Jealousy

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم
بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم
الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير

In the name of Allah SWT the most beneficient, the most merciful, the one who blessed us with this life and the one who will give eternal life in the hereafter. Salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW and his companions who showed the way to practice Quran in our life.

My Dear respected brothers and sisters,
Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb.

Among the spiritual sicknesses and spiritual diseases in a person is Hasad, Jealousy. Jealousy is defined as Tamanni Zawaley Naimatil Ghair'. It means Allah SWT has blessed a person with several naimat and bounties, provided him with all luxuries of life, wealth and happiness and everything is going well in his life. A jealous person cannot stand that. He cannot bear that. He cannot tolerate that. Why is that person enjoying all those comforts and luxuries in life that I cannot see in my life. He has a burning desire in his heart that the naimat and comfort this person is experiencing should be taken away from him. This is called Hasad.

If that person see another person with all these naimas and wealth and comforts and he also wishes that Allah SWT blesses me with all these bounties as well without wishing that they be taken away from the other person then that is called ENVY (ghitta).

If it is for a worldly issue it is called Ghitta and if it is for the religious issue, in case where one sees that Allah SWT has given somebody the taufeeq to follow the commandments of Allah SWT such as regularly praying salah, fasting etc and one wished that may Allah SWT give me that taufeeq and blessing as well, then that feeling is called Tanafus, where one competes with another in the matter of religious goodness.

In our shreeat, Hasad is Haram. Ghitta, in the worldly issue without wishing that the naimat be taken away from the other person, is permissible. And to compete with one another on religious issues, if one has a naimat of deen and you also want to compete to get that naimat without wishing the other person to be deprived of this naimat, that is Wajib.

Hasad is a very bad thing, It is Haram and it is said that The first sin that took place in the skies was Hasad and the first sin that took place on the face of the earth was also Hasad.

Allah SWT created Adam AS and told all the malaika to make sajda to Adam AS. The Shaitan refused. So what thought came in the mind of Shaitan that I am Namoosul Malaika. I made so much of sajda before Allah SWT, I made so much Ibada and Allah SWT took me out of the ranks of the Shayateen and put me to the ranks of Malaika. All my life I worshipped Allah SWT and this Adam is just created and he is worthy of prostrated before?! I am more worthy of that. That Hasad made him to feel that Why Allah SWT has bestowed the bounty on Adam AS and not on him. So that Hasad came to him and becasue of that

aba wastakbar wakana minal kafireen

He Showed Pride and became a kafir.

This is what makes a person do.

Likewise the first sin that took place on earth, Habeel was to marry Qabeel Sister, and Qabeel was to marry Habeel Sister. Now Qabeel's own sister from his own birth was more beautiful and Hasad came over him and he thought how come Habeel will get more beautiful wife. Because of this Hasad he was ready to kill his own brother.

Stated in the books of ahadeeth that at the time of Rasulallah SAW there were three groups of people. One were Yahood, they were regarded to be the Ahlul Ilm ( the Ulama ) of the time. If people were to find any answers to religious problems, then they would go to Jews. Then there was a second group who were the Nasara ( Christians) who had their own distinct way of life and then there were Mushrkikeen of Makkah.

The Yahood had Taurat. They were known as the people of knowledge and because of that they used to say that since knowledge is with us We are the sons of Allah SWT and we are most beloved in the sight of Allah SWT. In the Taurat it was written about the final messenger who would be coming to bring a complete shreeat of Allah SWT. All the signs and indications were mentioned there and they really thought that the final messenger will come among them.

In the taurat it was written that when the Red Star will shoot in the sky that will be the time when the final messenger will be expected to come.

When the Jews saw this shooting star they were very happy and they carried out an investigation that which woman is about to give birth in Madina Munawarrah. Many women were pregnant but there was no woman who was about to give birth. Then they expanded their investigation, and tried to find out in Makkah if there was any woman who was about to give birth. There were many women who conceived but there was only one woman who was about to give birth and that was AMINA , the mother of Rasulallah SAW.

When the Jews when they heard about this, the whole happiness now turned into dissapointment and dismay that the final messenger and prophet will come from Banu Ismail. Ibrahim AS had two sons, Ismail and Ishaq. Jews and Muslims they are cousins. So Nabi Kareem SAW is from the progeny of Ismail AS and Jews are from the progeny of Ishaq AS. The jews were expecting the last messenger to be from the progeny of Ishaq AS but when when they found out that the last messenger will be from Banu ismail , their happiness turned into jealousy.

Hasad and Jealousy is a fire in the heart and it burns the inside of the heart making a void between a person and those around him. It makes it devoid of any peace and comfort and happiness.

Allah Swt gives his bounties to whomever he wishes:

نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ

We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them above others in rank that some of them may take labour from others

When Allah SWT gives somebody more and somebody less in different quantities, then we must accept that. When a person develops Hasad in the heart, then he is actually fighting with Allah SWT.

When a person sees around, all kinds of bounties are being showered upon. In one family somebody is being proposed for marriage, in one family somebody is having children, in one family somebody is preparing for hajj, in one family somebody is about to open a business... so if a person start thinking that who so and so blessed and I dont have anything then this hasad can put him into a category that are going against Allah SWT. Allah SWT says:

أَمۡ يَحۡسُدُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَىٰ مَآ ءَاتَٮٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِ

Or are they jealous of mankind because of that which Allah of His bounty hath bestowed upon them?

That is why Nabi Kareem SAW warned us hen you good amal performing salah, making zikr, then a noor is generated into the hearts due to these good deeds, then preserve that. One thing that will eat all that up is Hasad.

Rasulallah SAW is reported to have said, that Hasad eats up all your good deeds like fire eats up dry wood. When you see the burned dry wood, there is only ashes and no sign of wood, so similarly no sign of good that you have committed if you fall into the Hasad.

