Reading the Qur'an but Practising Something Else

There is a prevalent culture among Muslims where they only view the Qur'an as a way of gaining reward for reciting out loud the Arabic words correctly. Such people think that they hold the Qur'an in high esteem, but this only keeps them away from studying the Qur'an as they should. Parents teach their children how to pronounce the Arabic words and send their children to evening schools to learn to recite the Qur'an correctly. Such people do not deny the importance of the Qur'an, but their idea of the role of the Qur'an is extremely mistaken and shallow. It is merely to either gain reward for each letter recited or to validate Salah by reciting some short chapters. Members of this majority group may even enjoy listening to recitations of the Qur'an, not because of the message in the Verses, but to appreciate the melody, or for relaxation purposes!

What Islam is, is merely everything else they hear outside of the Qur'an. Such people consider themselves highly religious, while they hold such an ignorant approach to the Qur'an. They recite the Qur'an frequently, but the recitation does not have any bearing on them. Then, they take all their religious guidance from outside the Qur'an - they think those practices amount to fulfilling their duty to the Qur'an. Many of such ignorant people's ideas and practices are even against what the Qur'an has to say, while they are not aware of it - or are aware of it but deliberately ignore thinking about it, laying excuses such as 'I am not knowledgeable enough' or 'I am a laymen, more knowledgeable people have said this, who are you and me to question?'

The real purpose of the Qur'an is to give guidance to the individual human being who has been created to worship Allah. The Qur'an's guidance is in its meanings, not in the pronunciations of its Arabic letters. The guidance of the Qur'an is a mercy, cure and light for the true believers as it reveals many unknown secrets such as Allah's power, reasons to happening of events around us, and the true nature of Allah's religion. The Qur'an has been necessarily made easy to understand. But this majority have been bereft from this blessing, all while they are deceived into thinking they are following religion perfectly as they are fulfilling their own idea of what the purpose of the Qur'an is.



"We have sent down to you a Book containing your message. Do you not understand?" (Qur’an 21:10)

Thinking one is fulfilling their obligations toward the Qur'an by simply carrying out rituals such as prayer and fasting, without making the effort to find out what the Qur'an actually says about religion is a great deception. This is because the Qur'an is a Book to reflect upon, to learn from and to gain the necessary insight and wisdom it gives to be a real believer, this is a duty upon anyone who wants to be a Muslim. One cannot possibly be a true Muslim without having necessary knowledge and understanding of the Qur'an. If one only learns about the Qur’an from books written about the Qur’an, written by people, and does not feel the necessity to learn from the Qur’an directly himself, he is only deceiving himself. Allah mentions this ignorant approach in the words, “Or do you have another book which you study?” (Qur’an 68:39).



Worship based on make-believing that Qur'an is being followed in the flow of the majority and under blind trust of leaders without a personal attachment to the Qur'an and knowledge of the Qur'an, holds little or no value in Allah's sight.


Let us ask ourselves: how much do we know about the Qur'an? Not superficial knowledge like the number of chapters or verses, or which city a chapter was revealed in, but the message in its Verses and their many intricacies and secrets. How much wisdom have you gained from the Qur'an? Have you read the entire Qur'an even once in your own language? How many times a day do you refer to the Verses of the Qur'an as you lead your day to day life? Are you sure whether any of your outlooks are from the Qur'an, or is your religion muddled?

“The words of your Lord are complete in its truth and justice. Nothing can change His Words – He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. If you obeyed most of those on earth, they would lead you away from the path of Allah. They follow nothing but speculation – they are merely guessing.” (Qur’an 6:115-116)

"This too, is a blessed Book which We have sent down – follow it, and be conscious of your Lord, so that you may receive mercy – lest you say, ‘Books were sent to two communities before us: we were not aware of what they studied’, or ‘if only the Book had been sent down to us, we would have been better guided than them.’ Now your Lord has brought you clear evidence, guidance, and mercy. Who could be more wrong than someone who rejects Allah’s Revelations and turns away from them? We shall repay those who turn away with a painful punishment." (Qur’an 6:155-157)

It is clear that being heedless of the Qur'an will lead to losses in this life and the Hereafter as Allah will call all people into account their level of adherence to the Qur'an.

