Islamic Commentary

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

Shu’bah and Qatadah related from Yunus bin Jubair, who said that he and his companions visited Jundub and said to him, “Give us some advice.’ He replied, “I advise you to fear Allah. I advise you to adhere to the Qur’an – for it is light in the darkest of nights and it is guidance during the day. Apply it… and if a trial, such as poverty, comes to you, give precedence to your religion over wealth. If that trial worsens, continue to put your religion before your wealth and your soul, for indeed the only one who is destroyed is the one whose religion is destroyed; the one who is poor is the one who has lost his religion. Know that there is no poverty after Paradise and there is no richness after the Hellfire.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 42

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

The life of a Muslim must stand on seven foundations: adherence to Allah’s Book, following the way of Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection), eating that which is lawful, refraining from harming others, staying away from sins, repenting frequently, and fulfilling the rights of others. In the past and present, the great Islamic jurists of this nation have confirmed that the Muslim’s life must be based on the aforesaid foundations. Brother Muslim, you must remain firm upon those seven comprehensive foundations – by the Will of Allah – until the day you die.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 147

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

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (rahimahuAllah), in his book Ad-Da’ Wad-Dawa’, said that surely sins are like the seeds of fruits that always bear like fruits. Some of our pious predecessors have said that indeed the punishment for committing a sin is that one is compelled to commit sin again, and the reward for committing a good deed is the guidance to follow that up with yet another good deed. This singular action of doing a good deed bears a series of good deeds and in turn one’s profits multiply. Similarly bad deeds beget more bad deeds and begin to take shape and permanence in one’s character.

If a righteous person were to leave a good deed, he would feel confined and constricted, though he lives in a world of vast magnitude. Much like a fish out of water, the soul finds rest only in the tides of moral decency. So, it is the same for the sinner, who finds comfort only in the familiarity and repetition of an old sin. He, too, feels the same sense of longing as the righteous person does. He sins not for the pleasure that is derived from it, but to pacify the pain that being away from it brings.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 32

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

Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) went to Ash’ath to console him upon the death of one of his sons. He said, “If you are sad, then you are deserving of mercy, but if you are patient, then Allah gives you something in place of what was lost or destroyed. And know if you are patient, everything that was destined for you and preordained for you will occur and you will be rewarded. If you complain and are hopeless, then likewise all that was destined for you will occur, except that you will be blamed for your impatience at Allah’s Will.”

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

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

Hasan Basri advised some of his students admonishing them about avoiding the state of being proud. He said:

1) Do not deceive yourself into becoming too proud because you are in a good or righteous environment, for there is no place that is better than Paradise, and our father, Adam (peace be upon him), experienced there what is known to all.

2) Do not become proud merely because you worship often, for consider what happened to Iblis (Satan) after he spent a great deal of time worshipping.

3) Do not think yourself great because you have met with righteous people, for there is no man more righteous than the Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection), yet the disbelievers and hypocrites did not benefit by simply knowing him.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 182

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

The rightly-guided ruler Umar bin Abdul-Aziz – who was also considered to be an Islamic jurist – said in his last sermon: “O people, indeed, you have not been created without a purpose and you will not be left alone without being held accountable. And you have a final destination, where Allah will judge among you. He will indeed be the loser who is outside of Allah’s Mercy, which comprehends all things. He is the loser who will be forbidden from Paradise, whose width is as the heavens and the earth. Know that safety tomorrow is for he who fears his Lord and sells a small amount to achieve abundance – for he who sells that which is perishing for that which shall remain… I say this to you, though I do not know of anyone among you who has more sins than me, and I ask Allah to forgive both me and you.” Such was the humility of good doers who were practicing Muslims. And indeed Allah’s Mercy is near the good doers.

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
P148

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

You should feel reassured in that you have a Lord Who is just.

Allah, the Exalted, admitted a woman into Paradise because of a dog and another into the Hellfire because of a cat. The first was a prostitute from the children of Israel; because she once gave drink to a thirsty dog, Allah forgave her and admitted her into Paradise. This was a just recompense for her sincerity in doing a good deed, for her sincerity to Allah. The second was a woman who confined a cat to a room. She neither fed it nor gave it drink; by confining the cat, she prevented it from eating insects in the fields, and so Allah made her enter the Hellfire.

