Bismillah
Sayyidi al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah preserve him) reminds us that the linguistic meaning of Hajj is seeking or intending. Thus the people of Allah are constantly performing Hajj because they are constantly seeking Allah. Just as their whole year is Ramadan, likewise their whole year is Hajj. Just as those performing Hajj respond to the call of Allah by saying “labbayk” they are swift to respond to the call of Allah. They take themselves to account and leave that which is disliked and dubious in all their states and actions. They reject the desires of their lower selves and they are the furthest of people from that which is prohibited. They constantly receive new blessings from their Lord so they constantly renew their ihram.[1] Day and night they make tawaf around the House of their Lord, the One to Whom they turn themselves with absolute sincerity until nothing remains in them which is directed to other than Allah.
The bounty of Allah is available at all times of the day and night. This is why Allah swears by the morning light (duha) and by the night that He has not forsaken His Beloved (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), nor is He displeased with him.
If the Hajj has not been made possible for you, join with those making Hajj and share in their reward: by spending your wealth for the sake of Allah on your relatives, on the needy, by turning to Allah with your whole being. Make numerous your footsteps to good places, especially at the time of Fajr, and you will receive glad tidings from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): “Give glad tidings of complete light on the Day of Judgement to those who walk constantly to the mosque in the darkness.”[2] Those whose light is complete will no doubt be in his company (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) on the day on which Allah does not disgrace the Prophet and those who believe along with him. Their light stretches out in front of them and upon their right sides.[3]
Ask to be present with them, and thank Allah for allowing our spirits to be with them. So many hearts in the far East or the far West receive the gifts of `Arafat and Mina because of their truthfulness with Allah.
Actions that carry the reward of Hajj
Nothing of course can equal actually performing the Hajj and worshipping Allah in those blessed places. However, since Allah knows that many people long to make Hajj every year but are unable to do so out of His generosity He made the reward for certain actions similar to the reward of a supererogatory Hajj.
Remembering Allah from Fajr until Ishraq. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Whoever who prays Subh (Fajr) in congregation and then sits in the place where he prayed remembering Allah until the sun rises and then prays two rakats has the reward of a complete Hajj and `Umrah.” He repeated “complete” three times.[4]
Attending a gathering of knowledge. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The one who goes out to the mosque wanting only to learn good or teach it has the reward of a complete Hajj.”[5]
Going to the mosque for the congregational prayer. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Whoever performs ablution in his house and then goes out to perform the obligatory prayer in the mosque has a reward similar to the reward of a Hajj pilgrim. Whoever goes out to perform the mid-morning prayer (Duha) has a reward similar to the reward of the one performing `Umrah.”[6]
Performing the Friday Prayer. Sa`id bin al-Musayyib said performing the Friday Prayer is “more beloved to me than a supererogatory Hajj.”
Performing the Eid Prayer. One of the Companions said: “Going out to pray Eid al-Fitr is equal to performing `Umrah and going out to pray Eid al-Adha is equal to performing Hajj.”
Fulfilling the needs of your brother or sister. Hasan al-Basri said: “Going to fulfil the need of your brother is better for you than performing Hajj after Hajj.”
Being good to your parents. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) commanded one of the Companions to be good to his mother. If you do so, he said: “You are a Hajj pilgrim, a person performing `Umrah and someone striving for the sake of Allah (mujahid).”
Performing obligatory actions. The slave can only draw near to Allah by performing supererogatory actions after first having performed that which is obligatory. This includes purifying one’s heart from forbidden attributes and guarding one’s tongue and limbs from committing forbidden actions. All of this is much harder on the lower self than many supererogatory acts of worship.
Finally there is no action more beloved to Allah on the Day of Eid than making a sacrifice. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) told his beloved daughter Sayyida Fatima al-Zahra that she would be forgiven for her previous wrongdoings with the first drop of blood to be shed from the sacrificed animal. She asked if this reward was specifically for the household of the Prophet and he replied: “For us and for all the Muslims.” If anyone wants to make a sacrifice (qurbaani/udhia) here in Tarim please write to info-eng@alrafh.org for more information as soon as possible.
[1] The state of sanctity in which the pilgrim approaches Allah
[2] Narrated by Abu Daud
[3]Al-Tahrim, 66.8
[4] Narrated by al-Tirmidhi
[5] Narrated by al-Tabarani
[6] Narrated by Abu Daud
--
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Chapter 2 (Intention)
CHAPTER 2 (on intention) 17.02.07, 18.09.11
The intention of study (Imam Haddad) ~ tazakur wa tazakir: sometimes we can hear the same thing, but something struck for example Syeikh Talal said about salatul awwabin (those who return when people forget). Twice mentioned: solat duha and solatul awwabin (baynal isya'ain - not necessary after maghrib, maybe before isya') rewards: 12 years of solah
~dalalata 'alal khayr - dalil = indicate, sign
Intention: general, niyaat synonym with a few words
- mayl: inclination, leaning on something
- qasad: direction and intention, direct yourself (general, for eg. I want to go to Mekah, not the legal niyah when you put the ihram on)
- himmah: inspiration, something that drive you, passion, desire, eg, if I have money, I’ll spend it on charity (key word = if)
- himmah daniyah:
- azam: firm conviction, determination
- iradah: want, desire, will (think every single time what RasuluLlahi sallaLLahu 'alayhi wasallam inclined to, what he wants)
- hajiz is concern, something enters the heart (habib ahmad b zayn al-habsyi - hajiz huwa asal, origin, beginning of inetntion) the seeds that were thrown in heart which grow
- an-niyah ruhul ‘amal kal ruh lil jasad. like the rain to the earth
- measure of intention: depends on the aspiration whether it’s high or low. The hadith innamal a’mal... the measure of any intention whether it’s good or bad is by checking whether it is towards the next world or this world. Even when people exercise, outwardly it is the same but the intention is what make the act gets rewards.
- Ibnu Hajar said boxing is haram because the purpose is to hit people's face. He forbids watching and involving oneself in boxing.
- islah: virtuous, correct, to repair
- ikhlas: make it pure, directed towards
- ‘ innama a’mal..’ Imam Syafi’e: ⅓ of deen. (1/3 is intention, ⅓ is vocal and ⅓ physical action). Imam Ahmad bin Hambal: knowledge is based on 3 hadith
Abu Dawood read 500,000 hadith and collected 4800 hadith for his Sunan, he can compiled it to 4 hadith.
Innama: lil hasyr = only limited to; nothing else important
another narration, didn’t have innama
- wherever your journey to Allah is, you will find Him
- will an act be counted if it has no intention; it can be laghwi, waste or play. However, the time will be take into account.
- If one pray asar with the intention of Asar, but he said Zohor, it is valid because the intention is what is in the heart.
- If you become lazy in your ibadah, think of the reward: this will take you forward
- If your eyes started wandering and looking at haraam thing: have fear of Allah.
- Hadith: intention of a believer is better than his action (niyatul mu'min khayrun min 'amalihi). Someone asked about sadaqah jariyah. He knew of a well that muslim pass by. He indicated for people to buy. A muslim went to buy it but a jewish person has already bought it and sold the water to people. He came back to tell RasuliLlah salaLlahu 'alayhi wasallam and he said the above hadith.
- Syeikh Ali Bin Abu Bakr As-Sakran before going out of his house, always write down all his intentions.
- According to Syhrul ‘ainiyah, Habib Ahmad bin Zain Al-habsyi.. and of the good intention, have many of them, be sincere and beware be vigilant and have fear
- Salim bin Abdullah bin Umar wrote a letter to S. Umar bin Abdul Aziz saying ‘the assistance of Allah to slave depends on his intention. Whoever perfects his intention, Allah perfects His assistance to him.’ (Allah fi 'auni abdi ma tamat niyatahu). - He is the son of AbdulLah ibnu Umar, who's when he's 11 years old knew the answer for RasuliLlah salaLlahu 'alayhi wasallam's question: Once Allah's Apostle said, "Amongst the trees there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim, tell me the name of that tree." Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas and I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy (to answer). The others asked, "O Allah's Apostle! inform us of it." He replied, "it is the date-palm tree." I told my father what had come to my mind and on that he said, "Had you said it I would have preferred it to such and such a thing that I might possess." (Sahih Bukhari)
- The sunnah is when we are travelling to somewhere important, he will take the shortest route and the quickest mean.
- The intention can be measured to our response on a situation eg. if someone make us angry on the road and we swear - it becomes fasida (spoiled, corrupt, not true intention)
saliha (pure intention) is when we smile and not angry even we are facing difficult situation. When he salaLlahu 'alayhi wasallam been treated badly, zadahu bil hilmi
- Imam Haddad: all the foundation is in the first paragraph like Riyadatul Saliheen - easier to understand. For eg zakat in Sahih Bukhari on camel and gold but not gold. In Riyadul saliheen, zakat is on one hadith on camel..
Ratabahu = applied to Him, assigned
The intention of study (Imam Haddad) ~ tazakur wa tazakir: sometimes we can hear the same thing, but something struck for example Syeikh Talal said about salatul awwabin (those who return when people forget). Twice mentioned: solat duha and solatul awwabin (baynal isya'ain - not necessary after maghrib, maybe before isya') rewards: 12 years of solah
~dalalata 'alal khayr - dalil = indicate, sign
Intention: general, niyaat synonym with a few words
- mayl: inclination, leaning on something
- qasad: direction and intention, direct yourself (general, for eg. I want to go to Mekah, not the legal niyah when you put the ihram on)
- himmah: inspiration, something that drive you, passion, desire, eg, if I have money, I’ll spend it on charity (key word = if)
- himmah daniyah:
- azam: firm conviction, determination
- iradah: want, desire, will (think every single time what RasuluLlahi sallaLLahu 'alayhi wasallam inclined to, what he wants)
- hajiz is concern, something enters the heart (habib ahmad b zayn al-habsyi - hajiz huwa asal, origin, beginning of inetntion) the seeds that were thrown in heart which grow
- an-niyah ruhul ‘amal kal ruh lil jasad. like the rain to the earth
- measure of intention: depends on the aspiration whether it’s high or low. The hadith innamal a’mal... the measure of any intention whether it’s good or bad is by checking whether it is towards the next world or this world. Even when people exercise, outwardly it is the same but the intention is what make the act gets rewards.
- Ibnu Hajar said boxing is haram because the purpose is to hit people's face. He forbids watching and involving oneself in boxing.
- islah: virtuous, correct, to repair
- ikhlas: make it pure, directed towards
- ‘ innama a’mal..’ Imam Syafi’e: ⅓ of deen. (1/3 is intention, ⅓ is vocal and ⅓ physical action). Imam Ahmad bin Hambal: knowledge is based on 3 hadith
Abu Dawood read 500,000 hadith and collected 4800 hadith for his Sunan, he can compiled it to 4 hadith.
Innama: lil hasyr = only limited to; nothing else important
another narration, didn’t have innama
- wherever your journey to Allah is, you will find Him
- will an act be counted if it has no intention; it can be laghwi, waste or play. However, the time will be take into account.
- If one pray asar with the intention of Asar, but he said Zohor, it is valid because the intention is what is in the heart.
- If you become lazy in your ibadah, think of the reward: this will take you forward
- If your eyes started wandering and looking at haraam thing: have fear of Allah.
- Hadith: intention of a believer is better than his action (niyatul mu'min khayrun min 'amalihi). Someone asked about sadaqah jariyah. He knew of a well that muslim pass by. He indicated for people to buy. A muslim went to buy it but a jewish person has already bought it and sold the water to people. He came back to tell RasuliLlah salaLlahu 'alayhi wasallam and he said the above hadith.
- Syeikh Ali Bin Abu Bakr As-Sakran before going out of his house, always write down all his intentions.