Another hadeeth mentions, Two things can never stay in the heart together, Iman and Hasad.

You cant have iman and hasad in the heart at the same time and if a momin has the two in the heart, then there is a problem with this person.

Muawiyah RA mentions about Hasad that From All evil qualities, there is no evil quality more JUST than the evil quality of Hasad, Why is that so? Becasue the Hasad first kills the Jealous person before his kills the victim of Jealous person.

Muawiyah RA also mentions that you can never make a jealous person happy. When the Hasad is deeply entrenched in the heart of the person then nothing can make him happy except one thing. It is ZAWALU Naimaltil Ghair. .... that is the bounties of others must be taken away from them.

What are some of the things that Hasad can lead to?

Raza Bil Qawa ---- Person will not be content with the decree of Allah Swt... Allah has given something to somebody and a Hasid will always be discontent for not receiving the same.

Tabaghuz – Another reason for having Hasad is because of Bughz or enmity for a person. You have a disagreement with someone and you develop this enmity towards him. Now all the bounties that the other person has becomes a burden on your heart and you start to wish that those bounties be taken away from them. You fall into the trap of Hasad.

Ishtiraq Fi Amal Wahid – People mostly have same type of profession and you see that they start competing with eachother for all the perks and benefits they get. If one person receive more of something, then the other would develope Hasad for him.

What are the nuqsanat of this Hasad?

1. A jealous person is deprived of the happiness of Allah SWT. If you did not get the pleasure of Allah SWT then you are the most unfortunate person. But if you got the whole worlds displeasure but you received Allah's pleasure, then you are most fortunate person.
2. Harm of Hasad and Jealousy, the person is harming his ownself. He is depriving himself of all the happiness. He is spending more time to think about other peoples lives rather than concentrate the problems of his own life, family and children.

How to overcome this Jealousy?

Ta'awuzz – See refuge in the protection of Allah SWT.

Istighfar

If you are under the influence of Hasad, then never practice under the dictate of the Hasad rather go against you feeling. If you feel enmity for someone, go against your emotion and be kind and humble to the person, if you feel the other is deprived of something, then give him a gift or hadiya. The best thing you can do is to make dua to Allah SWT and say that you have blessed so an so with so much bounties and I cannot tolerate it but increase in his bounties.

Once you will do that often, you will see you will come out of Hasad.

May Allah SWT give us all tofeeq to understand this evil of spirituality and make us strong to fight against this feeling and emotion.. amiin

Original Speech by Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Khutba delivered at MANB - April 19, 2013

The Virtues and Sunnahs of Jummah

In the name of Allah SWT, the most beneficient, the most merciful, the master of the day of judgement. It is his aid that we seek and it is His forgiveness that we yearn for. Salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW, his companions and his family.

My dear respected brothers and sisters,

Assalam o allaikum.

Allah SWT says in the quran:

يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِذَا نُوۡدِىَ لِلصَّلٰوةِ مِنۡ يَّوۡمِ الۡجُمُعَةِ فَاسۡعَوۡا اِلٰى ذِكۡرِ اللّٰهِ وَذَرُوا الۡبَيۡعَ‌ ؕ ذٰ لِكُمۡ خَيۡرٌ لَّـكُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏

"O believers, when the call is proclaimed for the prayer on Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business, that is better for you if you but did know."

Hadhrat Ali Ibn Abu Taalib (RA) narrated: on the pulpit in the mosque of Kufah:

When Friday comes, the devils go to the markets with their flags, and involve people in their needs and prevent them from the Friday prayer. The angels come early in the morning, sit at the door of the mosque, and record that so-and-so came at the first hour, and so-and-so came at the second hour until the imam comes out (for preaching). When a man sits in a place where he can listen (to the sermon) and look (at the imam), where he remains silent and does not interrupt, he will receive a double reward. If he stays away, sits in a place where he cannot listen (to the sermon), silent, and does not interrupt, he will receive the reward only once. If he sits in a place where he can listen (to the sermon) and look (at the imam), and he does not remain silent, he will have the burden of it. If anyone says to his companion sitting besides him to be silent (while the imam is preaching), he is guilty of idle talk. Anyone who interrupts (during the sermon) will receive nothing (no reward) on that Friday.

Then he (the narrator) says in the end of this tradition:

I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) say so. (Abu Dawood 1046)

My brothers and sisters, This tells us that Friday is not an ordinary day for muslims and there are certain things that a muslim has to take care of on this day. We are going to talk about what steps and activities does a muslim require to follow on this day.

The Aadaab of Jumuah

1. Every Muslim should make preparations for jumuah from Thursday. After the asr salaat of Thursday, he should make a lot of istighfaar. He should clean his clothes and keep them ready. If he does not have any perfume in his house, then if it is possible he should try and obtain some and keep it ready so that he will not get distracted with these things on jumuah. The pious people of the past have stated that the person to receive the most benefit on Friday will be that person who waits for it and who makes preparations for it from Thursday. The most unfortunate person will be he who does not even know as to when Friday will fall, so much so that he will ask the people in the morning as to which day this is. Some pious people used to go and stay in the jaame musjid from the night of jumuah in order to make full preparations for the following day. (Ihyaa ul-Uloom, vol. 1, page 161). These preparations also include the clipping of the nails, removing the unwanted hair and to have haircut if required.
   
2. On the day of jumuah, ghusl should be made and the hair of the head and the rest of the body should be thoroughly washed. It is also very virtuous to use the miswaak on this day.
   Ghusl must be made for any salat if the person is in a state of Janaba or if he had ihtelam.
   GHUSL:
   The Ghusl has three compulsory acts and they are as follows:
   1) Rinsing the mouth thoroughly, ensuring that the water reaches the back of the throat.
   2) Taking water into the nostrils to the limit of the tender or fleshy part of the nose.
   3) Drenching the WHOLE body - from head to toe - thoroughly, ensuring that no part of the body is left dry.
   If the above points are carried out then the Ghusl is complete and one is purified.
   

