AsSabiqoon # 40 by Masjid Bani Hashim

A monthly newsletter from Masjid Bani Hashim Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue#40 February 2017

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #40 Feb 2017  ‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬  ‫السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته‬ Introduction “Have I succeeded?” When will I succeed? Or a more relevant question what will be the sign that I succeeded in this dunya? Subhanal Allah, our success will be beidhnil Allah evident to us at the time of the death. May Allah SWT grant us the glad tidings of firdaus al ala, at the time of our death. May Allah SWT include us amongst the mutawekeleen, the 70,000 (and in shaa Allah much more) who will go to paradise without accountability and without punishment. That is going to be the measure of our success. Hence in this dunya, all success is relative, its actual measure only is known to Allah SWT, our Khaliq, i.e. if any good deed will be accepted or not. Hence the importance of making clear our intentions; good deeds are not only the acts of worship prescribed by Allah SWT, despite these being very important as these are the foundation of doing other good deeds outside the ritual worship as commanded by Allah SWT. For instance, if our prayer is good, surely we are going to be guided to carry on the reward of the prayer with more good deeds outside the prayer. You will realize the acceptance of the duaa that you made in Surah Al Fatiha asking Allah for His help only for the straight path. If fasting is good and accepted, you will see the signs in the impact in terms of discipline that it brought in your life, realization of the pain of hunger and hence in shaa Allah through the barakah of this deed you will become a better person both physically, spiritually and as a member of the community. And so on with other good deeds, the impact that you will experience is unique and you will be able to see if you watch how Allah supports you, consoles you, and you will see the impact in the way the creation responds to you. It does not mean, you will not face difficulties, these are normal part of the existence, as Allah reminds us in different ayat in the Qur’an, but your understanding and your reaction will be wise and will be pleasing to Allah SWT. I just stopped writing, as the call to prayer in the Masjid started. The adhan, the call to prayer just finished and one of the lines is “come to the success”, so no better time to finish this article than the time when Allah SWT is calling us and advising us that with the prayer we will get the success.  "ِ‫علَى ا ْلف ََالح‬ َ َّ‫الصالَ ِة وَحَ ي‬ َّ ‫علَى‬ َ َّ‫"حَ ي‬ Hayya 'alas-Salaah (hasten to the prayer) and Hayya 'alal-Falaah (hasten to success). We will respond by returning to Allah SWT  "ِ‫"الحَ وْلَ و ََال ُقوَّةَ إ َِّالبِاهلل‬ َ Laa hawla wa laa quwwata 'illaa billaah There is no might and no power except by Allah. We will not be able to get to success, to what Allah SWT is calling except with His Strength and Power. Hence, the starting point of attaining any success is the prayer and as we beidhnil Allah T’Ala get the prayer right, everything else will fall into place and the doors of provision (both general and special) and Allah’s blessings will open for us. Beidhnil Allah, no doubt! Alhamdulil Allah Rabb al alameen Wa salato wa salamo ala Rasulil Allah

A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #40 Feb 2017

This Issue Introduction: Page 1 Names of Allah (SWT): Pages 3 - 8 The Real Superstars: Pages 9 - 11

NEW!

Arabic Pronouns: Page 12 No fear upon then nor do they grieve: Pages 13 - 15 Catching Thoughts: Pages 16- 19 Cheer up: Pages 20 - 22 Surah Yusuf #66 - 67: Pages 23 - 31 Shukr: Pages 32 - 36 Allah Al Qareeb – The Most Near (‫)القريب سبحانه وتعالى‬: Page 37 Afdhal Al Dhikr 6: Pages 38 - 39 He Manages the affair: Pages 40 - 41 Surah Maryam #3: Pages 42 - 46 Our need to know Allah (SWT): Page 47 - 48 Masjid Bani Hashim: Pages 49 - 51

NAMES OF ALLAH (‫سبحان اهلل‬ ‫)وتعالى‬

‫بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم‬  ‫السالم عليكم ورحمة اهلل وبركاته‬

Allah Al Waliy Al Mawla (‫)الولي املولى‬ Introduction Knowing Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is a delight, worshipping Him and believing in Him is a delight. Anything connected to Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is a delight. Anything related to Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬gives us real satisfaction. There are people who will see Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬once a month, others once a week, and others morning and evening. And this shows being near. May Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬make us see Him the most. Ameen. This depends on how much you’re connected to Him in this life. The issue we need to overcome is the unseen. If we could see Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬then we we will feel we can’t do anything else. We need to act and react as if we see Allah (‫)ﷻ‬.

Explanation of Allah Al Waliy Al Mawla (‫)الولي املولى‬ Linguistic meaning (‫)املعنى اللغوي‬ 3

The word (‫ )يلي‬means: Next to you, so there are no barriers and nothing can be in between. Love. So it’s someone next to you and they love you. If you get this love then automatically you will get: Companionship. Support and victory. Provides and defends you. Sustains and takes care of you He’s very approachable, you don’t need to write a message or make a call, just a turn of the heart. You don’t have to search for a number and you don’t need to worry about running out of credit. Sometimes we connect but they can’t help. Because He loves you then He will take care of all of your affairs because there are no barriers. Remember this is just the linguistic meaning and the not the meaning applied to Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. Meaning of the name of Allah Al Waliy Al Mawla (‫)الولي املولى‬ There is no wali except Allah (‫)ال ولي اال اهلل‬. In order for the names of Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬to be effective, we need to believe in (‫)ال اله اال اهلل‬. Two types of wilayat Allah (‫)ﷻ‬: General / public (‫)عامة‬: It means you get it by default without doing anything. It includes humans, angels, animals, jinn, messengers, believers and disbelievers. Whether people deserve it or not they are getting this general wilayah. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is the One Who is near to them and He’s taking care of them without asking. When you have any problem, Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is the only One Who can solve your problem. Sometimes you see an ant so tiny moving about, but Who’s next to it? Allah (‫)ﷻ‬, subhan Allah. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is Wali to everyone, it’s not like your needs are less important than others. For example with our children, the young one might have her pencil case stolen and you think this is nothing and tell her this is n othing, but for her this is a problem. And to Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is the best example, Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is taking care of all of us and our problems; we’re all important to Him. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will still solve the disbeliever’s problems even though they won’t give Him any credit. It’s because He is Al Wali. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will still be close to them. Before you say anything, Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬knows what you’re feeling and what you’re going to say. He’s the King of kings, the Lord of lords and He will attain to you as if you’re the only one, subhan Allah. There is no interruption but only if you want it. If you don’t want this then you’re really a loser. As if you’re getting an opportunity to climb up a ladder and you’re not going up. This truly shows you the one who know are not equal to those who don’t. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will be your Wali, not because He needs you, but you need Him. Someone is truly deprived if he doesn’t know Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬and doesn’t have feel-

