Hadith ~ Generosity in the month of Ramadhan

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

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) was the most generous of all the people and he used to reach the peak of generosity in the month of Ramadhan when Gabriel (Peace be upon him) used to meet with him, and Gabriel used to meet him every night of Ramadhan to teach him the Koran. Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) was the most generous person in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds).’ (Bukhari)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 202, Page 804, Number 663

Commentary ~ A Simple Approach to complete the Quran once a Month

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

Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “The most blessed of deeds is that which is done consistently, even if it is a minute one.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Brother Muslim, the Quran is made up of thirty parts, like the month. One should read one part of the Quran every day so that it can be completed in its entirety in one month. Furthermore, each part consists of twenty pages. If one were to read four pages during the daily obligatory prayers, it would facilitate the completion of one part every day. See, brother Muslim, how much good escapes us because we do not know how to organize our lives? When you practice this habit with regularity, you will not only be one of the guided ones, but you will also find profound pleasure and fulfillment in a consistent act of worship. You will also see the benefit and reward in a small act done continuously, as opposed to much done at irregular intervals.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 43

Commentary ~ From the Piety of Abu Hanifah

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

Abu Hanifah and a man from Basrah were partners in a business. On one occasion, Abu Hanifah sent 70 expensive garments to him, sending with them a note which read: “One of them is defective, and it is such and such garment, so when you sell it, make sure that you point out the defect.” The man sold it for 30,000 dirhams and when he came with the money to Abu Hanifah, the latter asked, “Did you point out the defect?” He said, “I forgot.” Abu Hanifah took nothing from the profit, but instead gave it all in charity.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 124

Hadith ~ Take into consideration

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

Narrated Amr ibn Awf (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘The Prophet (SAWS) said to Bilal ibn Al-Hareth: “Take into consideration.” Bilal said: “What should I take into consideration Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet (SAWS) said: “Verily, he that revives a Sunna (a practice) of mine that people have neglected after my death, would have its reward and a reward equal to those who acted upon it, without decreasing theirs by aught. And he that innovates an evil practice that Allah and His Messenger (SAWS) do not approve, would have its punishment and a punishment equal to the punishment of those who acted upon it, without decreasing theirs by aught.'” (At-Termizi)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 19, Page 255, Number 129

Ayaat 30-33 ~ At-Taubah (The Repentance)

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

Listen to Recitation

30. And the Jews say: ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allâh, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allâh. That is a saying from their mouths. They imitate the saying of the disbelievers of old. Allâh’s Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth!

31. They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allâh (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allâh), and (they also took as their Lord) Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded [in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)) to worship none but One Ilâh (God – Allâh) Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) . Praise and glory be to Him, (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him).”

32. They (the disbelievers, the Jews and the Christians) want to extinguish Allâh’s Light (with which Muhammad (SAWS) has been sent – Islâmic Monotheism) with their mouths, but Allâh will not allow except that His Light should be perfected even though the Kâfirûn (disbelievers) hate (it).

33. It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth (Islâm), to make it superior over all religions even though the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) hate (it).

Sura 9. At-Taubah (The Repentance)

Ayaat 8-76 ~ Ta-Ha

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

Listen to Recitation

8. Allâh! Lâ ilâhla illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! To Him belong the Best Names.

9. And has there come to you the story of Mûsa (Moses)?

10. When he saw a fire, he said to his family: “Wait! Verily, I have seen a fire, perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom, or find some guidance at the fire.”

11. And when he came to it (the fire), he was called by name: “O Mûsa (Moses)!

12. “Verily! I am your Lord! So take off your shoes, you are in the sacred valley, Tuwa.

13. “And I have chosen you. So listen to that which is inspired to you.

14. “Verily! I am Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As­Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) for My Remembrance.

15. “Verily, the Hour is coming and My Will is to keep it hidden that every person may be rewarded for that which he strives.

16. “Therefore, let not the one who believes not therein (i.e. in the Day of Resurrection, Reckoning, Paradise and Hell, etc.), but follows his own lusts, divert you therefrom, lest you perish.

17. “And what is that in your right hand, O Mûsa (Moses)?”

18. He said: “This is my stick, whereon I lean, and wherewith I beat down branches for my sheep, and wherein I find other uses.”

19. (Allâh) said: “Cast it down, O Mûsa (Moses)!”

20. He cast it down, and behold! It was a snake, moving quickly.

21. Allâh said:”Grasp it, and fear not, We shall return it to its former state,

22. “And press your (right) hand to your (left) side, it will come forth white (and shining), without any disease as another sign,

23. “That We may show you (some) of Our Greater Signs.

24. “Go to Fir’aun (Pharaoh)! Verily, he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience, and has behaved as an arrogant, and as a tyrant).”

25. [Mûsa (Moses)] said: “O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness).