There are five actions that make it obligatory for a person to have a bath (ghusl). As a result you CANNOT do any form of worship, touch the Quran or even enter the mosque until you perform ghusl. The five actions are as follows

• The ejaculation of sperm from it’s place with lust. (Janaba)
• To have a wet dream. Meaning nocturnal emission that is the releasing of sperm whilst sleeping. (Ihtelam)
• Sexual intercourse whether it is with or without lust, with or without orgasm, the bathing would be obligatory on both. (Mubashara)
• To become clean from menstrual pause (period). (haydh)
• To become clean from blood after child birth.(Nifas)
  

3. It was narrated from Abu Hurraira that the Prophet (Pbuh) said: Whoever does Ghusl then comes to Jummah, and prays as much as Allah decrees for him, then listens attentively until the khutbah is over, then prays with him (the imam), will be forgiven for (his sins) between that and the next Jummah and three more days. (Muslim, 857)
   
4. After making ghusl, a person should wear the best clothing that he possesses, and if possible he should also apply some perfume.
   
5. On one Friday, Rasulallah said: "O Muslims! Allah Ta'ala has made this day a day of Eid. So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the Miswaak.“ (Ibn Majah)
   
6. He should try and go very early to the jaame musjid. The earlier a person goes, the more reward he will receive. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
   

   “On the day of jumuah, the angels stand at the entrance of that musjid in which jumuah salaat is to be offered. They write down the name of the person who enters the musjid first, and thereafter the name of the person who follows, and they continue doing this. The person who entered first will receive the reward of sacrificing a camel in the path of Allah, the one who followed him will get the reward of sacrificing a cow, thereafter a chicken, thereafter the reward of giving an egg as charity in the path of Allah. Once the khutbah commences, the angels close the register and begin listening to the khutbah.”
   — (Bukhari and Muslim)

7. By going walking for the jumuah salaat, one gets the reward of fasting for one year for every step that he takes. (Tirmidhi)
   

It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws al-Thaqafi that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said: Whoever does Ghusl on Friday and causes (his wife) to do Ghusl, and sets out early, and comes close to the imam and listens and keeps quiet, for every step he takes he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year.” (al- Tirmidhi, 496)

8. One should listen very attentively to the khutba even if one does not understand. One should not speak or even warn another to keep quite while the khutba is in progress.
   
   
   
   

• People shake hands
  
• Say Salam by words or by waving
  
• Whisper in the back of the ear
  
• Answering phone and sometimes even conversing on the phone during khutba
  

9. To try to sit as close as possible to the Imaam. (Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi)
   
10. If the Saffs (rows) are already filled, one should not jump over the shoulders of the musallies in order to get to the front. (Abu Dawood)
    
11. One should not fiddle with clothes or fingers but listen attentively (Ibn Majah)
    
12. When Rasulallah (Pbuh) name is mentioned in the khutba then it is permissible to recite durood in the heart only without the movement of the lips or tongue.
    
13. Between the two khutba’s one should make dua.
    
14. Related by Hakim and Bayhaqi, from Abu Sa`id “Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday, light shall shine forth for him between the two Fridays.” (Ibn Hajar, Talkhis al- Habir)
    
15. There is a lot of reward in reciting Surah Kahf either before the jumuah salaat or after it. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
    

    “The person who recites Surah Kahf on Fridays, a nur will appear for him from below the arsh as high as the skies. This light will help him in the darkness of the day of resurrection. And all the sins which he may have committed from the last Friday till this Friday will be forgiven.”
    –(Sharh Sifrus-Saaadah)

    The ulama have written that this Hadith refers to minor sins because major sins are not forgiven without making taubah.
    
16. There is more reward in reciting durood on Fridays than on other days. It has been mentioned in the Hadith that durood should be recited abundantly on Fridays.
    Rasulallah (Pbuh) is reported to have said, “Recite Durood upon me in abundance on the day of Jummah since they are presented to me.” (Ibn Majah)
    
17. Making abundant dua on Jummah
    
    Rasulallah (Pbuh) said: "There is such an hour on Friday that if any Muslim makes dua in it, his dua will definitely be accepted.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
    

Ad Dua Mukhul Ibada – That is supplication is the essence of worship. 

Delivered - MANB - May 10, 2013 

Advices : Luqman AS

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil A’alimeen, Wal Aaqibatul Muttaqeen, Wasalaatu Wassalamu Ala Rusoolihil Kareem,

Amaa Baad

Assalam o allaikum Wr Wb. My dear respected brothers, sisters and elders of the community,

The mufassireen have mentioned that Luqman AS did not have a very pleasant outlook but he was greatly and highly respected among the people. At a point in his lifetime he used to graze the herds of sheep. Once a colleague of Luqman AS who also used to graze the sheep, happen to pass by a big gathering in which there was so many people who were gathered around a person in a particular discourse. When the colleague went closer he saw Luqman AS sitting among them who were benefiting from the teachings of Luqman AS. He goes upto to Luqman AS and says to him that, ‘Aren’t you the same person with whom I used to graze sheep together?’ Luqman AS said, ‘yes!’. He asked, ‘ Then how is it that Allah SWT has blessed you with such a status among the people that so many people are benefiting from your discourse?’ Luqman AS replied, ‘ That the acceptance, the qubooliyat of a human soul is in the hand of Allah SWT but outwardly, it appears to me that my qubooliyat is because I have never been careless with my tongue’, meaning that Luqman AS kept his tongue safe from any kind of evil and kept other people safe from the evil of tongue.