The story of the first woman is one that brings coolness to the heart, because it makes one know that Allah gives great rewards for small deeds.

So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it. (Koran 99.7-8)

…Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds. That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice). (Koran 11.114)

So help the grief-stricken, give to the poor, aid the oppressed, visit the sick, pray over the dead, guide the blind, give comfort to the afflicted, guide the misguided, and be generous to both guest and neighbor. All of these are deeds of charity, deeds that not only help the receiver of your kind acts, but that also help you by giving you comfort and peace.

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 297

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

…Allah is pleased with them and they with Him… (Koran 5.119)

Contentment bears many blessed fruits. More than anything else, by being contented with that which is decreed, one is able to soar to the highest levels of faith and truthfulness.

Some might wish for only good to befall them, for only pleasant things to occur in their lives, but that is not what being Allah’s slave means. Many of the true believer’s characteristics, which include patience, total dependence, contentment, humbleness, and submission of one’s will, only become manifest when one is confronted with something that one dislikes. So being pleased with that which has been decreed does not mean being contented with only those things that suit one’s disposition; the real gauge for true contentment are those times when one goes through a painful situation. And it is not for the slave to dictate the terms of preordainment; he can be happy or discontented and it makes no difference except that by being discontented, he is sinning. Human beings do not have much choice in regards to Divine decree: the choice and decision thereof belong only with Allah. He is All-Knowing and Most High.

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 349

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

“If you’re in prayer, take care of your heart; if you’re eating, take care of your throat; if you’re in another man’s house, take care of your eyes; if you are among people, take care of your tongue. Remember two matters and forget two matters: Remember Allah and death; forget any good that you have done to another and any evil that was done to you by another.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 190

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

One night, while the night guard of the caravan slept, thieves came and plundered all the goods of the merchants. When they awoke, they saw that their wealth and their camels had all disappeared. They went to the night guard for accountability. The night guard answered:

“Thieves came hidden under blankets and they took everything!

– But why did you not intervene?

– I was alone and they were numerous and armed to the teeth!

– But if you did not have enough force to push them back, you had to call us!

– They showed me their swords saying, “Shut up or you’re dead!” I was so afraid that I could not scream. But if you want, I can scream now!”

It serves no purpose to recite prayers once the accursed Satan has ruined your life in the Hereafter.

And it will be said: “This Day We will forget you as you forgot the Meeting of this Day of yours. And your abode is the Fire, and there is none to help you.” (Quran 45.34)

Await they just for the final fulfillment of the event? On the Day the event is finally fulfilled (i.e. the Day of Resurrection), those who neglected it before will say: “Verily, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth, now are there any intercessors for us that they might intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back (to the first life of the world) so that we might do (good) deeds other than those (evil) deeds which we used to do?” Verily, they have lost their ownselves (i.e. destroyed themselves) and that which they used to fabricate (invoking and worshipping others besides Allâh) has gone away from them. (Quran 7.53)

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

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

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

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

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

Sa’eed bin ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him) said to ‘Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), “Indeed, I advise you with words that are taken from the comprehensive precepts of Islam. Fear Allah in how you deal with people and do not fear people with how you are with Allah. Let not your speech be contrary to your actions, for indeed, the best of speech is that which is in accordance with action. Love those Muslims that are near to you and those that are far, as you love yourself and your family. Do not fear blame or hardship in your quest for what you know to be true.”

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

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

Abud-Darda (May Allah be satisfied with him) said: “The signs of the ignorant one are three: self-conceit, much talk in that which does not concern him, and forbidding others from something he himself commits.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 179

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

We often look around us and see two matters that are confusing to some: the pious person whose supplications seemingly go unanswered, and the wicked person or the disbeliever whose supplications are answered.

