Commentary ~ The Way of a Muslim in His Life

by

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

Hadith ~ Followed by three things

by

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

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

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

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

by

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

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

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

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

Commentary ~ Practical Program of Dua

by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good habits for the invocations to be answered are:

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

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

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

In practice:

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

Suitable moments for invoking Allah:

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

Ayaat 70-75 ~ Az-Zumar (The Groups)

by

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

70. And each person will be paid in full of what he did; and He is Best Aware of what they do.

71. And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups, till, when they reach it, the gates thereof will be opened (suddenly like a prison at the arrival of the prisoners). And its keepers will say, “Did not the Messengers come to you from yourselves, reciting to you the Verses of your Lord, and warning you of the Meeting of this Day of yours?” They will say: “Yes, but the Word of torment has been justified against the disbelievers!”

72. It will be said (to them): “Enter you the gates of Hell, to abide therein. And (indeed) what an evil abode of the arrogant!”

73. And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salâmun ‘Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein.”

74. And they will say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allâh Who has fulfilled His Promise to us and has made us inherit (this) land. We can dwell in Paradise where we will; how excellent a reward for the (pious good) workers!”

75. And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne (of Allâh) from all round, glorifying the praises of their Lord (Allâh). And they (all the creatures) will be judged with truth, and it will be said. All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists).”

Sura 39. Az-Zumar (The Groups)

Hadith ~ Whoever loves meeting with Allah (The Exalted)

by

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

Narrated Abu-Musa (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Whoever loves meeting with Allah (The Exalted), Allah too, loves meeting with him; and whoever hates meeting with Allah, Allah too hates meeting with him.” (Bukhari)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 342, Page 1213, Number 1088

Ayaat 21-26 ~ Al-Jathiyah (The Kneeling)

by

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

21. Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgement that they make.

22. And Allâh has created the heavens and the earth with truth, in order that each person may be recompensed what he has earned, and they will not be wronged.

23. Have you seen him who takes his own lust (vain desires) as his ilâh (god), and Allâh knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after Allâh? Will you not then remember?

24. And they say: “There is nothing but our life of this world, we die and we live and nothing destroys us except Ad-Dahr (the time). And they have no knowledge of it, they only conjecture.

25. And when Our Clear Verses are recited to them, their argument is no other than that they say: “Bring back our (dead) fathers, if you are truthful!”

26. Say (to them): “Allâh gives you life, then causes you to die, then He will assemble you on the Day of Resurrection about which there is no doubt. But most of mankind know not.”

Sura 45. Al-Jathiyah (The Kneeling)

Commentary ~ Good and Bad Deeds

by

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

Hadith ~ Before he is asked

by

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

Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Man’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Commentary:
1. This Hadith first of all highlights the importance and value of this transitory life, every breath of which is invaluable. Not a moment of it should, therefore, be wasted in the disobedience of Allah because one shall also be made to account for it.

2. Man shall also be answerable for his knowledge. Here, we find an inducement for acquiring religious knowledge because that alone is beneficial for him. He should make use of his knowledge for winning the pleasure of Allah. If he does not do that then he must think about the justification for not doing so. He must also think how he would be facing Allah on the Day of Resurrection.

3. The question in respect of wealth raised in this Hadith clearly shows that one should earn wealth by legitimate means only and spend it strictly in a lawful manner. If he takes to unfair means of income or squanders it, he will be sinful and required to account for the violation of the Divine injunctions.

4. One should protect his body from everything that is unlawful and force himself to submit to the Divine injunctions. When he is asked to account for neglecting them, it will be difficult for him to escape the consequences of accountability.

In short, this Hadith makes one conscious of the accountability so that one keeps it all the time in view so that he will be saved from humiliation on the Day of Resurrection. How nice would it really be if one bears the accountability of the day of Resurrection always in mind!

