A monthly newsletter from Masjid Bani Hashim Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue#24 November 2015
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #24 Nov 2015
بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته Introduction ُوب ُ منُوا َوتَطْمَ ِئ ُّن ُقلُوبُ ُه ْم ِب ِذ ْك ِر اهللَِّ ۗ أ ََال ِب ِذ ْك ِر اهللَِّ تَطْمَ ِئ ُّن ا ْل ُقل َ ا َّلذِي َن آ Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allâh, Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest. (Surah Ar-Raad, ayah 28) We are living testing times, where stress, sadness, disappointment seem to be our recurrent companions. Why is it so? Why are we Muslims going through such feelings and emotions? If we ponder in the content of the Qur’an, in the authentic traditions of the Prophet SAW and in the examples of the lives of the pious predecessors we realize that the message from Allah سبحانه و تعالى, from the Prophet SAW, his companions, may Allah سبحانه و تعالىbe pleased with all of them and from the learned and wise ones is one of hope and never of despair. Allah سبحانه و تعالىhas revealed the Qur’an as the Book of Guidance that will direct us to success in this world and the hereafter. In order to attain the ultimate peace and tranquillity we have to return to Allah and this return is by obeying His commands, by realizing our mistakes and seeking His forgiveness, by following the practice of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, who was a walking Qur’an.
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #24 Nov 2015
He was probably, one of the most tested individuals upon the surface of the earth. We are told in the authentic reports that his lifestyle was very simple and there were days that he SAW spent without eating. However his message was always of hope, he had realized the true worth of this life. He was a man driven by a noble vision. His vision was to do everything to attain the pleasure of Allah سبحانه و تعالىin dunya so that ultimately he would be granted the praiseworthy station in the highest level of paradise. I would like to finish this introduction with some questions for you. What makes you stay awake at nights? What is the reason for your sadness? Where do you look for consolation when the pain feels overwhelming? Do you have a vision for your life? How does your sadness link to your vision? As you answer the above questions, please keep remembering Allah سبحانه و تعالى, keep smiling and be thankful that there is Allah سبحانه و تعالى, whose Mercy covers everything. What this means is that while there is life, there is hope! And never forget, the heart will always find rest in the remembrance of Allah سبحانه و تعالى. Alhamdulil Allah Rabb al alameen Wa salato wa salamo ala Rasulil Allah.
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #24 Nov 2015
This Issue Introduction: Pages 1 - 2 Names of Allah (SWT): As Samad: Pages 4 - 7
NEW!!!
The Real Superstars: Pages 8 - 9 Cheer Up: Page 10 - 11 Surah Yusuf #26 - 29: Pages 12 - 14 Sayed Al Khateer: Pages 15 - 16 Be Blessed - Live a Fragranced Life #1: Pages 17 - 19 Soorah Al Burooj: Page 20 Developing Mature Interpersonal Relationships: Pages 21 - 22 Tips to Begin Wearing Hijab: Page 23 - 26 Masjid Bani Hashim: Pages 27- 29
3
NAMES OF ALLAH (SWT): As Samad أسماء اهلل الصمد Key Points: Introduction The name As Samad is mentioned only once in the Quran in Surah Al Ikhlas. This surah tells us who is Allah (swt) and helps us to understand sincerity in our worships, utterances, and actions. In Surah Al Ikhlas, you also have the name of Allah Al Ahad – The One and Only One. Surah Al Ikhlas:
(٤) ( َو َل ۡم يَكُن َّل ُه ۥ ڪُفُوًا أ َحَ ٌد٣) ( َل ۡم يَلِ ۡد َو َل ۡم يُو َل ۡد٢) ٱلصمَ ُد َّ َُّ( ٱهلل١) قُلۡ ُه َو ٱهللَُّ أ َحَ ٌد Say (O Muhammad (SAW)): “He is Allâh, (the) One. (1) “Allâh-us-Samad ([ )السيد الذي يصمد إليه في الحاجاتAllâh the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)]. (2) “He begets not, nor was He begotten; (3) “And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.” (4) The Prophet ( )ﷺsaid if you read Surah Al Ikhlas then it’s equivalent to reading one third of the Quran.
.” ث ا ْل ُقرْآنِ فِي َليْ َل ٍة َ رضى اهلل عنه قَالَ قَالَ الن َّ ِبيُّ صلى اهلل عليه وسلم أل َْصحَ ا ِب ِه “ أَيَ ْعجِزُ أ َحَ ُد ُك ْم أ َ ْن يَ ْق َرأ َ ثُ ُل،خ ْدر ِِّي ُ سعِ ي ٍد ا ْل َ ) َع ْن أَبِي (.” ِث ا ْل ُقرْآن ُ الصمَ ُد ثُ ُل َّ َسولَ اهللَِّ فَقَالَ “ اهللَُّ ا ْلوَاحِ ُد ُ َشقَّ ذَل َِك َع َليْ ِه ْم َوقَالُوا أَيُّن َا يُطِيقُ ذَل َِك يَا ر َ ف
(Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: The Prophet ( )ﷺsaid to his companions, “Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur’an in one night?” This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, “Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah’s Messenger ( ”?)ﷺAllah Apostle replied: “ Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all crea tures need.’ (Surat Al-Ikhlas 112.1--to the End) is equal to one third of the Qur’an.”) - Sahih al-Bukhari 5015. Why is it one third? The Quran can be split into three parts in meaning, one third is about who is Allah (swt), the second third is about legislation halal/haram, and the last third is news about everything. It is not necessarily in that sequence. The Prophet ( )ﷺsaid: ()من قرأ قل هو اهلل أحد عشر مرات بنى اهلل له بيت ًا في الجنة (Whoever recites (Say: Allah is One) (Surah Al Ikhlas) ten times, Allah builds a house for him in paradise) – Sahih, Authenticated by Al Albani in As Sahih Aj Jami’ 6472 Linguistic Meaning ()املعنى اللغوي It comes from ()صمد, َ which means stability and firmness ()ثبت و استمر على الشيء. If anyone were to try to attack it and come at it from all directions, it would still stand, whether it’s physically or even emotionally, subhan Allah. 4
And to Allah (swt) is the highest example, As Samad includes so many gathering around Him and all focused towards Him ()الصمد يدل على الجمع و القصد. Someone who is samad means people gather around him because he has the qualities of mastership ()اجمتع القصد نحوه و اجتمعت فيه صفات السيادة. As samad requires one to be rich, forbearing and patient. Samad also means the obeyed master ( )السيد املطاعthe One who can survive and take all those who face Him in times of need ()الذي يصمد و يقصد اليه في الحوائج. The Ever-Living and Remaining ()الدائم الباقي: no matter how much people are disbelieving or believing, it will not affect Him. Neither harm nor benefit will decrease Him or increase Him, subhan Allah. No matter how much people attack Allah (swt), it will not decrease His position. He is Ever-living and He is Eternal. His position and status is so high that no one can reach Him ()العالي الذي تناهى علوه, no one can bring Allah (swt) down. In life, you see people going up and people going down, people being replaced and people leaving, no one will live or remain forever. Though Allah (swt) is so High in His position and place, above the seven heavens, yet He is so near, subhan Allah. Allah (swt) hears the invocations and complaints of everyone, while many people disbelieve in Him, yet He is not affected, subhan Allah. Meaning in the deen ()املعنى الشرعي Allah (swt) doesn’t eat and drink. Allah (swt) doesn’t need anything from anyone, and He is the One Who feeds but He is not fed. He is the One Who guides, but no one guides Him. He is the One Who gives, but no one can give Him, subhan Allah. ()الذي ال جوف له فال يأكل و ال يشرب و هو يطعم و ال يطعم. (ِ)مَآ أُرِي ُد ِمنۡہُم مِّن ِّرزۡ ۬ ٍق َومَآ أُرِي ُد أ َن يُطۡعِ مُ ون (I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures).). -Surah Adh Dhariyat 57 Nothing decreases from Allah (swt) or break Him down ()ال يخرج منه شيء. When Allah (swt) created the heavens and the earth, nothing is taken away from Him. And Allah (swt) does not evolve from any anything ()و لم يخرج من شيء: He is neither born nor does He beget (لم )يلد و لم يولد, no one can come from Him and He does not come from anyone, subhan Allah. He has no father and He has no son. No one is like Allah (swt), He is the Bestower of mercy, beauty, patience. When Allah (swt) gives mercy and patience to others, it doesn’t decrease from Him. Allah (swt) is the source, subhan Allah. Allah (swt) is always the Master. He will not be replaced and He did not replace anyone, subhan Allah (السيد )الذي كمل في سؤدده. In life, people are being replaced, people die and new ones are born. Allah (swt) is Most Honorable Who is perfect in His honor ()الشريف الذي كمل في شرفه. The Most Great Who is perfect in His greatness ()العظيم الذي كمل في عظمته. He is the Most Forbearing ()الحليم الذي كمل في حلمه. He is the Most Rich, perfect in His richness (الغني الذي كمل في )غناه. For this reason one of the impacts of As Samad is sincerity, you need to run to Him all the time because He is irreplaceable, subhan Allah. 5
