Respect for the Parents

اعوذ باللہ من الشیطن الرجیم
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

الحمد للہ رب العلمین ، والصلوۃ والسلام علی رسولہ کریم

In the name of Allah the most beneficient, the most Merciful, Master of the day of judgement, the creator and sustainer of this world and everything therein. Salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW, the last messenger and guide to the mankind and upon those who followed his teachings in words and deeds.

Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb.

After a days hard work when we enter into our homes and our children upon the first glance leap towards us greeting, one cannot but feel all the tiredness gone in an instant. It is the innocent love and respect that these children give to us for which we have response but kindness.
Similarly, when the old parents see the smiling face of their children enter the homes, they feel nothing but happiness and joy. It is as if the day’s restlessness has been eased away in an instant at the sight of the children. The parents, when they reach in old age, they yearn to have our attention, they like to share their worries and they have a lot to say, but often times we neglect them and we get ourselves busy in other activities. We do not think for a moment, that they were the same parents who had given away their peace of mind so we can have a comfortable life.
Allah SWT says in the Quran:
وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلاَهُمَا فَلاَ تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّ وَلاَ تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلاً كَرِيمًا
(17:23)
And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.

My dear bothers and sisters,
Allah SWT uses the word UFF, that one should not even utter the word UFF when addressing the parents. Scholars have mentioned that if there had been a smaller word for disrespect than UFF, Allah SWT would have used it meaning that one should not be disrespectful even in the slightest.

It is reported that a young man once complained to the Prophet that his father was taking his money. The Prophet summoned the father. An old man, leaning heavily on his walking-stick, made his appearance. When asked if, what the son complained about was true, the old man stared long at the Prophet and softly replied, "O Apostle of Allah, my son used to be weak and I strong; he used to be poor and I rich, and what I had in my possession I spent for his wellbeing. Today I am poor and weak and my son cannot afford to spend even a small amount on me!" The Prophet was overwhelmed by this and a tear rolled from his eye as he spoke: "There is no stone or any hard object but cries when he hears such sentiments expressed. You (young man) and all your property belong to your parents."

The sacrifices that our parents have gone through, we can never even imagine. We cannot even count as to what effort of theirs actually made us, what we are today. What about those special prayers that they made for us and the extremeties that they had to go through to get us the best food.

The society in which we live is not fair to the parents either. Concepts such as old homes and senior citizen residences were alien to us but now some of us have dwelved in these practices too.

We are come from various backgrounds but we have something in common and that is the teachings of Islam in their core. Islam teaches us to respect our parents and to be dutiful to them. We cannot choose to just live our own life and forget about our parents. This is not what our Nabi SAW taught us.

Allah SWT says in Quran:

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَى وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ
(31:14)

And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.

A son came to complain about his mother's strong temper. Did she have a strong temper when she bore you ?" the Prophet asked. Did she have a strong temper when she spent numerous night sleepless, suckling and guarding you when you were ill, going out of her way to feed you ?"The young man replied that he had already rewarded for all her actions by carrying her on his back while they were on Pilgrimage to Makkah. The Prophet looked at the son and replied: "My son, (you have done a noble deed) but you can never repay one single drop of milk which she gave you."

The pain and suffering that a mother faces during the upbringing of her child cannot be explained in words but one sees that the more she engages herself in these sacrifices, the more she cares about the child. This is the rahmah that Allah SWT has put in her heart for her child. Allah SWT loves this sacrifice of the mother and when a child disobeys that mother, it is most disliked by Allah SWT.

On the authority of Imam Abu Hurairah , a man asked Rasulallah SAW:
"O Apostle of Allah, who has the most right to my companionship? To this our Nabi replied: "Your Mother. "Thrice the man asked the same question and thrice our Nabi replied,"Your Mother", until the fourth time when our Nabi replied, "Your Father".

When the parents become old, it becomes even more important for us to take care of them and give them their due rights. Just because they are not the bread winners of the family, does not mean their importance in our home is diminished. They still deserve the same respect.

Abu Hurairah (R.A.) relates that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said "May he be disgraced, may,he be disgraced, may he be disgraced." "Who?" The Sahaaba enquired. "The person whose parents, or any one of them, attain old-age during his life-time and he does not earn Paradise (by being kind-hearted and dutiful to them)!"

My dear brothers and sisters,

It is important to understand that our religion makes it obligatory upon us to be dutiful to our parents even if they are not muslim. One must respect and obey his parents regardless of their belief as long as one is not obliged to follow something that is out of the bounds of Sharia.

Asma bint Abu Bakr (R.A.) relates that her mother had come to Madinah, from Makkah, to meet her. Her mother followed the Pagan customs and beliefs, so Asma (R.A.) enquired from the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam as how she was to treat her whether she should have nothing to do with her, as she was a Pagan, or treat her like a daughter should, and show kindness to her. The Prophet told her to be kind and considerate and to behave towards her as was a mothers due, from a daughter.

Allah SWT says:
وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا
(17:24)
... "My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small."

The rights of the parents do not come to an end if the parents have passed away. Infact, our religion teaches us to ask for their forgiveness even after they have passed away and to remember them in good words.

Abu Usaid Sa'idi (R.A.) relates that a person came to the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and asked him "O Prophet of Allah, are there some rights of my parents, on me, which I have to fulfill even after they have died?" "Yes" the Prophet replied, "These are to pray for mercy and forgiveness on their behalf, to fulfill the promises they have made to anyone, to pay due regard to the bonds of relationship from their side and to be respectful to their friends.

Rasulallah SAW has mentioned that there are some rewards that a person gets if he is dutiful towards his parents. The real reward is getting the paradise and the pleasure of Allah SWT in the akhirah for this deed but Allah SWT has promised something for this world too.

Jabir (R.A.) reports that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said "Allah prolongs the life of a person who obeys his parents and serves them devotedly." In another hadeeth, the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam is reported to have said, "Obey your parents and treat them with kindness, your children will be kind and obedient to you.

Similarly, disobeying parents is one of the acts most displeasing to Allah SWT.
When asked about the major sins, the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam replied." To associate anyone with Allah, to disobey the parents, to kill unlawfully and to give false evidence."

May Allah SWT give us the taufeeq to be dutiful towards our parents and forgive us if we have hurt them in any manner intentionally or unintentionally.

Wa akhiruhu Dawana Anilhamdulillah Rabil Aalimeen.

Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association Masjid on May 11, 2007

Eethar - ایثار

Audhubillahi Minshaytanirrajeem
Bismillahirrahmanirraheem

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful, Master of the Universe who gave us life and sustain us for His worship alone. Salutations be upon Prophet Mohammad SAW, the rahbar and haadi for the mankind, the messenger of the final message from Allah SWT, the Quran.

One of the qualities of the choice given to human beings by Allah SWT is the choice of preferences. We as humans, make judgement calls on some matters where we choose one thing over the other. Sometimes, these choices are in accordance with the teachings of Islam and sometimes these choices take us away from our deen.

If a person chooses the attraction of the life of this duniya or chooses to disobey Allah SWT in this duniya, then Allah has reminded us in Quran, that we must think upon this choice for it will have dire consequences.