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 50, Page 137, No 407

Commentary ~ Patience

by

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

Ayaat 10-13 ~ Al-Hujuraat (The Dwellings)

by

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

Listen to Recitation

10. The believers are nothing else than brothers. So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allâh, that you may receive mercy.

11. O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one’s brother after having Faith. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zâlimûn (wrong-doers, etc.).

12. O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting) . And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.

13. O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqûn (pious – see V.2:2)]. Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware.

Sura 49. Al-Hujuraat (The Dwellings)

Hadith ~ Finds Himself Afflicted

by

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

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “He whom Allah intends good finds himself afflicted in what he holds most dear”. (Al-Bukhari).

Riyad as-Salihin (The gardens of the Virtuous)
of the Imam Mohieddine Annawawi 631 – 676
Translation and commentary by Dr Salaheddine Keshrid (Tunisia)
Editor: Dar Al-Gharb Al-Islami
Chapter 3, Page 23, No 39

Ayaat 73-78 ~ Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage)

by

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

73. O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily! Those on whom you call besides Allâh, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought.

74. They have not estimated Allâh His Rightful Estimate; Verily, Allâh is All-Strong, All-Mighty.

75. Allâh chooses Messengers from angels and from men. Verily, Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Seer.

76. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them. And to Allâh return all matters (for decision).

77. O you who believe! Bow down, and prostrate yourselves[1], and worship your Lord and do good that you may be successful.

78. And strive hard in Allâh’s Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islâmic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion, Islâm), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham) (Islâmic Monotheism). It is He (Allâh) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Qur’ân), that the Messenger (Muhammad ) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So perform As­Salât (Iqamat-as-Salât), give Zakât and hold fast to Allâh [i.e. have confidence in Allâh, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper!

Sura 22. Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage)

[1]: At this verse we prostrate.

Ayaat 10-17 ~ As-Sajdah (The Prostration)

by

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

10. And they say: “When we are (dead and become) lost in the earth, shall we indeed be recreated anew?” Nay, but they deny the Meeting with their Lord!

11. Say: “The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your souls, then you shall be brought to your Lord.”

12. And if you only could see when the Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) shall hang their heads before their Lord (saying): “Our Lord! We have now seen and heard, so send us back (to the world), we will do righteous good deeds. Verily! We now believe with certainty.”

13. And if We had willed, surely! We would have given every person his guidance, but the Word from Me took effect (about evil­doers), that I will fill Hell with jinn and mankind together.

14. Then taste you (the torment of the Fire) because of your forgetting the Meeting of this Day of yours, (and) surely! We too will forget you, so taste you the abiding torment for what you used to do.

15. Only those believe in Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), who, when they are reminded of them fall down prostrate, and glorify the Praises of their Lord, and they are not proud[1].

16. Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend (charity in Allâh’s Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them.

17. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.

Sura 32. As-Sajdah (The Prostration)

[1]: At this verse we prostrate.

Hadith ~ Whose Islam is the best?

by

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

Narrated Abu-Musa (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘Some people asked Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection): “Whose Islam is the best? (i.e. Who is a very good Muslim?)” He replied: “One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands.'” (Bukhari)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 236, Page 961, Number 812

Commentary ~ Safety comes Tomorrow

by

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

Hadith ~ Any Muslim who makes a Supplication

by

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

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Any Muslim who makes a supplication containing nothing that is sinful and nothing that involves breaking ties of blood relationships, will be given for it by Allah one of these three things: He may accept his request, or assign its reward for him in the next world, or turn away from him an equivalent amount of evil.” (Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2257)

There is no Muslim who makes a supplication, in which there is neither sin nor severing ties of kinship, save that Allah will grant because of it one of three things: either He will grant him a prompt response, or store it up for him in the Hereafter, or avert from him an equivalent harm. (Ahmad Musnad, 3:18; al-Hakim, Mustadrak, 1:463, where he declared the chain to be authentic (Sahih))

Commentary: We have to keep in mind, that the Muslim who makes the supplication should be meeting the requirements of the supplication, such as, doing the obligations, and not committing sins. Allah Alim.

