YouTube - anisabintben's Channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/anisabintben

Do You Really Want Paradise?

Do You Really Want Paradise ?
Author: Jawad Ahmed

http://salafipublications.com/sps/

This should be our goal in life, "I want to go to Jannah ( Paradise )." It should be written in bold letters on our foreheads so that it serves a constant reminder for us. The Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) has left with us a very small key to Jannah, which we Muslims today have become oblivious of. Just like you need a key to open your car's door, or house door, or office door; similarly you need a key to open Jannah to you. What is this key?

Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) said,"Whoever goes down a path/road searching for knowledge, Allah will make it easy for him the road to Paradise ." [Saheeh Muslim, Vol.3 Hadith No. 99]

Traveling on the path to knowledge refers both to walking or driving along an actual road/pathway, such as going to Conferences, etc..or going to your local Masajids whenever there is either an international scholar/speaker or a local scholar/speaker speaking. Searching also entails, a metaphysical road, such as studying and memorizing Quran and Hadeeth. Not merely memorizing like a parrot, but understanding it first and then memorizing it.

The above hadeeth of the Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) means that Allah makes learning the useful knowledge that is sought after easier for the seeker, clearing the way for him, and smoothing his journey to Paradise . This is why some of our pious predecessors used to say,"Is there anyone seeking knowledge, so that we can assist him in finding it?"

So brothers and sisters, be LOVERS of Knowledge, be seekers of Knowledge. "Yes, where is my Quran, where is my Hadeeth Bukhari." Getting up every morning with a purpose: to seek Jannah by seeking Knowledge! Knowledge is also the shortest path to Allah. Whoever travels the road of knowledge reaches Allah and Paradise by the shortest route. Knowledge also clears the way out of darkness, ignorance, doubt and skepticism. It is why Allah called His Book, Quran, "Light."

Knowledge is the ROAD to Paradise , and Islam is the vehicle that takes you to this destination of Paradise . Just like you get in a car to go from one destination to another, but how? By finding out the directions to get there, either by seeing a map or asking someone. Similarly, our Quran and Hadeeth are our maps, and our scholars are the people who give the directions from this map to get to our ultimate destination, Paradise .

Ask yourself, "Is Paradise easy?" Have you ever seen, how easy it is for our Hafizul-Quran brothers and sisters, who memorize the whole Quran by heart? Have you ever seen how easy it is for some of us to study Quran and hadeeth for hours and hours, whilst others cannot even open the Quran or Hadeeth at least once a year or month? Why?

Narrated Ali ibn Taalib (RadiAllaahu anhu), While the Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) was in a funeral procession he picked up something and started scraping the ground with it, and said," There is none among you but has his place written for him either in Hell-Fire or Paradise." They said,"O Messenger of Allah! Shall we not depend upon what has been written for us and give up deeds?" He (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) said,"Carry on doing (good) deeds, for everybody will find easy to do such deeds as will lead him to his destined place for which he has been created. So he, who is destined to be among the happy (in the Hereafter) will find it easy to do the deeds characteristic of such people, whle he who is destined to be among the miserable ones, will find it easy to do the deeds characteristic of such people." Then the Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) recited the following verses:

[Surah Al-Layl(92), Verses 5-10]

"As for him who gives and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him,"
"And believes in Husna (the best)."
"We will make smooth for him the path of Ease (goodness, ie. Paradise )"
"But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient,"
"And gives the lie to Husna."
"We will make smooth for him the path for Evil (ie. Hell-fire)."

[Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Vol.6, Hadith No.474]

Numerous examples of this above hadeeth and verses of Allah are prevalent in our societies today, yet we don't learn any lessons from them. For example, how easy it is for some to fast the fast of Dawud, meaning fasting every other day, or doing voluntary fasts of Shawwal, Muharram, Rajab, etc. Whereas for some it is even hard to fast in Ramadhan, Why? ever notice how easy it is for some to get up in the middle of the night and talk to their Lord in private in Salat-ul-Tahajjud, while for others it is hard to even make the Obligatory (Fardh) prayers? Why?