“Surely, the One who decreed the Qur’an to you will summon you to a predetermined appointment. Say: 'My Lord is fully aware of who it is that brings the guidance, and who has gone astray.' " (Qur’an 28:85)

As stated in the verse, all people are responsible for adhering to the way of life decreed by Allah in the Qur'an. Without direct knowledge of the Verses, practising alleged claims about the Qur'an and following the majority, may not have any value in the sight of Allah.

Many people who do not have any Quranic insight or wisdom spread claims about the Qur'an's verses which are a far cry from the verses' true meanings. They usually get away with it as their audience have also been conditioned to simply follow 'sayings' about the Qur'an, rather than the Qur'an.

It is only when one opens his eyes and begins to comprehend the Verses of Allah, can he begin to follow the Book of Allah and hope to become a true Muslim.

"...Indeed there has come to you from Allah a Light and a Clear Book. With it Allah guides whoever follows His good pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from the darkness into the light by His permission: He guides them onto a straight path" (Qur'an 5:15-16)

That is why all Muslims must consider their position in religion in relation to the Qur'an. Reciting the Qur'an without a sincere effort to understand the verses directly will not enlighten the human soul.

Our Hearts Must Engage in the Worship of Allah

Islam prescribes many forms of worship that have outward expressions, prayer being the most obvious of these. Yet, the greatest, most important facets of worship are the internal ones – the devotions of the heart and of the inner self.

Allah says: “Set your face to the religion in true sincerity.” [Sûrah al-Rûm: 30]

To direct oneself to Allah, to rely on Him alone, and to seek his countenance through one’s deeds is the greatest form of worship there is. This is what purifies and beautifies the heart, and it is accomplished through the love of Allah and being constantly aware of Him. This is the distinction that pious believers have over the sinners and hypocrites.

Just as there are people who play careful attention to their appearances but are neglectful of their inner selves, there are those who keep up a good outward image of religiousness and worship by doing supposedly pious acts conspicuously. They are often most scrupulous in their religious observances, careful never to slip out of fear of public recrimination. Any slip would ruin their reputation, because their status is built upon their being good imams, scholars, or Islamic workers. For this reason they are as conscientious as anyone could be in maintaining their outwardly good conduct, but not out of any real desire to please Allah. Instead, their hearts are full of the love of this world and the love of fame.

They are so concerned about their status and their reputation that they have no time to think about the Hereafter and how they should prepare for it. They have no time to think about the problems afflicting the Muslims and how to solve them. They do not think about calling others to Islam. Their hearts are devoid of the love of Allah and the love of his devoted worshippers. They also feel no fear of Allah. They do not hope for his reward. Their hearts, which are the receptacles of love, hate, hope, anger, joy, and sorrow, are not focused on the worship of Allah at all.

Allah describes the unbelievers in the following way: “This is because they followed that which displeased Allah and they hated to please Him, so He made their deeds of no effect.” [Sûrah Muhammad: 28]

We should see how the heart is the crux of all matters. So what is the value of outwardly good works that are hated by the heart of the one who performs them? What is the state of a person who abstains from some sinful deed for the sake f reputation or honor, while loving that deed in his heart and feeling joy when someone else commits it? Such a person will almost invariably fall into the sin sooner or later.

Such a person, whose heart loves what Allah hates and hates what Allah loves, will without doubt sooner or later act upon the dictates of the heart. The love or fear this heart harbors for some created thing – the fear of other people, of sickness, of poverty, of death, or of the rulers, and the desire for worldly gain, prestige, or position – will ultimately guide the body just as a monarch guides the populace.