He is the Obeyed Master because all of His commands are obeyed in the land and the heavens (السيد )املطاع النافذ أمره في أرضه و سماواته. Everyone obeys Allah (swt), whether willingly or unwillingly. You might see someone not obeying Allah (swt), but he is actually obeying Allah (swt). The commands of Allah (swt) are ‘Be and it is’. Your will is connected to Allah’s will, why? Because we are not perfect, we cannot see and encompass everything, we only see it from one angle, we don’t see the full picture. Your will cannot work by itself, it cannot happen unless Allah (swt) wills it to happen, and this is a mercy for us, alhamdulliah, because Allah (swt) has full knowledge. Allah As Samad is the One Who is Eternal ()اهلل الصمد الباقي: imagine a god that sleeps, or dies, or eats, it’s not possible. Allah (swt) does not die, He is Ever-Living and He will never be replaced. Anything that is born will die, but not Allah (swt). The Prophet ()ﷺ, who was the best of mankind also died. He is the only One worthy and deserving that all run to Him ()هو الذي تقصده الخالئق كلها. If you know As Samad, you will run to Him alone, if you run to others then it’s a waste of time and energy. When you run to Allah (swt), there is no queue unlike in dunya, subhan Allah. Allah (swt) can take everyone without you being delayed or having to wait, subhan Allah. All run to Him – humans and jinn ( – )األنس و الجنbut who will run? Those who know Allah As Samad, they will not accept to run to anyone else. This means you have ikhlas because you only run to Him. Everyone is in need of things – big and small ()و العالم كله بحاجتها الدقيقة و الجليلة: – food, water, family, - so why run to someone else who is poor like you, it doesn’t make sense for someone poor to run to someone poor like him, subhan Allah. We can only run to Him to provide us everything ()جميع الكائنات فقيرة اليه بذاتهم. As Samad is the One Whom everyone runs to reform their affairs ()الصمد الذي تقصده جميع املخلوقات في اصالح أمورها: everything is centralized when you run to Allah (swt), He reforms in both: Deen ()الدينية: about doing good deeds Duniya ()الدنيوية Allah As Samad is the One you run to in times of distress ()اهلل الصمد املقصود في الحوائج املستغاث في املصائب. No one can attend to everyone except Allah (swt). You can gather all of your needs and concerns and go to Allah (swt), you don’t need to go to different places. The moment you go to Allah (swt) it takes no time, subhan Allah. Our needs never finish, but to As Samad you gather everything and run to Him. He is the One Whom the hearts run and stand firm out of hope and fear due to His many qualities of goodness ()الذي تصمد اليه القلوب بالرغبة و الرهبة لكثرة صفات الخير فيه: To Allah (swt) is the best example, your heart needs to be ‘samad’ – standing firm at the door of Allah (swt), you’re unshakable, no one can change your mind or make you go another direction. What will make you to stand at His door? You hope that He will give you all that you need and you are afraid that if you don’t go to Him then you won’t get what you need, subhan Allah. For a believer to worship – he needs love, hope, and fear. You worship As Samad because you love Him, but that’s not enough – you need to hope from Him and fear Him. As Samad gives you the purity in heart. 6
Impacts of the name of Allah As Samad ()الثمرات Flee to Allah (swt) ()ففروا الى اهلل: who is Allah (swt) in Surah Al Ikhlas. You will run to Al Ahad, The One and Unique, don’t run to someone who is copy and paste, and the only One is Allah As Samad. It didn’t say run or walk to Allah (swt), but flee to Him because you’re in danger when you don’t run to Him. This ayah came in the plural, Allah (swt) is telling everyone to flee to Him, but will it be crowded? No. No matter how many are fleeing, it’s like you’re the only one, subhan Allah. Sincerity ()االخالص: You run to Allah (swt) and stand firmly at His door in all matters, He is your ultimate and goal. ()يصمد العبد الى ربه في جميع الحوائج و يكون مفزعه و غايته و مقصده هو ربه الصمد. The messengers are samad, no one can shake them or take them away from Allah (swt), subhan Allah. When you’re scared of disbelief, of the shaitan, of yourself, of Allah (swt) – you run to Allah (swt). When Allah (swt) is your ultimate and goal, you don’t need to run to anyone before Him or after Him. When people are in a crisis, they say we have option 1 and option 2, but with Allah As Samad, He’s your only option. Whomever Allah (swt) makes a person central to whom other go to in matters of their life – deen and duniya, and whomever Allah (swt) makes others their tongue and hands a means that can help those in need, then that is a favor from Allah (swt) ()و من جعله اهلل مقصد عباده في مهمات دينهم و دنياهم و أجرى على لسانه و يده حوائج خلقه: The names of Allah (swt) should not only affect your relationship with Allah (swt), but also with the people. With the name As Samad, when you see that others are coming to you, then that is a blessing that Allah (swt) has favored you with this character, and gave you a share of this quality of being central ()فقد أنعم اهلل عليه بحظ من معنى هذا الوصف. If people are coming to you with their problems, don’t think it’s from you, but it’s a favor from Allah (swt), so don’t get frustrated or impatient. You need to have a noble character in order that you remain firm and your door is always open ()عليه يتخلق بأخالق السيادة حتى يكون مصمودا و بابه مقصودا. To invoke Allah (swt) by this name ()الدعاء بهذا االسم:
.()اللهم أني أسألك يا اهلل بأنك الواحد األحد الصمد الذي لم يلد و لم يولد و لم يكن له كفوا أحد أن تغفر لي ذنوبي أنك أنت الغفور الرحيم Then all of your sins will be forgiven. Hadith:
صالَتَ ُه َو ُه َو يَت ََش َّه ُد فَقَالَ ال َّل ُه َّم إِنِّي أ َْسأَل َُك يَا اهللَُّ ِبأَن ََّك ا ْلوَاحِ ُد األ َحَ ُد َ َضى َ َسولَ اهللَِّ صلى اهلل عليه وسلم َدخَلَ املْ َْسج ِ َد إِذَا رَجُ لٌ َق ْد ق ُ )حَ َّدثَ ُه أ َ َّن ر َسولُ اهللَِّ صلى اهلل عليه وسلم “ َق ْد ُغ ِف َر ُ فَقَالَ ر. الصمَ ُد ا َّلذِي َل ْم يَلِ ْد َو َل ْم يُو َل ْد َو َل ْم يَ ُك ْن َل ُه ُكفُوًا أ َحَ ٌد أ َ ْن تَ ْغ ِف َر لِي ذُنُوبِي إِن ََّك أَنْتَ ا ْل َغفُو ُر الرَّحِ ي ُم َّ (. ثَالَثًا. “له (Hanzalah bin ‘Ali narrated that: Mihjan bin Al-Adra’ narrated to him that the Messenger of Allah ( )ﷺentered the masjid and there was a man who had finished his prayer and he was reciting the tashahhud. He said: “Allahumma inni as’aluka ya Allah! Bi-annakal-Wahidul-Ahad us-Samad, alladhi lam yalid wa lam yowled, wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad, an taghfirali dhunubi, innaka antal-Ghafurur-Rahim (O Allah, I ask of You, O Allah, as You are the One, the Only, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who begets not nor was He begotten, and there is None equal or com parable to Him, forgive me my sins, for You are the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.)” The Messenger of Allah ( )ﷺsaid: “He has been forgiven,” three times.) - Sunan an-Nasa’i 1301
7
the greatest proof was in front of them....the Quran and the Prophet (SAWS). This was enough to move them to make ultimate sacrifices, not caring about what happened to them. Their conviction in faith, their dedication, their perseverance against all odds and their commitment is something to be marveled at. There was an entire family who was ready to give up themselves for the sake of Allah (SWT) - indeed the woman of that family became the first Martyr of Islam. The first one among men and women to give up her life for the cause of Islam, because of her unwavering faith. She and her family were one of the few who were given the glad tidings of Jannah. The Prophet (SAWS) said: “O People of Yasir! Be patient because your destination is Paradise.” The Family of Yasir—Yasir, Sumayyah and Ammar (RadiAllahu Anhum) To achieve great goals, one needs to make great sacrifices. The greater the goals, the higher the sacrifice, and the higher the price one has to pay, the more of oneself one has to give. Our goal, as Muslims, is Jannah; there is no goal that is higher than that—The goals of being in eternal bliss and of being able to see the Face of Allah (SWT). When one has such superior desires, then it is without a doubt that it requires some sacrifices as well. Our belief requires not only confessing of one God worthy of worship by tongue but it also requires actions to prove it. One is required to change oneself and act in accordance to the Will of Allah (SWT), our Creator. When we look at the lives of the early Muslim converts, one can’t help but wonder about their faith, and their commitment. One can't help but be amazed at the sheer scale of sacrifices they made for the sake of Allah (SWT); ready to give up their wealth, their ancient traditions and indeed themselves. This is not easy, especially at the early stage of Islam, when they didn’t have any miracles
