah Muhammad, Verse 14)

(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!

Is It Really Allah?

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Internal poverty is the poverty of the soul. It describes the unmoved soul. The soul that has been created but has failed to realize why. It is the soul that lives a life without purpose. The heart that beats but has already died. 

Because while this body cries and bleeds and feels pain from the material world, the soul is untouched by these things. There is only one thing that can cut, stab or impoverish the soul. There is only one thing that can kill it. To deprive it of its only one true need. That is for it to be close to its originator. To be near Allah.

Spiritual deprivation is the true impoverishment. True poverty is standing poor on the Day of Judgement. Despite this reality, we continue to live this life, feeding our bodies but starving our souls.

When a body dies, we cry. But our hearts are unmoved by those bodies which are still alive but whose hearts and souls have already died. Because of the alienation from that which gives life - Allah. 

What impoverishes and kills the heart? It is allowing the heart to love anything as it should only love Allah. The heart was created by and for Allah. The heart was created to know and love Allah. The heart was created to be given to Allah and to be filled with His remembrance.

The heart that is given to or filled by any other thing suffers the most painful impoverishment and death. The heart that is owned by this life is a prisoner of the worst kind. The heart that is owned by any other master than the Master of masters, is the weakest of all slaves. 

That is true oppression, true death, true poverty. 

As human beings, we enslave ourselves to different things. Some are enslaved to money or to other people. We love them as we should only love Allah. Some of us are enslaved to our status in society or to our careers. 

What do you love most? 

Many of us will say that we love Allah the most. We say this with our tongues and in our minds. But our hearts and actions say otherwise. 

How do you know what it is that you love the most?

Ask yourself, what is your refuge? When you are most broken, where do you go? When you afraid, where do you hide? When you need, who do you ask? What do you fear most? What do you stay up at night worrying about? What makes you cry most? What do you think about most? What occupies your mind in salah? 

Is it really Allah?

Is it really Allah on our mind the most? Is it really your fear of standing before Him that makes you cry in your bed? 

No, probably not.

It's the person who left you, the money you lost, the career you couldn't have, the pay rise you didn't get. What are you afraid of most? Just the thought of losing that object causes you so much anxiety that you feel it physically? 

Is it your husband? Your wife? Your money? Your job? Is it your image? Your figure? What is it? 

When you are given a choice, what do you do? When Allah says to dress and act a certain way, and then society says the opposite, which do you choose? Who defines beauty for you? Who defines success? 

When Allah says that interest is haraam, but your financial ambitions command otherwise, which do you choose? Who defines richness? Who defines poverty? 

The storm is coming. Seek refuge in the only place that refuge exists. Seek refuge in Allah. 

You and I know what day we were born. But none of us know on which day we will die. And, many people think that we can live our lives in whichever way we like. Then at the time of death, just read the Kalimah. 

But at the time of death, the tongue cannot speak except what the heart commands. Whatever is in the heart, it will come out. 

The impoverished heart will have nothing but the love of the world to speak about on that day. If our heart is empty of Allah during our life, how can it be full of Allah during our death?

If in your life, you carried only La ilaha illallah that truly there is no refuge, no shelter but Him. Then and only then will the tongue be given permission to say the Kalimah.

May Allah make us amongst them who truly take Allah as their refuge - Ameen!

(Adapted from a speech by Yasmin Mogahed)

Wasalaam!

Make Every Day a New Beginning

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Staying away from Allah, the Exalted, only brings bitter fruit. The gifts of intelligence, strength, beauty and knowledge will all turn to calamity and loss if they are kept away from the guidance of Allah, the Exalted, and deprived of His blessings.

It is for this reason that Allah has warned people of the consequences of staying away from Him.

If you are walking down the street and a car comes towards you at high speed and you feel it will hit you and kill you, you have no choice but to act quickly and try to get away.

Allah wants to warn His slaves that they face a similar kind of destruction if they turn away from Him, so He urges them to seek safety with Him alone:

So flee to Allah. Indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner.

And do not make (as equal) with Allah another deity. I am to you from Him a clear warner.