Outward actions will take their directions from the heart. This is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “In the body is a peace of flesh that if it is healthy, the whole body is healthy, and if it is corrupted, the whole body becomes corrupted. It is the heart.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (4423)]

The heart dictates and the limbs obey. This is why Allah has made salvation in the Hereafter dependent upon the sanctity of the heart. Allah says: “The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will prevail, except for him who brings to Allah a sound heart.” [Sûrah al-Shu`arâ’: 88-89]

When we bring to Allah a sound heart, we will find benefit in our wealth, our children, and our deeds. This is because our limbs would have already availed us. As for these who come to Allah with hearts that are dead or sick, they will find no benefit in anything else.

A person whose heart is devoid of the love and fear of Allah, whose heart has no affection for pious people and no love for righteous deeds, is to Allah a person who has no heart, even if the lump of flesh can be found beating in the chest.

Allah says: “Not alike are the living and the dead.” [Sûrah Fâtir: 22]

The comparison being made in this verse is that of a believer in Allah and an unbeliever, or that of a pious person and a sinner.

Allah says: “Can he who was dead to whom We gave life and a light whereby he can walk among the people be like him who is in the depths of darkness from which he can not escape?” [Sûrah al-An`âm: 122]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The likeness of two people, one who remembers his Lord and one who does not, is that of the living and the dead.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (6407) and Sahîh Muslim (779)]

Allah says: “Verily in this is a message for any that has a heart.” [Sûrah Qâf: 37]

All of this confirms a great truth that we must pay attention to: that the purity of the heart and sincerity of purpose is the basis upon which all of our worship rests. If the heart becomes corrupted, good deeds are of no avail. When a person’s intention is no good, nobility of purpose is lost and the person swerves from what is right.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Actions are but by intentions”. When he said this, he was talking about all actions. The acceptability to Allah of any outward action is contingent on the intention behind it, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “…and every person will have only what he intended.”

Actions of the heart, however, are a different matter. The heart’s deeds such as fear, hope, and love, differ from outward actions, in that they, being unseen by others, are not subject to the risk of being for show. They either happen for the sake of Allah or they do not happen at all. One of the distinguishing features of the actions of the heart is that they can be cause for rewarded even if the person possessing them does not perform any outward act.

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was approaching Madinah on his return from the Tabûk, he said to his Companions: “In Madinah there are some people who did not travel nor did they even cross a valley, but they were with you.”

His Companions asked him: “O Messenger of Allah! How can this be while they were in Madinah?”

He replied: “Yes, while they were in Madinah and were prevented by circumstances from going forth.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (4423)]

This idea was expressed by a poet who wrote about the pilgrimage:
O you who traveled to the Ancient House! It is thus,
That you went in body while we went in spirit.

We were prevented by hardships we had to endure,
And thus we are like the ones who went forward.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned that there will be people who will enter Paradise without performing any good works because they were prevented from doing so.

Abû Hurayrah used to ask his peers to tell him about a man who went to Paradise without ever having prayed a day in his life. When they could not answer, he would mention to them al-Usayrim from the tribe of Banû `Abd al-Ashhal. [Musnad Ahmad (23634)]

Al-Usayrim was a man who had refused to accept Islam when the rest of his people did so. On the day when the tribe of Quraysh attacked the Muslims in Madinah at Mount Uhud, al-Usayrim came to Madinah to accept Islam. Then he picked up his sword and went out to join in the defense of the Muslims along with his kinfolk who had already accepted Islam. He fought until he was mortally wounded. After the battle, when the tribe of Banû `Abd al-Ashhal began looking for their dead, they found al-Usayrim on the verge of death. They were surprised because they had left him behind.

They asked him: “What made you come out here (to Madinah), your love for your kinfolk or a desire for Islam?”

He replied: “My desire for Islam brought me here. I believe in Allah and his Messenger so I accepted Islam. Then I picked up my sword and went forward with Allah’s Messenger and fought until I came to this.” He died shortly thereafter.

They mentioned this to Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) who said: “He is among the inhabitants of Paradise.” [Al-Haythamî, Majma` al-Zawâ’id (9/362). Al-Haythamî states that all of its narrators are trustworthy (thiqât)]

A Poem

A Poem

Bismillah al rahman al rahim “In the name of Allah”

Asalaamu Alaykum, just want to share a poem with brothers and sisters :)

What a year was 570 AD
A person was born, a prophet to be
Muhammed (saws) that was his name
People were misguided and that’s when he came
He would go on to leave all the idols behind
He is an example to all of mankind

Rabbi al Awwal the 12th that was the day
He came to this world to show us the way
He was born in Mecca, the holiest place
A life full of challenges he was to face
Abdullah (ra) his father, had by then passed away
Leaving Amina (ra) his mother, in her arms he lay

Haalima Sadia, took over his care
Until he was six, our prophet was there
His mother then died, he was left all alone
Abdul Muttalib (ra) his grand-dad then made him his own
When our prophet was nine, his grandfather died
Abu Talib, his uncle, became his new guide

In his 20′s, a merchant Muhammed (saws) became by trade
Al-Amin, (the trustworthy) became his grade
Hazrat Khadija (ra) aged 40, became his bride
He was 25, with her by his side
To the poor, she gave away all her wealth
A dedicated wife in sickness and health

360 idols in the Kaaba, they were at that time
Our prophet realised that this was a crime
He would go to mount Hira, leaving behind his wife
Reflecting and wondering about the meaning of life

While thinking there in the midst of the night
He heard a loud voice which filled him with fright
It was the angel Gibrail (as) who asked him to read
Our prophet couldn’t and didn’t take heed
The angel embraced him and then asked him later
Read, Read in the name of the Creator
Who created man from a drop of blood

Our prophet couldn’t read but at that time he could
Our prophet rushed to the path straight ahead
He heard a voice from the heavens which said
Muhammed (saws) truly you are the messenger of Allah
Muhammed (saws) was scared and thought this quite odd
‘Praise be to Allah’ his wife said instead
”I know you’ve been chosen as Allah’s messenger’ she said
And thus Khadija (ra) became the first woman of Islam

And over the next 23 years came the revelation, the Quran
He preached to all people, every creed every race
Yet so many hardships he had to face
There were fears for his life, and then the Hijrat took place
He then entered Medina, all by Allah’s grace
He was greeted by the Ansaris who gave their salaam
To him and his companians, the Sahaba ikram

Then came the battles, which were fought face to face
Then the conquest of Mecca, Muhammed (saws)’s birthplace
An Nasr was revealed, its message was clear
Muhammed (saws) knew that his time was near
Everyone gathered to hear his last speech
Little did they know how far Allah’s message would reach

Muhammed (saws) gave us the miracle the Quran
And now a 1/4 of the world follows Islam
He is our role-model, the best of mankind
And has left the Quran and his Sunnah behind

Read the Quran as much as you can
The words of Allah (swt) for the guidance of man
And follow our prophet’s Sunnah, when eating and dressing
And send him salutations and many a blessing
He came to mankind to show us the way
And Insha-Allah, we’ll meet him; we’ll meet him one day

Salawat and Hadith | Praise of the Messenger and His Inspired Words

Salawat and Hadith | Praise of the Messenger and His Inspired Words


1.
Found in his book, Atom from the Sun of Knowledge, Shaikh Lex Hixon Nur al Jerrahi, may Allah bless his noble soul, compiled a selection from the thousand of authentic Oral Traditions of the Prophet and these Traditons are a meditation in itself, without need for commentary. Each of these pregnant sayings are each preceded by a different salawat, or prayerful invocation of the Messenger of Allah through his resonant names and radiant epithets. The resulting atmosphere of reverence tangibly enhances our capacity to receive the blessing of his words, spoken in the present tense of eternal companionship. There are not obscure Hadiths favored solely by mystics but are selected from the most popular and widely circulated anthologies.

