A monthly newsletter from Masjid Bani Hashim Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue#29 March 2016
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #29 Mar 2016 بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته Introduction الحمد هلل Heart to Heart Dear Reader, darknesses come to go by the will of Allah subhana wa t’Ala, no matter how dark a tunnel may be, the Light of Allah subhana wa t'ala (Glorious and free from any imperfection) is greater. If you feel that you are drowning, then be sure help is at hand; when you feel that the night has been too long, then be sure that dawn is about to break by the will and power of Allah subhana wa t’Ala. This is the reality of life, difficulties are going to come but they are temporary and they come for a reason. If you believe in Allah SWT and know Who is Allah SWT, then be sure He will never put you in a difficulty to break you. He will put you through challenging situations to build you. Sometimes, He will let you break but with the purpose of building you. Subhanal Allah. Do you remember the story of Yunus AS in the Qur’an? Did he not get frustrated and left the town towards the sea. If Allah subhana wa t’Ala wanted, He could have stopped Him but He did not! Surat 28 Al-'Anbyā' (The Prophets), ayat 87:88 - ني َ ك إِنِّى كُنتُ ِم َن الظَّـلِ ِم َ َسبْحَ ـن ُ َع َليْ ِه فَنَادَى فِى الظُّلُمَ ـتِ أ َن الَّ إِلَـ َه إِالَّ أ َنت َ َـضبا ً فَظَ َّن أ َن لَّن نَّ ْق ِد َر ِ مغ ُ َن إِذ ذَّهَب ِ ﴿ َوذَا النُّو ﴾ ني َ ك نُنجِ ـى املْ ُؤْ ِم ِن َ ِغ ِّم َوكَذل َ َاستَجَ بْنَا َل ُه َونَجَّ يْنَـ ُه ِم َن ا ْل ْ 87. And (remember) Dhun-Nun, when he went off in anger, and imagined that We shall not punish him! But he cried through the darknesses (Zulumat) (saying): "There is no God but You, Glorified be You! Truly, I have been of the Zalimin wrongdoers.'') (88. So We answered his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers.) (Surat 37 As- Saaffaat (Those who set the ranks), ayat 139-148) فَ َلوْالَ أَنَّ ُه- ملِي ٌم ُ َهو ُ فَا ْلتَقَمَ ُه الْحُ وتُ َو- ني َ ض ِ َن ِم َن املْ ُدْح َ َسـ َه َم فَكَا َ ف-ن ِ َشحُ و ْ ْك امل ِ إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ا ْلفُ ْل- ني َ ِْسل َ ُسملَ ِ َن املْ ُر َ ن يُون َّ ِ﴿ َو إ ْس ْلنَـ ُه َ َوأَر- ٍطني ِ شجَ َرةً مِّن يَ ْق َ ع َليْ ِه َ َوأ َنبَتْنَا- سقِي ٌم َ َهو ُ فَنَبَذْنَـ ُه بِا ْل َعرَآ ِء َو- ن َ ث فِى بَطْ ِن ِه إِلَى يَوْم ِ يُبْ َعث ُو َ َل َل ِب- ني َ ُِسبِّح َ ْن ِم َن امل َ كَا ﴾ ٍمنُوا ْ فَمَ تَّ ْعنَـ ُه ْم إِلَى حِ ني َ فَـَا- ن َ ِلَى ِماْئ َ ِة أَلْفٍ أ َ ْو يَزِيدُو (139. And verily, Yunus was one of the Messengers.) (140. When he ran to the laden ship:) (141. Then he (agreed to) cast lots, and he was among the losers. ) (142. Then a (big) fish swcry was allowed him as he had done an act worthy of blame.) (143. Had he not been of them who glorify Allah,) (144. He would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.) (145. But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick,) (146. And We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him.) (147. And We sent him to a hundred thousand (people) or even more.) (148. And they believed; so We gave them enjoyment for a while.)
السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #29 Mar 2016 Introduction
The above two ayat speak about the Prophet Yunus AS, when he left the town of Nineveh (Northern of Mesopotamia), where he had been chosen and commanded by Allah SWT to invite its residents to the acceptance of only one God, the message of Tawhid (the message of Islam). After putting some effort without positive response from the residents of the town to his dawah, he got frustrated and he left the town in anger without awaiting Allah’s command on the matter. He boarded a ship but then he had to be offloaded to lighten the burden in the ship and he was swallowed by a fish by the Will of Allah SWT. The sequence of the incidents that followed his premature departure from the town made Yunus AS realize his error and to flee to Allah subhana wa t'ala by the means of one of the most effective supplications to Allah SWT, where Yunus AS confesses the purity, the glory of Rabbana and the injustice he committed by leaving the town without awaiting the commandment of Allah SWT. ني َ ك إِنِّى كُنتُ ِم َن الظَّـلِ ِم َ َسبْحَ ـن ُ َالَّ إِلَـ َه إِالَّ أ َنت " There is no God but You, Glorified be You! Truly, I have been of the Zalimin wrongdoers.'' Surat 28 Al-'Anbyā' (The Prophets), part of verse 88. Allah SWT not only listened to his duaa, but He also responded and he was saved from the belly of the fish. He then completed his mission in the town of Nineveh, where most of the people accepted the message of Islam. Whenever in life you feel that the night has become too long and the pain is becoming unbearable, run to Allah and cry to Him as Yunus AS cried and His cry was responded by Ar Rahman - The Most Merciful - and when Ar Rahman responds, then there can only be mercy, mercy and mercy. الحمد هلل Wa salato wa salamo ala Rasulil Allah
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A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #29 Mar 2016
This Issue Introduction: Pages 1 - 2
NEW!!!
Names of Allah (SWT): AlHayy: Page 4 - 8 Our Need to Know Allah (SWT) - Part 1: Pages 9 - 10 The Real Superstars: Pages 11 - 12 Sayed Al Khateer - Catching Thoughts: Pages 13 - 15 Sincerity is the Way to Salvation: Pages 16 - 19 Importance of Knowing Allah - Part 1: Pages 20 - 25 Cheer Up: Pages 26 - 27 Surah Al Takathur 102: Pages 28 Surah Yusuf #37: Pages 29 - 30
NEW!!!
Arabic- Pronouns: Pages 31 - 34 What is not Taught in Schools: Pages 35 - 36 You will see your Lord: Page 37 Masjid Bani Hashim: Pages 38 - 40
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NAMES OF ALLAH (SWT)
Introduction ▪
The knowledge about Allah (swt) will lead us to: o
Love Him
o
Magnify Him
o
And do our deeds sincerely for Him
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This reforms the heart, and the stronger your knowledge about Allah (swt), the more you will run to Allah (swt). It does not mean running with the limbs, but with the heart, Allah (swt) is watching our hearts.
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And the more you know about Allah (swt), the more you will follow His commands and prohibitions.
Name of Allah AlHayy – The Ever-Living ()الحي ▪
It means The Living that never dies ()الحي الذي ال يموت ابدا
▪
Allah (swt) has the real life which no one has, and He is the Ever-Living Who never dies. Our life is not the real life.
What does it mean to have the real life? ▪
Anyone besides Allah (swt) is limited because our life is temporary and we will die. Our life has a start and end date.
4
▪
Surah Ar Rahman 26-27: ((٢٦) ان4 ۬ ٍ 4 4 4 4 َ ۡن َع َليۡہَا ف4 4 4 4 لُّ َم44 4 4 4ُك (٢٧) ِ َٱإل ۡكرَام ِ ۡ ك ذُو ٱلۡجَ َلـٰ ِل و4َ 4 4ِّ( ) َويَبۡ َقىٰ وَجۡ ُه َربWhatsoever is
▪
o
Perfect in ability ()قدرته كامله
o
Perfect in knowledge ()علمه كامل
on it (the earth) will perish. (26) And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever. (27))
There is no deficiency in His life (يyy y y y yص فyقy y y y y ال ن
The real life of Allah ( )الحيis the real life:
▪
o
o
)حياته There is no deficiency in the life of Allah (swt):
There is no boundary for its beginning, it did not precede with not being there, meaning Allah (swt) always exists ()لم تسبقها عدم
o
There is no boundary for its end, it does not follow with perishing (لحقها4م ت4ل
o
not for a moment sleep or be absent from His creation.
Nobody is like Allah (swt), no one resembles Allah (swt).
