Assabiqoon # 35 by Masjid Bani Hashim

A monthly newsletter from Masjid Bani Hashim Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue#35 September 2016

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #35 Sept 2016  ‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬  ‫السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته‬ Introduction In search of perfection? Yes, sure! Be ready for a “bucket” full of disappointments. This life is not for perfection, accept that! Only Allah SWT is the Owner of the Most Beautiful Names and Perfect attributes. This is our salvation. Forget about perfectionism, this is a disease! Having said that, embrace excellence and goodness. That is ehsan and this is what Allah SWT wants from us. Ehsan requires acceptance that we are not perfect. Having said that, ehsan, our realization that we are seeing Allah SWT as we are performing our worship and in case our faith has not reached that level, at least we should realize that He SWT is watching us and hence we will perform our worship to our potential beith’ni Allah. This concept is meant to be transferred to all other spheres of our lives as in shaa Allah we want to make sure that in each and every task that we undertake is for the sake and pleasure of Allah SWT and hence it becomes a worship. So forget about perfection, forget about expectations, forget about limitations. Just remember and accept the fact that you are simply nothing without the support and love of Allah SWT. Only by having His SWT support and love you will be able to reach to your sustainable potential in this dunya towards your ultimate abode, which is paradise. Just think, sometimes, when someone in the family passes away, you are waiting to get some sort of inheritance (I know this may or may not be the case, but for the example’s purpose, I am just using a generalization); now you are actually working in this dunya and in shaa Allah trying your best so that you can inherit the Paradise that Allah SWT prepared for you. Did you get it? Yes, when someone else passes away, you may or may not get the inheritance in dunya but if you have lived and worked in this life with Eman and ehsan, doing good deeds for the sake of Allah SWT only, then Allah SWT will make you inherit the land of peace. This is in shaa Allah the treasure that we want to inherit before we leave this dunya; we want to hear the glad tidings of the Angels at the time of the death and before that we want Allah to make us live with paradise in our heart. This is only possible if we surrender to the Will of Allah SWT and live a life of obedience to Allah SWT Al Malikul Mulk, Dhul Jalale wal Ikram. May Allah SWT make us of the mutawekelin, the ones who trust in Allah SWT so much that they will enter paradise without any accountability or punishment. Ameen. Alhamdulil Allah Rabb al alameen. Wa salato wa salamo ala Rasulil Allah.

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #35 Sept 2016

This Issue Introduction: Page 1 The Real Superstars: Pages 3 - 5 Sincerity is the Way to Salvation #8: Pages 6 - 9 Cheer up: Pages 10 - 11 Our need to know about Allah (‫حاجتنا للعلم عن( )سبحانه و تعالى‬ ‫ – )اهلل‬Part 4: Pages 12 - 13 Surah Yusuf #53: Pages 14 - 18 Catching Thoughts (‫ )صيد الخاطر‬from a book by ibn Al Jawzi Thought (‫)الخاطرة‬: Excessive love is a sickness for those who are idle (‫)العشق داء الجامدين‬: Page 19 Afdhal Al Dhikr 1: Pages 20 - 27 Allah Created the Universe: Pages 28 - 29

NEW!

What After Ramadan: Pages 30 - 33 Masjid Bani Hashim: Pages 34 - 36

Ghumiysa' (RA) is popularly known as Umm Sulaym. Her (RA) son was the famous Sahabi , one of the great narrators of Hadith - Anas bin Malik (RA) and her second husband Abu Talha (RA), another famous companion. Umm Sulaym (RA) was first married to Malik ibn An-Nadr and Anas ibn Malik (RA) was born out of this marriage.

Muslim women have always played a critical role in the community; they have been and continue to contribute in every sphere of life. Early Muslim women have played an important role in not only teaching, nursing, but also in the fields of science, medicine, law, etc. During the time of the Prophet (SAWS) , the sahabiyat were in the forefront serving Allah and His Messenger (SAWS). They didn’t shy away from taking part in works that were typically considered to be for men. They had strong personalities, were courageous and known for their bravery in battles. One such sahabiya is Rumaysa/Ghumiysa' bint Milhan (RA). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said about her: “When I entered the Paradise, I heard someone’s footsteps - It was explained to me that she was Ghumiysa’ bint Milhan.”

Umm Sulaym (RA) was one of the first amongst the Ansars to accept Islam. She (RA) had changed her religion without the knowledge or consent of her (RA) husband. When Malik ibn Nadr came to know of her (RA) change in religion, he was very upset and angry. He tried his best to make her (RA) renounce Islam but she (RA) remained firm and steadfast, even though her (RA) husband would often get violent with her (RA) because of it. She (RA) gave da’wah to her (RA) son Anas (RA), which proved successful and Anas ibn Malik (RA) became a Muslim. Malik left Umm Sulaym (RA) and went to Syria where he died as a refugee, exiled not only from his homeland but also from Allah’s SWT Mercy . She (RA) spent all her energy in bringing up her son Anas (RA) and was keen on him learning and getting knowledge from the Prophet (SAWS). She (RA) requested the Prophet (SAWS) to pray for her son. Prophet (SAWS) made duaa’ for him that Allah SWT would increase Anas (RA) in knowledge and prosperity in this world and the next. Allah SWT answered the du’a of the Prophet (SAWS) and Anas (RA) lived to the age of 103 and had more than 100 children. He (RA) had a huge palace in Basrah, with beautiful gardens. Many of his sons became scholars. Umm Sulaym (RA) later married Abu Talhah, a leader of his tribe. Abu Talhah was interested in getting married to her (RA) because of her many 3

admirable qualities. Since he was a leader, rich and good looking, he was confident that Umm Sulaym (RA) wouldn’t reject his proposal. He was also an accomplished horseman, and a skillful archer and he belonged to the same clan as Umm Sulaym (RA), the Banu Najjar. When he approached her (RA) for marriage, however, far from being impressed by his status and position, Umm Sulaym (RA) bluntly rejected the proposal, her (RA) reason being that Abu Talhah was not a Muslim. She (RA) told him that it wasn’t possible for them to get married as she (RA) was a Muslim and he was a disbeliever. Abu Talhah thought she (RA) was trying to put him oﬀ and so continued to persuade her (RA) to accept the proposal. He said to her: “What is it that really prevents you from accepting me, Umm Sulaym? Is it the yellow and the white metals (gold and silver)?” She (RA) said, “I swear to you, Abu Talhah, and I swear to God and His Messenger that if you accept Islam, I shall be pleased to accept you as a husband, without any gold or silver. I shall consider your acceptance of Islam as my dowry.” Umm Sulaym (RA) then asked him, “Don’t you know Abu Talhah, that the god you worship besides Allah grew from the earth?” “That’s true,” he said. “Don’t you feel foolish while worshipping part of a tree while you use the rest of it for fuel to bake bread or warm yourself? (If you should give up these foolish beliefs and practices) and become a Muslim, Abu Talhah, I shall be pleased to accept you as a husband and I would not want from you any sadaqah apart from your acceptance of Islam.” “Who shall teach me Islam?” asked Abu Talhah. “I shall,” Umm Sulaym (RA) replied. “How?” he asked. “Utter the declaration of truth and testify that there is no god but Allah and that Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah. Then go to your house, destroy your idol and throw it away.” Abu

Talhah left and reflected deeply on what Umm Sulaym (RA) had said. He came back to her beaming with happiness. “I have taken your advice to heart. I declare that there is no god but Allah and I declare that Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah.” In another narration, the incident is reported as follows: He asked, “Who could help me with that (i.e., to become Muslim)?” She said, “The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) will help you.” So Abu Talhah (RA) went to look for the Prophet (SAWS), who was sitting with his Companions. When he (SAWS) saw him, he said, “Abu Talhah (RA) is coming to you with the light of Islam shining on his forehead.” This was one of the miracles of the Prophet (SAWS): He knew that Abu Talhah (RA) would become a Muslim even before he spoke. Abu Talhah (RA) told the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) about what Umm Sulaym (RA) had said, and he married her on that basis. Thabit bin Aslam Bannani, the famous scholar said that this was an excellent dowry and unique in the history of Islam. Umm Sulaym (RA) was the first Muslim woman to to have demanded the acceptance of Islam as Mahr (bridal money). This was because of the great love she (RA) had for Allah SWT and His religion. After her (RA) marriage, she dedicated her (RA) son, Anas ibn Malik (RA), to the Prophet (SAWS) to serve him (SAWS). Anas (RA) was only 10 years at that time. She said, "O Allah's Messenger! This is Anas, I brought him to serve you!" The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) accepted him into his household, and he remained with the 4

Abu Musa RA reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person who will receive the highest reward for Salat (prayer) is the one who comes to perform it in the mosque from the farthest distance. And he who waits for Salat to perform it with the Imam (in congregation) will have a greater reward than the one who observes it alone and then goes to sleep.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Prophet (SAWS) for the 10 years that he (SAWS) was in Madinah, after migration, until he died. He (RA) would never leave his company, serving him and learning from him (SAWS). He (RA) was, therefore, able to convey many of the ahadith regarding the Prophet’s (SAWS) situations, deeds and sayings. He (RA) was in fact, an authority and a treasure of this great knowledge. to be continued...