How easy it is for some to remain single and yet guard their chastity and protect themselves from fornication, while others are married and yet still indulge in adultery. Why? How easily some memorize ayats (verses) of Quran and Hadeeth, while others memorize the latest songs in the market and memorize the latest cuss words used on streets. Why?

You see brothers and sisters, for some of us it is very EASY to practice Islam, as Allah wants to practice, while for others it is very HARD to practice. The answer for this are the verses of Surah Al-Layl, because for those whom it is easy to practice Islam, Allah is making it EASY the road to Paradise , whilst for those whom it is hard to practice, Allah is making it EASY for them the road to Hell-Fire. So why is it easy for some to practice Islam? It is because they are lovers and seekers of Knowledge and not only that, but also act upon that knowledge, and thus Allah is making it easy for them their destination of Paradise .

Knowledge is the key and that is why our Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) used to supplicate in every prayer,"Allahumma Inni Auzubikaa Min Illmin Laa Yanf'aau." O Allah! I seek refuge in you from Knowledge that does not benefit.

It doesn't benefit you brothers and sisters. For hours and hours you are sitting in front of that T.V. and its not benefiting you as its not leading you to Paradise . For hours and hours you waste time on bed-time novels or on magazines and newspapers in a month and yet it doesn't lead you to Paradise . When all that time you could have been studying Quran and Hadeeth or reading Islamic books instead of bed-time story novels and yet making easier for yourself the road to Paradise , and achieving it Insha Allah.

Not only does it not benefit you, but moreso it harms you. Hours and hours of those T.V. programs are not teaching you Quran and Sunnah, rather teaching you how to date, or how to hook someone from the opposite sex, or teaching you violence or foul language. Thus instilling evil and wicked ideas and things into your mind and heart, just for the pleasure of this temporary world, and making you further away from your destination of Paradise .

In conclusion, I say this brothers and sisters. We need to get our "cars" (Islam) fixed and focused on the right direction to our destination of Paradise . We need to pick up the "maps" (Quran & Hadeeth) and ask knowledgeable people (scholars/imams) for directions (road/path) to Paradise .

Was-salam, your helping hand and brother in ISLAM, Jawad Ahmed.

Jihad Against the Self

Jihâd Against the Self

“Jihâd (striving) against the soul has four stages:

Firstly: To strive in learning guidance and the religion of truth, without which there will be no success. Indeed, there can be no true happiness, nor any delight in this world and in the Herefater, except through it.

Secondly: Striving to act upon what has been learnt, since knowledge without action will not benefit, rather it will cause harm.

Thirdly: Striving to invite others towards it and to teach those who do not know, otherwise he may be considered from those who hide what Allâh has revealed of guidance and clear explanation. Such knowledge will neither benefit, nor save a person from the punishment of Allâh.

Fourthly: Striving to be patient and persevering against those who oppose this da’wah (call) to Allâh and those who seek to cause harm - patiently bearing all these hardships for the sake of Allâh.

When these four stages are completed then such a person is considered to be amongst the Rabbâniyyûn. The Salaf were agreed that a Scholar does not deserve the title of Rabbânî until he recognises and knows the truth, acts upon it, and teaches it to others. So whosoever has knowledge, acts upon it, and teaches this knowledge to others, is considered from the Rabbâniyyûn.” [Zâdul-Ma’âd fi Hadî Khayril-’Ibâd (pp.9-11)]

 

Source : Purification of the Souls: Fawaa'id - Points of Benefit , By the Imâm - the Shaykh of Islâm - Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah Al-Ibaanah Magazine , Issue No.3 - Dhul-Qa’dah 1416H / April 1996

The Yearning of The Pious for Paradise

Paradise, that noble goal which aspiring eyes are fixed towards and which yearning souls long for, in all times and in all places.

This was the case in the days of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), as Anas (radiyallaahu ’anhu) related, ‘‘Once Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions proceeded towards Badr and arrived there before the disbelievers of Makkah.