First, let us consider the situation of the righteous believer who constantly supplicates, though his supplications go unanswered. Such a person must realize that he is being tested and that he must be patient. He must remember the saying of the Prophet (SAWS), “The slave [of Allah] continues to remain in a good situation as long as he does not hurry – by saying, ‘I supplicated, but I have not been answered.” Next, he must reflect on his situation: Are his food, drink, and clothing lawful and lawfully derived? Is there a sin from which he did not repent? Or is his heart in a state of heedlessness when he invokes Allah? If he arrives at a negative answer to any one of these questions, then he must rectify his situation. (…)

Even if one comes up with positive answers to the above-mentioned questions, he must take a number of matters into consideration. First, life is a test; and to pass the test that one is going through, one must be both patient and thankful. The Prophet (SAWS) said, “Wonderful is the affair of the believer: indeed, his affair in its entirety is good, and that is for no one save the believer. If goodness befalls him, he is thankful, and that is good for him. And if harm afflicts him, he is patient, and that is good for him.”

Second, one might supplicate for something that he ardently desires, but by achieving that thing, he might end up sinning or losing out on something he may otherwise have gained. (…) And how often is it that we long for things that are bad for us, and through His Mercy and Wisdom, Allah prevents us from achieving those things.

“…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. Allah knows but you do not know.” (Quran 2:216)

Third, when a believer is in need, he turns to Allah, asking Him for help; now, whether he is answered immediately or not, he is, by supplicating to Allah, performing an act of worship, for which he will be rewarded. It is often the case that one who is leading an easy life forgets Allah and the Hereafter. Such a person might need a hardship to wake him up and to make him remember his purpose in life. It is related that Yahya (peace be upon him) once cried a great deal, and then when he fell asleep, he spoke to his Lord during a dream. He said, “O my Lord, how much indeed I have invoked You, yet You do not answer me?” He said, “O Yahya, indeed I love to hear your voice [when you invoke Me for help].”

Fourth, one must remember the following saying of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS): “No Muslim prays with a supplication that involves neither sin nor the breaking off of family ties, except that Allah gives him for it one of three things: either He hastens [the answer to] his supplication (i.e., He answers it in this world), or He saves it for him for the Hereafter, or He wards off from him evil that is equivalent (i.e., equivalent in degree to the good that he asked for).”

Now let us consider the opposite situation, that of the disbeliever whose supplications are answered. When we look around us, we will find no shortage of examples of people who, despite being wicked and evil, are materially well off. We must realize that such people are taking their paltry share in this life, saving nothing for the Hereafter. When a disbeliever refuses to change his ways and rejects the message of Islam, then as a reward for his haughtiness and cockiness, Allah might give him much in terms of material possessions and worldly comfort, thus leading him further and further away from the straight path. That is why one should never feel a false sense of security when he is successful in life, for Allah gives both to the righteous and to the wicked, and when He gives to the wicked, He does so in order to lead them away from the straight path. Therefore, even when things are going well for a believer, he should not become self-complacent; rather, he should hope for Allah’s Mercy, yet at the same time he should fear Allah’s punishment. Driven by fear and hope, the believer constantly strives to better himself and to reach safety in the Hereafter.

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 302

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

Imam Muhammad ibn Sirin said:

“If somebody related something about your brother find for him an excuse.

And if you do not find an excuse, then say, “Maybe my brother has an excuse”.”

[Abu ach-Cheikh al-Asbahani]
Source: Website

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

I contemplated the way some people, some of whom I have lived with for years, deal with others. I do not ever recall them laughing, or even smiling at a joke out of courtesy, or reacting positively to the person speaking to them. I used to think that perhaps this was how they were nurtured and that they were unable to alter their nature. I was therefore stunned one day to see some of them with a group of rich and powerful people, laughing and being courteous. I then realised that they only did this for their own personal interests and are thereby losing out on great rewards from Allah.

A believer worships Allah by being well-mannered and dealing pleasantly with all, not to attain status or wealth, or for people’s praise, or to get married, etc., but only so that Allah may love him and make him beloved to His creation. Yes! Whoever considers exercising good manners as worship will deal courteously with everyone, be he rich or poor, a manager or a tea-boy. If one day a poor cleaner on the street stretches out his hand for you to shake it, and then another day a director of some company stretches his hand out in the same way, will you treat them equally? Will you welcome them both, and smile at them equally?