26. “And ease my task for me;

27. “And make loose the knot (the defect) from my tongue, (i.e. remove the incorrectness from my speech) [That occurred as a result of a brand of fire which Mûsa (Moses) put in his mouth when he was an infant]. [Tafsir At-Tabarî, Vol. 16, Page 159].

28. “That they understand my speech,

29. “And appoint for me a helper from my family,

30. “Hârûn (Aaron), my brother;

31. “Increase my strength with him,

32. “And let him share my task (of conveying Allâh’s Message and Prophethood),

33. “That we may glorify You much,

34. “And remember You much,

35. “Verily! You are of us Ever a Well-Seer.”

36. Allâh said: “You are granted your request, O Mûsa (Moses)!

37. “And indeed We conferred a favour on you another time (before).

38. “When We inspired your mother with that which We inspired.

39. “Saying: ‘Put him (the child) into the Tabût (a box or a case or a chest) and put it into the river (Nile), then the river shall cast it up on the bank, and there, an enemy of Mine and an enemy of his shall take him.’ And I endued you with love from Me, in order that you may be brought up under My Eye,

40. “When your sister went and said: ‘Shall I show you one who will nurse him?’ So We restored you to your mother, that she might cool her eyes and she should not grieve. Then you did kill a man, but We saved you from great distress and tried you with a heavy trial. Then you stayed a number of years with the people of Madyan (Midian). Then you came here according to the fixed term which I ordained (for you), O Mûsa (Moses)!

41. “And I have Istana’tuka, for Myself.

42. “Go you and your brother with My Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and do not, you both, slacken and become weak in My Remembrance.

43. “Go, both of you, to Fir’aun (Pharaoh), verily, he has transgressed (all bounds in disbelief and disobedience and behaved as an arrogant and as a tyrant).

44. “And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allâh.”

45. They said: “Our Lord! Verily! We fear lest he should hasten to punish us or lest he should transgress (all bounds against us).”

46. He (Allâh) said: “Fear not, verily! I am with you both, hearing and seeing.

47. “So go you both to him, and say: ‘Verily, we are Messengers of your Lord, so let the Children of Israel go with us, and torment them not; indeed, we have come with a sign from your Lord! And peace will be upon him who follows the guidance!

48. ‘Truly, it has been revealed to us that the torment will be for him who denies [believes not in the Oneness of Allâh, and in His Messengers, etc.], and turns away.'(from the truth and obedience of Allâh)”

49. Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “Who then, O Mûsa (Moses), is the Lord of you two?”

50. [Mûsa (Moses)] said: “Our Lord is He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it aright.”

51. [Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] said: “What about the generations of old?”

52. [Mûsa (Moses)] said: “The knowledge thereof is with my Lord, in a Record. My Lord is neither unaware nor He forgets, “

53. Who has made earth for you like a bed (spread out); and has opened roads (ways and paths etc.) for you therein; and has sent down water (rain) from the sky. And We have brought forth with it various kinds of vegetation.

54. Eat and pasture your cattle, (therein); verily, in this are proofs and signs for men of understanding.

55. Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.

56. And indeed We showed him [Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] all Our Signs and Evidences, but he denied and refused.

57. He [Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] said: “Have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Mûsa (Moses)?

58. “Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof; so appoint a meeting between us and you, which neither we, nor you shall fail to keep, in an open wide place where both shall have a just and equal chance (and beholders could witness the competition).”

59. [Mûsa (Moses)] said: “Your appointed meeting is the day of the festival, and let the people assemble when the sun has risen (forenoon).”

60. So Fir’aun (Pharaoh) withdrew, devised his plot and then came back.

61. Mûsa (Moses) said to them: “Woe unto you! Invent not a lie against Allâh, lest He should destroy you completely by a torment. And surely, he who invents a lie (against Allâh) will fail miserably.”

62. Then they debated with one another what they must do, and they kept their talk secret.

63. They said: “Verily! These are two magicians. Their object is to drive you out from your land with magic, and overcome your chiefs and nobles.

64. “So devise your plot, and then assemble in line. And whoever overcomes this day will be indeed successful.”

65. They said:”O Mûsa (Moses)! Either you throw first or we be the first to throw?”

66. [Mûsa (Moses)] said: “Nay, throw you (first)!” Then behold, their ropes and their sticks, by their magic, appeared to him as though they moved fast.

67. So Mûsa (Moses) conceived a fear in himself.

68. We (Allâh) said: “Fear not! Surely, you will have the upper hand.

69. “And throw that which is in your right hand! It will swallow up that which they have made. That which they have made is only a magician’s trick, and the magician will never be successful, no matter whatever amount (of skill) he may attain.”

70. So the magicians fell down prostrate. They said: “We believe in the Lord of Hârûn (Aaron) and Mûsa (Moses).”

71. [Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] said: “Believe you in him [Mûsa (Moses)] before I give you permission? Verily! He is your chief who taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you on the trunks of date-palms, and you shall surely know which of us [I (Fir’aun ­ Pharaoh) or the Lord of Mûsa (Moses) (Allâh)] can give the severe and more lasting torment.”