Sumayya bint Habbat (RA) was a slave of Abu Hudhaifah ibn al-Mughirah. Abu Hudhaifa got her married to Yasir ibn Amir (RA), who was from Yemen. Yasir (RA) and his brothers had come from Yemen to Makkah as visitors who wanted to experience new culture and customs. His (RA) 2 brothers went back to Yemen while Yasir (RA) stayed back, getting sponsorship and support of Abu Hudhaifah. Yasir and Sumayyah (RA) used to work for him and when they had children, Abu Hudaifah freed them. Ammar Ibn Yasir (RA) was born out of this marriage. Yasir (RA) had two more sons named Abdullah and Hareeth. Ammar (RA) was the first person to convert to Islam from the family. A narration goes that one night when Ammar (RA) came back from a meeting with the Prophet (SAWS) at Dar Al Arqam, his parents asked him where he had been. Ammar (RA) accidentally tapped an idol that his parents used to worship making it fall to the ground. At this, his mother, Sumayyah cried out saying that the idol was the one who was providing for them all these years. Upon hearing this, Ammar (RA) said: “But it 8
couldn’t even help itself from falling.” This remark made his parents think and later accepted Islam and became one of the earliest Muslims. The family of Yasir (RA) suffered great persecution at the hands of the Quraysh, as they belonged to a weak and poor class, with no support nor any tribal affiliation. In Makkah they were “foreigners” with no one to protect them. They suffered unbelievable tortures at the hands of Makkans, especially from Abu Jahl. They (RA) were tied to camels and dragged by them at noon, when the sun was the hottest, on the sand; scorching hot rocks were placed on their (RA) bodies. On one occasion as the Prophet (SAWS) was passing by the market place, he saw all three members of the family being put through the worst form of torture possible. But the Prophet (SAWS) couldn’t do anything to help them as Islam was at a very delicate stage at the time . He (SAWS) could only console them and said, “Be patient O family of Yasir! For your final destination is Paradise.” Once when Ammar (RA) managed to escape and reach the Prophet (SAWS), he asked him (SAWS) when this persecution of the innocent muslims would end. The Prophet (SAWS) comforted him with a prayer to Allah (SWT) to protect and save the family of Yasir (RA) from the fire of hell. Abu Jahl would inflict the worst kind of torture on Sumayyah (RA), but she did not waver. She (RA) didn’t abandon her belief even when she was pressurized and threatened. Abu Jahl couldn’t bear this kind of defiance from a slave-girl (even though she had been freed) and in a fit of rage, thrust his spear into her, killing Sumayyah (RA). Her husband Yasir (RA) also couldn’t take the torture anymore and he too passed away. This incident took place seven years before the Hijrah. After the martyrdom of both the parents, ‘Ammar (RA) held a special place in the heart of the
Prophet (SAWS). Unlike the normal custom of calling the child by the father’s name, the Prophet (SAWS) used to address Ammar (RA) fondly as ibn Sumayyah (son of Sumayyah) – to keep alive the memory of his mother and honor her. Whenever the Prophet (SAWS) would speak about them, he would praise and honor them (RA). Sumayyah (RA) became the first martyr in Islam and her husband Yasir (RA) was the second. They (RA) were killed for no other reason except that they said Allah is One. They (RA) were the most defenseless of all the martyrs in Islam. The family of Yasir (RA) is a great example of strength, courage, bravery, and faith. Sumayyah (RA) being the first woman to be martyred, is a symbol that a woman can have principles and can hold her ground and not be shaken; that Muslim women are not oppressed but are honored and are revered for their sacrifices. Her (RA) example provides special motivation for women. In many societies, women are sometimes seen as less capable than men and are not seen as someone whose opinion and values hold any value. But Sumayyah (RA) defies these perceptions – she was at the heart of the greatest efforts of the early Muslims, and she was chosen by Allah (SWT) to have the honor of being the first shaheed/martyr of Islam. She (RA) stood up for Islam mentally and physically and she played a key role in keeping her family motivated. Many years later in the battle of Siffin, Ammar (RA) was also killed whilst upholding the values of Islam and thereby gained the high status of Shaheed – like his parents before him. This family sacrificed their most precious asset, their lives, in order to protect and spread the truth; and in return they gained the reward of Allah (SWT)’s pleasure and the best of the hereafter including the highest levels of Jannah. 9
My journey into Surah Maryam, part 4 Part 4 of my learning from the tafsir of Surah Maryam delivered by a dear teacher during the last 10 days of Ramadan. We finished last week at ayah 33. This issue, in shaa Allah we will cover ayah 34 to 48. As done before, my aim in writing the notes has been to capture the key learnings rather than sharing with you the tafseer of each ayah. Sometimes, I do have to refer to particular ayat, but generically I would like to share with you the key concepts and messages. Issa AS has not yet passed away and he will return in Syria. Subhanal Allah The key message is that Allah سبحانه و تعالىis AlAhad. For humans, perfection requires having children. This is so because humans are weak, they need someone to carry their name and continue their progeny. However, Allah سبحانه و تعالىis Al Haye Al Qayum, Allah سبحانه و تعالىdoes not need support. When Allah سبحانه و تعالىdecrees a matter He just says be and it is. We are all ibad, his slaves, we are all surrendered to Allah SWT. The aim of ebadah/worship is to reach taqwa. The day of regret (ayah 39) is the yaumul qayamah. Some people will go straight into paradise, others will go after some punishment and there will the ones who will go to hell forever. We ask
10
Allah سبحانه و تعالىto save us from the fire of hell. Ameen. The key message is not be attached to anyone and to be attached to Allah سبحانه و تعالىas It will be easy to leave this world if we avoid close relationships with our fellow human beings and objects of desire. We ask Allah to save us from the fire and grant us Jannah without hisaab was adhaab. We should not be heedless regarding the day of qayamah and we have to work on our good deeds as these will accompany us on the day of “regret”. This day will be indeed a day of regret for those who wasted their lives on false belief and wrongdoing. After Issa AS, Allah سبحانه و تعالىmentions Ebrahim AS. Ebrahim AS was titled siddiq /truthful and lets’ not forget that Siddiqueen are after the Prophets in ranking. We ask Allah سبحانه و تعالىmake us of the truthful ones. Ameen. Maryam AS, Aboo Bakr RA, Aisha RA, they were known as siddiqeen. What does it mean to be truthful? Our inside and outside should not contradict, outside should be a reflection of inside and vice versa. Ebrahim AS tried to advise his father in a loving way to stop building and worshipping statues as they cannot see, cannot hear, cannot benefit. Ebrahim AS was humble and loving towards his father in the way he was inviting him to Islam. We will learn in the Qur’an the best way to perform the dawah to non-Muslim parents. Dawah needs a lot of patience and wisdom. You need to think very well and let not shaytan stop your efforts nor deviate you from the correct approach, so rather than inviting people to Islam with softness and wisdom, you end up driving them away. There was so much goodness (birr) and softness in Ebrahim AS but his father did not want to hear his advice. Similar was the case of Nuh AS when he used to call his people, they used to cover their ears. In a nutshell, do not worry with the outcome. Your role is to deliver the message in the most suitable way, with wisdom and gentleness, avoiding harshness. May Allah سبحانه و تعالىmake us of the truthful ones and grant us wisdom in our dawah work.آمني يا رب العاملني ..........to be continued ()إن شاء اهلل
