Islamic Commentary

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

Umar Ibn Al Khattab (MAPH) said to a man who was thinking of divorcing his wife:

“Why do you want to divorce her?” He said, “I do not love her.” ‘Umar (MAPH) said, “Must every house be built on love? What about loyalty and appreciation?”

He went on:

‘You men! When we marry, we give a serious promise to her. A woman gives birth to children and goes through hard times during her pregnancy. Then she suckles the baby and takes care all nights about her children, when they get sick or need anything. She sacrifices her beauty and youth by being a mother. How fair is it, when her husband leaves her when she is grown up? If she would have never have taken care of her home and family, instead of taking care of her body and beauty, her husband would say: “What a bad mother she is.” Where is the integrity and loyalty? Fear Allah regarding your behavior towards your wives.’

MAPH: may Allah be pleased with him

[Al-Bayan wa at-Tabayeen, 2/101; Fara’id al – Kalam, p.113]

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

1. The length of your life has already been decided upon, for everything takes places according to preordainment and decree. So there is no need to feel anxious in that regard.

2. The decision of how much sustenance any one of us receives is with Allah alone: no one else owns that sustenance or has the power to take it from you.

3. The past is gone and has taken with it its woes and miseries. It cannot return even if the whole of mankind worked as one unit to bring it back.

4. The future is from the unseen world and has not yet arrived. It brings with it matters, showing no regard to your permission or feelings, so do not call it forth until it actually arrives.

5. Doing good to others brings happiness to both the heart and the soul. A good deed provides greater benefits to the benefactor – in terms of blessings and recompense and peace – then it does to the receiver.

6. Among the noble qualities of the believer is that he doesn’t concern himself with spurious criticism. No one has been saved from curses and criticism (…).

La Tahzan (Don’t be sad)
By Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Translated by: Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq, 2nd ed. Riyadh 2005
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
ISBN Hard Cover: 9960-850-36-6
ISBN Soft Cover: 9960-850-44-7
Page 286

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

A wise man once said to his son, “My son, do not become resentful when you are afflicted with trials, for indeed that is tantamount to having bad thoughts about one’s Lord, and also, it gives pleasure to one’s enemy. Do not mock others, for indeed by Allah, every time I ever mocked anyone, I was afflicted in the same way as the person who I mocked. In this world, man is a target of arrows that come to him successively: some pass him by, some fall short, some fall to his right and others to his left, and some strike him. Know that for every deed, you are rewarded, and how you deal with others is how you will be dealt with. And whoever is dutiful to his parents, his children will be dutiful to him. Avoid greed and ambition, for both represent poverty in the present. Fear Allah as much as you are able. And if you are able to make today better than yesterday and tomorrow better than today and your secrets better than your outward deeds, then do so. Beware of deeds that you have to apologize for, for one never has to apologize for goodness. When you stand for prayer, perform the prayer of one who is saying farewell, as if you feel that you will never afterwards pray again (i.e., that you will die). Adhere to modesty, and you will be of its people. Do not inflict harm upon others; rather give them good, and forgive if you are able to. Do not be miserly if you are asked for something and do not tarry when one seeks help from you. Whoever is stingy, then Allah will make things narrow for him; and whoever gives, then Allah will give him a replacement for what he gave.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 141

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

Here is a story of Sheikh Mohammed Murte’ach who died in the year 328 (939-940).

The Sheikh said: “I made thirteen trips to the Kabah, but when I think about it I realized that everything I did was only for show. – How so? they asked him. – One day he said my mother had ordered me to bring her water in a jug, the task seemed difficult and heavy to me; I concluded that all my trips to the Kabah were pure acts of hypocrisy, since the rights of a mother on her son override many honors that we owe to the Kabah.”

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

This reminds me of a story of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). One morning, he entered Masjid al-Koofa to pray two voluntary units of prayer. Before entering, he found a boy standing at the door. He said to him. “O boy, restrain for me my mule until I finish praying.” As Ali was entering the Mosque, he made an intention to reward the boy with a dirham for his services. Meanwhile, the boy removed the noseband from the mule and rushed off to the marketplace to sell it. When Ali came out of the Masjid, he found no boy, but only his mule without its noseband. He commissioned a man to go after the boy and ordered him to go to the marketplace since it was more than likely that the boy would go there to sell the noseband. The man found the boy auctioning it in the market and he bought it from him for a dirham. He returned to Ali and informed him of what happened. After hearing what occurred, Ali said, “How perfect Allah is! By Allah, I intended to give him a lawful dirham, but he refused to take it other than in an unlawful way.”