72. They said: “We prefer you not over the clear signs that have come to us, and to Him (Allâh) Who created us. So decree whatever you desire to decree, for you can only decree (regarding) this life of the world.

73. “Verily! We have believed in our Lord, that He may forgive us our faults, and the magic to which you did compel us. And Allâh is better as regards reward in comparison to your [Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh)] reward, and more lasting (as regards punishment in comparison to your punishment).”

74. Verily! Whoever comes to his Lord as a Mujrim (criminal, polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allâh and His Messengers, sinner, etc.), then surely, for him is Hell, therein he will neither die nor live.

75. But whoever comes to Him (Allâh) as a believer (in the Oneness of Allâh, etc.), and has done righteous good deeds, for such are the high ranks (in the Hereafter),

76. ‘Adn (Edn) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), under which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever: such is the reward of those who purify themselves [(by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds) which Allâh has forbidden and by doing all that which Allâh has ordained)].

Sura 20. Ta-Ha

[1]: Audio lecture on Pharaoh and his people can be found here.

Commentary ~ Truth and Lying

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

Allah (the Exalted) says in the Noble Quran about the basic qualities of a believer:

“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allâh that you say that which you do not do.” (Quran 61:2-3)

Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) was asked, “Can a believer be a miser?” He said, “Yes.” He was asked, “Can a believer be a coward?” He said, “Yes.” And he was asked, “And can a believer be a liar?” He said, “No.”

It has been related that a man went to Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, indeed I do three sins in secret: (I drink) alcohol, fornication and lying. So inform me which of them I should abandon.” He said, “Leave off lying.” The man went away, and later desired to fornicate, but he thought to himself, “I will go to the Messenger of Allah and he will ask me whether I fornicated? If I say yes, he will punish me. And if I say no, I will have broken the covenant and lied.” So he abstained from fornicating, and the same occurred regarding alcohol. He returned to Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, indeed I have abandoned all of them.”

My brother, do you not see then, that lying is the root of every wicked deed, and it leads to all other sins. You will not see anyone more miserable and wretched than the liar, and disbelief is the most severe kind of lying, for it is lying upon Allah (the Exalted).

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 26

Commentary ~ The Story of a Woman and Her Children

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

Aishah (May Allah be satisfied with her) said: A woman came to me with her two children, asking for help. All that I could find with me was a single date. I gave it to her and she divided it into two, giving half of the date to each of her two daughters, herself abstaining from eating anything from it. I left her, and when Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) came to me, I informed him of what happened. He said, “Whoever is put to trial with daughters in any way, but then does good by them, they will be a barrier between him and the Hellfire.” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and At-Tirmidhi)

This Hadith and others like it give cause for joy to every mother and father who have been blessed with a daughter, for through that daughter, they are shown a way that leads to Paradise.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 70

Hadith ~ Is not from me

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

Narrated Anas ibn Malek (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (SAWS) to ask what acts of worship he performs. When they were informed about this, they considered their worship to be insufficient and said: “How far we are from the Prophet (SAWS) and his past and future sins have been forgiven.” Then one of them said: “I will forever offer prayer the whole night through.” The other said: “I will observe fasting for a whole year and I will not break my fasting.” The third said: “I will keep away from women and will never marry.” Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) came to them and said: “Are you the people who said such and such? By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him than you. Yet I observe fasting and break fasting. I offer prayer and I also sleep, and I marry women. So he who does not follow my Sunna (legal ways) in religion is not from me (i.e. he is not one of my followers)” (Bukhari)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 14, Page 228, Number 107

Ayaat 102-108 ~ Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)

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

Listen to Recitation

102. O you who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islâm (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allâh.

103. And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur’ân), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allâh’s Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islâmic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allâh makes His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided.

104. Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islâm), enjoining Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.

105. And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment.

106. On the Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) when some faces will become white and some faces will become black; as for those whose faces will become black (to them will be said): “Did you reject Faith after accepting it? Then taste the torment (in Hell) for rejecting Faith.”

107. And for those whose faces will become white, they will be in Allâh’s Mercy (Paradise), therein they shall dwell forever.

108. These are the Verses of Allâh: We recite them to you (O Muhammad ) in truth, and Allâh wills no injustice to the ‘Alâmîn (mankind and jinns).

Commentary ~ The Wife of the Caliph Nurses a Pregnant Woman

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

As was his custom, ‘Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), the Leader of the Believers, went out at night to look after the needs of the people and to make sure that everyone was safe. As he passed by an open area in Al-Madinah, he heard the moans of a woman coming out from a small and shabby house, at the door of which was a man seated. ‘Umar greeted him and asked him how he was. The man said that he was from the desert and had come, seeking to reap some generosity from the Leader of the Believers. ‘Umar asked him about the woman and the moaning noises, and the man, not knowing that he was speaking to the Leader of the Believers, said, “Go away, may Allah have mercy on you, and do not ask about that which does not concern you.”

