Let us remind ourselves that weak faith overshadows the brightness of a heart as we learn from a hadith of the prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam):
“There is no heart that is not covered by a cloud like the cloud covering the moon when it is shining, and so it suddenly goes dark, but when it (the cloud) goes away, it shines again.”
(Reported by Abu Na’eem in al-Hilyah, 2/196; al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 2268)
Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: Whenever Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) went to bed, he would lie down on his right side and recite:
“Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilaika, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilaika, wa fawwadtu amri ilaika, wa ‘alja’tu zahri ilaika, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika, la malja’a wa la manja illa ilaika. Amantu bikitabikal-ladhi anzalta, wa nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalta”
Hadith:
Mu’adh bin Anas (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“Whoever gives up wearing elegant and expensive garments out of humbleness, when he can do so, Allah will call him on the Day of Resurrection and before all the creations, He will give him the choice to wear whichever garment of Iman he would like to wear.”
[At-Tirmidhi]
COMMENTARY:
Weakness of faith (eeman) is a common complaint among many Muslims. Those who are aware and conscious of it struggle to find ways to overcome it. Faith, as we know, is directly connected with the heart.Allah (SWT) has warned us against the heart that is hardened, closed, sick, blind and sealed. The spiritual health of our hearts determines the strength of our faith. When our faith is weak, we can see it in our actions.
When our faith is weak, we are more likely to fall into sins until we completely get desensitized to their ghastly nature.
RECIEVING GUIDANCE FROM QUR’AN
The verses of the Quran brought light to a world that was enveloped in darkness and ignorance. These verses of truth made people understand their Lord, softened hearts, changed minds, and made people Muslims. Allah attested to the power of these words when He, The Almighty, said in the Quran:
“Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rent asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect.”
[Quran (Surah Al-Hashr: 21)]
TRYING TO FIND SHORTCUTS BY TREADING CLOSE TO ‘MAKROOH’ AND ‘HARAM’
Not giving importance to what is approved by Allah and what is disapproved, leads some people to find shortcuts and tread close to the territory of haram. This gets them involved in ‘makrooh’ acts (undesirable but not haram). However, makrooh deeds eventually ensnare them in haram deeds.
The Prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Whoever falls into doubtful matters falls into haram, like a shepherd who grazes his flock around a place where he is not allowed – he will soon enter it…”
Acts of worship such as Salat (prayers) are more meaningful when done in a state of Khushu. This is a state in which one attains a state of complete concentration and focus while standing before Allah. The prophet (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)’s fear of Allah and the gratitude that he felt for The Almighty drove him to stand all night in complete concentration in voluntary prayers.
The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
“There is no one among you but there has been appointed for him a Qareen (companion) from among the Jinn and a Qareen from among the angels.” They said: “You too, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Me too, but Allah helped me against him and he has become Muslim, and he does not tell me to do anything but good.”
[Muslim]
Anas bin Malik (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: Once the time for As-Salat (the prayer) approached. Those whose houses were near, went to their houses to perform Wudu’ while some of the people remained with Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam). A stone (containing some water) bowl was brought for him. It was too small for him to spread his hand over it. He performed his Wudu’ and it (the water) sufficed for all the others also. Anas was asked: “How many of you were present there?” He said: “Eighty or more.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In this Quranic verse, Allah clearly tells mankind that Prophet Muhammad (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was sent as a model for mankind to follow and the success in this life and the hereafter depends on following him.
“ Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad S.A.W.S.) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.”
(Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 21)
1. Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: ‘Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) never found fault with food. If he had inclination to eating it, he would eat; and if he disliked it, he would leave it.’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
COMMENTARY:
This Hadith throws light on the Prophet’s excellent manners which ought to be followed by all Muslims. It is a deplorable state of affairs that when we find a dish a bit unsavoury, we lose our temper and create quite a scene in the house. May we follow the excellent example of our Prophet (S.A.W.S.).
Other Acts That Can Help The Sinner In Getting Allah’s Forgiveness!
