In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Make a habit if saying Alhamdulillah and acknowledge Allah in everything you do. It’s very easy to forget and to neglect this. Acknowledging Allah as often as possible will save you from becoming selfish, self-centered and proud.
…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
The month of Ramadhaan is fast approaching and with only a few days to go, it’s time to consider a few Lifestyle Optimisation Strategies. Clear up the clutter now so you can take advantage of every opportunity during the month of Ramadhaan.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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:
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…
In the Name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
“O believers, when the call is proclaimed for the prayer on Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business, that is better for you if you but did know.” [Al-Jumuah, 62:9]
Etiquette of the day of Jumuah:
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
I am grateful to Allah for making me among those who are able to read the Quran and for allowing me to recite it everyday. I have never doubted the benefits of reading Quran despite not understanding the Arabic language. I have always felt the positive influence the Quran has on my life and is something I pray I can always feel.
The idea of reading a book without understanding the language in which it’s written is very strange. How would you justify the importance of reading the Quran without understanding what you are reading. I came across an interesting story that puts this into perspective…
An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur’an do?”
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You’ll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.
The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try in.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Grandpa, it’s useless!”“So you think it is useless?” The old man said, “Look at the basket.”
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.
Son, that’s what happens when you read the Qur’an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.”
In the Name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
Just a little reminder and some motivation to read Quran every day. I’ve found that regular recitation of the Quran, no matter how much or how little, will allow you to cope better with day to day trials and challenges. There is something enlightening about reciting Quran and whether you understand it or not, we can all benefit from it.
Allah says “If anyone finds no time for my remembrance and for begging My favours due to remaining engaged in the recitation of the Quran , I shall give him more than what I give to all those who beg favours of Me.” The superiority of the Word of Allah over all other words is like the superiority of Allah over the entire creation.
One who recites the Quran and he is well versed in it ( i.e its recitation), he will be in the company of those angles who are scribes, noble and righteous; and one who falters in the recitation and has to exert himself, gets a double reward.
If Almighty Allah opens the locks of your heart, then you would become aware of the marvels, wisdom and knowledge found in the Holy Qur’an, with the result that you would not have to ponder on other sources. Because whatever there is, found in its pages, as the Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:” Nothing have we omitted from the Book” (Surah Anam Verse 38).
Schedule some ‘Quran time’ in your day so you can benefit from one of the greatest favours from our Lord. A few minutes in the morning or before you get to bed, make it habit and encourage those around you. Whether you understand Arabic or not, recite sincerely and you will feel the effects of divine guidance in every aspect of life.
…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”
Lessons, Reminders, Reflections... 