However ‘Umar persisted in asking the same question, offering to help if he could. And so the man informed him, “Indeed she is my wife, who is about to give birth, yet there is no one here to help her.” ‘Umar left the man, returned to his house in a hurry, entered, and said to his wife, Umm Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with her), “Will you take reward that Allah has brought to you?” She said, “And what is that goodness and reward, O ‘Umar?”

No sooner did he inform her of what happened than she stood and took all that she needed to help the woman deliver her baby and all that the newborn would need as well. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Believers took a pot and with it some fat and grains. He and his wife hurried off together until they reached the same shabby house. While Umm Kulthum went in to help the pregnant woman, the Leader of the Believers remained outside with the husband, and cooked the food that he brought with him.

From inside the house, Umm Kulthum called out, “O Leader of the Believers, give glad tidings to your companion that Allah has provided him with a young boy.” The man was amazed to find out that it was the Leader of the Believers who was seated with him and who was cooking food with him; and the wife was shocked to learn that it was the wife of the Leader of the Believers who came to meet her and help her in her shabby house.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 110

Hadith ~ A man of the rightful dwellers of Paradise

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

Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘Once we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (SAWS). He said: “There will appear before you a man of the rightful dwellers of Paradise.” Anas said: ‘A man of Al-Ansar appeared before us. He was shaking off water from his beard after performing the ablution carrying his sandals in his left hand. He greeted us.’ The following day, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said the same and that man appeared once again. On the third day, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said the same and that man appeared once again.’ When the Prophet (SAWS) left, Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-Ass followed the man. He said to him; ‘I have had some words with my father and swore not to stay in my house for three nights. Please let me accompany you for the three nights. The man accepted. Abdullah spent three nights with the man. He observed that the man did not perform the night prayer (he performed the obligatory prayer Ishaa but not the voluntary prayers) but whenever he rolled over from side to side while sleeping, he used to glorify Allah. He did not get up except for the Dawn prayer (Fajr). Abdullah said; ‘I did not hear him saying anything but good. After the three nights had passed and I was about to contempt what he had used to do (of the minimal acts of worship), I said to him; ‘O servant of Allah! There was nothing between my father and me, but I have heard the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) saying such and such about you, so, I wanted to see what you do. I did not see you doing much goodness. What has raised you to such a rank?’ The man said; ‘It was only what you have seen. When I went out, the man called me and said; ‘It was only what you have seen. But I do not envy a Muslim for what Allah has given him.’ Abdullah said to him; ‘Nothing made you reach that rank except this. And not all of us are able to do so.’

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 250, Page 1008, Number 865

Hadith ~ Easy for the tongue

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

Narrated by Abu-Horaira (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “There are two expressions that are very easy for the tongue to say, but they are very heavy in the balance and are very dear to the Beneficent (Allah), and they are: ‘Subhan Allah Al-Azim’ and ‘Subhan Allah wa Bihamdihi’.” (1) (Bukhari 415, Vol.8)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 225, Page 888, Number 767

Ayaat 212-216 ~ Al-Baqarah (The Cow)

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

Listen to Recitation

212. Beautified is the life of this world for those who disbelieve, and they mock at those who believe. But those who obey Allâh’s Orders and keep away from what He has forbidden, will be above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allâh gives (of His Bounty, Blessings, Favours, Honours, etc. on the Day of Resurrection) to whom He wills without limit.

213. Mankind were one community and Allâh sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed. And only those to whom (the Scripture) was given differed concerning it after clear proofs had come unto them through hatred, one to another. Then Allâh by His Leave guided those who believed to the truth of that wherein they differed. And Allâh guides whom He wills to a Straight Path.

214. 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 and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allâh?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allâh is near!

215. They ask you (O Muhammad) what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred and orphans and Al­Masâkin (the poor) and the wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allâh knows it well.

216. Jihâd (holy fighting in Allâh’s Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows but you do not know.

Sura 2. Al-Baqarah (The Cow)

Commentary ~ The Believer is not stung from the same Hole twice

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

After the Battle of Badr, Abu ‘Azzah Al-Jumahi, a poet, was a prisoner in the hands of the Muslims. He was from Quraish and through his poetry he would incite battle against the Muslims. After his capture, he said to Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), “Indeed, I am poor and I have many dependents that are needy and you know this, so please have mercy upon me and may Allah have mercy upon you.” The Prophet (SAWS) did so and released him. Before the Battle of Uhud[1], Safwan bin Umaiyyah, one of the leaders of the Quraish, said to the poet before they were to fight the Muslims, “O Abu ‘Azzah, indeed you are a poet, so help us with your words to incite men to battle.” Abu ‘Azzah replied that the Prophet (SAWS) had bestowed a favor upon him by giving him his freedom and he did not wish to go against that kindness. Safwan said, “Help us and if you return alive from this battle, I will make you rich and if you are struck down, I will make your daughters partners with my daughters in my wealth.” So, Abu ‘Azzah went forth with them and was taken as prisoner by the Muslims for a second time. Again he pleaded with the Prophet (SAWS) asking to be pardoned. The Prophet (SAWS) said to him, “By Allah, your cheeks will not touch Makkah and you will not be able to say that indeed, you have deceived Muhammad twice. Indeed the believer is not stung from the same hole twice. O Zubair, strike his neck!” Zubair struck his neck and he was killed.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