اهلل44 وة اال ب44 ول و ال ق44 )ح, there is no might or
Life of Allah (swt) is complete ()حياة اهلل كاملة ▪
Every person in this life has some kind of defect – whether in knowledge, sight, hearing, heart, eating, etc. Even if a person is rich, his life is not perfect.
▪
Our life is not complete and it is limited.
▪
Allah (swt) is complete: o
In His attributes ()كامل في صفاته
o
There is no deficiency in His life (ال )نقص في حياته
power except with Allah. o
Allah (swt) is above the seven heavens and rose over the throne in a manner that suits His majesty. Though we have attributes, but they are not perfect, we can see and hear, but it is imperfect. Allah (swt) is: o
Perfect in hearing ()سمعه كامل
o
Perfect in vision ()بصره كامل
No disability (ز44 4 4 4 4 4 ج4)ال ع: Sometimes we are unable to do things, too tired, or no energy. That is why if we attach to other than Allah (swt), Allah (swt) will show us in this life that they do not deserve your attachment because Allah (swt) will show you their deficiency. Why? In order that you believe in (ه4ال ال )اال اهلل.
o
No forgetfulness (هو44 4 4 )ال س: Allah (swt) is fully aware of everything – He will never be absent or forget His creation. We forget, but Allah (swt) never forgets. And this makes His life so real, subhan Allah.
Perfect in Attributes ()كامل في صفاته ▪
No weakness (ف44 4ع4 4 4 4 4 4 )ال ض: there is no weakness in Allah’s life. We are weak, our energy fluctuates. There is no moment of weakness with Allah, and that makes us to attach to Allah (swt) – (ال
)فناء ▪
Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him (وم4نة و ال ن4ذه س4أخ4)ال ت: Allah (swt) will
o
No death (وت44 4 4 4 4 4 )ال م: everyone dies except Allah (swt)
o
No heedlessness (فلة44 4 )ال غ: Allah (swt) is never heedless from His creation, Al5
o
Life of the human (س44 4 4 4 4 4ياة االن44 4 4 4 4 4)ح: Life of the angels is different from the life of humans.
o
initiated the lives of the jinn, but their lives are different from the humans, so do not worship the jinn, the shaitan or give sacrifice to them, istaghfar Allah.
lah (swt) is aware of the very leaf that falls. How does Allah (swt) have the real life? ▪
their selves, they do not own their selves. They did not initiate their lives. Allah (swt) created us and initiated our lives. o
The life of Allah (swt) is a personal attribute (ية44 ه ذات44 يات44 )ح: no one initiated His life, and He initiates all other lives.
Every living thing in this duniya is depending on Allah Al Hayy (حي44 4 4 4 4 4 )الto give them life. Allah (swt) took charge to give: o
Life to the body (دان44 4 4 4 4 4 اء االب44ي4 4 4 4 4 4 )اح: Allah (swt) gives the physical life
o
Life to the heart (وب44ل4 ق4 4 4 4 4 4 اء ال44ي4 4 4 4 4 4 )اح: Allah (swt) gives life to the dead hearts, gives the spiritual life.
Allah (swt) gave each living thing something unique to them ()جعل لكل مخلوق حياته تخصه ▪
Allah (swt) gives the physical life to: o
Life of the angels (كة44 4 4 4 الئ44 4 4 4 ياة امل44 4 4 4 )ح: Allah (swt) created the angels, and they have a life unique to them.
Life of the animals (حيوان44 4 4 ياة ال44 4 4 )ح: there are even different types of animals, mammals, birds, etc. They eat and drink but different from the jinn or humans.
Anyone other than Allah (swt), their life is not a personal attribute (ير44 يره غ44 ياة غ44 ح ة44 4ي4 4 4 4 4 4 )ذات: meaning they did not create
▪
o
How does Allah (swt) have the real life? o
Life of the jinn (جن44 4 4 4 4 ياة ال44 4 4 4 4 )ح: Allah (swt)
o
Life of the plants (نبات44 4 ياة ال44 4 )ح: there are different species within the plants, and their life is what suits them, subhan Allah.
o
Life of objects (مادات44 ياة الج44 )ح: the mountains, rocks, heavens, earth etc, - Surah A Hashr 21: (ٰ َلى4 4 ُقرْآ َن َع4 4ذَا ٱ ْل4 4ٰن َا َهـ4 4زَ ْل4 4 ْو أَن4 4َل ل َْك4 4شيَ ِة ٱهللَِّ َو ِت4 ْ 4خ 4َ ْن4 4ا ً ِّم4 َص ِّدع َ ت4 4عا ً ُّم44 اش4 4 ِ 4خ 4َ ت َ ُه4 ْ َرأَي4 4بَ ٍل َّل4 ج 4َ تَفَ َّكرُو َن4 4 4َ َع َّل ُه ْم ي4 4 4َّاس َل ِ لن44 4 ِهَا ل4 4 4ُض ِرب4 ْ 4 4 َث َالُ ن4 4 4( )ٱأل َ ْمHad We sent down this Qur'ân on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rendt asunder by the fear of Allâh. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect). This shows you that mountains have feelings. The heavens and the earth do not cry for a disbeliever, but they cry for a believer. These objects are called ‘non-living’, but they are living a different life in a way that suits them. Everything is glorifying Allah (swt), but we do not understand their glorification, subhan Allah. 6
▪
So everything is living and Allah (swt) gave life to everything.
Allah Al Hayy (حيyy )الwill grant a perfect life for the people of paradise (حياةyy y y y ب الyy y y y ذي يهyy y y y و الyy y y y ه
Allah Al Hayy (يyyحy y y y y )الgives life to the hearts
)الكاملة التامة ألهل الجنة
()الذي يحي القلوب
▪
In order to the have the perfect life, I need to continue with the knowledge, guidance, and faith.
▪
S urah Ibrahim 23: (ِصـٰلِحَ ـٰت4 َّ 4 ِملُوا ْ ٱل4 ع4َ ن ُوا ْ َو4 َن ءَا َم4 ِذي4 لَ ٱ َّل44ۡخ 4ِ َوأُد
▪
Allah (swt) gives life to the hearts, how? With the light of ()نور: o
Knowledge (م44 4 4 ل4 4 4 ع4 4 4 4 4 4 )ال: the knowledge about Allah (swt) and this will make a person live a real life. Without knowledge I will react differently, but with knowledge, it upgrades our life.
o
َلـٰ ٌم4 4 4 س 4 4َ يہَا44 4 4 ( ) ِفAnd those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh and His Messengers and whatever they brought) and did righteous deeds, will be made to enter Gardens under which rivers flow, - to dwell therein forever (i.e.in Paradise), with the permission of their Lord. Their greeting therein will be: Salâm (peace!))
Guidance (دى44 4 4 4 4 4 ه4)ال: to be guided to the Straight Path. If a person is walking and breathing, but does not have guidance, then that is not a real life. When you are guided to Islam to the Straight Path, to good deeds, to act correctly in a situation – all of this will give the person the real life because spiritually he is alive, subhan Allah.
o
حِ يَّتُہُ ۡم44َ ِه ۡ ۖم ت4ِّ ِإذۡنِ َرب4يہَا ِب44 َن ِف4لِ ِدي4ٰخـ َ ٱألَنۡہَـٰ ُر ۡ ن تَحۡ ِتہَا44ٰت تَجۡ رِى ِم ٍ۬ نَّـ4ج 4َ
Faith (ان44م4 4 4 4 4 4 )االي: A disbeliever might be physically alive, but his spiritual life is dead without faith. Faith means to believe in all of the pillars of faith – believe in Allah, His angels, His messengers, His books, the Last Day, and the decree, good and bad.
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We ask Allah (swt) to increase us in knowledge, guide us to the Straight Path, and increase us in faith.
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All of these are provisions and when we have these, it makes us live the real life, because without a spiritual life, our life is not complete. Without knowing Allah (swt), it is a very miserable, sad, dark, and unhappy life, subhan Allah.
▪
This is the real life, both physical and spiritual, when Allah (swt) admits us to paradise. When the people of paradise enter paradise, a caller will call, ‘Salam’, meaning: o
A life of well-being with no sickness ()حياة عافية و ال مرض
o
A life of relaxation with no fatigue (ياة44 4 4 ح عب44 ة ال ت44 )راح: everything is ‘be and it is’, everything will come to you. You do not need to make any effort or struggle – a life full of comfort and joy.
o
A life of happiness with no sadness (زن44عيدة ال ح44ياة س44)ح: Not a single day will you grieve or be sad. No one will make you sad in paradise.
o
A life of eternity with no death (اة44 ي4 4 4 4 4 4 ح وت44 4 4 دة ال م44 4 4 ال44 4 4 )خ: You will have an eternal life in paradise, there is no death. We will taste death only once in this life.