The Prophet (SAWS) would certainly treat them both equally in terms of welcoming them and showing them sincere conduct and compassion. Who knows, perhaps the one you may belittle and look down upon might actually be better in Allah’s sight than he who you look up to and show honour and respect to. The Prophet (SAWS) said, “The most beloved of you to me, and the closest of you to me on the Day of Resurrection are the best of you in manners.” (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The Prophet (SAWS) also said to al-Ashaj bin ‘Abd Qays, “You have two qualities that Allah and His Messenger love.” What are these two qualities? Praying at night? Fasting all day? Al-Ashaj became overjoyed and said, “What are the two qualities, O Messenger of Allah?”

The Prophet (SAWS) said, “Forbearance and patience.” (Ahmad and Muslim)

The Prophet (SAWS) was asked about piety, and he replied, “Piety is to show good manners.” (Muslim)

The Prophet (SAWS) was asked about the deed on account of which most people will enter Paradise, The Prophet (SAWS) said, “Fear of Allah and good manners.” (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The Prophet (SAWS) said, “The most complete in faith are those best in their character, those who are easy to socialise with, and those who get along with others and others get along with them. There is no good in the one who cannot get along with others and others cannot get along with him.” (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The Prophet (SAWS) said, “There is nothing heavier in the scales than good manners.” (Abu Dawud, Sahih)

The Prophet (SAWS) said, “A person by his good character reaches the rank of the one praying at night and fasting all day.” (al-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

The one who improves his character becomes successful in both worlds. Consider the incident of Umm Salamah – may Allah be pleased with her – when she sat with the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) and thought about the Hereafter and what Allah had promised her.

She said, “O Messenger of Allah! A woman might be married twice in this world. When she and her husbands die and they all enter paradise, who is she going to be with?”

What did The Prophet (SAWS) say in response? That she will be with the one who prayed the longest? Or the one who fasted the most? Or the most knowledgeable of them? No! Rather, he (SAWS) said, “She will be with the best of them in character.” Umm Salamah was surprised. When the Prophet (SAWS) noticed this, he said, “O Umm Salamah! Good character makes one successful in this life and the next.”

Yes! The best of both worlds. He achieves the best of this world by earning people’s love, and the best of the next by gaining immense reward. No matter how much good a person does, his good deeds would always be marred by bad character. Once it was mentioned to the Prophet (SAWS) that a certain woman prayed, fasted, gave in charity and did many other righteous deeds, but at the same time harmed her neighbours by her words (i.e., she was bad mannered). The Prophet (SAWS) replied, “She will be in Hell.”

The Prophet (SAWS) was the best example to follow in every aspect of character. He was the most generous, the bravest, the most forbearing, and more bashful than a virgin. He was the most truthful and trustworthy person, as the disbelievers will bear witness to even before the believers, as will the sinners before the righteous. So much so that Khadijah – may Allah be pleased with her – said to the Prophet (SAWS) when he first received revelation, “Allah shall never subject you to any indignity, for you always maintain your ties with those of your kin, and you are always generous in giving; you are diligent, and you pursue what others regard as a lost cause; you calm the heart of your guest, and you lend your support to those who seek justice and redress.” As a matter of fact, Allah’s words in his praise are something we will continue to recite until the Last Day,

“And verily, you (O Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character.” (Koran 68.4)

The Prophet’s character in its entirety was the Qur’an. When he recited, “Be good, for Allah loves those who are good” he was good to the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the noble and the weak. When he heard Allah’s words, “Forgive and overlook…” he forgave and overlooked. When he recited, “Speak well to the people…” he spoke well to all.

If the Prophet (SAWS) really is our example, then let us study his life carefully, and in particular how he would deal with others, rectify their faults, bear their harms with patience, tire himself at their service, and call them to guidance. One day he was seen helping a poor person, the next making peace between two Muslims, the next calling the disbelievers to Islam, and so on, until he grew old and his bones became weak. ‘A’ishah – may Allah be pleased with her – said while describing the Prophet (SAWS), “Most of his prayers, when he grew old, he offered sitting.” Can we guess why? She explained, “Because the people had completely exhausted him.”