Allah SWT says:

فَأَمَّا مَن طَغَى Oوَآثَرَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا Oفَإِنَّ الْجَحِيمَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَىO
Then, for him who transgressed all bounds, in disbelief, oppression and evil deeds of disobedience to Allâh. And preferred the life of this world, Verily, his abode will be Hell-fire;

Then there is a choice of preference which becomes the source of making one close to Allah SWT. When we see the life of our beloved Nabi, Mohammad SAW, we will see that throughout his life he showed us the way of self-sacrifice in order to bring happiness to others. This self-sacrifice or Eethaar is loved by Allah SWT.

Every insaan has nafs and desires and genuine needs, but when such a person sacrifices his needs for the betterment of his brother, then such an action is the most beloved to Allah SWT from His slave.

When Rasulallah SAW asked the muslimeen to migrate to Madeenah, Rasulallah SAW showed them the example of this eethar by being the last people to leave Makkah with Abubakr RA. Abu Bakr RA accompanied Rasulallah SAW and became his Rafeeq in the cave of Thaur. Abubakr RA showed his self-sacrifice when he protected the prophet and was bitten by the snake. When Ali lay in Rasulallah SAW’s bed , he showed his self-sacrifice.
Allah SWT praises such a person who sacrifices himself to provide happiness to a fellow human being.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاء مَرْضَاتِ اللّهِ وَاللّهُ رَؤُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the Pleasure of Allâh. And Allâh is full of Kindness to (His) slaves.

Unfortunately, when we look at ourselves these days, we have the least concern for the person next to us. We put ourselves in the priority before we think about someone else. We all have learnt these lessons that we should sacrifice for our brothers, but we forget them when it matters the most.

When we see the lives of the sahabah Alehim Ajmaeen, we see that there are numerous examples that will motivate us to develop the qualities of Self-sacrifice.

A Sahabi came to the Prophet and complained of hunger and distress. The Prophet didn't have any food. He then asked the sahabas that who will take this sahabi as their guest on behalf of me. One Ansar said, “I Will.” He took him home and told his wife that he is a guest of the Prophet ; we will entertain him as best as we can. The wife replied that we have enough food for the children. The Ansari said, “Put the children to sleep and when we start eating, turn the lamp off so the guest may not be aware of my not sharing with him.”
The scheme worked; the whole family remained hungry to enable the guest to eat to his fill, it was because of this incident that Allah Taa'la revealed the verse:

وَالَّذِينَ تَبَوَّؤُوا الدَّارَ وَالْإِيمَانَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِي صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّا أُوتُوا وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Banî An-Nadîr), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful.

Ikramah Bin Abi Jahal was a very well known person at the time of Rasulallah SAW. Before becoming a muslim, Ikrimah had fought ferociusly against the Prophet in the battles of Badr and Uhud. He had sweared to crush the muslims in these battles but Allah SWT had other plans. When Rasulallah SAW entered Makkah as the Fateh and the makkans were given the general amnesty, Ikramah had fled Makkah in order to avoid being taken as a prisoner. His wife, Umm Hakim approached Rasulallah SAW and asked him for her husband’s safety and amnesty. Prophet SAW pardoned Ikramah and she set out to search for her husband with a slave. When she found him, she told him that Ikramah, do not run away and do not destroy your life, Mohammad SAW has pardoned you.

Ikramah asked, did you speak to Mohammad? She said yes. Then what did he say? He said that you are safe and you are pardoned.

Ikrimah came back to makkah with his wife and presented himself before Prophet SAW. He said, Mohammad (SAW), Umm Hakim tells me that you have pardoned me?
Yes, the prophet SAW said, you are safe.

Ikrimah asked,: To what do you invite?

Prophet SAW replied: I invite you to the Truth, to one Allah SWT and that I am the servant and the messenger of Allah SWT, to pray Salaat and pray Zakaat and carry out all the obligations of Islam.

At this Ikramah professed shahadah and asked forgiveness from Rasuallah SAW for all the wrongs he had committed against him in the past. Prophet SAW replied with a dua to him:
"O Lord, forgive him for all the hostility he directed against me and from all the expeditions he mounted wishing to put out Your light. Forgive him for whatever he has said or done in my presence or absence to dishonor me."
Ikramah from that day on became of the model of humility and self-sacrifice. He had learnt the real message of the Islam, the brotherhood, forgiveness and care for eachother and striving in the path of Allah SWT.

The same Ikramah, in the battle of Yarmuk fought with great courage and after the battle was over, he layed there wounded and thirstly. He called for someone who could bring water to him. The volunteer brought the water to him when he heard someone cried for water. He looked over and it was Harith bin Hisham. He said to the volunteer to take the water to him. The volunteer took the water to Harith and when Harith was about to drink, he heard Ayyash bin Abi Rabiah cry for water. At this Harith asked the volunteer to take the water to Ayyash.

When the volunteer reached Ayyash bin Rabiah, he had passed away, he came back to Harith and had passed away too and when he came back to Ikramah, he too had passed away.

These were the lives of those sahaba who breathed the teachings of Islam and would self-sacrifice themselves even when their lives were in danger. They would not think for a moment to make themselves content without thinking about others.

My dear respected brothers and sisters,

We are spending our lives in this part of the world just like other people are spending the lives around us but we say that we are special, we are blessed that we have been given the teachings of truth. If that is the case, then shouldn’t our lives exhibit those different teachings, shouldn’t our actions show that we carry the same message in our heart, that was given to the sahabas by our beloved Rasulallah SAW? If we choose to set Huqooqul Ibad as our first priority, if we choose to sacrifice our needs for others, then surely we will fulfil the rights of being muslims.

Wa ma taufiqi ilallah billah.

Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association Masjid on May 04, 2007

Sincere Repentance

Authubillahi minashaytanirrajeem
Bismillahirraheem

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent the most Merciful, the one who gave us this life to be in His worship and to glorify His name. Salutations be upon Prophet Mohamamd SAW who was sent as the last guide to the humanity after whom there will be no more messengers and prophets.

Assalam o allaikum Brothers, sisters and my elders in Islam,

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ هُوَ يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَأْخُذُ الصَّدَقَاتِ وَأَنَّ اللّهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
(9:104)۔
Translation:
Know they not that Allâh accepts repentance from His slaves and takes the Sadaqât (alms, charities) and that Allah Alone is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful?

When a youth does something wrong and hurts the parents with his or her actions, often times parents just absorb that hurt and do not show their feelings because they are worried that their anger or emotion is going to make the child far from them. But when the same child realizes that he has committed a blunder by hurting his parents and he comes back to them and apologizes and promises that he or she will never do it again, that is the most joyous sight for the parents. They feel happy that they became the shoulder to lean on when the child needed it. That joy is not explainable in words, it can only be seen in the eyes of a mother or father who experiences it.

Similarly, when the slave of Allah SWT realizes that he has committed a blunder or when he realizes that he needs to make his heart light and he turns to Allah in repentance, that very action is most beloved to Allah SWT. Every time a person repents sincerely, Allah SWT forgives.

