Month: March 2016

Hadith ~ The Upper Hand

by

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

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said, “Two angels descend every morning, and one says: ‘O Allah, give him who spends something, in place of what he spends.’ The other one says: ‘O Allah, give destruction to him who withholds”.(Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said, “The upper hand is better than the lower one (i.e., the spending hand is better than the receiving hand); and begin (charity) with those who are under your care; and the best charity is that which given out of surplus; and he who asks (Allah) to help him abstain from the unlawful and the forbidden, Allah will fulfill his wish; and he who seeks self-sufficiency will be made self-sufficient by Allah”. (Al-Bukhari).

Commentary: The first Hadith provides justification to pray for virtuous people to get better than what they have spent, and to destroy the wealth of the niggardly who refuse to spend in the way of Allah.

The second Hadith mentions the importance of spending in the way of Allah, preference of one’s family and children over others, and chasteness and contentment. It also tells us that Allah helps one in getting what one prays for.

Riyad as-Salihin (The gardens of the virtous)
of the Imam Mohieddine Annawawi 631 – 676
Translation and commentary by Dr Salaheddine Keshrid (Tunisia)
Editor: Dar Al-Gharb Al-Islami
Hadith 1: Chapter 36, Page 99, No 295
Hadith 2: Chapter 36, Page 99, No 296

Ayaat 156-159 ~ An-Nisa’ (The Women)

by

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

156. And because of their disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge[1];

157. And because of their saying (in boast), “We killed Messiah ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allâh,” – but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of ‘Iesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him[2] not:

158. But Allâh raised him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And Allâh is Ever All­Powerful, All­Wise.

159. And there is none of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), but must believe in him [‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), as only a Messenger of Allâh and a human being], before his[3] death (at the time of the appearance of the angel of death). And on the Day of Resurrection, he [‘Iesa (Jesus)] will be a witness against them.

Sura 4. An-Nisa’ (The Women)

[1]: a grave false charge: that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse
[2]: him: ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)
[3]: his: [‘Iesa (Jesus) or a Jew’s or a Christian’s]

Note: A very inspiring audio series on the Lives of the Prophets (including Jesus (PBUH)) can be found here.

Ayaat 16-21 ~ Al-Hashr (The Gathering)

by

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

16. (Their allies deceived them) like Shaitân (Satan), when he says to man: “Disbelieve in Allâh.” But when (man) disbelieves in Allâh, Shaitân (Satan) says: “I am free of you, I fear Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists)!”

17. So the end of both will be that they will be in the Fire, abiding therein. Such is the recompense of the Zâlimûn (i.e. polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers in Allâh and in His Oneness, etc.).

18. O you who believe! Fear Allâh and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what you do.

19. And be not like those who forgot Allâh (i.e. became disobedient to Allâh) and He caused them to forget their ownselves, (let them to forget to do righteous deeds). Those are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).

20. Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful.

21. Had We sent down this Qur’ân on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allâh. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect.

Sura 59. Al-Hashr (The Gathering)

Commentary ~ The Virtues of seeking Forgiveness from Allah

by

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

Three men came to Husain bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). The first complained about a paucity of rain, and Husain answered, “Increase in seeking forgiveness from Allah.” The second complained of being barren and not having children. Husain said, “Increase in seeking forgiveness from Allah.” The third man complained about arid conditions and a lack of fertile soil, and Husain said, “Increase in seeking forgiveness from Allah.” Those seated with him said, “O son (i.e. grandson) of the Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection): each one of these three had a different complaint, yet you gave them the same answer.” He asked them whether they had not read the Verse of Allah (the Exalted):

“…Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance; And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” (Quran 71:10-12)

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 133