ings for Him. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬created us to worship Him. May Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬never deprive us from knowing Him and being close to Him. Ameen. Special / exclusive (‫)خاصة‬: This needs belief, feelings and attachment. Believers who have taqwa and do everything for Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬then for them is the special wilayah. We need Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬to be next to us. When a child first learns to walk, they don’t want you to be with them, though you’re watching them because you know they don’t know what’s good for them. Similarly we’re like this child thinking we know what’s best, though Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬knows. When you know Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is Al Wali then you will rely on Him and trust Him. When you’re asking for His waliyah then you will get extra protection, extra support, and extra companionship. He will do more for you because You believe in Him. Surah Yusuf 101: ً‫ُسلِ ۬ م‬ ۡ ‫َٱأل َخِ َر ِ‌ۖة تَ َوفَّنِى م‬ ۡ ‫ۡضأ َنتَ َولِىِّۦ فِى ٱل ُّدنۡيَا و‬ ِ ‫َٱألَر‬ ۡ ‫ٱلسمَ ـٰوَٲتِ و‬ َّ ‫ِيث فَاطِ ر‬ ۚ‌ِ ‫ٱأل َحَ اد‬ ۡ ‫) رَبِّ َق ۡد ءَاتَيۡتَنِى ِم َن ٱملۡ ُلۡكِ َو َعلَّمۡ تَنِى مِن تَأۡوِي ِل‬   (َ‫ِٱلصـٰلِحِ ني‬ َّ ‫َوأَلۡحِ ۡقنِى ب‬ (“My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams - the (Only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Walî (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian, God, Lord.) in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous.”)

Explanation of Allah Al Waliy Al Mawla (‫)الولي املولى‬ Special / exclusive (‫)خاصة‬: Some people mistake ‘al waliy’ in life thinking it’s a pious person, and they can just wipe on them and this person will bless them– this is not correct. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is Al Waliy and out of His generosity He is taking awliya from His slaves, though He doesn’t need them. To have the special wilayah means to get special treatment. The general wilayah is for all – believers, disbelievers, even animals. But who are the ones worthy of getting this special treatment? Those who believe and did taqwa (‫)الذين آمنوا و كانوا يتقون‬. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will give them something special because they’re doing something good. Taqwa is an action of the heart. Belief is input and taqwa is the output, for example, I believe in Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬and He’s watching me, so I will be conscious about my actions and utterances; this is taqwa. If you don’t have taqwa then you’ll say whatever you want and do whatever you want – you have no boundaries. If you’re asked ‘do you want economy class or first class’ of course you will say ‘first class’. It’s in our fitra to want the best. We want the best from Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. In order to be wali Allah (‫ – )ﷻ‬we need to believe and have taqwa, but we don’t know who is wali Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬and this is a mercy. If we knew then we can misuse this title. 5

We all have the chance to be wali Allah (‫)ﷻ‬, but we don’t know who is a wali. Belief and taqwa are actions of the heart, so don’t underestimate anyone. Even if you’re wali Allah (‫)ﷻ‬, you will not know until you die so you cannot benefit anyone and this is good for us. It’s truly out of Allah’s generosity to allow us with all our imperfections to be a wali it's all about the heart. Even a new Muslim can be wali Allah, but can a disbeliever be wali Allah? No. Increase your faith and be cautious of your actions and you can be wali Allah (‫)ﷻ‬, subhan Allah. It’s all about your heart. It’s not something impossible, but accessible to all, though belief is needed. Your value is your heart; not your nationality, background or lineage. The most honorable with Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬are the ones with more taqwa. No one knows what’s inside your heart; it’s for Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. What is the special treatment for wali Allah? 1.Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will nurture them but with a gentle and special nurturing Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is nurturing them gently without them realizing they’re going to a better level. For example, in class there are students listening and those not listening. You will focus on those who are listening because you know they can be developed for the better. The more you are wali Allah, the more special treatment you will get and the higher level you will reach, subhan Allah. Yusuf (as) is an obedient slave of Allah (‫)ﷻ‬, he’s not saying anything until the end, and what did he say? Surah Yusuf 101:  ‫ُسلِ ً۬ما َوأَلۡحِ ۡق ِنى‬ ۡ ‫َٱأل َخِ َر ِ‌ۖة تَ َوفَّنِى م‬ ۡ ‫ۡضأ َنتَ َولِىِّۦ فِى ٱل ُّدنۡيَا و‬ ِ ‫َٱألَر‬ ۡ ‫ٱلسمَ ـٰوَٲتِ و‬ َّ ‫ِيث فَاطِ ر‬ ۚ‌ِ ‫ٱأل َحَ اد‬ ۡ ‫رَبِّ َق ۡد ءَاتَيۡتَنِى ِم َن ٱملۡ ُلۡكِ َو َعلَّمۡ تَنِى مِن تَأۡوِي ِل‬ ‫ني‬  َ ِ‫ِٱلصـٰلِح‬ َّ ‫ب‬ “My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams - the (Only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Walî (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian, God, Lord.) in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous.” He went from the well, to the house of the Aziz, to jail and he said ‘my Rabb (my Nurturer) is gentle to whomever He wills’. If he didn’t go through the well then he wouldn’t have reached his high position. Whatever hardship you get in your life, the harder it is, the higher you’ll go, subhan Allah. It doesn’t mean you complain and violate the rules of Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. 2.To be taken out from darknesses to light When you’re wali Allah, Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will take you out from darknesses to light. Darkness is ignorance, and Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will not have a wali that’s ignorant, subhan Allah. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will take you from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. Surah Al Baqarah 257: ‫ٰت أ ُ ْو َلـٰٓٮٕ َ ِك‬ ۗ‌ِ ‫خرِجُ ونَهُم ِّم َن ٱلن ُّو ِر إِلَى ٱلظُّلُمَ ـ‬ ۡ ُ‫خرِجُ هُم ِّم َن ٱلظُّلُمَ ـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلن ُّو ِ‌ۖر وَٱ َّلذِي َن َكفَ ُر ٓوا ْ أ َ ۡولِيَآ ُؤ ُه ُم ٱلطَّـٰغُوتُ ي‬ ۡ ُ‫)ٱهللَُّ َولِىُّ ٱ َّلذِي َن ءَا َمن ُوا ْ ي‬   (َ‫خـٰلِدُون‬ َ ‫أ َۡصحَ ـٰبُ ٱلن َّا ِ‌ۖر ُه ۡم فِيہَا‬ 6