- According to Syhrul ‘ainiyah, Habib Ahmad bin Zain Al-habsyi.. and of the good intention, have many of them, be sincere and beware be vigilant and have fear
- Salim bin Abdullah bin Umar wrote a letter to S. Umar bin Abdul Aziz saying ‘the assistance of Allah to slave depends on his intention. Whoever perfects his intention, Allah perfects His assistance to him.’ (Allah fi 'auni abdi ma tamat niyatahu). - He is the son of AbdulLah ibnu Umar, who's when he's 11 years old knew the answer for RasuliLlah salaLlahu 'alayhi wasallam's question: Once Allah's Apostle said, "Amongst the trees there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim, tell me the name of that tree." Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas and I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy (to answer). The others asked, "O Allah's Apostle! inform us of it." He replied, "it is the date-palm tree." I told my father what had come to my mind and on that he said, "Had you said it I would have preferred it to such and such a thing that I might possess." (Sahih Bukhari)
- The sunnah is when we are travelling to somewhere important, he will take the shortest route and the quickest mean.
- The intention can be measured to our response on a situation eg. if someone make us angry on the road and we swear - it becomes fasida (spoiled, corrupt, not true intention)
saliha (pure intention) is when we smile and not angry even we are facing difficult situation. When he salaLlahu 'alayhi wasallam been treated badly, zadahu bil hilmi
- Imam Haddad: all the foundation is in the first paragraph like Riyadatul Saliheen - easier to understand. For eg zakat in Sahih Bukhari on camel and gold but not gold. In Riyadul saliheen, zakat is on one hadith on camel..
Ratabahu = applied to Him, assigned
Monday, July 25, 2011
How to prepare for Ramadhan
Bism Allah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem
How to Prepare for Ramadan
By Ustadha Eiman Sidky
*A Translation from Arabic
1. Tawba/Repentance: Sincerely repent by remembering each sin and making tawba for it.
· A reminder that tawba erases all that precedes it, and that Allah loves those who make tawba.
2. Purification of the heart and entering the month to Allah with humility and broken-ness (inkisar)
3. Pray 2 rak’at (units), asking Allah in sujood (prostration) all that you desire, for He can select you and abundantly show His generosity upon you. (Huwa yistifeeki wu yikrimik)
· A reminder that the servant is the most near to his/her Lord is during prostration.
4. Free yourself and the family for the time of witnessing the Hilal/Crescent, be from amongst the first who see it, and when you do see it, recite the following Dua:
“ALLAAHUMMA AHILLAHOO A'LAYNAA BIL-AMNI WAL EEMAANI WAS SALAAMATI WAL ISLAAM. RABBEE WA RABBUKALLAAHU”
“O Allah! Let this month be a period of peace, faith safety and total submission to your will. My Lord and your Lord is Allah”
5. Purify your home from all that will displease or anger Allah (anything that contains haram/impermissibility).
6. Return the trusts to their owners, and reconcile/end any quarrels.
7. Congregate the pure and sincere intentions and prepare the duas/supplications that you will implore on Allah during Ramadan.
8. Prepare your charity box, for Rasool Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to give charity abundantly during Ramadan. Also prepare a worship/ibada timetable for yourself and the family.
9. Seek to please and give to your family out of sheer joy as a sign of happiness with Ramadan.
10. Prepare to be freed from the Hell-fire; however you must first free yourself from sins, small or great, such as usury, looking at haram, listening to haram, etc.
· A reminder that the one who is freed/protected from the Hell-fire is the best of worshipers and best in manners.
11. Talk to your children to prepare them for suhoor, for this is the time during which Al-Rahman will gaze upon His servants, and Allah and His Angels send blessings upon those who get up for suhoor.
12. Making a plan such that if someone in the family gets lazy in a form of worship, then the rest of the family should encourage them with it.
13. Try to prepare your food before Ramadan (store it in the freezer) so you are not burdened with the length of time to cook during Ramadan. Try to buy the Eid clothes early to be free during the last ten days for worship and not shopping. Do not forget to revive the night before Eid in worship for Allah frees from the Hell-fire servants as many as those He freed one each day from the beginning to the end of the month of Ramadan. Go to the Masjid/Mosque during the night before Eid using one route and returning from another route.
Dua/Supplication When Ramadan Enters:
“Allahumma sallimni bi Ramadan wa sallim Ramadan wa sallimhu minni mutaqabbala”
“Oh Allah! Protect and give me peace with Ramadan, and protect and give peace to Ramadan, and protect and give peace to Ramdan and accept it from me”
How to Prepare for Ramadan
By Ustadha Eiman Sidky
*A Translation from Arabic
1. Tawba/Repentance: Sincerely repent by remembering each sin and making tawba for it.
· A reminder that tawba erases all that precedes it, and that Allah loves those who make tawba.
2. Purification of the heart and entering the month to Allah with humility and broken-ness (inkisar)
3. Pray 2 rak’at (units), asking Allah in sujood (prostration) all that you desire, for He can select you and abundantly show His generosity upon you. (Huwa yistifeeki wu yikrimik)
· A reminder that the servant is the most near to his/her Lord is during prostration.
4. Free yourself and the family for the time of witnessing the Hilal/Crescent, be from amongst the first who see it, and when you do see it, recite the following Dua:
“ALLAAHUMMA AHILLAHOO A'LAYNAA BIL-AMNI WAL EEMAANI WAS SALAAMATI WAL ISLAAM. RABBEE WA RABBUKALLAAHU”
“O Allah! Let this month be a period of peace, faith safety and total submission to your will. My Lord and your Lord is Allah”
5. Purify your home from all that will displease or anger Allah (anything that contains haram/impermissibility).
6. Return the trusts to their owners, and reconcile/end any quarrels.
7. Congregate the pure and sincere intentions and prepare the duas/supplications that you will implore on Allah during Ramadan.
8. Prepare your charity box, for Rasool Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to give charity abundantly during Ramadan. Also prepare a worship/ibada timetable for yourself and the family.
9. Seek to please and give to your family out of sheer joy as a sign of happiness with Ramadan.
10. Prepare to be freed from the Hell-fire; however you must first free yourself from sins, small or great, such as usury, looking at haram, listening to haram, etc.
· A reminder that the one who is freed/protected from the Hell-fire is the best of worshipers and best in manners.
11. Talk to your children to prepare them for suhoor, for this is the time during which Al-Rahman will gaze upon His servants, and Allah and His Angels send blessings upon those who get up for suhoor.
12. Making a plan such that if someone in the family gets lazy in a form of worship, then the rest of the family should encourage them with it.
13. Try to prepare your food before Ramadan (store it in the freezer) so you are not burdened with the length of time to cook during Ramadan. Try to buy the Eid clothes early to be free during the last ten days for worship and not shopping. Do not forget to revive the night before Eid in worship for Allah frees from the Hell-fire servants as many as those He freed one each day from the beginning to the end of the month of Ramadan. Go to the Masjid/Mosque during the night before Eid using one route and returning from another route.
Dua/Supplication When Ramadan Enters:
“Allahumma sallimni bi Ramadan wa sallim Ramadan wa sallimhu minni mutaqabbala”
“Oh Allah! Protect and give me peace with Ramadan, and protect and give peace to Ramadan, and protect and give peace to Ramdan and accept it from me”
Friday, July 08, 2011
Sha'ban
Bismillah
We will shortly be entering Shaban. Allah give us the best ending to the month of Rajab and the best entry to Shaban.
Merits of Sha`ban
The scholars say that the linguistic root of the word Sha`ban is a branch, because the month of Sha`ban “branches off” and leads on to many good things. It acts as a bridge between the two blessed months of Rajab and Ramadan. In spite of this, it is often neglected. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) alerted us to this fact when he was asked why he was fasting so much in Sha`ban. He replied: “It is a month that people neglect, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which actions are raised to the Lord of the Worlds and I love for my actions to be raised while I am fasting.”[1]
What is meant by actions being raised? The scholars say it is a symbolic displaying of our actions to Allah. Of course Allah is All-Seeing, All-Knowing and does not need for our actions to be displayed to him as He is constantly aware of them. However if the slave is not aware of Allah’s constant vigilance then he should at least strive to do good actions at times when his actions are displayed to Allah. If he is able to gain Allah’s pleasure at these times then he hopes that Allah will overlook his wrongdoings and shortcomings at other times. There is a daily display after Fajr and `Asr, and a weekly display on Monday and Thursday, and a yearly display which takes place in the month of Sha`ban. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was keen to do good works at all these times and was keen for his Ummah to do the same.
One of the greatest works we can do in Sha`ban is fasting, and this is what the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) loved to be doing when his actions were raised, on Monday and Thursday and also during Sha`ban. Sayyida `A’isha said of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): “I did not see him fasting in any month more than Sha`ban.”[2] She also said: “The month which he loved to fast the most was Sha`ban.”[3] Both hadith of course refer to voluntary fasting outside of Ramadan. Some hadith suggest that he would fast the whole of Sha`ban, although there is perhaps more evidence to suggest that he would fast most of the month and leave a few days. In another hadith he said (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), in response once again to a question about his fasting in Sha`ban: “In this month those who are destined to die are recorded for the Angel of Death. I love for my name to be recorded when I am fasting.”[4]
One of the wisdoms behind the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) fasting abundantly in Sha`ban is mentioned by Sayyida `A’isha, who said that in Sha`ban he would make up any voluntary fasts that he had missed during the course of the year.[5] At this time she would fast with him to make up any of the fasts that she had missed in Ramadan.[6] From this we learn the importance of making up supererogatory actions which we are accustomed to performing and also the necessity of making up any days of Ramadan which we have missed before Ramadan comes round again. The scholars also mention that fasting in Sha`ban before Ramadan resembles praying the supererogatory prayers before the obligatory prayer, while fasting in Shawwal after Ramadan resembles praying the supererogatory prayers after the obligatory prayer. Performing supererogatory actions makes up for any deficiencies in the obligatory actions that we have performed.
In spite of all this the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) also said: “When the first half of Sha`ban is finished do not fast.”[7] The scholars of the Shafi`i school understood that this hadith prohibits voluntary fasting in the second half of Sha’ban, except in certain circumstances.[8] The other schools, however, say that there is no prohibition on fasting in the second half of the month but say that it is disliked to fast a day or two before Ramadan.
We have mentioned much detail on fasting and this is due to the sheer number of narrations on the subject. Even if we can just fast the “White Days”[9] or any three days this would have a great effect.
Other than fasting, it is recommended to send abundant blessings and peace upon the Beloved of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). It was in this month that Allah revealed:
﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلاَئِكَـتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِيِّ يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً ﴾
Allah and His angels send their blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe send blessings and peace upon him in abundance![10]
Perhaps this is why the Prophet called Sha`ban “my month,” when he said in the hadith: “Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha`bān is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.”[11] Sending blessings upon him is one of the greatest means of strengthening our connection to him in this life and also the next, as he informed us (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): “The closest people to me on the Day of Rising will be those who send the most blessings upon me.”[12]
It was also the habit of some of the early Muslims to recite the Qur’an in abundance during Sha`ban. This along with fasting gives us the best preparation for Ramadan, as it takes time for the self (nafs) to become accustomed to doing these things in abundance. If we are already accustomed to doing them before Ramadan it will enable us to do more when the month begins. Perhaps this is why Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq said: “in Rajab you sow the seeds, in Sha`ban you irrigate them and in Ramadan you reap the harvest.”
Two momentous events occurred in Sha`ban. The scholars of Sira say that it was the month in which the moon was split in half for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). It was also the month in which the Qibla (direction of prayer) was changed from Bayt al-Maqdis in Jerusalem to the Ka`ba in Mecca . While these events have now passed there is one momentous event which comes around every year, and that is the Fifteenth Night of Sha`ban, one of the greatest nights of the year. We intend to deal with it in detail closer to the time.
We end by asking, as the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked:
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا في رَجَبٍ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنا رَمَضَانَ
“O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha`bān and enable us to reach Ramadan!”[13]
[1] Narrated by Ahmad and al-Nasa’i
[2] Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim
[3] Narrated by al-Nasa’i
[4] Narrated by al-Haythami
[5] Such as fasting Monday and Thursday and three days in every month, which he may have been unable to perform due to expeditions and illness
[6] Narrated by al-Tabarani
[7] Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim and Ibn Hibban
[8] Such as if someone begins fasting in the first half of the month and continues his fast into the second half or if someone regularly fasted on a Monday throughout the year. In these situations it is permissible to fast in the second half of the month. A make up fast (qada’) is of course permissible, as this discussion only revolves around voluntary fasting.
