Month: May 2017

Hadith ~ Followed by three things

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

Narrated Anas ibn Malek (May Allah be satisfied with him): ‘Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “When carried to his grave, a dead person is followed by three things, two of which return (after his burial) and one remains with him. His relatives, his property, and his deeds follow him. His relatives and property return back while his deeds remain with him.”‘ (Bukhari)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 11, Page 198, No 78

Ayaat 185-186 ~ Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)

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

185. Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing).

186. You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews and Christians) and from those who ascribe partners to Allâh, but if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious – see V.2:2) then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs, and that is from the great matters, [which you must hold on with all your efforts].

Sura 3. Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)

Commentary ~ Practical Program of Dua

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

It is important to learn how to make good duas (invocations) and to use these supplications to progress in one’s life and get closer to Allah.

The concept of tawakkoul is central to this approach. That is to put one’s complete trust in Allah.

Say: “Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allâh has ordained for us. He is our Maulâ (Lord, Helper and Protector).” And in Allâh let the believers put their trust. (Quran 9.51)

We must have a deep conviction that our (lawful) duas will be heard and answered (now, later, or in the Hereafter).

And when My slaves ask you concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. (Quran 2.186)

And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islâmic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation)… (Quran 40.60)

Do not be shy, modest, ashamed or embarrassed to ask Allah, He forgives those who repent and return to Him. For Allah NOTHING is impossible, He is the Almighty. So DARE ask! For this life AND for the Hereafter.

And of them there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” (Quran 2.201)

With your heart, and not just your head, decide what you consider to be marks of success in this life and in the Hereafter. Make an exhaustive list, ask for anything that you want, Allah is the Greatest and Most Generous. To give you what you ask will not remove anything from Him.

According to this hadith qudsi, Allah the Exalted and Glorified said: “…O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more than a needle decreases the sea if put into it…” (Narrated by Muslim )

To build your list, you can use the following categories as inspiration:

  • Practice of religion (Deen), Faith (Iman), Situation in the Hereafter
  • Physical Health, Emotional Health
  • Family, Spouse, Children
  • Finances, Wealth
  • Profession, Career
  • Social Life, Friends, Travel
  • Studies (Islamic and/or secular)
  • Community and the Ummah
  • Achievements, Successes
  • Legacy ( Sadaka Jariya ) that I will leave behind after my death

Note that as a Muslim the actions in this life can improve your situation in the Hereafter (Sadaka Jariya). When you have made your long list, try to see what overlaps between the categories, break them down into groups and then reduce them to five duas that you are ready to make diligently, with strength and conviction for at least six months. When making your selection, use the following criteria:

It is important to remember that the proposed program is a way to practically realize the acceptance of your duas. To do this, your invocations should:

  • Give you butterflies in your stomach, you must be excited and motivated by these invocations, think about them often, day and night.
  • Be motivating enough for you to be willing to work towards your goal (ex: every day for the next three years).
  • Be slightly unrealistic (according to your current situation). For example, learning the last part of the Quran and not (immediately) the entire Quran .
  • Take the middle road, and not to be motivated by a fear of getting less then asked.
  • Be practical and measurable (the goal attainment criteria are clearly set).
  • Have a good time range, about 3 to 10 years, Allah Knows Best.
  • Divide your duas 50/50 between this world and the Hereafter.
  • Ensure that money is a means and not an end in itself. For example, ask Allah to have the money to build a mosque.

Get rid of the old duas that you have been doing mechanically and in a distracted manner. Be clear, specific, positive and make your duas with conviction.

Good habits for the invocations to be answered are:

  • Being grateful, often say al- hamdoulillah, do not complain and remain positive. Allah says:

    • ” …If you give thanks, I will give you more… ” (Quran 14.7)

  • Ask Allah (Alone) with taqwa and Allah will respond inchaAllah.
  • Have faith (Iman) and hope (Ihtisab) that the invocation will be answered by Allah.
  • Repeat often the duas.
  • Avoid sins.
  • Make good duas for others also.
  • Make duas during optimal moments.

In practice:

  1. Mention Allah by His attributes, make the link between your call and the attribute that corresponds (good reason to review the 99 names of Allah).
  2. Pray on the Prophet (SAWS) Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad.
  3. Make duas for one’s religion, this world (Dunya) and the Hereafter.
  4. Make duas for others.
  5. Say Ameen.
  6. Pray on the Prophet (SAWS) Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad.

Suitable moments for invoking Allah:

  • During prostration (sujood).
  • At the end of the prayer before or after the salutations.
  • After the adhan until Iqamah.
  • After ablutions.
  • During fasting.
  • At the time of breaking the fast.
  • In the middle of the night.
  • If you wake up during the night.
  • In the last third of the night .
  • Friday afternoon.
  • During travel.
  • While drinking water of Zamzam.