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o
Surah An Nahl 97: (ٍر4 َن ذَڪ44 صـٰلِ ً۬حا ِّم َ َمِل4 ع4َ ۡن4 4َم ًيِّبَ ۬ ۖة4 َيَ ٰوةً۬ ط4 ح 4 َ ۬نٌ فَ َلن ُحۡ ِييَن َّ ُه ۥ4 4 ۡؤ ِم4 4 َو ُم4 ه 4ُ ثَىٰ َو4 ( )أ َ ۡو أُنWhoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life).
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Allah (swt) loves His believing slaves that He does not hesitate to do anything except to take the soul of a believer, so He will only make us taste death once, subhan Allah.
Impact of Allah AlHayy (حيyy y y y y )الon the believer ()آثار في نفس عبده املؤمن ▪
Reliance (ل4توك4)ال: it will make the believer to rely on Allah (swt) because He is Al Hayy ()الحي o
Surah Al Furqan 58: (ذِى4لَى ٱلۡحَ ىِّ ٱ َّل4لۡ َع44َّ َوڪ4ََوت ُمُ وت44 4 4 4 َ)الي َ (And put your trust (O Muhammad SAW) in the Ever Living One Who dies not)
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Sincere in dua’a (الص44 اخ44 اء ب44 دع44 )ال: you will be sincere in your life o
Surah Ghafir 65: (َو4 4 4 4 4 َه إ َِّال ُه4 4 4 4 4 ٰ َو ٱلۡحَ ىُّ َآلإِ َلـ4 4 4 4 4 ُه
May Allah (swt) make us live under the shade of Allah AlHayy ()الحي. Ameen Narrated Ibn `Abbas RA: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) used to offer the Zuhr and `Asr prayers together on journeys, and also used to offer the Maghrib and `Isha' prayers together. Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to offer the Maghrib and the `Isha' prayers together on journeys. (Bukhari - Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 209)
ن ۗ َ 4 4 4 ِّدي4 4 4 ُه ٱل4 4 4ني َل َ ِص ِ خل ۡ وهُ ُم44 4 ع4ُ ٱ ۡد44 4 َ( )فHe is the Ever Living, Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), so invoke Him making your worship pure for Him Alone (by worshipping Him Alone, and none else, and by doing righteous deeds sincerely for Allâh's sake only, and not to show off, and not to setting up rivals with Him in worship).) ▪
Faith and righteous good deeds (عمل44 4 4 4 مان و ال44 4 4 4 االي
Narrated Abu Huraira RA: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "None of you should offer prayer in a single garment that does not cover the shoulders." (Bukhari - Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 355)
ح44صال44)ال: you will live your life with faith and righteous good deeds. 8
Our need to know about Allah - Part 1 Our need to know about Allah (swt) ( – )حاجتنا للعلم عن اهللPart 1 •
•
We are living in this life, and we know that there are tests and trials, and after a period of time it will all end and we will go on to our next phase. These facts cannot be denied and they need to be yaqeen in our mind. We will move from this life where we had the opportunity to ‘plant’ for a certain period, to the life where we will meet Allah (swt) and find what we have ‘sowed’. We will go from the world of the unseen to us now to the world of the seen, where we will see and witness everything. Our knowledge about Allah (swt) will prepare us for this meeting. No doubt you have to know Who is Allah (swt) because the first question we will be asked in the grave is: ‘Who is your Rabb?’. And no one will be able to answer this question except the one who lived knowing Who is his Rabb. So this entire life is our chance to answer the question ‘Who is your Rabb?’, subhan Allah.
•
If you know Who is Your Rabb, then you will be able to answer, ‘what is your deen? And who is your prophet?’
•
We are always telling our children if you study then you’ll pass, focus, don’t get lost, etc. This life is called (ار44ب4ت4 4 4 4 4 4 – )دار اخ the place of tests. You will live this life with tests according to what you can handle, we all have different tests, but the final test is the same for all, and its questions are already defined, ‘who is your Rabb, what is your deen, and who is your prophet?’. So live your life seeking to know who is Allah (swt).
•
Why do we need to know Who is Allah (swt)?
•
Because the one who understood this life, understood his great need for knowing who is Allah (swt). o
Answering the question ‘who is your Rabb?’ is the most important factor, because if you can answer this, then whatever comes after it will be easy. And to answer ‘who is your Rabb?’ is not as easy as we imagine. In this life, I can say my Rabb is Allah, but these 9
words will be absent from the mind if they didn’t settle in the heart! SubhanAllah. For this reason, this entire life is a great opportunity to be able to answer this question. •
•
Whoever understood the reality of this life, and knows the hardship that’s in it, knows that he cannot move forward without Allah (swt). This life will not be beautiful unless we know who is Allah (swt). This life has many twists and turns, some days are easy and some days are difficult. The human is full of desires and hopes, and the way to reach them is difficult. And it’s difficult for the person to tread on his own, we need the attachment of one who is perfect, so (لَى4 4 ع4َ ْل44 4 ك4َّ َو4 4 ََوت ُمُ وت44 َذِي َالي4 4حَ يِّ ا َّل44 ( )ا ْلRely on the Ever-Living Who never dies) – depend on Him, make tawassul to Him, make your heart jump to Him. To be cont’d in sha’a Allah. May Allah (swt) increase us knowledge and yaqeen. Ameen. Narrated Abu Huraira RA: "Allah's
Narrated Aisha RA: The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Messenger (peace upon him) was in the form of true dreams. The Angel came to him and said, "Read, in the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists), has created man a clot. Read! And your Lord is Most Generous" ..(96.1,2,3) (Bukhari - Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 479)
Narrated Jabir RA: The people used to rent their land for cultivation for one-third, one-fourth or half its yield. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever has land should cultivate it himself or give it to his (Muslim) brother gratis; otherwise keep it uncultivated." Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Mes-
Messenger (peace be upon him)
senger (peace be upon him) said,
said, "By Him in Whose Hands my
"Whoever has land should cultivate
life is, none of you will have faith
it himself or give it to his (Muslim)
till he loves me more than his fa-
brother gratis; otherwise he should
ther and his children." (Bukhari -
keep it uncultivated." (Bukhari -
Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 14)
Vol. 3, Book 39, Hadith 533)
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saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah alSaheehah (374). Hamza (RA)'s father was Abdul Muttalib and his mother was Hala bint Uhayb. Abdul Mutallab was the father of Abdullah, who is the father of the Prophet (SAWS). When Abdul Muttalib went with his son Abdullah to Wahb ibn 'Abd Manaf 's house to seek his daugher Amina's hand for Abdullah, Abdul Muttalib noticed Wahb’s niece, Hala bint Uhayb, and he asked for her hand for himself. Wahb agreed, and Muhammad (SAWS)’s father Abdullah and his grandfather Abdul Muttalib were both married on the same day in a double marriage This issue’s superstar has an image that evokes fierceness and strength. He was a great warrior, known for his love for hunting. He was also known as the Leader of all the Martyrs – The Lion of Allah and the Lion of the Messenger. He had a unique relationship with the Prophet (SAWS): he was his uncle as well as his foster brother - both he and the Prophet (SAWS) were breastfed by the same
ceremony. Hence Hamza (RA) was the younger brother of Muhammad (SAWS)’s father. Hamza (RA) was skilled in wrestling and took great interest in swordsmanship and archery. He was fond of hunting, and he was described as “the strongest man of the Quraysh, and the most unyielding.” (Ibn Ishaq).
woman. He is none other than Hamza ibn
Hamza (RA) and Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)
‘Abd al-Muttalib.
were very close as there was hardly any age
It was narrated from Jaabir (RA) that the Prophet (SAWS) said: “The leader of the martyrs is Hamzah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib and a man who stood up before a tyrant and enjoined good and forbade evil, and he killed him.” Narrated by al-Haakim and classed as
difference between the two of them. Hamza (RA) was only 2 years older to the Prophet(SAWS ). Their relationship was more of brothers than of uncle-nephew. They played together and loved each other a lot, although both were of different temperaments.