[9] The “White Days” are the days which follow nights in which the moon is full, namely the 13th, 14th and 15th days of each lunar month. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) encouraged his Companions to fast three days in every month and to fast these days specifically. The 15th day is regarded as being in the first half of the month and thus there is no prohibition in the Shafi`i school on fasting it in Sha`ban.
[10] Al-Ahzab 33.56
[11] Narrated by al-Suyuti
[12] Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban
[13] Narrated by Ahmad
--
We will shortly be entering Shaban. Allah give us the best ending to the month of Rajab and the best entry to Shaban.
Merits of Sha`ban
The scholars say that the linguistic root of the word Sha`ban is a branch, because the month of Sha`ban “branches off” and leads on to many good things. It acts as a bridge between the two blessed months of Rajab and Ramadan. In spite of this, it is often neglected. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) alerted us to this fact when he was asked why he was fasting so much in Sha`ban. He replied: “It is a month that people neglect, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which actions are raised to the Lord of the Worlds and I love for my actions to be raised while I am fasting.”[1]
What is meant by actions being raised? The scholars say it is a symbolic displaying of our actions to Allah. Of course Allah is All-Seeing, All-Knowing and does not need for our actions to be displayed to him as He is constantly aware of them. However if the slave is not aware of Allah’s constant vigilance then he should at least strive to do good actions at times when his actions are displayed to Allah. If he is able to gain Allah’s pleasure at these times then he hopes that Allah will overlook his wrongdoings and shortcomings at other times. There is a daily display after Fajr and `Asr, and a weekly display on Monday and Thursday, and a yearly display which takes place in the month of Sha`ban. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was keen to do good works at all these times and was keen for his Ummah to do the same.
One of the greatest works we can do in Sha`ban is fasting, and this is what the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) loved to be doing when his actions were raised, on Monday and Thursday and also during Sha`ban. Sayyida `A’isha said of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): “I did not see him fasting in any month more than Sha`ban.”[2] She also said: “The month which he loved to fast the most was Sha`ban.”[3] Both hadith of course refer to voluntary fasting outside of Ramadan. Some hadith suggest that he would fast the whole of Sha`ban, although there is perhaps more evidence to suggest that he would fast most of the month and leave a few days. In another hadith he said (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), in response once again to a question about his fasting in Sha`ban: “In this month those who are destined to die are recorded for the Angel of Death. I love for my name to be recorded when I am fasting.”[4]
One of the wisdoms behind the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) fasting abundantly in Sha`ban is mentioned by Sayyida `A’isha, who said that in Sha`ban he would make up any voluntary fasts that he had missed during the course of the year.[5] At this time she would fast with him to make up any of the fasts that she had missed in Ramadan.[6] From this we learn the importance of making up supererogatory actions which we are accustomed to performing and also the necessity of making up any days of Ramadan which we have missed before Ramadan comes round again. The scholars also mention that fasting in Sha`ban before Ramadan resembles praying the supererogatory prayers before the obligatory prayer, while fasting in Shawwal after Ramadan resembles praying the supererogatory prayers after the obligatory prayer. Performing supererogatory actions makes up for any deficiencies in the obligatory actions that we have performed.
In spite of all this the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) also said: “When the first half of Sha`ban is finished do not fast.”[7] The scholars of the Shafi`i school understood that this hadith prohibits voluntary fasting in the second half of Sha’ban, except in certain circumstances.[8] The other schools, however, say that there is no prohibition on fasting in the second half of the month but say that it is disliked to fast a day or two before Ramadan.
We have mentioned much detail on fasting and this is due to the sheer number of narrations on the subject. Even if we can just fast the “White Days”[9] or any three days this would have a great effect.
Other than fasting, it is recommended to send abundant blessings and peace upon the Beloved of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). It was in this month that Allah revealed:
﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلاَئِكَـتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِيِّ يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً ﴾
Allah and His angels send their blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe send blessings and peace upon him in abundance![10]
Perhaps this is why the Prophet called Sha`ban “my month,” when he said in the hadith: “Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha`bān is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.”[11] Sending blessings upon him is one of the greatest means of strengthening our connection to him in this life and also the next, as he informed us (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): “The closest people to me on the Day of Rising will be those who send the most blessings upon me.”[12]
It was also the habit of some of the early Muslims to recite the Qur’an in abundance during Sha`ban. This along with fasting gives us the best preparation for Ramadan, as it takes time for the self (nafs) to become accustomed to doing these things in abundance. If we are already accustomed to doing them before Ramadan it will enable us to do more when the month begins. Perhaps this is why Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq said: “in Rajab you sow the seeds, in Sha`ban you irrigate them and in Ramadan you reap the harvest.”
Two momentous events occurred in Sha`ban. The scholars of Sira say that it was the month in which the moon was split in half for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). It was also the month in which the Qibla (direction of prayer) was changed from Bayt al-Maqdis in Jerusalem to the Ka`ba in Mecca . While these events have now passed there is one momentous event which comes around every year, and that is the Fifteenth Night of Sha`ban, one of the greatest nights of the year. We intend to deal with it in detail closer to the time.
We end by asking, as the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked:
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا في رَجَبٍ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنا رَمَضَانَ
“O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha`bān and enable us to reach Ramadan!”[13]
[1] Narrated by Ahmad and al-Nasa’i
[2] Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim
[3] Narrated by al-Nasa’i
[4] Narrated by al-Haythami
[5] Such as fasting Monday and Thursday and three days in every month, which he may have been unable to perform due to expeditions and illness
[6] Narrated by al-Tabarani
[7] Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim and Ibn Hibban
[8] Such as if someone begins fasting in the first half of the month and continues his fast into the second half or if someone regularly fasted on a Monday throughout the year. In these situations it is permissible to fast in the second half of the month. A make up fast (qada’) is of course permissible, as this discussion only revolves around voluntary fasting.
[9] The “White Days” are the days which follow nights in which the moon is full, namely the 13th, 14th and 15th days of each lunar month. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) encouraged his Companions to fast three days in every month and to fast these days specifically. The 15th day is regarded as being in the first half of the month and thus there is no prohibition in the Shafi`i school on fasting it in Sha`ban.
[10] Al-Ahzab 33.56
[11] Narrated by al-Suyuti
[12] Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban
[13] Narrated by Ahmad
--
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Preparation for Ramadhan
Special talk - Thursday: 30 June 2011
Preparation for Ramadhan
By: Ustazah Nagheba Hayel
Ustazah begins by reciting the intention of Imam Al-Haddad.
Intention = very important
Small action with great intention is much better than big action with small intention
Ta’lam wa ta’leem: We are all teachers as mothers, wife, sister, friend and through any knowledge we gain from Quran & Sunnah, what is good & disseminate it.
The story of miskina: A lady called miskina (not even her real name as she was really insignificant that people didn’t even know her name. She carries water to the people and at the night when she passed away, a scholar in the town dreamed of her. He saw her in green silk and looking glorious. He called ‘Miskina’ and she replied ‘hayhata, hayhata’ (things of the past). She said that at night time, she listened to dars and daytime she brought water to people with the intention of disseminating knowledge.
Tazdkir: to remind each other as we are insaan. Root of 'Insan' - nasia --- means forget that's why we remind each other
Ibtigha’ wajhiLlah: hope to reach the countenance of Allah.
"Infinite is the native land from whence Allah has created the soul"
The saying above, from a scholar, jannah =the infinite land where our soul is created, created to worship Allah.
Jannah is surrounded by what human usually dislike; like not to do or say or see or hear bad things, not to backbite, to perform solah on time, read the Qur'an etc... It is a "forever land" and the soul will feel tranquil because it is where it actually belongs to. Therefore, we must work and focus to reach Jannah
Always concentrate on the main goal, the world is like a bridge to pass through to reach the real world = Jannah
World is just a passing place
Man is created to worship Allah - az Zariyyat verse 56 (And I did not create the Jin or mankind except to worship Me) = mankind is the slave to Allah
What is the good in worship? It's not just a routine but connection between you & the divine
Eg: surah al Fatihah, we say 'iyya ka na'budu..." = direct communication with Allah
With citing "bismillah" - it is accompanied with goodness & barakah (fr Hadith)
"there is no good in worship that is not understood" by Imam Ali
We must understand the significance of prayer, fasting / Ramadhan
How do we prepare ourselves for Ramadhan?
"May Allah bless us in Rejab & Syaaban and allows us to reach Ramadhan" - Musnad Imam Ahmad
"Rajab is the month of Allah, Shaaban is my month & Ramadhan is the month of my nation " narrated by Imam Al-Suyuti in Al-Jami
Rajab is the month of repentance and cleanser for our hearts.
During Syaaban, send as much salutation to the prophet Muhammad saw
Ramadhan - is a special month coz - based on the wisdom of the following sayings:
The scholars said that:
Rajab : the Month of repentance (cleansing your soul... And your heart. To glorify Allah so your heart is glossed and cleansed. Getting ones heart ready for Ramadhan
Repentance is cleansing yourself with istighfar - with determination not to repeat the same sin. If it is repeated, repent again! Also by doing loads of zikir
To clean ones heart so it is cleansed & the shine & nur from Allah will shine
Syaaban : the month of sending salutation upon the prophet
Believing in your heart - persevere with the thought of love to Rasulullah
It is also said that those who send Salawat to rasulullah Allah will send the same to that person
To get the barakah & follow the sunnah. We are indebt to Rasool ‘alayhi salatu wassalam.
Connecting the sunnah acts (not just the fard) with the Prophet
Remind ourselves as much as possible to practice sunnah deeds
Ramadhan : the month of Al-Quran. Sayidina Jibril Alayhi Salaam came and read the Qur’an with Rasool ‘alayhi salatu wassalam
Imam Abu Bakra al-Warraq : Rajab is d month of planting seeds, Syaaban is the month of irrigating the crop & Ramadhan is the month for harvesting
‘Rajab is like the wind, Syaaban is like a cloud, Ramadhan is like the rain’
According to Imam Ghazali, there are three different type of mu’min anticipating the month 1) prepared a hugh tank so that they can collect water to be used for the whole year 2) prepared a bucket and it lasted a few months 3) those who are busy and he forgets, when the rain came, they took a cup to get the water. Ramadhan is like the rain - mercy and blessings. Preparation should be way before Ramadhan.
Surah al baqarah: 183 - "fasting had been prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you, so that you may become God conscious" . Fasting was prescribed to every nation. Taqwa - fear of Allah, Feeling the presence of Allah
"All of the deeds of man are for himself except for fasting which is for Me & I shall reward it Myself" - Bukhari. Unknown amount of rewards.