(Surah Adh-Dhariyat, Verses 50 and 51)

Turning to Allah requires a person to:

1. Renew herself

2. Reorganize her life

3. Develop a better relationship with her Lord

4. Do better deeds

It is the start of a new covenant and way of life that is summed up in the following dua:

O Allah, you are my Lord and there is no god but You. You created me and I am your slave. And I am trying my best to keep my oath (of faith) to You and to live in the hope of Your promise.

I seek refuge in You from my greatest evil deeds. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me and I acknowledge my sins. 

So forgive me, for none but You can forgive sins.

Allah says: "I am as My servant thinks I am".

Wasalaam!

You Will Return To Allah

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The reason why we are in this world is to return back to Allah - that is our purpose.

One of the major questions asked in this world is, "Who am I?" 

"Why am I here?"

"What am I supposed to be doing?"

"Where am I going in my life?"

All these questions should bring a person around to the conclusion that after this life, I will return back to my Creator - Allah.

Allah says in so many places in the Quran that you are all going to return back to Me. 

And, so He says if you are in doubt about the resurrection, then reflect on your creation in the first place. 

Allah says:


And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay.


Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging.


Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump (of flesh), and We made (from) the lump, bones and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.


Then indeed, after that you are to die.


Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, will be resurrected.
(Surah Al-Mu'minun, Verse 12-16)

Allah brought us into the world in this state, and made us into infants. Then, He gave us strength and made us grow, then He made us into adults, and made us reach the age of 40.

Then, there will come a time in your life when you know nothing after you had known much - meaning old age. 

Wasalaam!

When Things Become Unbearable, Turn To Allah

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Ibn Al-Jawzi (ra) said:

"Something was causing me a great deal of grief and distress, and I started to think long and hard about how to get out of this situation by any means, but I could not find any way out. Then I came across this verse:

".. and whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (of every difficulty)."

(Surah At-Talaq, Verse 2)

I realized that taqwa (piety and fearing Allah) is the way out of every kind of grief and distress. As soon as I followed the path of taqwa, I found the way out".

I say: for the wise men, taqwa is the way that leads to everything good, for calamity happens only as the result of sin, and it can only be lifted through repentance. 

Sadness, grief and worry are punishments for sins that you have committed, by falling short in your prayers, or backbiting about a Muslimah, or taking the matter of hijab lightly, or committing a haram action.

Whoever goes against the laws of Allah, the Almighty, has to pay the price for that shortcoming. The One Who created happiness is the Most Gracious, Most Merciful, so how can you seek happiness from anyone other than Him?

If people had control over happiness, there would be no deprived or grieving person left on earth.

Cast away all discouraging thoughts that make you feel helpless, and focus on success, then you will never fail.

Wasalaam!

Put Things Into Perspective

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Sometimes we all need to step back. Take a look at the bigger picture. Face our reality head on. Sometimes we need to put things into perspective.

We're all guilty of it, now and again. Getting too engrossed in matters of this world, and forgetting our own impending reality.

And, then something happens that brings us all crashing back down to earth. 

It could be the death of a loved one, a family friend, or just someone in the community. 

But what it really is, is a reminder from your Creator. Reminding you of who you are and where you will end up. Reminding you to put things into perspective.

This world is important - but to a limit. Our families, jobs, education are important - but to a limit.

We need to make sure that these good things aren't getting in the way of our relationship with our Creator. Because if they are, then they're not good things anymore.

We need to remove all the negative people and influences from our lives and focus on that which is positive and blessed. 

Look around at the mercy and bounty of Allah that He has blessed you with. The house in which you live, the gardens which will soon flourish in the coming spring, the beautiful land all around.

Sometimes we tend to get so bogged down with things, we forget to look at the blessings that are all around us. We become ungrateful to Allah, Who has blessed us in so many ways.

Keep me in your duas, please,

Wasalaam!

These People Are Not Happy

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Do not look at those who are living a life of luxury and extravagance, for they are to be pitied, not envied. People whose only concern is to spend extravagantly on themselves and indulge in their every whim and desire and seek pleasure - whether it is permissible or forbidden - are not happy.

Rather, they are living a hard life of stress and worry, because no one who deviates from the path of Allah and disobeys Him will ever find happiness. So, do not think that those who live a life of luxury and extravagance are happy and content, not at all.

