A monthly newsletter from Masjid Bani Hashim Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue#38 December 2016
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #38 Dec 2016 بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته Introduction ن ِ ْس إ َِّال لِيَ ْعبُدُو َ َاإلن ِ ْ خ َلقْتُ الْجِ َّن و َ َومَا And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). Surah Adh-Dhariyat (Surah no. 51, ayah 56) In shaa Allah, slowly we are entering a beautiful season in this part of the world. It is winter, but Alhamdulil Allah, by the mercy of Allah SWT, it is usually not very cold and it is a season that is welcome and refreshing. On the other hand, in some other parts of the world, it has already gone very cold and the winter is severe, i.e. you need extra layers of clothes and the days are shorter and sometimes there are a few hours of sunlight during the day. This is the creation of Allah SWT, are we blessed and are those in the “severe” winter places “doomed”? Surely not, the keys of the unseen are with Allah SWT. Only He SWT knows who is blessed. For us rests the job of doing the best of what He SWT has given us. If you are pleased, do shukr and tie that blessing with the shukr and if you are not very happy, then make sabr jameel, beautiful patience and rest assured your sabr will bring unmeasurable rewards as promised by Allah SWT in the Qur’an. In addition, ask Allah SWT to alleviate your condition and open the doors to take you out of your difficulties. Life is a journey through plains and hills, otherwise it would be boring. It is important for us not to forget the purpose of our journey as this will make it easy for us to walk through the “severe” winters or “burning” summers in our lives knowing that no pain lasts forever and that you have a Rabb Who is taking care of you and the more obedient you will be to Him SWT, the closer you will be in achieving the objective of your life, which is to worship Him SWT. الحمدهلل رب العاملني والصالة والسالم على رسول اهلل
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #38 Dec 2016
This Issue Introduction: Page 1 The Real Superstars: Pages 2 - 5 Sincerity is the Way to Salvation #11: Pages 6 - 8 Cheer up: Pages 9 - 10 Surah Yusuf #61 - 63: Pages 11 - 12
NEW!
Shukr: Pages 13 - 16 The Tricks of Shaytaan: Page 17 - 18 Afdhal Al Dhikr 4: Pages 19 - 20 Allah SWT... Our Protector from Shaytan: Pages 21 - 24 Surah Maryam #1: Pages 25 - 31 Between Trials & Punishments: Pages 32 - 33 Masjid Bani Hashim: Pages 34 - 36
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kind of people with different rituals, he (RA) would contemplate and wonder about the authenticity of the religion he (RA) was impressed by. He (RA) didn’t give up, rather he (RA) kept moving forward from one place to another as mentioned in the previous issue. His (RA) own loving father tortured him when he came to realize that Salman (RA) was getting attracted to other religions other than that of the forefathers.
In the last issue, we started on a beautiful journey of a Sahaba who travelled great distances and went to great lengths in seeking the truth. His (RA) was truly a journey of not only physical challenges but also spiritual as he (RA) encountered different people of varying faiths. It's an extremely motivating and inspiring story, which indicates that when one truly seeks out something from the heart, one is sure to find it. Allah (SWT) makes the path easy of the one who sincerely desires the Truth. Salman (RA) was born in an affluent family; his (RA) father was a priest and the richest person in Jayy near Isfahan, Iran. His (RA) father loved him a lot and wanted him to be a priest as well. One day when he was sent on an errand, he (RA) came across people who had rituals and prayers different than his and was fascinated by it. And from there began the journey of Salman Al Farsi (RA). Every time he (RA) came across a different
Even in adversity, Salman’s (RA) zeal for the truth didn’t die. He (RA) made up his mind to set out in search of truth even though he (RA) himself wasn’t quite sure what he (RA) was looking for. He (RA) reached Sham where he (RA) was first in the company of a corrupt bishop and then a righteous one who on his deathbed, advised Salman (RA) to go meet someone else in Mosul. So he (RA) went to Mosul and met the man who was recommended. Salman Al Farsi’s (RA) gripping story, which he narrated to the Prophet (SAWS)’s cousin Abdullah ibn Abbas, can only be told by him. He (RA) narrates it in so much detail and sincerity, that one can’t help but be hooked! So we will continue from where we left off, in the last issue. Salman (RA) goes to the man in Mosul and says: “O So and so, So and so advised me when he died to come to you, and he told me that you follow the same as he followed. He said to me: “Stay with me.” So I stayed with him, and I found him to be a good man who followed the same as his companion had followed. But soon he died. When he was dying I said to him: “O So and so, So and so advised me to come to you and told me to join you, but now there has come to you from Allah what you see. To whom do you advise me to go to? What do you command me to do?” He said: “O my son, by Allah I do not know of 3
anyone who follows what we used to follow except a man in Nasayyibeen. He is So and so; go to him.” When he died and was buried, I went to the man in Nasayyibeen. I came to him and told him my story and what my companion had told me to do. He said: “Stay with me. So I stayed with him and I found him to be a follower of the same way as his two companions, and I stayed with a good man.” By Allah, soon death came upon him, and when he was dying I said to him: “O So and so, So and so advised me to go to So and so; then So and so advised me to come to you. To whom do you advise me to go and what do you command me to do?” He said: O my son, by Allah we do not know of anyone left who follows our way and to whom I can tell you to go, except a man in ‘Ammooriyyah. He follows something like what we follow. If you wish, go to him, for he follows our way.” When he died and was buried, I went to the man in ‘Ammooriyyah and told him my story. He said: “Stay with me.” So I stayed with a man who was following the same way as his companions. I earned wealth until I had cows and sheep, then the decree of Allah SWT came to him. When he was dying I said to him: “O So and so, I was with So and so, and So and so told me to go to So and so; then So and so told me to go to So and so; then So and so told me to come to you. To whom do you advise me to go and what do you command me to do?” He said: “O my son, by Allah, I do not know of anyone who follows our way to whom I can advise you to go. But there has come the time of a Prophet, who will be sent with the religion of Ibrahim. He will be in the land of the Arabs and will migrate to a land between two harrahs (lave fields; land with black rocks), be-