11
سورة يوسف Surah Yusuf # 26-29 Yusuf عليه السالمwent through many trials. The plot of the brothers to get rid of him Being sold into slavery Extraordinary beauty which led the wife of the Aziz to desire him The purpose behind trials is eleva?on in ranks. The shaitan wants to distract you from the noble purpose of your crea?on, which is to know Allah سبحانه و تعالى, worship Him alone, to love Him and be aDached to Him. One of the ways that the shaitan seeks to divert you is through your desires and tempta?ons. You cannot deny these desires, which are in every human being; they must be controlled, or they will control you. Allah wants every one of us to be pure and purified, and to be able to enter Paradise. ُِيصه ُ َ شا ِهدٌ ِّمنْ أ َ ْهلِهَا إِن كَانَ َقم َ َش ِهد َ قَالَ ِهيَ رَا َو َدتْنِي عَن نَّفْسِ ي ۚ و ني َ َص َدقَتْ َو ُهوَ ِمنَ ا ْلكَا ِذ ِب َ ُقدَّ مِن ُقبُلٍ ف [Yusuf] said, "It was she who sought to seduce me." And a witness from her family tes?fied. "If his shirt is torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars. 12:26 There are now three people in the room: Yusuf عليه السالم, the Aziz, and his wife, all in an extremely embarrassing situa?on. Now Yusuf عليه السالمspoke. He spoke only when absolutely essen?al, because he was accused of a grave act, and needed to defend himself. He said very few words, to the point. He didn't forget his posi?on of a servant in the household of the Aziz, nor the respect that Yusuf عليه السالمhad for the Aziz. ۚ قَالَ ِهيَ رَا َو َدتْنِي عَن نَّفْسِ ي Yusuf said, "It was she who sought to seduce me"
He did not address her directly, but said {}هي. Accusa?ons to one's chas?ty are not a small issue, and can make the person angry. But Yusuf عليه السالمremained calm. He did not lie or exaggerate the situa?on, just related the facts. The wife of the Aziz went through three stages during the seduc?on: She tried to aDract Yusuf عليه السالم She said arousing words She tried to grab him Yusuf علي السالمdid not give any details, nor the words she spoke to him, due to the respect he felt for the Aziz. The reac?on of the Aziz was abnormal. He was not mad with jealousy and anger at having found his wife chasing the servant boy through the palace. All he was worried about was his reputa?on and posi?on in the Egyp?an society. He didn't do anything, even con?nued to allow Yusuf عليه السالمto stay in the house normally! He had no غيرة, the normal possessiveness a man feels for his womenfolk. As soon as both par?es gave their versions, a witness came forward. شا ِه ٌد ِّم ْن أ َ ْهلِ َها َ َش ِه َد َ و And a witness from her family tes?fied. There are different opinions among the scholars as to who this witness was. Some scholars say he was a new born baby, some say a wise old man. Allah سبحانه و تعالى does not tell us any details about this witness, except that he was a rela?ve of the wife of the Aziz.
12
She therefore could not even accuse the witness of being par?al, because he was her rela?ve. ِيص ُه ُق َّد مِن ُقبُل ُ إِن كَا َن َقم If his shirt is torn from the front. torn : ُّقد The verb is used in the passive tense, implying an ac?on done to an object. Verb َّ َقد: : ripped ver?cally without cuZng Before anyone no?ced the torn shirt of Yusuf عليه السالم, the witness spoke about examining it. He did not even know about the wife grabbing his shirt while he was running, but was guided by Allah سبحانه و تعالىto men?on it, to prove the innocence of Yusuf عليه السالمby the state of his torn shirt. ني َ َص َدقَتْ َو ُه َو ِم َن ا ْلكَا ِذ ِب َ ف Then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars. The shirt has a significant part in the story of Yusuf عليه السالم. Earlier in the story, brothers used his torn and blood splaDered shirt to prove he was eaten by a wolf. Now it was an important clue to his innocence. ني َ الصا ِد ِق َّ ِيص ُه ُق َّد مِن ُدبُ ٍر فَ َكذَبَتْ َو ُه َو ِم َن ُ َو إِن كَا َن َقم But if his shirt is torn from the back, then she has lied, and he is of the truthful. 12:27 Now the husband examined the shirt. The cliche that there is no perfect crime is true, there is always some evidence le\ behind. Nowadays forensic science has progressed to the point that even a strand of hair can be the basis of the DNA evidence. At the ?me of Yusuf عليه السالم, physical examina?on sufficed.
ِيص ُه ُق َّد مِن ُدبُ ٍر قَالَ إِنَّ ُه مِن َكيْ ِد ُك َّن ۖ إِ َّن َكيْ َد ُك َّن َعظِي ٌ م َ فَلَمَّ ا َرأ َٰى َقم So when her husband saw his shirt torn from the back, he said, "Indeed, it is of the women's plan. Indeed, your plan is great. 12:28 The reac?on of the Aziz was not strong at all. He was too calm. This shows that either he didn't have normal male jealousy, or غيرة, or his wife was the dominant partner of the marriage, or in modern words, 'wore the pants'. She gives the impression of being a very strong woman, physically and mentally. قَالَ إِنَّ ُه مِن َكيْ ِد ُكن He said, "Indeed, it is of the women's plan. The Aziz only said it was a women's plot, which is a strangely insipid remark for this highly disturbing incident. When a man and a woman are alone in close proximity, the shaitan will plant the seed of aDrac?on in their minds, making it look like beau?ful love, when in reality, it is an illusion. Anything with is deemed haram by Allah سبحانه و تعالى, is beau?fied by the shaitan. Love is not blind, the shaitan causes people to put on blinkers! All the divine laws are good for us, because our Creator knows us best. A few minutes of desire can throw you into an eternity of destruc?on. The shortcut to the solu?on to all problems is { “ } سمعنا و أطعناWe hear. we obey”. The eyes are a portal to adultery. Looking can lead to sinning, which is why Allah سبحانه و تعالىhas ordered us to lower our gaze. This order is for believing men and women. The female voice is also aDrac?ve. When you talk to an unrelated male, do not make your voice so\, and s?ck to the point. Women are honored by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and given a high posi?on. It is the shaitan who makes them into objects.
13
ني َ َاست َ ْغ ِفرِي لِذَنبِكِ ۖ إِنَّك ِ كُنتِ ِم َن ا ْلخَاطِ ِئ ْ ِض َع ْن ٰهَذَا ۚ و ْ ُوسفُ أ َ ْعر ُ ي Yusuf, ignore this. And, [my wife], ask forgiveness for your sin. Indeed, you were of the sinful."12:29 The Aziz addressed Yusuf عليه السالمdirectly, not using []يا, which would have indicated an announcement. He wanted this whole scenario to remain within the walls of the room where the incident took place, not known to anyone else. Another thing that the absence of [ ]ياshows is the affec?on he felt for Yusuf عليه السالم, and the familiarity in which he held him. ۚ ِض َع ْن ٰهَذَا ْ ُوسفُ أ َ ْعر ُ ي The Aziz didn't even want to name the situa?on, instead referring to it as [ ] ٰهَذَا. The reac?on of the Aziz was strange; he did not order Yusuf عليه السالمout of the house. It was not important to him that his wife was aDracted to the servant boy, what was important to him was his posi?on in Egyp?an society. The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid: ُثَالَثَ ٌة الَ يَنْظُ ُر اهللَُّ َعزَّ وَجَ لَّ إِ َليْهِم ْ يَ ْو َم ا ْل ِقيَا َم ِة ا ْلعَاقُّ لِوَالِ َديْ ِه وَاملْ َ ْرأَة خلُو َن الْجَ ن َّ َة ا ْلعَاقُّ لِوَالِ َديْ ِه وَاملْ ُ ْد ِم ُن ُ الَ يَ ْد. املْ ُتَرَجِّ َل ُة وَال َّديُّوث ُ َوثَالَثَ ٌة ٢٥٦٢ # حديث، سنن النسائي.َ لَى ا ْلخَمْ ِر وَاملْ َن َّا ُن بِمَ ا أ َ ْعطَى There are three at whom Allah will not look on the Day of Resurrec?on: The one who disobeys his parents, the woman who imitates men in her outward appearance, and the cuckold. And there are three who will not enter Paradise: The one who disobeys his parents, the drunkard, and the one who reminds people of what he has given them.