The very word repentance or Tauba in islam means ‘To Return’ and in this very sense it means ‘To Return to Allah SWT’ to mend the relationship between ourselves and Allah SWT. It is for this reason that Allah SWT calls His servants to repent so that they can bring back their relationship in complete clarity and sincerity and so that the slave of Allah can have the highest status of Iman while in obedience to Allah SWT.

In this call, Allah SWT is asking the servants to:

- Purify themselves of all the sins and mistakes by making sincere tauba. This purity is the measure of closeness between a servant and Allah SWT.
- Creat taqwa of Allah SWT in the hearts and flee to Him for He is free of all the defects
- To expect the great bounty of Allah SWT and belief that this bounty is endless.



Allah SWT says :

وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“…And turn to God all of you, O believers! So that you may be successful”


In this verse Allah SWT reminds all believers without any exception that they should return to Allah SWT for repentance so that they can be successful.

Some of us, we have developed this idea in our minds that repentance is only done when we have committed something wrong and so there is no need to ask forgiveness of Allah SWT if we have not done anything wrong.

Also, some of us believe that repentance can only be accepted by Allah SWT from those people who are in the best state of Iman and people like us who have lots of sins, will not be forgiven.

The beliefs of both of these groups of people are wrong.

A person who has complete faith in Allah and who is a true believer should not ever think that he does not need forgiveness of Allah SWT. Allah SWT has clearly said in the Quran for the people who have complete belief in Him:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَى رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ
Translation:
O you who believe! Turn to Allâh with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow

So, a person with complete faith and obedience to Allah SWT is also asked to repent to Allah SWT because Allah will grant him success through this repentance and success of the Akhirah is the Paradise.

Ibn Umar narrated that Rasulallah SAW said:
“In our gatherings we counted the Messenger of God mention a hundred times
the following- ‘O my Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance, indeed you are
the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful’

If the best of the best servants of Allah SWT, the best of the best friend of Allah SWT is asking forgiveness from Allah SWT numerous times a day then how can you or me be absolved of this act.

Now if we look at the group of people who believe that their repentance will not be accepted because of their abundance of sins, we will find that this belief is also not correct.

Allah SWT says in Quran:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَعْفُو عَنِ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ
Translation:
And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do.’

And Allah SWT says:

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Translation:
Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful

Hadeeth regarding a man who killed 99 people:

It is recorded in the two Saheeh, the Hadeeth of Abu Said (radhi allahu anhu) from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) about the man who killed ninety-nine people. Later on, he regretted it and asked a worshipper among the children of Israel whether he could repent. He told him no, so he killed him, thus completing one hundred. Then he asked one of their scholars whether he could repent. The scholar said: 'What is stopping you from repenting?' Then he asked him to go to a town where Allah was worshiped. He set out for the town, but death came to him while he was on the way. The Angels of Mercy and the Angels of Punishment disputed over him, so Allah commanded them to measure the distance between the two towns; whichever he was closer to was the one to which he belonged. They found that he was closer to the town he was heading for, so the angels of mercy took him. It was said that when he was dying, he moved himself (towards the town), and Allah commanded the good town to move closer to him and the other town to move away. [See Fath al-Baree (6: 591)]

So my dear brothers, our Allah SWT is ghafoorurahim and he is Merciful and he forgives whom he wishes. If we make sincere intention to change ourselves and our habits, we must change our company and make associations with those who are righteous and we should continue to ask repentance from Allah SWT.

In order to repent from Allah SWT, there are certain conditions that we must keep in our mind.

- First and the foremost, a person should feel regret about his wrong action and he should feel sad and remorseful
- Second, he should have complete determination that he will not return to that sin again – This determination is very important.
- Third, to go away from the sin.

Inshallah if a person follows these steps then Allah SWT will accept his repentance. The ulema have also mentioned that there are some signs of the repentance of a person and one of the most visible sign is that after the acceptance of the repentance, the person would wish to do good deeds and would wish good for the others.

This repentance before Allah SWT has great rewards my dear brothers and sisters.

Allah says in Quran:
إِنَّ اللّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ (2:222)۔
Translation:
…Truly, Allâh loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.

Imam Abu Hurairah reports that Rasulallah SAW said:
“God is more pleased with the repentance of His servant when he turns
penitently towards Him than any one of you would be pleased on finding his lost
camel”.
Sahih Muslim

May Allah SWt give us the taufeeq to ask repentance from Allah SWT for all our previous sins and may Allah SWT give us istiqamah to follow the path of righteousness.



Delivered at Fredericton Islamic Association masjid on April 27, 2007

Attachment with Quran Al Kareem

Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb.

In the name of Allah SWT who is our creator and the master of this universe, who created us for nothing other than His worship and may the salutations be upon the Prophet Mohammad SAW who was send as a guide to this duniya, to lead the people on to the right path in order that they may become successful in this duniya as well as in aakhira.

The biggest blessing of Allah SWT on this mankind is the revelation of the Kalaam of Allah, Al-Quran. Without this book of guidance, we would not be able to keep ourselves on the right path. This blessing of Allah SWT is the miracle bestowed upon the last nabi of Allah , Mohammad SAW. Allah SWT says regarding this miracle:


قُل لَّئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى أَن يَأْتُواْ بِمِثْلِ هَـذَا الْقُرْآنِ لاَ يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا

Say: "If the mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur'ân, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another."


My dear brothers and sisters, we must understand the reason of the revelation of Quran. It was not revealed so that we cover it up and place it on the highest shelf in our house. If was not revealed so that we occasionally take a look at it and then remain aloof of what has been written in it. It was not revealed so that we take out the meaning that suites our lifestyle and discard the rest.

It is a complete system to govern our life on the pattern of righteousness and if we have committed a wrong doing, if we have failed to follow an injuction, this Quran is a reminder for us to repent from our Creator, Allah SWT.

Ahadeeth about the Virtues of Quran:

- Uthman (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said: "The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur'an and teaches it."


- In 'Sharah Ihya', the list of people who will be given shelter in the shade of 'Arsh' (Throne of Allah) on the fearful Day of Judgement includes those persons who teach the Qur'an to the children of Muslims and also those who learn the Holy Qur'an in their childhood and are devoted to its recitation when grown up.


The purpose of this Quran is to bring the teachings of Allah SWT into our lives so that we can lead our lives based on righteousness in the complete practical way. When Aisha RA was asked, How was the character of Rasulallah SAW? She answered: Rasulallah SAW’s character was like the walking talking Quran. So, it is not an option for us to just let ourselves relaxed in assumption that since we were born muslims, we will be successful on the day of Qayyamah… No, we must understand the commandments of Allah mentioned in this book and apply them in our lives, for verily we will be questioned about it.

Abu Sa'id (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said: "Almighty Allah says, "If anybody finds no time for My remembrance and for begging favors of Me, because of his remaining busy with the Holy Qur'an, I shall give him more than what I give to all those who beg favors of Me."