The Prophet (SAWS) was so eager to improve his character that he would pray to Allah, “O Allah, just as you have beautified my physical being, beautify my character.” (Ahmad, Sahih) He (SAWS) also would say, “O Allah, guide me to the best of manners, for none guides to them except You. Protect me from bad manners, for none can protect me except You.” (Muslim)

Hence, we are in need of emulating the Prophet (SAWS) in his character when we deal with Muslims so that we may win them over, and when we deal with the non-Muslims so that we can educate them about Islam.

A hint…
Purify your intention so that your interpersonal skills can turn into acts of worship, with which you can draw closer to Allah.

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

Enjoy your life
Dr. Muhammad ‘Abd Al-Rahaman Al-Arifi
Translated by: Saleem Beg
Edited By: Nasim Chowdhury
Published By: Darussalam
P86

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

A story has been related about a man who one day sat with his wife to eat barbecued chicken. A beggar then knocked on the door, and when the man went to answer it, he scolded the beggar and drove him away. It was the Will of Allah that afterwards that same man should become poor and should be bereft of all material possessions; because of his poverty, he had to divorce his wife. She married another man, and one day she was sitting with him to eat a barbecued chicken, when someone knocked on the door. The man said to his wife, “Give this chicken to the man at the door.” When she opened it, she was shocked to realize that it was her first husband. She gave him the chicken and returned, crying. Her husband asked her what was the matter, and she informed him that the man at the door was her previous husband. She then told him about the story of the beggar that her previous husband had scolded and sent away, and her husband said, “By Allah, I was that beggar.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 117

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

Here is an anecdote told by the famous “Prince of Travelers” Sheikh Abu Abdullah Mohammed, better known as Ibn Battouta. This story comes to us from the 12th century.

In the Bekaa Valley in Syria, is the tomb of Abu Youssef Yacoub. It is said that in Damascus, he obtained a job working as a guard in an orchard belonging to the Sultan Nour Eddine. When the fruit harvest season came, the king accompanied by his first steward visited the garden that he was guarding. The guard Abu Youssef was ordered to go pick some pomegranates for the monarch. When he brought them, the steward took one of the fruits, broke it in half and ate a small quantity of the pale pink seeds. He made a frown of disgust, grumbled and spat while saying: “These fruits are sour, go and pick some more and try to choose better this time!” Abou Youssef promptly complied and then returned, laden with pomegranates larger than the first batch. The steward tasted them again but he made another frown that said that this second tasting was even worse than the first tasting. The steward got very angry and shouted at the guard: “It has been more than six months now that you have been assigned to guard this orchard and you do not know yet how to distinguish what is sour from what is sweet?” To which the honest guard replied: “Did you hire me to watch over the fruits or to eat them?”

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

Whoever wants the good life – sufficient provision, peace of mind, health, etc. – should strive to do good deeds, performing them only for Allah. Allah said:

“If they (non-Muslims) had believed in Allah, and went on the Right Way (i.e., Islam) We should surely have bestowed on them water (rain) in abundance.” (Quran 72:16)

In a Qudsi Hadith, the Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) related that Allah said, “Had my slaves obeyed Me, I would have provided them with rain during the night, caused the sun to rise upon them during the day, and I would not have made them listen to the sound of thunder.”