He was so embarrassed that he didn't address his wife by name. He told her to ask forgiveness for her sins. This shows that other religions also have the concept of asking for forgiveness, and of right and wrong. The Aziz used the word استغفري, which means to cover or conceal. This shows that he didn't want anyone outside the palace to know about this incident. ني َ إِنَّكِ كُنتِ ِم َن ا ْلخَاطِ ِئ The Aziz now tells his wife she is from among the wrongdoers. Allah's Messenger صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid: ني ا َلتَّوَّابُو َن ) رواه الترمذي َ خطَّا ِئ َ خيْ ُر ا َ ْل َ َو,ٌخطَّاء َ كُلُّ بَنِي آ َد َم (2451) وابن ماجه،(2499 All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who repent o\en. This sin didn't happen suddenly, but accumulated slowly, and inten?onally.
ۖ َِاست َ ْغ ِفرِي لِذَنبِك ْ و 14
Sayed Al Khateer Thought (رةbb b b bخاطbb b b b)ال: What is hidden in the
were trying their best to conceal what is in their hearts. Though Allah (swt) gave them respite and was forbearing, then He made it apparent.
selves ()خبايا النفوس ▪
()هناك كثير من األدلة على الحق سبحانه و تعالى
▪
There are many proofs that Allah (swt) is the truth, the Quran is the truth, the messengers are the truth, His promises are the truth. ▪
If a person is trying to hide it from the people, then after a while, people will start to speak about it, even if they have not seen it, subhan Allah. May Allah (swt) forgive us and pardon us. Ameen.
()و رأيت من أعجبها خبايا النفوس ▪
And I found the most amazing that Allah (swt) knows what is hidden in ourselves. Allah (swt) knows what is in our hearts, and the nurturing we face through decrees is in order to know ourselves. ▪
()ان االنسان قد يخفي ما ال يرضاه اهلل A person conceals whatever Allah (swt) is not pleased with. Whether it is to conceal kufr, riya’a, jealousy, etc. We have weaknesses, though we need to struggle and to be broken to Allah (swt) as He only can reform us an and seek His forgiveness.
▪
()فيظهره اهلل عليه و لو بعد حني If a person is not trying to overcome it, then Allah (swt) will make it apparent, even if after some time. No matter how much a person tries to hide it, if he doesn’t do anything about his heart, then Allah (swt) will make it apparent. Similar to the hypocrites at the time of the Prophet (pbuh), they
()و ينطق االلسنة به وأن لم يشاهده الناس
(أو يفضح صاحبه بأن يقع في مصيبة Or a person will fall into a problem and his sin will be exposed. For example, a person might get into an accident at a place where they are trying to hide from the people.
▪
()فيكون ذلك جوابا لكل من أخفى من الذنوب And this becomes an answer to whomever thinks he is hiding his sins from Allah (swt).
▪
()ليعلم أن هناك من يجازي على الزلل In order to know that Allah (swt) knows what is in the hearts.
▪
()ال ينفع من قدرة و قدرته حجاب There is no barrier between us and Allah (swt) – no one’s might and ability can help you. Anything can happen, that is why you need to take care of your heart.
15
▪
()و ال يضاع لديه عمل
▪
Not a single deed is lost with Allah (swt).
This is in order to know that there is a Rabb that does not lose the deeds of anyone.
o We need to be aware of the sins of the heart
more than the sins of the tongue and limbs because the sins of the heart reveal there is no magnification of Allah (swt).
▪
▪
▪
()و بالعكس قد يخفي االنسان الطاعة
o A person might have a worship in his heart or ▪
o You should not talk about the worships of your
()فتظهر عليه ▪
Then it will show on him ▪
▪
()حتى انهم ال يعرفون له ذنبا و ال يذكرونه اال باملحاسن The people will not know a sin of his and will only remember him in good. o The people will not even see his sins, may Al-
lah (swt) conceal our sins and faults. Ameen.
()اصلح بينك و بني اهلل اصلح سريرتك Reform what is between you and Allah (swt) and reform what is inside you.
()فيتحدث الناس بها و بأكثر منها People will speak about him and even more, subhan Allah. This shows you that Allah (swt) is in control of everything. The person is not talking about his worship, but Allah (swt) will make the people to talk good about him, subhan Allah.
()وفق ما بينه و بني اهلل According to what you have between you and Allah (swt). If you want anything, then ask Allah (swt), don’t ask the people.
heart. ▪
(تمدحه، أو تذمه، تكرهه،)تحبه People will love you or hate you, or praise you or dispraise you. The hearts of the people are in the hands of Allah (swt), you cannot control the people, so don’t worry about the people, but worry about Allah (swt) and what is in your heart.
On the contrary, a person might be concealing an obedience.
outer that no one knows about – like mutawkil, truthful, grateful, etc.
()و ان قلوب الناس لتعرف حال الشخص And the hearts of the people will know about other’s conditions. For example, if a person is hiding his sins, the people will know it, and if a person is hiding his worship, the people will know his condition.
o We are created to worship Allah (swt) out of
magnification, submission, and humiliation. We need to ask Allah (swt) to overcome our sicknesses, otherwise we will be exposed. May Allah (swt) protect us. Ameen.
()ليعلم ان هنالك ربا ال يضيع عمل عامل
▪
()ينصلح ما بينك و بني الناس Then Allah (swt) will take care what is between you and the people.
▪
()و ما أصلح عبد ما بينه و بني الخلق دون ان ينظر الى الحق Whoever is trying to please the creation without looking at the truth, then it will backfire. You need to please Allah (swt) and He will bring all goodness to you. So fix what is between you and Allah (swt) and He will fix what is between you and the people.
o You don’t want people to know about your
goodness, but Allah (swt) knows. 16
كُن مُباركًا Be Blessed Live a Fragranced Life #1
This garment adorns your heart. No one is perfect, we all have sins, which only Allah سبحانه و تعالىknows about. This gown covers our weaknesses, shielding them from the eyes of others. It is also a safeguard from the wrath of Allah سبحانه و تعالى.
ُّسلِمُ و َ ن ْ يَا أَيُّهَا ا َّلذِي َن آ َمن ُوا اتَّقُوا اهللََّ حَ ق َّ تُقَا ِت ِه و ََال تَمُ وتُ َّن إ َِّال َوأ َنت ُم م O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him
We will all be resurrected naked; then everyone will be clothed according to their level of faith; this is your لباس التقوى. All of us will have to stand before Allah ;سيحانه و تعالىimagine meeting Allah سبحانه و تعالى
َصمُ وا بِحَ بْ ِل اهللَِّ جَ مِيعًا و ََال تَفَ َّرقُوا ۚ وَاذْ ُكرُوا ِنعْمَ تَ اهللَِّ َع َليْ ُك ْم إِ ْذ ِ وَا ْعت شفَا َ ٰخوَانًا َوكُنت ُ ْم َع َلى ْ َِني ُقلُو ِب ُك ْم فَأ َْصبَحْ ت ُم ِب ِنعْمَ ِت ِه إ َ ْ كُنت ُ ْم أ َ ْعدَا ًء فَأَلَّفَ ب َني اهللَُّ َل ُك ْم آيَا ِت ِه َل َع َّل ُك ْم تَ ْهتَدُو َن ُ ِّ حُ فْ َر ٍة ِّم َن الن َّا ِر فَأ َن َقذَكُم ِّمنْهَا ۗ َكذَٰل َِك يُب And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His
while adorned with a beautiful gown. You must take care of the fabric of your faith to keep it from being damaged. It can get torn because of your sins. It can also acquire loose threads, as your faith decreases, which might unravel the whole cloth, leaving you with nothing. A beautiful gown needs the finishing touch of fragrance. A fragranced life; when the person spreads fragrance, and is surrounded by people with fragrance. This is to be مبارك, blessed. The more intense
verses that you may be guided. 3:102-103
the بركةor blessing, the more intense will the fra-
Salvation lies in taqwa, putting your heart in a cage. In life, you will face many trials. All these tests are aimed to the heart, to differentiate between the truthful ones and the liars.