Describing Paradise, Allaah - the Most High – said,

‘‘Indeed Allaah will enter those who believe and do righteous and correct actions into Paradise, beneath which rivers flow. Wherein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls and their garments will be made of silk.’’ [Sooratul-Hajj 24:23]

‘‘Indeed the pious and obedient ones will be in Paradise, amongst gardens and water-springs. It will be said to them, ‘Enter in peace and safety.’ And We shall remove from their hearts any ill-feeling, so they will be like brothers, facing each other on thrones. No sense of hardship shall touch them, and they will be of those who never leave.’’ [Sooratul-Hijr 15:45-46]

‘‘Paradise, that precious sanctity to which, throughout the ages, the Believers run towards. Paradise, a burning flame that was in the hearts of our Salafus-Saalih (Righteous Predecessors), a flame that spurred them to aim for the highest examples of valour in jihaad and sacrifice. Paradise, that noble goal which aspiring eyes are fixed towards and which yearning souls long for, in all times and in all places. They find worldly afflictions agreeable to them for the sake of achieving Paradise. Indeed, to enter into it and remain in it is considered the greatest goal for the Believers, and it is a hope, which is kept in view throughout life's journey. How often has Paradise been the incentive and a motivation for goodness and truth, despite the dangers, afflictions and thorns that lie along the path - even if it involves certain death.

This was the case in the days of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), as Anas (radiyallaahu ’anhu) related, ‘‘Once Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions proceeded towards Badr and arrived there before the disbelievers of Makkah. When the disbelievers arrived, Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘‘None of you should proceed ahead of me in anything.’’ The disbelievers then advanced towards us, and Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘‘Rise up to enter Paradise, whose width is equal to the heavens and the earth.’’ ’Umayr Ibnul-Humaam al-Ansaaree (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said, ‘‘O Messenger of Allaah! Is Paradise equal in width to the heavens and the earth? He said, ‘‘Yes!’’ ’Umayr then exclaimed words of astonishment and excitement, so Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked him, ‘‘What made you say these words of astonishment and excitement?’’ He replied, ‘‘O Messenger of Allaah! It was nothing but the desire to be amongst its inhabitants.’’ Allaah’s Messeneger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then said, ‘‘Indeed, you are surely from amongst its inhabitants.’’ So ’Umayr then took some dates from his bag and began to eat them. Then he said, ‘‘If I were to live until I have eaten all the dates, then indeed this life would be too long.’’ He threw away the remaining dates which were with him and he fought until he was killed.’’ [1]

This was also the stance taken in later times, Aboo Moosaa al-Ash’aree (radiyallaahu ’anhu), whilst in the presence of his enemy, narrated, ‘‘Allaah’s Messenger ‘‘sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘‘Indeed, the gates of Paradise are beneath the shade of swords.’’ A man who was in a shabby condition got up and said, ‘‘Aboo Moosaa! Did you hear this from the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)? So he said, ‘Yes!’ He returned to his friend and said, ‘‘I bid you salaam (a farewell greeting of peace).’’ Then he broke the sheath of his sword, threw it away, then rushed into the thick of the enemy and fought them until he was slain.’’ [2], [3]

Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee (d.204H) - rahimahullaah – said,

‘‘O my soul! It is not, except a few days of patience;
As if the extent were but a few dreams.
O my soul! Pass quickly on through this world;
And leave it, for indeed life lies ahead of it.’’ [4]

Footnotes:

[1] Related by Muslim (no. 1901)
[2] Related by Muslim (no. 1902) and at-Tirmidhee (no. 1659)
[3] From the book, al-Jannah (p. 5-6) of Shaykh ’Alee Hasan al-Halabee.
[4] Related by Ibn Rajab in Fadl ’Ilmus-Salaf (p. 63)

Narrated Anas (RadiAllaahu anhu): The Prophet (SalAllaahu alaihe wa sallam) said: "None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind." (Sahih Al Bukhari hadeeth # 15 - The Book of Belief)

Have You Thanked Allaah?

