THE SECRETS OF SABR (PATIENCE)

The meaning of Sabr:

In the Arabic language, sabr means ‘to hold fast’ ‘cease,’ or ‘choke’. For example, in Bedouin Arabic, to say “one has been killed by sabr,” means one was choked to death. Allaah the Most High Says (what means): “And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance…” [Quran 18: 28]. Sabr in this verse means to ‘hold to.’

TREACHERY – A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE LOW-MINDED

Muslims should set the best example in keeping their promises, even if it causes them to have to forego some interests. Saleem ibn ‘Aamir may Allaah have mercy upon him relates: “There was a [provisional] treaty between Mu‘aawiyah may Allaah be pleased with him and the Romans. However, he marched towards them in order to attack them as soon as the pact would expire. A man, riding a horse, came and said, ‘Allaah is The Most Great, Allaah is The Most Great!

MOCKERY IS A DISEASE FROM JAAHILIYYAH

Allaah The Almighty forbids us from mocking people as He Says (what means): {O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them}[Quran 49:11] Adh-Dhahhaak may Allaah have mercy upon him said,

LET THOSE WHO HAVE DEAD HEARTS REJOICE – I

I can no longer feel it.
It is certainly inside me, but I have not felt it for so long now. In fact, I do not know when, where or even how it happened. What I know now is that I do not feel it. I have lost it. It was inside me. I truly felt it. Nevertheless, it has died.

I remember when it was alive and energetic. I felt then that I was alive. Whenever I came to do an act of obedience, my living heart was full of joy and happiness. However, now it is completely darkened by acts of disobedience and covered with drapes that never allow light to penetrate it.

THE GLORY OF FAITH

Haaroon Ar-Rasheed may Allaah have mercy upon him once stood looking at the sky when he saw a cloud passing by. He addressed it saying, “Rain wherever you wish, for your fruit will certainly come to me anyway.” This means that the cloud would have rained either on an Islamic land or on a non-Islamic one. In the first case, Muslims would have benefitted from this rainwater in agriculture and in drinking; in the second case, Muslims would have also benefitted from this rainwater in the form of Jizyah (a tax) that would be paid to them by non-Muslims.

PATIENCE: THE PATH TO PARADISE – III

Fifteenth: Allaah The Almighty promised the believers victory and it is part of the glad tidings that will surely fulfilled for them. Allaah The Almighty Says that they got that only through patience; He Says (what means): {And the good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they had patiently endured.} [Quran 7:137]

Sixteenth: Allaah The Almighty loves those who are patient. He Says (what means): {And Allaah loves the steadfast.} [Quran 3:146]

PATIENCE: THE PATH TO PARADISE – II

In ‘Udat As-Saabireen, Ibn Al-Qayyim quoted Imaam Ahmad may Allaah have mercy upon them as saying, “Allaah The Almighty mentioned patience in the Quran in ninety places.”

Here I will mention the various contexts in which patience was mentioned:

First: The command to be patient; Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {And be patient, [O Muhammad], and your patience is not but through Allaah.} [Quran 16:127]

• {And be patient, [O Muhammad], for the decision of your Lord.} [Quran 52:48]

PATIENCE: THE PATH TO PARADISE – I

Ramadan is the month of patience; and Paradise is the reward of patience. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allaah]. Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him.}[Quran 2:45-46]

• {O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allaah is with the patient.} [Quran 2:153]

MILESTONE ON THE PATH OF DUTIFULLNESS TO THE PARENTS

There is no doubt that parents play an effective role in preventing their children from being undutiful. As it is known that prevention is better than cure, we advise noble parents who play the greatest role in this important process, to prepare youth and prevent them from being undutiful.

EXCESSIVE AMBITIONS IN THIS WORLDLY LIFE – I

Having excessive ambitions in this worldly life is one of the greatest diseases of the heart. What is the meaning of this disease? What are its harmful consequences? What is its treatment?

Meaning of Excessive Ambitions in this Worldly Life

AVOIDING HARMS OF THE TONGUE

In today’s times, most people tend to be careless about avoiding the harms of the tongue, which are widespread among the people. The following are some of the most common harms:

KNOWLEDGE IS THE FOUNDATION OF TRUE FEAR

Fear is the sensation that results from the anticipation of an expected harm; it is also felt when a person loses, or expects to lose something he cherishes. It is the exact opposite of security and can be applied to worldly matters as well as those of the Hereafter. Fear is a state of disturbance of the heart from an evil or harm that may befall a person, or, it can be the sensation it feels when missing out on something that is beloved to it.

Imam Ibn Qudamah may Allaah have mercy upon him said,

THE GARMENTS OF TAQWA: WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

There is a famous story about an emperor. This emperor was cruel and unjust to his people, so a tailor decided to play a trick on him. He went to the king and offered to make for him the finest clothes ever.

But instead of making a suit for him, he just pretended to make a suit, and fooled the emperor into thinking that he was working hard by taking a long time.

SATAN’S GATEWAY TO THE HEART

The heart is like a fort and Satan the advancing enemy, who is intent on infiltrating and occupying it. Hence, only by guarding the gates, entrances and vulnerable positions, will it be impenetrable. Yet, a person who is unacquainted with the structure of the fortress, particularly its access points, cannot adequately defend it. By the same token, the obligation of guarding the heart from the whispers of Satan cannot be fulfilled and he cannot be warded off, unless a person knows the gates to the heart that Satan may take.

HELPING OTHERS CURE STRESS

The Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) recommends helping others and meeting their needs

Many Hadiths (sayings) said by the Prophet of Mercy (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) assure the importance of cooperation, helping others and offering them a hand. The generous Prophet considers faith be incomplete until one loves for his brother what he loves for himself!! He considers who sleeps and knows his neighbor is starving, his faith is incomplete, and also who is visited by a guest, and fails to honor, his faith is incomplete.

Allah’s Apostle (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) says:

HOPE IS THE ELIXIR OF LIFE

Please join us in mediating on what motivates a farmer to work hard and sweat. It is the hope of harvesting. What urges a merchant to travel, adventure and leave his people and home? It is the hope of getting revenues. What encourages a student to study hard and remain awake for hours? It is the hope for success. What motivates a soldier to fight desperately and endure the hardships of war patiently? It is the hope for victory. What makes a patient like bitter medicine? It is his hope for health. What calls a believer to disobey his desires and obey his Lord?

KEEP AWAY FROM ENMITY

The Muslim has a mission in his life, and is required to be effective, active, tolerant and social, mixing with other people and dealing with them with tolerance and in accordance with the worthy Islamic attitudes and behavior.

THE CONCEPT OF TRUE LOVE IN ISLAM

No religion urges its followers to adopt mutual love, affection and intimacy like the religion of Islam. This should be the case at all times, not just on specific days. Islam encourages showing affection and love towards each other all the time. In a Hadeeth (narration), the Prophet, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, said:

“When a man loves his brother, he should tell him that he loves him.”
[Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]

SPITE FREE HEARTS – 2

When people went to visit Abu Dujaanah may Allaah be pleased with him in his death sickness, they saw him happy and his face radiant; they asked him about the reason, to which he may Allaah be pleased with him replied: “I have two qualities I possessed in my life; one is that I never interfered in that which did not concern me, and the second is that I always had a pure heart, free from spite towards my fellow Muslims”.

RENEWING FAITH THROUGH FEAR AND HOPE

Texts from the Quran:

• The hope of the believers which is accompanied with good deeds; Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

“Indeed, those who have believed and those who have emigrated and fought in the cause of Allah – those hope (i.e., expect) the mercy of Allah.”

[Quran, 2: 218]