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Hamza (RA) didn’t take much notice of the call
Hamza (RA)’s conversion was a major event
of his nephew when he (SAWS) appealed to
and was one of the biggest victories for Islam.
his family, the Hashimite clan, and called them
His strong personality evoked fear in the Qu-
towards Tawhid. His conversion to Islam came
raysh. When he became Muslim, the Quraysh
a year or so later (late 615 or early 616 AD),
recognized that the cause of Islam had be-
and was, in fact, a sudden incident.
come strong, and had found a protector in
Prophet (SAWS) was seated on Safa one day when Abu Jahl happened to pass by him and abused him verbally. The Prophet Mohammed (SAWS), however, kept silent and did not utter
Hamza; so they abandoned some of their ways of harassing the Prophet (SAWS). They would instead, try to strike bargains with him but he never accepted any of their offers.
a single word. Abu Jahl then went on to pick
Hamza (RA) was like a shadow to the Prophet
up a stone and hit the Prophet (SAWS)’s head
(SAWS), accompanying him and protecting
with it, and consequently his (SAWS) head be-
him wherever he (SAWS) went. He migrated
gan bleeding. Hamza (RA) who had gone out
with the Prophet (SAWS) to Medina and was
to the desert on a hunting expedition heard of
instrumental in killing many of the Quraysh
this incident upon his return to Makkah. He
leaders in the Battle of Badr.
learnt that Abu Jahl had attacked and abused the Prophet (SAWS) and his nephew did not do anything in retaliation. Hamza (RA) was filled with anger at this unfair treatment and went out to punish Abu Jahl. He entered the Ka'abah, where Abu Jahl was sitting with the elders, stood over him and struck him with his bow. Hamza(RA) said, “Will you insult him, when I am of his religion and say what he says? Hit me back if you can!” Some of Abu Jahl’s relatives approached to help him, but he told them, “Leave Abu Umara [Hamza] alone, for, by God, I insulted his nephew deeply.” Hamza(RA) was himself surprised at what he had said. He went back to his house and reflected on what he had done and the implications of it. When he was convinced that what he had done was right, he entered the House of Al-Arqam, where the new muslims used to seek refuge, and declared his submission to Islam.
In the battle of Uhud, Hamza (RA) was one of the main targets to extract revenge for what had happened in the Battle of Badr. Many of the Quraysh wanted him (RA) to be killed and one of these people was a woman called Hind Ibn Abi Otba. She was the wife of Abu Sufyan and was one of the greatest enemy of Islam at that time. Her father and brother had been killed by Hamza (RA) in Badr; so she wanted revenge. She ordered an Ethiopian slave called Wahshi, a great spear thrower, to kill Hamza with his spear. In return, she would grant him his freedom from slavery. This was a great motivation for Wahshi, as that was the most important thing for him- freedom from slavery. ...to be continued 12
SAYED AL KHATEER Thought ()الخاطرة: Long life ()طول العمر ▪
دعوت يوما فقلت اللهم بلغني آمالي من العلم و العمل
▪
I once made a dua’a to Allah (swt) to make me reach all of my goals regarding knowledge and good deeds, subhan Allah. o
o
▪
He would not have made this dua’a unless he knew about the purpose of life which is to worship Allah (swt), and you cannot have this worship without knowledge and good deeds. Good deeds include both inner and outer deeds. Ask yourself, if you have made it your goal to reach a certain level in your knowledge? Knowledge is so vast, and for this reason he is asking Allah (swt).
و أطل عمري ألبلغ ما أحب من ذلك
And prolong my life so that I can reach what I love from that. ▪
o
▪
o
▪
▪
فتكثر ثمار غرسي فأشكر يوم حصائد
o
ثم ماذا؟ أليس املوت
So the more I increase in knowledge about Allah (swt), Quran, and Sunnah, the more fruits I will have. When you say these words with belief, which needs knowledge (بحان اهلل44 س، ه اال اهلل44 ال ال بر44 4 اهلل أك، مد هلل44 4 الح،) then they are plants in paradise. You will not harvest them without work and belief. And when you harvest, you will be appreciated because Allah Ash Shakoor will give you more than what you did.
فما الذي ينفع طول الحياة؟
So what’s the point of prolonging life? Subhan Allah. Imagine ibn Jawzi did not want to prolong his life for duniya, to see his grandchildren, see places, etc but for the akhira. And the shaitan wants to discourage you.
أليس في كل يوم يزيد علمي و معرفتي
It will increase the fruits in my garden, and I will be appreciated when it’s harvested.
فعارضني وسواس من ابليس فقال
o
You find that ibn Jawzi is talking to shaitan with logic because Iblis did not prostrate to Adam (as) because Iblis used logic, subhan Allah.
Don’t you know that as I am living every day, then my knowledge and understand is increasing
Then what? Don’t you know it ends with death. ▪
(فقلت له يا أبله لو فهمت ما تحت سؤالي علمت أنه ليس بعث
So I said: ‘You idiot, if you understood the purpose of my question, you would find it’s not vain’
Then the shaitan approached me and whispered: ▪
You might be learning, writing, etc – and the shaitan will come and discourage you, and say you will not benefit from your writing, or learning, - he just wants to put you down.
▪
أفيسرني أنني مت منذ عشرين سنة
Do you think I would have been happy if I died 20 years ago? ▪
ال و اهلل ألني ما كنت ألعرف اهلل تعالى عشر معرفتي به اليوم 13
No, I swear by Allah if I had been dead before, I would not have known a tenth of what I know about Allah (swt) today, subhan Allah. ▪
knowledge to you that you never thought you would learn, subhan Allah. May Allah (swt) prolong our life in goodness. Ameen.
و كل ذلك ثمرة الحياة التي اجتنيت أدلة الوحدانية o
You cannot take a break from knowledge because when you come back, you are not the same as you were before – you would have missed so much. Imagine you are in a queue at the supermarket and then you decide to leave and go to the coffee shop, and when you come back you won’t have your place again, you will go back to the end of the queue and start again.
o
Knowledge is not about how many books you read, but the state of your heart. Imagine your nafs is like a precious stone that needs to be cleaned and polished, you don’t want it to be dull and dusty, though it is very expensive.
o
Allah (swt) gave you something precious – your nafs is very precious, but you need to maintain it with knowledge.
And all of this knowledge about Allah (swt) is the fruits of this life and I have seen so many proofs and evidence about His Oneness. o
As you are living every day, you are seeing practical proofs of (ه اال اهلل44 4 4 4 4 4 )ال ال. You feel sad, no one appreciates you – you remember (ه اال اهلل44 4 4 4 4 4 )ال ال. So this logically shows that longer life is making him learn more about the Oneness of Allah (swt), and this is great.
▪
و ارتقيت من حضيض التقليد الى قمة البصيرة
With more knowledge, more good deeds, and more faith it elevated me from imitating others (following blindly) to the peak in insight. o
o
▪
If you didn’t know about Allah (swt), then you will eat, drink, dress, talk, etc just by imitating others. With knowledge about Allah (swt), then when I eat, I know for whom I am eating, when I dress, I know for whom I am dressing. Imagine when we didn’t know Allah (swt) – we were just imitating, and this shows no identity. But you will really be yourself when you are a servant of Allah (swt), subhan Allah.
▪
When I am elevated, then it will increase my harvest for the akhira. o
و اطلعت على علوم زاد بها قدري و تجوهرت بها نفسي
In these twenty years of acquiring knowledge about Allah (swt), He has shown me different types of knowledge that has increased my status and has made my nafs very precious, like a gem. o
Imagine when you started acquiring knowledge, what you first acquired is different from now, there is no boundary to knowledge. And Allah (swt) will open
ثم زاد غرسي آلخرتي و قوبت تجارتي
▪
If your nafs is strong and beautiful, then it will increase your output. You cannot make others happy unless you are happy yourself. If you are not good from the inside, then how can you do good from the outside? Subhan Allah. Knowing Allah (swt) will increase you in value.
و قل ربي زدني علما:فقد قال اهلل لسيد املرسلني
Don’t you know what Allah (swt) said to the Messenger (pbuh): ‘And say: My Rabb increase me in knowledge’
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o
▪
So ibn Jawzi brought evidence from the Quran.
لم ال44 ليه و س44 لى اهلل ع44 نبي ص44 ن ال44 رة ع44 ري44 ي ه44 ث اب44 دي44 ي ح44 )و ف زيد املؤمن عمره اال خيرا
And in a hadith of Abu Huraira (ra): The Prophet (pbuh) said that when a believer’s age is prolonged, it only increases him in goodness. May Allah (swt) prolong our life in goodness. Ameen. ▪
فياليت قدرت عمر نوح
I wish I have a life like Nuh’s (as). o
▪
He knows it’s not possible but just to despair the shaitan.