[1]: Audio lecture on the lessons from the Battle of Uhud can be found here.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 57

Hadith ~ Meet my brothers

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

Anas Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: I wish that I could meet my brothers. The Sahabah asked: Are we not your brothers? He replied: You are my companions, but my brothers are those who will believe in me without having seen me. (Ahmed)

Muntakhab Ahadith
Compiled by Muhammad Yousuf Kandhlavi
Publisher: Annayyar
Chapter 1, Page 14, Number 26

Commentary ~ The Many Guises of Backbiting

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

Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said that there are those from the people that backbite or listen to backbiting, and they do so to please the company they keep, with the awareness that the victim is likely to be innocent of some of the things that are uttered about him. Often such offenders feel that if they were to attempt to end such conversation in a gathering, their presence might become unwelcome or burdensome.

There are many methods and guises that are employed when one mentions another in a negative way.

Under the pretense of being informative, one could say that it is not one’s habit to mention others, except for the sake of relating another’s condition to someone.

Or one could state that by Allah, indeed so-and-so is one to be pitied, thereby showing superiority over one who is to be rejected.

Another method might be to say that so-and-so is a good person; however, he has such and such qualities. Again, one is justified in revealing another’s faults.

One could also simply state that we should forget so-and-so, and make supplication for their forgiveness as well as our own, intending only to belittle the one that was mentioned.

In reality, all these tactics are designed to try to deceive Allah (the Exalted) and to please the creation; and in reality, the many that follow these methods only serve to deceive themselves.

Then there are those that backbite to raise their own status.

When they hear of someone’s error, they employ words like, “Had I prayed for so-and-so last night in my prayer, the news of their sin would not have reached my ears.”

Again, when a person states of another that he lacks understanding in a matter, the implication is personal superiority for the one that mentions the other’s shortcoming.

There are also those that couple jealousy with backbiting – the act of being critical or belittling to those that are praised in the company of others.

Some people also backbite for the sake of humor, playfulness and lightheartedness. A person finds a certain amount of satisfaction from being appreciated for his story-telling abilities; speaking ill of someone in a humorous fashion adds flavor to a tale.

Others engage in backbiting by showing surprise and amazement at another’s actions: “‘How is it that someone could do such a thing?”

Yet others mention people and their actions with the pretense of sympathy for their actions or misfortunes. In reality, the one who backbites actually finds contentment and satisfaction at the mention of others and their misdeeds.

Another form of backbiting is relating someone’s misfortune to their enemies, so that they, too, may find pleasure in putting them down.

From these examples, one can surmise that backbiting pertains to a disease of the heart… May Allah save us from this most evil of actions and protect us from its temptations.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 54

Hadith ~ The seven great destructive sins

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

Narrated Abu-Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him); ‘The Prophet (SAWS) said: “Avoid the seven great destructive sins.” The people enquired; ‘O Allah’s Messenger! What are they?’ The Prophet (SAWS) said: To join others in worship along with Allah, to practise sorcery, to kill the life that Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law), to eat up usury, to eat up the orphan’s wealth, to show one’s back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting, and to accuse the chaste women, who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers.” (Bukhari).

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 268, Page 1046, Number 905

Hadith ~ The sweetness of faith

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

Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “Whoever possessed these three (qualities) would have the sweetness (delight) of faith. The one to whom Allah and His Messenger (SAWS) become dearer to him than anything else, the one who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah’s sake, and the one who would hate to convert to atheism (unbelief) as he would hate to be thrown into the fire.” (Termizi)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 44, Page 358, Number 196

Commentary ~ A Confession

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

My story is plain enough, nothing strikingly poignant about it, but I tell it to you so that perhaps you can learn from my mistake. My marriage began as a very happy union between my husband and me. We weren’t rich, but we were contented with what we had, and we had a daughter whom we both loved dearly. In the early stages of our marriage, we would put our daughter to sleep, and we would then pray, glorify Allah, and recite the Quran.