Have You Thanked Allah?

by Imâm Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

Taken from “Uddat as-Sâbireen wa Dhâkirat ash-Shâkireen”

Salmân al-Fârsî radhiyAllahu anhu said:

“There was a man who was given many of the luxuries of this world, and then they were taken away from him. But he continued to praise and thank Allâh until everything had been taken from him, even his bed. And then he still praised and thanked Allâh. Another man, who had also been given many of the luxuries of this world asked him, ‘What are you praising and thanking Allâh for?’ The man said, ‘I am praising and thanking Him for blessings which, if others asked me to give them to them in return for all that they have, I would never give them up.’ ‘What can they be?’ asked the second man. ‘Can’t you see?’ asked the first man. ‘I have my eyesight, my tongue, my hands, my feet...’”

Layth ibn Abî Burdah said:

‘When Allâh gathers people on the Day of Judgement, He will remind them of His blessings. One of His slaves will say: “Remind me of something,” and Allâh will say: “Remember when you faced such-and-such adversity, and you prayed to Me, so I relieved you of it. Remember when you were travelling in such and-such a place, and you asked Me to give you a travelling companion, and I did so... Remember when you asked for the hand of so-and-so the daughter of so-and-so, and others also asked for her hand, so I gave her to you to marry; and kept the others away.” His slave will be standing before his Lord, Who will remind him of His many blessings.’” Then the narrator of this story (Layth) wept and said, "I hope that no one will stand before his Lord in this way, because the one who does so will be punished." (i.e. if Allâh has to point out that which should be obvious, this is a sign of a person’s ingratitude, and he will be punished.)

A man of knowledge said:

“The blessing of Allâh to us in keeping the luxuries of this world away from us is greater than the blessing of that which he has given us, because Allah did not like His Prophet to have the luxuries of this world. So I prefer to live in the manner which Allâh preferred for His Prophet than to live a life which He disliked for him.”

Ibn Abi’d-Dunyâ said:

“It was narrated to me that some scholars said: ‘The scholar should praise Allâh for having deprived him of the luxuries of this life, in the same way that he should praise Him for what He has bestowed upon him. How can you compare the blessings and luxuries for which he will be accountable to the deprivation of luxuries which is a relief from being tested, and which keeps his mind free to worship and remember Allâh? So he should give thanks to Allâh for all of that.’”

A man said to Abû Hâzim:

“What is the gratitude of the eyes?” He said, “If you see good things, you speak about them, and if you see bad things, you keep quiet about it.” He asked, “What is the gratitude of the ears?” He said, “If you hear something good, you accept it, and if you hear something bad, you reject it.” Then he asked, “What is the gratitude of the hands?” He said, “Do not take what which does not belong to you, and do not hold back from paying the dues of Allâh (zakât).” Then he asked, “What is the gratitude of the head?” He said: “To have knowledge in it.” Then he asked, “What is the gratitude of one’s private parts?”

He quoted:

“‘Who guard their private parts, except from those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess – for (in their case) they are free from blame, but those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors’” (al-Mu’minûn 23:5-7).

Ibn Abi’d-Dunyâ mentioned that Dâwûd (peace be upon Him) asked Allâh: “What is the least of Your blessings?” Allâh revealed to him: “O Dâwûd, take a breath.” Dâwûd did so, and Allâh told him: “This is the least of My blessings on you.”

The Original Hand Crocheted Khufi

The Original Hand 

 Crocheted Khufi

 By Anisa Bint Benjamin

“Made the way my Umi taught me…the old fashioned way.”

Each Khufi hand-crafted well with or without perforated band in many solid colors (as follows):

Black * Yellow * White * Green * Grey * Linen * Navy * Lt. Brown * Dk. Brown * Cream * Carolina blue * Peach * Mint Green * Copper (or you can mix any 2 colors per khufi). Sizes: Men, Boys, Toddlers and infants.

Check out my "market" tab for pics.

Offering basic order of 3 for $24 or wholesale order @ just $75 a dozen!( please keep in mind when ordering that the khufis are $8 each ($6 for toddler and infant sizes) ,minimum 3 per order.)

I ship anywhere in the U.S.($7 additional for shipping fee, but shipping cost may vary)

You can also pay through: to

anisabintbenjamin@yahoo.com or You may email me,  Anisa @ anisabintbenjamin@yahoo.com  and I will get back to you. Barakallaahu feek.

*all orders are made in the order in which they are received