فإن العلم كثير و كلما حصل منه حاصل رفع و نفع
Because there is so much knowledge and the more I get, the more I benefit and become elevated. o
Imagine just one hour of knowledge can elevate you, subhan Allah.
Abu Salama RA reported: I used to see dreams (and was so much perturbed) that I began to quiver and have temperature, but did not cover myself with a mantle. I met Abu Qatada and made a mention of that to him. He said: I heard Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying: A good vision comes from Allah and a (bad) dream (hulm) from devil. So when one of you sees a bad dream (hulm) which he does not like, he should spit on his left side thrice and seek refuge with Allah from its evil; then it will not harm him. (Muslim - Book 29, Hadith 5613)
Narrated Rabi`a RA: `Umar bin Al-Khattab RA recited Surat-an-Nahl on a Friday on the pulpit and when he reached the verse of Sajda he got down from the pulpit and prostrated and the people also prostrated. The next Friday `Umar bin Al-Khattab recited the same Sura and when he reached the verse of Sajda he said, "O people! When we recite the verses of Sajda (during the sermon) whoever prostrates does the right thing, yet it is no sin for the one who does not prostrate." And `Umar did not prostrate (that day). Added Ibn `Umar "Allah has not made the prostration of recitation compulsory but if we wish we can do it." (Bukhari - Vol. 2, Book 19, Hadith 183)
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Importance of Knowing Allah SWT Part 1 بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم
Steadfastness on the religion ()الثبات: we want to be firm on the deen and to die
Introduction
upon ()ال اله اال اهلل. The one who dies upon ( )ال اله اال اهللwill enter paradise. Everything
It is important to have good intentions and
in this life can be compensated – houses,
purify our hearts. When coming to acquire
money, spouses, children, etc. But to die
knowledge, some people come just for in-
while missing paradise then nothing can be
formation. This is called ()معرفة, not ()علم.
compensated for that. May Allah (swt)
Beneficial knowledge is the knowledge you
make us enter paradise. Ameen.
will learn, understand, act upon it, and then
Some people die in their prostration,
convey it to others. We want knowledge
some die while reciting Quran, some die in
that goes into our hearts which changes
the umrah, what did they do to be honored
our behavior, thinking and our lives. The
with this end? Allah (swt) is the One Who
Prophet ( )ﷺsaid to ask Allah (swt) for
keeps the believers firm; it is the action of
beneficial knowledge. The most important
Allah (swt). Surah Ibrahim 27:
knowledge is the knowledge about Allah
)يُثَبِّتُ ٱهللَُّ ٱ َّلذِي َن ءَا َمن ُوا ْ بِٱ ۡل َقوۡلِ ٱلث َّابِتِ فِى ٱلۡحَ يَ ٰو ِة ٱل ُّدنۡيَا
(swt). The purpose behind our creation is
(َُشآء َ نيَ َويَفۡعَلُ ٱهللَُّ مَا ي ۚ ُضلُّ ٱهللَُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِ ِم ِ ٱأل َخِ َر ِ ۖة َوي ۡ َفِى
to know Him and when we know Him then
(Allâh will keep firm those who believe, with
we’ll worship Him. This is the most noble of
the word that stands firm in this world (i.e.
knowledge because it pertains the Most No-
they will keep on worshipping Allâh Alone
ble One – Allah (swt).
and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allâh will cause to go astray those who are
The importance of knowing the names
Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers,
of Allah (swt)
etc.), and Allâh does what He wills) 20
Allah (swt) keeps firm those who believe
and good utterances. Allah (swt) is accept-
in the duniya and akhira. He will make
ing his good deeds and accordingly He is
them to act upon this word, and when
giving him ‘fruits’, rewards.
asked ‘Who is your Rabb? What is your deen? Who is your prophet?, Allah (swt)
Conditions of ()ال اله اال اهلل:
will make him firm in the grave. Those who
Knowledge: we need to have knowl-
wrong themselves with kufr, shirk, rebel-
edge about Allah’s names and attrib-
lion, etc then they will be lead astray. The
utes.
will of Allah (swt) is based on His wisdom
Certainty: the knowledge becomes
and knowledge. Allah (swt) knows who de-
yaqeen, there are no doubts about Al-
serves to die on ( )ال اله اال اهللand who
lah (swt).
doesn’t deserve to die on it. May Allah
Acceptance: I accept all that Allah
(swt) give us the good end. Ameen.
(swt) has ordered me.
What are the means I need to take in order to remain firm? Surah Ibrahim 24-25: َشجَ َر ٍة۬ طَيِّبَ ٍة َ ضرَبَ ٱهللَُّ َمثَالً۬ َكلِمَ ۬ةً طَيِّبَ ۬ةً ك َ َ)أ َ َل ۡم تَ َر َكيۡف ِۭ( تُ ۡؤ ِتىٓ أُڪُ َلهَا كُلَّ حِ ني٢٤) ٱلسمَ آ ِء َّ ت َوفَ ۡر ُعهَا فِى ٌ۬ أ َۡص ُلهَا ثَا ِب َّاس َل َع َّل ُه ۡم يَتَذَڪَّرُو َن ِ ٱأل َ ۡمث َالَ لِلن ۡ ََُّضرِبُ ٱهلل ۡ ِب ِإذۡنِ َربِّ َهاۗ َوي ((٢٥ (See you not how Allâh sets forth a parable? - A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high). (24) Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allâh sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember. (25)) The goodly word is the word of tawheed ()ال اله اال اهلل, He is setting forth a parable of
Submission: I submit and obey Allah (swt). I will not say, ‘why do I have to do this?’, ‘what is the wisdom behind this?’ Truthfulness / sincerity / love: all the actions are being done with truthfulness, sincerity and love When anything happens, when faced with any fitna, nothing can shake the belief. When you fulfill the conditions of (ال اله اال )اهللthen Allah (swt) will keep you firm on the right path. To keep the word ( )ال اله اال اهللfirm in your heart: Learn about Allah (swt) from the Quran
the palm tree with the goodly word. The
and Sunnah: how can we be ignorant
roots of this tree are fixed firmly in the heart
about Allah (swt) when the greatest ayah is
of the believer. And because this word is
in the Quran – ayat al kursi (Surah Al
firmly fixed, he’s doing many good deeds
Baqarah 255) – it consists of 27 attributes 21
of Allah (swt), subhan Allah. Surah Al Ikhlas
tor other than Allâh who provides for you
consists of a third of the Quran. As you
from the sky (rain) and the earth? Lâ ilâha
learn more about Allah (swt), the more you
illa Huwa (none has the right to be wor-
will be attached to Him. If you live as one
shipped but He). How then are you turning
on the earth for the One in the heaven then
away (from Him)? (3))
you will die on tawheed. Imagine when
Allah (swt) is the One Who opens
you’re alone at night in bed, and you have
the mercy, mercy means every good
pain in your body, where does your heart
that is brought to me and every evil
go? If you believe in the One in the heaven
pushed away from me. To be saved
then you will turn to Him because He never
from an accident is a mercy, to be
slumbers or sleeps.
cured is a mercy. When Allah (swt)
Be a seer, don’t be blind: Allah (swt) men-
opens the mercy for a people, no one
tions derivates of ‘blindness’ 26 times in
can withhold it. And whatever He with-
the Quran, the blind person is the one who
holds, then no one can grant it to you
goes through situations and doesn’t know
after Him. For example, He withholds
how to interpret what’s happening to him.
health or knowledge. Not every time
The blind is not equal to the one who sees.
you open the Quran, you will get ba-
You do not put your trust in people instead
rakah or when you attend class you
of putting your trust in Allah (swt) – Allah
will increase in faith. Allah (swt) is the
(swt) nurtured you. Don’t rely on people, re-
One Who opens and withholds. Allah
sort to Him, He will make the people help
(swt) is Al Aziz Al Hakim, whatever He
you.
wills, it will happen and whatever He
Surah Fatir 2-3:
doesn’t will, it doesn’t happen. And
َّاسمِن رَّحۡ مَ ٍ۬ة ف ََالمُمۡ سِ َك َل َهاۖ َومَا يُمۡ سِ ۡك ف ََال ِ )مَّا يَفۡتَحِ ٱهللَُّ لِلن
when Allah (swt) gives or withholds, it
َّاس ُ ( يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلن٢) ُمرۡسِ لَ َل ُه ۥ ِم ۢن بَ ۡع ِد ِهۚۦ َو ُه َو ٱ ۡل َعزِيزُ ٱلۡحَ كِي ُم
is never random, it is with His wisdom.