Anas RA reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said something, he would repeat his words thrice so that the meanings would be understood fully; and whenever he came upon a group of people, he would greet them, and he would repeat salutation thrice. (Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with

Abu Hurairah RA reported: I heard Mes-

him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallal-

senger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sal-

laahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Beware of

lam) saying: “By Allah, I seek Allah’s for-

suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of

giveness and repent to Him more than

false tales.”

seventy times a day.”

(Bukhari and Muslim)

(Bukhari)

Muslim

bases it

not

Jundub bin Abdullah RA reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who performs the Fajr (dawn) prayer comes under the Protection of Allah, so beware lest Allah questions you about what you owe Him. For if He questions anyone of you and he falls short of fulfilling the duty which he owes Him, He will requite and then throw upon his face into the Hell-fire”. (Muslim)

Abu Hurairah RA reported: The Prophet (sallallaah alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not ask me unnecessarily about the details of the things which I do not mention to you. Verily, the people before you were doomed because they were used to putting many questions to their Prophets and had differences about their Prophets. Refrain from what I forbid you and do what I command you to the best of your ability and capacity”. (Bukhari and Muslim)

Bismil Allah Alhamdulil Allah wa Salato wa Salamo ala Rasulil Allah My day, my hope I wake up and realise this is a new day, a new joy, a new gift I start my day counting the blessings from Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬ The sun’s rays energise me by His Will and Power The heat does not make me idle, I feel rejoiced Alhamdulil Allah I leave home knowing that He ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬is my Provider The joy is enormous because I have seen Him raising me from the depths of darkness into an abounding light I feel grateful, Alhamdulil Allah I am in the hands of Ar Rahman Ar Rahim I am in the hands of Al Haye Al Qayum I am in the hands of Al Aleem Al Hakim What else to say! Subhanal Allah 10

Mistakes I make, I know, life is a struggle we know that Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬has prepared us for that in His Qur’an al Hakim So why worry, if He ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬said so, then He ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬has also brought the solution in this Blessed Book I walk thereby with confidence in my Rabb and I am grateful for Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬ Disappointments are bound to happen as life is not paradise, my job is to jump over those and not forget my purpose, my destination Happiness will also be here and there but as this is not paradise will also come and go One thing for sure, Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬is Al Haye Al Qayum, so why worry He ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬has a plan for me and He ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬is my Disposer of affairs He is Al Khaliq, He is Al Aleem, He created me and He knows me He is Al Lateef Al Khabir, He knows my innermost secrets and what causes pain to me No doubt, I am not a saint, mistakes I make and to Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬I flee for protection In Allah’s ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬Mercy, I seek refuge from His ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬anger No doubt, like any other I do have my sicknesses and to Him ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬I ask for cure He ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬knows me inside out and He ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬is the One Who despite being able to knock me down, keeps picking me up and guiding me towards the Land of Peace beidhnil Allah. Ameen. Alahmdulil Allah Rabb Al Alameen Wa Salato wa Salamo ala Rasulil Allah

Abu Hurairah RA reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one, and both are good. Adhere to that which is beneficial for you. Keep asking Allah for help and do not refrain from it. If you are afflicted in any way, do not say: Ìf I had taken this or that step, it would have resulted into such and such,’ but say only: Àllah so determined and did as He willed.’ The word ìf’ opens the gates of satanic thoughts.” (Muslim) 11

OUR NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ALLAH (‫)سبحانه و تعالى‬ (‫ – )حاجتنا للعلم عن اهلل‬PART 4 •

Anytime you have feelings of fear, turn your heart to The King, The Most Great, The Rabb, The Most Generous (‫رب‬## # # #‫عظيم ال‬## # # #‫لك ال‬## # # #‫امل‬

•

You are saying to yourself, ‘this is The Master Whom all creatures turn to and depend on’. So you are rest assured that your Rabb is with you all the time, and is for you in all situations. And don’t let the shaitan whisper to you saying you’ve sinned and you’re in a diﬃcult situation now, so how can you turn to your Rabb while you’ve sinned! This is from the tricks of the shaitan.

•

Even the disbeliever seeks relief from Allah (‫ى‬## #‫عال‬## #‫ه و ت‬## #‫بحان‬## #‫ )س‬in times of desperation, and

‫م‬## # # # # # ‫ري‬## # ‫ك‬# # # # # # ‫ )ال‬Who is the Protector, The AllKnowing, The Most Near, The One Who Responds, The Dominator, The Concealer, The Ever-Living, All-Sustaining, Who doesn’t sleep or slumber. But whose heart will jump and turn to Allah (‫?)سبحانه و تعالى‬ •

•

The one who knows about his Rabb and knows that He is his stronghold. Anytime he faces any kind of constriction, even if it’s small fear, he turns to his Rabb. Notice when we’re reciting Surah Al Ikhlas – when we recite it ten times a house in paradise is built for us. How can a house in paradise be built for us just like that? Because if you were to take Surah Al Ikhlas and translate it into your life, you are actually saying to yourself: ‘rest assured, you have The One and The Only One (‫د‬## # # # # # ‫واح‬## # # # # # ‫ال‬

Allah (‫ى‬#‫عال‬#‫ه و ت‬#‫بحان‬#‫ )س‬gives him relief because (ٍ‫يْء‬# ‫ش‬ # #َ َّ‫ل‬##‫عَتْ ُك‬# ‫َس‬ # ِ ‫مَ تِي و‬##‫َح‬ #ْ ‫( ) َور‬and My mercy encompasses all things) – 7:156. Everything is encompassed by the mercy of Allah (‫ه و‬## # # ‫بحان‬## # # ‫س‬ ‫)تعالى‬, subhan Allah. •

‫ى‬## ‫عال‬## ‫ )ت‬it becomes a mean to push away evil, especially evils that make you fearful. Sometimes there is nothing wrong, but I’m afraid. And this fear especially comes from people scaring you. So whoever knows this life knows that he can only push away any type of evil by knowing Allah (‫)سبحانه و تعالى‬.

‫د‬## # # ‫)األح‬, He is The Unique, The Self-Suﬃcient Master (‫مد‬## # # ‫د ص‬## # # ‫)األح‬. What is the meaning of AsSamad? The Master Who is perfect in His greatness and honor, Who is perfect and complete in all of His attributes. He has perfect knowledge, perfect mercy, perfect dominance, perfect concealment, perfect ability, perfect in all attributes. He is the Master, The King, The Most Great, everything is in His Hands.

The point is when you know Allah (‫ه و‬## # # ‫بحان‬## # # ‫س‬

•

If you live in fear then you’re not living, but when you depend on Allah (‫ى‬## # ‫عال‬## # ‫ه و ت‬## # ‫بحان‬## # ‫)س‬, then there’s no doubt you’ll know that He is protecting you and guarding you from all evils, whether it’s inside you, such as sickness, or outside. One day you might fear for your wealth, other times it’s sickness, 12

so any day that comes with fear, we need to push it away by trusting in Allah (‫ه و‬## #‫بحان‬## #‫س‬ ‫)تعالى‬. •

“Do not envy one another; do not inflate prices by overbidding against one another; do not hate one another; do not

afraid is the shaitan. Allah (‫ى‬## # # ‫عال‬## # # ‫ه و ت‬## # # ‫بحان‬## # # ‫)س‬

harbour malice against one another; and

‫شا ِء‬ َ ْ‫فَح‬# # #‫ا ْل‬## # #‫م ِب‬## # #‫ ُر ُك‬# # #‫أ ْ ُم‬# # #َ‫فَ ْق َر َوي‬# # #‫( )ا ْل‬The shaitan promises you poverty and commands you to indecency) and on the other hand (ُ‫نْه‬# # # # # ‫ ْغ ِف َرةً ِّم‬# # # # # ‫م َّم‬## # # # #‫عِ ُد ُك‬## # # # #َ‫وَاهللُّ ي‬ ً‫ال‬#‫ض‬# # # #ْ # # # # # # َ‫( ) َوف‬And Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and favor).

•

Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said,

The one who is closest to you in making you

says in Surah Al Baqarah 268: (ُ‫م‬# #‫عِ ُد ُك‬## َ‫شيْطَا ُن ي‬# َّ # ‫ال‬

•

Abu Hurairah RA reported: Messenger of

do not enter into commercial transaction when others have entered into that (transaction); but be you, O slaves of Allah, as brothers. A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he neither oppresses him nor does he look down upon him, nor does he humiliate him. Piety is here, (and he pointed to his chest three times). It is enough evil for a Muslim to

When Allah (‫ى‬## ‫عال‬## ‫ه و ت‬## ‫بحان‬## ‫ )س‬forgives us, then

hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All

He will bestow blessings upon us, He will give us, He will expand our provision and put barakah in it. But look at how much the shaitan is scaring us!! Subhan Allah.

things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother-in-faith: his blood, his property and his honour”.

And look at how much Allah (‫ى‬## #‫عال‬## #‫ه و ت‬## #‫بحان‬## #‫)س‬

(Muslim)

is promising us just for the sake of assuring us, subhan Allah - (‫ا‬## #‫َج‬ # ً ‫ر‬# # ‫خ‬ #ْ ‫ ُه َم‬# # ‫جْ عَل َّل‬## # َ‫ت َّ ِق اهللََّ ي‬# # َ‫ن ي‬## # ‫َو َم‬

Aishah RA reported: Some bedouins

ُ‫ب‬## # # ‫َس‬ # ِ ‫ث َاليَحْ ت‬ ُ ْ‫ي‬# # # #‫ح‬ #َ ‫ ْن‬# # # #‫ ُه ِم‬# # # #‫ ْرزُ ْق‬# # # #َ‫( ) َوي‬And whoever has

came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and asked: “Do you

taqwa of Allah then He will make an exit for him and provide him from where he can’t imagine) – (ْ‫ ُكم‬#َّ‫ َدن‬#‫ ْم َأل َ ِزي‬#ُ‫ َك ْرت‬#‫ش‬ # #َ ‫ ِئ ْن‬#‫( ) َل‬If you are grate-

kiss your children?” He said, “Yes”. They

ful, then I will surely increase you). Alhamdulliah Rabb ‘Alameen (‫ني‬## # # # ‫عامل‬## # # # ‫مد هلل رب ال‬## # # # ‫)الح‬,

them.” The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa

may Allah (‫ى‬## # # ‫عال‬## # # ‫ه و ت‬## # # ‫بحان‬## # # ‫ )س‬always make us

lah has snatched kindness from your

turn to Him and not live in fear. Ameen.

then said: “By Allah, we do not kiss sallam) replied, “I cannot help you if Alhearts”. (Bukhari and Muslim) 13

‫سورة يوسف‬ Surah Yusuf # 53 ‫َب‬  ِّ ‫ِالسو ِء إ َِّال مَا رَحِ َم َربِّي ۚ إِ َّن ر‬ ُّ ‫ْس َألَمَّا َرةٌ ب‬ َ ‫َومَا أُبَ ِّرئ ُ نَفْسِ ي ۚ إِ َّن النَّف‬ ‫َغفُو ٌر رَّحِ ي ٌ م‬ And I do not acquit myself. Indeed, the soul is a persis tent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.” 12:53 In the previous verse, the wife of the Aziz tried to give herself some excuse for her behavior, implying that her confession was expia=on for her betrayal. Now her tone changes, she accepts her sin.  ‫َومَا أُبَ ِّرئ ُ نَفْسِ ي‬ And I do not acquit myself   I acquit : ‫أ ُبرّئ‬ Verb َ ‫ بَ َّرأ‬: : to proclaim innocence, purify, free, being cured of sickness She does not absolve herself from the seduc=on aAempt, and the inten=on to have a sinful rela=on with Yusuf ‫ عليه‬ ‫السالم‬. She is not innocent of ploCng to get her goal. The beginning of the sin was being close to Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬ every day. This unleashed a whole chain of sins and plots. This is why Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬tells us in the Qur'an not to approach a sin, or come close to it, because that is puCng yourself in danger of slipping and indulging in the sin.

In this life, there is peace and strife both; in Paradise, there is only peace. The example of the rela=on between the body and soul is like that between a blind man and a paralyzed one in a wheelchair. The blind man needs the paralyzed man's sight, and the disabled man needs the blind man's movement. The likeness of the blind man is the body, and the disabled man is the soul. The body follows the soul's orders blindly. In the worldly life, the needs of the body take precedence. In the grave, the body will be dead, and the soul will take precedence. In the hereaMer, the body and soul will be equally present. That is why the delight will be more intense, and punishment more severe. The body will perish, the soul lives for eternity. ‫َسأَلُون ََك عَنِ الرُّوح ِ ۖ ُق ِل الرُّو ُح ِم ْن أ َ ْم ِر َربِّي َومَا أ ُوتِيت ُم ِّم َن الْعِ ْلم ِ إ َّ ِال‬ ْ ‫َوي‬ ‫ِيال‬  ً ‫َقل‬ and they ask you (oh Muhammad), about the soul. Say the soul is of the aﬀair of my lord, and mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little. 17:85

‫ني‬  َ ِ ِ‫الشجَ َرةَ فَتَكُونَا ِم َن الظَّامل‬ َّ ‫و ََال تَ ْق َربَا ٰهَ ِذ ِه‬ and do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers. 2:35 The body and soul go together, they share the sin, you cannot blame one to the exclusion of the other. In the Hellﬁre, in addi=on to the physical and emo=onal torture, there will also be mental torture. Everyone will ﬁght with and blame each other. The soul and body will blame each other for their situa=on.

‫ِالسو ِ ء‬ ُّ ‫ْس َألَمَّا َرةٌ ب‬ َ ‫إِ َّن النَّف‬ Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil  commands : ‫مّارة‬ Verb : ‫ أ َم َر‬: to command   ‫ صيغة مبالغة‬is an exaggerated form of the noun, called ‫مّارة‬ The [‫ ]ل‬is for aﬃrma=on The [‫ ]ب‬shows aAachment, or ‫الصاق‬, that the wish for evil is always aAached to the soul 14

Human souls without guidance from Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬ have evil defects. The soul inclines to its desire. We need to aAach to Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬to overcome these defects. The plot of the shaitan is weak, he only presents you with an idea, but goes away when you remember Allah ‫ سبحانه‬ ‫وتعالى‬. But the soul is always with you, always commanding you to follow your desires, unless you control it with the help of Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬.

‫ وتعالى‬at that point, he goes away. All the other persis=ng thoughts are from your soul.

There are many enemies of the human being:

And is aﬀected easily

The soul :  ‫ميلها إلى الشهوات‬ Inclines to its desires   ‫و تأثرها‬

: ‫النفس‬   ‫و صعوبة قهرها‬

The soul  : ‫الشيطان‬

And is diﬃcult to suppress

The shaitan  : ‫الدنيا‬ The dunya  : ‫املنافقني‬ The hypocrites  : ‫الكافرين و املشركني‬ The disbelievers The foremost enemy is your own soul. The Prophet Mohammad ‫ صلى اهلل عليه و سلم‬spent 13 years for ‫تزكية النفوس‬, the purifica=on of the souls of his companions, who lived in the desert, with no distrac=ons as we face in this =me; he was there with them all the =me. Imagine the dunya we are living in now, with so many aArac=ons. The challenge in life is to defeat your foremost enemy yourself. This win is ‫الفوز العظيم‬, the greatest victory, resulting in Paradise. This fight is painful, because we all love ourselves. We need our ‫ رب‬to nurture us. The soul is easily influenced, and difficult to suppress. You have to strive against yourself, ‫مجاهدة النفس‬. The shaitan puts the first thought of the sin in your mind, beau=fying it and making it seem aArac=ve, 'throwing the ball in your court'. If you seek refuge with Allah ‫ سبحانه‬

‫هي مركب الشيطان‬ It is a ride for the shaitan The soul can be used either as a stairway leading upwards towards Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, or as steps going down to the hell-ﬁre. Direct the desires of your soul to good deeds. For instance, you have a desire to talk; say only good things and gain a reward. Desires are actually a blessing from Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬. Angels do not have desires, but they have intellect. Animals have desires, but no intellect. Humans have both intellect and desires, a mix of ‫ عقل‬and ‫ ;شهوات‬use these giMs to reach Allah.   ‫النفوس أمّارة بالسوء قبل تعرف اهلل‬ The soul commands to evil when it does not know Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬. When you learn about Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, you can suppress it, and bring it down. You will realize that you are a slave of Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, and don’t own yourself. If a person is cut oﬀ from Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, he will surely fall into his own desires blindly, allowing the shaitan to ride on him, leading him farther and farther from Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬. This is the condi=on of all the strange religious prac=ces we see in the world today.  ‫فَأ َ ْلهَمَ هَا فُجُ و َرهَا َوتَ ْقوَا َها‬ 15

And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness. 91:8 When the soul is reminded of Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, it takes the reminder. ‫ني‬  َ ‫َى تَنفَعُ املْ ُ ْؤ ِم ِن‬ ٰ ‫َوذَ ِّك ْر فَ ِإ َّن الذِّ ْكر‬ And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believ ers. 51:55 This is human psychology, and its important to learn it from the shariah. The knowledge you acquire is stored in your heart, and will surface when you need it, when you are undergoing a trial. At that =me, you cannot think clearly, so Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬will remind you gently. Reminders from Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬come in different forms, through different means. Abu Dharr ‫ رضي اهلل عنه‬said : ‫ أَالَ أ َ ُدل َُّك َعلَى َكن ْ ٍز ِم ْن ُكن ُو ِز‬: ‫َسولُ اهللَِّ صلى اهلل عليه وسلم‬ ُ ‫قَالَ لِي ر‬   ‫لْجَ نَّةِ؟‬

: ‫نفوس سبعية غضبية‬ Angry and violent souls. They belong to oppressive, jealous and dominant people. An example is Firaun. They are arrogant and proud, and want priority all the =me. They are driven by the shaitan. It is diﬃcult for them to do good. They can be guided, but with aﬄic=ons which serve to humble them.  : ‫نفوس حيوانية شهوانية‬ Bestial souls. They are driven by their desires.  : ‫نفوس سماوية علوية‬

The Messenger of Allah ‫ صلى اهلل عليه و سلم‬said to me : shall I not tell you of a treasure from the treasures of Jannah ? I said :  َِّ‫َسولَ اهلل‬ ُ ‫بَلَى يَا ر‬ yes oh Messenger of Allah ‫صلى اهلل عليه و سلم‬ He said :  َِّ‫الَ حَ وْلَ َوالَ ُق َّوةَ إِالَّ بِاهلل‬ say there is no power nor strength except with Allah  ٣٨٢٥ # ‫سنن ابن ماجة‬

Heavenly souls They are people with high stature, guided by the angels, by the help of Allah SWT. The angels : - Guide. - Advice. - Teach. - Help. - Keep them ﬁrm. - Throw truthfulness on their tongue. - Ask for their forgiveness if they slip. - Remind them of good deed if they forget. - Give console in anguish. These are the souls about whom Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬said:

The way to deal with the soul is : Do not rely on yourself, rely only on Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬ Do not blame others, blame yourself. Repent and return to Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬all the =me. Seek refuge with Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬from the evil of yourself. Ask Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬for help. There are diﬀerent kinds of souls, categorized by what they love :

‫ْساملْ ُطْمَ ِئن َّ ُ ة‬ ُ ‫يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّف‬ O reassured soul ‫ْضيَّ ً ة‬ ِ ‫َاضيَ ًة َّمر‬ ِ ‫ا ْرجِعِ ي إِ َلىٰ َربِّكِ ر‬ Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him],  ‫خلِي فِي ِعبَا ِدي‬ ُ ‫فَا ْد‬ And enter among My [righteous] servants 16

‫خلِي جَ ن َّ ِتي‬ ُ ‫وَا ْد‬ And enter My Paradise. 89:28-30 The way to repentance is to confess the sin. The wife of the Aziz had more challenge, to confess before the royal court. You do not know your own defects. Your greatest enemy is yourself. Your baAle is with your own soul. The way to Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬is with your heart. You have to defeat yourself before you can defeat others. The biggest barrier to this is your own self. The ‫ بالء‬or calamity in dunya comprises of two components :   ‫تزّين الشيطان‬ The shaitan beautiﬁes the sin. He sets the ‘ball’ rolling, by putting the ﬁrst idea of the sin in your mind. The sin

- Action. The soul is an amazing thing; if you purify it, it takes you to Paradise. If you leave it uncontrolled, it leads you to destruc=on. When you can't feel the ac=ons of your heart, such as hope in Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, fear and love of Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, then realize that your soul is a barrier between you and Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬. You then need to do ‫مجاهدة النفس‬, to ﬁght your soul. Ibn Al-Qayyim said : ‫ وال يوصل‬،‫النفس قاطعة بني القلوب وبني الوصول إلى الرب طريقًا‬   ‫ليه إال بعد إماتتها‬ The soul is a barrier between the hearts and the way to reach Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬, and you cannot reach Him ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬until you kill it.

seems glittering and attractive.

‫إ َِّال مَا رَحِ َم َربِّي‬   ‫الجهل النفس‬

You are ignorant of yourself, you don’t know your own weaknesses. The wife of the Aziz realized, aMer Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬nurtured her, that she could not blame anyone for her sin, that her own self was coaxing her to commit it. The shaitan and the soul work together. The shaitan will tell you to shout, back bite, lie; adorning it, jus=fying it for you. He analyzes your weaknesses and cracks, then chooses the perfect ball to hit the target. The soul receives the ball, and thinks about it. If you take the idea from the shaitan, you will not be able to control yourself, it becomes:  : ‫الشهوة‬ - A desire in your heart; you are restless, and long for it. If you don’t ﬁght your soul, this desire becomes:  : ‫عزم‬ - Determination. If you still don’t control yourself, it be comes:  : ‫فعل‬

Except those upon which my Lord has mercy. In order to purify the soul, you need the mercy of Allah ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬, and reforming from Him ‫سبحانه و تعالى‬. The purifica=on of the soul, or ‫ تزكية الن ّفس‬comprises two steps:  : ‫تطهير‬ Purification Cleanse and purify the soul, remove all the sicknesses.  : ‫زيادة‬ Increment Increase in good deeds. These two steps can also be called ‫ تخلية‬and ‫تحلية‬, purifica=on and beau=fica=on. Sheikh Ibn Taymiyyah said:  ‫نفسك إن لم تشغلها بالحق شغلتك بالباطل‬ If the soul is not occupied with the truth, it will occupy you with falsehood. Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬says:  ‫سوَّا َها‬ َ ‫ْس َومَا‬ ٍ ‫َونَف‬ And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it 17

‫فَأ َ ْلهَمَ هَا فُجُ و َرهَا َوتَ ْقوَا َها‬ And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness,  ‫َق ْد أَفْ َلحَ مَن زَكَّا َها‬ He has succeeded who purifies it,  ‫َسا َها‬ َّ ‫َو َق ْد خَابَ مَن د‬ And he has failed who instills it [with corruption]. 91:7-10 You are the crea=on of Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, and He has taken charge of nurturing you, with the aim of purifying you. The key is to recognize and accept the nurturing of Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬. The ‫ تربية‬is from Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬, but the ‫ تزكية‬must come from you. Recognize the faults and remove them. Nurturing or ‫ التربية‬comprises of four steps:  : ‫القدر‬ The decree Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬puts you through a certain situa=on, which makes your weakness or sickness in your heart apparent to you. For example, our sickness is jealousy, but you don't realize it. Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬will create a situa=on, in which you will feel the pain, and realize you are jealous. Analyze yourself. Don't blame others. This is your test. Two people can go through the same decree, with different reac=ons, because everyone has a test which is tailor made for him. You are the only one to be shown your own weakness.  : ‫الت َّيسير العلم‬ Ease of knowledge Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬makes it easy for you to acquire knowledge, so that you learn about the sicknesses of the heart, and how to cure them. For example, you come to a lecture, and its all about you, exposing what is in your heart. Everyone understands a lecture differently, in a way which will nurture them. Don't ignore the signs from Allah ‫سبحانه وتعالى‬.  : ‫تحبيه لإليمان‬ Good thoughts A flee=ng thought from Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬passes through your mind, gently, like moonlight. If you accept this, you will move forward.

: ‫الشر‬ ّ ‫التيسير للخير و بُعْد عن‬ Ease in good deeds and distance from evil. When Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬brings in front of you the way of any good, grab it. Even if you don't want to do it, He will make this way smooth for you. Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬will also remove anything which aﬀects your Deen. Yusuf ‫ عليه السالم‬needed the nurturing to be able to handle all the riches of Egypt, which were going to be given in his control. When you accept the nurturing of Allah ‫ سبحانه‬ ‫وتعالى‬, you will be guided. ‫إِ َّن َربِّي َغفُو ٌر رَّحِ ي ٌ م‬ Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful The wife of the Aziz is now reformed; she acknowledges her Lord, by saying [ ‫] ربّي‬. She realized that Allah SWT is full of mercy, to put her in this situa=on, to reform her. Every situa=on you are in is good for you. The names of [ ‫ ] غفورٌ رحيم‬are perfectly suited to the equa=on of ‫ تزكية‬ ‫النفس‬. You need Allah ‫ الغفور‬to forgive your sins. When you sin, then realize your mistake, you feel guilt. This feeling is nurturing for you. Allah ‫ سبحانه وتعالى‬makes you remember your sin, and that you didn't repent. You also need Allah ‫ الرحيم‬to guide you with mercy. If you repent for Allah, He will pour His mercy on you. This ayah also shows that the wife of the Aziz repented in the end. This is the end of the story of the wife of the Aziz. 18

CATCHING THOUGHTS (‫ )صيد الخاطر‬FROM A BOOK BY IBN AL JAWZI THOUGHT (‫)الخاطرة‬: EXCESSIVE LOVE IS A SICKNESS FOR THOSE WHO ARE IDLE (‫)العشق داء الجامدين‬  ‫العشق‬

It is an excessive type of love that it overcomes the person and takes over his mind, this is actually a sickness. In Islam, the concept of love is balanced. There is natural love – to love your parents, spouse, children, etc. But to hate or to love excessively is a sickness. Anyone who is excessively in love will just think about the other person that they will not be able to live their life – it becomes a waste. Worship is based on love – you need to love Allah (‫ى‬## # #‫عال‬## # #‫ه و ت‬## # #‫بحان‬## # #‫)س‬, you will not taste the sweetness of faith unless you love Allah (‫ى‬## # # ‫عال‬## # # ‫ه و ت‬## # # ‫بحان‬## # # ‫ )س‬and His

The nature of those with high determination, whose goal is Allah (‫ى‬##‫عال‬##‫ه و ت‬##‫بحان‬##‫ )س‬and firdous, then their nature is elevated and does not stop for a person. You do not stand at anyone’s door and be attached to anyone except Allah (‫ى‬## #‫عال‬## #‫ه و ت‬## #‫بحان‬## #‫)س‬. Excessive love is actually shirk because their world revolves around that person - you love them more than you love Allah (‫ى‬## # # # #‫عال‬## # # # #‫ه و ت‬## # # # #‫بحان‬## # # # #‫)س‬, you sacrifice more for them than for Allah (‫ى‬##‫عال‬##‫ه و ت‬##‫بحان‬##‫)س‬. It becomes an obsession that they don’t even want others to be around that person, subhan Allah. §

‫)و سبب الترقي التفكير في نقص هذا الشخص و‬  (‫يوبه‬

Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬the most. So imagine love can take you to paradise but excessive love can make you miserable. You can see the eﬀect on the person – mentally, physically, and in his heart. §

‫)نظرت فيما تكلم به الحكماء في العشق و اسبابه و‬  (‫دويته‬

I was looking at what the wise ones said about excessive love, its reasons and remedies. §

(‫)خطر لي معنى عجيب‬

Then something amazing crossed my mind. §

‫ال يتمكن العشق اال من قلب واقف جامد‬

And the reason behind their elevation (those of high goals – of the face of Allah (‫ى‬## # # # ‫عال‬## # # # ‫ه و ت‬## # # # ‫بحان‬## # # # ‫ )س‬and firdaous) is because they think about the faults of the person. So this is a safeguard for excessive, obsessive love – when you see the faults of the people, such as they will die one day, they fall sick, they can get impatient, etc, you will not be obsessed about them. Don’t go to hate either, you need to be balanced – that’s why Islam teaches us to be moderate. Don’t hate excessively and don’t love excessively either.  (‫)طلب ما هو أهم منه‬

Excessive love only conquers and establishes itself in hearts that are inactive and goalless. Meaning they are idle and they have no goals in life, they are not busy with anything.

And they are seeking what is important and what is more important than Allah (‫?)سبحانه و تعالى‬

‫أما اصحاب الهمم العالية املتيقظة ال تصاب بهذا املرض‬

Our feelings can take us forward or backwards – but when you are loving for Allah (‫ى‬## # # # ‫عال‬## # # # ‫ه و ت‬## # # # ‫بحان‬## # # # ‫)س‬,

As for people of high determination, those who have goals and want to achieve, then they are not aﬄicted with this sickness. Why? Because they have higher goals. §

‫طباع أصحاب الهمم تترقى فال تقف عند شخص‬

(‫)قلوب العارفني اصحاب الهمم تترقى‬

then this will elevate you. It will give you the motivation to move forward towards Allah (‫ى‬## # ‫عال‬## # ‫ه و ت‬## # ‫بحان‬## # ‫)س‬. Live your life for Allah (‫ى‬## # # # #‫عال‬## # # # #‫ه و ت‬## # # # #‫بحان‬## # # # #‫)س‬. May Allah (‫ )سبحانه و تعالى‬love you. Ameen. 19

These

are a result of not knowing these words

HAJJ – JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME (‫)رحلة العمر‬ Introduction: §

This is not a physical journey, but a journey of the heart, so with your heart imagine we are going on a journey of a lifetime.

Hajj is one of the pillars of Islam which is required to be done once in a lifetime. Since this is a worship that is done at least once in your life, it means it is a worship that will make you see the reality of everything and experience so many diﬀerent situations and go to diﬀerent places in a short period of time. You experience all that you get to experience in a lifetime.

Tawheed in Hajj (‫)التوحيد في الحج‬: §

It is teaching us that we will only travel and pack only for Allah SWT, just as we pray only for Allah SWT, and fast only for Allah SWT, and give money only for Allah SWT.

Like all worship, it is based on tawheed (‫)ال اله اال اهلل‬.

Why do we want to learn about hajj even if we are not going? o

To make us long and look forward to go to hajj.

To teach us unity: Islam teaches us unity, and when you hear that someone is going, you would feel the same way as if you are going. Even if you are at home, but your heart is with all of the symbols of Islam, and you are longing for it - then even for this intention and feeling Allah SWT will reward you for it.

Some people think they only want to go to hajj if they have sinned and are older, so they can repent then – but this is a misconception.

We want to feel the significance and importance of this pillar.

Surah Al Hajj 32: (ِ‫ن تَ ۡقوَى ٱ ۡل ُقلُوب‬## #‫هَا ِم‬# # َّ‫ ِإن‬# # َ‫ َعـٰٓٮِٕ َر ٱهللَِّ ف‬# # ‫ش‬ # # َ ‫ َعظِّ ۡم‬# # ُ‫ن ي‬## # ‫ك َو َم‬#َ # # ِ‫( )ذَٲل‬Thus it is and whosoever honours the Symbols of Allâh, then it is truly from the piety of the hearts) §

How can you feel the taqwa in your heart, when you magnify the symbols of Allah, and hajj is one of those symbols.

Virtues of Hajj (‫)ما فضل الحج؟‬: §

People think it is just a physical journey, but it is more of actions of the heart. During this time, where is your heart? This is a journey of a lifetime, and just as in this life, we are going from one decree to another (one station in hajj to another) and meeting diﬀerent people, it reminds us that we need to really focus while on this journey.

When we have interactions with people, it can cause conflict and delays, but with the hajj, it is teaching you that you have a goal and you want to finish it. Similarly in life, you need to overlook this and move forward because your goal is the pleasure of Allah SWT and paradise. 22

To be a slave of Allah: Surah Al Imran 97: (ِ‫جُّ ٱ ۡلبَيۡت‬#‫ح‬ ِ ‫َّاس‬ ِ ‫ن‬#‫لَى ٱل‬#‫ا َن ءَا ِمنً۬اۗ َوهللَِِّ َع‬#‫ك‬#َ ‫ َل ُه ۥ‬#‫خ‬ َ ‫ن َد‬#‫م‬#َ ‫ي َ ۖم َو‬#‫ه‬#ِ ‫قَا ُم إِبۡرَٲ‬#‫ت َّم‬ ٌ۬ ٰ‫يِّنَـ‬#َ‫ت ب‬ ُۢ #ٰ‫ي ِه ءَايَـ‬#‫ف‬#ِ ‫ني‬ َ ‫نِ ٱ ۡل َعـٰ َل ِم‬##‫ ِنىٌّ َع‬#‫ ِإ َّن ٱهللََّ َغ‬#َ‫فَ َر ف‬#‫ك‬#َ ‫ن‬##‫بِيالً۬ۚ َو َم‬#‫س‬ # َ ‫ع إِ َليۡ ِه‬ َ ‫ٱستَطَا‬ ۡ ِ‫ن‬##‫( ) َم‬In it are manifest signs (for example), the Maqâm (place) of Ibrâhim (Abraham); whosoever enters it, he attains security. And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka’bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allâh, those who can aﬀord the expenses (for one’s convey ance, provision and residence); and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allâh], then Allâh stands not in need of any of the ‘Alamîn (mankind and jinn and all that exists)

You have to do tawaf 7 times, you do it – sae’e 7 times, be at Mina at this time, etc. so all of this is teaching us that we have to be slaves of Allah and not question.

The moment you enter the ka’aba you are safe. Do not think people will steal, etc.

It is a command from Allah SWT to perform the journey to the House of Allah SWT. And whoever denies it, or postpones it, or does not see its importance, then verily Allah SWT is in no need of the universe.

Exactly above the Ka’aba, in the 7th heaven is the Bait Al Ma’amoor, which is where 70,000 angels go, and never enter again. Fortunately for us we can return to the Ka’aba. Expiation of sins like a newborn: Hadith: (“ ‫ ُه‬# # ‫ ُه أ ُ ُّم‬# # ْ‫ َدت‬# # ‫يَ ْوم ِ َو َل‬# # ‫ك‬#َ َ‫ع‬# # ‫َج‬ # َ ‫ْسقْ ر‬ ُ ‫ف‬# # َ‫ ْم ي‬# # ‫ث َو َل‬ ْ # # ُ‫ ْرف‬# # َ‫ َل ْم ي‬# # َ‫جَّ هللَِِّ ف‬# # ‫ح‬ # َ ‫ ْن‬# # ‫“ َم‬.) (The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.) – Al Bukhari.

The acceptable hajj has the reward of (‫ – )يرجع كيوم ولدته أمه‬return as a newborn.

During the hajj, you will come across many diﬀerent types of cultures and people, and you cannot judge others, you really need to guard your heart. The struggle is high but it is more than worth the reward of returning as a newborn, free of sin.

Paradise: Hadith: (‫جنة‬##‫واب اال ال‬##‫ه ث‬##‫يس ل‬##‫برور ل‬##‫حج امل‬##‫“( )ال‬The Messenger of Allah said: Hajj Al-Mabrur brings no less a reward than Paradise.’’ – An Nisaee

Preparation for the Journey of a Lifetime (‫)االستعداد لرحلة العمر‬ §

Repentance and settle any scores with those you have wronged (‫لها‬##‫م أله‬##‫ظال‬##‫ة و رد امل‬##‫توب‬##‫)ال‬: Before leaving for this journey, you want your balance of sins to be zero. You want to settle anything with those you wronged. And we need to be in this state all the time because the journey of hajj is actually a rehearsal to the journey of the Day Judgement, and we will all eventually go on this journey. You want to always repent because you do not know when the start of your real journey will begin (leaving this earth), and then you will not be able to return. You want to go with your heart clean and clear. On a 23

journey, you need to be light and free of burden, and it is the sins that weight you down. May Allah SWT forgive us all our sins. Ameen. §

Provisions and best provision is taqwa (‫تقوى‬## # #‫زاد ال‬## # #‫ير ال‬## # #‫ان خ‬## # #‫زودوا ف‬## # #‫ و ت‬- ‫زاد‬## # #‫)ال‬: Packing with your clothes, ihram, etc. that is only a physical, the best thing to carry and pack with you is your taqwa in the heart. Be patient and grateful with the people.

Transport (‫لة‬## ‫راح‬## ‫)ال‬: Before people used to go by camel, even by foot, they would travel for months. So we need to be thankful to Allah SWT to have made it easy for us. But we have to remember the ride that we will all ride, which is the ride of the janazah, when our bodies will be carried by our loved ones and placed beneath the earth.

Leaving the family behind (‫ل‬## ‫ة األه‬## ‫فارق‬## ‫ن و م‬## ‫رك األواط‬## ‫)ت‬: We have only one life and it is so precious, and so when we leave everything behind while on hajj, it represents that we will one day leave everything behind, and leave our house and family, and the only thing we will have will be our good deeds. And there is nothing that can make us leave except for Allah SWT. Life itself is a journey and we are traveling to our final destination as each second passes. This is the artificial life, it is not real, it will end. The next life is the real life and real enjoyment. So we need to feel that we are travelers and it is by Allah’s SWT permission that He SWT will take us when our time has come.

Ihram (‫رام‬## # # # # # ‫)اإلح‬: As we reach the point of meeqat, that is when the hajj begins. The men need to remove anything stitched, so they all wear white. So everyone is the same, at that time no one knows other’s status, cultural identity, etc. It is forbidden to cut the nails, hair, and use fragrance. A person is truly in a state of simplicity. Your behavior should also change, no arguing, shouting, screaming, etc, you need to behave well because you are a guest of Allah SWT. So it really teaches you submission and to be a humble slave of Allah SWT. At that time, a person will also remember that when he leaves, he will not take anything from the duniya except for his shroud. We don’t know that one day someone else will remove our clothes, and it will remind us that one day we will go to our graves, and it will be the same for everyone. This journey shows you the reality of this life, because this life can be deceiving and make you do things without thinking.

At your service (‫ك‬#‫ك ل‬#‫ري‬#‫لك ال ش‬#‫ك و امل‬#‫نعمة ل‬#‫مد و ال‬#‫ ان الح‬،‫بيك‬#‫ك ل‬#‫ك ل‬#‫ري‬#‫بيك ال ش‬#‫ ل‬،‫بيك‬#‫لهم ل‬#‫بيك ال‬#‫ ل‬- ‫تلبية‬#‫)ال‬: As soon as you enter the meeqat, this dua’a is recited to say that I am your service oh Allah, I will take commands only from you. And this reminds us that we should be in this state all the time, that we are slaves of Allah, which is so honorable. Allah SWT does not want you to be a slave of money, desires, status, or another human. Allah SWT wants you to be at His SWT service and this is the honor. And when you are a slave to anything besides Allah SWT then that is the humiliation. o

Allah SWT will reply back and say (‫ك‬#‫عدي‬#‫بيك و س‬#‫)ل‬, I will help you. Allah SWT will help us to worship Him SWT, and this means that we cannot do anything without Allah SWT.

The voice needs to be raised (by the men) because it is one of the symbols of hajj, and as you are saying it, the stones and trees will be saying it with you and they will bear witness on the Day of Judgement. Subhan Allah.

Mecca (‫)مكة‬: When you enter the Sacred House, you really need to behave.

Surah Al Baqarah 125: (َ‫ىٰٓ إِبۡرَٲ ِهـۧم‬# # #‫آ إِ َل‬## # َ‫ ۡدن‬# # #‫ُص ۬لًّىۖ َو َع ِه‬ َ ‫قَام ِ إِبۡرَٲ ِهـۧ َم م‬# # #‫ن َّم‬## # ‫م‬#ِ ْ ‫ذُوا‬# # #‫َّخ‬ ِ ‫َّاس َوأ َ ۡمنً ۬ا وَٱت‬ ِ ‫لن‬## # ‫ ۬ةً ِّل‬# # #َ‫ث َاب‬# # #‫َو إِذۡ جَ َع ۡلن َا ٱ ۡلبَيۡتَ َم‬ ‫سجُ و ِد‬# ُّ # # #‫عِ ٱل‬# # # َّ‫ ُّرڪ‬# # # ‫ني وَٱل‬ َ ‫ني وَٱ ۡل َعـٰ ِك ِف‬ َ ‫ ِف‬# # # ِٕ‫لطَّآٮ‬## # #ِ‫رَا بَيۡ ِتىَ ل‬# # # ‫ه‬#ِّ َ‫ِسمَ ـٰعِ يلَ أ َن ط‬ ۡ ‫( ) َو إ‬And (remember) when We made the House (the Ka’bah at Makkah) a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety. And take you (people) the Maqâm (place) of Ibrâhim (Abraham) [or the stone on which Ibrâhim (Abraham) A.S. stood while he was building the Ka’bah] as a place of prayer (for some of your prayers, e.g. two Rak’at after the Tawâf of the Ka’bah at Makkah), and We commanded Ibrâhim (Abraham) and Ismâ’il (Ishmael) that they should purify My House (the Ka’bah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (I’tikâf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer).)

Allah SWT made Mecca a place of security and wanting to always return to it. The more you go, the more your heart gets attached to it. People keep returning. It is like a magnet. This is the meaning of (‫)مثابة‬.

Allah SWT chose Mecca and Allah SWT chose the time when you can make the hajj, it is really submission. You need to remember that this House is so special because of the time of Ibrahim (as). From the time of Adam (as) the foundation was there, and then Allah SWT commanded Ibrahim and Ismail (as) to raise the foundation of the House of Allah SWT.

Then Allah SWT commanded Ibrahim (as) to call the people to make hajj to this house. Ibrahim (as) said that no one is there, it is a barren desert, how will my voice reach everyone.

Surah Al Hajj 27: (۬‫مِي ٍق‬# ‫ع‬#َ ٍّ‫ج‬# َ‫لِّ ف‬##‫ن ُك‬##‫ني ِم‬ َ # ‫ت‬#ِ ۡ ‫أ‬# َ‫ ۬ ٍر ي‬# ‫م‬#ِ ‫ا‬##‫ض‬ # # #َ ِّ‫ل‬##ُ‫ َلىٰ ڪ‬# ‫ع‬#َ ‫االً۬ َو‬##‫ِج‬ # َ ‫وك ر‬# َ #ُ‫أۡت‬# َ‫ٱلۡحَ جِّ ي‬##‫َّاس ِب‬ ِ ‫ن‬# ‫ى ٱل‬##‫( ) َوأَذِّن ِف‬And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj)) And to this day people are answering the call of Ibrahim (as), subhan Allah. So when you do something, Allah appreciates.

Tawaf (‫واف‬##‫)ط‬: You will stop saying (‫بيك‬##‫)ل‬. And this is showing as if you are going from one decree to another in this life. Though there are so many people, you need to feel as if you are the only one there. You will go round seven times, starting from the black stone. And this is representing as if you are like the angels, that you are going around the pleasure of Allah SWT. You are not honoring the house itself, but you are honoring the commands of Allah SWT. You are in a state of worship, do not be busy with looking at others, or mobile. You want to be like an angel, like an obedient slave of Allah SWT, turning around the pleasure of Allah SWT. You want your life to revolve around the pleasure of Allah SWT. Even when you go there, there will always be people, so ask Allah The All-Vast (‫ع‬## # ‫واس‬## # ‫ )ال‬to give you space. There are people who go at the same time, and those who think it is crowded, and those who think it is spacious. Subhan Allah.

Prayer behind Maqam Ibrahim (as) (‫يم‬## #‫راه‬## #‫قام اب‬## #‫لف م‬## #‫صالة خ‬## #‫)ال‬: It is not to worship this maqam, but to follow the way of the Prophet (‫)ﷺ‬. It is said that Ibrahim (as) was working so diligently, that his footprints were imprinted on the earth. It is the sunnah to pray two units behind Maqam Ibrahim and then drink zamzam water. 25

Sae’ee between Safa and Marwah (‫روة‬## # # ‫صفة و امل‬## # # ‫ني ال‬## # # ‫سعي ب‬## # # ‫)ال‬: There are two mountains called Safa and Marwah, and the sae’ee is the passage between these two mountains. There are verses that need to be recited. Surah Al Baqarah 158: (َِّۖ‫ ِر ٱهلل‬# # # # # ِٕ‫عَآٮ‬# # # # # ‫ش‬ # #َ ‫ن‬## # # # #‫صفَا وَٱملۡ َ ۡر َوةَ ِم‬# َّ # # # # #‫( )إِ َّن ٱل‬Verily! As-Safâ and Al-Marwah (two mountains in Makkah) are of the Symbols of Allâh). Sae’ee is to go from one mountain to the other for 7 times. This represents the time when Ibrahim (as) was commanded to leave his wife Hajjar and son Ismail (as). Though she did not have water, she was taking the means to find the water. And look how Allah SWT honored her by making it one of the symbols of Allah SWT. And this ‘coming and going’ represents what it means to be a slave of Allah SWT. Just as a servant for a king, who is coming and going, similarly, this is our life for Allah SWT, we are ‘coming and going’ to be at His service. It shows that we need to take the means. And her gift was to get the running water of zamzam.

8th of Dhil Hijjah – Day of Tarwiyah (‫ة‬## # #‫تروي‬## # #‫وم ال‬## # #‫)ي‬: This is the oﬃcial start of hajj, and you need to go into state of ihram again. People are preparing to go to Mina, and while you are waiting, this is to remind you that you will wait on the Day of Judgement. And just as people are going all in the same direction, similarly on the Day of Judgement, there is no escape.

Day of Arafah (‫ة‬#‫رف‬#‫وم ع‬#‫)ي‬: the hajj is all in preparation for this day. Hadith: (‫لى اهلل‬#‫ولَ اهللَِّ ص‬#‫َس‬ # #ُ ‫ش ُة إِ َّن ر‬# َ ‫ا ِئ‬#‫ع‬#َ ْ‫ت‬#‫ا َل‬#‫الَ َق‬#‫َق‬ ‫ َة‬#َ‫ َرف‬#‫ ْوم ِ َع‬#َ‫ ْن ي‬#‫ن َّا ِر ِم‬#‫ َن ال‬#‫بْدًا ِم‬#‫ي ِه َع‬##‫ ْعتِقَ اهللَُّ ِف‬#ُ‫ ْن أ َ ْن ي‬#‫ث َ َر ِم‬#‫ ْوم ٍ أ َ ْك‬#َ‫ ْن ي‬#‫ا ِم‬##‫الَ “ َم‬##‫لم َق‬#‫ليه وس‬#‫( )ع‬There is no day when God sets free more servants from Hell than the Day of ‘Arafa.) o

On that day, Allah SWT will forgive their sins and they will be like newborns. The shaitan is the most miserable on this day, because he lost all of the years he made you sin, and in one day it is wiped out. Subhan Allah.

Everyone is waiting for this day. From the sunrise to the sunset, Allah SWT will descend to the lowest heaven in a manner that suits His SWT majesty. And He SWT will boast to the angels about them, and say look at my servants who came from all over, and look at them with dusty hair and barefooted, and I bear witness that I forgive all their sins. Imagine the happiness. It is a feeling that cannot be explained, you feel the closeness of Allah SWT.

At that moment, your dua’a and reciting will be diﬀerent, you will be diﬀerent, and the moment the sun sets, the people’s faces will be bright. And the first sin that is committed is people thinking that their sins were not forgiven.

On this day, you are declaring your testimony of faith. You are renewing your oath with Allah SWT. This is reminding you of the accounts on the Day of Judgement, and Allah SWT is forgiving you. This reminds you that Allah SWT is close to you by His SWT support, companionship, love, but you need to remember Him SWT.

And Allah SWT will appreciate it from you. Never think that Allah SWT will forsake you if you come to Him SWT. The hajj is telling you how you will be closer to your Creator SWT.

Allah SWT wants your heart, and it is a lifetime journey that is in preparation for the final journey.

If you come to Allah SWT walking, Allah SWT will come to you running. But you have to take the first step. 26

On this day, you should make the dua’a (‫ميت و‬##‫حيي و ي‬##‫مد ي‬##‫ه الح‬##‫ك و ل‬##‫ه امل‬##‫ ل‬،‫ه‬##‫ك ل‬##‫ري‬##‫ده ال ش‬##‫ه اال اهلل وح‬##‫ال ال‬ ‫ر‬## # # ‫دي‬## # # ‫ ق‬²‫ل ش‬## # # ‫لى ك‬## # # ‫و ع‬## # # ‫( )ه‬There is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, to Him is the Kingdom, and to Him are all praise, He causes life and He causes death, and He is able to do all things)

Muzdalifah (‫فة‬## # ‫مزدل‬## # ‫بيت ب‬## # ‫)امل‬: The worship here is just to sleep outside and make you look at the universe around you, and to sleep on the ground below you. And it will remind you that just as you came from the earth, you will return to the earth. And even if you sleep for an hour, it is the best sleep because you are a ‘newborn’.

Actions on the Day of Sacrifice (‫ر‬## ‫وم النح‬## ‫مال ي‬## ‫)أع‬: This is the first day of Eid, and you take 7 stones, the size of chickpeas and you throw them against 3 pillars that represent the shaitan. That is when you declare enmity against the shaitan. You are now a newborn, and you do not want to fall into his trap again. You are telling him to keep away, do not come close to me, do not take me as your friend. Sometimes you will come across people who will throw the stones with heart, and it could hit people, but you cannot do something. Sometimes you will come across people who do not know, but you should not look down upon them.

Every stone you throw, then it is a light on the Day of Judgement.

You are sacrificing an animal on this day, though you are telling Allah that you deserve more, and I am ready to sacrifice everything for you.

Farwell pilgrimage: you make tawaf around the ka’aba again as a sign of renewing your oath again.

We ask Allah SWT to grant us the acceptable hajj in our lifetime and to grant us paradise in our hereafter. Ameen.

Aishah RA reported: When the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) visited any ailing member of his family, he would touch the sick person with his right hand and would supplicate: “Allahumma Rabban-nasi, adhhibil-ba’sa, washfi, Antash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uka, shifaan la yughadiru saqaman (O Allah! the Rubb of mankind! Remove this disease and cure (him or her)! You are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through You, which leaves behind no disease).” (Bukhari and Muslim)

ALLAH CREATED THE UNIVERSE BLACK HOLES At present, scientists believe that black holes of enormous mass exist in the center of many galaxies. Their massive gravitational force swallows its own radiation and everything else that comes within its vicinity, an action that only further increases their size and gravitational force. They can pull in stars many times their own size, planets, smaller black holes, and even whole galaxies. As our planet travels rapidly in the endless void of space, one day it might enter the gravitational zone of a black hole. Black holes are a most dense phenomenon that pulls in everything. Their gravitational force is so strong that nothing in its path can escape it. Just like a vacuum cleaner, black holes suck in everything in their gravitational spectrum: planets, satellites, asteroids, and even stars. Once they enter this field of gravity, they cannot escape. Why do black holes suck in everything?Â As we know, every object exerts a certain gravitational force. For example, if we throw a stone into the sky, it will go up until it exhausts its velocity and then falls to the ground by the force of gravity.. For an object to escape Earth's gravity, it needs to exceed a certain speed in one direction (velocity). If a rocket is to break free of Earth's gravity, it must reach a velocity that can overcome gravity: 11.2 kms (7 miles) per second. To escape a black hole, the object must travel faster than the speed of light. However, since nothing can exceed the speed of light, nothing can escape a black hole's gravity, not even bundles of light traveling at a speed of 300,000 kms (190,000 miles) per second. Since not even light can escape, black holes are always dark. There is no reason why our planet, traveling at high speeds through space, should not enter a black hole's gravitational field. In fact, scientists in America have disclosed the existence of two active black holes in the center of our galaxy, each of which can swallow up millions of stars larger than our Sun. The American Astronomers Association recently published a scientific report in which it says that one of the black holes is right in the center of our galaxy, just 26,000 light years away from Earth (one light year is almost 9.5 trillion kilometers, or nearly six trillion miles). It is called "Sagittarius A" or "A-Star,"31 and is as large as our solar system but has a mass millions of times higher. Based upon calculations, its mass is 2.6 billions times that of the Sun and it sucks in stars at a speed of 965 kms (600 miles) per second. This is no doubt a serious discovery and poses a great danger to our planet.

