Most of us, we never really intend to break a promise when we make one. That’s why it is a promise in the first place; a confirmation to someone of a future action we pledge to do. A verbal guarantee. As children, we grow up learning about keeping promises from our parents, teachers and the children’s books with their moral stories that mold our instincts to believe breaking a promise is morally wrong.
DON’T CONCERN YOURSELF WITH UNNECESSARY MATTERS
BE MINDFUL OF YOUR PURPOSE IN THIS LIFE: As Muslims, we believe that Allah not only created mankind but clarified their purpose of being here. That may seem quite obvious to some but questions related to the “purpose and meaning of life” have been grappled by western and non-Muslim philosophers for centuries. The foundation of our Islamic beliefs thus does away the need to get entangled in the philosophical innuendos of the topic. Islamic principles make it clear that Allah created life, this universe, and the rules that embody it.
Are we making the best use of our time in this life? Are we to simply pass our time in whatever way possible so that we can get to the hereafter? How are we to balance our time across various aspects of this life? Is there a right balance? Are our life’s priorities purpose driven?
The divine decree: When facing difficulties, our weak faith can sometimes drive us to question the fairness of it all. In this context, we should remind ourselves that believing inal-Qadr (Allah’s divine will and decree) is one of the pillars of Islamic faith. As the Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, it means belief in (1) Allah, (2) Angels, (3) revealed Holy Books (Quran, Bible, Torah, etc.), (4) His Messengers, (4) Day of Judgment, and (5) to believe in al-qadar (the divine decree) both good and bad.
Allah also says in the Quran:
We also know that some who face difficulties are punished for their sins. So, one may wonder how to distinguish whether a person is being simply tested by Allah or being punished for one’s sins. In this context, scholars have said that;
“(as Allah knows a person beforehand), the sign of calamity by way of punishment shows as signs of impatience and ingratitude in a person when a calamity befalls, and the sign of calamity by way of expiation and erasing of sins shows as contentment, acceptance, and patience in accepting the will of Allah until relief comes.”
As part of our Islamic faith, we believe that all matters are in the hands of Allah. However, for some of us our faith can get shaken during times of trials and hardships. It is during those times though that we should remind ourselves that a believer’s position and rank is raised in front of Allah and that such a hardship may very well be a sign of Allah’s love for the believer. This can help us in maintaining and even strengthening our faith.
Great Rewards Associated with Great Calamities
It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Tell me about ‘Ihsan’.”
The Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) replied:
“It is to worship Allah as though you see Him, and though you do not see Him, you know that He sees you”
[Bukhari]
Many of the Names of Allah (SWT) seem to be situation-specific; if you are worried about sustenance, know He is al-Razzaq (The Provider). When you feel lost, know He is al-Haadi (The Guide). Yet Allah “subhanahu wa ta’ala” (exalted is He) is with us always, in the good and bad, as well as the mundane and ordinary. So how can we engage with Allah on an everyday level?
AHADITH:
1. Abu Umamah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) saying:
“Read the Qur’an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Muslim]
COMMENTARY:
WHY DO MARRIAGES FAIL?
Every marriage – no matter how stressful, boring, or happy it may be – can use certain tips to give it a boost. This post reviews two pieces of advice that you could implement today for a better married life. If you’re not married, you too can benefit from the concepts as they are applicable across the board.
The first reminder has to do with becoming cognizant once again about our rights toward our spouses as obligated on us by Allah
Story of a Muslim sister who had a rough start in her married life … (All names have been deleted) –
When a girl enters marriage, the minimum expectations she has are that she would be able to establish a peaceful, and if possible, friendly relationship with her husband. If she has confidence about herself that she won’t pose any demands of wealth and riches on her husband, she further feels assured that he would be appreciative and there won’t be any scope for quarrels.
In these ayaat of Quran, Allah (SWT) highlights five characteristics of true believers.
“2. The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone);
3. Who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and spend out of that We have provided them.
4. It is they who are the believers in truth. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and Forgiveness and a generous provision (Paradise).”
Ali bin Rabi’ah reported: In my presence, a beast was brought to Ali bin Abu Talib (RadiyAllahu Anhu) for riding. When he put his foot in the stirrup, he said:
“Bismillah”
(With the Name of Allah).
When he had settled himself on its back he recited:
“Al-hamdu lillahil-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha, wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun.”
(All praise belongs to Allah Who has made this subservient to us, for we had not the strength to overpower it; and to our Rubb shall we return).