(Allah is the Protecting Guardian of those who be lieve. He bringeth them out of darkness into light. As for those who disbelieve, their patrons are false deities. They bring them out of light into darkness. Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein.) Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will remove them from the darkness of sins to the light of obedience. 3.Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will reform all your affairs – deen and duniya Anything that’s broken in your life – whether it’s work, health, marriage, etc – Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will reform and fix it for you without even asking, subhan Allah. Sometimes you waste your life and energy trying to fix one thing and other things get broken along the way. Just focus on believing and having taqwa and you will get everything. 4.Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will give you victory over your enemy Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will give you victory without even asking. Hadith: ‫ وما يزال عبدي يتقرب‬،‫ وما تقرب إلي عبدي بشيء أحب إلي مما افترضت عليه‬.‫ من عادى لي وليا فقد آذنته بالحرب‬:‫)ن اهلل تعالى قال‬ ،‫ ورجله التي يمشي بها‬،‫ ويده التي يبطش بها‬،‫ وبصره الذي يبصر به‬،‫ فإذا أحببته كنت سمعه الذي يسمع به‬،‫إلي بالنوافل حتى أحبه‬   (‫إن سألني أعطيته؛ ولئن استعاذني ألعيذنه‬ (Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “Allah the Exalted has said: ‘I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most be loved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawaﬁl (prayer or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him. When I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks (something) from Me, I give him, and if he asks My Protection (refuge), I protect him”.) – Riyadh As Saliheen, Al Bukhari Book 1, Hadith 95 – whoever hurts a wali Allah then Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will declare war against him so don’t harm others because you don’t know who is wali Allah. Imagine if Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬declares war against someone, how will their life be? May Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬protect us. Ameen. 5.Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will be his ears, eyes, feet and hands What does this mean? This person will only hear things which are good and pleasing to Allah (‫)ﷻ‬, he will only see what’s good. He will not use his feet to go somewhere displeasing to Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will take care of all of his limbs to be for Him, subhan Allah. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will use him to do good. May 7

Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬make us from His awliya. Ameen. Whoever is listening and reading this is not random; Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is offering this to you. 6.Whatever he asks, he will be given and whenever he seeks refuge from he will be given refuge If Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is your Wali then you will not be afraid. Explanation of Dua’a from Precious Remembrance – p. 55 Dua’a:  ‫ أنت وليها وموالها‬،‫ وزكها أنت خير من زكاها‬،‫اللهم آت نفسي تقواها‬ O Allah! Grant me the sense of piety and purify my soul as You are the Best to purify it. You are its Guard ian and its Protecting Friend. Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha Anta khairu man zakkaha, Anta waliyyuha wa maulaha. – Ri yadh As Saliheen, Muslim, Book 17, Hadith 1479  (‫)اللهم آت نفسي‬ (O Allah!): O Allah, when you want anything then just ask Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. Don’t ask for someone else to make dua for you. The most powerful dua is when you make it yourself. Don’t put a mediator. Keep your connection direct with Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. What are you asking Allah (‫?)ﷻ‬   (‫)آت نفسي تقواها‬ (Grant me the sense of piety): You want your nafs to be given taqwa, you want to be cautious. But you need to ask Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬for it – He is The First and The Last. When you have taqwa then you will have faith. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬loves a slave who asks Him. With this dua’a it shows your devotion and slavery. You feel you want it badly. What else?  (،‫)وزكها أنت خير من زكاها‬ (and purify my soul as You are the Best to purify it.): Purify my nafs and make it clean so taqwa can really go inside. Sometimes we can’t have a good character because there’s dirt inside. You’re asking Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬to purify your heart because He’s the best to purify it. You can’t ask anyone to give you taqwa or purify your heart except Allah (‫)ﷻ‬.  (‫)أنت وليها وموالها‬ (You are its Guardian and its Protecting Friend): You are my Guardian and Protector and Supporter, You are next to me so only You can give me. I want Your love and victory.

Asma (RA) accepted Islam at the call of Mus’ab ibn Umayr (RA). She was very proactive, didn’t shy away from taking up responsibilities and always ready to help. She had a thirst for knowledge and would be a regular at the Prophet’s gatherings. She didn’t hesitate in asking questions if she didn’t understand something. She believed that asking questions was crucial in increasing knowledge and understanding. The Ansar women, in general, were much bolder than the women of Makkah. They were neither bashful nor shy to get clarifications or get their doubts cleared. Aisha (RA) had praised them, saying, “How great are the Ansar women! They did not allow shyness to prevent them from learning their religion.” (Sahih al Bukhari: 129)

In this issue we will try to catch a glimpse, a short insight into the life of a Sahabiya who is not very well known. She shares her name with a prominent Sahabiya, sister of Aisha(radhiyallahu ‘anha) Asma’ bint Abi Bakr. The Asma’ of this issue was best known as the spokesperson of the women, Khateebatun Nisaa. Her speech was articulate, eloquent and dignified. Whenever the women wanted clarification in any matter from the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), they would approach Asma’ to ask the Prophet (SAWS) on their behalf. Her full name is Asma bint al Yazid bin al Sakn— she was from the Ansar of Madina. She was the daughter of Yazid ibn Sakan and Umm Saad bint Khuzaim. Her husband was Abu Saeed Ansari. She was the niece of the famous companion and scholar Mua’dh bin Jabal (RA).

Asma’ (RA) once approached the Prophet (SAWS) while he was seated amongst the Sahaba (RA) and addressed him in the following words: “May my father and mother be sacrificed for you! I have come to you as a representative of all women. May my life be sacrificed for you! Every single woman, in the east and west, whether she has heard that I will come to you or not, will have exactly the same question as myself. Verily Allah Ta‘ala has sent you with the truth to men and women. We brought imaan in you and in Allah Ta‘ala who deputed you. We, the women, live with restrictions and limitations. We don’t leave the confines of our homes. We allow you to fulfill your needs with us, and we bear your children. You, the men, have been favoured by your being able to attend the Jumu‘ah salaah and other salaahs in congregation. You are able to visit the sick and be present at funerals. You perform hajj after hajj, and even more virtuous than that is your fighting in the path of Allah Ta‘ala. When any of you men leave your 9

home to perform hajj or ‘umrah or to guard the borders of the Islamic territories, it is none other than us women who protect your wealth for you. We sew your clothes for you. We raise and care for your children. Don’t we have a share in your reward O Rasul of Allah (SAWS)?”

tributed to Asma bint Yazid. She ranks as one of the best informed companions of the Prophet (SAWS).

The Prophet (SAWS) was so impressed with the way Asma presented her case that he turned his face towards the Sahaba (RA) and asked them,“Have you ever heard a woman ask a question regarding her deen more excellent than the question of this woman?”

"When Ibrahim, the son of the Messenger of Allah (saws), died, the Messenger of Allah (saws) wept. The one who was consoling him, either Abu Bakr or Umar, said to him: ‘You are indeed the best of those who glorify Allah with what is due to him.’ The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: ‘The eye weeps and the heart grieves, but we do not say anything that angers the Lord. Were it not that death is something that inevitably comes to all, and that the latter will surely join the former, then we would have been more than we are, verily we grieve for you.’" (Graded Hasan)

The Sahaba (RA) replied, “O Rasul of Allah (SAWS)! We never imagined that a woman could be inspired to ask a question of this nature!” The Prophet (SAWS) turned back to her and said, “Return, O woman, and inform all the women you represent that for you to display excellent conduct with your husband, seek to keep him happy and try your utmost to comply with his ways will equal all the deeds you mentioned.” Asma’ (RA) was so delighted to hear this, that as she walked away she continued to exclaim “Allahu Akbar!” and “La ilaaha illallah!”. (Shu‘abul Imaan #8369) This narration shows how well articulated and eloquent she was. Her strong iman in the promise of Allah is also evident; she knew that Allah is Just and would never allow any kind of justice. Her desire to learn and implement didn’t allow her be shy and afraid. She was eager to learn about the religion. There are about 81 ahadith at-