"In paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyan through which those who fast will enter and no one will enter it except them, when they have entered it will be locked and no one else will enter through it ... " - Bukhari
The du'a of d fasting one will not be refused - al Bayhaqi
My du'a is the witness of my slave state
Musnad Imam Ahmad: "ones fast will intercede for one on the Day of Judgment saying 'O Lord I prevented him from his food & physical desires during the day so let me intercede for him"
Everyone will pass on the bridge and they will cross it according to the way they walk in this dunya. Five different type of crossings 1) faster than lightning 2) riding upon a beast 3) running 4) walking 5) crawling
So that is why Muslims are allowed to cry for the prophet - rasulullah may intercede for his nation
Crossing the 'sirat' to jannah - this is helped with all our deeds & all our prayers, Salawat
Luqman once said to his son: "oh my son, when the stomach is full then the intellect sleeps, wisdom is silenced & d limbs are too lazy to perform any act of worship "
Ibrahim al-Adham: those that came before us were ruined because of 3 things- their excessive talking, excessive sleeping & excessive eating "
(all he needs is simplicity - look out for his story)
Hadith from Muslim: the smell of mouth of the fasting one is better with Allah than scent of musk
When the month of Ramadhan enters, the gates of heaven opened, the gates of hell are closed, the devils are chained (Bukhari) - this is more metaphorical because what must be 'chained' is our nafs
Jannah beautifies itself in Ramadhan (more beautiful, more sweet smelling)
On the first night of Ramadhan, a very light wind under the Throne, touching every single leaves. Angels said ‘tonight is the first night of Ramadhan
Bukhari: whoever fast during Ramadhan out of faith will have all his previous sins forgiven
Saying of d Salaf:[during the month of] ramadhan, 1st part is mercy, middle of it is forgiveness, the last of it is freedom from the fire
(forgiveness - seeking Allah's forgiveness to cleanse all the previous sins)
Degrees of the fast
1. Layman - Awwam
2. Elite - to abstain from sin by guarding the hearing, eye, sight, Tongue & limbs from evil acts
3. Elect from the Elite - awlia , to abstain
Ibn ata'illah - kitab al Hikam: actions are erect forms & their soul is the existence of sincerity within them
Many of those take nothing from their fasting except hunger & thirst - by Ahmad & Ibn Majah
The wisdom of fasting
- protect the senses from all that is haram from saying bad things, sight, hearing
- teaches one patienc / fortitude
- Increase generosity - zakah & Sadaqah
- Increase gratitude
- helps one to experience poverty
- increase your humility
- teaches you about yourself - ones ability to submit
- ability to conquer / discipline nafs - ones carnal desire
5 things that breaks fast - lying, backbiting, slander, lying under oath, covertness & lustful eyes - related by Anas bin Malik (break the reward of fasting)
Guarding the senses & limbs
Tongue
Eyes
Ramadhan an increase of good deeds
- recite Quran, make du'a
Iktikaf
Umrah in the last 10 days
Priority in 5 pillars in Ramadhan especially solat
Recommended (fasting) / sunnah
Yearly : 1st & 10th Muharram, Day of Arafat, 1st Rajab, 15 Syaaban, 6 days in shawwal, 9th Zulhijjah, 1 to 9 th Zulhijjah
Monthly
White days-13 14 15,
Black 28 29 30
Weekly -Thursday & Mondays
Preparation for Ramadhan
By: Ustazah Nagheba Hayel
Ustazah begins by reciting the intention of Imam Al-Haddad.
Intention = very important
Small action with great intention is much better than big action with small intention
Ta’lam wa ta’leem: We are all teachers as mothers, wife, sister, friend and through any knowledge we gain from Quran & Sunnah, what is good & disseminate it.
The story of miskina: A lady called miskina (not even her real name as she was really insignificant that people didn’t even know her name. She carries water to the people and at the night when she passed away, a scholar in the town dreamed of her. He saw her in green silk and looking glorious. He called ‘Miskina’ and she replied ‘hayhata, hayhata’ (things of the past). She said that at night time, she listened to dars and daytime she brought water to people with the intention of disseminating knowledge.
Tazdkir: to remind each other as we are insaan. Root of 'Insan' - nasia --- means forget that's why we remind each other
Ibtigha’ wajhiLlah: hope to reach the countenance of Allah.
"Infinite is the native land from whence Allah has created the soul"
The saying above, from a scholar, jannah =the infinite land where our soul is created, created to worship Allah.
Jannah is surrounded by what human usually dislike; like not to do or say or see or hear bad things, not to backbite, to perform solah on time, read the Qur'an etc... It is a "forever land" and the soul will feel tranquil because it is where it actually belongs to. Therefore, we must work and focus to reach Jannah
Always concentrate on the main goal, the world is like a bridge to pass through to reach the real world = Jannah
World is just a passing place
Man is created to worship Allah - az Zariyyat verse 56 (And I did not create the Jin or mankind except to worship Me) = mankind is the slave to Allah
What is the good in worship? It's not just a routine but connection between you & the divine
Eg: surah al Fatihah, we say 'iyya ka na'budu..." = direct communication with Allah
With citing "bismillah" - it is accompanied with goodness & barakah (fr Hadith)
"there is no good in worship that is not understood" by Imam Ali
We must understand the significance of prayer, fasting / Ramadhan
How do we prepare ourselves for Ramadhan?
"May Allah bless us in Rejab & Syaaban and allows us to reach Ramadhan" - Musnad Imam Ahmad
"Rajab is the month of Allah, Shaaban is my month & Ramadhan is the month of my nation " narrated by Imam Al-Suyuti in Al-Jami
Rajab is the month of repentance and cleanser for our hearts.
During Syaaban, send as much salutation to the prophet Muhammad saw
Ramadhan - is a special month coz - based on the wisdom of the following sayings:
The scholars said that:
Rajab : the Month of repentance (cleansing your soul... And your heart. To glorify Allah so your heart is glossed and cleansed. Getting ones heart ready for Ramadhan
Repentance is cleansing yourself with istighfar - with determination not to repeat the same sin. If it is repeated, repent again! Also by doing loads of zikir
To clean ones heart so it is cleansed & the shine & nur from Allah will shine
Syaaban : the month of sending salutation upon the prophet
Believing in your heart - persevere with the thought of love to Rasulullah
It is also said that those who send Salawat to rasulullah Allah will send the same to that person
To get the barakah & follow the sunnah. We are indebt to Rasool ‘alayhi salatu wassalam.
Connecting the sunnah acts (not just the fard) with the Prophet
Remind ourselves as much as possible to practice sunnah deeds
Ramadhan : the month of Al-Quran. Sayidina Jibril Alayhi Salaam came and read the Qur’an with Rasool ‘alayhi salatu wassalam
Imam Abu Bakra al-Warraq : Rajab is d month of planting seeds, Syaaban is the month of irrigating the crop & Ramadhan is the month for harvesting
‘Rajab is like the wind, Syaaban is like a cloud, Ramadhan is like the rain’
According to Imam Ghazali, there are three different type of mu’min anticipating the month 1) prepared a hugh tank so that they can collect water to be used for the whole year 2) prepared a bucket and it lasted a few months 3) those who are busy and he forgets, when the rain came, they took a cup to get the water. Ramadhan is like the rain - mercy and blessings. Preparation should be way before Ramadhan.
Surah al baqarah: 183 - "fasting had been prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you, so that you may become God conscious" . Fasting was prescribed to every nation. Taqwa - fear of Allah, Feeling the presence of Allah
"All of the deeds of man are for himself except for fasting which is for Me & I shall reward it Myself" - Bukhari. Unknown amount of rewards.
"In paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyan through which those who fast will enter and no one will enter it except them, when they have entered it will be locked and no one else will enter through it ... " - Bukhari
The du'a of d fasting one will not be refused - al Bayhaqi
My du'a is the witness of my slave state
Musnad Imam Ahmad: "ones fast will intercede for one on the Day of Judgment saying 'O Lord I prevented him from his food & physical desires during the day so let me intercede for him"
Everyone will pass on the bridge and they will cross it according to the way they walk in this dunya. Five different type of crossings 1) faster than lightning 2) riding upon a beast 3) running 4) walking 5) crawling
So that is why Muslims are allowed to cry for the prophet - rasulullah may intercede for his nation
Crossing the 'sirat' to jannah - this is helped with all our deeds & all our prayers, Salawat
Luqman once said to his son: "oh my son, when the stomach is full then the intellect sleeps, wisdom is silenced & d limbs are too lazy to perform any act of worship "
Ibrahim al-Adham: those that came before us were ruined because of 3 things- their excessive talking, excessive sleeping & excessive eating "
(all he needs is simplicity - look out for his story)
Hadith from Muslim: the smell of mouth of the fasting one is better with Allah than scent of musk
When the month of Ramadhan enters, the gates of heaven opened, the gates of hell are closed, the devils are chained (Bukhari) - this is more metaphorical because what must be 'chained' is our nafs
Jannah beautifies itself in Ramadhan (more beautiful, more sweet smelling)
On the first night of Ramadhan, a very light wind under the Throne, touching every single leaves. Angels said ‘tonight is the first night of Ramadhan
Bukhari: whoever fast during Ramadhan out of faith will have all his previous sins forgiven
Saying of d Salaf:[during the month of] ramadhan, 1st part is mercy, middle of it is forgiveness, the last of it is freedom from the fire
(forgiveness - seeking Allah's forgiveness to cleanse all the previous sins)
Degrees of the fast
1. Layman - Awwam
2. Elite - to abstain from sin by guarding the hearing, eye, sight, Tongue & limbs from evil acts
3. Elect from the Elite - awlia , to abstain
Ibn ata'illah - kitab al Hikam: actions are erect forms & their soul is the existence of sincerity within them
Many of those take nothing from their fasting except hunger & thirst - by Ahmad & Ibn Majah
The wisdom of fasting
- protect the senses from all that is haram from saying bad things, sight, hearing
- teaches one patienc / fortitude
- Increase generosity - zakah & Sadaqah
- Increase gratitude
- helps one to experience poverty
- increase your humility
- teaches you about yourself - ones ability to submit
- ability to conquer / discipline nafs - ones carnal desire
5 things that breaks fast - lying, backbiting, slander, lying under oath, covertness & lustful eyes - related by Anas bin Malik (break the reward of fasting)
Guarding the senses & limbs
Tongue
Eyes
Ramadhan an increase of good deeds
- recite Quran, make du'a
Iktikaf
Umrah in the last 10 days
Priority in 5 pillars in Ramadhan especially solat
Recommended (fasting) / sunnah
Yearly : 1st & 10th Muharram, Day of Arafat, 1st Rajab, 15 Syaaban, 6 days in shawwal, 9th Zulhijjah, 1 to 9 th Zulhijjah
Monthly
White days-13 14 15,
Black 28 29 30
Weekly -Thursday & Mondays
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Repentance
Repentance
Imam Ash-Shaafi`ee
Diwaan ash-Shaafi`ee
From "Three Forgotten Prayers" by `Adnaan Aali `Uroor
© Call to Islam Da`wah Center, UK 1997
Al-Muzni who is Aboo lbraaheem Isma`eel ibn Yahya said:
"I entered upon ash-Shaafi'ee during his illness which resulted in his death, so I said to him: 'What is your condition?' He replied: "I am journeying from this world, and departing from my brothers, drinking from the cup of death, and upon Allaah - Exalted is His remembrance - arriving. And no! By Allaah, I do not know if my soul is travelling towards Paradise or the Fire!" Then he started to weep, and he said:
'In You, the Creator, I raise my longing, And even if I am, O possessor of kindness and generosity, an evildoer, a criminal,
When my heart became constricted and my paths became narrow,
I took my hope in your pardon and forgiveness as an opening and an escape,
My sins seemed very great to me but when I compared them to Your forgiveness,
I found Your forgiveness to be greater,
You are and still remain the only One, who can forgive sins,
You grant and forgive out of your benevolence and generosity,
Perhaps the One who is the source of all goodness will forgive and overlook my mistakes,
And will hide the sins and burden that I accumulated,
My sins seemed very great to me, so I turned (to you) in humility,
Were it not for my contentment in you, I wouldn't, O my Lord, have seen any comfort at all,
So if You forgive me, You would have forgiven a sinner, A rebellious, oppressive tyrant still sinning,
So my crime is very great, past and present, But Your forgiveness that embraces Your servant is greater and higher,
So whomsoever holds fast to Allaah is truly saved from mankind, And whomsoever's hopes are in Him, will be far removed from any regrets.'
In translating these lines of poetry I have exercised a certain degree of freedom in order to preserve the emotive content as well as making it readable in the English language. [Translator Note]
We ask Allah to accept our worship and our repentance. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Imam Ash-Shaafi`ee
Diwaan ash-Shaafi`ee
From "Three Forgotten Prayers" by `Adnaan Aali `Uroor
© Call to Islam Da`wah Center, UK 1997
Al-Muzni who is Aboo lbraaheem Isma`eel ibn Yahya said:
"I entered upon ash-Shaafi'ee during his illness which resulted in his death, so I said to him: 'What is your condition?' He replied: "I am journeying from this world, and departing from my brothers, drinking from the cup of death, and upon Allaah - Exalted is His remembrance - arriving. And no! By Allaah, I do not know if my soul is travelling towards Paradise or the Fire!" Then he started to weep, and he said:
'In You, the Creator, I raise my longing, And even if I am, O possessor of kindness and generosity, an evildoer, a criminal,
When my heart became constricted and my paths became narrow,
I took my hope in your pardon and forgiveness as an opening and an escape,
My sins seemed very great to me but when I compared them to Your forgiveness,
I found Your forgiveness to be greater,
You are and still remain the only One, who can forgive sins,
You grant and forgive out of your benevolence and generosity,
Perhaps the One who is the source of all goodness will forgive and overlook my mistakes,
And will hide the sins and burden that I accumulated,
My sins seemed very great to me, so I turned (to you) in humility,
Were it not for my contentment in you, I wouldn't, O my Lord, have seen any comfort at all,
So if You forgive me, You would have forgiven a sinner, A rebellious, oppressive tyrant still sinning,
So my crime is very great, past and present, But Your forgiveness that embraces Your servant is greater and higher,
So whomsoever holds fast to Allaah is truly saved from mankind, And whomsoever's hopes are in Him, will be far removed from any regrets.'