Almight Allah SWT mentions about Luqman AS as a person with wisdom, who was known as Hakeem Luqman, and six advises or words of wisdom are mentioned in Quran.

Allah SWT says,

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا لُقْمَانَ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ

And, indeed, we granted this wisdom unto Luq­man: “Be grateful unto Allah - for he who is grateful [unto Him] is but grateful for the good of his own self; whereas he who chooses to be ungrateful [ought to know that], verily, Allah is self-sufficient, ever to be praised!”

Almighty Allah SWT is absolutely independent and Allah is worthy of all praises. Allah SWT is not in need of our shukr to Him, rather we are in need of expressing our shukr to His greatness.

If the entire world had to get together and they were to worship together to Allah SWT, every creation and every part of the world falls into sajda, then too, that will not increase the Izzat and greatness of Allah SWT and if all of mankind decides to leave Allah SWT, that too will not decrease even a fraction of the respect of Allah SWT.

Allahumma La Uhsi SanaAn A’leyk Antaka Ma Asneyka Ala Nafsik

This is the dua of Nabi SAW that ‘ We cannot encompass fulfilling the haq of your praises. You are as You have praised yourself, we do not even know that.’

Allah has bestowed us with naymah and bounties so it is our duty to express the shukr of those bounties.

Allah mentions to us in Quran Al Kareem:

وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ لاَ تُحْصُوهَا

…And should you try to count God's blessings, you could never compute them.

I just want to think of one bounty of Allah SWT, leave aside all that Allah SWT has blessed us with. Allah SWT has given us this aql, the brain, the intelligence. Even after years and years of research, human being today cannot claim that he understands the way in which our brain works. Scientists now claim that they know more about the brain than they did 100 years ago, but what they know of the brain is not even a scratch compared to the knowledge of the being that created this brain.

In one hadeeth, Rasulallah SAW mentions, that Allah SWT says, ‘ I will reward people and I will punish people based on the aql that I have given to the people.’

This aql through which man today has built the entire infrastructure of the world, through which insaan has designed a way of life today to suit his nafs and desires. Did we ever sit back and ponder, as to how much we know about this very aql? Did we ever used our aql to realize that we forget every day to say shukr to Allah SWT for this aql.

Rasulallah SAW has said, ‘ ManLLAM YashkuriNaas Lam Yashkurillah’

That person who does not make the shukr of the people has not made the shukr of Allah SWT.

This is the first advice, that when people make some Ihsaan upon us, we should recognize it, appreciate it and we should thank them. So the first advice from Allah SWT to Luqman was that Wisdom was bestowed upon Luqman and allah SWT asked Luqman to be thankful to Allah SWT for that.

The second advice that Allah SWT gives to Luqman AS is:

وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ

Behold, Luqman said to his son by way of instruction: "O my son! join not in worship (others) with Allah. Verily, ascribing partners with Allah SWT is Shirk al Adheem.”

If we ponder about the greatness of Allah SWT and the majesty and grandeur, we cannot even begin to comprehend to associate any partners with Him. How can we equate anyone to Allah SWT. He is the one and Unique. He is alone and complete in His zaat.

What bigger injustice will it be to associate a partner to such a Being, the Creator who is not dependant on anyone, but everything is dependant on Him.

The third advice Luqman AS was given:

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَى وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ

“And [God says:] ‘We have enjoined upon man goodness towards his parents: his mother bore him by bearing strain upon strain, and his utter dependence on her lasted two years: [hence, O man,] be grateful towards Me and towards thy parents, [and remember that] with Me is all journeys’ end.”

See that after the mention of the Tauheed of Allah SWT, the rights of parents are mentioned. Mufassireen have mentioned that there is a close link between the Rights of Allah SWT and the rights towards one’s parents. Allah has created us through the means of our parents and that is why, after the haq of Allah SWT the huqooq of parents are mentioned.

Rasulallah SAW has mentioned in one hadeeth, ‘ The pleasure of Allah, the happiness of Allah SWT lies in the pleasure of father and the displeasure of Allah SWT lies in the displeasure of father.’

One day a father, he asked his son, ‘ O son, what is the time?’ The son told the time. The father asked again after a few seconds, ‘ O son, what is the time?’ The son got irritated and said , I just told you the time, whats wrong with you?’ Father said, ‘ O son, I was asking, what is the time?’ The son said, ‘ O Father, I just told you the time, how many times will you ask me?’

Father said, ‘ I remember the day, when you asked me about a toy dozens of time, but not a single time you saw a cliché on my forehead.’

We need to understand, that today we get irritated by the demands of our parents. We get annoyed at their wishes. Didn’t they have their chance to be annoyed at us? The difficulty that we feel with our parents today, is not comparable to the difficulty of a mother that stays up all night to make sure her child doesn’t remain hungry. Allah SWT says to us, never say even ‘UFF’ to you parents. The mufassireen have mentioned that if there was a word smaller than Uff Allah would have mentioned that.

Rasulallah SAW says in a hadeeth :

AL JANNATU TA7TA AQDAAMI UMMAHAAT

The Heaven lies beneath the feet of the mothers.

Meaning if you displease your mother, you displease Allah SWT and if you please your mother, you please Allah SWT.

INCIDENT OF MUSA AND BUTCHER

The fourth advice given was:

وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلى أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

"But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did."

If the parents put you in a condition where they forcefully make you associate partners with Allah SWT, then do not obey them in this matter but even in this matter refuse them politely and gently. It is not acceptable even in this state to be verbally abusive to one’s parents.

That is why Allah SWT gives us the dua,

Rabbir HamHuma Kama Rabbayani Sagheera.

O Allah have mercy on my parents, as they did when they raised me from my childhood.