The other black hole, " Old Faithful ," is spherical in shape, is much larger, and is 40,000 light years away. It resembles an insatiable monster that swallows up all stars within its reach. The fact that A-Star swallows up the stars in its environment at a speed of 965 kms (600 miles) per second shows that its gravitational force increases with every star it swallows. Therefore, at the end of this process, the escalating speed with which it draws objects to itself will reach an incredible magnitude. As black holes swallow up light, they cannot be seen or perceived even by the most highly developed telescopes and other technology. Therefore, scientists must determine their existence through research and measurement. By using such tools, scientists have already proven the existence of several black holes. However, there is a strong probability that many more have not yet been discovered yet, as the current level of research is insufficient. Many scientists believe that our Sun has a twin, which likely became a black hole. The reasoning behind this assumption is that all other stars in our solar system exist in groups of twos, threes, and fives, except for our Sun. The supporting evidence is considerable and is being analyzed. Considering that the Sun is only 150 million kms (93 million miles) away from Earth, the potential danger is undeniable. In short, there is no reason why Earth should not fall into a black hole's gravitational field at any given moment. Many scientists believe that a black hole will annihilate Earth by swallowing it. Even if Earth avoids this end, there is a great danger of a black hole's passing by our solar system. And, what would happen if a black hole quietly approached our solar system? Such an event could alter the orbits of many planets, which of course would affect Earth's balance. Hundreds and even thousands of asteroids could be affected by such a gravitational force. Many would be sucked in by the black hole, and hundreds or thousands of them would fall on Earth.

Abu Hurairah RA reported: Messenger

Abu Hurairah RA reported: The Prophet (sallal-

of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)

laahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When Allah loves

said, “It is not lawful for a woman to

a slave, calls out Jibril and says: `I love so-

observe (voluntary) fasting without the

and-so; so love him’. Then Jibril loves him. Af-

permission of her husband when he is

ter that he (Jibril) announces to the inhabitants

at home; and she should not allow any-

of heavens that Allah loves so-and-so; so love

one to enter his house without his per-

him; and the inhabitants of the heavens (the an-

mission.”.

gels) also love him and then make people on

(Bukhari and Muslim)

earth love him”. (Bukhari and Muslim)

WHAT AFTER RAMADAN? ADAPTED FROM “WA MAADHA BA`DA RAMADAAN”, BY DAR AL-WATAN (120) AlHamdulillahi wa kafaa, was-Salatu was-

quire one’s provision for the rest of the

salamu `alaa `ibaadihi-lladheena Stafaa

year…

We leave the blessed month of Ramadan,

For when will one take a lesson and

its beautiful days and its fragrant nights.

change for better if not in the month of Ra-

We leave the month of the Qur’an, taqwa,

madan?

patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire…

The noble month is a true school of trans-

Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa

habits and manners that are in variance

and graduated from the Ramadan school

with the Law of Allah ‘azza wa jall.

with the diploma of the god-fearing?

formation in which we change our actions,

‫خ ۡل ِفهِۦ يَحۡ فَظُونَ ُه ۥ ِم ۡن أ َ ۡم ِ ر‬ َ ‫َني يَ َديۡ ِه َو ِم ۡن‬ ِ ۡ ‫ت ِّم ۢن ب‬ ٌ۬ ٰ‫َل ُه ۥ ُم َع ِّقبَـ‬

Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?

َ‫ٱهللَِّ‌ۗ إِ َّن ٱهللََّ َال يُ َغيِّ ُر مَا ِب َق ۡوم ٍ حَ تَّىٰ يُ َغيِّرُوا ْ مَا ِبأ َنفُسِ ہِ ۡ‌ۗم َو إِذ‬ ‫َال‬  ٍ ‫س ٓوءً۬ا ف ََال َم َر َّد َل ُه ۥ‌ۚ َومَا َلهُم مِّن دُو ِنهِۦ مِن و‬ ُ ‫أَرَا َد ٱهللَُّ ِب َق ۡو ٍ۬م‬

Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire? Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.

“Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in them selves.” [Ar-Ra`d, 11] If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of

What Have We Gained From Ramadan?

taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it

Ramadan is a school of Iman and a ‘stop

soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask

with truthfulness, and strove against you

to recharge one’s spiritual batteries’ – to ac- Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death. 30

Be not like one who has sown a shirt and

ment beyond that which ordinarily appears

then destroyed it… Have you seen one

thereof, free mixing etc.

who sewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?! Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?! This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan! My dear ones, falling short in one’s commit-

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favors, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one’s actions, rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness. These are from signs of one’s deeds not being accepted – and Allah’s SWT refuge is sought – for one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of `eid, praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting, just as the Salaf would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six months after it. From signs that one’s deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah `azza wa jall.  ‫شڪَ ۡرتُ ۡم َألَزِي َدنَّ ُك ۡ‌ۖم َو َلٮِٕن ڪَفَ ۡرتُ ۡم إِن‬ َ ‫َو إِذۡ تَأَذَّ َن َربُّ ُك ۡم َلٮِٕن‬

ment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested

(٧) ٌ‫َشدِي ۬د‬ َ ‫َعذَابِى ل‬

in many ways, including: 1 – Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.

“And remember when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]…” [Ibrahim, 7] Increase you in good, faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to

2 – Return to musical entertainment, forbid-

his Lord, you will see him guided to more

den films, women displaying their adorn-

obedience and distanced from sinfulness. 31

Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said.

“So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness.” [Fussilat, 6]

(٩٩) ‫ني‬ ُ ‫وَٱ ۡعبُ ۡد َرب ََّك حَ تَّىٰ يَأ ۡ ِتي ََك ٱ ۡليَ ِق‬ “And worship your Lord until there comes you to the certainty [i.e. death].” [al-Hijr, 99] The Muslim must continuously be in the

And the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, “Say ‘I believe in Allah’, then be steadfast.” [Muslim]

state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His

— If the fasting in Ramadan has ended,

Sharee`ah, steadfast upon His Deen, so

then there remains voluntary fasting, such

that he or she is not of those who worship

as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mon-

Allah only during one month or only in one

days and Thursdays, the three days in the

place. Rather, the believer knows that the

middle of the month, the days of `Aashoora

Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other

and `Arafat, and others.

months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Sharee`ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Allah ta`ala said,

— If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year.   ‫كَانُوا ْ َقلِيالً۬ ِّم َن ٱل َّليۡ ِل مَا يَہۡجَ عُو َن‬

‫َٱست َ ِق ۡم كَمَ آ أ ُ ِمرۡتَ َومَن تَابَ َمع ََك و ََال تَطۡ َغ ۡوا ْ‌ۚ إِنَّ ُه ۥ ِب َ م‬ ۡ ‫ف‬ ٌ‫َصي ۬ ر‬ ِ ‫تَعۡمَ لُو َن ب‬ “So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah].” [Hud, 112]

“They used to sleep but little of the night.” [Adh-Dhaariyaat, 17] — If the charity in Ramadan and zakat ulfitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity, voluntary actions and ji-

And,

had.

ٌ‫َش ۬رٌ ِّمث ۡ ُل ُك ۡم يُوحَ ىٰٓ إِ َلىَّ أَنَّمَ آ إِ َلـٰ ُه ُك ۡم إِ َلـٰ ۬هٌ وَٲحِ ۬ د‬ َ ‫قُلۡ إِنَّمَ آ أَنَا ۟ ب‬   ‫ني‬ َ ‫ش ِر ِك‬ ۡ ُ‫َٱست َ ۡغ ِفرُوهُ‌ۗ َو َويۡ ٌ۬ل ِّللۡم‬ ۡ ‫َٱستَقِيمُ ٓوا ْ إِ َليۡ ِه و‬ ۡ ‫ف‬

— Reading of the Qur’an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times. 32

Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so strive – O my brother and sister – and beware of laziness. And remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.

Hudhaifah and Abu Dharr RA reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) went to bed, he would supplicate: “BismikaAllahumma amut wa ahya (With Your Name, O Allah, I die and return to life)”; and when he woke up, he would

And do not fall into forbidden actions, such

supplicate thus: “Al-hamdu lillahilladhi

as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or

ahyana ba`da ma amatana, wa ilaihin-

by looking at or listening to what is forbid-

nushur (All praise belongs to Allah Who

den. Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah SWT at all times, for you do not know when you’ll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a

has restored us back to life after causing us to die; and to Him shall we return).” (Bukhari)

state of sin. “O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen.” I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and other righteous ac-

Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari RA reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam): “Who is the most excellent among the Muslims?” He

tions, that our condition after Ramadan be

said, “One from whose tongue and

a better one, that the state of our Ummah

hands the other Muslims are secure.”

improves, that we are granted honor and that we truly turn to our Lord…Ameen

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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.