In translating these lines of poetry I have exercised a certain degree of freedom in order to preserve the emotive content as well as making it readable in the English language. [Translator Note]
We ask Allah to accept our worship and our repentance. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Habib Umar's advice to his students
Bismillah
MashaALLAH.
May ALLAH reward the sisters that send me this Advice and hope that we all benefit..
*****************************************************Fwd**********************************************
Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah preserve him) was asked: ‘what advice do you have for your students and what hopes do you have for them for the future?’[1] He replied:
‘We counsel our students specifically and students of the Sacred Law generally to check their intention and the thoughts which enter their minds, which cause them either to act sincerely for the sake of Allah or to seek other than Allah. We counsel them to reject every thought originating from caprice (hawa), from the lower self (nafs) and from the Devil which calls them to seek other than Allah and to desire anything other than attaining His nearness and pleasure. The knowledge of the Sacred Law is a trust which was borne by the Prophets and Messengers and was delivered to us by the Master of the Prophets and Messengers, the Seal of the Prophets (Allah bless him and grant him peace). This knowledge is not mere information or the ability to speak with fluency and clarity, rather it is light which Allah casts into a person’s heart. Its reality is expressed in purity of the heart, truthfulness with the All-Compassionate and elements of Islam and Iman which allow someone to be elevated to the station of Ihsan and thereby attain direct knowledge (ma`rifa) of Allah. As for mere information and the ability to speak with fluency and clarity, these are possessed by both the righteous and the corrupt alike but the reality of knowledge is only possessed by someone who is truthful, sincere and has been purified. We thus counsel them to take note of this affair.
‘We also counsel them to pay attention to their transaction with Allah in acting upon their knowledge, teaching it and spreading it, seeking in doing so the countenance of Allah Almighty. We warn them against being captured by the allurement of wealth or status from whatever direction or faction that allurement comes. We wish for them to be constantly aware that Allah is the One to be sought, that Allah makes wealth subordinate to someone who has sincerity with Him and that a person’s provision has already been apportioned and he will certainly receive it. Allah has legislated and made permissible certain means for a person to earn his provision, so if he needs to do so, he does it in the way that has been prescribed. He does not use the deen as a means of earning,[2] nor does he earn by outwardly manifesting something which he does not possess. He does not earn a living nor attempt to attain some worldly objective by saying something which is not the most correct and beloved thing in the sight of Allah’s Sacred Law.
‘Finally they should consider themselves as absolute servants of everything in creation for the sake of the Lord of Creation. With this we counsel them, and we wish that Allah, according to people’s response to this call and to their truthfulness with Allah, will bring about great good in the world, and that through this He will renew the deen of this Umma as He has promised on the tongue of His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) , and that He will unite its ranks and deflect from it many tribulations. We hope that in the future that they will spread this goodness with courtesy, piety and taqwa.’
MashaALLAH.
May ALLAH reward the sisters that send me this Advice and hope that we all benefit..
*****************************************************Fwd**********************************************
Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah preserve him) was asked: ‘what advice do you have for your students and what hopes do you have for them for the future?’[1] He replied:
‘We counsel our students specifically and students of the Sacred Law generally to check their intention and the thoughts which enter their minds, which cause them either to act sincerely for the sake of Allah or to seek other than Allah. We counsel them to reject every thought originating from caprice (hawa), from the lower self (nafs) and from the Devil which calls them to seek other than Allah and to desire anything other than attaining His nearness and pleasure. The knowledge of the Sacred Law is a trust which was borne by the Prophets and Messengers and was delivered to us by the Master of the Prophets and Messengers, the Seal of the Prophets (Allah bless him and grant him peace). This knowledge is not mere information or the ability to speak with fluency and clarity, rather it is light which Allah casts into a person’s heart. Its reality is expressed in purity of the heart, truthfulness with the All-Compassionate and elements of Islam and Iman which allow someone to be elevated to the station of Ihsan and thereby attain direct knowledge (ma`rifa) of Allah. As for mere information and the ability to speak with fluency and clarity, these are possessed by both the righteous and the corrupt alike but the reality of knowledge is only possessed by someone who is truthful, sincere and has been purified. We thus counsel them to take note of this affair.
‘We also counsel them to pay attention to their transaction with Allah in acting upon their knowledge, teaching it and spreading it, seeking in doing so the countenance of Allah Almighty. We warn them against being captured by the allurement of wealth or status from whatever direction or faction that allurement comes. We wish for them to be constantly aware that Allah is the One to be sought, that Allah makes wealth subordinate to someone who has sincerity with Him and that a person’s provision has already been apportioned and he will certainly receive it. Allah has legislated and made permissible certain means for a person to earn his provision, so if he needs to do so, he does it in the way that has been prescribed. He does not use the deen as a means of earning,[2] nor does he earn by outwardly manifesting something which he does not possess. He does not earn a living nor attempt to attain some worldly objective by saying something which is not the most correct and beloved thing in the sight of Allah’s Sacred Law.
‘Finally they should consider themselves as absolute servants of everything in creation for the sake of the Lord of Creation. With this we counsel them, and we wish that Allah, according to people’s response to this call and to their truthfulness with Allah, will bring about great good in the world, and that through this He will renew the deen of this Umma as He has promised on the tongue of His Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) , and that He will unite its ranks and deflect from it many tribulations. We hope that in the future that they will spread this goodness with courtesy, piety and taqwa.’
Monday, March 14, 2011
Feeling your 'Ibadah
Feeling your ibadah - Syeikh Kamaluddin Ahmed (14th of March 2011)
- The purpose of our life is ‘Ibadah: وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
(51:56), ‘Ibadah or ‘Ubudiyyah means submission.
- The Al-Qur’an stresses the importance of ladies who are ‘zakiraat, Sabiraat, Sadiqaat : إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
(33:35)
- The whole purpose of ‘Ibadah is to feel Allah, and if we don’t feel Him then it is a big problem. Because of our Qalb is empty from Allah, we don’t have the love for Him.
- If we enjoy doing ‘Ibadah, we will not be delaying it.
- Allah is feeding us in the worship.
- One practical way to fix our salah is to fix one letter in the salah. By fixing this letter, it will perfect the solah. We have to know the meaning of this letter.
- Al-Qur’an has three parts: wordings (tajweed, qira’ah), meanings (mufasiroon) and feelings. For example, saying Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajio’un.. All of us knew the words and the meanings, but we did not have the feelings. This is one of the link to Allah.
- When we prostrate (in Sajda), we said ‘Subhana’: Allah beyond any imagination, …, flawless, …, beyond any hypothetical arguments, … , above and beyond..
Al-A’la : Highest, High Most, Most Exalted ~ we have to feel the lowest at that moment, the lowest most.
Rabbi: Made up of two words, Rabb and the letter ‘Ya’
Rabb - many du’a using the word Rabb. It signifies His Rububiyah, His Tarbiyah, nourishing us, caretaking, His loving, kind and gentle.
The letter ‘Ya’ attached to Rabb = My Rabb
- All the components in solat need to be learn outside solat:
1) know to read Qur’an properly (minimum al-fatiha) with tajweed
2) legal rulings sorrounding solat
3) zikr: وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي
(20: 14) The more we remember Him outside solat, the more we will remember Him in the solat.
- In one summer night, Sayidatina Fatima RadhiyaAllahu ‘anha prayed tahajjud prayer after ‘Isya’. She saw fajar coming and she said “what happened to the night that it is not long enough for two raka’ah of prayer”.
The companions enjoyed solah so much and the syeikh compared it to us enjoying ice-cream.
كُلَّ يَوْمٍ هُوَ فِي شَأْنٍ
(55:29) In means every single day, Allah manifest Himself in different way. Every single day, there is new pleasure in feeling Allah.
- يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا
(33:41) In Al-Qur’an, the word ‘kathiran’ is just for zikir.
- In Islam, gender equality is in knowledge and spirituality. Two women (as opposed to one man) were needed to be a witness for monetary matter as a protection for woman.
In hadith transmission, which is a real testimony and we based our religion upon it, only one woman transmitting it is enough.
- How do we increase our zikir? Two simple ways to increase zikir from Al-Qur’an:
a) Zikir ‘am: while doing other things, we remember Allah
الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىَ جُنُوبِهِمْ
(3:191) “Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides,”
We can remember Allah while doing daily tasks and while waiting for appointments etc. رِجَالٌ لَّا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَارَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ
(24:37) By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the Remembrance of Allah,
The zikir uses Qalb, our spiritual heart.
الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ أَلاَ بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
(13:28) "Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.
The example is like a mum saying “O Muhammad, I remembered you the whole day” when talking to her son. She still did all that was required from her, but she remembered the son all the time.
It began by taking three minutes in between doing things.
We should view it as ‘sprinkling our day with doing zikir”. We should try to remember Him in any way.
The second way is to check our heart before doing any activity ‘have you forgotten Allah?’
b) Zikir ‘khas: not along with other activities. We have to cut off from the world and sit down on the prayer mat. We have to think deep inside us:
وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ
(7:205) ‘And do thou (O reader!) Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul,...’
Listen to our heart saying Allah
وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ
(76:25) And keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord..
We listen to our heart saying Allah just like in the middle of the night we listen to the darkness of the night or in the middle of the ocean, we listen to the silence of the sea.
- The purpose of our life is ‘Ibadah: وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
(51:56), ‘Ibadah or ‘Ubudiyyah means submission.
- The Al-Qur’an stresses the importance of ladies who are ‘zakiraat, Sabiraat, Sadiqaat : إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
(33:35)
- The whole purpose of ‘Ibadah is to feel Allah, and if we don’t feel Him then it is a big problem. Because of our Qalb is empty from Allah, we don’t have the love for Him.
- If we enjoy doing ‘Ibadah, we will not be delaying it.
- Allah is feeding us in the worship.
- One practical way to fix our salah is to fix one letter in the salah. By fixing this letter, it will perfect the solah. We have to know the meaning of this letter.
- Al-Qur’an has three parts: wordings (tajweed, qira’ah), meanings (mufasiroon) and feelings. For example, saying Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajio’un.. All of us knew the words and the meanings, but we did not have the feelings. This is one of the link to Allah.
- When we prostrate (in Sajda), we said ‘Subhana’: Allah beyond any imagination, …, flawless, …, beyond any hypothetical arguments, … , above and beyond..
Al-A’la : Highest, High Most, Most Exalted ~ we have to feel the lowest at that moment, the lowest most.
Rabbi: Made up of two words, Rabb and the letter ‘Ya’
Rabb - many du’a using the word Rabb. It signifies His Rububiyah, His Tarbiyah, nourishing us, caretaking, His loving, kind and gentle.
The letter ‘Ya’ attached to Rabb = My Rabb
- All the components in solat need to be learn outside solat:
1) know to read Qur’an properly (minimum al-fatiha) with tajweed
2) legal rulings sorrounding solat
3) zikr: وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي
(20: 14) The more we remember Him outside solat, the more we will remember Him in the solat.
- In one summer night, Sayidatina Fatima RadhiyaAllahu ‘anha prayed tahajjud prayer after ‘Isya’. She saw fajar coming and she said “what happened to the night that it is not long enough for two raka’ah of prayer”.
The companions enjoyed solah so much and the syeikh compared it to us enjoying ice-cream.
كُلَّ يَوْمٍ هُوَ فِي شَأْنٍ
(55:29) In means every single day, Allah manifest Himself in different way. Every single day, there is new pleasure in feeling Allah.
- يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا
(33:41) In Al-Qur’an, the word ‘kathiran’ is just for zikir.