The fifth advice given was:

يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهَا إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ

"O my son!" (said Luqman), "If there be (but) the weight of a mustard-seed and it were (hidden) in a rock, or (anywhere) in the heavens or on earth, Allah will bring it forth: for Allah understands the finest mysteries, (and) is well-acquainted (with them).

Luqman AS says that even if you hide small pride in your heart, Allah will bring it forth on the day of Qayyama. There is no reason why a human being should have any pride. We know what we are inside, look at our Nafs and we will recognize Allah SWT. How weak, feable, minute in our stature we are, that we forget the One who deserves the real honor and pride.

And lastly we are told:

وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ

“And turn not thy cheek away from people in [false] pride, and walk not haughtily on earth: for, behold, God does not love anyone who, out of self- conceit, acts in a boastful manner.

Luqman AS tells us here that do not spoil the glow of your face for people. You may not agree with people, but you must agree to disagree. We may have difference of opinion, or disagreement with the people, but that does not give us the ijaazat or permission to treat people in a disrespectful way. When we are agreeing that we are humans and not angels, that we have weaknesses then we are also agreeing that we have difference of opinions. If we hear an opinion contrary to ours and we get angry, then it means there is something not right inside our heart and there is need for Islah or correctness.

May Allah SWT give us the taufeeq to understand these beautiful advices and to understand them for if we truly bring into practice these advices, they can be means of nijaat in aakhira.

Wa Ma Taufeeqi Ilallah Billah.

~Khutbah given at Muslim Association of New Brunswick -February 22, 2013

How to start a day

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیم بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم الحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير و إليه المرجع و المصير ..و أشهد أن محمدا عبده و رسوله ، و صفيه من خلقه و حبيبه.رب اشرح لي صدري و يسر لى أمري و احلل عقدة من لساني يفقهوا قولي…

In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful, majestic and all powerful, master of this world and everything that is contained herein. Salutations be upon prophet Mohammad SAW, who was sent as a guide to this mankind.

Dear Respected Brothers, Sisters and Elders in Islam,

Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb.

Almighty Allah SWT says to us in Quran al Kareem:

اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَالَّتِي لَمْ تَمُتْ فِي مَنَامِهَا فَيُمْسِكُ الَّتِي قَضَى عَلَيْهَا الْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ الْأُخْرَى إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

39:42) It is Allâh Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply.

The meaning of which is when a person sleeps at night, Allah SWT takes away the souls of the people that are asleep and those people for whom death is decreed, it is not meant for them to live in the future, Allah SWT keeps those souls permanently and those souls for whom an extended life is decreed, Allah SWT releases those souls so that they can go back into the world and continue on with their lives.

So Allah SWT has made us from those people for whom life is decreed. We slept last night, Allah SWT kept our souls by him and when we woke up, Allah SWT released our souls back into our body. For this we should make shukr to Allah SWT. He has given us an opportunity to live our life another day where we could see a day, we could breath, we could see, we could hear and speak. This is why when we wake up in the morning, we make a dua to Allah SWT

الحَمْدُ لِلّھِ الّذي أَحْیانا بَعْدَ ما أَماتَنا وَإلیھ النُّشور.

The meaning of which is that we praise Allah SWT where he has given us life after he has given us death and whilst we are praising Allah SWT for giving us life, we are not unmindful of death. We are still saying ‘Wa Ileyhin Nushur’, and towards Allah SWT will be our return. So we should say shukr to Allah SWT that he has given life to and now it is upto us of what we do with our lives.

Mujahid RA is a great alim of his time and a student of Abdullah bin Umar RA. He says that Abdullah bin Umar RA used to say:

Izaa Amsayta fala tantiziris Sabah,
wa izaa asba7ta fala tantaziril Masa7,
Wa Khuz Min Si7atik Li Mardik,
Wa min Hayaatika Limautiki.

The meaning of which is, when you spend the nigh, when the night comes in, then don’t wait for the morning and when the morning comes in then don’t wait for the evening. It is possible whilst you spending the morning, death could come in, and while you spending the evening before the morning, death could come in.

Abdullah bin Umar RA also said that make use of your good health before sickness overcomes you and make use of your life before death comes.

That is why a wise man says that in the morning when the person wakes up, before he engages himself in the activities of the day, he should make intention of 4 things.

The first thing is that how will be obedient to Allah SWT? What are the orders of Allah SWT regarding my life? What Allah SWT wants me to do today? Make a firm intention before approaching the day, that today to the best of my ability; I will be obedient to Allah SWT in everything I do.

The second intention is that a person should make is that those things that Allah SWT has prohibited me from, I will abstain from them. I will not go close to them.

The third intention is straighten our dealings. How we deal with people? How we conduct our business? How we earn our income? We should make intention to carry all this our according to the shareea’.

And the fourth intention is that we will make sure if there is any wasiyyat to make, or request to make to someone, we will do that by the end of the day.

And when the day ends, and you are preparing to go to sleep, ponder over 4 things. As we know,

النوم اخت الموت

Sleep is the sister of death.

When a person is sleep, there is no control over the body of the person and there is a possibility, death is imminent. So before sleeping at night, think about a few things.

The first is, Did I fulfil all the Huqooq and the rights of Allah SWT? And if one didn’t do it, then one should make firm intention at once that he will fulfil the rights of Allah SWT.

The second is, Did any human being claimed any Haq from me? Did anyone ask his rights from me? And if you didn’t do that then make intention to do that before death overcomes you.

The third thing that a person should think and ponder is, Did I make tawba? What would happen if I die before making tawba to Allah SWT for all my sins.

And lastly, a person should ponder upon that If Allah SWT gives me another opportunity in life, then what am I going to do?

Faqeeh Abul Layth al Samarqani says that when the morning dawns you get 3 kinds of people.

There are those who go out to search Halal income. There is nothing with that and that is the correct thing to do.

