Assabiqoon # 21 by Masjid Bani Hashim

A monthly newsletter from Masjid Bani Hashim Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue#21 August 2015

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #21 Aug 2015  ‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬  ‫السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته‬ Introduction Ramadan is over, so what next? There is sadness as we depart the most beautiful month of the year. There is sadness as we feel we did not do justice to this blessed month. Yes, Ramadan came to build us by the Will and Power of Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬ The key building block was Taqwa. The aim of fasting was to increase us in taqwa, more precisely to make us muttaqueen, to make us all the time conscious that Allah ‫سبحانه و‬ ‫ تعالى‬is watching us and hence this should create a drive in us to do all acts of obedience to Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬and avoid anything displeasing to Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬. We do all this not out of a terrorising fear of Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬, but we do that out of fear of displeasing Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬, our AlKhaleq, our ArRaziq, our ArRabb. We love Him very much and He is AlWadud, All-Loving.

We beg Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬that whatever we have achieved in this Ramadan is not lost in the following months. We ask Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬that we build on our small achievements during the months that follow Ramadan.

So here we go, Ramadn is gone but Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬, the one who designated fasting as an obligatory act for us is Al Haye, Al Qayum, He is with us and He is ready to contnue listening to our pleas because He likes the one who asks him.

And even if we feel a bit low and realize our shortcomings during the blessed month, we should never despair of Allah’s Mercy.

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #21 Aug 2015

This was the beautiful advice that Yaqoob AS gave to his sons: Prophet Yaqoob AS never gave up the hope of finding Yusuf AS. When Yusuf AS brothers came back to tell him that their younger brother, Benjamin, was kept by the Minister (Yusuf AS), Yaqoob AS was still sad about his loss of Yusuf AS . He was in pain but his hope seemed to have increased as he instructed his sons to continue looking for Yusuf AS and his brother: Ayah 87 from Surah Yusuf ‫ن‬  َ ‫َس ِم ْن َر ْوحِ اهللَِّ إ َِّال ا ْل َقوْ ُم ا ْلكَا ِفرُو‬ ُ ‫َسوا ِم ْن َر ْوحِ اهللَِّ ۖ إِنَّ ُه َال يَيْأ‬ ُ ‫ُوسف َ َوأ َخِ ي ِه و ََال تَيْأ‬ ُ ‫سوا ِم ْن ي‬ ُ ‫س‬ َّ َ‫هبُوا فَتَح‬ َ ْ‫يَا بَ ِنيَّ اذ‬

"O my sons! Go you and enquire about Yûsuf (Joseph) and his brother, and never give up hope of Allâh's Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allâh's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve." What was Allah ‫‘ سبحانه و تعالى‬s response to a father’s plea? Subhanal Allah his duaa was responded by Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬as Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬ brought together all his children. This is Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, Al Mujeeb, Al Wakil. Attach to Him, rely on Him only and be sure He will never disappoint you. ‫الحمدهلل والصالة والسالم علي رسول اهلل‬

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #21 Aug 2015

This Issue Introduction: Pages 1 - 2 Names of Allah (SWT): Al Musawwir: Pages 4 - 5 The Real Superstars: Pages 6 - 7 Biography of Prophet Mohammed (SAWS) A Quiz to refresh your memory: Page 7 Arabic: Pages 8 - 9 Sayed Al Khateer: Pages 10 - 13 Managing Emotions: Pages 14 - 15

NEW!!!

Cheer Up: Page 16 Soorah Infitar: Page 17 Surah Yusuf #17-19: Pages 18 - 21 10 Ways of Honoring Servants: Pages 22 - 23 Journey - Family: Pages 24 - 25 Impacts of Knowing Allah Al Ghafoor Al Ghaffaar: Page 26 Masjid Bani Hashim: Pages 27- 29

He gave a picture to all of His creation (‫الذي صوَر خلقه كيف شاء و صور‬ ‫)جميع املوجودات‬

He gave each a unique picture (‫و‬ ‫)أعطى كل شيء صورة خاصة و هيئة مفردة‬:

NAMES OF ALLAH (SWT): Al Musawwir

Allah (swt) gave you your looks, nature, characteristics – all unique to you, subhan Allah. You need to love yourself as you are – don’t say you want to be someone else because it doesn’t suit you. It suits you to be you.

He gives each a distinct look (‫يتميز بها على‬

Allah Al Musawir (‫ – )اهلل املصور‬Linguistic meaning (‫)املعنى اللغوي‬ Almusawir is a doer describing ‘taking pictures’ (‫)املصور اسم فاعل للموصوف بالتصوير‬. For example, a photographer, sculptor, artist, etc - keep in mind we are talking about the linguistic meaning. Allah (swt) puts the fine details however He wills in different creations (‫الناقش كيف يشاء املمثل‬ ‫)للمخلوقات بالهيئات املتفرقة‬. For example, you might have twins but there are even fine details that differentiate them, subhan Allah. Look at the fish, we think they look the same, but they are all different, each has a different ‘picture’. It is Allah’s will to make you look like you are – this is the perfect picture of you. Even amongst humans we are all humans, but we have different features – different lips, eyes, ears, noses, etc – however Allah (swt) has created you is beautiful – because it is Allah’s will (‫)صوّر الشيء اي جعل له شكال معلوما‬.

Allah Al Musawir (‫ – )اهلل املصور‬Meaning in the deen (‫)املعنى الشرعي‬

‫)اختالفها و كثرتها‬: Allah (swt) created us to worship Him and alhamdulliah we don’t have to choose how we want to look like. The most honorable with Allah (swt) is most in taqwa. You don’t need to think about how you look, but how ‘efficient’ you are – meaning your faith and taqwa. Imagine a manufacturer is producing the same product, what matters – how it looks or if it’s efficient? If it’s efficient. Similarly, you don’t need to worry about your image, you need to worry about your picture in front of Allah (swt).

He made a picture of everything with no sample or sketch (‫و قد صور كل صورة ال على‬ ‫)مثال احتذاء و ال رسم ارتسمه‬: For example, an architect might have so many different sketches or designs until he reaches his final product. But Allah (swt) has created us and given us our pictures perfectly from the first time, with no previous example, subhan Allah.

When Allah (swt) wills something, He just says ‘Be and it is’ according to the description He wants and the picture He chooses

(‫اذا اراد شيئا قال كن فيكون على الصفة التي يريد و‬ ‫)الصورة التي يختار‬: Nowadays, people are playing with genes to get a certain look for a baby – certain eye color, gender, etc – people want control – they want customized babies. And they don’t need to do this because imagine what kind of nurturing they will face, this baby will make their hair turn grey, subhan Allah. Focus on your worship, don’t waste your time on your picture and looks because Allah (swt) gave it to you perfectly. When you look at yourself in the mirror – it either increases you in faith or sins, subhan Allah. Do you look at yourself and remember Allah Al Musawir or do you give credit to yourself? Subhan Allah. Allah Al Musawir not only gives images to what is physical, but Allah Al Musawir also gives images to what is abstract – to faith, shirk, disbelief, hypocrisy. Allah (swt) gives us an image through the parables in the Quran. Faith as a lantern of light, a firmrooted palm tree. When you ponder, you connect and see how Allah (swt) is showing us pictures in everything, subhan Allah.

He gave a picture to everything in line with (‫)اهلل املصور صورهم الى األشكال التي توافق‬: His decree (‫)تقديره‬, His knowledge (‫)علمه‬, His

be very scary, subhan Allah. All of the animals, fish, mountains, humans – will perish in the end. But the human will be resurrected again, this shows the earth has been subjected for you, subhan Allah. The life cycle shows that everything depends on the other for your stability so that you may worship Allah (swt), subhan Allah. Imagine even the small creations are there and have pictures all for your stability in order to worship Allah (swt), subhan Allah.

Al Khaaliq All the Names together means Allah (swt) decree the creation before creating them , even those who will come after 1000 years Allah (swt) already created them.

Al Abaree The One who bring those creation into existence.