Some poor women living in mud huts are better off than those who sleep on feather beds and sheets of brocade and silk in lofty palaces, because the poor woman who believes in Allah, the Exalted, and worships Him is better off than the one who has gone astray from the path of Allah.

Happiness exists in you and you should focus your efforts on yourself.

Wasalaam!

Ar-Rahim: The Merciful

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

There is no god but He, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate.

(2:163)

Rahim is another attribute, also in the intensive form derived from rahma (mercy). Here, mercy implies pity, patience and forgiveness, all of which sinners need. 

O My servants who have transgressed against their souls; do not despair of Allah's mercy; surely, He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Compassionate.

(39:53)

Allah is more merciful than vengeful. In a Hadith Qudsi, He says:

My mercy surpasses my wrath.

(Bukhari and Muslim)

In the Hereafter, Allah is All-Compassionate to the believers only.

My mercy embraces all things, and I shall prescribe it for those who are god-fearing.

(7:156)

Do you think this mother would throw her infant child in the fire? Allah is more merciful to His servants than she is to her child.

(Bukhari and Muslim)

To be merciful is essential for a Muslim. 

The merciful ones will be given mercy by the All-Merciful. Be merciful to those who are on this earth, and the One in heaven will have mercy on you.

(Al-Bukhari)

One who craves Allah's mercy shows compassion to others.

Wasalaam!

Ar-Rahman - The Compassionate

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

"Say: 'He is the All-Merciful'"
(67:29)

Rahman is a special intensive form derived from rahma (mercy). In human beings, rahma means 'tenderness of the heart'. Yet, when attributed to Allah, it means 'granting blessings and warding off evil, through grace, condescension and beneficence'.

For this reason, Rahman, like the Name Allah, is not applied to any but God.

Allah's mercy in this world is general: given to the believer and the non-believer. He provides for them and gives them health and what they ask for. 

"We bestow Our mercy on whoever We will, and shall never deny the righteous their reward".
(12:56)

"Allah created 100 mercies, then He put one of them among His creatures by which they love one another, and Allah has the other 99".
(Al-Bukhari)

We must always ask for Allah's mercy and grace, and call Him by this name; our deeds by themselves, do not qualify us to go to Jannah.

Also, we ought to begin any important action after saying these words:

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Believers are merciful to all creatures. A man was forgiven all his sins when he drew water out of a well in his shoe and gave it to a very thirsty dog.

Have compassion for all of Allah's creatures.

Wasalaam!

Keep Busy with the Present, Rather than the Past or Future

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

What is the point of slapping your cheeks or tearing your garment in sorrow over something you missed or some calamity that befell you?

What is the point in focusing your thoughts and feelings on some incident that has passed so as to increase your pain and make you fall apart?

If it were possible to reach into the past and change its events which we did not like, and alter them the way we like, then going back to the past would be essential.

We would all rush to go back and erase the things we regretted doing and increase our share of good fortune.

But that is impossible, so it is better for us to focus our efforts on what will help us get on with our lives, for that is our only means of compensation.

This is what the Quran drew attention to after Uhud (a battle named after a mountain in Madinah), when Allah said to those who were weeping for the slain and regretting going out in the battlefield:

Say: "Even if you had remained in your homes, those for whom death was decreed would certainly have gone forth to the place of their death" ..

(Surah Aale Imraan - Verse 154)

Be patient to be victorious.

Wasalaam!

Allah

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Truly, I am Allah; there is no God but I; therefore, serve Me.

(20:14)

Allah is the most sacred Name that indicates the Being Most High, His oneness and His godly attributes.

Say: He is Allah, One: Allah, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, and has not been begotten, and to whom there is no equal.

(112:1-4)

No god is to be worshipped other than Allah. 

And call not upon another god with Allah; there is no god but He. All things perish, except Himself.

(28:88)

Things exist by the will of Allah.

When We decree a thing, We need only say: "Be", and it is.

(16:40)

He supervises their affairs:

Surely your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then ascended His throne, ordaining all things ..
(10:3)

And He is God; there is no god but He. His is the praise in this world and the hereafter; His too is the power supreme, and to Him you shall be recalled.
(28:70)

While other Names are attributes, Allah is the proper name of God, that has never been given to any other being in Islam or pre-Islamic times.

Do you want to experience the glory of Allah? Bow down and worship Him.

Wasalaam!