The second is that there are some people who go out and search for Haram and Allah’s punishment will befall upon those.

The third group of people are those people who go out in the search to find out, ‘What is the right thing to do in this life for me’; Allah SWT will grant His rahmah for this group of people for their effort to know the truth.

A person should make both intentions, go out to earn Halal and to search for what is it required of him in life.

A person asked Malik bin Dinar RA, a great scholar of his time, that ‘ Kayfa Asba7ta?’ How do you spend your morning? So Malik ibn Dinar answers, ‘How can I be peaceful when I wake up in the morning because I keep pondering about my long journey from Duniya to the Akhira and then when I reach the akhira, I do not know what judgement is going to be made for me? Will I be going to Jannah or the Hellfire? With this thought and frame of mind, how can my morning be peaceful?

Isa AS was once asked that O Nabi of Allah SWT, ‘How do you spend your morning?’

Isa AS said, those things that I aspire for, those things are not in my control. Those things that I am afraid of, they are not in my control to remove them. All khair and all goodness, and all sharr and all evil, everything is in the control of Allah SWT.

And that should be our approach that when we wake up in the morning, we realize that everything is in the control of Allah SWT. We should make commitment to ourself that those things that we want, we will work for it to the best of our ability. Those things that we wish to remove from our life, we will work to remove them to the best of our ability as well. In the end, its Allah SWT who will put the effect in what we do.

When a person approaches his day, he should focus on 10 things.

1) As soon as the person wakes up in the morning, as soon as he opens his eyes he should say the zikr of Allah SWT, tasbeeh of Allah SWT. Allah has given us another day to live, another moment to be in this duniya, another day to be in his obedience, shouldn’t we be thankful to him?

Allah SWT says in the quran:

وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ

“…and glorify the Praises of your Lord when you get up from sleep.”

2) The second thing a person should do is that he should cover up his body, particularly his private parts, and he should approach the day in a modest way.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُواْ زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ

O Mankind, O Son of Adam. Take your beauty when you go to the masjid.

3) When you wake up, make wudu

Allah SWT says in Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلاةِ فاغْسِلُواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ…

Which means that O you who believe, when you wake up, make your wudu.

4) After you make your wudu, then make your salaah;

Allah SWT says:

إِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا

That there is prescribed times for each salaah

5) After performing the salaah, now the day has dawned and you will go into the duniya and you will go your jobs and for that you must have conviction that Allah is the raziq. It is not the job or business that will provide the rizq but it is Allah that has made your job and your business as the means of getting the rizq.

Our focus in this case is on the ayah of the Quran:

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي الأَرْضِ إِلاَّ عَلَى اللّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا كُلٌّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ

There is not a thing on the face of the earth whose sustenance is not provided by Allah SWT. We adopt the means but the effect is from Allah SWT.

6) The next thing one should do that whatever Allah SWT has blessed us with, we accept it with qanaa’ and satisfaction. Be content, Be Happy. Don’t look at others as to why Allah has given them so much, and why Allah SWT didn’t give us much, No! Be content with what Allah SWT has given you.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ

That Allah SWT has distributed with wisdom. To some He has given more to some He has given less. A person should be content with what has been ordained by Allah SWT.

7) The next thing a person should keep in mind when entering the day is that to have complete tawakkul and trust in Allah SWT. Allah SWT says:

وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَمُوتُ

Place the trust in the being who is alive from ever and ever and who will never ever die.

8) The person should make Sabr on the orders of Allah SWT. He should be patient for what he will face in the day.

Allah SWT says:

وَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ

That make sabr, exercise restraint on the orders of Allah SWT.

9) The next thing a person should keep in mind that he should make thank and shukr to Allah SWT in different moments of the day. Allah SWT says:

وَاشْكُرُواْ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ

Make shukr upon the favours of Allah SWT.

10) The last thing a person should keep in mind is that we must engage ourself in Halal income and keep ourselves away from the Haram income. This is such an order that Allah SWT has given these to the anbiya AS and the same order applies to all the muslimeen.

If a person approaches his day with these 10 points then inshallah he will be from among the people who are saaleh and obedient to Allah SWT.

May Allah SWT give us the taufeeq to mould our lives according the commandments of Allah SWT so that we become successful in the akhirah.

Wa akhiru daawana anil hamdulillahi rabbilaalimeen.

Special thanks to Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association, Masjid on April 11, 2008

Miracles of Prophet SAW - معجزات الرسول صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطٰن الرجیمبسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیمالحمد لله رب العالمين ، أرسل رسوله بالهدى و دين الحق ليظهره على الدين كله و كفي بالله شهيدا ، و أشهد ألا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ؛ له الملك و له الحمد ، يحيى و يميت و هو على كل شئ قدير و إليه المرجع و المصير ..و أشهد أن محمدا عبده و رسوله ، و صفيه من خلقه و حبيبه.رب اشرح لي صدري و يسر لى أمري و احلل عقدة من لساني يفقهوا قولي…

In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful, majestic and all powerful, master of this world and everything that is contained herein. Salutations be upon prophet Mohammad SAW, who was sent as a guide to this mankind.

My Dear Respected Brothers, Sisters and Elders,
Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb.

Almighty Allah SWT sent approximately 124,000 prophets to this duniya, to guide the people towards the oneness of Allah SWT, to show them the right and correct path. All the prophets of Allah SWT were human beings. They lived among people, they lived among people, they ate and drank like people and many of them married and had wives and children. And, it is a human nature, that when someone makes a claim, they require a proof for that. It is human nature to reject any claim that does not have a proof and any supporting evidence.

When the Prophets of Allah SWT claimed among their people that they are the prophets of Allah SWT and are sent to them with the wahi and revelation directly from the Creator so they can guide the people towards the oneness of Allah SWT, then most people who heard their claim denied them and rejected them. They used to say that how can you be prophet of Allah SWT, when you eat like us, you drink like us, you have family and life like us.