Abu Sulaiman Ad-Darani, one of the most eminent of scholars during his time, said, “Whoever makes pure [his intentions and deeds], then his life is made pure [and good] for him. Whoever does the opposite, then his life is made bitter and spoiled for him. Whoever does good deeds in the night is provided for during the day. And whoever does good deeds during the day, is provided for during the night.” It is related about a Shaikh that he would go from one gathering to another, stopping at each gathering only to make this announcement: “Whomsoever it pleases to remain in a state of safety, health, and prosperity, then let him fear Allah.” Al-Fudail bin ‘Iyad, a well-known scholar of the first century, said, “Whenever I disobey Allah, I perceive the effects of that [sin] in the treatment I receive from my riding animal and my female servant.” Whenever you are going through a difficult situation in life, try to remember some blessing for which you were not thankful, or some sin from which you have not repented. Allah said:

“Verily! Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah).” (Quran 13:11)

“None has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers.” (Quran 21:87)

“So We answered his call, and delivered him from distress. And thus We do deliver the believers (who believe in the Oneness of Allah, abstain from evil and work righteousness).” (Quran 21:88)

“And they said: “Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).” (Quran 3:173)

“So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them.” (Quran 3:174)

“And my affair I leave to Allah.” (Quran 40:44)

“So Allah saved him from evils that they plotted (against him)” (Quran 40:44)

“That which Allah wills (will come to pass)! There is no power but with Allah.” (quran 18:39)

“It was better for you to say, when you entered your garden: “That which Allah wills (will come to pass)! There is no power but with Allah.” (Quran 18:39)

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
Page 315

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

Jubayr bin Noufayr (MAPH) says: “When Cyprus was conquered, its inhabitants were separated from each other and lamented with one another. Abu Ad-Darda (MAPH) sat alone weeping. I approached him and said: “O Abu Ad-Darda, why are you weeping in a day when Allah made powerful Islam and the Muslims”? “Woe to you”, he replied, “nothing is easier to Allah than those who neglected His orders. This is a nation that was strong and victorious and enjoyed a great kingdom who have become humiliated and defeated because they had abandoned the teachings of Allah.” (Reported by Abu Naim).

MAPH: May Allah be pleased with him

The Companions of the Prophet (Hayat-Assahaba)
By Muhammad Youssef Al-Kandahlawi – Volume II
Translated by Fawzi Chaaban
Publisher: Dar El Fikr – Beirut / Lebanon

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

Golden words of Imam Ali (May Allah be pleased with him):

Greed is a shame, cowardice an abasement and poverty mutes the intelligent man who wants to advance his arguments. The indigent is a stranger in his own town. Being incapable is a calamity. Patience is a form of courage. Detachment from material goods is a fortune and scrupulous fear of Allah is a shield (against the fire of Hell).

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

Ibn Qayyim (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “When the slave wakes up as the night encloses him and his only concern is Allah and how to please and obey Him, then Allah takes upon Him to fulfill all of his needs and remove from him all that causes him anxiety. Allah also makes his heart free to love Him only, his tongue free to remember Him only and his body free to serve Him only. However, when a slave of Allah wakes up when the night encloses him and his main concern is the world, Allah will make him bear the burdens of its anxiety, grief and hardship. Allah will entrust him to his own self and He will make his heart busy, sealing it from His love since it will be preoccupied with love for creation. Allah will keep his tongue from His remembrance because it will be engaged with His creation; his body will be kept from obedience since it will be enslaved by its desires and services. And he will toil like a beast of burden toils in the service of another. And all who turn away from the worship, obedience and love of Allah, will be put into trial with the worship, service and love for creation.” Allah (the Exalted) says:

And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allah) (i.e. this Qur’an and worship of Allah), We appoint for him Shaitan (Satan ­ devil) to be a Qarîn (an intimate companion) to him. (Koran 43.36)

Ibn Qayyim continues to say: “Seek out your heart in three situations: first, when you are listening to the Qur’an; second, when you are part of a gathering of remembrance; third, when you are alone and away from the world and it’s distractions. If you cannot find your heart in these three situations, then ask Allah to bestow upon you a heart, for indeed you are bereft of one.”

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
P208

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).

It is said that someone came to find Ibrahim and said to him: “O Ibrahim I have done to myself much harm, give me advice.” — Hear now my advice and do six things:

• When you have committed a sin, deprive yourself of eating the food that the Lord Most High gives you. – But I could never do that interrupted the other. – What! Ibrahim replied. Is it just that you always enjoy the resources that the Lord Most High provides you, while you do not serve Him and you do not stop offending Him?