Today, we have led ourselves away from the love of this book, we consider it Okay for our children to read fantasy and fiction novels but when it comes to Quran, we do not go out of our way to make every effort to teach them and to develop this love in their hearts. The result!? The result is that it is our children, when they grow up, devoid of the love and muhabbah of Quran, they question the authenticity of this very book. The love and muhabbah of the kalaam of Allah needs to be developed in these young children so that when they grow older, they remain drenched in this kalaam and live their lives accordingly.
If musk and amber are placed before a man who has a cold and therefore a stuffy nose, he will not be able to appreciate their fragrance. This is not the fault of the musk or amber, but the fault of his illness. Today the Holy Quran is amongst us, but because we are diseased by our sins we are estranged from the pleasures of the Holy Book.
Abdullah ibn-e-Abbas (Radhi Allaho anho) has narrated the saying of Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam): "He in whose heart there is no part of the Qur'an is like a deserted house."
My dear brothers and elders! If we see the lives of our predecessors, we will see how they took this book to be the guiding light in their dark journeys of life and we will see their muhabbah with the Kalaam of Allah.
Fatima RA would become so absorbed in the recitation of the Quran during prayer that she would lose track of time. She once complained to Allah, "I began by making intention for just two raka’s; Your night is so short that I was able to offer just those two rakats."


In Madinah at the time of the Prophet, if a man started walking from his house to the mosque at the time of Tahajjud, the sound of people reading the Holy Quran would be like the buzzing of bees around their hive. Every night used to be like a night of Ramadan for them. They weren't like us today; if we stay awake at night then when we finally sleep we don't wake up till the afternoon. In those days they worked and participated in battle during the day, and spent the night in worship. They would be refreshed by reading the Holy Quran
This is comparable to a mother who says she is extremely tired and asks that she not be disturbed from her sleep, but sits up fully refreshed if her son suddenly returns from overseas after a long time: all her fatigue will completely vanish. In this same way those who are close to Allah are rejuvenated upon reciting the Holy Quran.
Imam Abu Hanifa (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) used to complete one reading of the Holy Quran in the daytime and one at night, and would finish its recitation a total of sixty-three times in the holy month of Ramadan.
On her wedding night, Hadrat Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal's (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) daughter recited seven chapters of the Holy Quran in tahajjud. This is no small feat for a girl's first night with her husband. Today people become restless listening to merely one chapter in Ramadan.
Today when people watch videos and movies, hours go by before they notice how much time has elapsed. Just in the same way the Ahl-e-Quran (People of the Quran) have no idea where the time goes when they begin reading. Just as for the one sitting in front of a television screen, scenes of Paradise and Hell pass before their eyes as they read. At times they feel joyous upon reading a verse about Paradise, at times they prostrate in fear upon reading a verse about Hell. Their whole night passes in experiencing these moments of grief and joy.
Four things of which People Never Tire

The ulema have written that a person's heart can never tire of four things.

The first of these is the sky. Everyday we look at the same blue sky, the same stars, the same clouds, but we never tire of this sight. No one has ever said that he wishes the sky to be another color, such as pink.

The second of these is water. Even if someone grows to be a hundred years old, he will never tire of drinking water.

The third of these is the sight of the House of Allah, the Kaa'ba. One never tires of gazing at it, the site upon which the mercy and blessings of Allah are constantly descending. There is truly nothing comparable to the House of Allah on this Earth. People wish time would stand still so they could keep gazing at the Kaa'ba; their thirst is never quenched, rather it increases. Such lovers of Allah have the insight to see these blessings descending.

The fourth thing from which the heart never tires is reading the Holy Quran. Readers of this Book spend their entire lives reciting and teaching it, but never tire of it. Their desire increases the more they read. Allah has put incredible blessing in this Book.

A'ishah (Radhi Allaho anha) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said, "Certainly there is always a thing in which people take pride. And that which is glory and pride for my Ummat is the Holy Qur'an."

Anas (Radhi Allaho anho) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said, "By Allah, from amongst the people, there are some who are those of His household." The Sahabah (Radhi Allaho anhum) (may Allah be pleased with them) asked, "Who are those people?" he replied "Men of the Qur'an. They are of the household of Allah, and are his favored ones."

Men of Quran are the people who have special attachment to the Kalaam of Allah SWT. These are the people who have their lives revolve around Quran. They keep themselves occupied by Quran through recitation, memorization as well as by understanding.

May Allah SWT give us the ability to foster in our hearts the love of Quran and the willingness and commitment to follow the commandments as shown to us by Rasulallah SAW.. Amiin.. Wa ma Taufiqi Ilallah Billah…

Delivered at FIA Masjid on April 20, 2007

Iman - Bayn al Khauf Wal Raja

Assalam o allaikum Wr. Wb

Allah SWT says in the quran :

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ

“And Verily we have created man in its best conformation”.

So in the eyes of Allah SWT, all human beings are equal as the best of the creation of Allah SWT. But when we ask a question as to what is the difference between a muslim and other fellow human beings, the only answer is that Muslims have Iman ( faith) and what is this faith that a muslim have? The answer to this question is very briefly explained in the Iman al Mufassil below:

Amantu Billahi Wa malaikatihi Wa Kutubihi Wa Rusulihi Wal Yaumil Akhir Wal Qadri Khairihi Wa Sharrihi Minallahi Ta'ala Wal Baathi Ba'ad al Maut.



The only thing that makes a difference between a Muslim and a non-muslim is the presence of this Imaan in the heart of a muslim.

This iman increases and decreases based on what environment (physical or spiritual) we provide to the heart. If we engage ourselves in the remembrance of Allah SWT, and our conscience is in accordance with the message of deen, then our iman will increase. On the other hand if our environment keeps us away from Allah SWT, slowly our heart will corrode and our iman will decrease. Allah SWT says in the Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلاَّ وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ (3:102
102. O you who believe! Fear Allâh as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islâm (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allâh.

وَلاَ تُفْسِدُواْ فِي الأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلاَحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ (7:56)
And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope; Surely, Allâh's Mercy is (ever) near unto the good­doers. (Araaf – 51)

Two Wings of a Bird
Allah is Most Merciful and Forgiving, and He is glad whenever one of His servants repents sincerely so that He can wash away his sins. Keeping Allah’s Mercy foremost in mind helps man to be hopeful, and this in turn increases the desire to act righteously. However, what is equally important to keep within context is fear. Hope and fear are like the wings of a bird, and a believer has to keep them balanced.

The Messenger of Allah brought not only good tidings, but also stories and events to instill fear, for faith lies between hope and fear. A person must be hopeful when he reflects on the Mercy of Allah, and likewise be fearful of Allah’s Wrath when he reflects on his own sins. Man is living in rebellion to the wishes of Allah and should mend his ways as soon as possible.

Advice of the Elders
The mashaikh (spiritual masters and teachers) have written as to the time when a believer should be overcome by each of these conditions of fear and hope. They have written that a person should be fearful in his youth, because this is the time of adolescence and the most vulnerable time to fall into wrong. Thus a person should fear Allah so to be saved from sin.
On the contrary, a person should turn hopeful of Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness when elderly because death is looming near. The person should turn to repentance and hence be desirous of Allah’s forgiveness.