Allah SWT mentions in the Quran:

وَقَالُوا مَالِ هَذَا الرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِي فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ …

25:7 ) And they say: “What sort of an apostle is this, who eats food, and walk through the streets?”…

… so he cannot be the prophet of Allah SWT.

Almighty Allah SWT strengthened the claim of these prophets but giving them some miracles. As human beings, the more you produce something that is strange and unique and something that is extra-ordinary, the more people will be attracted to you. The greater the miracle, the more the people get attracted. Allah SWT takes this nature of human being in consideration and strengthens the claim of the prophets by giving them these miracles.

The miracle in itself is not purposeful rather these miracles are not an act of worship and ibaadah in itself. They are a means of getting the people to understand a certain message and Allah SWT has given many of his prophets, the miracles and all the prophets who were given these miracles, that were conducive to their times and their era.

At the time of Sulayman AS, witchcraft and performing supernatural acts were very common. Allah SWT gave Sulayman AS such a miracle that no witch of the time could match up with Sulayman AS. Sulayman AS could fly in the air and he could travel at amazing speeds where he would cover a distance of two months in a day.

وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ

34:12) And to Sulayman AS, we made the wind obedient: Its early morning stride was a months journey, and its evening stride was a months journey.

He was able to converse with the Jinnat, and he was able to talk to animals and birds. No witch of the time could match up with Sulayman AS. It became very clear to the people, that Sulayman AS was a gifted and an extra-ordinary person. He must be indeed the prophet of Allah SWT with all these qualities. These qualities would attract the people and it would become the means for them to be guided to the right path, the oneness of Allah SWT.

At the time of Daud AS, development became very common and popular. People wanted to create great structures. Allah SWT gave such a miracle to Daud AS that with his hand he would hold steel and iron and it would melt. And Allah has mentioned that in the Quran:

وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ

34:10) And we made iron soft for him.

People looked at this, they got close to Daud AS and they understood the message of Allah SWT through the company of Daud AS.

At the time of Saleh AS, the people asked for a miracle. They demanded that if you are the prophet of Allah SWT, then how come you eat like us, how come you drink like us. You are a normal human being, how do we know that you are the prophet. They were near a mountainous place and they wanted a pony to come out of that place.

Saleh AS made dua to Allah SWT and Allah SWT made beautiful strong pony to come out from within the mountain. People looked at that, but you see, people who are honest and their hearts are clean, they really do not need to see all these miracles to believe in the existence of Allah SWT and people who are not honest no matter how much big miracle you show them, they will still not believe, because their hearts are hardened and nothing penetrates it.

When the time of Ibrahim AS came, when Namrood prepared the fire, the blaze and the flames of the fire were as if they were reaching the sky. Through a catapult he threw Ibrahim AS in the fire and as soon as Ibrahim AS landed in the fire, then Allah SWT showed that fire was in the command of Allah SWT. Allah SWT says:

قُلْنَا يَا نَارُ كُونِي بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ

21:69) We (Allâh) said: "O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrâhim (Abraham)!"

Ibrahim AS sat in the fire as if he was sitting in a garden.

Likewise, at the time of Isa AS, medicine had reached its heights and pinnacles. People were very good at finding cure to different illnesses. But Allah SWT gave Isa AS such miracles, such cure in his hands, that greatest of doctors at the time were perplexed. If a person was born blind, no doctor could cure that, if a person had leprosy, no doctor could cure that but ISA AS was able to touch his hand to a sick person, and cure the person completely.

All these miracles were a way to guide them to convey a message to people that every power lies in the hands of Allah SWT and when people accepted them, it became a means for them to get closer to Allah SWT.

Rasulallah SAW was also given miracles. The miracle that was more conducive to his time was that people were very eloquent in their speech. Arabs of the times regarded non-arabs to be Ajams. Ajam means an animal, somebody who could not talk and because arabs were good in speech, they regarded non-arabs as ajam because they could not talk as eloquent as them.

At the time of Nabi SAW, people used to compete with each other in speech. Inspite of all that, Nabi SAW was unlettered, he did not know how to read, how to write, and the educated people of the time were so eloquent in their speech that not only competed eachother in literature but also in poetry. With all that eloquence in the society, a person who did not know how to read or write, suddenly at the age of 40 he started saying such words from his mouth that even the poets of the time could not completely understand and comprehend.

Nabi SAW used recite the ayaat of the Quran Kareem and the poets of the time were puzzled that where did this person come up with such words. He cannot even read and write and yet he produces something that we with all our skill and qualities cannot come close to even one verse that he is uttering. This was the miracle of Rasulallah SAW. Apart from that, there were many other miracles performed by Rasulallah SAW and the purpose of these miracles.

Allah mentions these miracles in Quran al Kareem, so that the reader of Quran, the listener of Quran is convinced, that these are true prophets of Allah SWT and they become means of strengthening the iman of a person and knowing that the order of everything rests with Allah SWT.

Rasulallah SAW performed many many more miracles. It is mentioned that once a villager came up to Rasulallah SAW and said that how do I know that you are the Prophet of Allah SWT was standing next to a tree so Nabi SAW pointed towards the tree and said that this tree will bear testimony that I am the Prophet of Allah SWT. The villager goes near the tree and says to the tree, that ‘ Do you believe in Mohammad as the nabi of Allah SWT’?

It is mentioned in the book of hadeeth, that tree started speaking from the trunk and the branches and the leaves and the words came out ‘ La ilaha ilallahu Mohammadur Rasulallah’. The villager heard it as well as all those who were witnessing the incident.