tween which there are palm trees. He will have characteristics that will not be hidden. He will eat of what is given as a gift but he will not eat of what is given as charity. Between his shoulder blades is the Seal of Prophethood. If you can go to that land then do so.” Then he died and was buried, and I stayed in ‘Ammooriyyah as long as Allah willed I should stay, then some merchants of Kalb passed by me and I said to them: “Will you take me to the land of the Arabs and I will give you these cows and sheep of mine?” They said: “Yes.” So I gave them the cows and sheep, and they took me there, but when they brought me to Waadi al-Qura they wronged me and sold me as a slave to a Jewish man. When I was with him I saw the palm trees, and I hoped that this was the land that my companion had described to me, but I was not sure. Whilst I was with him, a cousin of his from Banu Qurayzah came to him from Madeenah, and he sold me to him, and he took me to Madeenah. By Allah, as soon as I saw it, I recognized it from the description given to me by my companion. I stayed there, and Allah sent His Messenger, who stayed in Makkah as long as he stayed, and I did not hear anything about him because I was so busy with the work of a slave. Then he migrated to Madeenah, and by Allah, I was at the top of a palm tree belonging to my master, doing some work on it, and my master was sitting there. Then a cousin of his came and stood beside him, and said: “May Allah kill Banu Qaylah! By Allah, right now they are gathering in Quba’ to welcome a man who has come from Makkah today, and they say that he is a Prophet.” When I heard that, I began to shiver so 4
Reported by Sulaiman bin Surad (RA): I was sitting with the Prophet (peace be upon him) when two men began to quarrel and curse each other and the face of one of them turned red and the veins of his neck were swollen (from rage). Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “I know of a word, if he were to utter that, his rage would vanish and that is: A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitan nir-rajim (I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed).” [Bukhari & Muslim] much that I thought I would fall on top of my master. I came down from the tree and started saying to that cousin of his: “What are you saying, what are you saying?” My master got angry and he struck me with his fist and said: “What has it got to do with you? Go back to your work!” I said: “Nothing; I just wanted to make sure of what he was saying.” What happens when Salman Al Farsi (RA) meets the Prophet (SAWS)--- in the concluding part next month in sha Allah.
Reported by Thauban (RA): Whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) finished his Salat (prayer), he would beg forgiveness three times [by saying, `Astaghfirullah’ (3 times)] and then he would say: “Allahumma Antas-Salamu, wa minkas-Salamu, tabarakta ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram. (O Allah! You are the Bestower of security and security comes from You; Blessed are You. O Possessor of glory and honour).” [Muslim]
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Revisiting a Journey: Through a dark tunnel Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, the last of the Prophets and upon all his family, companions and his followers.
sure He subhana wa t’ala will never put you in a difficulty to break you. He subhana wa t’ala will put you through challenging situations to build you. Sometimes, He subhana wa t’ala will let you break but with the purpose of building you. Subhanal Allah. Do you remember the story of Yunus عليه
“It is very dark, no sign of light!” You are in your journey and you are passing through a dark tunnel! This is your journey through a dark tunnel! Darknesses come to go by the will of Allah subhana wa t’Ala, no dark tunnel is greater than the Light of Allah subhana wa t’ala (Glorious and free from any imperfection). 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 these are temporary and come for a reason. If you believe in Allah subhana wa t’ala and know Who is Allah subhana wa t’ala, then be
السالمin the Qur’an? He عليه السالمgot frustrated with the poor response to his dawah efforts and left the town towards the sea, without waiting for the command of Allah subhana wa t’ala. 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 ع َليْ ِه فَنَا َدى َ َـضبا ً فَظَ َّن أ َن لَّن نَّ ْق ِد َر ِ مغ ُ َن إِذ ذَّهَب ِ َوذَا النُّو ك إِنِّى كُنتُ ِم َن َ َسبْحَ ـن ُ َفِى الظُّلُمَ ـتِ أ َن الَّ إِلَـ َه إِالَّ أ َنت ن نجِ ـى ُ ك َ ِغ ِّم َوكَذل َ َاستَجَ بْنَا َل ُه َونَجَّ يْنَـ ُه ِم َن ا ْل ْ ف- ني َ الظَّـلِ ِم ﴾ ني َ املْ ُؤْ ِم ِن (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 9
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) - ن ِ َشحُ و ْ ْك امل ِ إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ا ْلفُ ْل- ني َ ِْسل َ ُس ملَ ِ َن املْ ُر َ ن يُون َّ َِو إ - ملِي ٌم ُ َهو ُ فَا ْلتَقَمَ ُه الْحُ وتُ َو- ني َ ض ِ َن ِم َن املْ ُدْح َ َسـ َه َم فَكَا َ ف ِ ث فِى بَطْ ِن ِه إِلَى يَوْم َ َل َل ِب- ني َ ُِسبِّح َ ْن ِم َن امل َ فَ َلوْالَ أَنَّ ُه كَا ًشجَ َرة َ ع َليْ ِه َ َوأ َنبَتْنَا- سقِي ٌم َ َهو ُ فَنَبَذْنَـ ُه بِا ْل َعرَآ ِء َو- ن َ يُبْ َعث ُو ْ منُوا َ فَـَا- ن َ ْس ْلنَـ ُه إِلَى ِماْئ َ ِة أَلْفٍ أ َ ْو يَزِيدُو َ َوأَر- ٍطني ِ مِّن يَ ْق ﴾ ٍفَمَ تَّ ْعنَـ ُه ْم إِلَى حِ ني (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 swallowed 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.) The above two ayat speak about the Prophet Yunus عليه السالمwhen he left the town of Nineveh (Northern of Mesopotamia), where he had been chosen and commanded by Allah subhana wa t’ala 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