خـٰلِ ٍق َغيۡ ُر ٱهللَِّ يَ ۡرزُ ُقكُم ِّم َن َ ٱذۡ ُكرُوا ْ ِنعۡمَ تَ ٱهللَِّ َع َليۡ ُك ۚمۡ هَلۡ ِم ۡن ((٣) ۡضَآلإِ َلـٰ َه إ َِّال ُه َ ۖو فَأَنَّىٰ تُ ۡؤفَكُو َن ِۚ َٱألَر ۡ لسمَ آ ِء و َّ (Whatever of mercy (i.e.of good), Allâh may grant to mankind, none can withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter. And He is the All¬Mighty, the All¬Wise. (2) O mankind! Remember the Grace of Allâh upon you! Is there any crea-
He knows when to give you, what to give you, how much to give you, and through whom to give you, subhan Allah. Therefore don’t blame anyone when you go through anything. We do not understand that Allah (swt) is Aziz. Allah (swt) is calling on mankind to remember the blessings upon them. Is there any Creator to give you provi22
sion except Himself? If He withholds
Three Companions didn’t participate in the
any provision from me, then no one
Battle of Tabuk while having no excuse.
can give it to me. If you truly lived
And their punishment was for no one to
these ayat then you will be happy, Al-
speak to them. They felt like the earth was
lah (swt) is Al Aziz Al Hakim – He
getting tight on them and their self tighten-
knows what to give and what not to
ing on them. Did they say let’s leave this
give me, alhamdulliah.
place? Did they say let’s take a vacation
Sometimes we wake up from our sleep
and get a change of air? Subhan Allah.
and our heart is constricted, I’m not happy.
They said (ِ( )أ َن َّال َملۡجَ أ َ ِم َن ٱهللَِّ إ َِّآلإِ َليۡهthere is no
Constriction of the heart is one of the ac-
fleeing from Allâh, and no refuge but with
tions of Allah (swt) – it has causes, commit-
Him) – where can you run away from Allah
ting sins, etc. If you don’t know the reason,
(swt). They repented to Allah (swt) and Al-
don’t accuse people, but ask forgiveness
lah (swt) accepted their repentance.
for your sins and ask Allah (swt) to open your heart. Surah Ta Ha 25: (ص ۡدرِى َ ٱش َر ۡح لِى ۡ ِّ)رَب ("O my Lord! Open for me my chest) Surah At Tawbah 118: ۡض ُ ٱألَر ۡ ضاقَتۡ َع َليۡہِ ُم َ خ ِّلفُوا ْ حَ تَّىٰٓ إِذَا ُ ) َو َعلَى ٱلث َّ َلـٰث َ ِة ٱ َّلذِي َن
Surah Yunus 107: (ِۖض ۬رٍّ ف ََالڪَاشِ فَ َل ُه ۥۤ إ َِّال ُه َو ُ س َك ٱهللَُّ ب ۡ س َ ۡ) َو إِن يَم (And if Allâh touches you with hurt, there is none who can remove it but He) When any harm touches you, no one can remove it except Allah (swt). Cry
َُِّس ُه ۡم َوظَن ُّ ٓوا ْ أ َن َّال َملۡجَ أ َ ِم َن ٱهلل ُ َضاقَتۡ َع َليۡ ِه ۡم أ َنف َ بِمَ ا رَحُ بَتۡ و
to Allah (swt), shed tears to Him, in-
(َُِّآلإِ َليۡ ِه ثُ َّم تَابَ َع َليۡ ِه ۡم لِيَت ُوبُ ٓواْ ۚ إِ َّن ٱهللََّ ُه َو ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِ يم
voke Him, flee to Him, return to Him.
(And (He did forgive also) the three [who
Whenever you go through any situa-
did not join the Tabûk expedition whose
tions, explain it correctly according to
case was deferred (by the Prophet SAW)]
His names and attributes. Allah (swt)
(for Allâh’s Decision) till for them the earth,
may close the gates of other people
vast as it is, was straitened and their own-
for you in order for you to run to Him,
selves were straitened to them, and they
but we don’t understand this fact, sub-
perceived that there is no fleeing from
han Allah.
Allâh, and no refuge but with Him. Then,
Or you switch on the radio and there’s
He forgave them (accepted their repen-
a specific ayah that you hear. It’s not
tance), that they might beg for His pardon
random, every decree of Allah (swt)
[repent (unto Him)] Verily, Allâh is the One
has purpose. Or you’re waiting at the
Who forgives and accepts repentance,
doctor’s office, and you hear two con-
Most Merciful)
versing though you don’t want to hear
23
their conversation, but Allah (swt)
َسولُ ٱهللَِّۗ وَٱهللَُّ يَ ۡع َل ُم ُ َشہَ ُد إِن ََّك َلر ۡ )إِذَا جَ آء ََك ٱملۡ ُنَـٰ ِفقُو َن قَالُوا ْ ن
makes you hear it.
(َني َل َكـٰ ِذبُون َ َشہَ ُد إِ َّن ٱملۡ ُنَـٰ ِف ِق ۡ َسو ُل ُه ۥ وَٱهللَُّ ي ُ ِن ََّك َلر
Or sometimes you are reminded about
(When the hypocrites come to you (O Mu-
your sin and you say to yourself I re-
hammad SAW), they say: "We bear wit-
pented and I hated it. So why am I be-
ness that you are indeed the Messenger of
ing reminded? So that you renew your
Allâh." Allâh knows that you are indeed His
repentance to Him and when you re-
Messenger and Allâh bears witness that
pent to Him then your sins are ex-
the hypocrites are liars indeed.)
changed to good deeds. Everything
What is the form of their lies? The Prophet
you’re going through there is good-
( )ﷺis a messenger of Allah (swt) – this is
ness, but you need to explain it correctly. Think and expect good from Allah (swt). Every time you learn about Him you expect good from Him. If you live your entire life thinking good about Allah (swt), then He will give you as you think of Him. If you think He will have mercy on you at the time of death then He will. Sheikh As Sa’ady said Allah (swt) keeps the believers firm when any doubt comes, whenever any doubt comes to them they repel these doubts with firm knowledge about Him. And He keeps them firm when any desire arises, He will strengthen their will to repel these desires and to prefer what Allah (swt) loves over what they love. And this is for the believers. They look as good Muslims from the out-
a fact. The hypocrites said their belief in the Prophet ( )ﷺis so strong that they witness it, but Allah (swt) said they’re liars because there are no feelings inside the heart. They are expressing feelings which are not established in the heart. They say they fear Allah (swt), though they don’t fear Him, they say they love Him, but they don’t love Him. People are worrying about their outer appearance, but what about the heart? How much love, fear, hope of Allah (swt) is there? How do you know? Look at the effect of these feelings while praying, while being dutiful to your parents, while giving charity, while promises are made and then broken – this is called empty adherence ()إلتزام أجوف. They feel the prayer, hijab,
side, there is hijab, prayer, fasting, but the
abaya, etc as a burden. They don’t see it
heart is empty, there is no magnification or
as an honor for them.
love of Allah (swt). And this is one of the
The core and soul of your worships is
symptoms of hypocrisy. Surah Al
your belief in the unseen. Everyone is do-
Munafiqoon 1:
ing good from the outside, but there are 24
people while doing good deeds, they’re
breel (as) informed me there was impurity
thinking of the akhira, what will make their
on my shoe so I removed it’. If you don’t re-
weight heavy with Allah (swt). There are
move the impurity, then it invalidates the
people doing but there are no feelings for
prayer.
the akhira, they are being done because
Or sometimes you don’t know the direc-
they are commands from Allah (swt). They
tion of the qibla and you’re praying incor-
don’t feel it’s an honor from Allah (swt) or is
rectly, so someone turns you to the correct
good for them, subhan Allah.
direction, if you don’t move then your
The tabieen asked Hasan Al Basri, who was one of the tabieen as well. ‘The ta-
prayer is invalidated. Recommendable: means if you do it then
bieen were doing more than the Compan-
you’ll be rewarded. If two men are praying,
ions but why were they Companions?’
then they pray next to each other, but if a
Hasan Al Basri said because the tabieen
third person comes, then the imam needs
had the duniya in their heart while the Com-
to move forward. This step he takes is rec-
panions had the akhira in their heart, sub-
ommendable. Or you’re praying in the sec-
han Allah.
ond row, and then you find a gap in the first
Many people are reciting the Quran, but
row, it’s recommendable to move and close
there is no effect on them. What will make
the gap. Or a sister moves you closer to
us to do good? When we know Allah (swt).
her to close the gap, you should move. Allowable: small or little movement for
Sunnah
need, or abundant movement for necessity. For example, your hands are itching, in this
Khushu’ is important in the prayer and it
case you need to scratch – this is allow-
means to pray with humbleness and con-
able, you are not rewarded or punished for
centration. While you’re praying, you need
it. For necessity, you can carry your child if
to take some actions:
they’re crying.