And, [O Mohammad], you are not [engaged] in any matter or recite any of the Quran and you [people] do not do any deed except that We are witness over you when you are involved in it. And not absent from your Lord is any [part] of an atom’s weight within the earth or within the heaven or [anything] smaller than that or greater but that it is in a clear register. (Quran 10:61)

La Tahzan (Don’t be sad)
By Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Translated by: Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq, 2nd ed. Riyadh 2005
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
ISBN Hard Cover: 9960-850-36-6
ISBN Soft Cover: 9960-850-44-7
P416

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

Abdullah bin Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Indeed I hate to see a man idle, neither working for this world nor for the Hereafter.”

Hassan Basri (May Allah have mercy on him) said: “O son of Adam, indeed you are only but a number of days. Whenever a day passes, a part of you leaves with it.”

Hassan said: “I have met (pious) people who are more miserly with their time than they are with their wealth.”

Hassan also said in a sermon, “Do not let the temporary and little charms of this world distract you and entice you…and do not say tomorrow and tomorrow, for indeed you do not know when you will be heading to Allah.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 35

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

Sufyan ath-Thawrî on his deathbed recommended this advice to Ali b. al-Hasan as-Sullamî:

Always be sincere, do not commit lies, treachery, ostentation and pride; they are flaws that remove any benefits gained from the practice of doing good deeds. In religion, only take counsel from the man who faithfully observes his own religion and for a companion the one who turns you away from the earthly vanities. The idea of death always in mind, implore Allah’s forgiveness often; and throughout your life think of your salvation. Give pious advice to those who seek it. Do not abuse the trust placed in you by a believer, because, therefore, it is Allah Himself and His Prophet that you will betray. Flee arguments and disputes. Avoid what may give rise to doubt and hold on tight to the unbreakable certainties; at stake is your own salvation. Order good and forbid evil, you will then be loved by Allah. Place yourself in good standing with your conscience; the Lord will take care of establishing your reputation in the eyes of others. Accept apologies when they are given to you and do not hold grudges with your brothers in Islam. Renew relations with anyone that has cut relations with you; by forgiving their offenses you will raise yourself to the level of the companions of the Prophets. Put your trust in Allah in every circumstance, in public and in private. Fear Allah like the mortal that you are, to be resurrected and herded in front of the Almighty. Remember the alternative that awaits you: either the sublime Garden or the blazing Fire.

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

• You are ashamed in front of people who do not themselves have a clean face. Why would you not be ashamed, for once, before Allah?

• Allah puts a veil over your sins so that one day you will be ashamed. But who can say how long this privilege lasts?

• Is there anyone who has knocked on the door of Allah’s Mercy without receiving anything?

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

So verily, with the hardship, there is relief, Verily, with the hardship, there is relief. (Koran 94.6-7)

Eating follows hunger, drinking follows thirst, sleep comes after restlessness, and health takes the place of sickness. The lost will find their way, the one in difficulty will find relief, and the day will follow the night.

…Perhaps Allah may bring a victory or a decision according to His Will… (Koran 5.52)

Inform the night of a coming morning, the light of which will permeate the mountains and valleys. Give to the afflicted tidings of a sudden relief that will reach them with the speed of light or with the blinking of an eye.

If you see the desert extends for miles and miles, then know that beyond that distance are green meadows with plentiful shade. If you see the rope tighten and tighten, know that it will snap.

Tears are followed by a smile, fear is replaced by comfort, and anxiety is overthrown by serenity. When the fire was set for him, Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (PBUH) did not feel its heat because of the help he received from his Lord.

We (Allah) said: “O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim (Abraham)!” (Koran 21.69)

The sea would not drown Prophet Musa (Moses) (PBUH), because he uttered in a confident, strong, and truthful manner:

[Mûsa (Moses)] said: “Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.” (Koran 26.62)

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) told Abu Bakr (DAS) in the cave that Allah was with them:

Narrated Abu Bakr (MAPH): ‘I said to the Prophet (SAWS) while I was in the Cave: “If anyone of them looked around under his feet, he would see us.” The Prophet (SAWS) said: “O Abu-Bakr! What do you think of two (persons) the third of whom is Allah? (Bukhari) Source

then peace and tranquility descended upon them.