Expanded into dignified English, these inspiring utterances represent Muhammad the Messenger as the vast majority of Muslims have always understood him - a person of the greatest tenderness and clement wisdom. Some of these Oral Traditions are hadith qudsi, which manifest directly through the Voice of Allah. The others are spoken from the same Ultimate Source through the tender human voice of the Messenger. These renderings are on the level of tafsir, or interpretation.

2.
While pointing at his noble heart three times, the glorious Seal of Messengers proclaims: True religion is right here!

The Shaykh of all shaykhs advices his blessed companions: Always consult your own heart directly. Righteousness is whatever the inward heart is tranquil about. Wrongfulness is whatever cause the inward heart to waver.

The beautiful Light of Guidance, upon him be peace, reveals: The supreme gate to goodness is a person praying in the depth of the night.

The mystical Traveler who ascended through the seven heavens into the Direct Presence of Essence reveals: During the final third of the night until the first light of dawn, Allah is ceaselessly calling, "Who is praying that I may respond? Who is supplicating that I may grant? Who is seeking forgiveness that I may forgive?"

The supreme Master of the spiritual path advices: Live every moment in this limited world as if you were a traveler in a strange land.

Noble Ahmad the Praiseworthy, upon him be peace, instructs: Follow any negative action directly with a good action. The negative one will be erased and annulled.

Advise the Reservoir of Prophetic Teaching: Either speak sincerely with goodness, or remain silent.

Our subtle Master points out to his companions: Part of becoming an excellent practitioner of universal religion is to learn how to leave alone whatever is not your particular spiritual responsibility.

Advises the Friend of all souls, upon him be peace: Abandon instantly whatever makes you doubtful, and embrace wholeheartedly whatever genuinely frees you from doubt.

The noble Bearer of the Glorious Quran recites these words directly from the Revealer of the Quran: O My servants, I do not permit Myself a single act of compulsion, so neither is compulsion of any kind permissible among you.

Proclaims the nonviolent Warrior of Truth: Among you there should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.

Warns the Messenger of Universal Religion: A faithful person is brother to all. He never oppresses his spiritual brothers, never fail them, never deceives them, never regards them as inferior.

The Final Prophet, upon him be peace, speaks clearly: Of all that I have shown you to perform as universal religion, humbly perform as much as you can.

The noble Muhammad states with perfect clarity: True religion is sincerity of heart!

The noble Mahbub confirms: Purity of heart constitutes one half of universal religion.

The sublime Leader of prayers for all humanity advises: Worship Allah Most High with the intense sincerity you would feel if you directly perceived Him. You can attain this intensity by knowing full well that He is directly perceiving you.

Explains the ecstatic Lover of Allah, who prays constantly, "O Lord, increase me in knowledge": Actions consist solely of the energy formed by the intentions behind them. Each person will receive from Allah solely upon the basis of what he intends.

The Bearer of the joyous news of Paradise remarks: No person has become completely faithful to universal religion until his entire inward inclination is in perfect accord with me and with the knowledge I have brought.

The spiritual Sovereign dressed in the garb of humble man relates these Divine Words directly from the Lord of Love: O My servants, without even being aware, you are constantly falling into negative thoughts and actions, day and night. But seek forgiveness directly from Me, and your negations will be erased and annulled.

The Intercessor for all spiritual nations, for subtle beings, and for angels, upon him be peace, relates there words directly from Supreme Reality: If My devoted servant draws near to Me by the measure of a hand, I draw near to him by the measure of an arm. If My humble servant approach Me at the speed of walking, I come to him at the speed of running.