- In Islam, gender equality is in knowledge and spirituality. Two women (as opposed to one man) were needed to be a witness for monetary matter as a protection for woman.
In hadith transmission, which is a real testimony and we based our religion upon it, only one woman transmitting it is enough.
- How do we increase our zikir? Two simple ways to increase zikir from Al-Qur’an:
a) Zikir ‘am: while doing other things, we remember Allah
الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىَ جُنُوبِهِمْ
(3:191) “Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides,”
We can remember Allah while doing daily tasks and while waiting for appointments etc. رِجَالٌ لَّا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَارَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ
(24:37) By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the Remembrance of Allah,
The zikir uses Qalb, our spiritual heart.
الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ أَلاَ بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
(13:28) "Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.
The example is like a mum saying “O Muhammad, I remembered you the whole day” when talking to her son. She still did all that was required from her, but she remembered the son all the time.
It began by taking three minutes in between doing things.
We should view it as ‘sprinkling our day with doing zikir”. We should try to remember Him in any way.
The second way is to check our heart before doing any activity ‘have you forgotten Allah?’
b) Zikir ‘khas: not along with other activities. We have to cut off from the world and sit down on the prayer mat. We have to think deep inside us:
وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ
(7:205) ‘And do thou (O reader!) Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul,...’
Listen to our heart saying Allah
وَاذْكُرِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ
(76:25) And keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord..
We listen to our heart saying Allah just like in the middle of the night we listen to the darkness of the night or in the middle of the ocean, we listen to the silence of the sea.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Tafsir of surah Al-Fatiha 1
BISMILILAHI RAHMANI RAHIM
Allahuma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘aali Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta ‘alaa ‘Ibraheema wa ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraheema, ‘innaka Hameedun Majeed. Allahumma baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘aali Muhammadin, kamaa baarakta ‘alaa ‘Ibraheema wa ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraheema, ‘innaka Hameedun Majeed.
Tafsir Juz Ammah and Fatiha
Adab (manners) of Studying the Quran :
Ask Allah for Iklhas (sincerity)/have the right niyah (intention)
Doing Wudu before reciting Quran
Facing the Qiblah
Use miswak
Say A’oothoubillah minashaytaneer rajeeb before reciting the Quran
And then start with Bismillah Rahmani Raheem
Think about the Ayat and try to understand it
When you hear an Ayat about punishments and people being punished say « A’oothoubillah »
Ask Allah for Jannah when you hear about Jannah. When you hear the words of Allah, depending on what you are hearing, you respond. (this is from the adab)
Can’t hear the Quran while being distracted. Have your heart present and alive because Allah is talking to us. Presence of the heart and have the words of the Quran touch you. (if cant cry act as if you are crying).
Recite Quran in a beautiful voice/tone (decorate Quran with a beautiful voice as if you are decorating it).
Respect the Quran. Do not stop in the middle of the Ayat. No intteruptions. Give your time with the Quran.
Take time with the Quran. Do not rush.
Read in a peaceful and quiet place so this will bring Khushoo (humility) in your heart.
Recite the Ayat 2-3 times, repeat over until Allah guides you to understand it Insha Allah. Read as if it is directed to you and not anyone else.
Benefits of reading the Quran :
It Purifies the heart,
Intercesssion on Day of Judgement,
You will be among the best of mankind
Defeat your shaitan
Recite/Read Quran and follow it
Quran can be a witness for you or against you
Do not envy anyone except in 2 cases : the first is a man that memorize the Quran, meaning Allah has taught him the Quran and recites the Quran day and night
Sayyiduna ibn Mas'ud [radhiallaahu anhu] narrates that Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] said, 'There are only two people who are worthy of being imitated; a person to whom Allah gives wealth and guides to spend it in that which pleases Allah, and a person to whom Allah gives wisdom, thereafter he passes judgmment according to it and teaches it (to all of mankind).' (Sahih Bukhari Hadith 73; Sahih Muslim 1896)
Allah will elevate you in Dunya and Akhira
Allah will take us from darkness to lightness
It will bring the Angels (around you)
Ten hassanat will be written for each letter
Will be raised up high in Jannah
Allah will protect you from the worst Fitnah (memorize 10 Ayat’s from Surah Kahf it is a protection from the trial of Ad-Dajjal)
Those who know the meaning, those who strive to know Allah will reward them
Quran will be a protector for you (for anything), such as Ayatul Kursi. Allah will protect you from Fitnah.
Those who follow the Quran will have Kiram ( ?)
Quran will protect you from anything (ex : First 10 ayats of Surah Kahf and Ayatul Kursi)
Quran will give you sakinah
Iman will increase
-
Levels of Hajr Quran (leaving the Quran, abandoning the Quran)
Read an Ayat and believe it, do not doubt it. Every Ayat you recite, you should believe.
Read often (We do not want to be from the people who do not read and recite the Quran)
Follow the teachings of the Qur’an
The Quran is our Judge
We want to understand the Quran. Read and understand the tafsir of the Quran.
When we are sick, the great/best medicine is the Quran
Adab Al Quran
We should first have iklhas and good intention before we read the quran. We read only for Allah’s sake.
Reciting Surat Al Ikhlas will give you rewards as if reading the entire quran. Reaching level of ikhlas is first asking Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala to give you sincerity – we need to beg and cry for it. Always ask that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala makes us of the ikhlas – allahumma irzikna minal ikhlas fee killee haal.
Always make wudu before tafseer and be seated in a taahir place. Wudu is your weapon against the shaytaan and sins. Die with wudu in order to rise with wudu. Always walk on wudu such as sayyidina Bilal Radianlahu Anhu allahumma irziqnaa min Firdaws al a’alaa. Always walk in purity and cleanliness. Wudu rids one of sins – always make that intention and dua that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala washes away our sins.
Face the Qiblaa when reading Quran.
Use your miswaak before reading. Can you use Allah’s words if you have leftover food between your teeth? Especially garlic and onions. Think about your wedding day everytime you hold the Quraan.
Using the Miswaak is a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam.
Before we recite we should say : A’ootho billahi minal shaytaan al rajeem (Al Nahl:98) then we say Bismillah Al Rahmaan al Raheem.
Thinking and pondering and understanding the Ayat then whatever you understand, you change yourself. Be with the people of the haqq (truth), the muttaqeen (the pious).
Jaheem: one of the names of the Fire. When we hear an Ayah like this we say ‘A’ootho billah’ and make dua Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala. protect us from naar jahannam. These Ayat of Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala punishment need to make us shake and make us make dua that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala protects us from His Subhanahu wa-ta'ala punishment. And say Allahumma make us amongst the people of Jannah. Whatever you hear from Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala words we respond back by saying ‘SubhanAllah’ and Alhamdulillah.
Hearing the Quran without distractions at all – not doing other things at the same time. It should make us cry and shake. When our beloved Rasul Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam made Ibn Masood read the Quran, Rasululah Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam couldn’t take it anymore and cried. If you don’t cry, act as if you are crying (Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihu WaSalaam).
When you recite, recite it in a beautiful tone and voice. It is an order from Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala in a hadith. Decorate the Quran with your beautiful voices because beautiful voices adds beauty to the Quran (Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam). A Sahabah was reading Quran with beautiful voice Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam told him he had the voice of Sayyidina Dawood Alaihi Salaam. Recite it in a nice tone to touch your and others hearts.
When reciting, and something comes up in the middle, do not just stop in middle then come back and finish unless emergency. Don’t allow interruptions and make dua for no interruptions. Teach this to kids – no disruptions when reciting. If children disrupt, continue then teach them the adab.
Don’t rush recitation at all. Why are we rushing? This is dunya compared to recitation. We need to read it with understanding. Even in salah don’t rush recitation. Allahumma make us of those who ponder the meanings of the Quran. Ameen. Allahumma remove these locks in our hearts. Ameen. When reciting, find a quiet place without disruptions. Remove all interruptions from eyes and ears to bring khushoo’ (humility) to the heart.
Recite/repeat the ayat several times until Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala Guides you to the meaning of it. Remember ayah about what would happen if Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala sent down Quran to the mountain. Repeat it until it affects the heart.
Recite Quran as if it was sent down to you – that the messages are to you. Every Ayah is directly sent down to you.
Benefits of Al Quran Al Kareem
Make dua that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala gives us taqwaa. If we teach our hearts adab, we will be successful. The Quran was sent to Jibril Alaihi Salaam then to the Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam.
Make dua that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala makes us people of knowledge and adab. Ameen Ya Mujib.
Shaytaan ran away from Sayyidna Umar Radianlahu Anhu because of his toughness. But when he (Umar Radianlahu Anhu) heard the Quraan, he couldn’t control himself and broke down and cried. Abdullah ibn shaddad prayed behind Umar Radianlahu Anhu, in the last line during Fajr, and he used to recite Surat Yusuf – (ashqoo hiznee wa bathe illa allah’ surah) then Umar Radianlahu Anhu repeated this Ayah and he was crying loudly. Sayyidna Umar Radianlahu Anhu cried so much that the last person heard him crying.
Umar Radianlahu Anhu also heard someone in Tahajjud reading Surat At-Toor. Then when he came to that Ayah about torture, Umar Radianlahu Anhu fainted, and was carried back, and then he was sick for a whole month because of one Ayah he heard.
So let’s change ourselves when we hear the Quran, have adab and teach it to others and our kids. Our beloved Rasul, Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam had adab and he learnt this from Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala from the Quran. The best dhikr (remembrance) is Quran – studying it will give us a sound heart (tama’neenah). If you want a pure heart, have this intention first then recite the Quran.
When reciting, make dua that the Quran and Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam will be a shifaa’ah on the Day of Judgement. Try to know the meaning of the Quran.
The best among you are the ones that learn the quran and teach it (Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam).
If you want the shaytaan to shrink as small as an ant, recite Al Falaq, An-Naas, Ayatul Kursi, last ayat of Al Baqarah. We need to squash him and make him at the bottom by reciting the Quran.
We learn the Quran through the Sunnah, the Sahabah.
Everyone will benefit from reading the Quran. The one that recites has a good smell and a good taste. Even the munaffiq will benefit. We need to read it AND practice it. What type of people are we and where are we? The Quran could either help you towards Jannah, a light in your grave, make your scale heavy or it could be the opposite leading people to naar if he teaches it, learning it just for showing off (riyya’). Make dua it’s not for riyya’(showing off to others).
If you feel like your misguided recite Surat Al Fatihah (ihdinaa sirat al mustaqeem) several times.
Do not wish for anything but to memorise the Quran like the haafithoon (Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam (not in exact words) ). Envy and desire a person who recites the Quran day and night.
Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said, "Envy is permitted only in two cases: A man whom Alah gives wealth, and he disposes of it rightfully, and a man to whom Allah gives knowledge which he applies and teaches it.’’· [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala said to Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam in Al Isra: 79, to recite at night as an extra. Our beloved Rasul Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam used to recite it so much at night it made his legs swell (as He Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam did in prayer)–
Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala will take us from darkness to light (Quran Ibrahim:1). Reading the Quran will guide us towards the light, it will bring down the Angels (hadith by Muslim). A man explained to the Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam what happened when he read the Quran – the Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam said it was the Angels listening to you (Muslim).
Each letter = 10 hasanat (tirmidhi hadith).
In Jannah you will be very high = the people of the Quran. Recite in order to climb higher and higher. (rattil al quranaa tarteela ?)
Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala will protect from all fitna – of Massih Ad-Dajjal. This is the time of fitna. Blood on streets, muslims against muslim. Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam opposes this in his ummah – this is the fitna he warned us of. When he Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam saw two men arguing loud, he Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam was shocked because they were doing this in front of him.
Read surat Al Kahf to protect us from the fitna of Ad- Dajjal (fitna of today – memorise the 10 Ayat)
Those who know the meaning of the Quran, practice, follow it and have adab of Quran and struggle with it– Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala will reward them double.
Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala will protect you, if you feel down, lazy, sick - read the Quran for shifaa.
Recite, know the tafseer and make dua for sakeenah
Make the dua that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala gives you Jannah, shows you His Glorious face and protects your from jahannam. Ameen Ya Rabb.