One day, we checked our savings and realized that we had saved a considerable sum of money, and so I suggested to my husband that we should buy interest-bearing shares, the proceeds of which we could definitely use to help our daughter later on in life. We invested all that we had, including the money I made from selling all of my jewelry. After only a short time passed, the prices of the shares plunged, we went bankrupt, and we were left with many debts. We came to learn the hard way that:

“Allah will destroy Riba (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqat (deeds of charity, ominous, etc.).” (Quran 2:276)

During one of the difficult nights that followed, I got into a huge argument with my husband and demanded that he divorce me. He then screamed out, “You are divorced from me… you are divorced from me!” Both my child and I cried, and through many tears, it was this that was constantly going through my mind: We were joined together through obedience to Allah, and we then became separated through disobedience to Him.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 257

Ayaat 17-22 ~ Ar-Rum

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

Listen to Recitation

17. So glorify Allâh [above all that (evil) they associate with Him (O believers)], when you come up to the evening [i.e. offer the (Maghrib) sunset and (‘Ishâ’) night prayers], and when you enter the morning [i.e offer the (Fajr) morning prayer].

18. And His is all the praises and thanks in the heavens and the earth, and (glorify Him) in the afternoon (i.e. offer ‘Asr prayer) and when you come up to the time, when the day begins to decline (i.e offer Zuhr prayer). (Ibn ‘Abbâs said: “These are the five compulsory congregational prayers mentioned in the Qur’ân).”

19. He brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living. And He revives the earth after its death. And thus shall you be brought out (resurrected).

20. And among His Signs is this, that He created you from dust, and then, – behold you are human beings scattered!

21. And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.

22. And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.

Sura 30. Ar-Rum

Commentary ~ A Mother’s Advice to Her Daughter prior to Marriage

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

Harith bin ‘Amr, the king of Kindah, proposed to marry the daughter of ‘Auf bin Muhillim. Her mother said to her the following words on the day that she was to be taken to her husband:

“My daughter, if advice were to be left off to those of virtue, I would have abstained from advising you, but good advice is a reminder to the heedless and a helper to the wise. If a woman didn’t need a husband because of the richness of her parents and because of their great need for her, then you would have been the richest of people in that regard; however, women were created for men and men were created for women.

My daughter, you are indeed leaving this house that you have been raised in, leaving to go to a man that you do not know and to a partner that you are not used to. Be a slave to him and he will become your slave, and preserve for him 10 qualities:

1,2) Be sincere toward him by being always satisfied with your condition, and be obedient to him.

3,4) Be careful about his eyes and his nose: do not let him see you in a bad state and do not let him smell from you any odor except the most fragrant odors.

5,6) Look after the time of his sleep and the time of his meals, for the continued state of hunger makes one weak and restless sleep leads to anger.

7,8) Protect his wealth and look after his family – the key to wealth is good estimation, and the key to the family is good planning.

9,10) Never disobey his command and never spread his secrets – the former embitters his heart and the latter will make you unsafe from his betrayal.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 192

Commentary ~ Preface From “Islam the misunderstood religion” by Muhammed Kutub

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

The majority of the modern “educated” people are today faced with a religious crisis. Is religion really a fact of life? It might have been one in the past, but does it still remain so in the world of today when science has changed the whole course of life, and when there is no place in it for anything save science and what scientific facts approve of? Does religion represent a genuine need of humanity? Or is it something wholly dependent upon the temperamental constitution of an individual so that one may not believe in it as there is no difference between the two states of belief and unbelief?

Talking about Islam they betray a similar state of intellectual crisis when the missionaries of Islam tell them that Islam is not a mere creed, nor does it represent simply an edification of souls, or a refinement and training of human virtues but it is rather a harmonious whole that also includes a just economic system, a well-balanced social organization, codes of civil, criminal as well as international law, a philosophical outlook upon life along with physical instruction, all of these flowing from the same fundamental creed of Islam and its moral and spiritual temperament. When they hear all this, these “educated” people are greatly perplexed, for they supposed that Islam had since long ceased to exist as it has become outmoded and had exhausted all its usefulness. That is why they are surprised when they hear devout Muslims saying that Islam does not belong to a remote past, it is not obsolete or antiquated but it is a living and flourishing system of life even at the present moment, as it holds within itself such elements of life as no other system known to humanity does including socialism as well as communism or any other system.

(…)

Before proceeding further let us, however, pause awhile and see as to who these “educated” skeptics are? Whence does their skepticism originate? Is this attitude of mind a result of their own free thinking or are they merely parroting the words of others without even so much as understanding them?

The fact is that the skepticism exhibited by these gentlemen is not a result of their own independent thinking, nor did it originate in their own minds as such. For its true source we will have to go back a little over the history of modern times.

The middle ages witnessed crusades between Europe and the world of Islam. Furious battles were fought between the two after which followed a period that saw a suspension of hostilities between the two camps but their hostility towards each other never ended as is well borne out by what Lord Allenby said in clear terms on the occasion of the British occupation of Jerusalem in World War I: “Now have the crusades come to an end!”