The Lover of Humankind whose intercession is always successful relates this mystery to his blessed companions: When I encounter my precious Lord on the Day of Resurrection, I will fall in prostration and remain there as long as it may please Him. Thereupon, He will divinely proclaim, "Raise your head. Intercede, and your intercession will be accepted." I will being to praise my Lord with a unique form of praise that He will teach me at that moment, and then I will intercede four times for all human beings to enter Paradise. During the fourth intercession, there will emerge liberated from the fires of hell persons who have affirmed la ilaha illallah even only once and who posses only a single atom of goodness and kindness in their hearts.






3.
Allahumma salli ' wa sallim wa baarik ala Sayyidina Muhammadil nil-fatihi lima ughliqa wal khatimi lima sabaqa wan-naa-siril-haqqi bil-haqqi wal-hadi ila Sirati-kal-mustaqima sal-lal-lahu 'alayhi wa 'ala alihi wa-ashaabihi haqqa qadrihi wa-miq-da rihil-'azim.


O Allah bless our Noble Master Muhammad who opened what had been closed, and who is the Seal of what had gone before, he who makes the Truth Victorious by the Truth, the guide to Your Straight Path, and bless his spiritual family and companions as is worthy of his immense position and grandeur. - Salawat Al-Fatih (credit)

Beautiful Woman and her husband

Beautiful Woman and her husband

A simple story i would like to share, from my sister in Islam,
There was this beautiful woman, who wanted to get married, but she wanted a very pious husband, so she said that she'll marry the man who recites the whole Quran every single day, fasts for the whole year and stays awake and worships Allah all throughout the night. She was a very beautiful woman, and a lot of suitors wanted to marry her, but they knew they couldn't fulfill the conditions she set. Until this one man stepped forward and said he could fulfill them. So the Imam got both of them married.

After the first night of the marriage, the wife sees that the husband doesn't recite the whole of the Quran, nor does he fast, nor does he stay awake in the worship of Allah, she decided to let it roll on for a few weeks to see if there were any changes, there weren't, so she filed a complaint and asked for a divorce.

They are both taken in front of the judge, and the judge asked, 'What were the conditions of the marriage?' the man replied 'They were for me to recite the whole Quran daily, keep fast for the whole year and to worship Allah all throughout the night.'

The Judge asked, 'did you fulfill them? The man calmly answered, '...yes.'

The judge answers, 'you lie; your wife has said that you don't, that's why she's asking for a divorce'.

But the man insisted that he had fulfilled the conditions, so the judge asked, 'did you recite the full Quran every day?' The man answered yes. The Judge, baffled asked, 'how? How can you do that?' The man coolly answered, 'I recite Surah Ikhlas three times a day and according to Prophet Muhammad (saw), reciting Surah Ikhlas three times is equivalent to reciting the whole Quran.'

The Judge was intrigued, so he asked, 'how did you fast the whole year?' The man answered, ' I fasted for the whole month of Ramadan, then kept another six fasts in the month of Shawwal, according to Prophet Muhammad(SAW), keeping all of the fast of Ramadan then keeping six fasts in the month of Shawwal, is as if you have fasted for the whole year.'

The Judge remained silent, he couldn't give a reply saying the man was wrong, so finally he asked, 'how did you stay awake all night and worship Allah, when your wife saw you sleeping?' The Judge thought the man wouldn't be able to answer this one, but the man, cool as a cucumber answered, 'I prayed Salatul Isha with jamaat, then the next day prayed Salatul Fajar with jamaat, according to Prophet Muhammad (saw), the one who prays Salatul Isha and Salatul Fajar with jamaat, it is as if he had stayed up all night worshipping Allah.'

The Judge sat there looking at the man; the final verdict was about to be released... He said to the man and his wife, '...go, just go, there is nothing wrong with this marriage'.

The man was one of the companion of the our beloved Prophet, Salman Farsi (ra), and the Judge was our Prophet Muhammad himself (saw).

The moral of the Story- ISLAM is not hard; it is great and a simple way of life.