• If you are about to commit a sin, get out from the Lord Most High’s kingdom. – But the man said, His kingdom extends from east to west; how do I get out? – Well, stay there then, but renounce sinning and no rebel no more.

• When you go to sin, put yourself in a place where the Lord Most High does not see you. – But you cannot hide one single act from Him. – Well then, said Ibrahim, is it acceptable that you live on food that He provides you, that you live in His kingdom and commit bad deeds under His eyes?

• When the Angel of Death will come to claim your soul, tell him: “Give me respite; I will do penance”. – But how can the Angel of Death hear such a proposal? – If so, said Ibrahim, then do penance now, so as not to repent when the Angel of Death comes.

• Once in your last home (grave), push away from your person the Angels Munkir and Nekir (the two angels that will question us in our graves). – But I cannot do that. – Ok then it is necessary to practice good works to be able to answer these two interrogators.

• On the Day of Resurrection, when a Sovereign Order commands to drive the sinners to Hell, say you will not go. – That is enough, Ibrahim, you have told me enough.”

And he did penance.

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

It has been related that during the time of Musa (Moses) (PBUH), the Children of Israel were afflicted with a drought. The people went to Musa (PBUH) and said, “O one who has spoken to Allah, invoke your Lord to provide us with rain.” He, accompanied by the people, went out to the desert; they numbered 70,000 or more. Musa (PBUH) supplicated for rain and for Allah’s Mercy, but nothing happened, except that the sky seemed to be even drier and the sun seemed more oppressive with its heat.

Musa (PBUH) was surprised and asked his Lord for the reason behind that. Allah inspired to him, “Indeed, among you is a slave who has been challenging Me with sins for the past forty years. Call out to the people until he comes out from among them, for because of him you were prevented (from rain).” Musa (PBUH) said, “My Lord, I am a weak slave and my voice is weak. How can my voice convey (to them) when they are 70,000 or more in number?” Allah inspired to him, “From you is the call and from Us is its conveyance.” Musa stood as a caller and said, “O sinning slave, who has challenged Allah with sins for the last forty years: come out from among us, for because of you, we have been deprived from rain. The said sinner turned to the left and to the right, seeing no one coming out from among them, which made him realize that he was the one who was wanted. He spoke to himself, “If I come forth from among this group of creation, then I will have exposed myself. But if I sit with them, then they will be deprived because of me.” He put his head in his garment, regretting his evil deeds. He said, “My Lord, I have disobeyed You for forty years and You have given me respite. I have come to You in obedience, so accept from me.” He no sooner finished his speech than a white cloud appeared and the rain came down in abundance. Musa (PBUH) said, “My Lord, why did You give us drink when none from among us came out?” Allah said, “O Musa, I have given you rain because of the same man who was the reason why I prevented you from rain (i.e., the man who repented).” Musa (PBUH) said, “My Lord, let me see this obedient slave.” Allah said, “O Musa, I did not expose him when he was disobeying Me, then do you expect Me to expose him while he is obedient to Me?”

PBUH: peace be upon him

Gems and Jewels
Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid
Publisher: Maktaba Dar-us-Salam
ISBN: 9960-897-59-1
P210

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

The Lord of the worlds provides for the worm in the ground:

There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you… (Koran 6.38)

Allah provides for the birds in the sky and for the fish in the sea:

…And it is He Who feeds but is not fed… (Koran 6.14)

You are worthier than a worm, bird, or fish, so don’t worry about sustenance.

I have known people who were stricken by poverty simply because of their distance from Allah. Some of them were rich and healthy, but instead of being thankful they turned away from obedience to Allah, they abandoned prayer, and they perpetrated major sins. Allah took away from them their health and their wealth, replacing these with poverty, sickness, and anxiety. They were then afflicted with hardship upon hardship, calamity upon calamity.

But whosoever turns away from My Reminder, verily, for him is a life of hardship… (Koran 20.124)

That is so because Allah will never change a grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their ownselves. And verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower. (Koran 8.53)

And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. (Koran 42.30)

If they had believed in Allah, and went on the Right Way (i.e. Islam) We should surely have bestowed on them water (rain) in abundance. (Koran 72.16)

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 194

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

Here is a saying of Tsavri Sofian, a native of Kufa. He died in Basra in the year 161 (777-778).