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

Commentary ~ A Lord Who Wrongs Not

by

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

Hadith ~ An Ant’s Weight of Arrogance

by

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

Abdullah bin Mas’ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (SAWS) said, “He who has, in his heart, an ant’s weight of arrogance will not enter Jannah.” Someone said: “A man likes to wear beautiful clothes and shoes?” The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said, “Allah is Beautiful, He loves beauty. Arrogance means ridiculing and rejecting the Truth and despising people.” (Muslim).

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

Commentary: The Hadith says that a man who has even an iota of pride in his heart will be barred from entering Jannah. The Hadith word used for the smallest amount means in Arabic either the smallest ant or the particle which is radiated by sun-rays and seen through a wall-chink. Obviously, such a particle has almost a non-existent amount, but even this much is disapproved by Allah. If pride incites a man to deny the existence of Allah and His Revelation, he is sure to be thrown into Hell. He also faces Divine displeasure and the danger of infernal fire if mere consideration of riches, physical beauty, social and intellectual prominence and family status makes him proud and self-conceited and he looks down upon others, or persists in the denial of Truth.

[1]: Audio lecture on pride and arrogance can be downloaded here.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 72, Page 199, No 612

Commentary ~ The fruits of contentment

by

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

Hadith ~ Marriage Proposal

by

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

قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: (إذا خطب إليكم من ترضون دينه وخلقه فزوجوه؛ إلا تفعلوا تكن فتنة في الأرض، وفساد عريض) رواه الترمذي

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “When someone proposes marriage to one of you whose religion and character pleases you, then you should let him marry. If you do not do so, there will be tribulations in the earth and the proliferation of corruption.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book of Marriage, Number 1084, Silsilatou al-ahadith as-Sahih, 1022 – authenticated by al-Albânî)

Commentary: The hadith mentions two aspects to look for when there is a marriage proposal: Religion AND character (morality). Not only religion and not only character. What is required is a complete Muslim personality. Allah Alim.

Source: Internet Site

Ayaat 8-12 ~ Az-Zumar (The Groups)

by

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

Listen to Recitation

8. And when some hurt touches man, he cries to his Lord (Allâh Alone), turning to Him in repentance, but when He bestows a favour upon him from Himself, he forgets that for which he cried for before, and he sets up rivals to Allâh, in order to mislead others from His Path. Say: “Take pleasure in your disbelief for a while: surely, you are (one) of the dwellers of the Fire!”

9. Is one who is obedient to Allâh, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: “Are those who know equal to those who know not?” It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allâh’s Signs and Verses).

10. Say: “O My slaves who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism), be afraid of your Lord (Allâh) and keep your duty to Him. Good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world, and Allâh’s earth is spacious (so if you cannot worship Allâh at a place, then go to another)! Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning.”

11. Say: “Verily, I am commanded to worship Allâh (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh’s sake only and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship;

12. “And I am commanded (this) in order that I may be the first of those who submit themselves to Allâh (in Islâm) as Muslims.”

Sura 39. Az-Zumar (The Groups)

Hadith ~ Whosoever does a good deed

by

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

Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Allah, the Almighty, says: ‘Whosoever does a good deed, will have (reward) ten times like it and I add more; and whosoever does an evil, will have the punishment like it or I will forgive (him); and whosoever approaches Me by one span, I will approach him by one cubit; and whosoever approaches Me by one cubit, I approach him by one fathom, and whosoever comes to Me walking, I go to him running; and whosoever meets Me with an earth-load of sins without associating anything with Me, I meet him with forgiveness like that”. (Muslim)

Commentary:
This Hadith mentions the infinite Compassion and Mercy of Allah to His obedient slaves and a special expression of which will be made by Allah on the Day of Resurrection. On that Day, Allah will give at least ten times reward for each good deed. In some cases it may be far more than that, seven hundred times or more, as He would like. Such benevolence on Allah’s part warrants that a Muslim should never lose hope of His forgiveness.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 51, Page 139, No 413

Ayaat 1-13 ~ Al-Ankabut (The Spider)

by

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

Listen to Recitation

1. Alif ­Lâm­ Mîm.

2. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested.

3. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test).

4. Or those who do evil deeds think that they can outstrip Us (i.e. escape Our Punishment)? Evil is that which they judge!

5. Whoever hopes for the Meeting with Allâh, then Allâh’s Term is surely coming. and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

6. And whosoever strives, he strives only for himself. Verily, Allâh is free of all wants from the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinns, and all that exists).

7. Those who believe [in the Oneness of Allâh (Monotheism) and in Messenger Muhammad, and do not apostate because of the harm they receive from the polytheists], and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall remit from them their evil deeds and shall reward them according to the best of that which they used to do.

8. And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.

9. And for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh and other items of Faith) and do righteous good deeds, surely, We shall make them enter in (the enterance of) the righteous (i.e. in Paradise).

10. Of mankind are some who say: “We believe in Allâh,” but if they are made to suffer for the sake of Allâh, they consider the trial of mankind as Allâh’s punishment, and if victory comes from your Lord, (the hypocrites) will say: “Verily! We were with you (helping you).” Is not Allâh Best Aware of what is in the breast of the ‘Alamîn (mankind and jinns).

11. Verily, Allâh knows those who believe, and verily, He knows the hypocrites [i.e. Allâh will test the people with good and hard days to discriminate the good from the wicked (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test)].

12. And those who disbelieve say to those who believe: “Follow our way and we will verily bear your sins,” never will they bear anything of their sins. Surely, they are liars.

13. And verily, they shall bear their own loads, and other loads besides their own, and verily, they shall be questioned on the Day of Resurrection about that which they used to fabricate.

Sura 29. Al-Ankabut (The Spider)

Commentary ~ From the Wise Sayings of Luqman (pbuh)

by

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

Hadith ~ The most perfect believers

by

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

Narrated Abu-Huraira (May Allah be satisfied with him): ‘The Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “The most perfect believers are those having the finest characters. And the best of you are those who are the best to their women.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 71, Page 482, Number 285

Hadith ~ Abandonment of the prayer

by

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

Narrated Jaber (APH): ‘The Prophet (SAWS) said: “Abandonment of the prayer disconnects man from faith (and attributes him to unbelief).'” (At-Termizi) The other version has the words: “Abandonment of the prayer attributes man to unbelief or polytheism.”

Narrated Borayda (APH): ‘The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “The vow (religious commitment) that is between us and them (the hypocrites) is the prayer. He that abandons it has committed disbelief.'” (At-Termizi)

Narrated Abdullah ibn Shaqeeq Al-Oqayli (APH): ‘The companions of Muhammad (SAWS) did not consider abandonment on anything as disbelief, except (the abandonment of) the prayer.’ (At-Termizi)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
APH: may Allah be pleased with him

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Hadith 1: Chapter 179, Page 724, Number 568
Hadith 2: Chapter 179, Page 725, Number 569
Hadith 3: Chapter 179, Page 725, Number 570

Ayaat 6-8 ~ At-Tahrim (The Prohibition)

by

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

6. O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allâh, but do that which they are commanded.

7. (It will be said in the Hereafter) O you who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism)! Make no excuses this Day! You are being requited only for what you used to do.

8. O you who believe! Turn to Allâh with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) the Day that Allâh will not disgrace the Prophet (Muhammad (SAWS)) and those who believe with him, their Light will run forward before them and with (their Records Books of deeds) in their right hands they will say: “Our Lord! Keep perfect our Light for us [and do not put it off till we cross over the Sirât (a slippery bridge over the Hell) safely] and grant us forgiveness. Verily, You are Able to do all things.”

Sura 66. At-Tahrim (The Prohibition)

Commentary ~ The Night Guard

by

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)

Hadith ~ The Upper Hand

by

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

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

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

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

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

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