Al Musawwir Allah (swt) gives the picture to everything, all that exists and the picture of whatever will come in the future. Only Allah (swt) knows what will happen, and He teaches us that the picture is from Him. Al Musawwir brings the picture of everything and everybody.

mercy (‫)رحمته‬: Imagine when you look at your baby, everyday they have a different look, they’re changing, and all of it is a mercy from Allah (swt). It’s a mercy that we have a different look as time goes. Imagine if you get a baby and they’re already looking big and grown-up, subhan Allah. Even the features of a baby make the mother merciful towards it, subhan Allah. When you look at the fish, some might be pretty or ‘ugly’ looking, but that look is a defense for them, and this is a mercy, subhan Allah. All befitting the benefits of the creation (‫)تتباسب مع مصالح الخلق و منافعهم‬: For example, the way the ants look suits you, subhan Allah. Imagine if they were very big, it would 5

gry with one another, so he went out." The Prophet (SAWS) asked someone to find him. The man came back and told him that Ali (RA) was sleeping in the mosque. The Prophet (SAWS) went and saw him lying in the masjid with the upper garment fallen from his (RA) shoulder, and dust (turrib) had gotten on to him, so the Prophet (SAWS) laughed and wiped the dust off from him (RA) saying, "Get up, Abu Turab (father of dust)."' According to a report narrated by Bukhari: By Allah, no one called him that except the Prophet (SAWS). It is said that the Prophet (SAWS) threw his cloak over ‘Ali, Faatimah, Hasan and Husayn (May Allah be pleased with all of them) and said, “O Allah, these are the members of my household, so remove ArRijs (evil deeds and sins) from them and purify them with a thorough purification. [cf. al-Ahzaab 33:33]

In the previous issue, we read about one of the most beloved persons to Prophet (SAWS), his daughter Fatimah (RA) This issue is about a companion of the Prophet (SAWS) who was very close to not only the Prophet (SAWS), but also to Fatima (RA). The Prophet (SAWS) was so fond of him that he (SAWS) would call him by many endearing names like Abu Turab (Father of Dust) and Ali Haidarah (the Lion). He is the cousin of the Prophet (SAWS), the husband of his daughter Fatimah (RA), the Great Warrior, the 4th rightly guided Caliph and one of the ten who were promised Jannah. He is Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA). The name that Ali (RA) treasured most was Abu Turab (Father of Dust). The story behind that name was that once when the Messenger (SAWS) came to the house of Fatimah (RA), he did not find 'Ali (RA) in the house. He (SAWS) asked Fatimah (RA) : "Where is the son of your uncle?' She (RA) said: "There was a disagreement between him and me, and we got an-

Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA) was the son of Abu Talib, the paternal uncle of Prophet (SAWS), the one who protected and supported him (SAWS) when he received divine revelations. Ali (RA) was born in Makkah around the year 600 CE. There are many different reports about the year of his birth. Al Hasan al Basri stated that be was born fifteen or sixteen years before the Prophet (SAWS)’s mission began. Ibn Ishaq stated that he was born ten years before the mission began, and this seems to be the more preferred opinion. It is said that he (RA) was born inside K’abah, and there are many mutawatir reports to support this. Ali (RA)'s name at birth was Asad, he was given this name by his mother Fatimah bint Asad, who named him after her father Asad ibn Hakim. This is referred to in the lines of verse that 'Ali (RA) composed on the day of Khaybar, when he said: "I am the one whose mother named him Haidarah, like a lion of the jungle, frightful to behold." However Abu Talib, who was not present when Ali (RA) was born, did not like this name, and so he changed it to Ali. 6

Ali (RA) had 3 brothers: Talib (who died as a polytheist), 'Aqeel (RA) and Ja'far (RA). He (RA) also had two sisters Umm Hani and Jumanah (May Allah be pleased with them both). There were ten years between each of them; Talib was the oldest, then 'Aqeel was ten years younger, then Ja'far (RA), who was ten years older than Ali (RA). When Ali (RA) was a young child, there was a famine in the area around Mecca, food was scarce, and many families were unable to feed and clothe their children. Muhammad (SAWS), who was not yet a prophet then, offered to nurture and care for his young cousin, Ali (RA). Hamza (RA) offered to take care of Ja’afar (RA). Ali (RA) was thus raised by Muhammad(SAWS) and Khadijah (RA). It is remarkable and no doubt from Allah (SWT)'s Hikmah, that when Prophet (SAWS)’s father passed away, Abu Talib took care of him (SAWS) and then later Prophet (SAWS) had the opportunity to take care of his uncle Abu Talib’s son, Ali (RA). He (RA) was later given the title of “brother” by the Prophet (SAWs) upon migration to Medina as he (SAWS) undertook to care for his (RA) welfare. When one thinks of Ali (RA), one imagines him to be a cute little boy who became the first child to become Muslim. Later this boy became a great warrior, the likes of whom no one had seen before. It is said that in the Battle of Siffin, he (RA) grabbed his opponents from underneath his armor and lifted him in the air and brought the man crashing down breaking the man's neck. A really powerful man. In the Battle of Khaybar, he (RA) held a door with one hand while he (RA) fought with the other one. And when he (RA) dropped that door, it took 10 men to be able to pick up that door off the ground! SubhanAllah!

Biography of Prophet Mohammad ( ‫) صلى اهلل عليه وسلم‬ A Quiz to refresh your memory 1.Who was then the King of Abyssinia? 2.When did the first group of Muslims leave for Abyssinia? 3.How many persons were there in the group? 4.How were the emigrants received in Abyssinia? 5.When did the second group of emigrants leave for Abyssinia? 6.How many people formed the group? 7.Name a prominent companion included in this group. 8.What did Quraish do? 9.How did the King respond? 10.When did Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) accept Islam? 11.Who was Bilal Ibn Rabah (May Allah be pleased with him)? 12.What was his (Bilal Ibn Rabah's) origin? 13.What was the name of Bilal's mother? 14.Who was Yaser (May Allah be pleased with him)? 15.Who was Sumayyah (May Allah be pleased with her)? • Answers on page 13

....to be continued 7

ARABIC

SAYED AL KHATEER

Thought (‫رة‬uu u u ‫خاط‬uu u u ‫)ال‬: Purification of the deeds (‫)تصفية االعمال‬   (‫)من أحب تصفية األحوال فليجتهد في تصفية االعمال‬ Whoever wants to purify his condition, meaning make his life pure, then let him work on purifying his deeds. Our focus is not to perfect our lives, but to focus on purifying our deeds by making it sincere for Allah (swt) and following the sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). And when your deeds are purified, then your life will be smooth, subhan Allah. Surah Al Jinn 16: ‫َس َقيۡنَـٰهُم مَّآ ًء‬ ۡ ‫علَى ٱلطَّرِي َق ِة َأل‬ َ ْ ‫ٱستَ َقـٰمُ وا‬ ۡ ِ‫) َوأ َ َّلو‬  (‫َ َدقً۬ا‬ (If they had believed in Allâh, and went on the Right Way (i.e. Islâm) We would surely have bestowed on them water (rain) in abundance.)

(‫)يقول ابو سليمان الداراني‬ Abu Suleiman Ad Darani said:  ‫من صفى صفي له‬ Whoever purifies (his heart and deeds), then his life will be purified for him – it will be smooth.   ‫و من كدر كدر عليه‬ And whoever spoils (his heart and deeds), then his life will be spoiled – it will be filled with disturbance.

‫و من أحسن في ليله كفي في نهاره‬ If you are doing ihsan in your nights (whether worship or with people), then your morning will be sufficient for you – meaning Allah (swt) will take care of your day.  ‫و من أحسن في نهاره كفي في ليله‬ And if you are doing ihsan in your day, then your night will be sufficient for you – meaning Allah (swt) will take care of everything. So when you do ihsan in your deeds, then it will be sufficient for you.  ‫و من سره ان تدوم له العافية فليتق اهلل‬ If you want your well-being to be continuous, then have taqwa of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) does not want to punish us, afflict us, or give us problems – but He (swt) wants us to do what He (swt) wants, so we need to have taqwa.