Obligatory: If a man sees impurities on
Disliked: small actions but there are no
his garments, then he should remove it.
need or necessity for it, like fixing the hijab,
The Prophet ( )ﷺwas praying and then he
abaya, etc. It means if you keep away from
removed his slippers so the Companions
it, then you’ll be rewarded and not pun-
removed their slippers. When they finished,
ished for it.
the Prophet ( )ﷺasked them, ‘why did you
Forbidden: actions done successively
remove your shoes?’ They said, ‘because
and abundantly without need or necessity.
you removed it’. He said, ‘no because Ji-
This will invalidate your prayer. 25
At Your door I sit all the time… At Your door ya Allah subhana wa t’Ala, I sit all the time I am a beggar without shame in front of you What the world thinks has become secondary Your pleasure is what comes first Life has become meaningful as I have started to know you I realize my hopes are long and there is dunya in me too But in remembering you I find solace All my worries vanish for real I know the solution of my problems is in your taqwa Tawaqul in you gives me the assurance of your help and victory My aim to be fair in my dealings with your creation My ideal to be generous in my dealings with your creation Your Generosity, I do not have words to thank for الحمد هلل Your love I witness in the way you have dealt with me The people you bring in my life, the situations you create, the family you have given me الحمد هلل 26
The destiny you decreed for me is beautiful My destiny is not about what I do not have but about what I have سبحان اهلل You have given me so much الحمد هلل That if I be in sujood all day, I cannot thank-you enough Love and care from loved ones Above all your love, your compassion, your forgiveness are the beautiful gifts I witness all day long On this blessed time, I ask you, ya Allah subhana wa t’Ala, to bless all my needy sisters and brothers and to relieve them of their difficulties and to grant them peace, ease and fulfillment of their needs and good wishes They are your servants, you can give and forgive as you are Al Wahab and you are also Al Ghafoor Ar Raheem الحمد هلل Wa salato wa salamo ala Rasulil Allah It was narrated that Abu Hurairah RA said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever relieves a Muslim of some worldly distress, Allah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal him (his faults) in this world and the Day of Resurrection. And whoever relives the burden from a destitute person, Allah will relieve him in this world and the next. Allah will help His slave so long as His slave helps his brother. Whoever follows a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make easy fro him a path to paradise. No people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and teaching it to one another, but the angels will surround them, tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will envelop them and Allah will mention them to those who are with Him. And whoever is hindered because of his bad deeds, his lineage will be of no avail to him.'" (Bukhari - Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 225)
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SURAH AL TAKATHUR-102
Quran Outline The purpose of this breakdown is to see the surahs of the Quran in an ‘outline’ format. This facilitates the way of seeing the flow of the ayat, understanding it, and helping to remember the words, in sha’a Allah. We ask Allah to open the means for us to understand and imprint the Quran in our hearts. Ameen. #102 Surah Al Takathur – The Piling Up (ورةyy y y y yس
count the dead among us'. They visited the graveyards and counted the dead, and concluded that the Banu Sahm were greater in number, for they were greater in number in the pre-Islamic period. (Source: Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi) Getting caught up in this life § You are distracted with piling up (for rivalry) (ُ)أ َ ۡل َهٮٰ ُك ُم ٱلتَّكَاثُر §
)التكاثر
Until you visit the graves (َ)حَ تَّىٰ زُ ۡرتُ ُم ٱملۡ َقَا ِبر o
Nay, soon you shall know! (َسوۡفَ تَ ۡعلَمُ ون َ َال َّ )ك
(٣) ن َ سوۡفَ تَ ۡعلَمُ و َ َال َّ ( ك٢) ( حَ تَّىٰ زُ ۡرتُ ُم ٱملۡ َقَا ِب َر١) أ َ ۡل َهٮٰ ُك ُم ٱلتَّكَاث ُ ُر
o
ن َّ ( َلتَ َر ُو٥) ِن ِع ۡل َم ٱ ۡليَ ِقني َ َال َلوۡ تَ ۡعلَمُ و َّ ( ك٤) ن َ سوۡفَ تَ ۡعلَمُ و َ َال َّ ث ُ َّم ك
ن َ )سوۡفَ تَ ۡعلَمُ و َ
ن ِ ع َ مٮِٕ ٍذ َ ُۡسـَٔ ُل َّن يَو ۡ ( ث ُ َّم َلت٧) َِني ٱ ۡليَ ِقني َ ۡ ( ث ُ َّم َلتَ َر ُونَّہَا ع٦) ٱلۡجَ حِ ي َم (٨) ِ لنَّعِ يم The mutual rivalry (for piling up of worldly things) diverts you, (1) Until you visit the graves (i.e. till you die). (2) Nay! You shall come to know! (3) Again, Nay! You shall come to know! (4) Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of piling up, you would not have been occupied yourselves in worldly things) (5) Verily, You shall see the blazing Fire (Hell)! (6) And again, you shall see it with certainty of sight! (7) Then, on that Day, you shall be asked about the delights (you indulged in, in this world)! (8)
Then nay! Soon you shall know! (َّالyكyَ ث ُ َّم
But what is the reality? § Nay, if you knew (َعلَمُ ون ۡ ََال َلوۡ ت َّ )ك o
With sure knowledge (ِ) ِع ۡل َم ٱ ۡليَ ِقني
§
You will see the blazing fire (َن ٱلۡجَ حِ يم َّ ) َلتَ َر ُو
§
Then you will see it ()ث ُ َّم َلتَ َر ُونَّہَا o
§
With sure vision (َِني ٱ ۡليَ ِقني َ ۡ )ع
Then you will be asked on that Day (َّنy ُلy َٔسـy ۡ yُتy َّم َلy y y y y ُ ث مٮِٕ ٍذ َ ۡ)يَو o
About the delights (ِ ن ٱلنَّعِ يم ِ ع َ )
This Surah was revealed about two clans of Quraash: Banu 'Abd Manaf and Banu Sahm. The two clans heaped abuses on each other and this led them to count the respective chiefs and leaders of each clan in order to see which one of them had more. The Banu 'Abd Manaf said: 'We have more leaders, chiefs and members!' The Banu Sahm said the same thing. When it appeared that the Banu 'Abd Manaf had more members, they said: 'Let us also 28
سورة يوسف Surah Yusuf # 37 Verse 37 قَالَ َال يَأْتِيكُمَ ا طَعَا ٌم تُ ْرزَقَا ِن ِه إ َِّال نَبَّأْتُكُمَ ا ِبتَأْوِيلِ ِه َقبْلَ أ َن يَأ ْ ِتيَكُمَ ا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمَ ا ِاآلخِ َر ِة ُه ْم ْ مِمَّ ا َعلَّمَ نِي َربِّي ۚ إِنِّي تَ َركْتُ ِم َّل َة َق ْوم ٍ َّال يُ ْؤ ِمن ُو َن بِاهللَِّ َوهُم ب َا ِفرُو َ ن He said, “You will not receive food that is provided to you except that I will inform you of its interpretation before it comes to you. That is from what my Lord has taught me. Indeed, I have left the religion of a people who do not believe in Allah , and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers. 12:37 Yusuf عليه السالمwanted the two boys who narrated their dreams to him to trust him more, so that when he told them about Allah سبحانه و تعالى, they would believe him. To this end, he told them about another talent he had been given by Allah سبحانه و تعالى. He gave them this informa<on, not to show off, but for their comfort and trust. This was exci<ng for the prisoners, stuck in the cell with no entertainment. Yusuf عليه السالمwas going to give them detailed informa<on about the menu before it reached them. This shows that when you are giving religious informa<on to someone, and they don't trust you, it is allowed to inform them of your qualifica<ons, not to show off, but to gain their trust. This needs تقوى, to imprison your heart not to feel any arrogance, doing it purely for the sake of Allah سبحانه و تعالى. The details of the food was an unseen maEer when Yusuf عليه السالمtold them about it; when it was given to them, they saw Yusuf عليه السالمwas right. This increased their trust in Yusuf عليه السالم. So when he would tell them about Allah سبحانه و تعالى, another unseen maEer, they would trust his informa<on. ذَٰلِكُمَ ا مِمَّ ا َعلَّمَ نِي َربِّي These (two talents) is from what my Lord has taught me