A person should be fearful of Allah in times of happiness and celebration. The shariah (Islamic Sacred Law) has set boundaries for us and there is sometimes danger of stepping outside these bounds when one is in too much of a celebratory mood. Emotions can run high, and unknowingly we might act against the shariah. Likewise a person should be hopeful of Allah’s Mercy whenever sad or dejected. This is so he does not lose hope, which is in itself a sin. A believer should always stay within these two states of fear and hope.

Counter productivity
Fear prevents a person from sin, and today hearts are rusting because of the intensity of sins that we have committed. This is not to say that people are not doing good deeds, because they are. However, good deeds and sins are taking place side by side, which is counterproductive. A good deed is offering prayer in the masjid. However, when walking home our eyes are wandering and looking at forbidden things, and therefore we waste the good effects that being in the masjid had on our hearts.

Likewise, reading the Holy Quran is a good deed but then we also lie throughout the day. Many women pray Tahajjud (the night vigil) but also go out in public with their heads uncovered. Why are people engaged in both good and bad at the same time? This is because we don’t fear Allah as we should.

People will only refrain from committing all wrong when they understand the greatness and glory of Allah. Such people do exist in this world, and they know that if they commit any wrong, they will have to stand and answer very shortly. Hadrat Ibn Qayyam i writes, “Do not ponder on whether the sin is big or small. Rather reflect upon the greatness of Whom you are disobeying.”

It is very ironic that parents become prepared to beat and even throw their child out of the house if the child does not obey after repeated requests. Allah is so Merciful and so Gracious that He has not once threatened to expel us from His fold despite our repeated and stubborn disobedience. Allah can also most certainly tell us to leave Him and search for another provider and sustainer. However, Allah is Merciful and Forgiving and therefore keeps giving us chances to reform.

Did Prophets, Shuhuda have the same fear?
Degrees of Fear

The ulama (scholars) fear Allah because they comprehend the greatness of Allah. They remain overcome with fear, and desire only to be admitted among those who have the good fortune of having been accepted by Allah. These people pray everyday to be put on the Straight Path, the Path of those whom Allah has favored. Who are these people whom Allah has favored? The Holy Quran tells us that they are the Prophets, the Truthful, the Shuhudah (Witnesses), and the

Righteous.

Fear of Allah is the key that stops people from committing sin and every other disapproved action. The fear of the common people is very different from the fear of the ulama. The common people fear Allah because they will be punished if they commit sin, just like a child obeys when he fears that he will be beaten.

A wife’s fear is different altogether, because she does not fear a beating. However, what she fears is that the husband will no longer regard her with the same love that he used to. Both the child and the wife fear the man, but there is vast difference in their respective degrees of fear. The fear of the common population is comparable to that of the child, while the fear of the scholars and the learned is comparable to the fear of the wife. They remain in fear of provoking Allah’s dislike and distemper by which He may stop regarding them with the same level of love as before.

Fear of Allah is a blessing from the many blessings of Allah and we should request it from Allah and crave it. We ask other things from Allah, and we should also ask to be made fearful of Allah. Allah calls this fear a blessing because it prevents people from sin.

A Practical Lesson
A young man came to a shaykh and said, “I am a young man with strong desires. I cannot help looking at people when I am in the bazaar. What do I do?” The shaykh handed him a cup of milk that was full to the brim, and told him to deliver it to an address that would take the young man directly through the bazaar. He then instructed the young man that the milk should not spill, and the man said that it would not. The shaykh then summoned one of his students and told him to accompany the man through the bazaar to the destination, and to severely beat him if any milk were to spill.

This man successfully took the milk to the destination and returned to give the good news to the shaykh. The shaykh asked, “Tell me, how many sights and faces did you see in the bazaar?” The man replied incredulously, “Hadrat, I didn’t even realize what was going on around me. I was only fearful of the beating and disgrace that I would have to endure in public if a drop of milk were to spill.” The shaykh smiled and said, “It is the same with a believer. The believer fears that Allah may disgrace him in front of the entire creation on the Day of Judgment if his faith were to spill over from his heart.” Such people save themselves from sin because they constantly remain focused on the Day of Judgment.

Chilling Words
A man came to Hadrat Hasan Basri i and said, “Hadrat, I do not know what is the matter with us. It seems that our hearts are asleep.” Hadrat Hasan Basri i asked what was the matter. The man replied, “Our hearts are not affected when you recite the Holy Quran and Hadith to us.” Hadrat Hasan Basri i said to him, “If reading of the Holy Quran and Hadith do not affect your hearts, do not say that your hearts are asleep. Instead say that your hearts are dead. Even a sleeping person awakes when shaken awake. If someone sleeping does not awaken when shaken, he is not asleep but dead.” When advice and guidance do not affect the heart, it is an indication that the heart has died.

Hadrat Ali said that whoever wants Paradise should persevere against lust, and whoever wants to be saved from Hell should persevere against sin.

Heroic Examples of our Elders
Hadrat Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal i was a rock of faith and courage. He endured so much hardship and sacrificed so much for Islam that it is said that an elephant could not have taken the burdens. At the time of his death all his students were gathered around his bedside and reciting the Kalimah to prompt their mentor to recite it as well. However, Hadrat Ahmed bin Hanbal i would only recite “La” at certain intervals. The students were all surprised and when their teacher seemed to recover a little they asked him what was happening. Hadrat Ahmed bin Hanbal i said, “Shaytan was in front of me saying, ‘Ahmed bin Hanbal, you have escaped with your faith intact,’ and I was saying, ‘La, I am not safe from you until my life passes from this world.’”

Imam Muhammad i was a renowned student of Imam Abu Hanifa i. He writes that no creature in this world is ever safe from Shaytan. No one knows what may happen until death. Shaytan is someone who pursued and tested even the Prophets, and hence cannot be taken lightly. He attacks continuously and relentlessly, but Allah protects His chosen and beloved. The Messenger of Allah said that there is a Shaytan with everyone, and the Sahabah (Companions) asked, “Even with you O Prophet ()?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Yes, even with me, but my Shaytan has become Muslim.”

Shaytan is with us everyday and working very hard to lead us astray. He makes special and intense effort at the time of death. Man is most vulnerable at this time because his life is slowly ebbing away. Hence this time of humility is an ideal and opportune time for Shaytan to launch an offensive. Shaytan comes and puts doubts in our hearts just when the breath is getting caught in the chest.

Fear of Allah in the Righteous Predecessors
Hadrat Umar was a courageous Companion about whom The Messenger a of Allah said, “If there was to be another prophet after me, it would be Umar.” The Messenger a of Allah also said regarding Hadrat Umar that his good deeds were comparable to the stars. It is further written in Hadith regarding this great Companion that Shaytan used to leave the path on which Hadrat Umar walked. Such an honorable and esteemed person used to cry so much in fear of Allah that his face was marked by the trails of tears just as a stream’s path is carved on a mountainside.

These people feared Allah because they knew Allah.

Ibn Masood said something similar to such a question: “I wish I were dust and so I would not have to stand in front of Allah on the Day of Judgment.”

Hadrat Ibn Masood passed away during Hadrat Uthman’s Khilafah, and Hadrat Uthman paid a visit before he passed on. He greeted Hadrat Ibn Masood and asked, “What do you hope for?” Hadrat ibn Masood replied, “I am hopeful of Allah’s Mercy.” Hadrat Uthman asked again, “What do you fear?” and Hadrat Ibn Masood replied, “I fear for my sins.”
Hadrat Uthman then asked, “Can I arrange a stipend for your daughters?” Hadrat Ibn Masood shook his head, “No, Allah is Master. They recite Surah Waqia everyday, and the Messenger of Allah said that He will protect the reciter of Surah Waqia from starvation and poverty.” Such was the strength of faith of these people that they would remain steadfast on whatever the Messenger of Allah said, and were fearful despite this.
May Allah SWT give us the ability to practice upon what has been said and to make our hearts obedient to the will of Allah SWT so that when we pass away from this duniya, we have two important tools in our hand, The hope from the Mercy of Allah SWT and the Fear of our sins.

Wa ma Taufiqi ilallah billah…

Delivered at FIA Masjid on March 23, 2007

-From the teachings of Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi - May Allah reward him.

Dhikr of Allah is Islam

Assalam o allaikum Wr Wb.

In the name of Allah SWT who is the master of the worlds and everything between them, master of the day of judgement when each soul shall the reward of their deeds. May the salutations be on the Prophet Mohammad SAW who was send as a guide to this mankind.

Dhikr has two meanings:
1) Remembrance
2) Reminder, statement, mention.

Dhikr Allah can then have four meanings:

1) Remembrance of Allah (by us)
2) Remembrance by Allah (of us)
3) A reminder or message coming from Allah
4) A reminder or message about Allah

In the Qur`an when dhikr is used by itself, its primary meaning is the reminder or message from Allah, including the Qur`an and earlier revealed books. But when it is used as a phrase like “dhikr Allah”, its primary meaning seems to be the remembrance of Allah by human beings.

THE WHOLE UNIVERSE IS BUSY IN DHIKR ALLAH

One form of dhikr allah is tasbih or glorification of Allah. The Qur`an says that everything in the universe is busy in the tasbih of Allah:

تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ السَّمَاوَاتُ السَّبْعُ وَالأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلاَّ يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدَهِ وَلَـكِن لاَّ تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا

The seven heavens and the earth and all that is in them glorify him and there is not a thing but declares his praise. But you do not understand their glorification. He is truly ever forbearing, oft forgiving. (17:44)

This means that the whole universe is like a huge masjid, in which dhikr of Allah is going on at all times. This includes even the bodies of all human beings. The only place where the glorification of Allah is not going on is the consciousness of some human beings and other similar beings. But at some level even human beings are "aware" of Allah:

وَإِذ نَتَقْنَا الْجَبَلَ فَوْقَهُمْ كَأَنَّهُ ظُلَّةٌ وَظَنُّواْ أَنَّهُ وَاقِعٌ بِهِمْ خُذُواْ مَا آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُواْ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

And consider [O man] your Lord brings forth from the children of Adam from their loins their seed and makes them testify to themselves -- “Am I not your Lord?” They say: “Yes, we bear witness (to that)” – lest they say on the day of resurrection: “Verily, we have been unaware of this.” (7:171)

This declaration that Allah is the Lord, which every soul has made to him, is buried deep in our subconscious mind. The purpose of revelation is to bring it to our consciousness, so that we live by it and consciously join the rest of the Creation in the glorification of Allah and obedience to him. This is why the Qur`an often calls itself dhikr; e.g., in the following verse:

وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ لِئَلاَّ يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَيْكُمْ حُجَّةٌ إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنْهُمْ فَلاَ تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِي وَلأُتِمَّ نِعْمَتِي عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

And this is a blessed dhikr that We have sent down; are you going to deny it? (21:50)

The Qur`an is dhikr because: a) it is a reminder of the declaration that every human soul has made that Allah is its only true Lord; b) its main message is that we should remember the one and only true Lord; c) its main concern is to help us remember him.

AL-ISLAM IS ESSENTIALLY DHIKR ALLAH

When our consciousness starts to do dhikr of Allah, then we have adopted the way of al-islam and we have become Muslims. Al-islam and doing dhikr of Allah is therefore essentially the same thing. The Holy Qur`an says:

أَفَمَن شَرَحَ اللَّهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَى نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أُوْلَئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ

اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ يَشَاء وَمَن يُضْلِلْ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ

"Is he whose breast Allah has opened for al-islam and who is consequently (walking with) a light from his Lord (like the one who is deprived of al-islam). Then woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against the dhikr of Allah. Such are in plain error. Allah has sent down the best of hadith (word, statement), a book with inner harmony and diversity. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it. Then their skins and their hearts soften to the dhikr of Allah. Such is the guidance of Allah. He guides therewith whom He pleases, but whomever Allah leads astray has no guide.” (39:22-23)

In these verses, first there is the mention of those whose breasts have been opened by Allah for al-islam and who are as a result given a nur or light to walk with. Then there is the mention of those whose hearts are too hard to remember Allah and who are therefore in dalal. This means that al-islam and dhikr of Allah go together. Where there is dhikr of Allah there is al-islam and where there is absence of his dhikr there is absence of al-islam. Also, the verses make it clear that the purpose of the Qur`an is to incline us to the dhikr of Allah.

In the following verses it is even more clearly stated that the absence of dhikr Allah leads man away from the way of Allah (al-islam) and to the way of Shaytan:

وَمَن يَعْشُ عَن ذِكْرِ الرَّحْمَنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُ شَيْطَانًا فَهُوَ لَهُ قَرِي

وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ

And whoever turns himself away from the dhikr of the Most Gracious One, We appoint for him a devil (shaytan) to be his associate. And (these devils) turn them away from the way (of Allah) while they think that they are guided aright. (43:36-37)

So if we see the lives of the Sahabah Kiram (AJ) then we see that their lives were moulded around the dhikr of Allah SWT. No matter what conditions they were in, they would not keep their hearts aloof of the remembrance of Allah SWT.

HADEETH OF REMEMBERANCE AT DEATH

The Holy Prophet (SAW) once visited a young Sahabi, who was breathing his last, and asked him how he was feeling. He replied, "O! Messenger of Allah, I am hopeful of the mercy of Allah, and yet I am afraid of my sins." Thereupon the Holy Prophet (SAW) said "When the heart of a believer is filled with these two feelings of hope and fear, Almighty Allah fulfils his hope and saves him from what he is afraid of."

DHIKR ALLAH KEEPS US AWAY FROM EVIL AND MEANS MUCH MORE

If turning away from the dhikr of the Most Gracious One leads one into the hands of the devils, doing his dhikr keeps him safe from them. For one of the most important form of dhikr – salah – the Holy Qur`an says:

اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاء وَالْمُنكَرِ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ

"Read what is revealed to you in the Book and establish regular prayer. Verily, the prayer stops one from indecent and disapproved acts. But verily, dhikr of Allah is greater and Allah knows what you do." (29:45)

DHIKR ALLAH BRINGS US IN TOUCH WITH OURSELVES

Remembrance of Allah, of course, brings us close to our Creator. But it also brings us close to our own selves:

وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ نَسُوا اللَّهَ فَأَنسَاهُمْ أَنفُسَهُمْ أُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

"And be not like those who forgot Allah and he made them forget their own souls. Such are the transgressors." [59:19]

It is implied in this verse that those who remember Allah also have awareness of their own selves.

HADITH ABOUT DHIKR…

Imam Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallaho anho) narrated that Rasulullah (SAW) has said, "Almighty Allah says, I treat my slave (man) according to his expectations from Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart; if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a better and nobler gathering (i.e. of angels). If he comes closer to Me by one span, I go towards him a cubit's length, if he comes towards Me by a cubit's length, I go towards him an arm's length, and if he walks towards Me, I run unto him."

May Allah SWT give us the capability to practice upon what has been said and give us the ability to be in complete submission to the will of Allah SWT. Wama Taufiqi Illah Billah.

~March 02, 2007 ~ Delivered at FIA Masjid

Special thanks to Dr. Ahmad Shafat

Guiding Fellow Muslims to the Right Path

Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Aalameen, Wal Aaqibatu lil muttaqeen, Wasalatu Wassalamu ala’ rusulihil kareem.

All praises are for Allah, the Exalted who created us from nothing, who blessed us with his Mercy, who is the sustainer of all the worlds and everything that they contain. Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Mohammad Salallahu Aleyhi Wassalam, the last messenger and upon all the prophets who came before him.

My Dear respected Brothers and Sisters,

Assalam o allaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

It has happened to many of us in our lives that we have faced a situation wherein a close friend of ours say or do something that hurts us deeply. Sometimes, the intent is not there to hurt, but the speaker is not mindful of the manners and crosses the line of friendship. In such situations, we become emotional and react in a manner that is not befitting the guidelines of Quran and Sunnah.

If we see the lives of the Sahabah, we see numerous examples, whereby it is shown to us how to interact with our friends and fellow muslims when a miscommunication takes place. We see from their lives how to convey our message and yet be mindful of our tongues.

Imam Malik one day entered the Masjid after Asr. Towards the front of Masjid An-Nabawee he drew closer and sat down. Rasul Allah had commanded that anyone who enters the Masjid should not sit until he first prays 2 rakas as a salutation of the Masjid. Imam Malik was of the opinion however that Rasul Allah's forbiddance of praying after Asr took precedence and so he would teach his students to not pray the tahiyyatul Masjid if they entered between the Asr and Maghrib time.


At that moment that Imam Malik sat down, a young boy had seen him sit without first praying the 2 raka’s of Tahiyyatul Masjid. The young boy scorned him, “Get up and pray 2 rakas!”

Imam Malik dutifully stood up once again and began praying the 2 rakas. The students sat stunned: What was going on? Had Imam Malik’s opinion changed?

After he had completed the salah, the students swarmed around and questioned his actions. Imam Malik said, “My opinion has not changed, nor have I gone back on what I taught you earlier. I merely feared that had I not prayed the 2 rakas as the young boy commanded, Allah may include me in the Ayah…

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ارْكَعُوا لَا يَرْكَعُونَ

77:48 and when they are told, "Bow down [before God]", do not bow down:

Imam Ahmad held the opinion that eating camel meat nullifies ones Wudu, an opinion that the majority of scholars differed from. Some students asked him, “If you find an Imam eating camel meat in front of you and – without first making Wudu - then leads the Salah, would you pray behind him?” Imam Ahmad replied, “Do you think I would not pray behind the likes of Imam Malik and Sa’eed ibn Al-Musayyab?”

Allah SWT says in Quran:

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّلْعَالِمِينَ (30:22)
30:22 And among his wonders is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colours: for in this, behold, there are messages indeed for all who are possessed of [innate] knowledge!


It is a fact that humans will differ from eachother. It has been said that difference of opinion infact is a rahmah from Allah SWT which means that no matter how much one struggles, one cannot make the minds of a people same. Then how do we deal with this difference of opinion and what kind of relationship should we have with a person who has a difference of opinion.

Allah SWT says in Quran:

ادْعُ إِلِى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ

16:125 Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. –

So in this ayah, we see that Allah SWT tells us three things that we need to invite people to the right path:

1) Hikma – Wisdom
2) Mauizatul Hasana – Good instructions
3) Jaadil hum Billati Hiya Ahsan – Argue in the best manner.

Now how do we apply hikmah in our invitation to the others. We see that Sahabah have show beautifully in their lives how to use Hikmah when inviting someone.

Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn – in their young age - once saw a senior man performing Wudu incorrectly. Together they arranged a plan to teach the man without insulting him, advising him in a manner befitting of his age.

Together they went to the senior and announced, “My brother and I have differed over who amongst us performs Wudu the best. Would you mind being the judge to determine which one of us indeed performs Wudu more correctly.”

The man watched intently as the two grandsons of Rasul Allah performed Wudu in an explicit manner. After they had completed, he thanked them and said, “By Allah, I did not know how to perform Wudu before this. You have both taught me how to do it correctly.”

There are two aspects of Hikmah that is explained in the tafaseer of this aayah. Ulama say that
1) Hikmah in Knowledge - Ilamiyyah
2) Hikmah in Action – Amaliyyah

Sometimes, a person may have Hikmah of knowledge, that is he knows that something that was done was wrong, but he is not mindful of applying the hikmah in his action – aml. This lack of Hikmah in Action becomes a major source of hurt that is caused between the brothers.

Sincerity
One: If we differ, our intentions should be that we are differing in the sincere hope of coming away with the truth. Our intentions should be sincere to Allah.

We should not differ just to release some hate or envy in our heart. We should not differ to embarrass someone like we may have been embarrassed.

Rasul Allah said, “Whoever learns knowledge – knowledge from that which should be sought for the sake of Allah – only to receive a commodity of the material world, he shall not find the fragrance of jannah on the day of resurrection.” - An authentic hadith narrated by Abu Dawood in Kitab Al- Ilm.

Kindness and Gentleness
Two: To have Hikmah when differing means we should rarely depart from an atmosphere of kindness and gentleness, we should seldom allow ourselves to become angry and raise our voices.

Fir’own was one of the evilest people that lived. Musa was one of the noblest. Look at how Allah told Musa to advise Fir’own…

"Go, both of you, to Fir’own. Indeed, he has transgressed. And speak to him with gentle speech, perhaps he may remember or fear (Allah)."

A man once entered upon the Khalifah and chastised him for some policies he had taken. The Khalifah replied, “By Allah, Fir’own was more eviler than me. And by Allah, Musa was more pious than you. Yet, Allah commanded him…'And speak to him with gentle speech, perhaps he may remember or fear (Allah).'"

Take Your Time and Clarify
Three: To have Hikmah when dealing with others is to be patient and clarify things before snapping to conclusions.

Imam Ahmad narrates with his chain of narrators leading to Ibn Abbas who said, “A man from Bani Saleem passed by a group of the Prophet’s companions. (At that time of war) The man said ‘as salamu alaykum’ to them. The companions concluded that he only said ‘as salamu alaykum’ to them as a deception to save himself from being caught. They surrounded him and Malham ibn Juthaamah killed him. From that event Allah revealed the verse…

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ وَلاَ تَقُولُواْ لِمَنْ أَلْقَى إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلاَمَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ اللّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ كَذَلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ اللّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
4:94 O ye who believe! When ye go abroad in the cause of Allah, investigate carefully, and say not to any one who offers you a salutation: "Thou art none of a believer!" Coveting the perishable goods of this life: with Allah are profits and spoils abundant. Even thus were ye yourselves before, till Allah conferred on you His favours: Therefore carefully investigate. For Allah is well aware of all that ye do.

Speak Kindly
Fourthly, never trade in kind words for harshness, especially when dealing with other Muslims.

Look at the power of a sincere and polite word:

Mus’ab ibn Umayr was the first of ambassador of Rasul Allah in Madinah. Before Rasul Allah had arrived in Madinah, Mus’ab taught ahl al-Madinah about Islam and they began to enter the Deen.

This enraged Sa’d ibn ‘Ubaadah, one of the chieftains of Madinah. He sheathed his sword and set off for the head of Mus’ab ibn ‘Umayr. When he confronted Mus’ab he threatened, “Stop this nonsense you speak or you shall find yourself dead!”

Mus’ab replied in the way that should be a lesson for us all. This man before him did not stop at rudeness and ignorance, he wanted to slit his throat.

Mus’ab said, “Shall you not sit and listen for a few moments. If you agree with what I say then take it, and if not, we shall desist from this talk.” Sa’d sat down.

Mus’ab spoke about Allah and His messenger until the face of Sa’d ibn Ubaadah’s face shone like a full moon and he said, “What should a person do who wishes to enter into this Deen?” After Mus’ab had told him he said, “There is a man, if he accepts this Deen, there shall be no home in Madinah that will not become Muslim. Sa’d ibn Mu’aadh.”

When Sa’d ibn Mu’aadh heard what was happening, he was infuriated. He left his home to go and kill this man called Mus’ab ibn Umayr for the dissention he had caused. He entered upon Mus’ab and announced, “You shall desist of this religion you speak of or you shall find yourself dead!”

Mus’ab replied, “Shall you not sit and listen for a few moments. If you agree with what I say then take it, and if not, I shall desist from this talk.” Sa’d sat.

Mus’ab spoke about Allah and His messenger until the face of Sa’d ibn Mu’aadh’s face shone like a full moon and he said, “What should a person do who wishes to enter into this Deen?”

Look at what a kind word did. Sa’d ibn Mu’aadh went home to his Madinan tribe that night and announced to them all, “Everything of yours is Haram upon me until you all enter into Islam.”

That night, every home in Madinah went to bed with Laa ilaaha illa Allah, all because of a kind word.

Mwaizatul Hasana

Mu’aawiyah ibn al-Hakam al-Salami. When he came to Madeenah from the desert, he did not know that it was forbidden to speak during the salaah. He relates: “Whilst I was praying behind the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), a man sneezed, so I said ‘Yarhamuk Allaah (may Allaah have mercy on you).’ The people glared at me, so I said, ‘May my mother lose me! What is wrong with you that you are looking at me?’ They began to slap their thighs with their hands, and when I saw that they were indicating that I should be quiet, I stopped talking (i.e., I nearly wanted to answer them back, but I controlled myself and kept quiet).

When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had finished praying – may my father and mother be sacrificed for him, I have never seen a better teacher than him before or since – he did not scold me or hit me or put me to shame. He just said, ‘This prayer should contain nothing of the speech of men; it is only tasbeeh and takbeer and recitation of the Qur’aan.’” (Saheeh Muslim, ‘Abd al-Baaqi edn., no. 537).

Jaadil hum Billati Hiya Ahsan – Argue in the best manner.

“I lose and you win!”
A Bedouin came to Rasul Allah and told him, “Give me from what Allah gave you, not from the wealth of your mother nor from the wealth of your father.” The Sahaabah were furious at the man and step forward to discipline him for what he said. Rasul Allah commanded everyone to leave him.

Then by the hand, Rasul Allah took him home, opened his door and said, “Take what you wish and leave what you wish.” The man did so and after he completed, Rasul Allah asked him, “Have I honored you?” “Yes, by Allah,” said the Bedouin. “Ash hadu an laa ilaaha illa Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadar Rasul Allah.”

When the Sahabah heard of how the man changed, Rasul Allah taught them. “Verily the example of myself, you and this Bedouin is that of a man who had his camel run away. The townspeople tried capturing the camel for him by running and shouting after the camel, only driving it further away. The man would shout, ‘Leave me and my camel, I know my camel better.’ Then he took some grass in his hand, ruffled it in front of the camel, until it came willingly.

‘By Allah, had I left you to this Bedouin, you would have hit him, hurt him, he would have left without Islam and eventually have entered hellfire.”

“I win and you lose!”
A Muslim should not have an apologetic stance to everything he is confronted with. There are times when the truth must be said, when there is no room for flattery.

When the Makhzoomi women – a women from an affluent family – stole, people approached Rasul Allah to have her punishment canceled. Rasul Allah became very angry and stood on the pulpit and announced, “By Allah, had Fatima the daughter of Muhammad stole I would have cut her hand off.”

No room for flattery, the truth must be stood up for. It is here that the etiquette of disagreement that we talked earlier about should shine.

“I win and you win!”
There doesn’t always have to be a loser. We see in many cases that Rasul Allah gave a way out for the people he differed with.

When he sent the letter to Caesar, he said in it, “Become Muslim and you shall be safe, Allah shall give you your reward double!”

He did not say surrender or die! Nothing of the sort. Become Muslim and you shall win, rather your victory shall be double.

I shall end with this shining example of how to act with other Muslims from our role model, Abu Bakr:

Abu Bakr once disputed with another companion about a tree. During the dispute Abu Bakr said something that he rather would not have said. He did not curse, he did not attack someone’s honor, he did not poke a fault in anyone, all he said was something that may have hurt the other companion’s feelings.

Immediately, Abu Bakr – understanding the mistake - ordered him, “Say it back to me!” The companion said, “I shall not say it back.” “Say it back to me,” said Abu Bakr, “Or I shall complain to the Messenger of Allah.” The companion refused to say it back and went on his way.

Abu Bakr went to Rasul Allah and related what had happened and what he said. Rasul Allah called that companion and asked him, “Did Abu Bakr say so and so to you?” He said, “Yes.” He said, “What did you reply.” He said, “I did not reply it back to him.” Rasul Allah said, “Good, do not reply it back to him (do not hurt Abu Bakr). Rather say, ‘May Allah forgive you O Abu Bakr!’”

The Companion turned to Abu Bakr and said, “May Allah forgive you O Abu Bakr! May Allah forgive you O Abu Bakr!” Abu Bakr turned and cried as he walked away.

May Allah SWT give us taufeeq to follow upon what has been said.
Wa akhiruhu Dawaana Annil Hamdulillahi Rabilaalimeen.

February 02, 2007

Note: Special thanks to Br. Mohammad Al Sharif who wrote the original article