(‫)يقول الفضيل بن عياض‬ Al-Fudhayl bin ‘Eyadh said:   (‫)اني ألعصي اهلل فأعرف في خلق دابتي و جاريتي‬ If I disobey Allah (swt) (commit a sin), then I can recognize a change in my ride and servant. This shows you how sensitive he is, that when he sins, he can see the consequence by finding difficulty in his transport and servant, subhan Allah. Imagine, he does not blame the servant but himself, subhan Allah. So he seeks forgiveness for his sins in order to get back on the Straight Path. When you see any distur10

bance around you – whether being around bad company, hearing bad words, computer not working, maids not listening, car broken, children not listening, etc – don’t insult them, but go back to yourself and seek forgiveness from Allah (swt). He wants you to go back to Him, so if you see any disturbance, this will wake you up and you will seek forgiveness from Allah (swt). ‫)فاذا رأيت تكديرا في حال فاذكر نعمة ما شكرت أو زلة‬  ‫علت‬ If you notice a disturbance in your condition – health, house, etc – then you need to remember that perhaps you forgot to be grateful for a blessing that Allah (swt) bestowed upon you. For example, you might notice the printer is not working, instead of just thinking how can you fix it, you need to see if you thanked Allah (swt) for the blessing of having a printer, and then and then with the permission of Allah (swt), the solution will be made easy. Or perhaps you slipped or made a mistake, so you need to seek forgiveness from Allah (swt). We ask Allah (swt) to grant us insight to realize all of this. Ameen. Surah Ar Ra’ad 11 (part of an ayah):   (ۗ‫غيِّرُوا ْ مَا ِبأ َنفُسِ ہِ ۡم‬ َ ُ‫غيِّ ُر مَا ِب َقوۡم ٍ حَ تَّىٰ ي‬ َ ُ‫ن ٱهللََّ َال ي‬ َّ ِ‫)إ‬ (Verily! Allâh will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allâh).) If things are not going how you want them to – children, spouse, people, machines, etc – don’t try to change them, but you need to change what is within yourself, subhan Allah. So focus and look at yourself – be grateful and seek forgiveness from Allah (swt).

Thought (‫رة‬uu u u‫خاط‬uu u u‫)ال‬: Recompense is in in line with the deed (‫نس‬uu u‫ن ج‬uu u‫زاء م‬uu u‫الج‬ ‫)العمل‬   (‫)من تأمل أفعال اهلل‬ Whoever observes the actions of Allah (swt), and this comes with knowing who is Allah (swt), His names and attributes, then you will understand His actions. For example, a son might be disobedient to his father, then after years, when the son becomes a father, he will have a son that is disobedient to him. Or a lady might help someone for an operation. And then the lady falls sick and Allah (swt) cures her. Just as that lady helped someone in a desperate situation, Allah (swt) helps her in her desperate situation, subhan Allah. And if you are bad to someone, someone else will be bad to you in the same way.

(‫)رآها على قانون العدل‬ Whoever observes the actions of Allah (swt) in the duniya, then he will find these are based on justice.

(‫)و شاهد الجزاء مرصدا و لو بعد حني‬ And the recompense will be given, even if after some time. Imagine someone might have been bad/good to his mother or father, then he will see it, even if after years. We are not talking about the punishment/ reward of the akhira, just in the duniya.

‫▪)من أقبح الذنوب االصرار على الذنب ثم يصانع صاحبه‬   (‫استغفار و صالة و تعبد‬ The ugliest of sins is to insist on the sin, and then go about offering extra prayers, worship, etc without repenting to Allah (swt). 11

When a person knows they are committing a sin, they need to repent and stop the sin. But this person enjoys the sin and does not want to repent, so he goes about praying, offering extra worship etc – as if he is saying, I only want to offer this to you Allah (swt) but I want to keep going with my sin, istaghfar Allah. And this shows no magnification of Allah (swt) whatsoever.

(‫)و أعظم الخلق اغرارا‬ And the one who is deceiving himself the most is:   ‫من أتي ما يكره اهلل و طلب منه ما يحبه هو‬ Who comes about doing things that Allah (swt) hates (committing sins and leaving obligations) and at the same time asks Allah (swt) for what he loves, subhan Allah. This person is truly deceiving himself. So many times we are committing sins, yet we want everything from Allah (swt), and Allah (swt) will give us, but Allah (swt) is being forbearing with us. Imagine children disobeying their mother, and at the same time they are asking from the mother. Though the mother will give them out of her mercy and kindness, but this shows a bad character from the children. And there is no one more merciful than Allah (swt). Hadith: (‫عن أبي يعلى شداد بن أوس رضي‬ " :‫اهلل عنه عن النبي صلى اهلل عليه وسلم قال‬ ، ‫ وعمل ملا بعد املوت‬،‫الكيس من دان نفسه‬

‫ وتمنى على اهلل‬،‫والعاجز من أتبع نفسه هواها‬ "‫)األماني‬ (Shaddad bin Aus (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, "A wise man is the one who calls himself to account (and refrains from doing evil deeds) and does noble deeds to benefit him after death; and the foolish person is the one who subdues himself to his temptations and desires and seeks from Allah the fulfillment of his vain desires".) – Though Allah (swt) will give him his wishes, yet he has lost. He does all the bad and want all the good from Allah (swt), subhan Allah.

(‫)قال ابن سيرين‬ Ibn Sireen said:  ‫عيرت رجال فقلت يا مفلس‬ I insulted a man and told him, ‘o bankrupt one’  ‫فأفلست بعد أربعني سنة‬ Then after forty years I became bankrupt. This shows you the justice in the way of Allah (swt). The recompense will come, even if after years – so don’t deal unjustly with people, because Allah (swt) will deal with you with justice. If you mock someone, insult other people’s children, laugh at someone, etc – someone will come

and mock you, insult your children, laugh at you, etc. ‫)و بالضد فكل من فعل خيرا أو صحح نيته‬

Biography of Prophet Mohammad ( ‫) صلى اهلل عليه وسلم‬ A Quiz to refresh your memory

(‫لينتظر جزاءها الحسن و لو بعد حني‬ On the contrary, if you do good or you correct your intentions, then wait for your recompense in the duniya, even if after some time. Nothing is lost with Allah (swt). We have to monitor our actions, if there is an imbalance, then Allah (swt) will correct us. And if you do good, you will find good, even if after some time. Surah Yusuf 90 (part of an ayah): ‫ُضيعُ أ َجۡ َر‬ ِ ‫ن ٱهللََّ َال ي‬ َّ ‫َص ِب ۡر فَ ِإ‬ ۡ ‫)إِنَّ ُه ۥ مَن يَتَّقِ َوي‬   (َ‫ملۡ ُحۡ سِ ِنني‬ (Verily, he who fears Allâh with obedience to Him (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds), and is patient, then surely, Allâh makes not the reward of the Muhsinûn (good-doers - see V.2:112) to be lost.")

1. The King of Abyssinia, known as Najjashi (the Negus). During the time of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was As'hama. 2.In Rajab, in the fifth year of Prophethood. 3.12 men and 4 women. 4.They were received warmly and hospitably. 5.In the fifth year of Prophethood. 6.83 men and 18 women. 7.Ja'far Ibn Abi Talib (May Allah be pleased with him). 8.They despatched two envoys to Abyssinia to demand the extradition of the emigrants. 9. He refused to extradite the Muslims and assured them of his full protection. 10.At the age of 27. 11.He was a slave of Umayyah Ibn Khalaf. 12.He was of Abyssinian decent. 13.Hamama. 14.He was a slave of Abu Jahl. 15.She was Yaser's (a slave of Abu Jahl) wife

Managing Emotions We have all experienced emotions, it’s an inevitable part of life and inbuilt into each and every one of us. Emotions can be short-lived such as a quick flick of anger at someone cutting you up on the road, or perhaps more enduring such as loss of a relationship. But to what extent should we allow ourselves to affect and get effected?

Our emotions contribute to our daily decision making, this is based on whether we are happy, angry, sad, bored, or frustrated. Emotions also motivate us to take action and play an important role in how we think and behave. We all have the ability to express and control our emotions however where we need to focus on a little more is the ability to understand, interpret, and respond to the emotions of others. Psychologists refer to this ability as emotional intelligence (EI) and refers to the ability to perceive, understand, control and evaluate emotions.