“In four cases one acts under the influence of ignorance:

• When one censors others; this relates to not recognizing the supreme decisions of the Lord Most High and whoever does not recognize these decisions falls into infidelity.

• When one lets envy take hold inside our hearts; this relates to not accepting the apportionment determined by the Lord, for he who does not accept his share falls into infidelity.

• When one earns wealth from sources that are forbidden or of questionable legitimacy; this relates to not worrying about the Account that will be taken on the Day of Judgment, and to not worry about that Account is the characteristic of the unfaithful.

• When one no longer expects anything from the Lord; this comes from disregarding Allah’s Mercy, and whoever despairs of Allah’s Mercy is an infidel.”

“…and never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allah’s Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.” (Koran 12.87)

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

On a green island, a cow lived in solitude. She grazed until nightfall and thus fattened up every day. At night, no longer seeing the grass, she worried about what she was going to eat the next day and this worry made her as thin as a feather. At dawn, the prairie became green with the sunlight and the cow started grazing again with a bovine appetite until sunset. The cow once again had became fat and full of strength. At nightfall, not seeing the prairie, she began to cry and lose weight once again.

Time would pass but it never occurred to the cow’s mind that the prairie was not decreasing and that there was little reason to worry in this manner.

Your ego is like the cow and the island is the universe. The fear of tomorrow makes the cow lean. Do not worry for the future. Better to look at the present. You have been eating for years and the gifts and provisions from Allah have nevertheless never diminished.

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

One shouldn’t lose hope in Allah; that is the beginning of the path to safety. If you do not walk this path, know at least where that road begins, and do not say: “I have made mistakes.” Strive to always be on the straight path and nothing crooked will reach you. Righteousness is the stick of the Prophet Moussa (Moses) (peace be upon him), and crookedness is the magic (of Pharaoh’s magicians). When righteousness is manifest, it devours all magic. If you do wrong, you only harm yourself. The damage does not reach Allah. When you become straight, all that is crooked disappears. Never lose hope.

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

Sa’eed bin Musayyib (MAPH) reports that there were eighteen guidelines that Umar Al-Khataab (MAPH) formulated for the people, every one of which is replete with wisdom. He said:

• When someone disobeys Allah in a matter that impacts on you, you can give him no punishment worse than obeying Allah in matters that impact on him.
• Always assume the best about your brother unless you learn something about him that you absolutely cannot reconcile.
• Never assume the worst about any statement that a Muslim makes as long as you are able to make a favourable interpretation.
• The person who exposes himself to slander must never rebuke anyone who holds a bad opinion of him.
• Whoever guards his secrets will retain the choice in his hands.
• Ensure that you keep true friends to stay under their wings because they are a source of beauty during times of prosperity and a means of protection during times of hardship.
• Always speak the truth even though it leads to your death.
• Never delve into matters that do not concern you.
• Do not ask about matters that have not occurred because that which has already taken place is enough to preoccupy you from that which has not.
• Never seek your needs from one who does not want to see your success.
• Never treat false oaths lightly because Allah will then destroy you.
• Never keep the company of the sinners to learn from their sinful ways.
• Keep away from your enemy.
• Beware even of your friends, except for the trustworthy one and none can be trustworthy unless he fears Allah.
• Be humble when in the graveyard.
• Be humble when submiting to Allah’s commands.
• Seek Allah’s protection at the time of disobeying His commands.
• In your affairs, consult with those who fear Allah because Allah says:

…It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allâh… (Sura 35.28)

(Khateeb, Ibn Asaakir and Ibn Najjaar, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal (Vol. 8 Page 235))

MAPH: May Allah be pleased with him

The Lives of the Sahaba (Hayat-Assahaba)
By Muhammad Yusuf Kandhelwi – Volume III
Translation Edited by Azfal Hoosen Elias
Editor: Zam Zam Publishers
Page 508