Those that are slaves of the moment see only misery and wretchedness. This is because they look only at the wall and door of the room, whereas they should look beyond such barriers as are set before them.

Therefore do not be in despair: it is impossible for things to remain the same. The days and years rotate, the future is unseen, and every day Allah has matters to bring forth. You know it not, but it may be that Allah will afterwards bring some new thing to pass. And verily, with hardship there is relief.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
PBUH: May peace be upon him
MAPH: May Allah be satisfied with him

La Tahzan (Don’t be sad)
By Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Translated by: Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq, 2nd ed. Riyadh 2005
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
ISBN Hard Cover: 9960-850-36-6
ISBN Soft Cover: 9960-850-44-7
Page 40

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

It is incumbent upon everyone to realize that death is hovering above us. At any moment, day or night, death can come. Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) expressed in lucid terms the reality of our life:

“The Hereafter is traveling towards us and this life is traveling away from us, so be from the children of the Hereafter and not from the children of this world. For today is action without reckoning (judgment), and tomorrow is reckoning without action.”

From this saying, we can learn how imperative it is for us to improve ourselves, to renew our repentance, and to know that we are dealing with Allah, Who is Most Generous and All-Powerful.

Death does not ask a person for permission prior to arrival, nor does it give one an early warning about its being on its way:

…No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily, Allâh is All­Knower, All­Aware (of things). (Koran 31.34)

Say: “The appointment to you is for a Day, which you cannot put back for an hour (or a moment) nor put forward.” (Koran 34.30)

Ash-Shaykh Ali at-Tantawi related a story that equally illustrates the unexpectedness of death. A bus full of people was moving when the driver suddenly pressed on the brakes. The passengers asked him what was wrong. He said, “I am stopping for this old man who is waving so that he can get on the bus.” They all said in wonder, “We do not see anyone.” He said, “Look at him over there.” They repeated that there was no one to be seen. He said confidently, “Now look, he is coming to get in.” Now the situation was beyond wonder, and they exclaimed, “By Allah, we don’t see anyone.” Then, in an instant, the driver died in his seat.

Thus death came to him in the most bizarre and unexpected of scenarios:

…When their term is reached, neither can they delay it nor can they advance it an hour [or a moment]. (Koran 7.34)

Man is cowardly when he faces danger; his heart begins to thump when the possibility of death arises, and then, without prior warning, he dies at a time when he feels most safe.

(They are) the ones who said about their killed brethren while they themselves sat (at home): “If only they had listened to us, they would not have been killed.” Say: “Avert death from your ownselves, if you speak the truth.” (Koran 3.168)

The strange thing is that we do not think about meeting Allah or about the transient nature of this life.

La Tahzan (Don’t be sad)
By Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Translated by: Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq, 2nd ed. Riyadh 2005
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
ISBN Hard Cover: 9960-850-36-6
ISBN Soft Cover: 9960-850-44-7
Page 426

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

They said: “Are you indeed Yûsuf?” He said: “I am Yûsuf (Joseph), and this is my brother. Allâh has indeed been gracious to us… (Koran 12.90)

I want you to pay attention to the following segment of the ayah. If you were to forget everything that we said in the story of Yusuf (peace be upon him) make sure you don’t forget this. Because this is the essence of the story of Yusuf. Keep in mind that this story was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) when? In Makkah. When in Makkah? In the year of sorrow, when Abu Talib passed away, Khadija (may Allah have Mercy on her) passed away and the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) found no one to support him with strength, his uncle Abu Talib. No one to support him financially, his wife Khadija. That was the year of sorrow. It was not only sorrow on the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) because he lost his uncle and he lost his beloved wife but because the dawah (of Islam) was already limited and now additional barriers were being erected in the face of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS). Before that the Messenger of Allah had strength since his uncle was providing him with an umbrella and his wife was comforting him at home. Now the Messenger of Allah has lost these two supporters and the heart of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) was filled with sadness and sorrow. Those moments that the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) was going through are unbearable. In those moments, the Messenger of Allah is receiving sura Yusuf. In this particular situation sura Yusuf is being revealed because that is what Koran is for

…Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby… (Koran 25.32)

So Koran was being revealed on the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) in the appropriate times, for the appropriate situations and to serve the appropriate purpose. So in that specific period of this year of sorrow, Allah reveals to the Messenger of Allah the story of Yusuf. It is the story of someone who went through difficulty, trials, misery, sorrow and sadness but then in the end

…Allâh has indeed been gracious to us… (Koran 12.90)

Why? Allah says in this segment of the ayah the essence of sura Yusuf:

…Verily, he who fears Allâh with obedience to Him (Taqwa – by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds), and is patient, then surely, Allâh makes not the reward of the Muhsinûn (good-doers – see V.2:112) to be lost.” (Koran 12.90)

If you have Taqwa and patience eventually you will win even after awhile. If you have taqwa and patience no matter what in the end you will be victorious. And you should have no doubt in that. Saidna Yusuf was victorious in the end, in dounia (this life) and in Ehkira (the Hereafter). It is not only in dounia. In dounia and in Ehkira. But it happened after awhile, it took awhile, it wasn’t swiftly on the same day, it took awhile. Therefore it needs patience. If you do not have patience you will not be able to survive the long road. So Allah is telling the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) that there is a lot struggling, there is a lot of striving but if you have patience and you have Taqwa in Allah, the Exalted, Allah will establish you on the land. There is no victory without patience.

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

Source:
Audio lecture “Lives of the Prophets”.
The full audio series may be downloaded here.

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

Near Temen, in the city of Darvan lived a man full of generosity, kindness, maturity and reason. His house was the meeting place of the disadvantaged, the poor and melancholy. He was accustomed in distributing a tenth of his crops.

When wheat became flour and they made bread, he distributed a tenth. Whatever the nature or amount of the crop, he did so, four times a year, similar distribution. One day, he gave this advice to his children:

“When I am dead, perpetuate this tradition so that Baraka is in your harvest. Fruit from the harvest comes from the Unknown because it is Allah who provides it. If you dispose properly from His bounty, the door of profit will open for you. As do the farmers who sow without delay a part of their harvest. Sometimes what is sown is more important than that what is grown. It doesn’t matter! They have trust! Similarly, the shoemaker goes without in order to buy leather because this is the source of his income. But the earth or leather are only veils. The true source of gain is what Allah offers us. If you return your gains at the source, you will get a return on your investment hundredfold. Imagine that you placed your gains where you thought is their source and that nothing grows for two or three years. There will be nothing left to do except to supplicate to Allah.”

“Remember, it is Allah who gives us joy, not wine or hashish. No real help will come to us from your uncles, your brothers, your father or your children. Know this: A day will come when they will move away from you and your friends will become your enemies. Throughout your life, all they did was block your way like idols.”

“If a friend leaves you with resentment, jealousy or anger, do not be sad. Instead, give out charity and thank Allah for it. It was due to ignorance that you were attached to this friend in the first place. But now that you have escaped his nets, seek therefore a true friend. A true friend is someone whose friendship doesn’t ever cool, not even by death.”

“Remember this: sow your seed on the land of Allah so that your crop is safe from thieves and disasters at any time, the devil always threatens you with poverty. Don’t become his prey. On the contrary, let us hunt him. It is not worthy that the sultan’s hawk is chased by a partridge.”

But this wise man sowed the seed of wisdom on a barren land. (…) So mesmerized by the idea of sacrificing a tenth of their earnings, many people forget the Baraka they would get by doing so.

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

Here is an anecdote of Ibrahim Edhem or rather Ibrahim ben Edhem ben Suleyman ben Mansour el-Balkhi. He was nicknamed Abu Izhaq. He died in the year 161 or 162 (778-779).