The spectrum of emotions that we experience are rarely ever ‘pure’, we can feel nervous and excited at the same time such as starting a new job or getting our exam results. Also our each individual unique experience of emotions is probably much more multidimensional. If we look at anger, we may feel at times a little irritated and on other occasions we can experience a fit of rage. Emotions tend to be time constrained, such as anger, we can’t remain angry for

ever, this fades away and replaced with a fresh emotion. The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said, "The strong man is not the one who can wrestle another to the ground; the strong man is the one who can control himself when he is angry." [Reported by Ahmad, 2/ 236. The hadith is agreed upon]. We should try and utilize our own perception and understanding of emotions to be aware of others as part of our social communication. This is an integral part of our lives and a means to managing our relationships. Being able to interpret and react appropriately to the emotions of others will help to build stronger and more meaningful relationships with our friends and family.

As Muslims we should recognize and accept that we are in control of our emotions, though sometimes we feel they are beyond our control. However, we should try and limit any heightened emotional feelings and try to look at the bigger picture. We need to remind ourselves that this world and everything in it is only a timely setup, a test for our character. We should not let emotions overrule and take control of our actions, instead we should try and take control of the emotions.

Allah (SWT) reminds us in the Quran,

‘And those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, and when they are angry, they forgive’ (Surat Ash-Shūraá 42:37).

Allah (SWT) tell us in the Quran,

As Muslims who believe in Allah (SWT), His Messengers, His angels, the Hereafter, and Preordainment, we realize how blessed we truly are. We have a moral compass which compels us to pause, reflect and amend our ways, consistently. Through our Salah we remain on the middle path in times of happiness and difficulties. Dhikr, our constant connection with Allah (SWT) provides us with ease and patience during troublesome times.

‘So by mercy from Allah (SWT), [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah (SWT). Indeed, Allah (SWT) loves those who rely [upon Him]’ (Surat Al Imran 3:159)

Allah (SWT) tells us in the Quran:

‘Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah (SWT). Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah (SWT) hearts are assured.’ (Surat Al-Ra’ad, 13: 28)   Our deen encourages moderation in everything in order to reach a balanced and peaceful equilibrium. If we leave our emotions unchecked then there is risk of us touching the extreme ends of the emotional spectrum which if left uncontrolled can be destructive. We need to balance emotions with reason and recognize emotions in others as part of empathy.

Through managing our emotions we learn and embrace the ability to endure and to cope with any situation. Through purity of our hearts, our patience and forbearing trials and tribulations become easier to bear. We need to stop being so full of our emotions and try and look at others around us. Self-pity comes with a price; getting busy with others, helping those less fortunate makes us productive and helps to take our minds off ourselves.

This ayah demonstrates how the Prophet (PBUH) was in complete harmony to the emotional state of his followers, had it been otherwise, his companions would have parted. The Prophet (PBUH) understood the importance of recognizing emotions. The Prophets (PBUH) life is the upmost example of emotional expression, knowing how and when to express, how to manage with the goal of developing our emotional intelligence.

We need to develop a sincere sense of gratitude towards Allah (SWT). The more we thank Allah (SWT) for what we have, the less opportunity we have for getting upset for what is not. Assuming the best about Allah (SWT) comes from our core belief in Allah (SWT) and stems from our complete trust and belief in His mercy, His power, His generosity, and His might. Reliance upon Allah (SWT) provides us with stability and comfort throughout our lives. Let us then remain positive, keep our emotions in check, engage in understanding others and develop empathy. Allah (SWT) will make it easy for us all, Insha-Allah. We need to ask the help of Allah (SWT) in order to reach this perfect balance, relying on Him (SWT) to guide us to the best of Ikhlaq.

Why did Zakariah AS ask for a child when he was so old and his wife had become barren; why did he not ask earlier? Subhanal Allah, the decree of Allah ‫!سبحانه و تعالى‬ He saw that Maryam asSideeqa used to be provided with rizq outside the season; so here comes his logical thinking…if Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬ArRazaq can give Maryam AS rizq that does not seem in line with the natural order of things; then surely Allah ‫سبحانه و‬ ‫ تعالى‬could provide him and his wife a son,

My journey into Surah

despite both of them being outside the “parenthood” age. This is Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬,

Maryam, part 1

AlQader.

‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬  ‫الحمدهلل رب العاملني والصالة والسالم على رسول اهلل‬

We should never despair of His Mercy. However, we need to work on our piety, on our taqwa so that we can start witnessing miracles like the ones above.

I was ‫ الحمدهلل‬blessed to have attended lec-

Honestly, Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬wants your

tures by a dear teacher on Surah Maryam. In shaa Allah I would like to share with you some of the lessons that I was able to gain from these insightful lectures. In shaa Allah, we will cover these lessons I believe in a number of issues but let me just give a brief start today. What did I take “home” from the blessed lectures?

heart. You just walk and Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬

Subhanal Allah, the surah starts with the importance of duaa, duaa of Zakariah AS for a pious, pleasing child to Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬. He was responded to immediately…when you make a duaa with sincerity and ask for something that is beneficial not only in dunya but also in akhirah and actually when your aim is to please Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬, to come closer to Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬, that duaa will be answered. Subhanal Allah

will run towards you as per the hadith below: "Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬says, 'I am as my servant expects Me to be, and I am with him when he remembers me. If he thinks of Me, I think of him. If he mentions Me in company, I mention him in an even better company. When he comes closer to Me by a handspan, I come closer to him an arm's length. If he draws closer to Me by an arm's length, I draw closer by a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him. If my servant comes to Me walking, I go to him running." (AlBukhari) ..... to be continued.  ‫الحمدهلل رب العاملني‬ ‫والصالة والسالم على أشرف املرسلني‬ 16

82. SOORAH INFITAR

ِ ‫بِسم ِ اهللَِّ الرَّحمٰ نِ الرَّحيم‬ This is also makki soorah and has 19 verses in total. Ayat 1-5

ۡ‫( َو إِذَا ٱ ۡل َكوَاكِبُ ٱنتَثَرَت‬١) ۡ‫ٱلسمَ آ ُء ٱنفَطَرَت‬ َّ ‫إِذَا‬ ۡ‫( َو إِذَا ٱ ۡل ُقبُو ُر بُ ۡع ِثرَت‬٣) ۡ‫( َو إِذَا ٱ ۡلبِحَ ا ُر فُجِّ رَت‬٢) (٥) ۡ‫خرَت‬ َّ َ ‫سٌ مَّا َق َّدمَتۡ َوأ‬ ۬ ۡ‫( َعلِمَ تۡ نَف‬٤)

” When the sky is cleft asunder and when the planets are scattered”. The present phenomenal order will not last forever.The constellation will loose their regularity and the order of this world will be disturbed. All the stars and planets which are revolving around special points will leave their routine and hitting each other, burst violently and will be destroyed. Although the seas and oceans are now connected , prior to hereafter the mountains will turn to rubble, because of earthquakes water will fill up entirely so that entire land is covered with water. The graves are turned upside down, which means dead people start awakening from their graves. Every soul will see what it has forwarded and left behind in both good and bad deeds. Ayat 6-12

‫خ َلق ََك‬ َ ‫( ٱ َّلذِى‬٦) ِ ‫ِنسـٰ ُن مَا َغر ََّك ِب َرب َِّك ٱ ۡلڪَرِيم‬ َ ‫ٱإل‬ ۡ ‫يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا‬ ‫شآ َء َر َّكب ََك‬ َ ‫صو َر ٍة۬ مَّا‬ ُ ‫( ِفىٓ أ َِّى‬٧) ‫َس َّوٮ َٰك فَ َع َدل ََك‬ َ ‫ف‬ ‫ني‬ َ ‫ظ‬ ِ ‫( َو إِ َّن َع َليۡ ُك ۡم لَحَ ـٰ ِف‬٩) ِ‫( ك ََّال بَ ۡلت ُ َكذِّبُو َن بِٱلدِّين‬٨) (١٢) ‫( يَ ۡعلَمُ و َن مَا تَفۡ َعلُو َن‬١١) ‫ني‬ َ ‫( ِكرَامً۬ا َكـٰ ِت ِب‬١٠)

made you to delude ...your Creator is Noble/ Gracious. (It is human tendency where man takes it for granted if somebody is gracious.) It is Allah (swt) who has created, shaped and balanced us. Whichever form he wanted he has joined us. But, still people deny the day of recompense. Allah (swt) has appointed angels which are noble and writing down the deeds of every single human being. Ayat 13-19