One of the companions of the Prophet Mohammad صلى اهلل عليه و سلم, Anas bin An-Nadr رضي اهلل عنه, said :
During Ramadan, you spent your time weaving the fabric of faith, with different worships. You stitched a beautiful garment with this fabric, the garment of taqwa, لباس التقوى. َى ٰ َاسالت َّ ْقو ُ ِيشا ۖ َولِب ً سوْآ ِت ُك ْم َور َ َاسا يُوَارِي ً يَا بَنِي آ َد َم َق ْد أ َنزَ ْلن َا َع َليْ ُك ْم لِب خيْ ٌر ۚ ذَٰل َِك ِم ْن آيَاتِ اهللَِّ َل َع َّل ُه ْم يَذَّ َّكرُو َ ن َ َٰل َِك O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the
grance be.
إني أجد ريحها من دون أحد متفق عليه،ورب الكعبة ١٠٩ # حديث، ١ # كتاب، رياض الصالحني By the Rubb of the Ka’bah! I can smell the fragrance of Jannah from a place closer than Uhud Mountain. He was martyred in the battle. When Sheikh Ibn Taymiyyah was imprisoned, he said: ما يصن على أعدائي بي ؟أنا جنتي وبستاني في صدري أينما رحت تفارقني
clothing of righteousness - that is best. That is from the signs of Allah that perhaps they will remember. 7:26 17
What can my enemies do to me? My Paradise and my
There are ten steps:
garden is in my chest, whoever I go, it is never far from
الخطوة األولى
me.
The first step
This is the way to face the trials in life. There is no short cut to attain barakah; touching and holding the Quran does not give barakah. You have to work for it. The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid : ونافخ، كحامل املسك،إنما مثل الجليس الصالح وجليس السوء وإما أن، وإما أن تبتاع منه، إما أن يحذيك، فحامل املسك،الكير وإما أن تجد، إما أن يحرق ثيابك، ونافخ الكير،تجد منه ريحً ا طيبة حديث، ١ # كتاب، رياض الصالحني، متفق عليه.منه ريحً ا منتنة ٣٦٣ The similitude of good company and that of bad company is that of the owner of musk and of the one blowing the bellows. The owner of musk would either offer you some, free of charge, or you would buy it from him, or you smell its pleasant fragrance; and as for the one who blows the bellows (i.e., the blacksmith), he either burns your clothes or you smell a repugnant smell. البرَكة increment : الزيادة firmness : الثبات There is a blessed month, Ramadan. There are blessed times, such as the last third of the night, the hour before maghrib on Friday, to name a few. There are blessed places, such as the Beit alHaram. But the barakah does not lie in touching the Kaaba, but praying in the masjid. There is a blessed water, zamzam. The barakah is in drinking it, not soaking yourself and your shroud with it.
إعلم أ َّن البركة ِم َن اهلل Know that barakah is from Allah سبحانه و تعالى The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid : ٥٦٣٩ # حديث، صحيح البخاري.َِّا ْلبَ َر َك ُة ِم َن اهلل The blessing is from Allah. (Part of a longer hadith) اهلل بذات ِه مبارك Allah is Blessed in His own self Allah سبحانه و تعالىis the Owner of all barakah. He is the Bestower of all barakah. It is a provision from Allah سبحانه و تعالى. To seek barakah from anyone other than Allah سبحانه و تعالىis shirk. You need to seek it only from Allah ;سبحانه و تعالىbeg and beseech Him to bestow it to you. Allah سبحانه وتعالىlikes His slaves to make إلحاح, insistence, in their duas. He سبحانه و تعالىlikes your relation with Him to be firm and intense. You must have a desperation in your heart when you make dua to Him سبحانه وتعالى. َم ْن هو املبارك ؟ Who is blessed ? The one who is mubarak will avail any opportunity to become close to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. He uses everyone as a bridge to reach Allah سبحانه وتعالى. He will deal with everyone for the sake of Allah سبحانه و تعالى. He will smile, help, all for the sake of Allah سبحانه و تعالى. He will not see people, but Allah سبحانه وتعالى. This is إحسان, or excellence. The one who is
كيف أكو ُن مباركًا؟
mubarak sees everyone as provision from Allah سبحانه و تعالى, to draw him closer to Allah سبحانه و
How can I be blessed?
تعالى.
عشرة خطوات
18
Imbalance in society and families is because people use others for worldly purposes.
reforms his apparent side, and whoever spoils his hidden side, Allah spoils his apparent side.
The مباركة, the blessed woman, will obey her husband, to please Allah سبحانه و تعالى. She will be patient with her children as a means to reach Jannah. If she encounters a problem or obstacle, she will make إستغفار. الخطوة الثانية.2
The more you take care of your tawheed, the more Allah سبحانه وتعالىtakes care of your limbs. Allah سبحانه وتعالىnever forsakes the one who stands at His gates. With tawheed, you will seek praise only from Allah ;سبحانه و تعالىyou will seek
The second step
only His pleasure. You need tawheed every second of your life.
تعلم كيف تغنتم كُل ّ شيء لِيوصلك إلى ربك
If the slave knows and estimates Allah سبحانه
Learn how to use everything to reach your Rabb.
وتعالىwell, he would not ever raise his head from sujood.
The one who is mubarak will use even a glass of water to become closer to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. This needs training. Use your energy, your words, actions, intellect, to reach Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Do not
The one with tawheed always lives his life under the shade of Allah ;سبحانه وتعالىon the Day of
use it to create plots and deceptions.
Judgement, he will have the shade of the throne of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, when there is no other
تعلم التوحيد
shade. In Al-Firdaus, the ceiling is the throne of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.
Learn about the oneness of Allah سبحانه وتعالى األ َ ْم ُر ْ ُْض ِمث ْ َل ُه َّن يَتَنَزَّل ِ األَر ْ سمَ اوَاتٍ َو ِم َن َ َسبْع َ َخلَق َ اهللَُّ ا َّلذِي Tawheed can be explained in one phrase : إالاهلل ّ ال إ ٰل َه
ِّط ِبكُل َ شيْ ٍء َقدِي ٌر َوأ َ َّن اهللََّ َق ْد أ َحَ ا َ ِّبَيْن َ ُه َّن لِت َ ْعلَمُ وا أ َ َّن اهللََّ َع َلىٰ كُل شيْ ٍء ِعلْمً ا َ
When you realize that Allah سبحانه وتعالىis the
It is Allah who has created seven heavens and the
Only One worthy of worship, you will start to live for Him. To learn tawheed, you must study the books of scholars. You will graduate in ranks, leading to different stages in your study. The Quran teaches tawheed practically.
earth, the like of them. [His] command descends among them so you may know that Allah is over all things competent and that Allah has encompassed all things in knowledge. 65:12
If you control your heart, your tongue will be guided to speak only the good. Salman Al-Farsi said : إن لكل امرئ جَ وانيا ]باطن[ وبَرانيا ]ظاهر[ فمن أصلح جوانيه ومن أفسد جوانيه أفسداهلل برانيه،صلح اهلل برانيه Every person has a hidden side and an apparent side. The one who reforms his hidden side, Allah 19
SOORAH AL BUROOJ - 85 ِ ن ٱلرَّحِ يم ِ ِٰسم ِ ٱهللِ ٱلرَّحۡ مَ ـ ۡ ب This soorah was revealed in Makkah in the period when persecution of the muslims was at climax and disbelievers of Makkah were trying their utmost tyranny to turn away the converts from Islam.