One of the well-known hadith narrated by Asma is in Sunan Ibn Majah:

Another hadith narrated by Asma’ (RA) Asma bint Yazid narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: "It is not lawful to lie except in three cases: Something the man tells his wife to please her, to lie during war, and to lie in order to bring peace between the people." (Jami` atTirmidhi 1938) She was a woman of courage and valor. She was present at al-Hudaybiyah and Bay`at al-Ridwan and at the battle of Khaybar and Khandaq. Even after the death of the Prophet (SAWS) , she continued to work for the cause of the deen. In 13 AH, she travelled to Syria and took part in the Yarmuk war with other women where she prepared the weapons, gave drink to the Muja10

On that day she killed nine Romans with her tent-pole. She lived for a while after that." Asma bint Yazid spent the rest of her life in Syria. She passed away in the time of Yazid ibn Mu`awiyah, and is buried in the cemetery of al-Bab al-Saghir.

hideen, nursed the ones who were injured and encouraged the warriors to keep going. Ibn Kathir noted in his book Al-bidayah wa'lnihayah "The Muslim women fought on this day, and killed a large number of Romans. They struck whoever among the Muslims ran away, and said, `Where are you going, to leave us at the mercy of these infidels?!' When they told them oﬀ in this manner, they had not choice but to return to the fight." Asma bint Yazid went into the battle lines, and even killed 9 Roman warriors when the war got intense and she suﬀered injuries in her back because of it . Ibn Hijr noted her bravery ,in his Al-Isabah,:

When we read the stories of the Sahaba and the Sahabiyaat, it becomes clear to us on how we should implement the religion and remain steadfast upon it. The women at the time of the Prophet (SAWS) were not passive members of the society, they didn’t confine their role to only looking after the house and children. They contributed significantly to the community. They acquired knowledge and then spread it. They didn’t waste the potential Allah had given them, whiling away their time in things that are of no benefit in dunya and aakhirah. They didn’t shy away from participating in whatever they could. They knew how to balance their obligatory duty of looking after the household as well as other acts. They excelled in their deen and its application. We need to learn more about the righteous first generation of Muslims, and follow their footsteps. This is needed now more than ever, in this time of fitnah and confusion. We need to carry on the legacy that has been left for us by these illustrious companions of the Prophet (SAWS).

"Umm Salamah al-Ansariyyah, i.e., Asma' bint Yazid ibn Sakan, was present at al-Yarmuk. 11

ARABIC PRONOUNS

With

We Our we

us, we must accept the guidance a, take it and follow it. We

we We

our 13

the day when he will be he

from fear and grief.

Our us us.

Reported by Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (PBUH) said, “In Jannah the believer will have a tent made of a single hollowed pearl of which the length will be sixty miles in the sky. The believer will have his wives with him and he will visit them and they will not be able to see one another.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Reported by `Uthman bin `Affan (RA): I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) performing Wudu’ the way I have just done it and said, “He who performs Wudu’ like this, his previous sins will be forgiven and his Salat and walking to the mosque will be considered as supererogatory act of worship.” [Muslim]

Reported by Abu Barzah (RA): I said: “O Prophet of Allah, teach me something so that I may derive benefit from it.” He (peace be upon him) said: “Remove the harmful things from the paths of the Muslims.” (Muslim)

Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 185, 1027 Commentary: Wudu is a means of remission of minor sins, provided that the sins are not related to the rights of the people. To perform wudu at home before going to the masjid is highly meritorious.

CATCHING THOUGHTS (‫ )صيد الخاطر‬FROM A BOOK BY IBN AL JAWZI Thought (‫)الخاطرة‬: Long life (‫)طول العمر‬ §

(‫دعوت يوما فقلت اللهم بلغني آمالي من العلم و العمل‬

I once made a dua’a to Allah (‫ )س “ “ ““بحان “ “ ““ه و ت “ “ ““عال “ “ ““ى‬to make me reach all of my goals regarding knowledge and good deeds, subhan Allah. o

He would not have made this dua’a unless he knew about the purpose of life which is to worship Allah (‫)س “ “ “ ““بحان “ “ “ ““ه و ت “ “ “ ““عال “ “ “ ““ى‬, and you cannot have this worship without knowledge and good deeds. Good deeds include both inner and outer deeds.

Ask yourself, have you ever made a goal of where to reach in knowledge? Knowledge is so vast, and for this reason he is asking Allah (‫)سبحانه و تعالى‬.

‫و أطل عمري ألبلغ ما أحب من ذلك‬

And prolong my life so that I can reach what I love from that. §

‫فعارضني وسواس من ابليس فقال‬

Then the shaitan approached me and whispered: §

‫ثم ماذا؟ أليس املوت‬

Then what? Don’t you know it ends with death. §

‫فما الذي ينفع طول الحياة؟‬

So what’s the point of prolonging life? Subhan Allah. o

Imagine ibn Jawzi did not want to prolong his life for duniya, to see his grandchildren, see places, etc but for the akhira. And the shaitan wants to discourage you.

You might be learning, writing, etc – and the shaitan will come and discourage you, and say you’ll never come back to your learning, writing, - he just wants to put you down.  ‫فقلت له يا أبله لو فهمت ما تحت سؤالي علمت أنه ليس‬

‫بعث‬ So I said: ‘You idiot, if you understood the purpose of my question, you would find it’s not vain’ o

You find that ibn Jawzi is talking to shaitan with logic because Iblis did not prostrate to Adam (as) because Iblis used logic, subhan Allah. 16

‫أليس في كل يوم يزيد علمي و معرفتي‬

Don’t you know that as I am living every day, then my knowledge and understand is increasing §

(‫)فتكثر ثمار غرسي فأشكر يوم حصائد‬

It will increase the fruits in my garden, and I will be appreciated when it’s harvested. o

So the more I increase in knowledge about Allah (‫)س ““بحان ““ه و ت ““عال ““ى‬, Quran, and Sunnah, the more fruits I will have. When you say these words with belief, which needs knowledge (‫ اهلل أك“ ““بر‬، ‫ الح“ ““مد هلل‬، ‫س“ ““بحان اهلل‬، ‫ )ال ال“ ““ه اال اهلل‬then they are plants in paradise. You will not harvest them without work and belief. And when you harvest, you will be appreciated because Allah Ash Shakoor will give you more than what you did.

‫أفيسرني أنني مت منذ عشرين سنة‬

Do you think I would have been happy if I died 20 years ago? §

(‫)ال و اهلل ألني ما كنت ألعرف اهلل تعالى عشر معرفتي به اليوم‬

No, I swear by Allah if I had been dead before, I would not have known a tenth of what I know about Allah (‫ )سبحانه و تعالى‬today, subhan Allah. §

‫و كل ذلك ثمرة الحياة التي اجتنيت أدلة الوحدانية‬

And all of this knowledge about Allah (‫ )س “ “ ““بحان “ “ ““ه و ت “ “ ““عال “ “ ““ى‬is the fruits of this life and I have seen so many proofs and evidence about His Oneness. o

As you are living every day, you are seeing practical proofs of (‫)ال ال “ “ “ “ “ ““ه اال اهلل‬. You feel sad, no one appreciates you – you remember (‫)ال ال ““ه اال اهلل‬. So this logically shows that longer life is making him learn more about the Oneness of Allah (‫)س “ ““بحان “ ““ه و ت “ ““عال “ ““ى‬, and this is great.