Verily, After Hardship Comes Ease

Verily, After Hardship Comes Ease
At a time in which the Muslims are beset with trials from every periphery, it is a time when Muslims should continue being Muslims, only better Muslims.

I would say to my dear brothers and sisters in Islam “don’t be Sad”; if you are on the true religion – believing in One God and all the Messengers sent to mankind, then don’t be sad.
Allah says in Quran
“…Bear with patience whatever befalls you….” (Qur’an 31:17) and “Be not sad, surely Allah is with us.” (Qur’an 9:40)
Our Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Verily, if Allah loves a people, He makes them go through trials. Whoever is satisfied, for him is contentment, and whoever is angry upon him is wrath.” [Tirmidhi]
Being sad is not encouraged in Islam
“So do not become weak, nor be sad…” (Qur’an 3:139)
“And grieve not over them, and be not distressed because of what they plot.” (Qur’an 16:127)
Sadness prevents one from action instead of compelling one towards it. The heart does not benefit through grief. The most beloved thing to the devil is to hinder the worshipper in the path of Allah. The Muslim must repel sadness and fight in any way that is permissible in Islam.
Allah is sufficient for us
“Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs. So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the owner of Great Bounty.” (Qur’an 3:173-174)
“And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed…” (Qur’an 5:23)
“O you who believe! Seek help in patience and the prayer…” (Qur’an 2:153)
By leaving your affairs to Allah, by depending on Him, by trusting in His promise, by being pleased with His decree, by thinking favourably of Him, and by waiting patiently for His help, you reap some of the greater fruits of faith. When you incorporate these qualities, you will be at peace concerning the future, because you will depend on your Lord for everything. As a result, you will find care, help, protection and victory.
Pre-ordainment
“No calamity befalls on earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees – before We bring it into existence.” (Qur’an 57:22)
The pen has dried, and the pages have been lifted: all events shall come to pass have already been written. Whatever has befallen you was not meant to escape you, and whatever has escaped you was not meant to befall you: if this belief were to be firmly ingrained in your heart, then all hardships and difficulty would become ease and comfort.
The Prophet (pbuh) said,
“Whoever Allah wishes good for, He inflicts him (with hardship).” [Bukhari]
For those who are afflicted with disaster, glad tidings await them: so remain patient and happy with your Lord.
“He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.” (Qur’an 21:23)
Verily, with hardship, there is relief
“Verily, with hardship there is relief” (Qur’an 94:6)
“Perhaps Allah may bring victory or a decision according to His Will.” (Qur’an 5:52)
Prophet Ibrahim (‘alayhissalam) did not feel its heat because of the help he received from Allah.
“We (Allah) said : O’ fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim.” (Qur’an 21:69)
The sea would not drown Prophet Moses (‘alayhissalaam) because he uttered in confident, strong and truthful manner:
“Nay verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.” (Qur’an 26:62)
And the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhu):
“..Be mindful of Allah, you will find Him before you. Get to know Allah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity… And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.” [Tirmidhi]
Accept life as it is
If you read the Qur’an you will see that all the Prophets went through trials and tribulations. Life is a test so let us learn from the best examples of our Prophets.
“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty, ailments and were shaken.” (Qur’an 2:214)
We should know that if we are pleased with our Lord, He will be pleased with us. And if you are pleased with your Lord no matter what the situation is, then you will find that you have earned your Lord’s pleasure. On the other hand, there are hypocrites whom Allah rejects their deeds. They are displeased with what Allah sends down and they hate seeking His pleasure; thus their deeds are performed in vain.
Your recompense is with Allah
When Allah, the Exalted takes something away from you, He compensates it with something better, but only if you are patient and seek His reward.
Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said,
“Whoever loses a loved one from the people of this world and then seeks recompense with his Lord, will be compensated with Paradise.”
Those who are in this world and are close to Allah will be raised in the highest of heaven:
“Peace be upon you, because you peresevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!” (Qur’an 13:24)
Truly, the life of this world is short and its treasures are few. O’ afflicted ones, if you are patient you lose nothing; and though you may not perceive it, you are profiting.
Extract honey but do not break the hive
“Repel (the evil) with one which is better, then verily! He, between whom and you there was enmity (will become) as though he was a close friend.” (Qur’an 41:34)
“….and harm them not. And put your trust in Allah.” (Qur’an 33:48)
Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said,
“Verily, Allah ordered me to keep relations with those that cut off, forgive the ones who does an injustice with me, and to give to those who withhold from me.”
“Those who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the good-doers.” (Qur’an 3-134)
Remembrance of Allah
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Qur’an 13:28)
“Therefore remember Me and I will remember you…” (Qur’an 2:152)
We should not be surprised when we hear that people who remember Allah are at peace. What is truly surprising is how the negligent and unmindful survive without remembering Him.
Allah says in the Qur’an,
“They are dead, lifeless and they know not when they will be raised up.” (Qur’an 16: 21)
Truly, He is near when supplicated: He hears when he is called and He answers when He is invoked, so humble yourself before Him and ask of Him sincerely. Repeat His beautiful names, and mention Him alone as worthy of worship. Mention His praises, supplicate to Him: you will find then – by the will of Allah – happiness, peace and illumination.
“So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter.” (Qur’an 3:148)
Loving Allah, knowing Him, remembering Him, seeking peace in Him, singling Him out for complete love, fear, hope and dependence – these qualities when combined in a person, constitute a sort of heaven on earth. These are qualities that bring peace to those who love Allah, a sort of peace that has no comparison in this world.
It is important that a special relationship exists in the heart between the slave and his Lord, a relationship that allows the slave to feel so close to his Lord that he requires no other. Thus, he finds company when he is alone, and he tastes the sweetness of remembering Him and supplicating to Him. Allah’s slave will continually face hardship and difficulty until he dies, but if he has a special relationship with his Lord, all of the hardships of life will become easy for him.
The prayer….the prayer – we must return to our mosques
“O’ you who believe! Seek help in patience and the Prayer.” (Qur’an 2:153)
By earnestly performing the five daily prayers, we achieve the greatest of blessings: cleared off our sins and increase in rank with our Lord. Prayer is a potent remedy for our sickness, for it instills our faith in our souls.
As for those that keep away from the mosque and away from prayer, for them is unhappiness, wretchedness and an embittered life.
“For them is destruction and Allah will make their deeds vain.” (Qur’an 47:8)
Take a moment to reflect
O whose mind has wandered in grief, O’ you whose eyes are loaded with tears; relax and know that your Creator aids, and that His mercy will bring you peace. And know that your reward is secure with He Who doesn’t disappoint the one who seeks to please Him. Be at peace, for after poverty comes joyous meeting, and after sleeplessness comes sound rest. O you who are oppressed in the lands, who suffer from hunger, pain, sickness and poverty, rejoice in the knowledge that you will soon be satisfied with food and that you will be happy and in good health.
Let us make these supplications, their purpose being to eliminate hardship, anxiety and grief:
“There is no worthy of worship except Allah, the Ever Forbearing, the Most Great. There is none worthy of worship except Allah, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. There is none worthy of worship One Who sustains and protects all that exists, there is none worthy of worship except You, and by Your Mercy do we seek Your aid.”
“So be patient, with a good patience…” (Qur’an 70:5)
References:
The Noble Qur’an (Muhsin Khan/Muhammad Hilali Translation)
Don’t Be Sad – Shaykh ‘Aaidh Al-Qarni
فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانصَبْ
وَإِلَى رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ
“Verily, along with every hardship is relief, verily, along with hardship is relief. So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allah’s worship. And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your) intentions and hopes.” [TMQ 94:5-8]
JazakAllah khair for reading

jumaa Mubaraka :)

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