Ibrahim was asked: “How is it that in the Word (Quran), the Lord most High says: “…Invoke Me, I will respond to your (invocation)… (Quran 40.60); yet all that we ask for is not granted. Ibrahim answered: “You have on your tongues the name of the Lord most high, but you do not practice the works He prescribes, you do not adopt the traditions of the Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection). You recite the Quran, but you do not act according to its precepts. You enjoy the benefits that Allah grants, but you do not give thanks. Allah created an eternal Paradise for His obedient servants but you do nothing to try to achieve it. You know that Allah has created a Hell for His rebellious slaves, but you do not run away from it in horror. You know, Chaitan (Satan) is your enemy, and, far from being in a state of hostility towards him, you treat him as a friend. You also know that death is inevitable yet you do not practice the works of the Hereafter. You are not even able to learn from seeing what happens here in the dounia (this present world). Full of insight in discerning the faults of others, you do not see your own faults. How do you expect the prayers of people like you to be answered?”

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

Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said, “Spend, O Bilal, and do not fear from the Owner of the Throne to be given little.” Mamum said to Muhammad bin ‘Ibad Al-Mahlabi, “You spend extravagantly.” He answered, “To abstain from being generous is tantamount to having bad thoughts about the One Who is worshipped.” Allah (the Exalted) says:

“…And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.” (Quran 34:39)

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 105

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

In 1408, the newspaper al-Muslimun (issue number 181, dated Dhul-Hijjah 8, 1408 (July 21st, 1988)) related the following story: It is a real life story whose hero a Syrian doctor who was afflicted with cancer and who remedied it with charity. Dr. ‘Isa Marzuqi relates that he was afflicted with cancer, a fact that is attested by the most eminent of doctors in Damascus; the amazing thing is that he was cured through charity. After many of his colleagues lost hope of his cure, the said Doctor returned to the hospital to assume his duties. The doctor’s fiancée had refused to break off their marriage because of the sickness, and instead decided to wait patiently until he died. but instead of that happening he was saved. He later provided authenticated certificates from many eminent doctors that he had cancer in his left armpit; they also attested to the fact that later on, no traces of that cancer remained. In fact, the first doctor who diagnosed him said that at first, he had expected him to die after only a few days. Dr. ‘Isa Marzuqi later said that he applied the words of Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection):

“Remedy your sick ones with charity.”

With that statement he still had hope, and so when he found out about a house whose breadwinner had died many years before, he decided to give them all the wealth he had, even though it was only a small amount. He sent the money to the poor family through a friend of his, asking him to tell them that the money was from a man afflicted with a death threatening sickness and that he was seeking a cure by giving charity, hoping from help from Allah. The story ended with his cure, which perplexed many of the most skilled doctors in Syria. He later said that he chose that cure because he wanted to follow the way of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH). He also said however, that he did not leave off treatment through normal medical methods; he believed in the Divine Preordainment, but that belief does not mean that one should turn away from doctors, nor does it mean that one should not take the appropriate tangible steps that are needed to achieve a desired goal.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 155

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

Allah separated you from what you love, to teach you about the nature of this life.

Then Allah returned to you what you love, to teach you about the nature of the next.

Source: Internet Site

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

Many people, and not just non-Muslims, become resentful when they or someone they love is afflicted with a calamity. To be sure, many people around the world are afflicted with difficult hardships and trials. Upon contemplating the situation of many among them, I asked myself, “How perfect Allah is! Indeed, He is the most generous of all, and generosity necessitates forgiveness. Then why is it that so many people are being punished?” It did not take long for me to find the answer to that question, for I came to the realization that most people lead worthless lives: they do not contemplate the numerous signs that point to the oneness of Allah; they care not about Allah’ commands and prohibitions; instead, they live as beasts do, caring for nothing except for food, drink, pleasure, and sleep. And here I am not referring only to non-Muslims, for there are many Muslims who apply the teachings of Islam only when doing so is easy or in agreement with their desires; otherwise, they blindly follow their lusts, caring not about how they earned their wealth – whether it is from lawful or unlawful sources. If it is easy for them to pray, they will pray; otherwise, they will forsake compulsory prayers. Others among them perpetrate grave sins, without afterwards feeling any remorse or guilt. Thus I came to know that, for many people, the punishments, trials, and afflictions that befall them – however great they may be – are less severe than the severity of their sins. Upon suffering a calamity, one might call out, “Why did this happen to me?” Yet he forgets the many sins he perpetrated throughout his life. And in his old age, a man might suffer a great deal of humiliation, to the degree that, by just looking at him, people pity him; yet perhaps they do not know that he is just being punished for not having fulfilled Allah’s rights during his youth. So whenever you see one who is being punished, know that it is because of his sins.