‫و ارتقيت من حضيض التقليد الى قمة البصيرة‬

With more knowledge, more good deeds, and more faith it elevated me from imitating others (following blindly) to the peak in insight. o

If I didn’t know about Allah (‫)س ““بحان ““ه و ت ““عال ““ى‬, then I will eat, drink, dress, talk, etc just by imitating others. With knowledge about Allah (‫)س“ ““بحان“ ““ه و ت“ ““عال“ ““ى‬, then when I eat, I know for whom I am eating, when I dress, I know for whom I am dressing.

Imagine when we didn’t know Allah (‫ – )س“ ““بحان“ ““ه و ت“ ““عال“ ““ى‬we were just imitating, and this shows no identity. But we will really be ourself when we are a servant of Allah (‫)س ““بحان ““ه و ت ““عال ““ى‬, subhan Allah.

(‫)و اطلعت على علوم زاد بها قدري و تجوهرت بها نفسي‬

In these twenty years of acquiring knowledge about Allah (‫)س “ ““بحان “ ““ه و ت “ ““عال “ ““ى‬, He has shown me different types of knowledge that has increased my status and has made my nafs very precious, like a gem. o

Imagine when you started acquiring knowledge, what you first acquired is different from now, there is no boundary to knowledge. And Allah (‫ )س “ ““بحان “ ““ه و ت “ ““عال “ ““ى‬will open knowledge to you that you never thought you would learn, subhan Allah. May Allah (‫ )س“ “ “ ““بحان“ “ “ ““ه و ت“ “ “ ““عال“ “ “ ““ى‬prolong our life in goodness. Ameen.

You cannot take a break from knowledge because when you come back, you are not the same as you were before – you would have missed so much. It will be slower to elevation. Imagine you are in a queue at the supermarket and then you decide to leave and go to the coffee shop, and when you come back you won’t have your place again, you will go back to the end of the queue and start again.

Knowledge is not about how many books you read, but the state of your heart. Imagine your nafs is like a precious stone that needs to be cleaned and polished, you don’t want it to be dull and dusty, though it is very expensive.

Allah (‫ )س “ “ “ ““بحان “ “ “ ““ه و ت “ “ “ ““عال “ “ “ ““ى‬gave you something precious – your nafs is very precious, but you need to maintain it with knowledge.

(‫)ثم زاد غرسي آلخرتي و قوبت تجارتي‬

When I am elevated, then it will increase my harvest for the akhira. o

If your nafs is strong and beautiful, then it will increase your output. You cannot make others happy unless you are happy yourself. If you are not good from the inside, then how can you do good from the outside? Subhan Allah. Knowing Allah (‫ )س“ ““بحان“ ““ه و ت“ ““عال“ ““ى‬will bring back your value, your ‘price’ will be very high.

(‫ و قل ربي زدني علما‬:‫)فقد قال اهلل لسيد املرسلني‬

Don’t you know what Allah (‫ )س ““بحان ““ه و ت ““عال ““ى‬said to the Messenger (‫)ﷺ‬: ‘And say: My Rabb increase me in knowledge’ o

So ibn Jawzi brought evidence from the Quran.

(‫)و في حديث ابي هريرة عن النبي صلى اهلل عليه و سلم ال يزيد املؤمن عمره اال خيرا‬

And in a hadith of Abu Huraira (ra): The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said that when a believer’s age is prolonged, it only increases him in goodness. May Allah (‫ )س“بحان“ه و ت“عال“ى‬prolong our life in goodness. Ameen. §

(‫)فياليت قدرت عمر نوح‬

I wish I have a life like Nuh’s (as). o §

He knows it’s not possible but just to despair the shaitan.

(‫)فإن العلم كثير و كلما حصل منه حاصل رفع و نفع‬

Because there is so much knowledge and the more I get, the more I benefit and become elevated. o

Imagine just one hour of knowledge can elevate you, subhan Allah.

Reported by Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (RA): Mes-

Reported by Àbdullah bin Àmr bin Al-às

senger of Allah (peace be upon him) has or-

(RA): A man asked Messenger of Allah

dered us to visit the sick, to follow the fu-

(peace be upon him), “Which act in Islam is

neral (of a dead believer), respond to the

the best?” He (peace be upon him) replied,

sneezer (i.e., by saying to him: Yarhamuk-

“To feed (the poor and the needy) and to

Allah after he says: Al-hamdu lillah), to

greet those whom you know and those you

help those who vow to fulfill it, to help the

do not know.”

oppressed, to accept the invitation extended by the inviter; and to promote

[Bukhari & Muslim] Riyad us Saliheen, Chap-

greetings (i.e., saying As-Salamu `Alaikum).

ter 60, 550

[Bukhari & Muslim] Riyad us Saliheen, Chap-

Let us attend to the needs of the needy

ter 144, 894

around us. 19

Early hours, the blessed hours! Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51 (the winnowing winds) verses 15-21:  ‫أعوذ باهلل من الشيطان الرجيم‬ I seek refuge in Allah from the rejected shaytan (devil) ‫( ءَاخِ ذِي َن مَآ ءَاتَٮٰ ُه ۡم َربُّہُ ۡ‌ۚ م‬١٥) ‫ن‬ ٍ ‫عيُو‬ ُ ‫ٰت َو‬ ٍ۬ ‫ني فِى جَ نَّـ‬ َ ‫ن ٱملۡ ُتَّ ِق‬ َّ ِ‫إ‬  ‫ما‬ َ ‫م َن ٱ َّليۡ ِل‬ ِّ ً۬‫( كَانُوا ْ َقلِيال‬١٦) ‫ني‬ َ ‫ك مُحۡ سِ ِن‬ َ ِ‫إِنَّہُ ۡم كَانُوا ْ َقبۡلَ ذَٲل‬  ٓ‫( َو ِفى‬١٨) ‫ن‬ َ ‫غ ِفرُو‬ ۡ َ‫َست‬ ۡ ‫ه ۡم ي‬ ُ ‫َسحَ ا ِر‬ ۡ ‫ِٱأل‬ ۡ ‫( َوب‬١٧) ‫ن‬ َ ‫يَہۡجَ عُو‬ ٌ‫ت‬  ۬ ٰ‫ۡضءَايَـ‬ ِ ‫ٱألَر‬ ۡ ‫( َوفِى‬١٩) ِ ‫ِّلسآٮِٕ ِل وَٱملۡ َحۡ رُوم‬ َّ ‫موَٲلِ ِه ۡم حَ قٌّ۬ ل‬ ۡ َ‫أ‬ ‫َف‬  ِ ‫( و‬٢١) ‫ن‬ َ ‫ۡصرُو‬ ِ ‫( َو ِفىٓ أ َنفُسِ ُك ۡ‌ۚم أَف ََالتُب‬٢٠) ‫ني‬ َ ‫ِّللۡمُ و ِق ِن‬ ‫ۡض‬  ِ ‫َٱألَر‬ ۡ ‫ٱلسمَ آ ِء و‬ َّ ِّ‫( فَوَرَب‬٢٢) ‫ن‬ َ ‫عدُو‬ َ ‫ٱلسمَ آ ِء ِرزۡ ُق ُك ۡم َومَا تُو‬ َّ  !٢٣" ‫ن‬ َ ‫طقُو‬ ِ ‫مث ۡلَ مَآ أَنَّ ُك ۡم تَن‬ ِّ ٌّ۬‫إِنَّ ُهྜۥ لَحَ ق‬ (15. Verily, those who have Taqwa will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs,) (16. Taking joy in the things which their Lord has given them. Verily, they were before this doers of good.) (17. They used to sleep but little by night.) (18. And in the hours before dawn, they were asking for forgiveness.) (19. And in their wealth there was the right of the Sa'il and the Mahrum.) (20. And on the earth are signs for those who have faith with certainty.) (21. And also in yourselves. Will