‫( َو إِ َّن ٱ ۡلفُجَّ ا َر َلفِى جَ حِ ي ٍ۬م‬١٣) ‫ٱألَبۡرَا َر َلفِى نَعِ ي ٍ۬م‬ ۡ ‫إِ َّن‬ ‫ني‬ َ ‫( َومَا ُه ۡم َعنۡہَا ِبغَآٮِٕ ِب‬١٥) ِ‫َص َل ۡونَہَا يَ ۡو َم ٱلدِّين‬ ۡ ‫( ي‬١٤) ‫( ثُ َّم مَآ أ َ ۡد َرٮ َٰك مَا‬١٧) ِ‫( َومَآ أ َ ۡد َرٮ َٰك مَا يَ ۡو ُم ٱلدِّين‬١٦) ‫َٱأل َ ۡم ُر‬ ۡ ‫شيۡـًٔ۬ا‌ۖ و‬ َ ‫ۡس‬ ٍ ۬ ‫سٌ ِّلنَف‬ ۬ ۡ‫( يَ ۡو َم َال تَمۡ ل ُِك نَف‬١٨) ِ‫يَ ۡو ُم ٱلدِّين‬ (١٩) َِِّّ‫يَ ۡو َمٮِٕ ٍ ۬ذ هلل‬ Here the fate of righteous and wicked is compared in the hereafter. Most surely the righteous are in a bliss and wicked will be in hellfire. The wicked ones are the ones who don't care about the sins that they do. They will burn on the day and they will not be away from it's stare for a single moment. Allah (swt) repeats the sentence what will make you know what is the day of recompense. The repetition has many objectives here, to instill the horror, to magnify the warning and to get the attention of unbelievers. At the beginning of the soorah, there is a description of the big firm things in the sky. They will break out of control and start to move and fall in chaos. At the end we see how man will be left powerless on the day without any authority.

Here Allah (SWT) says, O mankind ! What has

‫سورة يوسف‬ Surah Yusuf # 17-‐19 ‫متَا ِعنَا‬ َ ‫ عِن َد‬ ‫ف‬ َ ‫ُوس‬ ُ ‫ ي‬ ‫ َوتَ َر ْكنَا‬ ُ‫َستَ ِبق‬ ْ ‫ ن‬ ‫هبْنَا‬ َ َ‫ ذ‬ ‫ إِنَّا‬ ‫ أَبَانَا‬ ‫ يَا‬ ‫قَالُوا‬ ‫ني‬  َ ‫ صا ِد ِق‬ َ ‫ ُكنَّا‬ ْ‫ َو َلو‬ ‫ َّلنَا‬ ‫ن‬ ٍ ‫ بِمُ ؤْ ِم‬ ‫َنت‬ َ ‫ أ‬ ‫ما‬ َ ‫ َو‬ ۖ ُ‫ الذِّئ ْب‬ ‫َأ َ َك َل ُه‬ They said, "O our father, indeed we went racing each other and le> Yusuf with our possessions, so a wolf ate him. But you would not believe us, even if we were truthful." 12:17   ‫َستَ ِب‬ ُ‫ق‬ ْ ‫ ن‬ ‫هبْنَا‬ َ َ‫ ذ‬ ‫ إِنَّا‬ ‫ أَبَانَا‬ ‫ يَا‬ ‫قَالُوا‬ They said : O our father, indeed we went racing each other The brothers chose an ac-vity which a young boy couldn't compete in, a race. They further pretended they wanted to entertain Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫عليه‬, by le=ng him watch them race. ‫متَا ِعنَ  ا‬ َ ‫ عِن َد‬ ‫ف‬ َ ‫ُوس‬ ُ ‫ ي‬ ‫َوتَ َر ْكنَا‬ and we le> Yusuf with our possessions

‫متاع‬ refers to things needed for a short -me. They implied that they le> Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ to guard their things and watch them race. This whole fabrica-on shows their wick-‐ edness, because to race, they would have to go far. If Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ was harmed while they were out of ear-‐ shot, they could not be blamed, because they were too far to rescue him.   ْ ‫ الذِّئ‬ ‫فَأ َ َك َل ُه‬ ‫ب‬ So a wolf ate him The idea of a wolf was actually given to them by their fa-‐ ther earlier. So the wolf came out of nowhere and ate Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ completely, leaving nothing behind. ‫ َّلنَ  ا‬ ‫ن‬ ٍ ‫ بِمُ ؤْ ِم‬ ‫َنت‬ َ ‫ أ‬ ‫ما‬ َ ‫َو‬ And you would not believe us The word ‫ مؤمن‬ is in noun form, called ‫ فاعل‬ ‫اسم‬, which gives the meaning of consistence. They are implying that their father never believes what they say. They are trying

to emo-onally blackmail their father into believing their lies. ‫ني‬  َ ‫ صا ِد ِق‬ َ ‫ ُكنَّا‬ ْ‫َو َلو‬ even if we were truthful The word ‫ صادقني‬ is noun form, ‫ فاعل‬ ‫اسم‬, again to denote consistence. They are implying that they always say the truth but their father never believes them. All these expla-‐ na-ons and protesta-ons made their father all the more skep-cal of their story. ‫مرًا‬ ْ َ ‫ أ‬ ‫ُس ُك ْم‬ ُ ‫ أ َنف‬ ‫ َل ُك ْم‬ ‫َت‬ ْ ‫ سوَّل‬ َ ‫ ب َْل‬ ‫َال‬ َ ‫ ق‬ ۚ ٍ‫ َكذِب‬ ٍ ‫ ِب َدم‬ ‫ِيص ِه‬ ِ ‫ َقم‬ ٰ‫ع َلى‬ َ ‫ وَجَ اءُوا‬ ‫ن‬  َ ‫َصفُو‬ ِ ‫ ت‬ ‫ما‬ َ ٰ‫ع َلى‬ َ ‫ن‬ ُ ‫ُستَعَا‬ ْ ْ‫ امل‬ َُّ‫ وَاهلل‬ ۖ ٌ‫ جَ مِيل‬ ‫َصبْ ٌر‬ َ ‫ ف‬ And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Ya'qub] said, "Nay, your souls have enMced you to something, so a beauMful paMence (is most ﬁPng). And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe. 12:18 The brothers now fabricated evidence, adding to their crimes. Every crime leaves some evidence. The word [‫ ]على‬ shows that the blood was on top of the shirt, not in-‐ side, which would have been the case when someone bleeds. The shirt also seems to be intact, which would be impossible had Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ been aHacked by a wolf. Simple things lead to the criminals. The brothers were not smart enough or evil to have thought their crime through. They had dabbed the blood on top of the shirt. It also gives the picture of the blood not being absorbed through the cloth of the shirt. If Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ had been aHacked and completely eaten by a wolf, the shirt would have been in taHers, soaked with blood. The blood was also false, not human. Nowadays, the blood can be ana-‐ lyzed to ﬁnd out the truth, but at that -me, there was no

way of finding out. The Quran men-ons that it is fake blood.   َ‫ ب‬ ‫َال‬ ‫ل‬ َ ‫ ق‬ ۚ [Ya'qub] said, Nay  [‫]بل‬ is a small word, but shows the disbelief of Ya'qub ‫ عليه‬ ‫ السالم‬ in this whole story : the race, the wolf, the shirt, the blood, everything. ‫م ًر  ا‬ ْ َ ‫ أ‬ ‫ُس ُك ْم‬ ُ ‫ أ َنف‬ ‫ َل ُك ْم‬ ‫َت‬ ْ ‫سوَّل‬ َ your souls have enMced you to something The verb ‫ سو ََّل‬ means :  make easy : ‫ سه َّل‬  adorn : ‫ زيّ َن‬  make perfect : ‫ حس َن‬ ّ Ya'qub ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ was a messenger, and he was given cer-‐ tain tools by Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫سبحانه‬. He could see the false-‐ hood of the brothers. This was a gentle way of telling his sons that they were liars. Your ‫ نفس‬ or self is more powerful than the shaitan, he only whispers and gives you an idea, but you are the one who can either ignore the whisper, or follow through with the sin. Ibn Al-‐Qayyim describes overcoming our ‫ نفس‬ as climbing a steep mountain. You are going against gravity, pulling yourself up and away. There are also obstacles on the way, which you need to avoid; this is taqwa. On top of the mountain is someone discouraging you, telling you its too difficult, and you should go back; this is the shai-‐ tan. If you rely on Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ , and force yourself to go on, you will find beyond the mountain smooth and green land. Your struggle will become easy. You are now ready for another mountain to climb......... Your ‫ نفس‬ can take you to Paradise or Hellfire. These ten young and strong men made a small mistake in their crime, the shirt, which disclosed their plot to their father. The shirt plays an important part in the story of Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ later as well. Ya'qub ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ reacted in a noble manner.