For those who persecuted believing men and women and did not repent from it, there is a torment of hell and punishment of burning. For those who believed and did good deeds there are gardens for them beneath which rivers will be flowing. This is the supreme success.
Verses 1 - 9:
Verses 12 - 22:
َشا ِه ٍ۬د َ ( و٢) ( وَٱ ۡليَ ۡوم ِ ٱملۡ َ ۡوعُو ِد١) ِ َٱلسمَ آ ِء ذَاتِ ٱ ۡلبُرُوج َّ و
) ( إِنَّ ُه ۥ ُه َو يُبۡ ِدئ ُ َويُعِ ي ُد١٢) َشدِي ٌد َ ۡش َربِّك َ ل َ إِ َّن بَط
ِ( ٱلن َّا ِر ذَات٤) خدُو ِد ۡ ُ ٱأل ۡ ُ( ُقتِلَ أ َۡصحَ ـٰب٣) َشہُو ٍ۬د ۡ َوم
(١٥) ۡشٱملۡ َج ِي ُد ِ ( ذُو ٱ ۡل َعر١٤) ( َو ُه َو ٱ ۡل َغفُو ُر ٱ ۡل َودُو ُد١٣
( َو ُه ۡم َع َلىٰ مَا يَفۡ َعلُو َن٦) ٌ( إِذۡ ُه ۡم َع َليۡہَا ُقعُو ۬د٥) ٱ ۡل َوقُو ِد َِّ( َومَا نَقَمُ وا ْ ِمنۡہُ ۡم إ َِّآل أ َن يُ ۡؤ ِمن ُوا ْ بِٱهلل٧) ٌشہُو ۬د ُ ني َ بِٱملۡ ُ ۡؤ ِم ِن
(١٧) ث ٱلۡجُ ن ُو ِد ُ ( هَلۡ أَتَٮ َٰك حَ دِي١٦) فَعَّا ٌ۬ل ملِّ َا يُرِي ُد (١٩) ِيب ٍ۬ ( بَ ِل ٱ َّلذِي َن َكفَرُوا ْ فِى تَ ۡكذ١٨) ِف ۡر َع ۡو َن َوثَمُ و َد
ۡض ِۚ َٱألَر ۡ ٱلسمَ ـٰوَٲتِ و َّ ( ٱ َّلذِى َل ُه ۥ ُمل ُۡك٨) ٱ ۡل َعزِي ِز ٱلۡحَ مِي ِد
(٢١) ٌ( بَلۡ ُه َو ُق ۡرءَا ۬نٌ َّمج ِي ۬د٢٠) ُط ۢ وَٱهللَُّ مِن َورَآٮِٕہِم مُّحِ ي
(٩) شہِي ٌد َ شىۡ ٍ ۬ء َ ِّوَٱهللَُّ َع َلىٰ كُل
(٢٢) فِى َل ۡو ٍ۬ح مَّحۡ فُو ِۭظ
Here Allah(SWT) swears by the heavens with strong forts and the promised day and the one who witnesses and one who is witnessed. The people of the ditch were killed by being thrown in intensely blazing fire which fired when they were sitting by the ditch and witnessing what were they doing with believers. Their enmity with the believers was for the fact that they believed in Allah who is the All Mighty, the self praise worthy, the owner of the kingdom of heavens and earth. Allah (SWT) is watching over everything.
Indeed the grip of your Lord is very severe. It is who creates in first instance and He is the all Forgiving, the all loving, owner of the throne, exalted and doer of whatever He wills. Has the story of hosts of Firaun and Thamud reached you? Those who disbelieved and persisted in denying, Allah has encircled them.
Verses 10 - 11:
ني وَٱملۡ ُ ۡؤ ِمنَـٰتِ ثُ َّم َل ۡم يَت ُوبُوا ْ فَ َل ُه ۡم َ إِ َّن ٱ َّلذِي َن فَتَن ُوا ْ ٱملۡ ُ ۡؤ ِم ِن ْ ( إِ َّن ٱ َّلذِي َن ءَا َمن ُوا١٠) َعذَابُ جَ َهن َّ َم َو َل ُه ۡم َعذَابُ ٱلۡحَ رِي ِق ٱألَنۡہَـٰ ُۚر ۡ ت تَجۡ رِى مِن تَحۡ ِتہَا ٌ۬ ٰٱلصـٰلِحَ ـٰتِ َل ُه ۡم جَ نَّـ َّ ْ َو َع ِملُوا (١١) ذَٲل َِك ٱ ۡلفَ ۡوزُ ٱ ۡل َكبِي ُر 20
Developing Mature Interpersonal Relationships The most basic and essential attribute in a relationship that helps us to bind and trust one another is our faith, our emaan. Islam is integral to our lives in every way and everyday. Sharing of our common values allows us to develop and strengthen our relationships with each other, however we all know that sustaining good and strong relationships, be it with your spouse and family isn’t always easy.
In todays fast moving, materialistic and tech driven times we can become guilty of overlooking our family relations and responsibilities. Lack of time and commitment can shake the strongest of relationships. In many cases family feuds are because of the dunya and what we want from it, but Allah (SWT) shows that nothing in the dunya is forever so why fight for it? We all feel the daily pressure of obstacles and challenges which makes it increasingly hard for us to spend sufficient quality time with our families but maintaining kinship requires sincere effort. Families sometimes differentiate in their views but acknowledging these differences means a better and healthier relationship where we have to agree to disagree and move on. We can identify with each others’ strong and weak points and how to manage ourselves in order to avoid conflict during difficult moments. It isn’t easy to step away or stand silently, but remember, one day we will all stand in front of Allah (SWT).
If you, like me, can lose your patience at the best of times, then the first step is to turn to Allah for guidance. Sincere duaa to Allah (SWT) invokes His mercy, and In Sha Allah (SWT) we will have our hearts filled with mercy, peace and patience. These are the basic yet vital ingredients for dealing with day to day family relations. We all need to exhibit a basic level of civility between each other and to ensure we show mutual respect for each other, no matter how much we differ in our opinions. Remember different viewpoints are something natural and are here to stay. How we manage and work around them can lead to fruitful and successful relationships.
Many a time patience is vital, it is the most precious gift granted by Allah (SWT) and is a must have for developing healthy relations and keeping our blood pressure down. Patience enables us to be humble which brings us closer to Allah (SWT) through tawakkul and reliance.
Allah (SWT) tells us in the Quran,
‘And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His pur21
pose. Allah has already set for everything a (decreed) extent’ (Surat Al Talaq 65:3)
We are told that tawakkul is not a choice but a requirement and it is this that makes our hearts at rest. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran,
‘And those who avoid major sins and immoralities and when they are angry they forgive’ (Al-Shura 42:37)
Further on in the same chapter Allah (SWT) says: “…and put your trust in Allâh if you are believers indeed’ (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5: 23)
Tawakkul along with our sincere efforts and actions will help us in the most difficult and strenuous of times. We can be saved from unnecessary anxiety by knowing that all our affairs are in Allah (SWT)’s hands.
‘And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation – his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers’ (Surah Al-Shura 42: 40)
Allah (SWT) reminds us in the Quran, Relationships grow and mature through the good and the bad times and are secured and nurtured through our mannerisms and our attitudes towards each other. All relationships experience tough times, we may have been wronged in the past, but lets slow down and avoid judging the faults of others. At the best of times we are oblivious of our own faults; how easy it is to forget our own wrongdoings, and remember clearly how others have wronged us. Forgiveness can help us to move on, saving lost energy on retaliating and letting go of negative emotions which if harboured can ultimately lead to broken relationships ridden with animosity. And what would be the point of that?
Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are doers of good‘ (Surah Al-Nahl 16:126)
Remember nothing escapes the hearing of Allah (SWT). He is As Samee – The All Hearing. Lets be careful with what we say and how we say it – we will be judged and rewarded by Allah (SWT) accordingly. It’s only through our true sincerity and duaa that we can go on and build relationships based on hopefulness and practical realism. We owe it to each other, to our families and to ourselves.