you not then see (22. And in the heaven is your provision, and that which you are promised.) (23. Then by the Lord of the heaven and the earth, it is the truth, just as you can speak.) And in the hours before“َ‫غ ِفرُون‬ ْ َ‫َست‬ ْ ‫ه ْم ي‬ ُ ‫َسحَ ا ِر‬ ْ ‫ِاأل‬ ْ ‫وب‬ dawn they would ask forgiveness…” (Surah  Adh-Dhariyat, 51:18 The submission to our Rabb (Lord) in the early hours in the morning by seeking His forgiveness results in acceptance by Him, brings about a new dawn in our lives and this is the dawn that we do not want to miss out on, beidhnil Allah SWT (with the permission of Allah SWT). Allah SWT has not only praised those believers that wake up before the dawn and seek his forgiveness as highlighted in the verses quoted in the beginning, Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51 (The winnowing winds) verses 15-21, but Allah SWT took an oath of these hours in Surah Al Fajr, 89 (The Dawn), verse 1: ‫وَا ْلفَجْ ِر‬ -By the Dawn This is further emphasised by the saying of the Prophet SAW: “Allah made the early hours blessed for my Ummah.” (Ahmed) Now, what is so special about these hours? Morning hours are blessed because they have been blessed by the Allah SWT, Badi as Samawat wal Ard, The Deviser of the heavens and the 20

earth. If you have noticed, one of the signs of depression is when people cannot wake up early, they do not want to wake up early. They want to run away from their problems by covering themselves with the blanket of sleep, Subhanal Allah. They feel they cannot cope with the light of the day and hence once the night is over, they try to cover themselves with the darkness of the blanket and the sleep. This sleep which was blessed, profitable at night, becomes a big loss during the day and hence here comes the call of your Rabb in Surah Ad Duhaa, 89:  ﴾ ِ ‫ن الرَّحِ يم‬ ِ ‫ِسم ِ اهللَِّ الرَّحْ مَ ـ‬ ْ ‫﴿ب‬ (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. - ‫ك َومَا َقلَى‬ َ ُّ‫ك َرب‬ َ ‫ع‬ َ ‫ مَا َو َّد‬- ‫سجَ ى‬ َ ‫ وَا َّليْ ِل إِذَا‬- ‫َالضحَ ى‬ ُّ ‫﴿و‬ - ‫ْضى‬ َ ‫ك فَتَر‬ َ ُّ‫ك َرب‬ َ ‫َسوْفَ يُ ْعطِي‬ َ ‫ َول‬- ‫ك ِم َن االٍّولَى‬ َ ‫خيْ ٌر َّل‬ َ ُ‫َو َلالٌّخِ َرة‬ ً‫ َووَجَ د ََك عَآ ِئال‬- ‫ضآالًّ فَ َهدَى‬ َ ‫ َووَجَ د ََك‬- ‫أ َ َل ْم يَجِ د َْك يَتِيما ً فَآوَى‬ ‫ َوأَمَّا‬- ‫السآئِلَ فَالَ تَنْ َه ْر‬ َّ ‫ َوأَمَّا‬- ‫ فَأَمَّا ا ْليَتِي َم فَالَ تَ ْق َه ْر‬- ‫غنَى‬ ْ َ ‫فَأ‬  ﴾ ‫ث‬ ْ ‫فَحَ ِّد‬ َ‫ِ ِنعْمَ ِة َربِّك‬ (1. By the forenoon.) (2. By the night when it darkens.) (3. Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor hates you.) (4. And indeed, the Hereafter is better for you than the present.) (5. And verily, your Lord will give you so that you shall be wellpleased.) (6. Did He not find you an orphan and gave you a refuge) (7. And He found you unaware and guided you) (8. And He found you poor and made you rich) (9. Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression.) (10. And repulse not the one who asks.) (11. And proclaim the grace of your Lord.) This surah was revealed to strengthen the will of the Prophet SAW as in one instance, he did not receive the revelation for 6 months, and the Prophet SAW felt that Allah SWT had forsaken him. That was not the case, as Allah SWT as-

sured him in the above chapter, that He had not forgotten the Prophet and the hereafter would be better than present. Who is revealing The Book? That is Allah Subhan wa t’Ala, Al Khaleq, our Creator who knows exactly what is good for us and what we are going through, is not He Al Lateef Al Khabeer (The Most Subtle Knower)? He has a plan for each one of us but we must help ourselves by doing what He wants us to do. What does Allah want us to do? Allah SWT wants us to submit to Him, to listen to Him; If He is saying that the good doers wake up before the dawn and seek His forgiveness, then this is what we should do. He is taking an oath by the Fajr (dawn) in Surah Al Fajr, 89 (The Dawn), verse 1: ‫وَا ْلفَجْ ِر‬ -By the Dawn, Subhanal Allah, is not that good enough as an evidence of importance of these hours. He further inspired his prophet SAW: “Allah made the early hours blessed for my Ummah.” (Ahmed). Furthermore, in Surah Ad Duhaa, Allah SWT takes us to that beautiful time, the forenoon, just after the sunrise and Rabbana (our Lord) contrasts it with the night when it darkens, Subhanal Allah. That is Allah’s call for us to wake up and Alhamadulil Allah, it is a new dawn (Fajr) and it is a new forenoon (Duhaa). We know that there is an obligatory prayer associated with the breaking of the dawn (Salat ul Fajr) and there is a voluntary prayer that we can do after the sunrise (Salat ul Ad duhaa), Subhanal Allah. Wake up, come out of the darkness of the night, it is Fajar

Wake up, come out of the darkness pf the worries and concerns, it is Ad duhaa Wake up, yesterday has gone, tomorrow you have not seen, but today Allah SWT is waking you up and giving you the opportunity to open a new page in your life, and may this page be blessed by Allah SWT, Tabarak Allah (The Blessed One, The Only One who can bestow blessings). Subhanal Allah, Alhamdulil Allah, Allahu Akbar.

Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other.

Promote greeting amongst you (by say-

ing As-salamu `alaikum to one another)”. [Muslim] Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 46, 378

Reported by An-Nawwas bin Sam`an (RA): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Piety is good manner, and sin is that which creates doubt and you do not like people to know of it.” [Muslim] Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 68, 590 Let us create a courteous and cooperative environment, and let us stay away from sin.

Reported by Ibn `Umar (RA): Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Envy is justified in regard to two types of persons only: a man whom Allah has given knowledge of the Qur’an, and so he recites it during the night and during the day; and a man whom Allah has given wealth and so he spends from it in His way during the night and during the day.” [Bukhari & Muslim] Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 64, 572

a firm

with them and used to say that they depend on Allah. They

Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “The strong man is not the one who wrestles, but the strong man is in fact the one who controls himself in a fit of rage.” [Bukhari & Muslim] Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 75, 647 People are usually impressed by physical power, but the real strength is one who can keep his anger under control.

Reported by `Iyad bin Himar (RA): Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Allah has revealed to me that you should humble yourselves to one another. One should neither hold himself above another nor transgress against another.” [Muslim] Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 71, 602 Let us be kind and tolerant in our behavior towards each other.

Allah Al Qareeb – The Most Near (‫)القريب سبحانه وتعالى‬ Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is above the seven heavens, He rose over the Throne in a manner that suits His majesty. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is closer to me than myself by His seeing, hearing, and knowledge. He sees and hears me. Nothing in my life is hidden from Him. He’s close to the worshippers. Close to the ones who invoke Him. Close to the ones who prostrate to Him. Close to the ones who remember Him. It’s a closeness that makes you feel a sense of security, peace, and tranquility. A closeness that pushes away all loneliness. Al Qareeb responds to your dua’a and accepts your strive. It’s a closeness that only the heart tastes though the tongue fails to describe. He is closer than anyone close. He is closer to your heart than yourself. O you who’s complaining of sorrow.. be with Al Qareeb because He is closer to you than yourself. O you who has repented to Allah (‫)ﷻ‬.. Al Qareeb loves you and loves that you are near. That’s why Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬is happy with the repentance of those who have wronged themselves. He will come closer and make you taste the sweetness of repentance and returning to Him. After the person left what was putting a barrier between his heart and his Most Beloved (Allah), he came back to Him broken and in need. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will never leave you, but will make you taste kindness and mercy from Him. Adorn your heart for the Most Near (Al Qareeb) because He is watching. He sees its turns and concerns, but ask Him to make your concern His pleasure and His love. May Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬love you and be pleased with you. Ameen.

you ‫ال اله اال اهلل‬

learning

Acceptance that everything that happens to us is for the best, whether its according to our desire or not.

Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent”. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Reported by `Aishah (RA): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "Do not abuse the dead, because they have attained that which they had forwarded (i.e., their deeds, good or bad).'' [Bukhari - Riyad us Saliheen Chapter 267, 1564].

Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 39, 308 39

HE MANAGES THE AFFAIR

(ُ‫ٱ ۡل ُقلُوب‬

He manages the affair (َ‫مر‬ ْ َ ‫األ‬ ْ ‫)يُ َدبِّ ُر‬

Those who believed and whose hearts ﬁnd rest in

Surah As Sajdah 5:  ‫ْضثُ َّم يَ ْع ُر ُج إِ َليْ ِه فِي يَ ْوم ٍ كَان‬ ِ ‫األَر‬ ْ ‫السمَ ا ِء إِلَى‬ َّ ‫األ َ ْم َر ِم َن‬ ْ ‫يُ َدبِّ ُر‬  (‫سن َ ٍة مِّمَّ ا تَ ُعدُّو َن‬ َ َ‫ِم ْقدَا ُرهُ أَلْف‬

the remembrance of Allâh, Verily, in the remem brance of Allâh do hearts ﬁnd rest. •

(He manages and regulates (every) aﬀair from

affair). Our Rabb Al Aziz is the One Who disposes our affairs. He chooses what’s best for us even if we don’t see it like that. Know that our vision is imperfect and with time we will know all that Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬has chosen for

the heavens to the earth, then it (aﬀair) will go up to Him, in one Day, the space whereof is a thou sand years of your reckoning (i.e. reckoning of our present worlds time).) •

With all we’re going through in life, the difficulties and responsibilities we face, it leads us to think about our situation. We’re always thinking about everything – ‘how will our life go? What awaits us in the future? Will our dreams come true? Will we lose someone from our loved ones?’ – the thinking doesn’t end and the questions have no answers except with Allah (‫)ﷻ‬.

•

In the middle of these worries and concerns nothing will calm you except the remembrance of Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬and being close to Him.

•

We need something to relax us, something to give us rest, but where will it come from? Surah Ar Ra’ad 28: ‫)ٱ َّلذِي َن ءَا َمن ُوا ْ َوتَطۡمَ ٮِٕ ُّن ُقلُوبُهُم ِب ِذ ۡك ِر ٱهللَِّۗ أ ََال ِب ِذڪۡ ِر ٱهللَِّ تَطۡمَ ٮِٕ ُّ ن‬

Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬says (َ‫األ َ ْم“ “ “ر‬ ْ ‫( )يُ “ “ َدبِّ “ “ ُر‬He manages the

us is the best, alhamdulilah. •

Our Rabb (َ‫األ َ ْم “ “ “ “ “ر‬ ْ ‫( )يُ “ “ “ “ “ َدبِّ “ “ “ “ “ ُر‬He manages the affair), so don’t despair if having a child is being delayed. And our Rabb (َ‫األ َ ْم “ “ “ “ر‬ ْ ‫( )يُ “ “ “ “ َدبِّ “ “ “ “ ُر‬He manages the affair), so don’t hate your job but know something better will come.

•

And our Rabb (َ‫األ َ ْم “ “ “ر‬ ْ ‫( )يُ “ “ “ َدبِّ “ “ “ ُر‬He manages the affair), it comes with hidden subtleties which people don’t notice when in difficult times. How many people have failed their exams but were able to pass after a re-take? And how many people were failures in school though Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬opended for them doors of rizq from where they can’t imagine?

•

Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬disposes the affairs of the people as He wills. And anything given from the deen in no way can be measured against what’s given from the duniya. 40

•

Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬protects His slave from the

come – Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬will dispose your affairs,

duniya just as we protect someone we love from dangers. Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬gives the duniya to

so be at rest and don’t worry.

whom He loves and doesn’t love, but He gives the deen only to whom He loves. •

It’s important to strive and put effort in your studies, work and dawah, but don’t depend on yourself. Trust in Allah (‫)ﷻ‬. Part of a hadith: The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: (َ‫َاس“ “ “ “ت َعِ ْن ِب“ “ “ ““اهللَِّ َوال‬ “ْ ‫و‬

•

When Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬closes a door you’ve been asking, don’t feel disabled or turn away. Perhaps the goodness is by closing it and know with absolute trust another door will open for you that will make you forget the previous one. Then you will know the meaning (َ‫األ َ ْمر‬ ْ ‫( )يُ َدبِّ ُر‬He manages the affair).