We must also keep in mind that during the last two centuries European imperialism remained in conflict with the Islamic Orient. The British stepped into Egypt in 1882 following Taufiq’s treachery. They hatched a plot with him for the military occupation of Egypt in order to thwart the popular revolution under the leadership of Orabi. Thereafter the British policy of necessity revolved around one basic aim: strengthening their hold more and more on the Islamic world and safeguarding their interests from being swept away by the true Islamic spirit of the Orient. We would in this respect like to refer to what the British Prime Minister of the Victorian age, Mr. Gladstone said in the House of Commons. Holding up the Holy Koran in his hands he told the members of the House: “So long as the Egyptians have got this book with them, we will never be able to enjoy quiet or peace in that land”.

Naturally the policy pursued by the British was one of deriding Islamic laws and principals, of exiling the sense of sanctity from Muslim’s hearts, and of painting Islam in the blackest of colors so as to make them look down upon it and in due course of time to discard it totally. They did all this in order to tighten up their imperialistic grip on this country.

The educational policy they adopted in Egypt was such as left the students quite ignorant about the reality of Islam, except that it was a religion embracing worships, prayers, praising and glorifying God, and pursuing mystic practices; that the Koran was a book read to invoke God’s blessings and that Islam was a theoretical invitation to pursue the noblest and most generous of moral precepts. Students were never told anything about Islam as a socio-economic system of government or as a constitution, or as a basis of internal and external policy, or as a system of education, or as a way of life and a watcher of life. What they were taught instead was the doubts cast against Islam by the orientalists and other European crusaders in order to make the Muslims forsake their religion and succumb easily to the evil machinations of imperialism.

They were taught that the only genuine social system in existence was that which Europe possessed, the only true economic system was one that was conceived by the European philosophers, the right and most appropriate form of constitutional government was what the Europeans, thanks to their various experiments, evolved. They were taught that the rights of man were first taken cognizance of by the French Revolution, that democracy was fostered and made popular by the English people, and that it was the Roman Empire that provided any basis of civilization. In short, the British depicted Europe as a rebellious but might giant with none to stand in its way or check its progress whereas they presented the East as a dwarfish underling with no standing of its own save that of subordination to Europe and complete dependence upon it for its social and cultural outlook.

This political policy at last took effect. Among the Egyptians there sprang up generations who were shorn of any thought of their individuality or independent cultural existence. They were completely enthralled by Europe; they worshipped it most devotedly; they could neither see with their own eyes nor were they any more left capable of thinking for themselves; they would see just what the Europeans wanted them to see; and they thought what they wished them to think.

The “educated” intelligentsia of today represents as such the culminating point of what the imperialists with the political maneuvers achieved in this country.

These poor people know nothing about Islam but doubt. About Islam they have no information save what they received through their European masters. That is why they are seen shouting like them advocating the separation of religion from the state and of science from Islam.

But in their ignorance they pass by the fact that the religion that Europe shook off was quite different from what the advocates of Islamic ideology call upon people to adopt; and that the particular circumstances that prevailed in Europe at the time made it turn its back upon religion were confined to that region of the world only. Nothing of the sort ever happened in the Islamic orient; nor is there any likelihood of its ever happening there. Thus when they call upon their countrymen to discard Islam or declare that Islam should have no say in the management of social, political and economic affairs of community and life, they are merely expressing and parroting the imported thoughts of their masters.

Europe was the scene of a conflict between religion and science, because the church there had arbitrarily embraced certain theories and dogmas (inheriting them from Greece) and insisted that they were sacred and gospel truth. So when the theoretical and the empirical science demonstrated the errors and fallacy of these theories, the people there had no other course but to believe in science and disbelieve in the church as well as in the religion these churchmen stood for. The war between religion and science gained in intensity and the enthusiasm to get free from the dominance of these religious men increased as the church in Europe conferred upon itself divine power and proceeded to enforce it in a most tyrannical manner. Thus for the people there religion came to signify and abominable ghoul that harassed them in their working no less than in their sleeping hours. It exacted from men costly extortion and reduced them to an abject state of subordination to the churchmen, besides calling upon them to swallow nonsense and superstitions in the name of God. The torturing of scientists and burning them alive because they said, for instance, that the earth was round, was the ugliest of crimes that made it a sacred duty of every sensible, free-thinking and conscientious individual there to come forward and help the forces that sought to destroy this abominable ghoul or at least put it in chains so as not to let it ever again harass and oppress the people besides harming the cause of religion by misrepresenting it and making others feel as if religion contained nothing but falsehood and untruth.

But what about us, we who live in the Islamic East? Why should we separate science from religion or hold that the two are at variance and war with each other? Is there even a single scientific fact which has been found to contradict Islam and its basic creed? Were scientists ever subjected to persecution in the domain of Islam? The whole history of Islam is before us. It testifies that there have been great doctors, astronomers, mathematicians, physicists as well as chemists but never were they persecuted for their views. There is no trace of conflict between science and their religious beliefs to be found in the minds of these great Muslim scientists. Nor did there exist any hostilities between them and the ruling authorities such as might have led to their suffering or burning alive.