“(What is the matter with you?) When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: “From where does this come us?” Say (to them), “It is from yourselves (because of your evil deeds).” And Allah has power over all things.” (Quran 3:165)

And this brings us to the point:

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 313

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

When you were born, you were crying and the people around you were smiling.

Live your life so that when you are dying, you are smiling and the people around you are crying.

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

Here is a saying of Hassan al-Basri, one of the Tabi’en (second generation after the Companions RA), born in the year 21 (641-642), died in the year 110 (728-729).

Hassan Basri said: “He is a wise man who takes care of his interests of the other life without worrying that his temporal prosperity is not damaged. Whoever knows the Lord Most High sees his love for Him increasing day by day; anyone who knows this fleeting world considers it an enemy. The intelligent man is one who puts a firm brake on his passions and holds the bridle with a firm hand. Take a good look at what happens to the affairs of this world for someone who dies, because they will be exactly the same for you after you die. It was out of love for the earthly world that the infidels worshiped idols.” And he added: “Whoever highly values gold and silver, the Most High Lord will cause him to fall into debasement at the end. Only order others what you yourself can do.” He also said: “Anyone who reports the words of others to you is able to relate your own words to others. Do not give access to such a character near your person. On the Day of Resurrection it will be necessary to give an account not only of all that one will have eaten oneself, but of all that one will have made to eat to his father, his mother or his grandchildren (…) For each prayer that you will make without meditation, the punishment will follow closely behind.”

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

By brooding over the past and its tragedies, one exhibits a form of insanity – a kind of sickness that destroys resolve to live for the present moment. Those who have a firm purpose have filed away and forgotten occurrences of the past, which will never again see light, since they occupy such a dark place in the recesses of the mind. Episodes of the past are finished with; sadness cannot retrieve them, melancholy cannot make things right, and depression will never bring the past back to life. This is because the past is non-existent.

Do not live in the nightmares of former times or under the shade of what you have missed. Save yourself from the ghostly apparition of the past. Do you think that you can return the sun to its place of rising, the baby to its mother’s womb, milk to the udder, or tears to the eye? By constantly dwelling on the past and its happenings, you place yourself in a very frightful and tragic state of mind.

Reading too much into the past is a waste of the present. When Allah mentioned the affairs of the previous nations, Allah, the Exalted said:

That was a nation who has passed away. (Quran 2:134)

Former days are gone and done with, and you benefit nothing by carrying out an autopsy over them, by turning back the wheels of history.

The person who lives in the past is like someone who tries to saw sawdust. Of old, they used to say: “Do not remove the dead from their graves.”

Our tragedy is that we are incapable of dealing with the present: neglecting our beautiful castles, we wail over dilapidated buildings. If every man and every jinn were to try jointly to bring back the past, they would most certainly fail. Everything on earth marches forward, preparing for a new season – and so should you.

La Tahzan (Don’t be sad)
By Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni
Translated by: Faisal ibn Muhammad Shafeeq, 2nd ed. Riyadh 2005
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
ISBN Hard Cover: 9960-850-36-6
ISBN Soft Cover: 9960-850-44-7
P30

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

Here is an anecdote of Sheikh Chaqiq Balkhi:

“On he who falls a decree of destiny must show resignation. Whoever, during trials, despairs and weeps is like a person who has seized a spear to fight against the Lord Most High.” He also said: “The root of piety is the fear of the Lord Most High and refraining from all that is forbidden. The failure of men is due to three reasons: One is that they commit sins and that they lull themselves in the hope of doing penance later, the other is that they are in no hurry to do penance, because they feel that they will live a long life, and the third is that many people on the pretext that Allah’s Mercy is great, die without doing penance after spending their days in heedlessness. The Lord Most High, at the moment of death, doubles the intensity of life for those of his servants who served faithfully, while Allah makes them similar to the dead, even during their lives, the bad servants who are addicted to sinning.” “What I like above all, he said, is to receive a guest in my home, because while the guest only eats what has been destined to him by Allah, I participate in the reward promised to those who give from their wealth.”