One’s imaan should increase – i twill make the imaan stronger with more knowledge and recitation. Al Anfaal:2 and Al Furqaan: 32 this Surah talks about increase of imaan.
Quran gives us shifaa and mercy (Rahmah).
Ask Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala to cure our hearts from all diseases, shower us with His Mercy, to make us all enter Jannah behind our beloved Rasul Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam shoulders and the sahabah, that we be amongst these noble people. Ameen Ya Mujib. That He Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala accept our dua, make us have adab. Ameen Ya Mujib.
Levels of hajr Al Quran :
Do not question any Ayah– believe it.
Don’t be of those who d not recite or listen to the Quran – this should be our lives
Practice what you learn and read in the Quran
The Quran is our judge
Reading – we need to understand tafseer and meaning
Make dua for taqwaa through the Quran – when you recite you will understand Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala message
The medicine is (The Quran) when we are sick
Summary once again :
1) Ikhlas
2) wudhu
3) facing Qibla
4) miswak
5) Say A’oothoubillah minashaytaneer rajeeb before reciting the Quran
6) Basmala
7) think and try to practise
8) say istiadza (A’oothoubillah) when reading about punishment and say Allahumma j’alna minhum when reading about Jannah - respond to Ayaat
9) istihdaril qalb (presence of the heart) that make you cry but if youu can’t cry, act as if you crying
10) recite in beautiful voice
11) do not stop in the middle of Ayaat
12) do not rush
13) find somewhere quite and no distraction in front of eyes
14) repeat words a few times until the meaning gets in your heart
15) Recite and feel every Ayah as if it is meant for you, be it good or bad
16) cover your hair
Study Qur’an
1- tatma’ina qulub (rest/peace in the heart)
2- syafa’a (intercession) in Day of Judgement
3- Will be among the best
4- find all the answers in Qur’an and defeat syaitan
5- smell of misk, even munafiq smell like rihana (a plant that produce nice smell but rotten)
6- special group
7- The Quran can be a witness for or against you
8 - beg for Allah using His ayaat
9- (la hasd illa) no envy except for two.. someone who Allah teaches Qur’an and recites it day and night
10- elevation in this world and the next
11- take from zulm to noor (darkness to light)
12 - brings angels
13. every letter has 10 hasanah
14, high level in jannah
15, protect from fitnah especially from dajjal
16. maqam bil kiram albararah (A place with Al-Kiram - kiram is Saidatina Fatimah and Sayidina Ali RadhiyaAllahu ‘anhuma and al-bararah means those who do goodness) in the Day of Judgemnet
17. protection and sakinah (tranquility)
18. make our iman stronger
29. syifa and rahmah (healing and mercy)
Levels of Hajr Quran (leaving the Quran, abandoning the Quran)
Read an Ayat and believe it, do not doubt it. Every Ayat you recite, you should believe.
Read often (We do not want to be from the people who do not read and recite the Quran)
Follow the teachings of the Qur’an
The Quran is our Judge
We want to understand the Quran. Read and understand the tafsir of the Quran.
When we are sick, the great/best medicine is the Quran
Allahuma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘aali Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta ‘alaa ‘Ibraheema wa ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraheema, ‘innaka Hameedun Majeed. Allahumma baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘aali Muhammadin, kamaa baarakta ‘alaa ‘Ibraheema wa ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraheema, ‘innaka Hameedun Majeed.
Tafsir Juz Ammah and Fatiha
Adab (manners) of Studying the Quran :
Ask Allah for Iklhas (sincerity)/have the right niyah (intention)
Doing Wudu before reciting Quran
Facing the Qiblah
Use miswak
Say A’oothoubillah minashaytaneer rajeeb before reciting the Quran
And then start with Bismillah Rahmani Raheem
Think about the Ayat and try to understand it
When you hear an Ayat about punishments and people being punished say « A’oothoubillah »
Ask Allah for Jannah when you hear about Jannah. When you hear the words of Allah, depending on what you are hearing, you respond. (this is from the adab)
Can’t hear the Quran while being distracted. Have your heart present and alive because Allah is talking to us. Presence of the heart and have the words of the Quran touch you. (if cant cry act as if you are crying).
Recite Quran in a beautiful voice/tone (decorate Quran with a beautiful voice as if you are decorating it).
Respect the Quran. Do not stop in the middle of the Ayat. No intteruptions. Give your time with the Quran.
Take time with the Quran. Do not rush.
Read in a peaceful and quiet place so this will bring Khushoo (humility) in your heart.
Recite the Ayat 2-3 times, repeat over until Allah guides you to understand it Insha Allah. Read as if it is directed to you and not anyone else.
Benefits of reading the Quran :
It Purifies the heart,
Intercesssion on Day of Judgement,
You will be among the best of mankind
Defeat your shaitan
Recite/Read Quran and follow it
Quran can be a witness for you or against you
Do not envy anyone except in 2 cases : the first is a man that memorize the Quran, meaning Allah has taught him the Quran and recites the Quran day and night
Sayyiduna ibn Mas'ud [radhiallaahu anhu] narrates that Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] said, 'There are only two people who are worthy of being imitated; a person to whom Allah gives wealth and guides to spend it in that which pleases Allah, and a person to whom Allah gives wisdom, thereafter he passes judgmment according to it and teaches it (to all of mankind).' (Sahih Bukhari Hadith 73; Sahih Muslim 1896)
Allah will elevate you in Dunya and Akhira
Allah will take us from darkness to lightness
It will bring the Angels (around you)
Ten hassanat will be written for each letter
Will be raised up high in Jannah
Allah will protect you from the worst Fitnah (memorize 10 Ayat’s from Surah Kahf it is a protection from the trial of Ad-Dajjal)
Those who know the meaning, those who strive to know Allah will reward them
Quran will be a protector for you (for anything), such as Ayatul Kursi. Allah will protect you from Fitnah.
Those who follow the Quran will have Kiram ( ?)
Quran will protect you from anything (ex : First 10 ayats of Surah Kahf and Ayatul Kursi)
Quran will give you sakinah
Iman will increase
-
Levels of Hajr Quran (leaving the Quran, abandoning the Quran)
Read an Ayat and believe it, do not doubt it. Every Ayat you recite, you should believe.
Read often (We do not want to be from the people who do not read and recite the Quran)
Follow the teachings of the Qur’an
The Quran is our Judge
We want to understand the Quran. Read and understand the tafsir of the Quran.
When we are sick, the great/best medicine is the Quran
Adab Al Quran
We should first have iklhas and good intention before we read the quran. We read only for Allah’s sake.
Reciting Surat Al Ikhlas will give you rewards as if reading the entire quran. Reaching level of ikhlas is first asking Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala to give you sincerity – we need to beg and cry for it. Always ask that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala makes us of the ikhlas – allahumma irzikna minal ikhlas fee killee haal.
Always make wudu before tafseer and be seated in a taahir place. Wudu is your weapon against the shaytaan and sins. Die with wudu in order to rise with wudu. Always walk on wudu such as sayyidina Bilal Radianlahu Anhu allahumma irziqnaa min Firdaws al a’alaa. Always walk in purity and cleanliness. Wudu rids one of sins – always make that intention and dua that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala washes away our sins.
Face the Qiblaa when reading Quran.
Use your miswaak before reading. Can you use Allah’s words if you have leftover food between your teeth? Especially garlic and onions. Think about your wedding day everytime you hold the Quraan.
Using the Miswaak is a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam.
Before we recite we should say : A’ootho billahi minal shaytaan al rajeem (Al Nahl:98) then we say Bismillah Al Rahmaan al Raheem.
Thinking and pondering and understanding the Ayat then whatever you understand, you change yourself. Be with the people of the haqq (truth), the muttaqeen (the pious).
Jaheem: one of the names of the Fire. When we hear an Ayah like this we say ‘A’ootho billah’ and make dua Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala. protect us from naar jahannam. These Ayat of Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala punishment need to make us shake and make us make dua that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala protects us from His Subhanahu wa-ta'ala punishment. And say Allahumma make us amongst the people of Jannah. Whatever you hear from Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala words we respond back by saying ‘SubhanAllah’ and Alhamdulillah.
Hearing the Quran without distractions at all – not doing other things at the same time. It should make us cry and shake. When our beloved Rasul Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam made Ibn Masood read the Quran, Rasululah Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam couldn’t take it anymore and cried. If you don’t cry, act as if you are crying (Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihu WaSalaam).
When you recite, recite it in a beautiful tone and voice. It is an order from Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala in a hadith. Decorate the Quran with your beautiful voices because beautiful voices adds beauty to the Quran (Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam). A Sahabah was reading Quran with beautiful voice Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam told him he had the voice of Sayyidina Dawood Alaihi Salaam. Recite it in a nice tone to touch your and others hearts.
When reciting, and something comes up in the middle, do not just stop in middle then come back and finish unless emergency. Don’t allow interruptions and make dua for no interruptions. Teach this to kids – no disruptions when reciting. If children disrupt, continue then teach them the adab.
Don’t rush recitation at all. Why are we rushing? This is dunya compared to recitation. We need to read it with understanding. Even in salah don’t rush recitation. Allahumma make us of those who ponder the meanings of the Quran. Ameen. Allahumma remove these locks in our hearts. Ameen. When reciting, find a quiet place without disruptions. Remove all interruptions from eyes and ears to bring khushoo’ (humility) to the heart.
Recite/repeat the ayat several times until Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala Guides you to the meaning of it. Remember ayah about what would happen if Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala sent down Quran to the mountain. Repeat it until it affects the heart.
Recite Quran as if it was sent down to you – that the messages are to you. Every Ayah is directly sent down to you.
Benefits of Al Quran Al Kareem
Make dua that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala gives us taqwaa. If we teach our hearts adab, we will be successful. The Quran was sent to Jibril Alaihi Salaam then to the Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam.
Make dua that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala makes us people of knowledge and adab. Ameen Ya Mujib.
Shaytaan ran away from Sayyidna Umar Radianlahu Anhu because of his toughness. But when he (Umar Radianlahu Anhu) heard the Quraan, he couldn’t control himself and broke down and cried. Abdullah ibn shaddad prayed behind Umar Radianlahu Anhu, in the last line during Fajr, and he used to recite Surat Yusuf – (ashqoo hiznee wa bathe illa allah’ surah) then Umar Radianlahu Anhu repeated this Ayah and he was crying loudly. Sayyidna Umar Radianlahu Anhu cried so much that the last person heard him crying.
Umar Radianlahu Anhu also heard someone in Tahajjud reading Surat At-Toor. Then when he came to that Ayah about torture, Umar Radianlahu Anhu fainted, and was carried back, and then he was sick for a whole month because of one Ayah he heard.
So let’s change ourselves when we hear the Quran, have adab and teach it to others and our kids. Our beloved Rasul, Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam had adab and he learnt this from Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala from the Quran. The best dhikr (remembrance) is Quran – studying it will give us a sound heart (tama’neenah). If you want a pure heart, have this intention first then recite the Quran.
When reciting, make dua that the Quran and Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam will be a shifaa’ah on the Day of Judgement. Try to know the meaning of the Quran.
The best among you are the ones that learn the quran and teach it (Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam).
If you want the shaytaan to shrink as small as an ant, recite Al Falaq, An-Naas, Ayatul Kursi, last ayat of Al Baqarah. We need to squash him and make him at the bottom by reciting the Quran.
We learn the Quran through the Sunnah, the Sahabah.
Everyone will benefit from reading the Quran. The one that recites has a good smell and a good taste. Even the munaffiq will benefit. We need to read it AND practice it. What type of people are we and where are we? The Quran could either help you towards Jannah, a light in your grave, make your scale heavy or it could be the opposite leading people to naar if he teaches it, learning it just for showing off (riyya’). Make dua it’s not for riyya’(showing off to others).
If you feel like your misguided recite Surat Al Fatihah (ihdinaa sirat al mustaqeem) several times.
Do not wish for anything but to memorise the Quran like the haafithoon (Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam (not in exact words) ). Envy and desire a person who recites the Quran day and night.
Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said, "Envy is permitted only in two cases: A man whom Alah gives wealth, and he disposes of it rightfully, and a man to whom Allah gives knowledge which he applies and teaches it.’’· [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala said to Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam in Al Isra: 79, to recite at night as an extra. Our beloved Rasul Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam used to recite it so much at night it made his legs swell (as He Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam did in prayer)–
Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala will take us from darkness to light (Quran Ibrahim:1). Reading the Quran will guide us towards the light, it will bring down the Angels (hadith by Muslim). A man explained to the Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam what happened when he read the Quran – the Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam said it was the Angels listening to you (Muslim).
Each letter = 10 hasanat (tirmidhi hadith).
In Jannah you will be very high = the people of the Quran. Recite in order to climb higher and higher. (rattil al quranaa tarteela ?)
Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala will protect from all fitna – of Massih Ad-Dajjal. This is the time of fitna. Blood on streets, muslims against muslim. Prophet Muhammad Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam opposes this in his ummah – this is the fitna he warned us of. When he Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam saw two men arguing loud, he Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam was shocked because they were doing this in front of him.
Read surat Al Kahf to protect us from the fitna of Ad- Dajjal (fitna of today – memorise the 10 Ayat)
Those who know the meaning of the Quran, practice, follow it and have adab of Quran and struggle with it– Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala will reward them double.
Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala will protect you, if you feel down, lazy, sick - read the Quran for shifaa.
Recite, know the tafseer and make dua for sakeenah
Make the dua that Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala gives you Jannah, shows you His Glorious face and protects your from jahannam. Ameen Ya Rabb.
One’s imaan should increase – i twill make the imaan stronger with more knowledge and recitation. Al Anfaal:2 and Al Furqaan: 32 this Surah talks about increase of imaan.
Quran gives us shifaa and mercy (Rahmah).
Ask Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala to cure our hearts from all diseases, shower us with His Mercy, to make us all enter Jannah behind our beloved Rasul Salalahu Alaihi Wa Salaam shoulders and the sahabah, that we be amongst these noble people. Ameen Ya Mujib. That He Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala accept our dua, make us have adab. Ameen Ya Mujib.
Levels of hajr Al Quran :
Do not question any Ayah– believe it.
Don’t be of those who d not recite or listen to the Quran – this should be our lives
Practice what you learn and read in the Quran
The Quran is our judge
Reading – we need to understand tafseer and meaning
Make dua for taqwaa through the Quran – when you recite you will understand Allah Subhanahu wa-ta'ala message
The medicine is (The Quran) when we are sick
Summary once again :
1) Ikhlas
2) wudhu
3) facing Qibla
4) miswak
5) Say A’oothoubillah minashaytaneer rajeeb before reciting the Quran
6) Basmala
7) think and try to practise
8) say istiadza (A’oothoubillah) when reading about punishment and say Allahumma j’alna minhum when reading about Jannah - respond to Ayaat
9) istihdaril qalb (presence of the heart) that make you cry but if youu can’t cry, act as if you crying
10) recite in beautiful voice
11) do not stop in the middle of Ayaat
12) do not rush
13) find somewhere quite and no distraction in front of eyes
14) repeat words a few times until the meaning gets in your heart
15) Recite and feel every Ayah as if it is meant for you, be it good or bad
16) cover your hair
Study Qur’an
1- tatma’ina qulub (rest/peace in the heart)
2- syafa’a (intercession) in Day of Judgement
3- Will be among the best
4- find all the answers in Qur’an and defeat syaitan
5- smell of misk, even munafiq smell like rihana (a plant that produce nice smell but rotten)
6- special group
7- The Quran can be a witness for or against you
8 - beg for Allah using His ayaat
9- (la hasd illa) no envy except for two.. someone who Allah teaches Qur’an and recites it day and night
10- elevation in this world and the next
11- take from zulm to noor (darkness to light)
12 - brings angels
13. every letter has 10 hasanah
14, high level in jannah
15, protect from fitnah especially from dajjal
16. maqam bil kiram albararah (A place with Al-Kiram - kiram is Saidatina Fatimah and Sayidina Ali RadhiyaAllahu ‘anhuma and al-bararah means those who do goodness) in the Day of Judgemnet
17. protection and sakinah (tranquility)
18. make our iman stronger
29. syifa and rahmah (healing and mercy)
Levels of Hajr Quran (leaving the Quran, abandoning the Quran)
Read an Ayat and believe it, do not doubt it. Every Ayat you recite, you should believe.
Read often (We do not want to be from the people who do not read and recite the Quran)
Follow the teachings of the Qur’an
The Quran is our Judge
We want to understand the Quran. Read and understand the tafsir of the Quran.
When we are sick, the great/best medicine is the Quran
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Story of a fisherman
Bismillah,
There once lived a fisherman who took his job very seriously.
He only caught one fish at a time, and only went to fish for another one when the the one he had at home finished.
One day, as his wife was chopping up the fish that her husband had brought home, she discovered something amazing. She found a pearl inside the fish.
She was astonished, a pearl inside a fish?? SubhanAllah. "Husband, Husband!" she exclaimed, "look what I have found!"
"What have you found?" he asked?
"A pearl, I have found a pearl inside the fish!" she answered.
"What an amazing wife you are! Bring me the pearl, pehaps we will benefit from it and eat food other than fish!"
The fisherman took the pearl to a pearl trader. The trader took a look at the pearl "This pearl is so precious, but unortunately I cannot afford it even if I were to sell my shop and my house! Go to the vendor in the nearby town, perhaps he can buy it off you."
The fisherman took the pearl to the great seller in the nearby town and showed him the pearl.
"Allah..by Allah, O my brother what a priceless possession! I cannot buy it off you, but I have a solution for you; go to the governor of this town, as only he his able to buy this pearl."
At the door of the governor's palace the fisherman awaited permission to enter.
"Oh God..it is a pearl like this that I have been searching for! I do not know how to value it for you, but I will allow you entry into my private treasure chamber. You have six hours to remain in it and take what you please, and this is the value of your pearl."
"Sir, can you just give me two hours, as six hours is far too long for a fisherman like me."
"No, six hours is what is fair for you take from the chamber what you like"
The fisherman entered the governor's treasure chamber to behold a tremendous sight. It was a very large room divided into to three sections. The first section was filled with jewels, gold and pearls.
The second section had a huge and very comfortable bed, if one were to lay eyes on it could sleep from comfort.
The third section was filled with all the delicious food and drink that one can imagine.
"What will I do in six hours? Six hours is such a long time for a simple fisherman like me" the fisherman asked himself. "Ok, I guess I should start with the food in the third section" "I will eat until my stomach is full so that I will gain the necessary energy required to accummulate as much gold as possible."
The fisherman went to the food and spent a whole two hours eating. He then made his way to the first section, but on his way there he saw the very comfortable looking bed.
"I ate until I became full, so why not sleep for a bit and wake up fresh so that I can carry the greatest amount of gold?" he asked himself. "This is a once in a life time opportunity, and what supidity will prevent me from wasting it"
The fisherman went to the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
After a while the fisherman was awoken by these words "Wake up, wake up oh ignorant fisherman, your time is up"
"Huh..what?"
"yes, come on get out!"
"Please I did not get the chance.."
"Huh..huh. You have been in here for six hours and only now you have woken up from your sleep, yet you still want to take some gems?" "you had the time and opportunity to take away all of this treasure and then you could have bought with it the best food and you could have made yourself the most comfortable bed! But you are an ignorant fool and can only think in the context which you are in. Take him outside!"
"No, no, please noooooooo"
))The End((
The story has ended, however the lesson does not end here.
The pearl in the story represents your soul, a priceless treasure, and you do not no the true value of your soul.
The treasure chamber represents the dunya (the life of this world), look how great it is, yet we exploit it.
The jewels in the chamber represent our good deeds and the comfortble bed represents our negligence.
The food and drink represent our desires.
And now, my brother fisherman, you should decide; should you wake up and get out of the comfortable bed and collect as many jewels available to you before your appointed time is up, and this time is your lifetime. Otherwise you will feel great regret when leaving this world.
Allah swt says in His book "Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allâh), he says: "My Lord! Send me back, So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected." (Surah Al-Mu'minun 99-100)
There once lived a fisherman who took his job very seriously.
He only caught one fish at a time, and only went to fish for another one when the the one he had at home finished.
One day, as his wife was chopping up the fish that her husband had brought home, she discovered something amazing. She found a pearl inside the fish.
She was astonished, a pearl inside a fish?? SubhanAllah. "Husband, Husband!" she exclaimed, "look what I have found!"
"What have you found?" he asked?
"A pearl, I have found a pearl inside the fish!" she answered.
"What an amazing wife you are! Bring me the pearl, pehaps we will benefit from it and eat food other than fish!"
The fisherman took the pearl to a pearl trader. The trader took a look at the pearl "This pearl is so precious, but unortunately I cannot afford it even if I were to sell my shop and my house! Go to the vendor in the nearby town, perhaps he can buy it off you."
The fisherman took the pearl to the great seller in the nearby town and showed him the pearl.
"Allah..by Allah, O my brother what a priceless possession! I cannot buy it off you, but I have a solution for you; go to the governor of this town, as only he his able to buy this pearl."
At the door of the governor's palace the fisherman awaited permission to enter.
"Oh God..it is a pearl like this that I have been searching for! I do not know how to value it for you, but I will allow you entry into my private treasure chamber. You have six hours to remain in it and take what you please, and this is the value of your pearl."
"Sir, can you just give me two hours, as six hours is far too long for a fisherman like me."
"No, six hours is what is fair for you take from the chamber what you like"
The fisherman entered the governor's treasure chamber to behold a tremendous sight. It was a very large room divided into to three sections. The first section was filled with jewels, gold and pearls.
The second section had a huge and very comfortable bed, if one were to lay eyes on it could sleep from comfort.
The third section was filled with all the delicious food and drink that one can imagine.
"What will I do in six hours? Six hours is such a long time for a simple fisherman like me" the fisherman asked himself. "Ok, I guess I should start with the food in the third section" "I will eat until my stomach is full so that I will gain the necessary energy required to accummulate as much gold as possible."
The fisherman went to the food and spent a whole two hours eating. He then made his way to the first section, but on his way there he saw the very comfortable looking bed.
"I ate until I became full, so why not sleep for a bit and wake up fresh so that I can carry the greatest amount of gold?" he asked himself. "This is a once in a life time opportunity, and what supidity will prevent me from wasting it"
The fisherman went to the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
After a while the fisherman was awoken by these words "Wake up, wake up oh ignorant fisherman, your time is up"
"Huh..what?"
"yes, come on get out!"
"Please I did not get the chance.."
"Huh..huh. You have been in here for six hours and only now you have woken up from your sleep, yet you still want to take some gems?" "you had the time and opportunity to take away all of this treasure and then you could have bought with it the best food and you could have made yourself the most comfortable bed! But you are an ignorant fool and can only think in the context which you are in. Take him outside!"
"No, no, please noooooooo"
))The End((
The story has ended, however the lesson does not end here.
The pearl in the story represents your soul, a priceless treasure, and you do not no the true value of your soul.
The treasure chamber represents the dunya (the life of this world), look how great it is, yet we exploit it.
The jewels in the chamber represent our good deeds and the comfortble bed represents our negligence.
The food and drink represent our desires.
And now, my brother fisherman, you should decide; should you wake up and get out of the comfortable bed and collect as many jewels available to you before your appointed time is up, and this time is your lifetime. Otherwise you will feel great regret when leaving this world.
Allah swt says in His book "Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allâh), he says: "My Lord! Send me back, So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected." (Surah Al-Mu'minun 99-100)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Mawlid speech of al-Habib Ahmad Masyhur
Bismillah
A wonderful read for thirsty spirits: http://seekerofthesacred.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/translation-mawlid-speech-of-al-habib-ahmad-mash-hur-b-taha-al-haddad/#comment-217
May Allah shower His pleasure and His mercy to Habib Ahmad Masyhur (May Allah make us benefit from him) and the brother who make the effort of translating it. Ameen
A wonderful read for thirsty spirits: http://seekerofthesacred.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/translation-mawlid-speech-of-al-habib-ahmad-mash-hur-b-taha-al-haddad/#comment-217
May Allah shower His pleasure and His mercy to Habib Ahmad Masyhur (May Allah make us benefit from him) and the brother who make the effort of translating it. Ameen
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