azra

From the morals and manners of the Pious predecessors was that they would strictly analyse their taqwa (piety) never claiming to be a possessor of such. Allah the Most High has said:

“Therefore do not declare yourselves as being purified. He knows best who has taqwa.” [Al-Qur’an 53:32]

The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him), said, “Taqwa is here,” and he pointed to his chest.

[Muslim (16/120, 121) in al-Birr, at-Tirmidhi (8/115) in al-Birr and Ahmad (2/277)]

Commander of the Believers,

Some people think that to live an Islamic life is “restrictive”. Islam however, was revealed as a balanced way of living.

Allah (The Most High) created all the humans with what is called ‘A Fitrah’ (a natural state/desire) [1]

Islam recognises that within this Fitrah there are motivations that influence a man’s role on earth e.g. a desire for good food and drink, to have a home, a desire for love and sex, to protect and be protected and to be successful and strong. Without some form of control and limit, all of these legitimate motives could prove very dangerous.

It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

“Great reward comes with great trials. When Allah loves a people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it attains His pleasure, whereas whoever shows discontent with it incurs His wrath.”

[Narrated At-Tirmidhi (2396)]

Allah, Most High, has said:

“From the evil of the envier when he envies,” [Al-Qur’an 113:5]

and:

“Are they jealous of people because of what Allah in His bounty has given them?” [Al-Qur’an 4:54]

Bukhari relates on the authority of Anas (RadiyAllahu Anhu) that the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:

M. Fethullah Gulen

(Author of Infinite Light: An Analysis of the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS))

Literally meaning gladness felt about and gratitude shown for the good done to one, Sufis use shukr to mean using one’s body, abilities, feelings, and thoughts bestowed upon one to fulfill the purpose of his or her creation: being thankful to the Creator for what He has bestowed. Such thankfulness is to be reflected in the person’s actions or daily life, in speech and in the heart, by admitting that all things are directly from Him, and by feeling gratitude for them.

A few days ago, I received a letter in which someone was expressing dismay at a hardship they were witnessing, that would not end. The letter contained the line: “I am angry. Why didn’t Allah listen to our du’a? Why?”

Khalid ibn al Walid (RA) narrated the following hadith:

A Bedouin came one day to the Holy Prophet (sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) and said to him,‘O, Messenger of Allah! I’ve come to ask you a few questions about the affairs of this Life and the Hereafter.’

– ‘Ask what you wish’ said Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam):

Q: I’d like to be the most learned of men.

A: Fear Allah, and you will be the most learned of men.

Q: I wish to be the richest man in the world.

A: Be contented, and you will be the richest man in the world.

AHADITHS:

1. People will not sit remembering God without the angels surrounding them, mercy covering them, peace descending on them.
(Muslim)

2. He who remembers his Lord and he who does not are like the living and dead.
(Bukhari, Muslim)

3. Hadhrat Jaabir (RadiyAllahu Anhu) narrates that Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: “The distinguishing factor between kufr and Imaan is the deliberate neglect of Salaat.”
(Muslim)

Humans have always been social creatures and in need of friends and companions. Much of our lives is spent in interaction with others. For us Muslims who are living in a society where we are clearly a minority, the issue of choosing the right companions is essential for preserving our Deen. Befriending righteous and virtuous Muslims is an essential means for staying on the Straight Path. Strong individuals, on the other hand, are the core of a strong community, something that Muslims should always strive for.

During the time of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), there was a young orphan who was getting a wall built from the edge of his house to his neighbour’s but there was a palm tree that was causing a halt to the construction. The wall could not be continued unless the tree was either removed or added to the child’s house. This tree belonged to the companion named Abi Lubabah (R.A.).

“If you had all relied on Allah (SWT) as you should rely on Him, then He would have provided for you as He provides for the birds, who wake up hungry in the morning and return with full stomachs at dusk.”
[At-Tirmidhi]

“He is Allah, the One.
Allah, whom all creatures need.
He begets not, nor was He begotten.
And there is none comparable unto Him.”
(Surah Ikhlas).