subhana wa t’ala command on the matter. He عليه السالمboarded a ship but then he had to be offloaded to lighten the burden in the ship and he was swallowed by a whale by the Will of Allah subhana wa t’ala. The sequence of the incidents that followed his premature departure from the town made Yunus عليه السالمrealize his error and to flee to Allah by the means of one of the most effective supplications to Allah subhana wa t’ala, where Yunus عليه السالمconfesses the purity, the glory of Rabbana and the injustice he committed by leaving the town without awaiting the commandment of Allah subhana wa t’ala. 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 Zalimeen wrongdoers.'' Surat 28 Al-'Anbyā' (The Prophets), part of verse 88. Allah subhana wa t’ala not only listened to his عليه السالمduaa, but He subhana wa t’ala also responded and he عليه السالمwas saved from the belly of the fish. He عليه السالمthen completed his mission in the town of Nineveh, with most of the people accepting 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 subhana wa t’ala and cry to Him subhana wa t’ala as Yunus عليه السالمcried 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. Alahmdulil Allah Rabb al alameen.
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ther, who was tricked by them before, to send their brother with them, not to the desert, but to another country far away.
سورة يوسف Surah Yusuf # 61-63 سنُرَا ِو ُد َعن ْ ُه أَبَاهُ َو إِنَّا َلفَا ِعلُو َ ن َ قَالُوا They said, “We will attempt to persuade his father about him, and indeed, we will do [it].” 12:61 Yusuf عليه السالمwas elevated step by step. Imagine climbing up in a fog; you cannot see what you are heading towards. Yusuf عليه السالمheads towards the well, the house of the Aziz, prison. He climbs on, holding the rope of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, inching up handhold by handhold. As soon as he reaches the top, the fog clears up, and he can see clearly. He is a minister, in a palace, with power and authority. He is now secure; he has honour and high posi@on in society. The brothers are desperate to barter for the food grains. Yusuf عليه السالمtold them they have to bring their other brother next @me. They have a flashback, of the @me in the dim past, which they preferred to forget, when they deceived their father, and took Yusuf عليه السالم. Whatever evil you do, remains in your mind. This is the mercy of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, because the guilt gives you a chance to repent. Earlier, the brothers intended to harm Yusuf عليه السالم when they took him with them at the pretext of entertaining him. Now, harming their brother was the last thing on their minds. But the plan of Allah سبحانه وتعالىwas that they be forced to take their younger brother with them if they wanted the food. Now they have to convince their fa-
The brothers are sure their father will not allow them to take Binyameen. They planned to persuade and nego@ate with him. They know this will not be easy. The word they used is a strong word, showing force. For Yusuf عليه السالم, they just asked their father, trying to make him feel guilty about not leKng him spend @me with them. Now they plan to somehow coerce their father once more to let his beloved son go with them. They did not say أبانا, our father, but ُأباه, his father. They imply this son is so special, it is as if he is only his father. Binyameen was now the favorite son.They were very sure they would succeed in convincing their father, even though it would take an effort.This showed the sickness of arrogance in their hearts. Yusuf عليه السالمwas listening to this whole conversa@on. The mercy of Allah سبحانه وتعالىis apparent in that He gave them so much @me to realize their sins. ِضا َعت َ ُه ْم فِي رِحَ الِ ِه ْم َل َع َّل ُه ْم يَ ْع ِرفُونَهَا إِذَا ان َق َلبُو َ َوقَالَ لِ ِفتْيَا ِن ِه اجْ َعلُوا ب جعُو َ ن ِ إِ َلىٰ أ َ ْهلِ ِه ْم َل َع َّل ُه ْم يَ ْر And [Joseph] said to his servants, “Put their merchandise into their saddlebags so they might recognize it when they have gone back to their people that perhaps they will [again] return.” 12:62 Yusuf عليه السالمlistened quietly to their confident words. The brothers bartered their goods, and loaded their camels. Now they had to pay Yusuf عليه السالم. Allah سبحانه وتعالىinspired Yusuf عليه السالمhow to trick the brothers into coming back. Yusuf عليه السالمnow had servants. He was once a servant himself, in the house of the Aziz. This is why you must never underes@mate anyone. You don't know what the future holds; the tables can be turned. A master and a servant are mutually in need of each other. He told his servants to put all the commodi@es the brothers had bartered, and had given to Yusuf عليه السالمas payment for the grain, back onto their camels. When they got back home, and unloaded their stock of grain, they would discover their bartered goods also. They 11
would realize they got their goods for free. This would give them a favorable impression of the young minister, and encourage them to go back, while fulfilling his condi@on of bringing their brother. This was the strategy of Yusuf عليه السالمto gain the confidence of his brothers. It also gave the brothers a lever to convince their father to let Binyameen go with them. Another angle to the plan was the brothers would feel ashamed to have taken all the grain for free, and would want to return as soon as possible to pay Yusuf عليه السالم. It was bait to lure them back. The brothers could also think that the goods got loaded back by mistake, and Yusuf عليه السالمmight think they were thieves next @me they went. They would, in this case, want to go back as soon as possible, to explain to the Egyp@ans, that they didn't steal the grain. In any case, they would return when they found their goods in the camel-loads. This was a simple and effec@ve plan. The brothers would only discover their goods when they unpacked everything. This simple yet perfect plan brought the whole family of Yusuf عليه السالمto Egypt. This was the will of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. فَلَمَّ ا رَجَ عُوا إِ َلىٰ أَبِي ِه ْم قَالُوا يَا أَبَانَا ُم ِنعَ ِمن َّا ا ْل َكيْلُ فَأَرْسِ لْ َم َعن َا أَخَا َ ن نَ ْكت َلْ َو إِنَّا َل ُه لَحَ ا ِفظُو َ ن So when they returned to their father, they said, “O our father, [further] measure has been denied to us, so send
وتعالىfor small blessings. When you always think and see the posi@ve side of things, you live a happy life. The brothers made the news sound sensa@onal and imminent, to jolt their father into acquiescing to their request of sending Binyameen with them to collect the grain on the next trip. There are two interpretations of the word َ ُم ِنع. 1. The brothers are saying that in future they will be deprived of the share of Binyameen. 2. They want to say they are deprived because they could not get the share of Binyameen. They got 10 camel loads of grain, and didn't get only one share, and they were s@ll so ungrateful. You must do the opposite; look at the blessings given to you by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and confess it to people. Do not look at the nega@ve things , focus only on the posi@ve things in life. They did not have anything against Binyameen in their hearts. They hated Yusuf عليه السالم, and they wanted to hide this hatred, so they made elaborate scenarios. They were now mature men; even the youngest brother had to be in his 30's. Their only objec@ve was to collect their full measure of grains. They said the same words for Yusuf عليه السالمin ayah 12, but that was a lie. This @me they are speaking the truth. They were compelled to protect this brother to collect his share of the grain.
with us our brother [that] we will be given measure. And indeed, we will be his guardians.” 12:63 The convoy with the brothers and the grains went from Egypt to Ash-Shaam, or Pales@ne. They took many months to get there. As soon as they got home, they did not unload their cargo, but went directly to their father. It would have been more normal for them to have shared the news of their good fortune with their father, aRer such an arduous journey. But they did something contrary to it. They said the same words in ayah 17, when they had disposed of their brother Yusuf عليه السالم. The news they imparted was very important and impera@ve. The brothers got many camel loads of food, and also got back the merchandise they used for trade. But they were s@ll ungrateful because they could not collect the ra@on for Binyameen. The believer is thankful to Allah سبحانه 12
You have an enemy who doesn't want you to be grateful. He had enmity for us before we were even born. He wants to take us all to the hellfire to keep him company. This is his biggest mission. The shaitan wants he only wants man in hellfire, the lower the level the better, or at least in the lowest level of Jannah. He wants you to go lower and lower, and shukr is like stairs going upwards. Without gratitude, you sink.
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Start small, with 2 rakaat for qiyam, this is like walking towards Allah, and Allah will give you 4, 6, 8, 11! We need to know Allah, As-Shakir As-Shakoor.
Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): Once the Prophet (peace be upon him) was speaking to us when, a bedouin came and asked him: “When will the Last Day be?” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied, “When the practice of honoring a trust is lost, expect the Last Day.” He asked: “How could it be lost?” He replied, “When the government is entrusted to the undeserving people, then wait for the Last Day.” [Bukhari]
“The dearest parts on the face of the earth near Allah are its mosques, and the most hated parts near Allah are its markets.” Commentary by Imam Nawawi: While in the market places people forget to remember Allah and indulge in such forbidden acts as fraud, lies and gossip. It is not the place itself which is disliked but the bad things which are bound to happen in it. [Muslim]
THE TRICKS OF SHAYTAAN As for the tricks of Shaytaan against you they are seven. 1. He obstructs you from doing acts of obedience. Repel him as Allah SWT protects you, by realizing that you are in need of these acts of obedience in order to gather provision from this life for the next life, which will have no ending. 2. He commands you to procrastinate in acts of obedience. Repel him as Allah SWT protects you, by realizing that your appointed time is not in your hands and that you could die at any moment. 3. He commands you to rush in acts of obedience by suggesting to you, "Hurry! In order that you can do so-and-so!" Repel him as Allah SWT protects you, that realizing that few acts of obedience done with perfection is better than many done incompletely. 4. He commands you to perfect your worship in order to be seen of men. Repel him as Allah SWT protects you, by realizing that the sight of Allah SWT is enough for you over the sight of men. 5. He whispers arrogance and pride in your heart by saying, "Who is greater and more precise than your obedience?" Repel him as Allah SWT protects you, by realizing that your acts of obedience to Allah SWT is a blessing from Allah SWT, not from yourself. If it were not for the bounty of Allah SWT, you would not be able to establish any act of obedience, which are nothing next to the blessing of Allah SWT. 6. This is the greatest of his tricks, he says to you, "Make strenuous effort in keeping your obedience of Allah SWT secret. Soon He will make your acts manifest before the world!" Repel him as Allah SWT protects you, that you are a slave of Allah SWT and that He SWT alone is your Master. If He SWT wills, He SWT will manifest you and if He SWT wills He SWT will keep you concealed. If He SWT wills, He SWT will make you important and if He SWT wills He SWT will make you insignificant. That is for Him SWT to decide, and you should not care whether He SWT Manifests your good deeds to people or not, because there is nothing in their hands worth seeking after.
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7. He suggests in your heart, "There is no need for you to perform acts of obedience to Allah SWT. Truly, if you were created and destined to be among the people of bliss, then there is no danger in you neglecting the acts of worship. And if you were created and destined to be among the people of wretched, then there is no benefit in doing them. Repel him as Allah SWT protects you, by realizing that you are a slave. And that its the duty of a slave to obey the commands as is the rights to`ubuudiyya. Allah SWT is the Rabb, and He SWT knows the rights of Lordship (rubuubiyya). Thus these acts of obedience will benefit you in every way if you were created and destined to be among the people of bliss. It will benefit you by increasing your reward. And if you were not created and destined for bliss, then in no way Allah SWT will punish you for acts of obedience. These acts of obedience will not harm you. For to be entered into the fire while you are obedient to Allah SWT is more precious to you than you being entered into the fire while you are disobedient. And how is it possible for you to enter the fire when the Promise of Allah SWT is true and His SWT Words are Truthful. For He SWT has promised a tremendous reward for acts of obedience. Whoever meets Allah SWT while he has faith and obedience will never enter the fire and he has dully earned the Paradise by the Promise of Allah the Truthful and not by any act. It is in that Allah SWT has informed us by His SWT saying: (٧٤) ني َ َِشآ ُۖء فَ ِن ۡع َم أ َجۡ ُر ٱ ۡل َعـٰ ِمل َ ثن ُ ۡۡضنَتَبَ َّوأ ُ ِم َن ٱلۡجَ ن َّ ِة حَ ي َ ٱألَر ۡ ۥ َوأ َ ۡو َرثَن َا ُص َد َقن َا َو ۡع َده َ َوقَالُوا ْ ٱلۡحَ مۡ ُد هللَِِّ ٱ َّلذِى They will say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has truly fulfilled His Promise to us, and has given us (this) land in heritage: We can dwell in the Garden as we will: how excellent a reward for those who work (righteousness) !" 39:74. Therefore, wake up! It is as He SWT said, “So seek the aid of Allah alone and seek refuge with Him. All matters are in His hands and from Him alone is success. And there is no power nor might except with Allah the Exalted the Great.
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Reported by Anas (RA): I never felt any
Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): The Mes-
piece of velvet or silk softer than the
senger of Allah (peace be upon him)
palm of the Messenger of Allah (peace
said, “There are three (types of) people
be upon him), nor did I smell any fra-
whom Allah will neither speak to on the
grance more pleasant than the smell of
Day of Resurrection nor will He purify
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
them (i.e., from their sins), nor will look
I served him for ten years, and he
upon them; and they will have a painful
never said `Uff’ (an expression of dis-
chastisement. These are: An old man who
gust) to me. He never said `why did you
commits fornication; a king who is a
do that?’ for something I had done, nor
great liar and a poor man who is
did he ever say `why did you not do
proud.”
such and such’ for something I had not done. [Bukhari & Muslim]
[Muslim] 20
ALLAH (SWT)... OUR PROTECTOR FROM SHAYTAN In his well-known book, Al-Hikam (Words
Commenting on this ayah, Ibn `Abbas said,
of Wisdom), Sheikh Ahmad Ibn `Ataa’illah
“From before them: I make them doubt the
As-Sakandari says: “If you know that
Hereafter; from behind them: I make them
Shaytan is always mindful of you, don't
desire the world; from their right: I make
forget the One Who controls your fate.”
them distrust their religion; from their left: I
This word of wisdom by Ibn `Ataa’illah
beautify sin and verify falsehood for them.”
gives some sort of enlightenment about
(Tafsir At-Tabari)
one of the ways of fleeing to Allah (SWT) and hanging on to Him (SWT), that is, fleeing from Shaytan and his relentless tracking of man. One should seek refuge with the One in Whose Hand is the forelock of man and the forelock of Satan himself, Allah the Almighty. Ibn `Ataa’illah means that if one knows that Shaytan is always mindful of him and is always scheming to seduce him and fight him from every direction, then, one should not be heedless of one’s Lord Who controls one’s fate and destiny. Let us look into the following ayah: خ ۡل ِف ِه ۡم َو َع ۡن أَيۡمَ ـٰ ِنہِ ۡم َو َعن َ َني أَيۡدِيہِ ۡم َو ِم ۡن ِ ۡ ثُ َّم َأل َ ِتيَنَّهُم ِّم ۢن ب (١٧) شـٰ ِكرِي َن َ شمَ آٮِٕلِ ِه ۡۖم و ََال تَج ِ ُد أ َ ۡكث َ َر ُه ۡم َ
Therefore, one should verify one’s servitude to Allah the Almighty, depend upon Him (SWT), and seek refuge with Him (SWT), and He (SWT) will protect one from the evil and harm of Shaytan as promised elsewhere in the Ever-Glorious Qur’an. Allah the Almighty says : (٦٥) ً۬س ۡلطَـٰ ۬ۚنٌ َو َكفَىٰ ِب َرب َِّك َوڪِيال ُ ۡسل ََك َع َليۡ ِه ۡم َ إِ َّن ِعبَادِى َلي {“Truly as for My servants, no authority shall you have over them.” And Your Lord suffices as a guardian. } (Al-Isra’ 17:65) It is well-known that the one who told us about Shaytan’s not forgetting us and his constant scheming for us as well as his enmity towards us is Allah the Almighty in His (SWT) Ever-Glorious Qur’an when He
{Then I shall come upon them from before
(SWT) ordered Shaytan to prostrate himself
them and from behind them and from their
with the Angels as an honorary sign to man
right and from their left…} (Al-A`raf 7:17)
who was then represented in the person of
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his father Adam (Peace and blessings be upon him) as saying,
Allahsaid: Begone from here! For, indeed, you are accursed! Upon you, moreover, is the curse
(٣٢) ٱلسـٰجِدِي َن َّ َِيسمَا ل ََك أ ََّال تَكُو َن َمع ُ قَالَ يَـٰٓ ِإبۡل ۬ ۡصـٰ ۬ ٍل ِّم ۡن حَ مَ ٍإ َ صل َ خ َل ۡقت َ ُه ۥ مِن َ َش ٍر َ قَالَ َل ۡم أَكُن ِّأل َۡسجُ َد لِب (٣٣) ُون ۬ ٍ َّسن ۡ م (٣٤) ٌخ ُر ۡج ِمنۡہَا فَ ِإن ََّك َرجِي ۬م ۡ قَالَ فَٱ (٣٥) َِو إِ َّن َع َلي َۡك ٱل َّل ۡعن َ َة إِ َلىٰ يَ ۡوم ِ ٱلدِّين (٣٦) ظ ۡر ِنىٓ إِ َلىٰ يَ ۡوم ِ يُبۡ َعث ُو َن ِ قَالَ رَبِّ فَأ َن (٣٧) قَالَ فَ ِإن ََّك ِم َن ٱملۡ ُنظَرِي َن (٣٨) ِ إِ َلىٰ يَ ۡوم ِ ٱ ۡل َوقۡتِ ٱملۡ َ ۡعلُوم ۡضو ََأل ُ ۡغ ِويَنَّہُ ۡ م ِ ٱألَر ۡ ِّنن َل ُه ۡم فِى َ َّ قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَ آ أ َ ۡغ َويۡتَنِى َألُزَي (٣٩) ني َ ِأ َجۡ مَ ع (٤٠) ني َ َص ِ خل ۡ ُ ۡإ َِّال ِعبَاد ََك ِمنۡہُ ُم ٱمل (٤١) ُستَقِي ٌم ۡ ط َع َلىَّ م ٌ صرَٲ ِ قَالَ َهـٰذَا س ۡلطَـٰ ٌن إ َِّال مَنِ ٱتَّبَع ََك ِم َن ٱ ۡلغَاوِي َ ن ُ ۡسل ََك َع َليۡہِ ۡم َ إِ َّن ِعبَادِى َلي (٤٢) {Allah said: O Iblis! What is with you that you are not among those who bowed themselves down to the ground to honor him? He said: Never would I bow down before a hu
of God until the Day of Judgment. He said: My Lord! Then grant me respite un til the Day they are raised up in the Hereafter. Allah said: Then you are, indeed, of those granted respite, only to the Day [of Doom,] the moment in time known to Me alone. He said: My Lord! Because You have de nounced me as astray, I will make what is evil in the earth fair-seeming to humankind. Thus I will, most surely, lead them to the way of per versity, all together- except Your true servants among them- the sincere, elect ones. Allah said: This way – in accordance with Me – shall be a straight one. As for My true ser vants you shall have no position of authority over them – except for those of the deluded who follow you.} (Al-Hijr 15:32-42) Then, Allah the Almighty enabled Shaytan to track down man whom Shaytan harbored hatred against merely for the reason that Allah (SWT) honored him. Shaytan does not want to be tormented all alone; rather, he wants man to accompany
man being that You have created from a clay
him in Hellfire as he regards Adam/man as
of aged, black mud!
the reason for his own catastrophe; forgetting that he is the one who refused to bow 22
down to Adam as was ordered by the Crea-
tures including Shaytan and his progeny
tor, Glory be His!
and man and his offspring.
Notwithstanding, though Shaytan earnestly
Allah the Almighty prescribed to Himself to
tries to seduce man so as to make him
put all His (SWT) servants under His (SWT)
from among his own troops and ranks,
protection and shelter and discouraged
however one should know that he (Shay-
Shaytan from realizing his goals and deceiv-
tan) has no will or power through which to
ing them as is shown at the end of the
harm or benefit any one.
aforementioned Qur’anic ayahs.
The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon
In Allah’s (SWT) saying which may mean,
him) is reported to have said in the hadith narrated by Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri, “Shaytan
{… As for My true servants you shall have no
said: ‘By Your Glory and Majesty, I will con-
position of authority over them – except for
tinue tempting sons of Adam as long as
those of the deluded who follow you.} (Al-Hijr
they have life in them;’ and the Lord said:
15:32-42),
‘By My Glory and Majesty, I will continue forgiving them as long as they seek My for-
The term ‘servants’, here, does not refer to
giveness.’” (Sahih Al-Jami`)
all servants as all creatures are servants to Allah (SWT) be them obedient or disobedi-
Now, can one imagine that Shaytan will be
ent. Rather, the ‘servants’ who are meant
mindless of man even for an hour or less in
here are those who are certain about their
this present world? How can this happen
worship and servitude to Allah (SWT), the
while it is Shaytan’s only chance to achieve
Creator, and those who put this into action
his ultimate goal? Namely, taking as many
throughout their whole lives.
human beings as he can with him in his everlasting torment in Hellfire!
Indeed, those are far from being defeated by Shaytan no matter how fiercely he tried
However, where should man go? Whom
to mislead them and guide them to the
should he seek refuge with and ask for
path of seduction and perversion!
help against the deception of Shaytan?! This does not mean that these servants are Undoubtedly, there is only one resort be-
infallible and/or preserved from falling into
side which there is no any other resort or
sins and misdeeds, as the only infallible
salvation, namely, Allah the Almighty. It is
ones are the Prophets and Messengers of
Allah (SWT) Who is in control of all crea-
Allah. However, what is meant here is that 23
(٥٠) ً۬ني بَ َدال َ دُونِى َو ُه ۡم َل ُك ۡم َع ُد ۢۚوُّ ِبئ َۡسلِلظَّـٰلِ ِم
every time they commit a sin they repent to Allah (SWT) and return to Him (SWT) with remorse and upon that Allah the Merciful forgives them and pardons all their sins. This was shown in an earlier hadith. At that scene, Shaytan rejoices in the beginning
{Now, behold! We said to the angels: Bow your faces down to Adam! So they all bowed down, except Iblis [Shaytan], who was of the jinn. Thus he repelled against the command of
when they are misled, then he becomes
his Lord. Will you human beings then take
sad afterwards when he sees that Allah the
him and his seed as patrons apart from Me
All-Merciful forgives them and erases all
while they are an enemy to you? How woeful a
their sins when they return to Him (SWT) in
substitute this is for the wrongdoers! }(Al-Kahf
repentance as they feel their servitude to Him (SWT), Glory be His. Therefore, one should flee from Shaytan who constantly chases him and should resort to Allah (SWT); one should neither for-
18:50) To conclude, the message should now be very clear: when you know that the devil and his progeny do not forget about you for even less than a second, do not forget
get nor neglect the obligation of obeying Al- about Allah the Almighty in Whose Hand is lah’s (SWT) Ordinances and Commandyour forelock, fate and destiny. He (SWT) is ments to be safe from Shaytan’s deception in this present word and to gain Allah’s (SWT) Pleasure in the Hereafter. Finally, there is in the Ever-Glorious Qur’an a most impressive admonition for one who takes his enemy (i.e. Shaytan) as patron and friend and takes the One Who really
the only One Who can save and protect you from Shaytan and his constant scheming against you. May Allah the Almighty protect us all from Shaytan and his constant deception! Ameen.
protects and favors him with all the blessings as a legend to be forgotten and neglected as is shown in the following Qur’anic ayah: ِيسكَا َن ِمن َ َسجَ ُد ٓوا ْ إ َِّآل إِبۡل َ ٱسجُ دُوا ْ ألِ َ َد َم ف ۡ َو إِذۡ ُق ۡلن َا لِلۡمَ َلـٰٓٮِٕ َك ِة َسقَ َع ۡن أ َ ۡم ِر َربِّ ِهۦۤۗ أَفَتَت َّخِ ذُونَ ُه ۥ َوذُ ِّريَّت َ ُه ۥۤ أ َ ۡولِيَآ َء ِمن َ ٱ ۡلج ِ ِّن فَف
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The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid : . وه َّن من تِالدِي، ِ ُه َّن من العِ ت َا ِق األُوَل: بني إسرائيلَ والكهفِ ومري َم وطه واألنبيا ِء صحيح البخاري: البخاري | املصدر: عبدالرحمن بن يزيد | املحدث: الراوي 14239 ]صحيح[ | انظر شرح الحديث رقم: | خالصة حكم املحدث4739 :الصفحة أو الرقم The Suras of Bani Israel, Al-Kahf, Maryam, Taha and Al-Anbiya are from the very old Surahs which I learnt by heart, and they are my first property.. Surah Al Isra', Al Kahf, Maryam, Taha and Al Anbiya' are Makki surahs, ancient and precious. The Prophet (SAW) had an emotional attachment with these surahs. He memorized them and never forget them. They reached the best in beauty from the Makkan surahs.
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The surah starts with these letters, which are a miracle of the Qur'an. The fact that Zakaria (AS) and Maryam (AS) had sons is a miracle too. These letters are also a challenge. They consist of letters from the Arabic language. The Arabs when the Qur'an was sent down were masters of language and poetry, but none were able to bring anything even remotely similar to even one verse of the Qur'an. 28
Allah SWT nurtures you through the stories. This is a special nurturing for Zakaria (AS). The strait shows how he was a slave of Allah SWT, how Allah SWT dealt with him, with a merciful nurturing. When you submit to Allah SWT, this is also a nurturing. Allah SWT chose Zakaria (AS) to be a messenger. In this position, he was a slave of Allah SWT, submitting by fulfilling the commands of Allah SWT. We are not told the details of his dawah, nor about his condition towards the end of his life.
Remember Oh Mohammad صلى اهلل عليه وسلم The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلم didn't know anything except what Allah SWT told him. He was not present or even alive when Zakaria (AS) made this dua. But Allah SWT is informing him.
Zakaria (AS) made his dua in private, away from the eyes of the people, beseeching and imploring Allah SWT. He (AS) wanted Ikhlas in his dua, not the admiration of people. The best dua is in private. Sometimes a dua can be misunderstood by people, or you may be discouraged by someone from making a dua, making your faith decrease. Allah SWT never misunderstands you, nor ever mocks you. Zakaria (AS) was very old, so he could not make the dua for a son in public. His old age also made his voice low.
Ayah 4-6 describe the dua of Zakaria (AS). In the beginning, he describes his weakness and condition. This is the way of the prophets.
Zakaria (AS) calls Allah SWT by His name Ar Rabb, the One with perfect actions, the One who nurtures. To show your condition and need to Allah SWT, to humiliate yourself in front of Allah SWT, shows your عبودية, slavery to Him SWT.
The word شعلةor flame is derived from this verb. It is as if Zakaria (AS) is saying that his head is alight with grey hair, which spread like a flame all over his head.
Zakaria (AS) makes tawassul with Allah SWT, intercedes and connects with Allah SWT, by describing his condition.
BETWEEN TRIAL AND PUNISHMENT
Almighty Allah SWT makes it clear in the
Almighty Allah SWT tests His SWT ser-
Qur'an that good and evil are part of life's
vants with good and bad things, with adver-
nature; He SWT says:
sity and prosperity. These tests may be a
(٣٥) خيۡ ِر ِفتۡن َ ۬ۖةً َو إِ َليۡن َا تُرۡجَ عُو َن َ ِٱلش ِّر وَٱ ۡل َّ َونَبۡلُوكُم ب...
means to give them reward and high ranks in Paradise. This happened in case of
" ... We shall make a trial of you with evil
many Messengers and Prophets and many
and with good. And to Us you will be re-
righteous servants of Allah SWT. Our
turned." (21: 35)
Prophet (peace be upon him), is reported as saying: "The people most subject to af-
Trials are sometimes to punish those who
flictions are the Prophets, then come the
violate Allah's SWT laws. But this is not al-
righteous and after them come the best
ways the case. Other times, trials are to
people – all according to his goodness."
test our faith in Allah SWT and hence be
Sometimes, afflictions may be a result of
given high ranks in Paradise.
one's sins and his keeping away from the
In this sense, a Muslim should always keep in mind that life is full of its ups and downs, and strive hard to battle against life's vicissitudes. It should be borne in mind that
way of Allah SWT. With this meaning comes the verse that reads: َسبَتۡ أَيۡدِي ُك ۡم َويَ ۡعفُوا ْ َعن َ ُّصيبَ ٍ۬ة فَبِمَ ا ك ِ َومَآ أ ََصـٰبَڪُم مِّن م (٣٠) َكثِي ۬ ٍر
whatever befalls man in life is a form of test and trial; so it behoves every true Muslim
"And Whatever of misfortune befalls you, it
to remain patient at times of afflictions and
is what your hands have earned. And
trials, and this will earn him great reward,
He pardons much." (42: 30)
as the Prophet (peace be upon him) says: "Great is the state of a believer, for he is winner at any rate. If he is given a blessing and thus shows gratitude, it is good for him. If he is struck with an affliction and then shows patience, it is good for him."
By and large, being afflicted with a misfortune may be a means of giving high ranks in Paradise as in the case of Prophets, Messengers and righteous men. It may also be a means of removing sins and expiating 32
mistakes. Stressing this meaning, our Prophet (peace be upon him) says: "What-
Reported by `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-
ever befalls a Muslim of sorrow, grief, ex-
`as (RA): Messenger of Allah (peace be
haustion, fatigue or harm, Allah will forgive
upon him) said, “It is one of the gravest
him his sins for that. This is true even for a
sins to abuse one’s parents.” It was
thorn that pricks his foot." He (peace be
asked (by the people): “O Messenger of
upon him) is also reported as saying: "He
Allah, can a man abuse his own par-
whom Allah wants to bless in the Hereafter, He afflicts him with tribulations." AlTirmidhi also quotes the Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying: "When Allah wants to bless someone, he hastens His punishments for him in this world. If He wants otherwise with a person, He defers the punishment for him till the afterlife." In the light of the above mentioned facts, it's clear, that a great reward is in store for
ents?” Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “He abuses the father of somebody who, in return, abuses the former’s father; he then abuses the mother of somebody who, in return, abuses his mother”. [Bukhari & Muslim] Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 41, 338
observing patience and perseverance at
Our actions have a reaction, and some-
times of afflictions, which befall men as
times they come back to the ones we
part of the nature of life, and in a form of test through which Allah SWT distinguishes His true servants from all and sundry.
love. Be careful about how we behave to others.
Reported by Anas (RA): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Make things easy and do not make them difficult, cheer the people up by conveying glad tidings to them and do not repulse (them).'' [Bukhari & Muslim]. Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 74, 637 Teaching religion and giving moral advice should concentrate on such things as may be helpful to people in being inclined towards gaining religious knowledge.
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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
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