He then recited thrice: “Alhamdu lillah”
(Praise be to Allah),
SEEK ALLAH’S HELP IN OVERCOMING RIYAA
Allah, the Most Merciful, knows every human’s weakness and has given us the cure as well. The best means is supplication to Him. Allah says that we should say (which means):
“You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)”
(Al-Fatihah: 1:5)
Before discussing some of the cures for this disease, let us focus on some of what may contribute to Riya in the first place.
“Weakness of faith (Eeman)” – When a person doesn’t have strong faith in Allah, he’ll prefer the admiration of people over the pleasure of Allah.
“Fear of criticism” – One might make a display of his good deeds to avoid being criticized. For example, a person might pray in the mosque out of fear of being criticized by people for not doing it.
PUNISHMENT IN THE HEREAFTER FOR SHOWING OFF:
Ignorance about how showing off will be punished in the Hereafter can lead one to commit this sin. We must realize that it cancels out the reward of all our good deeds, and brings the wrath of Allah. No sensible person would like to waste energy doing that which doesn’t bring any reward, and certainly wouldn’t like to invite Allah’s anger. One of the greatest ahadith in this connection is the following (part of the long hadith stated below):
Riya refers to doing things that are pleasing to Allah with the intention of seeking admiration from others. The intention in such cases, therefore, is usually to show off one’s good deeds to win praise and admiration of others. It amounts to practicing virtue out of vanity, with the aim of achieving popularity among people.
Riya makes us focus on earning appreciation from people rather than seeking Allah’s favor and acceptance. It makes us focus on people’s appreciation of our virtuous acts, which means we give importance to them, and not to Allah the Most Benevolent.
The Salaf have understood the Deen of Allah as well as the essence of this life and its inescapable leading to the Hereafter, so they felt aversion for the distractions and the tribulations of the world. They found no sleep and their heart kept away from desires. They kept above the insignificant concerns of life. Their biographies abound with stories that show their striving in righteousness, repentance and their strong will in worship and humbleness:
Al-Hasan al-Basri (r.a.) said:
Doing small acts of kindness constantly and making them a habit can help us in softening our hearts and to bring us closer to Allah. Some of us may not even know the hardness of our hearts and thus striving to look for opportunities to do good deeds can help us stay clear of such a state.
Consider the story about the man who came to the Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) complaining that his heart was hard. The Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said to him:
‘IKHLAS’ (purity and sincerity of intentions)
It is the stripping (i.e. the purifying) of one’s intentions in order to draw closer to Allah – the Mighty and Majestic – in all matters. It is also said that ikhlas is intending to single out Allah alone with acts of obedience. It has also been said thatikhlas is to forget about the creation by constantly looking towards the Creator.
And ikhlas (sincerity) is a condition for Allah to accept those righteous actions that are done in accordance with the Sunnah (guidance) of Allah’s Messenger sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
As Muslims, we are to completely trust Allah (have “Tawakkul”) for all our affairs. We also believe that Allah’s will can supersede our plans. However, this does not mean that we should not plan and work based on what Allah has blessed us in knowledge, intelligence, and free will. Common sense, as well as Islamic teachings, tells us that we are to fully employ those God-granted faculties thanking Allah of what he has provided us, without feeling proud and arrogant about those abilities.
Allah – the One free from all imperfections – said:
“So have taqwa (fear and obedience) of Allah and reconcile the differences between yourselves.”
[Al-Qur’an 8:1]
“Indeed the Believers are but brothers. Therefore reconcile the differences between your brothers, and fear Allah so that you may receive mercy.”
[Al-Qur’an 49:10]
Abu’ l-Abbas as-Sa’idi said :
*“A man came to the Prophet (saws) and said, ‘Oh Messenger of Allah! Guide me to such an action, that when I do it, Allah will love me and the people will love me. He said, be detached from this world and then Allah will love you and do not be attracted to what people have and then the people will love you”.*
[related by Hasan, ibn Majah kitab az-Zuhud 2/1373]
The main reason behind the success of early Muslims rested in their seeking knowledge where it was evident and also from places where it was hidden. As true sons of Islam, they understood the meaning of the Prophetic Traditions (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam):
“A Muslim is never satiated in his quest for good (knowledge) till it ends in paradise.”
[Tirmizi: narrated by Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (RA)]
“A person who goes (out of his house) in search of knowledge, he is on Allah’s way and he remains so till he returns.”
[Tirmizi: Anas (RA)]