* * * * * * *

Have you ever found yourself falling into the habit of complaining, whether the complaint was valid or not? Compiled below are thirteen ways to perfect the art of (not) complaining.

Luqman was a wise person known to be from Jerusalem. It is said that he was a judge during Prophet Dawud’s (a.s.) (David’s) time. According to Ibn ‘Abbas (RadiyAllahu Anhu), he was an Ethiopian slave who worked as a carpenter.

Luqman’s wisdom is mentioned in the Quran in Surah Luqman. A glimpse of his wisdom is recorded below.

In his book “Stories of the Quran
”, Ibn Kathir has included more of his wisdom as narrated by others. Some of his wise sayings as he preached to people are covered below.

Sufyan ibn ‘Abdullah radiallahu ‘anhu said:
“O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam, which I cannot ask anyone else besides you.”

He (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

“Say: ‘I believe in Allah’ and then be steadfast (upon that).”

[Sahih Muslim 38]

REVIVE YOUR FAITH

As mentioned in the hadith, a strong faith can help us to hold our heads high. When faith seems to be dwindling, we should get back to Quran and remind ourselves that only Allah can let us out of our ordeal and problems. You must, therefore, keep that faith and not let Satan instill thoughts that could weaken your faith. Allah says in the Quran:

“If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there after Him that can help you? And in Allah (Alone) let believers put their trust.”
(Quran, Surah Aal-e-Imran: 160)

During hardships and calamities, it is natural to get swept away by the affliction of the moment. During such trials of faith, unless we are careful, Satan can inject fear and plant doubts in our hearts and minds. Our beliefs in such vulnerable states may become overpowered by feelings of the moment resulting in the dwindling of our faith. Some of us start questioning the fairness and wisdom underlying such divine decisions while others get mired in a blame game. All in all, we may find ourselves lost, helpless, and stalled finding it difficult to gather ourselves and move forward.

If we are like most Muslims, we probably have a copy of the Qur’an somewhere in our home. We may not know where it is, but that is only because we never needed to look for it. Most often, it occupies the top shelf in any stack of books (ensuring maximum accessibility!), or found wrapped in multiple layers of decorated cloth (ensuring optimum visibility!). More likely than not, it’s the one book with the most dust on it and the one we are least likely to pick for our night-time reading.

“But those who have faith and work righteousness, they are companions of the Garden, abiding in it eternally.”

[Al-Qur’an 2:82]

“There, no sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shay they [ever] be evicted.”

[Al-Qur’an 15:48]

“They will not taste death therein, except the first death, and He will preserve them from the penalty of the Blazing Fire. [It will be] a bounty from your Lord. That will be the supreme achievement!”

[Al-Qur’an 44:56-57]

Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) says:

“To those who do good is a goodly reward – even more (than in measure)!”
[Sūrah Yūnus: 26]

In this verse, the goodly reward is Paradise and what is more is the pleasure that the denizens of Paradise will have in gazing upon the countenance of the Lord. [Sahīh Muslim (181)]

Allah is the Giver of Good (al-Muhsin). This name was mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) when he said:

“Allah is the Giver of Good, and He loves those who exhibit goodness.”

THE BEST TIMES FOR SUPPLICATION

When the servant combines in his supplication presence of the heart and its being attentive and devoting itself solely to Allaah, sincerely asking Him for the desired matter, doing so at one of the six times when the supplication is more likely to answered – these being:

* The last third of the night.

* At the time of the adhaan.

* Between the adhaan and iqaamah.

* At the ends of the prescribed prayers.

* From the time the Imaam ascends the pulpit to the time the prayer has finished on the day of Jumu’ah.

Supplication (D’ua) is from the most beneficial types of healing, it is the enemy of illness and affliction – repressing it and treating it, preventing its occurrence, removing it or at least alleviating it. It is the weapon of the believer as is reported by al-Haakim in his ‘Mustadrak’ from the hadeeth of Alee bin Abee Taalib (RA) from the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that he said:

“Supplication is the weapon of the believer, the pillar of the religion, and the light of the heaven and earth.”
(Abu Ya’laa)

Supplication takes one of three positions against illness: