Exerting Oneself

Narrated Aishah (Radi Allaahu anha): The Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe was sallam) said, " Such a person as recites the Qur'an and masters it by heart, will be with the (angels) honorable and obedient (in heaven). And such a person as exerts himself to learn the Qur'an by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward."

[Sahih al Bukhari hadeeth #4937, The Book of Commentary]

The deeds of anyone of you will not save you from the hellfire

Narrated Abu Hurairah (Radi Allaahu anhu): Allaah's Messenger (SalAllaahu alaihe was sallam) said, “The deeds of anyone of you will not save you [from the hellfire].” They said, “Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allaah's Messenger?” He said, “No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allaah protects or covers me with His Grace and His Mercy. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allaah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and Al-Qasd (always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course) whereby you will reach your Al-Qasd (target i.e., Paradise).” (1)

(1) The Prophet (Sal Allaahu alaihe was sallam) compares the Muslim to a traveler who should not exert himself at the beginning of the journey for he would become too tired to reach his destination. So one should adopt a moderate way of regular and constant worshipping of Allaah whereby one should reach his destination (i.e., Paradise).

[Sahih Al Bukhari hadeeth # 6463 (The Book of Ar-Riqaq Softening of the Hearts)]

Women are but an ‘awrah

‘Abdullâh b. Mas’ûd – Allâh be pleased with him – said:

Women are but an ‘awrah (something private to be covered). A woman might leave her house without there being any problem with her, but the Shaytân(Satan) seeks her out and says [to her], “You will not pass by anyone except that you will impress/please him.”

A woman puts on her clothes and is asked where she is going, to which she replies, “To visit a sick person,” or “to attend a funeral”, or “to pray in the masjid”; but a woman never worships Allâh in the way she does when she worships Him in her house.

[Al-Tabarânî. Graded sahîh by Shaykh Al-Albânî in Sahîh Al-Targhîbi wa Al-Tarhîb Vol. 1 p84]

Why are you weeping?

Allaah’s Messenger SalAllaahu alayhi wa sallam smiled while he was lying on a mat made of palm tree leafs with nothing between him and the mat. Underneath his head there was a leather pillow stuffed with palm fibres, and leafs of a saut tree were piled at his feet, and above his head hung a few water skins. On seeing the marks of the mat imprinted on his side, I (Umar Ibn Khattab) wept. He said,’Why are you weeping?’ I replied, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Caesar and Khosrau are leading the life (i.e. Luxurious life) while you, Allaah’s Apostle though you are, is living in destitute’. The Prophet then replied. ‘Won’t you be satisfied that they enjoy this world and we the Hereafter?’

— Sahih Bukhari Book 60, Hadith 435

He who keeps his heart near Allah

"He who keeps his heart near Allah will find peace and tranquility, whilst he who gives his heart to the people will find restlessness and apprehension." [Ibn al-Qayyim]

Who stands between you and repentance

Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said: "There was a man from among a nation before you who killed ninety-nine people and then made an inquiry about the most learned person on the earth. He was directed to a monk. He came to him and told him that he had killed ninety-nine people and asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. He replied in the negative and the man killed him also completing one hundred. He then asked about the most learned man in the earth. He was directed to a scholar. He told him that he had killed one hundred people and asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. He replied in the affirmative and asked, `Who stands between you and repentance? Go to such and such land; there (you will find) people devoted to prayer and worship of Allah, join them in worship, and do not come back to your land because it is an evil place.' So he went away and hardly had he covered half the distance when death overtook him; and there was a dispute between the angels of mercy and the angels of torment. The angels of mercy pleaded, 'This man has come with a repenting heart to Allah,' and the angels of punishment argued, 'He never did a virtuous deed in his life.' Then there appeared another angel in the form of a human being and the contending angels agreed to make him arbiter between them. He said, `Measure the distance between the two lands. He will be considered belonging to the land to which he is nearer.' They measured and found him closer to the land (land of piety) where he intended to go, and so the angels of mercy collected his soul".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

If you see that one of you has slipped...

Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him):"If you see that one of you has slipped, correct him, pray for him and do not help Shaytan against him (by insulting him, etc.)."

[Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 15/256]

The Great Sins

Narrated Anas Radi Allahu anhu: The Prophet SalAllahu alaihe was sallam was asked about the great sins. He said, “They are: (1) To join others in worship with Allah. (2) To be undutiful to one's parents. (3) To kill a person (which Allah has forbidden to be killed, i.e., to commit the crime of murdering).

[From the footnotes of The Noble Qura'an pertaining to (V.4:135)]

I Would Have Longed for it

Narrated Anas Radiallahu anhu: If I had not heard the Prophet Salallaahu alaihe was sallam saying, “You should not long for death,” I would have longed for it.

[Sahih al Bukhari #7233,The Book of Wishes]

The Keys of the Unseen are five...

Narrated Ibn 'Umar (Radiallaahu anhu): The Prophet (Salallaahu alaihe was sallam) said, “The Keys of the Unseen are five and none knows them but Allaah; (1) None knows what is in the womb, but Allaah; (2) None knows what will happen tomorrow, but Allaah; (3) None knows when it will rain, but Allaah (4) None knows where he will die, but Allaah (knows that); and (5) None knows when the Hour will be established, but Allaah.”

[Sahih al Bukhari #7379, The Book of Tauhid]

"..the majority of those who entered were..."

Narrated Usama radiallaahu anhu: The Prophet Salallaahu alaihe was sallam said, “I stood at the gate of Paradise and saw that the majority of the people who entered it were the poor, while the wealthy were stopped at the gate (for the accounts). But the people destined for the Fire were ordered to be taken to the Fire. Then I stood at the gate of the Fire and saw that the majority of those who entered it were women.”

[Sahih al Bukhari # 5196, The Book of An-Nikah]

Evil Eye is a Fact

Narrated Abu Hurairah radiallahu anhu: The Prophet salallaahualaihe was sallam said, “The effect of an evil eye is a fact.” And he prohibited tattooing.

[Sahih al Bukhari #5740]

Whoever loves the Meeting with Allaah..

Narrated Abu Musa (RadiAllaahu anhu) , The Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) said, " Whoever loves the Meeting with Allaah, Allaah too loves the Meeting with him; and whoever hates the Meeting with Allaah, Allaah too hates the Meeting with him."

[Sahih Al-Bukhari 8/6508 The Book of Ar-Riqaq (Softening of the Hearts)] 

"The Hour will not be established until..."

Hadeeth No. 6664 - Narrated Abu Hurairah:

Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established (1) until two big groups fight each other whereupon there will be a great number of casualties on both sides and they will be following one and the same religious doctrine, (2) till about thirty Dajjals (liars) appear, and each one of them will claim that he is Allah's Apostle, (3) till the religious knowledge is taken away (by the death of Religious scholars) (4) earthquakes will increase in number (5) time will pass quickly, (6) afflictions will appear, (7) Al-Harj, (i.e., killing) will increase, (8) till wealth will be in abundance ---- so abundant that a wealthy person will worry lest nobody should accept his Zakat, and whenever he will present it to someone, that person (to whom it will be offered) will say, 'I am not in need of it, (9) till the people compete with one another in constructing high buildings, (10) till a man when passing by a grave of someone will say, 'Would that I were in his place (11) and till the sun rises from the West. So when the sun will rise and the people will see it (rising from the West) they will all believe (embrace Islam) but that will be the time when: (As Allah said,) 'No good will it do to a soul to believe then, if it believed not before, nor earned good (by deeds of righteousness) through its Faith.' (6.158) And the Hour will be established while two men spreading a garment in front of them but they will not be able to sell it, nor fold it up; and the Hour will be established when a man has milked his she-camel and has taken away the milk but he will not be able to drink it; and the Hour will be established before a man repairing a tank (for his livestock) is able to water (his animals) in it; and the Hour will be established when a person has raised a morsel (of food) to his mouth but will not be able to eat it."

"I will declare war against him..."

Narrated Abu Hurairah RadiAllaahu anhu: Allaah's Messenger SalAllaahu alaihe was sallam said, "Allaah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying and doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) until I love him, then I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My Protection (Refuge), I will protect him (i.e.,give him refuge); and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him.'" [Sahih al Bukhari, hadeeth #6502, The Book of AR-RIQAQ (Softening of the Hearts)]

Four Things Strengthen the Intellect...

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Indeed Our Lives are Extremely Short

"Allaah the Exalted says:

'And I (Allaah) did not create the Jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me.'

[Soorah adh-Dhaariyat 51:56]

Worship in the Arabic language consists of obedience and submissiveness; it is said in the Arabic language that it is a path that is paved (Tareeq Mu'abbad), which means it is made accessible and clear.

The legal definition of worship, as described by Shaykh al Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah: It is a comprehensive term for everything that Allaah loves and is pleased with from the statements and actions, including the apparent from amongst them, as well as the hidden.

However, it is as though we have been created for this world - for eating, drinking, playing and amusement - because we do not establish what Allaah desires from us. Indeed, we hasten towards what opposes our purpose. So let us not play in this world; for indeed our lives are extremely short."

**This was taken from the book by the Shaykhah Umm 'Abdillaah al-Waadi'yyah titled " My Advice to the Women".**

There are Six Things...

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Rahim

 

Indeed all praise is for Allaah.  He is alone and without any partner. May His peace and blessings be upon His Noble and Beloved Prophet, his family and his companions, ameen.

To Proceed:

As Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaah,

 

The following is taken from the book:

Az Zuhd- Renouncing Worldy Pleasures for Gaining Allah's Closeness by
Ibn Qayyim Al Jawzeeyah.

"There are six things that if a slave possesses them, he deserves the
title Zuhd:

First: Moderation in one's spending of wealth

Second: lack of desire for leadership

Third: Moderation in one's appearance

Fourth: Not engaging too much with the people

Fifth: Learning to control one's desires

Sixth: Moderation in things not concerning Allah

Ibn Ja'laal said:

"Zuhd is to know that this life is a temporary one that will pass
away; it should not be magnified in one's heart, nor should much
focus be placed on it. Rather, one should turn away from it; it is
said Zuhd means to refrain from this Dunya without showing off

The Superiority of a Person Who Learns and Then Teaches to Others

Narrated Abu Musa (Radi Allaahu Anhu): The Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe was sallam) said, “The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain-water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain-water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and irrigate the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah’s religion (Islam) and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophet SalAllaahu alaihe was sallam) and learns and then teaches others. The (last example is that of a ) person who does not care for it and does not take Allah’s guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)

[Sahih Al Bukhari hadeeth #79]

Click here for: Text explanation by Bro. Abu Yusuf Khaleefah

Click here for: Audio explanation by Bro. Mustafa George

Always Remember Allah

On the authority of Abu Abbas 'Abdullah, the son of 'Abbas (Radi Allahu anhumma), who said:

One day I was behind the Prophet (SalAllahu alaihe was sallam) and he said to me: O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you, If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if the Ummah (nation, group likewise) were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried [1].


It was related by at-Tirmidhi, who said it was a Hasan and Sahih Hadith.


[1] i.e. what has been written and decreed cannot be altered.


[Taken from "The Collection of Imam an Nawawi 40 Hadith", hadith #19]