What is it then that makes these “educated” people plead for separation of religion from science, for attacking Islam and finding faults with it without any understanding or knowledge of it? Their feverish crying is nothing but a symptom of the poison that had been administered to them by the imperialists, of course, without their knowing it.

This class of the “educated” elite was not at all in my mind when I wrote this book. They would never return to what is right until their masters in the West also do towards it after despairing of their godless materialistic civilization and recognize that it can bring no salvation, and so return to a system of life that is at once spiritual as well as practical – a system embracing belief no less than life at once and at the same time.

I had rather another class before me in writing this book – the sincere and enlightened youth, who earnestly wish to find out the reality, the truth, but the doubts and lies spread about Islam by the deceitful imperialistic powers leave them helpless to see the light, or the answer to those lies, and so they are left groping about in darkness, for the slaves of imperialism and the devils of communism would not let them march out to the right path – the path to freedom, honor and sublimity. It is to this enlightened and sincere group of young men that I present this book and hope that it may please God to help me dispel doubts about Islam from their minds.

Hadith ~ The food for two people

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

Narrated Abu-Huraira (May Allah be satisfied with him): ‘Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “The food for two people is sufficient for three, and the food for three people is sufficient for four people.'” (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 60, Page 437, Number 251

Commentary ~ An observation

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

…This contrast can be explained by the observation of the eminent Islamic Historian, Ibn Khaldun. He stated that, it is natural for the conquered subjects to look up to their conquerors for solutions to their problems. The defeated will naturally seek to identify the causes of their defeat and often attribute it to their way of life (ideology). Hence, the result is either reformation or abandonment of their ideology. Either route will lead to a level of emulation of the conquerors ideology. Thus, the reformist movements began to imitate the West by approving the imposed European model of nation states and eventually deserted the concept of an unified Islamic State…

Commentary ~ The Sermons of the Wise

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

Ali bin Abi Talib (May Allah be satisfied with him) said, “I advise you with five… None of you should hope except from His Lord and none of you should fear except his sin, and none should be shy (when faced with a question) to reply humbly with ‘I do not know.’ And none should hesitate to acquaint themselves with the matter that they are ignorant about. One should know that patience to Iman is like the head to a body: if the head is cut off, the body perishes as well. Also whoever desires richness without having wealth and abundance and without having a large clan, then let him turn from the depravity of sin to the honor of serving Allah.”

Hasan said, “Whoever fears Allah, He will make all things fear him. And whoever fears people, Allah will make him fear everything.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 79

Commentary ~ Advice for Every Ruler

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

Harun Rasheed requested a sermon from one of the pious scholars. He said, “O Caliph, for you to accompany a person who makes you afraid of the Hereafter is better than one who gives you safety here, only to have you face fear on the Last Day. Know that the person who reminds you of your responsibility to your flock is more sincere to you than one who comforts you with knowledge that you are of the noble family of the Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) and forgiven for your sins (which is not true!).” Harun Rasheed began to weep at these statements until those around him felt pity for him.

*Note: This commentary applies to all of us in his/her own domain of authority i.e. The father/mother towards his/her spouse and children etc…

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 116

Hadith ~ Which deed is the dearest to Allah?

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

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas’oud (May Allah be satisfied with him): I asked the Prophet (SAWS): “Which deed is the dearest to Allah?” He replied: “To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times.” I asked: “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied: “To be good and dutiful to your parents.” I again asked: “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied: “To participate in Jihad (fighting for Allah’s cause).” Abdullah added: ‘These were told by Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) and if I had asked more, he would have told me more.’ (Bukhari)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 179, Page 722, Number 565

Hadith ~ Until I love him

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

Narrated Abu-Huraira (May Allah be satisfied with him): Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Allah said: ‘I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave draws near to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing the optional acts of worship (besides what is obligatory) until I love him. When I love him, I become the sense of hearing with which he hears, the sense of sight with which he sees, the hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me for anything I will give it to him, and if he asks for My protection (Refuge) I will protect him (take him in My Protection), and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint 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 47, Page 363, Number 201

Ayaat 51-56 ~ Al-Ma’idah (The Table Spread with Food)

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

Listen to Recitation

51. O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.

52. Those in whose hearts is a disease – thou seest how eagerly they run about amongst them, saying: “We do fear lest a change of fortune bring us disaster.” Ah! perhaps Allah will give (thee) victory, or a decision from Him. Then will they regret of the thoughts which they secretly harboured in their hearts.

53. And those who believe will say: “Are these the men who swore their strongest oaths by Allah, that they were with you?” All that they do will be in vain, and they will fall into (nothing but) ruin.

54. O ye who believe! If any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him,- lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things.

55. Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messenger, and the believers,- those who establish regular prayers and pay Zakat, and they bow down humbly (in worship).

56. As to those who turn (for friendship) to Allah, His Messenger, and the believers,- it is the party of Allah that must certainly triumph.

Sura 5. Ma’idah