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

Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Beware of gluttony, it harms the body, brings disease and blocks the accomplishment of prayers. Look for moderation which is beneficial to the body, away from any excess because Allah the Exalted does not like the portly glutton. Man destroys himself if he prefers his passions over his Iman (faith). (Abu Naim)

The Compagnons of the Prophet (SAWS) (Hayat-Assahaba)
By Mouhammad Youssef Al-Kandahlawi – Volume II

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

A man went to Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and said, “O Ibn Abbas, I want to enjoin people to do good and forbid them from doing evil.” Ibn Abbas said, “And have you reached that level?” He said, “I hope that is so.” He said, “If you do not fear to be exposed by three Verses of Allah’s Book, then do so.” The man asked, “And what are they?” He mentioned this Verse:

“Enjoin you Al-Birr (piety and righteousness and each and every act of obedience to Allâh) on the people and you forget (to practise it) yourselves…” (Quran 2:44)

And then asked, “Have you applied the implications of this Verse?” He said, “No.” Ibn Abbas then mentioned the second Verse:

“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)

After that he asked, “Have you applied the implications of this Verse?” He said, “No.” He then mentioned the third Verse regarding Shuaib (Peace be upon him):

“…I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you…” (Quran 11:88)

And then he asked, “Have you applied the implications of this Verse?” He said, “No.” Ibn Abbas said, “Then begin with yourself.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 205

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

Somebody asked a scholar once about how their parents were encouraging them to buy a house on interest otherwise they’d be poor.

So the scholar answered:

“Allah will never put the secret of success in something that Allah forbade or has made haram.”

So if anybody ever tells you that you’ll only become wealthy if you deal in interest (riba), then they have lied to you. They have lied to you out of ignorance or for whatever reason because Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala will never put success in something that Allah has made haram. If you do see some people being successful with it, they’re being set up and you’re being set up. Their success will be in the short-term with failure, sadness and loss in the long-term. It’s a test from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.

This applies to everything in life, money, relationships, health etc…

“Allah will never put the secret of success in something that Allah forbade or has made haram.”

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

The divine decree related to the believer is always a bounty, even if it is in the form of withholding (something that is desired), and it is a blessing, even if it appears to be a trial, and an affliction that has befallen him is in reality a cure, even though it appears to be a disease!

Unfortunately, due to the ignorance of the worshipper, and his transgressions, he does not consider anything to be a gift or a blessing or a cure unless he can enjoy it immediately, and it is in accordance with his nature. If he were only given a little bit of understanding, then he would have counted being withheld from as a blessing, and the sickness as a mercy, and he would relish the trouble that befalls him more than he relishes his ease, and he would enjoy poverty more than he enjoys richness, and he would be more thankful when he is blessed with little than when he is blessed with a lot.

Imam ibn al Qayyim rahimahullah
Madarij al-Salikin 2/215-216

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

Imam Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

“Allah, Glory and Purity to Him, imposed on the goods of the rich enough to feed the poor. A poor man only feels hunger because of an enjoyment of a rich person and Allah, the Exalted, will account them for it.”

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

Hasan Basri (one of the Tabi’en) said: “Woe to him, of the sons of Adam who puts his complacency in this world, where we must account for the use of legitimate things and where there is a punishment for the forbidden things! Whenever dies a son of Adam, he will leave with three regrets:

1. Never having been sated in accumulating the goods of this world;
2. Never having found satisfaction for the desires that were in his heart;
3. Not having properly prepared the provisions for the other world.”

Someone said: “Such a person is dying”. Hasan Basri would exclaim: “But it has now been seventy years that he has been dying; today he will be delivered from this effort.”

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

There will be Duas you make that won’t manifest when you want them to…

That doesn’t mean it’s an unanswered Dua…

There are 2 critical points I’d like you to understand…

The first is… Allah answers ALL Duas. It comes in one of 3 ways:

1. Yes.
2. Yes, but not yet.
3. Yes, I have something better for you.

The second critical point is this…

When the answer is “Yes, but not yet”, here’s why…

If you wanted to strengthen your upper body for weight lifting, a trainer would start with your lower body.

To get your upper body ready, you need to be stable, to plant your feet in the ground.

Likewise, for you to be ready for some duas, Allah wants you ready for it…

Put another way, a seed can’t produce fruit right away. It has to first grow roots, strength its trunk, grow its branches and then finally the fruits.