‫ جَ مِي‬ ‫َصبْ ٌر‬ ‫ل‬ َ ‫ف‬ so a beauMful paMence Ya'qub ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ implied that this is his goal. He didn't know if he could do it; he did not aHribute purity to him-‐ self. He strives for a beau-ful pa-ence.   ‫صبر‬ or pa-ence is to hold your heart from complaining in dif-‐ ficult circumstances. This is a biHer pill to swallow. The word for cactus in Arabic is ‫صبّار‬, which sur-‐ vives in harsh and hot circumstances, standing in the heat uncomplainingly. The Messenger of Allah ‫ سلم‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ عليه‬ ‫ اهلل‬ ‫ صلى‬ said : َِّ‫ اهلل‬ ‫ن‬ َ ‫َسبْحَ ا‬ ُ ‫ و‬ ،‫ن‬ َ ‫ املْ ِيزَا‬ ُ ‫ تَمْ َأل‬ َِّ‫ هلل‬ ‫ وَالْحَ مْ ُد‬ ،‫ن‬ ِ ‫ اإلِيمَ ا‬ ْ ‫ شطْ ُر‬ َ ‫الطَّهُو ُر‬ ُ‫َالص َالة‬ َّ ‫ و‬ ،‫ْض‬ ِ ‫َاألَر‬ ْ ‫ و‬ ‫ السمَ ا ِء‬ َّ ‫َني‬ َ ْ ‫ ب‬ ‫ما‬ َ -‐ُ ‫ تَمْ َأل‬ :‫أ َ ْو‬-‐ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫ تَمْ َآل‬ َِّ‫ هلل‬ ‫وَالْحَ مْ ُد‬ ‫ أ َ ْو‬ ‫ َلك‬ ‫ حُ جَّ ٌة‬ ‫ن‬ ُ ‫ وَا ْل ُقرْآ‬ ،‫ ضيَا ٌء‬ ِ ‫َالصبْ ُر‬ َّ ‫ و‬ ،‫ن‬ ٌ ‫ بُ ْرهَا‬ ‫َالص َد َق ُة‬ َّ ‫ و‬ ،‫نُو ٌر‬   .‫ مُو ِب ُقهَا‬ ‫ أ َ ْو‬ ‫ فَمُ ْع ِت ُق َها‬ ‫ْس ُه‬ َ ‫ نَف‬ ٌ‫ فَبَا ِئع‬ ،‫غدُو‬ ْ َ‫َّاسي‬ ِ ‫ الن‬ ‫ ك ُُّل‬ ،‫َ َليْك‬  223 # ‫ حديث‬ ، ‫ُسلِ ٌم‬ ْ ‫ م‬ ُ‫َروَاه‬ Purity is half of iman. ‘Al-‐hamdu lillah fills the scales, and ‘subhan-‐Allah and ‘Al-‐hamdulillah fill that which is between heaven and earth. And the salah is a light, and charity is a proof, and paMence is illuminaMon, and the Qur’an is a proof either for you or against you. Every person starts his day as a vendor of his soul, ei-‐ ther freeing it or causing its ruin. The word ‫ ضياء‬ is used for sunlight, a bright light, painful to the eyes. It is essen-al to life, but painful. Ya'qub ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ needed a beau-ful pa-ence to deal with his sons, not maligning them, being good to them, all the while not complaining. If you complain about a situa-on, it is as if you are complaining about Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫سبحانه‬. You must focus on your behaviour, with-‐ out worrying about others. Pa-ence is nurturing for you, and raises you in ranks. The heart must also be held so that it doesn't have nega-‐ -ve thoughts. If you want to complain, do so to Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫سبحانه‬, your Creator, the Most Merciful. Spill your heart out to Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫سبحانه‬, tell Him whatever is saddening you. Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ will listen to your complaints and will never be unjust. He knows your situa-on exactly. To com-‐ 19

plain to Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ does not negate ‫ جميل‬ ‫صب ٌر‬. To complain to people is a humilia-on.   ‫َصفُو‬ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫ ت‬ ‫ما‬ َ ٰ‫ع َلى‬ َ ‫ن‬ ُ ‫ُستَعَا‬ ْ ْ‫ امل‬ َُّ‫اهلل‬ And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe   ‫املستعا‬ ‫ن‬ It is one of the lesser known names of Allah. It is men-oned twice in the Quran, the second -me in Surah Al-‐Anbiya, ayah 112. The verb is ‫استعا َن‬, to seek help. When you add ‫ ت‬ ‫ اس‬ to a verb, it gives the meaning of seeking.   ‫املستعا‬ ‫ن‬ The One from whom help is sought. Ya'qub ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ knew that no one but Allah ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ ‫ تعالى‬ could help him to face this diﬃcult situa-on. ‫ اإلستعانة‬ or reliance on Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ is an ac-on of the heart. It includes trus-ng Him. When you rely on Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫سبحانه‬, the perfect means will be sent your way, without you realizing it. Trust Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ blindly, and even if you are alone, with no obvious means, a way out will appear to you. ‫َى‬ ٰ ‫ُشر‬ ْ ‫ ب‬ ‫ يَا‬ ‫َال‬ َ ‫ ق‬ ۖ ُ‫ َد ْلوَه‬ ٰ‫ فَأ َ ْد َلى‬ ‫ه ْم‬ ُ ‫ وَا ِر َد‬ ‫ْسلُوا‬ َ ‫ فَأَر‬ ٌ‫ سيَّا َرة‬ َ ‫َت‬ ْ ‫وَجَ اء‬ ‫ن‬  َ ‫ يَعْمَ لُو‬ ‫ بِمَ ا‬ ‫علِي ٌم‬ َ َُّ‫ وَاهلل‬ ۚ ‫ع ًة‬ َ ‫ِضا‬ َ ‫ ب‬ ُ‫َسرُّوه‬ َ ‫ َوأ‬ ۚ ‫ غ َُال ٌم‬ ‫ٰ َذَا‬ And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they con-‐ cealed him, [taking him] as merchandise; and Allah was knowing of what they did. 12:19 The next scene is in the desert, dark and desolate. The words chosen by Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ give a perfect de-‐ scrip-on of the scene, literally bringing it in front of our eyes. Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ was inspired by Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ to stay calm; he sat quietly in the well for a few days. Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ gave him this tranquility, His ac-ons are beyond our imagina-on. ‫ سيَّا َر  ة‬ َ ‫َت‬ ْ ‫وَجَ اء‬ and a caravan came

When Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ decrees something, He brings the means. This caravan was going to Egypt; Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ decreed that they become thirsty just when they were passing by that par-cular well. Nothing that happens in life is coincidental, every thing is planned and decreed by Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫سبحانه‬. ‫ه  م‬ ُ ‫ وَا ِر َد‬ ‫ْسلُوا‬ َ ‫فَأَر‬ Then they sent their water-‐drawer They sta-oned the caravan and straight away sent their water drawer, a man with only this job, to provide wa-‐ ter to the caravan. ‫ َد ْلوَ  ه‬ ٰ‫فَأ َ ْد َلى‬ Then he threw his bucket As soon as he cast his bucket into the well, Yusuf ‫ عليه‬ ‫ السالم‬ clung on to it. He was so light, that the man did not feel his weight when he pulled his bucket up. As soon as the man saw Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫عليه‬, he shouted out of excitement and amazement. Half the beauty of the world was concentrated in Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫عليه‬, so the man was rightly delighted, and could not contain his excite-‐ ment.   ‫ُش َرى‬ ْ ‫ ب‬ ‫ يَا‬ ‫َال‬ َ ‫ق‬ He said glad Mdings Verb ‫َش َر‬ ّ ‫ ب‬ : : to give glad -dings In the Arabic language, when two words have several leHers in common, the meaning is also similar. In this way, 20

facial skin : ‫َشرة‬ ْ ‫ب‬ When someone is happy, it gives a glow to the face. ‫ غ َُال ٌ م‬ ‫هَذَا‬ ٰ This is a boy The water drawer could not believe his eyes. In the mean-me, the brothers went home, told their fab-‐ rica-on to their father, and then went back to keep an eye on Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫عليه‬. They were so anxious to get Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ out of their lives, they secretly watched the events unfold. When they found Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫عليه‬, the brothers went to the man in charge of the caravan, and told him that Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ was an escaped servant. They offered to sell him, at any price. This really shows their wickedness. ‫ع ً ة‬ َ ‫ِضا‬ َ ‫ ب‬ ُ‫َسرُّوه‬ َ ‫َوأ‬ And they concealed him, taking him as a commodity The circumstances of Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ changed dras--‐ cally, from being a beloved and favored son, to a slave. Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ was so beau-ful, the people of the cara-‐ van who had bought him, kept him hidden from others. This surah is a message for the oppressed. Problems in life must not infringe upon success. Success comes through difficulty. Use these difficul-es to increase your determina-on to reach your goal, the pleasure of Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ and Paradise. When you look at history, all the successful people faced obstacles in life.   ‫ يَعْمَ لُو‬ ‫ بِمَ ا‬ ‫علِي ٌم‬ ‫ن‬ َ َُّ‫وَاهلل‬ And Allah is the All-‐Knower of what they do

The stories of the Quran make you understand your Creator through practical examples in life. Whenever you go through an unfair situation in life, Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬is the All-Knower, the All-Aware. He knows your sadness and pain. Allah ‫سبحانه و‬ ‫ تعالى‬will never leave you, this is the best consolation. If you have Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬in your life, it is as if you have everything.

The situa-on of Yusuf ‫ السالم‬ ‫ عليه‬ was the ul-mate oppres-‐ sion. Allah ‫ تعالى‬ ‫ و‬ ‫ سبحانه‬ knows everything, and is never unfair.

10 WAYS OF HONORING SERVANTS

Most Muslims in Eastern countries employ domestic staff as a norm. For some, domestic helpers are a priceless resource who significantly ease our day-to-day chores. Conversely, for others, they can be a source of distress and chagrin.

Just like other human relationships, it is not pleasant to have your past mistakes and wrongs thrown in your face repeatedly. Forgive them for the sake of Allah (SWT) if they wrong you, and do not be harsh when scolding them.

Many women complain to each other about the trouble they face from the incompetence, treachery, and intentional misdemeanor of their servants. However, we need to remind ourselves that it is in managing our helpers according to Islamic injunctions where the secret lies to get the best out of them.

4. Do not accuse them of stealing, cheating or lying on mere suspicion

1. Think of their pay as Sadaqah We need to change the way we view our servants’ wages. By considering it an “expense,” we tend to extract “full value” of the money. For instance, even if a maid is sick, her employer might say, “I pay her to work, so she must work.” But if we consider the salary a “Sadaqah” that helps fill their bellies, we will In Sha Allah be more tolerant of their shortcomings as human beings. 2. Counsel them when they need it You might notice that your domestic helpers are disturbed on some days. They are human beings who have problems and worries just like us. Ask them what is troubling them; then advise them to have patience and hope in Allah (SWT)’s mercy. Keep the counsel short, but show them that you care.

Many employers are guilty of this unfair action – as soon as something in the house is missing due to their own absentmindedness, the domestic helper is squarely accused of theft or negligence. “O you who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin.” (Qur’an, 49:12). Ask them normally if they have seen the missing object, but do not accuse them of theft or misplacement. In most cases, the object is eventually found after the maid has been fired, causing guilt and embarrassment to the employer for life. 5. Informally teach them Islamic manners and knowledge One of the rights of our domestic helpers upon us is that they be taught about Islam, or given its message if they are non-Muslims. Without being overtly ‘preachy’, give them small doses of the truth. The best way is to act upon Islam yourself. This will eventually make them love and respect you for the sake of Allah (SWT) – which results in a sincere relationship devoid of mistrust and treachery.

3. Forgive and forget their mistakes

6. Eat with them occasionally without separating utensils Domestic helpers are not animals. Some people treat them as if they are unhygienic beings from another planet. Allow them to use the utensils from which you and your family eat. If they have dirty habits, teach them hygiene. But do not separate their utensils as if they are untouchables. This will make them feel insulted. They will never return an insult with loyalty or obedience. Abu Bakr Bin Hafs said: “Abdullah Bin Umar would never eat food except in the company of an orphan.” 7. Give them gifts Reward their work – whatever it is like – with occasional bonuses in the form of clothing, shoes or other items that you are yourself using. Do not cast off broken, torn or damaged goods to them unless they agree to take them. This is part of the Islamic etiquette taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) 8. Ease work when they are sick Allow your helpers to go home early by reducing their chores when they are not feeling that well. Help them if they need money for medicines or medical treatment. Consideration such as this, without reminding them of these favors later, is a good way to establish a relationship based on mutual trust and care. 9. They are not robots Domestic helpers are human beings with feelings and self-esteem. Any treatment that you would dislike for yourself would hurt them too.

Scolding them in public, pointing out their faults before others, and allowing your children to mock at them or hit them or treat them disrespectfully are totally unacceptable behaviors. Treat them with honor and dignity. 10. You are not superior “It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others.” (Qur’an, 43:32) It is one of Allah (SWT)’s laws of the universe that some people possess higher worldly ranks than others, so that they employ the services of the latter in return for wages. But this doesn’t mean a wealthy person is superior than a poor person. This doesn’t mean you are better than your servant. Islam has mandated lofty treatment with slaves. But we don’t show that even to servants who are mere employees, and not slaves. Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said to Abu Dharr regarding his treatment of his slave: “They are your brothers and servants whom Allah has placed under your authority. Anyone who has his brother under his authority let him feed him the same food as he eats and dress him in the same clothes as he wears. Do not overwhelm them with work and if you give them work to do then help them with it.” (Al Bukhari and Muslim) Our servants are not our slaves. But is our treatment as good as what the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded with regard to slaves during his time?

JOURNEY FAMILY-1 Journey – Best to his family

less salams, less smiles, and less apologies, subhan Allah.

Hadith:  ‫خيْ ُر ُك ْم أل َ ْهلِي‬ َ ‫خيْ ُر ُك ْم أل َ ْهلِ ِه َوأَنَا‬ َ ‫خيْ ُر ُك ْم‬ َ “‫َسولُ اهللَِّ صلى اهلل عليه وسلم‬ ُ ‫قَالَ ر‬

(Narrated 'Aishah (ra): That the Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said: "The best of you is the best to his wives, and I am the best of you to my wives) – At Tirmidhi Book 49, Hadith 4269 We all know that manners, behavior and conduct are a fundamental principle in our deen. Our deen is not only about worshipping all day, but how we deal with others – how we deal with our parents, relatives, families, spouses, children, siblings, neighbors, friends, and strangers. But the measure of your true manners – are your manners at home. A person outside the house will improve himself in different ways. He will take care of his appearance, he will make his image ‘shine’ – he will smell good , he will smile to others, he will be kind, he will be apologetic, he will accept other people’s excuses,– and all of this is for his benefit, so that people will think positively of him. But his reality appears at home. Take a moment dear reader, and be very honest with yourself – see your image outside, is it the same as it at home, do you speak and act in the same kind manner at home, as you do outside? To be fair, it is something we have all had to struggle with. We take being at home for granted – we take for granted our spouses, children, parents, and siblings. It is like they are another set of people with different rules – as if they are supposed to take