The two talents that Yusuf عليه السالمhad were interpreta<on of dreams, and forecas<ng the descrip<on of food before it was served. We are all born with nothing, then Allah سبحانه وتعالىbestows all of us with talents which suit us, and benefit society. Remember your origin, you were created with sand and drops of humiliated liquid. Do not be proud, aEribute all your talents to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Yusuf عليه السالمalso wanted to make it clear to them that he was not a magician or a soothsayer. He didn't want any doubts to enter the minds of these disbelievers, so he clarified the maEer from before. When you read the words of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, it is as if you can actually see all the incidents happening before your eyes. Yusuf عليه السالمis put behind bars even though he is innocent of any crime, because of the selfishness of everyone; the wife of the Aziz thought only of her desire, the Aziz thought only about his reputa<on, the people of the city thought only about the society. No one considered the innocence of Yusuf عليه السالم. This was the height of oppression. This oppression did not stop Yusuf عليه السالم from success. Some<mes success comes through many challenges and trials. An obstacles must not stop you, but make you all the more determined. If you are with Allah سبحانه وتعالى, nothing will stand in your way, whereas a smooth life without Allah سبحانه وتعالىis useless. A righteous person will be elevated through trials. Yusuf عليه السالمis now focused; though he preached Islam to only the two people in his cell, whoever reads it benefits by it. This shows that quan<ty is not what counts. If Allah سبحانه وتعالىguides one person through you, and that person goes on to guide countless more, you share the reward. Always ask Allah سبحانه وتعالىto make you the key to good. 29
Yusuf عليه السالمused the need of the two boys who related their dreams to him to tell them about Allah سبحانه وتعالى. They wanted to know the interpreta<on of their dreams, and Yusuf عليه السالمdecided not to tell them about it un<l he preached to them. The speech Yusuf عليه السالمmade was in their own language, told to us by Allah سبحانه وتعالىin His words. For these two young men to listen to the Divine message through the mouth of a messenger shows the mercy of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Yusuf عليه السالمstarts by telling them about ربوبية اهلل, the oneness of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, in simple terms, which they could grasp. He told them that whatever knowledge of the unseen he had was from Allah سبحانه وتعالى. When you have a talent given to you from Allah سبحانه وتعالى, you must talk about it, and aEribute it to Him. This is not to show off to people, but to thank Allah سبحانه وتعالى. There are two parts of the tes<mony of faith إال اهلل ّ ال إ ٰل َه there is no god but Allah, negation and assertion. Yusuf عليه السالمexplains the first part [ َ] ال إ ٰله
Yusuf عليه السالمleT his home when he was very young. In the house of the Aziz, he was taken care of by the wife of the Aziz, a corrupt woman, who could not have taught him anything good. But Allah سبحانه وتعالىprotected him from being influenced by any evil. Musa عليه السالمwas raised in the house of Firaun, and was not influenced by his beliefs. Some<mes, a very pious family gives rise to a very corrupt offspring, and some<mes a very pious child comes from an evil family. Guidance is in the hands of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. َّّال يُ ْؤ ِمن ُو َن بِاهلل who do not believe in Allah This is given in verb form, which denotes change; they might change religions from day to day, there is no constancy in their disbelief. كفرor disbelief can be of different types, such as atheism, worshipping idols, animal worship, ancestor worship, associa<ng with Allah سبحانه وتعالى, etc; all are the same. Yusuf عليه السالمdid not want to be a part of a group who did not believe in Allah سبحانه وتعالى. In Islam, we are encouraged to choose spouses and friends who are righteous. We must live our lives to please Allah سبحانه وتعالى. ِاآلخِ َر ِة ُه ْم كَا ِفرُون ْ َوهُم ب and they, in the Hereafter, are disbelievers
ٍ إِنِّي تَ َركْتُ ِم َّل َة َق ْوم Indeed, I have left the religion of a people Only Islam is acceptable to Allah سبحانه وتعالىas a religion. دِينor religion is similar to َديْن, which means debt, or lending. Islam consists of ac<ons and recompense. All the people in Egypt at that <me were disbelievers. Yusuf عليه السالمhad to make clear that he was not a part of their disbelief. The bond of Islam is the strongest one. Whatever country or culture you come from, if someone is a Muslim, he is like you. This is why there is a saying الدِّين يجمع و الكفر يتفرق
Deen gathers together and disbelief divides
The word [ ]كافرونis in noun form, which denotes ثباتor firmness, and استمرارor constancy. These people are firm and constant in their disbelief, it is aEached to them all the <me. This disbelief shows in their ac<ons. To disbelieve in the Day of Judgement is to disbelieve in the resurrec<on. Belief in the HereaTer gives meaning to life. All the above is Yusuf عليه السالمexplaining []ال إله, negating any other deity worthy of worship.
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ARABIC PRONOUNS
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WHAT IS NOT TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS What is Taught: The Italian Giovanni Morgagni is regarded as the father of pathology because he was the first to correctly describe the nature of disease. What Should be Taught: Islam's surgeons were the first pathologists. They fully realized the nature of disease and described a variety of diseases to detail. Ibn Zuhr correctly described the nature of pleurisy, tuberculosis and pericarditis. Az-Zahrawi accurately documented the pathology of hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and other congenital diseases. Ibn al-QuďŹ&#x20AC; and Ibn an-Nafs gave perfect descriptions of the diseases of circulation. Other Muslim surgeons gave the first accurate descriptions of certain malignancies, including cancer of the stomach, bowel and esophagus. These surgeons were the originators of pathology, not Giovanni Morgagni.
What is Taught: Paul Ehrlich (19th century) is the originator of drug chemotherapy, that is the use of specific drugs to kill microbes. What Should be Taught: Muslim physicians used a variety of specific substances to destroy microbes. They applied sulfur topically specifically to kill the scabies mite. Ar-Razi (10th century) used mercurial compounds as topical antiseptics. Â What is Taught: Purified alcohol, made through distillation, was first produced by Arnau de Villanova, a Spanish alchemist, in 1300 A.D. What Should be Taught: Numerous Muslim chemists produced medicinal-grade alcohol through distillation as early as the 10th century 35
and manufactured on a large scale the first distillation devices for use in chemistry. They used alcohol as a solvent and antiseptic. Â What is Taught: The first surgery performed under inhalation anesthesia was conducted by C.W. Long, an American, in 1845. What Should be Taught: Six hundred years prior to Long, Islamic Spain's Az-Zahrawi and Ibn Zuhr, among other Muslim surgeons, performed hundreds of surgeries under inhalation anesthesia with the use of narcotic-soaked sponges which were placed over the face.
What is Taught: During the 16th century Paracelsus invented the use of opium extracts for anesthesia. What Should be Taught: Muslim physicians introduced the anesthetic value of opium derivatives during the Middle Ages. Opium was originally used as an anesthetic agent by the Greeks. Paracelus was a student of Ibn Sina's works from which it is almost assured that he derived this idea.
What is Taught: Modern anesthesia was invented in the 19th century by Humphrey Davy and Horace Wells. What Should be Taught: Modern anesthesia was discovered, mastered and perfected by Muslim anesthetists 900 years before the advent of Davy and Wells. They utilized oral as well as inhalant anesthetics. Â
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YOU WILL SEE YOUR LORD 'Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah'. 'As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.' Qais Jarir [Allah have mercy on him ]said:- 'We were with the PROPHET ~ (Peace Be Upon Him) and he looked at the Full Moon and said... 'Certainly you will see your Lord as you see this moon and you will have no trouble in seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing (through sleep or business, etc.) a prayer before the sun-rise 'Fajr' and a prayer before sunset 'Asr' you must do so.' He then recited Allah's Statement... ِس َو َقبْلَ ا ْل ُغرُوب ِ ْالشم َّ ِ َسبِّحْ بِحَ مْ ِد َرب َِّك َقبْلَ طُلُوع َ َاص ِب ْر َع َلىٰ مَا يَقُولُو َن و ْ ف ...'And celebrate the praises Of your Lord before The rising of the Sun And before (its) Setting.' { Source:- Quran ~ Surah Al Qaf # ~50: A# 39 } Isma'il~[Allah have mercy on him] said... 'Offer those prayers and do not miss them'. {Source:- 'Bukhari' Book #1 ~Volume 10 ~ Hadith # 529.}
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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.
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