Tag Archives: Faith

The night of Bara'ah…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

The night of Bara’ah is upon us. Here is a Dua to be recited on this auspicious night:

أَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِعَفْوِكَ مِنْ عِقَابِكَ،
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْكَ لَا أُحْصِي ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ أَنْتَ كَمَا أَثْنَيْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ

“I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your annoyance, and I seek refuge in Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek Your refuge from Yourself. I cannot praise You in the manner that You deserve. You are exactly as You have defined Yourself.”

May Allah allow us to benefit from this night and witness many more nights of Barakah!

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Preparing for the month of Ramdhan: Fasting in Sha'ban…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

The month of Sha’ban precedes the greatest month in the Islamic calendar and is a good opportunity to prepare for the auspicious month of Ramadhan.

The blessed companion Anas (RA) reports that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked, “Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?” He replied, “Fasts of Shaban in honor of Ramadan.”

Umm Salamah (RA) says: “I have never seen the Messenger of Allah fasting for two months continuously except in the months of Sha’ban and Ramadan.”

These narrations highlight the importance of fasting during the month of Sha’ban. This weekend is a great opportunity to prepare for the month of Ramadhan and earn extra rewards Insha Allah.

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Modesty: Dress to impress…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Musa (A.S) was a very modest man and always dressed appropriately (i.e. he covered his body). The people of Israel were unashamed and lacked in this respect to the extent that they would bathe together in the nude.  When Musa (A.S) chose to bathe alone in seclusion and chose to cover his body and not reveal it to them, they accused him of hiding something, they accused him of being infected or diseased.

In this there is a lesson for Muslims today. When we cover our bodies and choose not to display ourselves inappropriately we are accused of being oppressive and our intentions are often questioned. Don’t make the mistake of conforming with these ideals, we are meant to be different, we are meant to set an example. So be proud of who you are, uphold Islam in the way you dress and Allah will be impressed.

Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty:
That will make for greater purity for them. Qur’an 24:30-31

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Remembering Allah: ‘Inside the human body’…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

It’s not often a tv show will remind you of Allah but I felt a spiritual high while watching ‘inside the human body’ last night. The human body is absolutely amazing in its composition and functionality. I am so grateful for what I have and what I have been given.

Remembering Allah is not only about reciting verses or praying, it’s about acknowledging and being grateful for even the tiniest of blessings. Don’t forget to remember Allah and acknowledge His greatness. You will find the Dhikr of Allah everywhere, you just need to be willing to look.

“Therefore remember Me. I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and never show Me ingratitude” – Al-Baqarah 2:152

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Jumuah Reminder: How close do you want to be to Allah?

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

In “Choosing your place in a gathering”, I mentioned the importance of sitting within a gathering and suggested finding a place closest to the Imam at Jumuah Prayers. This will put things into perspective…

According to Imam Abu-Haneefa in al-Fiqh al-’Akbar: “Allah is seen in the hereafter. The believers will see Him while they are in Paradise. (They will see Him) without any likeness, ascription, and quantity and there will not be any distance between Him and His creations.”

In a lecture I recently listened to by Imam Anwar-al Awlaki, he mentions that ”The people of Jannah, every Friday, will go down to a gathering place, and they will be seated according to how close they were to the Imam in Khutbatul Jumuah, this is when people will get to see Allah. That is the greatest pleasure. People in lowest Jannah will get to see Allah every Friday, but people in Jannatul Firdous will see Allah twice each day, once in the morning and once in the evening.” This is also mentioned by Ibn Al-Qayyim in Nooniyyah.

Remember this the next time you choosing your place at the Musjid. The ultimate incentive, the ultimate reward!

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Earning Allah's pleasure…

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In the Name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Prophet Musa (Moses) (A.S) often conversed with Allah at Mount Sinai, during one of these conversations, Allah asked: “Musa, what have you done for me; what good deed have you performed for My sake?”

Musa (A.S) replied: Lord, I have prayed, fasted and given alms”

Allah responded: “Prayer is the mark of religion, fasting is a shield against the fire; as for giving alms, whose property did you give and to whom did you give it?

Musa (A.S) asked to learn the deeds that would earn Allah’s pleasure and these words came from on high:

“You shall love whatever you love to please me alone; you shall likewise dislike whatever you dislike only to please me. This is the action most acceptable in My sight, the one that will earn you My good pleasure.”

Remember “…every person will earn that which he intended…” so remember Allah, make a sincere intention and do for the sake of Allah and you will earn Allah’s pleasure.

… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Ibrahim Ad’ham and the 10 things that prevent our prayers from being answered…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Allah says in the Holy Quran: Call upon Me, and I will answer your prayers. Why then are some of our prayers not answered?

Ibrahim Ad’ham who was once the ruler of Khurasan was asked this question and responded with: “Because of ten things your hearts are dead; if a person has these ten bad qualities in him, how should God accept his prayer?’

The ten qualities are:

  1. You acknowledge Allah, you pretend to acknowledge Him, and yet you do not give His due
  2. You read the Quran, yet you do not observe it’s commands and prohibitions
  3. Although you say that Satan is your enemy, you follow and obey him
  4. You call yourselves members of the Ummah of Muhammad (S.A.W), yet you do not follow his examples
  5. You claim that you will go to paradise, yet you do none of the deeds required to gain entrance therein
  6. You wish to achieve salvation from the Fire of Hell, yet you throw yourselves into it by committing sin
  7. You know that death is inevitable, yet you make no preparation for it
  8. You pay a lot of attention to the faults of others, yet you do not see your own faults
  9. You consume the bounty of your Lord without showing gratitude
  10. You bury your dead without taking warning
Check yourself before you wreck yourself!
O Allah, graciously afford us the gift of faith and spirituality, and include us among those who achieve success and find salvation from the Hell fire… Ameen!

A reminder about charity…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Last weekend was the Salvation Army’s Door Knock Appeal and when I heard about it, I thought about whether or not I would donate to the cause and it reminded me of a story I read as a kid about the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) or Abraham (PBUH) which is available on my post titled Unconditional Charity.

The story demonstrates the importance of unconditional charity and the value of Da’wah through action. Most people would donate to their own religious groups, the true test arises when you are approached by members of other faiths. I still maintain a preference for Islamic Charitable Organisations and I don’t think there can be anything wrong in that, however, the story of Ibrahim (A.S) encourages us as Muslims to be charitable to all of God’s creation.

Be generous and show compassion to both, Muslims and non-Muslims and don’t discriminate in your charity. As Muslims we should understand that no matter what colour we are or what religion we follow, we are all God’s creation. If God himself does not deprive any of His creation from sustenance, how then can we, as His creation, judge between ourselves.

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Unconditional Charity…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Last weekend was the Salvation Army’s Door Knock Appeal and when I heard about it, I thought about whether or not I would donate to the cause and it reminded me of a story I read as a kid about the Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) or Abraham (PBUH).

Ibrahim (A.S) would never touch food unless there was a beggar in his house, when no beggars visited in a few days, he began to wonder if it was through some fault of his own that God had not sent a beggar to him. Eventually, a beggar came knocking at his door and when he inquired, he learnt that the beggar was a Magian or Fire worshipper. Ibrahim (A.S) proclaimed, ” I cannot help unbelievers who attribute partners to Allah and wander about in this condition. Go away till you have repented, asked forgiveness of God, embraced Islam and cleaned yourself up. Then you will come back to an open door.” As the begged left, Ibrahim heard these words from above: ” Ibrahim, since I, with my Godhead, do not deny him sustenance, despite the fact that he disobeyed me and committed the one sin I do not pardon, namely that of attributing partners to Me, how could you – My servant – send him away without even a crust of bread? Go and make it up to him at once. If you had done this for your own sake, rather than to please Me, I would have wiped you from My friendship.

Upon receiving this divine command, Ibrahim (A.S) took to the road until he found the beggar. He treated him kindly, invited him into his home and fed him well. Through this generosity and charity, the beggar turned to Allah and was blessed with the honour of true faith.

The story demonstrates the importance of unconditional charity and the value of Da’wah through action. Most people would donate to their own religious groups, the true test arises when you are approached by members of other faiths. I still maintain a preference for Islamic Charitable Organisations and I don’t think there can be anything wrong in that, however, the story of Ibrahim (A.S) encourages us as Muslims to be charitable to all of God’s creation.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” – Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 604.

Etiquette of the day of Jumuah: A short reminder…

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In the Name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Ali Ibn Abu Taalib (RA) narrated:  When Friday comes, the devils go to the markets with their flags, and involve people in their needs and prevent them from the Friday prayer. The angels come early in the morning, sit at the door of the mosque, and record that so-and-so came at the first hour, and so-and-so came at the second hour until the imam comes out (for preaching). When a man sits in a place where he can listen (to the sermon) and look (at the imam), where he remains silent and does not interrupt, he will receive a double reward. If he stays away, sits in a place where he cannot listen (to the sermon), silent, and does not interrupt, he will receive the reward only once. If he sits in a place where he can listen (to the sermon) and look (at the imam), and he does not remain silent, he will have the burden of it. If anyone says to his companion sitting besides him to be silent (while the imam is preaching), he is guilty of idle talk. Anyone who interrupts (during the sermon) will receive nothing (no reward) on that Friday.

Blessed Jumuah…