Sometimes when we have been mistreated, we still need to be fair as even when wronged the act of forgiving and moving on is the best. Forgiving each other, even forgiving one's enemies is what will make us the strongest of Believers and is one of the most important teaching of Islam. In the Quran, Allah (SWT) describes the Believers as, 22
TIPS TO BEGIN WEARING HIJAB One of the most difficult decisions many muslim sisters face is the decision to start wearing hijab. This is certainly true for reverts, but may also be true for sisters whose families or even whose cultures are not particularly observant. The first step is to learn about hijab. There is so much information out there. Many Muslim sisters will be willing to assist you in this regard. Deciding to wear Hijab This is where the difficulties usually come in. For many sisters, it truly is a jihad. As long as you are just wearing the modest clothes, nobody has to know that you are a muslim. Once you complete your hijab with the headscarf, you are suddenly announcing to everyone who sees you that "I am a Muslim". Here is some advice: Wear it for the sake of Allah SWT Various statements are made about why you should wear hijab, such as for modesty or for protection, but the real reason that we wear hijab is that Allah SWT has commanded it. Whenever anyone asks you, why do you dress like that, that's the only answer you need to give them. Allah SWT is the source of everything we have, our existence, our life, our capability, even our goodness. If He ever stopped sustaining us, we would vanish in that instant. If He ever took away what he gives us, we would never have even a speck of it. If we worked for millions of years, we could never repay Him for all that He has given us. And yet He does give it to us, and all He asks in return is that we do our best to obey what He has commanded us. Surely wearing hijab is a very small thing that you can do for Him compared to what He does for you! Wear it for the hope of Jannah Allah SWT makes tests for us in this world. He puts difficulties for us. He wants to see if we will remember Him, if we will have faith in Him, and if we will trust in Him. These qualities are what is meant by "sabr". Allah SWT does not lose the work of anyone, ever. Even if it seems like nobody is paying attention to you or notices or appreciates good things that you do, Allah SWT has seen them, and He will not forget them. Even when it seems like the 23
whole world is against you, Allah SWT is always there for you when you turn to Him. Remember this. Allah SWT always wants the best for us and in His wisdom He knows why each thing that happens to us is in fact best for us. When it seems like everything is going wrong and life is just one disaster after another, it is easy to forget this and to become bitter and skeptical. Yet we must remember always to have faith that Allah SWT knows best why He has willed this for us, and we must always ask Him only "Make me pleased with what You have willed for me". This world we live in, although it seems at times to be the only real thing, is actually fleeting compared to the Hereafter, which is better and more abiding. The trials of this world will seem as fleeting as a nightmare when seen from the Hereafter, and the pleasures of this world will also seem as fleeting as a dream when seen from the Hereafter. It's our happiness in the Hereafter that we should be most worried about attaining, because it is what will last forever; and it's our suffering in the Hereafter that we should be most worried about avoiding, because it also will last forever. Allah SWT has promised Jannah to those who remain steadfast in their faith in Him and who trust in Him. The more difficult it is for you to have sabr, the greater the reward for it. So what will it be? Ease in this world, and perhaps the eternal sufferings in Hell? Or difficulty in this world, and inshallah the eternal bliss of Jannah? Let's face it, the old cliches are true: there's no such thing as a free lunch and you can almost never have your cake and eat it too. We've all got to face difficulties some time. Better by far that they be in the world than in the Hereafter. So that's what you should set your mind to. Yes, it's difficult to wear hijab. You may be rejected by your family or your friends, you may face harassment and persecution or be fired from your job. These are very scary thoughts. But if you have sabr and keep trusting in Allah SWT, this is the path to Jannah, and when you look back on the Day of Qiyamah you will know that it was worth it and have no regrets. Wear it today and trust in Allah SWT for tomorrow Sometimes the future seems to stretch on forever and ever and you don't think you can make it that long. You want to give up before you even begin. So sometimes the best thing to do is to keep your mind focused on what is immediately at hand. Allah SWT will take care of the future. If you have to go out to the market, then concentrate on being able to wear hijab just for this activity and on getting through it. If you do get through it and nothing bad happened, then give thanks to Allah SWT for making it easy for you, and turn your mind to your next outing. Or if you have to go out to school or work, then concentrate on being able to wear hi24
TIPS TO BEGIN WEARING HIJAB jab just for this one day and on getting through it. And give thanks to Allah SWT when you have made it, and turn your mind to the next day. Eventually the outings will turn into days and the days into weeks, and the weeks into months. One day you will realize that you have been wearing hijab for quite a long time and it isn't really as bad as you feared, and Allah SWT helped you get through it. Don't be ashamed. Sometimes it is like this. The most important thing is to have sabr and keep your trust in Allah SWT always. Wear it and spite the shaytan My dear sister, the worries and fears in your mind are the whisperings of the shaytan. He wants to talk you out of obeying Allah SWT. It is very easy to keep going around in circles in your mind and to dwell on all the things that could go wrong. We know that we have a tendency to do this and wait for "the perfect time". If we let ourselves, we would never do anything at all! So the thing you have to remember is that you do not need to be perfect in iman to wear hijab. If perfection were a qualification, where is the sister who could wear it?? You must also not fall into the trap of thinking that you should wait until all your worries and fears have disappeared. They never will! Trust me on this, sister. True courage is going ahead to do what's right even though you are still nervous and scared. So don't listen to the shaytan. Ignore the worries and fears he whispers into your mind. Tell him that you will not let him keep you from obeying Allah SWT and you will not let him rule your life. Make the decision to wear it Once you have come to know in your heart that you must wear hijab, then you have to set a day and JUST DO IT !! This is the only way. Set a day and when that day comes, you have to do it. Don't back down. Don't give up. Do it. Make du'a. Make lots of du'a. Do not stop making du'a. Ask Allah SWT to give you strength. Ask Him to make it easy for you. Ask Him to help you. He will. He is always there for you when you turn to Him. Remember how much He has given you, how everything that you have, even your very existence, is due to Him. Remember that He deserves this from you. Remember the promise of Jannah. Remember that remaining patient and faithful through difficulty now may lead to Jannah, inshallah. Even if bad things happen, keep these thoughts in your mind. Don't worry about tomorrow. Just concentrate on getting through today, and leave tomorrow to Allah SWT until it gets here. That's how you do it. Final Words of Encouragement
25
Never feel that you are alone, or that you are the only one who is scared and worried and nervous. Just about every other sister who has travelled down this road has gone through the same things. Your sisters are here for you and can encourage you. They know what it takes because they had to find that in themselves too.
خطَأۡنَاۚ َربَّنَا و ََال ۡ َ َت َربَّنَا َالتُؤَاخِ ذۡنَآ إِن نَّسِ ينَآ أ َ ۡو أ ۗۡ َسب َ ع َليۡہَا مَا ٱ ۡكت َ َسبَتۡ َو َ ُس َع َهاۚ َلهَا مَا ك ۡ ۡسا إ َِّالو ً َاليُ َكلِّفُ ٱهللَُّ نَف غ ِف ۡر َلنَا ۡ عنَّا وَٱ َ ُعلَى ٱ َّلذِي َن مِن َقبۡلِنَاۚ َربَّنَا و ََالتُحَ مِّ ۡلنَا مَا َالطَا َق َة َلنَا ِب ِهۦۖ وَٱعۡف َ ۥ ُِصرً۬ا كَمَ ا حَ مَ ۡلتَه ۡ ع َليۡنَآ إ َ ۡتَحۡ مِل (٢٨٦) علَى ٱ ۡل َقوۡم ِ ٱ ۡلڪَـٰ ِفرِي َن َ َٱنص ۡرنَا ُ موۡ َلٮٰنَا ف َ ََٱرۡحَ مۡ نَآۚ أ َنت Allah does not burden a soul except what it can bear. For it is what it has earned, and upon it is what it has made due. "Our Lord and Sustainer, do not condemn us if we forget or do wrong. Our Lord and Sustainer, do not put a burden on us like the burden You put on those who were before us. Our Lord and Sustainer, do not put a burden on us that we cannot endure. And blot out (our sins) and forgive us, and be gentle to us. You are our Protector. So help us against the rejectors." (Surah alBaqarah ayah 286)
26
Masjid Bani Hashim At Jumeirah Islands, Dubai
Masjid Bani Hashim by the Grace of Allah (SWT) عز وجل, opened its doors on 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 وسلمother important subjects in 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 The Quran.
27
28
29