What stops you from being kind and gentle to your family? What stops you from being soft and merciful, loving and smiling? Subhan Allah. Say ‘assalam alaykum’ more often, add a nice big smile to it. You will even get rewarded for it, as the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity. – At Tirmidhi Book 27, Hadith 2083. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: The best of you is the best to his wives. This is not limited to husbands alone, but also wives should be good to their husbands. Once Aishah (ra) was telling the story of Abu Zara' and his wife Umm Zara' – she was speaking of his good qualities and all that he would do for his wife. However in the end he divorced his wife. So the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said:  (ٍ ‫) ُكن ْتُ لَكِ َكأَبِي زَ ْرع ٍ أل ُ ِّم زَ ْرع‬ (I am for you as Abu Zara' was for Umm Zara'.) – Sahih Muslim 2448. And this shows that the Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬was assuring Aishah (ra) of their relationship, so assure each other. Even with your children, it is not wrong to give them a hug and kiss them. If they are not being shown any compassion from their parents, how do you expect them to pick up and learn to show compassion to you? In the hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (ra):

ُ‫س َن بْ َن َعلِيٍّ َو ِعن ْ َده‬ َ َ‫َسولُ اهللَِّ صلى اهلل عليه وسلم الْح‬ ُ ‫)قَالَ َقبَّلَ ر‬

Surah Al Furqan 74:

‫َش َرةً ِم َن‬ َ ‫ع إِ َّن لِي ع‬ ُ ‫ فَقَالَ األ َ ْق َر‬.‫ِسا‬ ً ‫ِسالتَّمِي ِميُّ جَ ال‬ ٍ ‫ع بْ ُن حَ اب‬ ُ ‫األ َ ْق َر‬ ‫َسولُ اهللَِّ صلى اهلل عليه‬ ُ ‫ فَنَظَ َر إِ َليْ ِه ر‬.‫ا ْل َو َل ِد مَا َقبَّلْتُ ِمن ْ ُه ْم أ َحَ دًا‬   (.” ‫سلم ثُ َّم قَالَ “ َم ْن الَ يَرْحَ ُم الَ يُرْحَ ُم‬ (Allah's Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬kissed Al-Hasan bin `Ali while Al-Aqra' bin H`Abis at-Tamim was sitting beside him. Al-Aqra said, "I have ten children and I have never kissed anyone of them," Allah's Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬cast a look at him and said, "Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully.") – Sahih Al Bukhari 5997. Remember that they are your children, and they are Allah (SWT)’s gift to you. Remember your wife, she is Allah (SWT)’s gift to you, and remember your husband, he is Allah (SWT)’s gift to you. You are not only partners in this life, but to those whom Allah (SWT) grants paradise, you will be partners forever in the hereafter. Remember that you are on this journey together – Allah (SWT) picked the best spouse for you that will reform you to make you reach paradise, and Allah (SWT) picked the best children for you that will reform you to make you reach paradise – never underestimate any gift from Allah (SWT) – especially those of a righteous spouse and child.

(And those who say: "Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the Muttaqûn") And don’t ever think that I am not married or I cannot have children, Allah (SWT) is able to do all things – He (SWT) is the Owner of everyone, He (SWT) is able to bring you a spouse, He (SWT) is able to bring you children. And alhamdulliah Allah (SWT) deals according to what is in your heart, and never think your reward is limited if you are not married or do not have children – Allah (SWT) is Al Wasi’ – He (SWT) is the All-Vast, He (SWT) is vast in His giving and He (SWT) is vast in His rewarding good deeds, never think that good deeds are limited.

We end this journey with two beautiful supplications from the Quran: Surah Al Imran 38:

(O my Lord! Grant me from You, a good offspring. You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocation.")

IMPACTS OF KNOWING ALLAH AL GHAFOOR-AL GHAFFAR (‫)الثمرات‬ The Greatest Delight (‫ – )ﺍاﻟﻨﻌﻴﯿﻢ ﺍاﻷﻋﻈﻢ‬The name of Allah Al Ghafoor Al Ghaffar (‫ – )ﺍاﺳﻢ ﷲ ﺍاﻟﻐﻔﻮﺭر ﺍاﻟﻐﻔّﺎﺭر‬The Most Forgiving

istighfar and Allah (swt) will take care of your duniya. Surah Hud 52:

– The All-Forgiving Strong hope in your heart (‫)ﻗﻮﺓة ﺍاﻟﺮﺟﺎء ﻓﻲ ﺍاﻟﻘﻠﺐ‬: To hope for forgiveness from Allah (swt) since He alone can forgive you. Not despair from His mercy (‫)ﻗﻄﻊ ﺍاﻟﻴﯿﺄﺱس ﻣﻦ ﺭرﺣﻤﺘﻪﮫ‬: When you don’t know Allah (swt), the smallest things can make you lose hope. But when you know Allah (swt), then even the biggest matter will not make you despair from the mercy of Allah (swt), subhan Allah.

("And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh).") Surah Nuh 10-12:

Conceal your sins from others (‫ﻳﯾﺴﺘﺘﺮ ﻋﻦ ﺍاﻟﻨﺎﺱس‬ ‫)ﺑﺬﻧﺒﻪﮫ‬: You should conceal your sins, when you disclose it to others than it is as if you are proud to have committed that sin. Seek forgiveness from Allah (swt) and confess your sin to Allah (swt) (‫ﻳﯾﺴﺘﻐﻔﺮ ﷲ ﻭو ﻳﯾﻌﺘﺮﻑف‬

("I said (to them): 'Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; (10) 'He will send rain to you in abundance; (11) 'And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.' " (12))

‫)ﺑﺬﻧﺒﻪﮫ‬: You have different ways to seek forgiveness: different dua’as, wudhu is an expiation of sins, prayer to prayer, attending the study circles. And confessing and admitting to your sin is to Allah (swt) alone, not people. When seeking forgiveness (‫)ﺍاﻻﺳﺘﻐﻔﺎﺭر‬, what will you have? Duniya: You have to make istaghfar for the sake of Allah (swt), and you will get goodness, blessings, righteous offspring, and lawful money (‫ﺍاﻟﺨﻴﯿﺮ‬

Akhira: Paradise (‫)ﺍاﻟﺠﻨﺔ‬. May Allah (swt) grant us paradise. Ameen. Hadith: (ٌ‫( )ﻁطُﻮﺑﻰ ﻟﻤﻦ ﻭوُﺟِ َﺪ ﻓﻲ ﺻﺤﻴﯿﻔﺘِﻪﮫ ﺍاﺳﺘﻐﻔﺎﺭر ﻛﺜﻴﯿﺮ‬Tooba (a garden in paradise) for whomever finds much istighfar in his book of records) - ‫األلباني‬:‫عبداهلل بن بسر املازني املحدث‬:‫ الراوي‬‫ خالصة حكم‬1618:‫ الصفحة أو الرقم‬-‫صحيح الترغيب‬:‫املصدر‬  ‫صحيح‬:‫ملحدث‬

‫)ﻭو ﺍاﻻﻧﻌﺎﻡم ﻭو ﺍاﻟﺬﺭرﻳﯾﺔ ﺍاﻟﻄﻴﯿﺒﺔ ﻭو ﺍاﻟﻤﺎﻝل ﺍاﻟﺤﻼﻝل‬. Take care of your 26

Masjid Bani Hashim At Jumeirah Islands, Dubai

Masjid Bani Hashim by the Grace of Allah (SWT) ‫عز وجل‬, opened its doors 2nd Ramadan 1434; July 10th, 2013 and is a Non-Profit Organization. It envisions to offer intensive courses, lectures, workshops, Tafseer el Quran with Taddabur, Tajweed, Seerah of the Prophet ‫ & صلى اهلل عليه وسلم‬major Islamic Studies. Our Mission Masjid Bani Hashim’s mission is to provide authentic understanding of Islam based on Qur'an & Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Mohammed (‫)صلى اهلل عليه وسلم‬. Masjid Bani Hashim welcomes all and provides a golden opportunity to access Islamic Courses to all seekers of Ilm. Without rushing back home, you can make a stop at Masjid Bani Hashim to nurture your soul, pray and recite Quran.