In Mishkaat Masaabeeh, it’s mentioned that there was once a Jew who was a shepherd who was grazing sheep. Suddenly a wolf came and took one sheep away. The shepherd ran behind the wolf. The shepherd is able to pull that sheep out of the wolf’s mouth. The wolf goes nearby and looks at the shepherd and says to the shepherd that Allah SWT has ordered me to look for my sustenance and rizq. When I got my rizq and the sustenance in the form of the sheep, then you came and deprived me of it. The shepherd is surprised that an animal is speaking to me, how that can happen. He expressed his surprise to one of his companion that a wolf spoke to me, an animal spoke. His companion said that more surprising than this is that nearby hear in madinah there is a man who claims to be the prophet of Allah SWT and he can tell you things of past and the future. Jew was even more surprised. That jew goes to madinah al munawwarah and he meets Rasuallalh SAW and it became the means for him to become accept islam and become muslim. When Nabi SAW was informed about this incident, he told him that even more surprising thing than a wolf speaking would be near the time of Qayyamah before the final hour comes. In that time when a person would leave his home and when he will return, his shoes and the stick he is carrying will inform him of those things that his wife and children have done in his absence.

It is mentioned in one hadeeth, Rasulallah SAW has stated an incident that took place that the sahabah, they were out on a journey and they were in shortage of water. They needed water for their personal need and wudu and they could not find water. They complained to Nabi SAW for the shortage of water. So Nabi SAW told them to take a container and put little water in it and bring it to me. That container was brought to Nabi SAW and he dipped his finger in the water. The container started to fill with water and sahabah say that they saw water coming out of the mubarak finger of Rasulallah SAW like the water is flowing in a stream and there were approximately 300 people that were there who were able to fulfil their needs.

One sahabi, Ya’la ibn Murrah RA, said that he was traveling with Rasulallah SAW and he saw some strange things. They passed by a camel and some people were loading the back of the camel. The camel gave out a sign. Nabi SAW asked for the owner of the camel. When the owner of the camel came, Nabi SAW said that sell this camel to me. The owner said why do I have to sell it to you, this camel is for you. Nabi SAW said, since you are sincere to me, the thing is that this camel is complaining to me that you are overworking him and he is saying that this is zulm and oppression on him. Ya’lah bin Murrah RA said that this was my first encounter. The second encounter happened when on the same journey Rasulallah SAW was resting at a place. It was even more surprising. He saw with his own eyes that a tree walked from his own place and came beside Nabi SAW and gave shade to Rasuallah SAW while he was resting. When Nabi SAW woke up, he informed Nabi SAW about this. Nabi SAW said that I am aware of it. This tree took permission from Allah SWT to walk over to me and provide me shade. The third incident happened on the same journey, when we happened to passed by a woman who had a child that was possessed by a jinn and the mother complained to Nabi SAW. Rasulallah SAW took the child and he addressed the jinn inside the child that I am the Prophet of Allah SWT and I instruct you to leave the body of the child. On returning from that journey Rasulallah SAW asked that woman, how is the child and she said that Alhamdulillah that jinn has not come back to the child.

Another incident is about Imam Abu Hurairah RA. Imam Abu Hurairah used to invite is mother to Islam at every opportunity that he used to get. Whenever he made daawah to his mother, she would say something foul about Rasulallah SAW. So one day he became frustrated and he came to Rasulallah SAW and asked him , O Prophet of Allah, make dua for my mother. Nabi SAW made dua, Allahumahdi Umma Abi Hurraira. ‘O Allah give hidayah to the mother of Abu Hurrairah’. Abu Hurairah knew that if Rasulallah SAW has made the dua, it will surely be accepted but when, that he didn’t know. He goes home. His mother was in the bath. Before that day, whenever he went home, she would be waiting to condemn him, to swear at him and swear at Rasullalah SAW.After a little while she came from the bath and she said that in your absence I could feel iman settling in my heart and I read the shahadah, Ashahadu An La ilaha ilallah wa ashhadu anna Mohammadur Rasulallah.

During Sulah Hudaibiyya incident:

-Nabi SAW went in a particular place

-Nabi SAW and sahabah go to a certain place

-Abu Talha is among them

-When he returns home he tells his wife that, Nabi SAW is very hungry because I could hardly hear his voice out of weakness

-Wife prepared some food for 2,3 people

-He went and invited Rasuallah SAW for food

-Rasulallah SAW didn’t accept it instead he made announcement that whoever is present here come with me to Abu Talha house to share the food

-When Abu Talha heard, he was very worried that his wife made small food and that when his wife will find out that I brought so many people, she will be angry.

-So before anything else, he walked quickly ahead of others and reached his home and told his wife that he only wanted to invited Rasulallah SAW, but now a lot many people are coming on the invitation of Rasulallah SAW.

-The woman’s iman was so strong, she said, that if Rasulallah SAW did that, then it’s the matter between him and Allah SWT.

-Nabi SAW comes in his house and goes near the fireplace and he reads and blows in the area and he tells the woman that you prepare the food now and bring another woman to help you as well.

-The food just kept on coming out of the pot and sahabah were fed. The food that was sufficient for 2,3 people, 80 people were fed.

These miracles, these incidents are all there in Kitab and Sunnah for us to strengthen our iman. The sahabah who witnessed these miracles increased their iman many folds and for us when we ponder about these things it helps us to make our iman strong. Apart form all these miracles, we know the greatest miracle of Nabi SAW was the Quran Kareem itself. A book that is free of corruption and is kept in its true and pure state for more than 1400 years. A book that is the source of guidance for each and every human being.

May Allah SWT give us the taufeeq to understand the underlying message of all these miracles, that the ultimate power belongs to Allah SWT and the true guidance lies in following the injunctions of Quran and Sunnah of Rasulallah SAW.

Wama Taufiqi Ilallah Billah

Special thanks to Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association, Masjid on March 28, 2008