SUPPLICATION UPON HEARING ADHAN:
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas, (R.A.), narrated that the Prophet (S.A.W.S) said:
“He who says upon hearing the person calling the Athaan, ‘I also bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone without a partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. I accept Allah as a Lord, Muhammad as a messenger, and Islam
as a religion’ – all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
[Sahih Muslim]
SAYING ‘AMEEN’:
STAYING AWAY FROM FORBIDDEN MATTERS AND PERFORMING THE OBLIGATORY DEEDS:
Allah tells us in the Quran that doing good deeds can help us in erasing our bad deeds.
He says in the Quran:
“Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).”
(Hud 11:114)
Focusing on the obligatory acts and steering clear of what Allah has forbidden, thus helps one distance from sins.
This article focuses on how one can repent for the sins committed, and to earn Allah’s pleasure for asking for such forgiveness.
As Allah the Most Caring assures us:
“Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Az-Zumar: 39:53)
He also says in the Quran:
“Indeed Allah loves those who repent and purify themselves”
(Surah Al Baqarah, 2:222)
Allah has provided us with choices that we can make while living in this world. He has showed us the truth and also allowed Satan to distract us toward falsehood. There are some amongst us who go the extra mile and strive to stay closer to the path of the truth. Others, on the other hand find it difficult to stay away from the falsehood that Satan packages in the form of lusts and other attractions. We find in this world noble people in whose company we can find it easier to stay closer to Allah’s truth.
Ahadith:
1. Umar bin Abu Salamah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), said to me: “Mention Allah’s Name (i.e., say Bismillah before starting eating), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near you.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
COMMENTARY:
AHADITH:
1. Aishah (RadiyAllahu Anha) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) liked to use his right hand in all matters: in combing his hair and wearing his shoes.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
2. Aishah (R.Ah.) reported: Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.S.) was used to using his right hand for performing Wudu’ and for eating his food whereas he was used to using his left hand in his toilet and for other similar purposes.
[Abu Dawud]
MISTAKE # 4: WEALTH AND HAPPINESS DOES NOT NECESSARILY IMPLY ALLAH’S HAPPINESS AND SATISFACTION
In the same Surah Kahaf, the person who was happy to be in his paradise told his companion that he didn’t believe in the day of resurrection but even if it did come, he was sure to enter paradise in the hereafter as well. In one of the tafsirs it is mentioned that since he enjoyed all the blessings in this life, he reasoned that Allah must have been happy with him.
The Quranic verse for this is the following:
MISTAKE # 3: FORGETTING THE POOR AND NEEDY
MISTAKE # 2: SOLELY ATTRIBUTING ONE’S EFFORTS AND INTELLECT TO ONES SUCCESS
This article highlights lessons from the Quran that can be instrumental in guiding us to maintain our spiritual sanity and connection with Allah, especially when things seem to be going right in our lives. For many, life may seem in order when one is blessed with wealth, children, health, and respect from those around us. Such worldly blessings can create the illusion of one living in a virtual paradise of sorts. However, such a comfort zone can blur people’s visions and deviate them from the right path.
Abu Mas’ud Al-Ansari (RadiyAllahu anhu) reported: Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) would place his hands upon our shoulders when we would form rows for As-Salat (the prayer) and say, “Stand in straight rows and do not differ among yourselves, or else your hearts will differ due to disaccord. Let those be nearest to me who are mature and endowed with understanding (of the religion), then those who are nearest to them in these respects and then those who are nearest to them”.
[Muslim]
Expressing gratitude for favors done and help rendered is not only the basic requirement of social etiquette but has far reaching effects. It strengthens our relationship and adds warmth to it. On the other hand, taking others for granted, however close the relationship might be, causes disappointment and conveys the impression that we don’t know how to value people, that we just know how to use them! Thanks and appreciation expressed sincerely with a smile gives off a bright glow which is felt by the heart.
SMILING AT OTHERS IS CHARITY:
How do we resolve differences that have unwittingly or even intentionally cropped up? The best way is to control our tongues and hands that might be too eager to express those feelings! Discretion in speech and actions is the hall mark of a sensible person.
According to Abu Hurayrah (RadiyAllahu Anhu), the Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“The gates of Paradise will be opened on Mondays and on Thursdays, and every servant [of Allah] who associates nothing with Allah will be forgiven, except for the man who has a grudge against his brother. [About them] it will be said: ‘Delay these two until they are reconciled; delay these two until they are reconciled.’”
[Muslim (also by Malik and Abu Dawud)]