‫ش “ىْ ٌء فَ “الَ تَ “قُلْ َل “ ْو أَنِّ ““ي فَ “ َعلْتُ َ“ك ““ا َن َك“ “ذَا‬ “ “ َ ‫َص““ابَ “ َ“ك‬ “ “ “َ ‫تَ ْعج ِ“زْ َو إِ ْن أ‬

May Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬grant us complete faith and

َ‫ش““ا َء فَ “عَل‬ “ “َ ‫ َو َل “ ِك ْن ُق““لْ َق “ َد ُر اهللَِّ َو َم““ا‬. ‫( ) َو َك“ “ذَا‬and seek help

trust in Him. Ameen.

from Allah and do not lose heart, and if any thing (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don’t say: If I had not done that, it would not

Reported by Zubair bin `Awwam (RA):

have happened so and so, but say: Allah did

Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)

that what He had ordained to do) - Sahih

said, “It is far better for you to take

Muslim 2664 •

(‫األ َ ْم َر‬ ْ ‫)يُ َدبِّ ُر‬

your rope, go to the mountain, (cut some firewood) carry it on your back, and sell it and thereby save your face than beg-

(He manages the affair): Remind your heart every time you fear something, or worry, or face a problem. When you’re certain Allah (‫)ﷻ‬

ging from people whether they give you

disposes all affairs, then your nafs is at rest and your Rabb is sufficient to guide you and grant you victory.

[Bukhari]

•

Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 59, 539

Allah (‫ )ﷻ‬knows everything inside your heart, He knows everything you’re trying to say, so don’t worry, just say ‘ya Rabb’, and He will dispose your affairs and change your condition for the better.

•

or refuse.”

Islam emphasizes hard work over begging. Even manual labour, which is so often looked down upon, is far better for one’s self respect compared to begging.

The matter that’s giving you a sleepless night, and the tomorrow you’re fearing to

Zakaria (AS) and gave him glad

Zakaria (AS) that he would be a boy. An

Zakaria (AS) wanted a son, because only a

Zakaria (AS) to make dua to Allah (SWT) for a son. Allah (SWT) has already our

Allah (SWT) assures Zakaria (AS) that he will have a real

characteristics were also unheard of in his Zakaria (AS) made his dua because he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find anyone worthy to carry the message of Deen

Allah

Zakaria (AS) was also

Zakaria (AS) there were two obstacles.

Zakaria (AS) trusted Allah (SWT) completely. He asked would rest and be at peace.

Zakaria (AS) would not be able to speak to

Zakaria (AS) the sign of silence. This was a mercy, giving him time to think and absorb the

Reported by Abu Shuraih Al-Khuza`i (RA): The Prophet (peace be upon him)

Reported by Al-Aswad bin Yazid (RA):

said, “He who believes in Allah and the

`Aishah (RA) was asked: “What did Mes-

Last Day, let him be kind to his neigh-

senger of Allah (peace be upon him)

bor; and he who believes in Allah and

used to do inside his house?” She an-

the Last Day, let him show hospitality to

swered: “He used to keep himself busy

his guest; and he who believes in Allah

helping members of his family, and when

and the Last Day, let him either speak

it was the time for Salat (the prayer),

good or remain silent”.

he would get up for prayer.”

[Muslim - Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 39,

[Bukhari - Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter

309]

71, 606]

Islam is not just about praying and fast-

Shall we try to follow this example,

ing. Our daily behavior to others also re-

starting today?

flect the state of our belief.

OUR NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ALLAH - PART 5

•

One of the names of Allah (swt) is (‫ – )امل “ “ “ ““ؤم “ “ “ ““ن‬Al Mu’min, the One Who fulfills His promise, and whenever He promises anything He will never break it. So our heart really needs to know Who is Allah (swt) in order to live a good life.

•

If we lived this life according to our own thoughts, according to the whispers of the shaitan, and just information in general, then it’s very difficult to have a good life.

•

How will your life be good when you know Who is Allah (swt)? You will know Who to depend on, Who to turn to, and Who to complain to. How many complaints have we had in our sujood? And if you’re asleep, tossing and turning and you open your eyes and say: (َُّ‫الَ إِ َل • • • • • َه إِالَّ اهلل‬ َُّ‫ وَاهلل‬،َُّ‫ َوالَ إِ َل• َه إِالَّ اهلل‬،َِّ‫ن اهلل‬ َ ‫َس•بْحَ ا‬ • ُ ‫ و‬،َِِّ‫ْح•مْ ُد هلل‬ • َ ‫ ال‬.ٌ‫ش•ىْ ٍء َق• ِدي•ر‬ • َ ِّ‫ع•لَى ُ•ك•ل‬ َ َ‫ه•و‬ ُ ‫ َو‬،ُ‫ْح•مْ د‬ • َ ‫ َو َل• ُه ال‬،ُ‫ َل• ُه املْ ُ• ْلك‬،ُ‫ك َل•ه‬ َ •‫ش• ِري‬ • َ َ‫َح• َدهُ ال‬ •ْ ‫و‬ ‫ص“ “الَتُ“ “ ُه‬ “ “ َ ْ‫َص“ “لَّى ُق“ “ ِبلَت‬ “ “ َ ‫َض“ “أ َ و‬ “ “ َّ ‫ فَ“ “ ِإ ْن تَ“ “و‬، َ‫اس“ “تُج ِيب‬ “ ْ ‫ أ َ ْو َد َ“ع ““ا‬.‫غ•• ِف ْر لِ••ي‬ ْ ‫ ث ُ• َّم َق••الَ ال • َّل ُه َّم ا‬.َِّ‫ح• •وْلَ َوالَ ُق••وَّةَ إِالَّ ِب••اهلل‬ َ َ‫ َوال‬،ُ‫( )أ َ ْك• •بَر‬The Prophet (‫" )ﷺ‬Whoever gets up at night and says: -- 'La ilaha il-lallah Wahdahu la Sharika lahu Lahu-lmulk, waLahu-l-hamd wahuwa 'ala kullishai'in Qadir. Al hamdu lil-lahi wa subhanal-lahi wa la-ilaha il-lal-lah wa-l-lahu akbar wa la hawla Wala Quwata il-la-billah.' (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. He is the Only One and has no partners. For Him is the Kingdom and all the praises are due for Him. He is Omnipotent. All the praises are for Allah. All the glories are for Allah. And none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, And Allah is Great And there is neither Might nor Power Except with Allah). And then says: -- Allahumma, Ighfir li (O Allah! Forgive me). Or invokes (Allah), he will be responded to and if he performs ablution (and prays), his prayer will be accepted.") - Sahih al-Bukhari 1154

•

Look at how close He is to us and how merciful, look at how much He loves the believers. But look how much we are ignorant about Him, and we must confess that we are! Why is it required for us to know Allah (swt)? Because it is not possible to have iman followed by surrendering if you don’t know Who is Allah (swt). So we want to search for this iman that will make us surrender, and there is no true iman except if you know Who is Allah (swt).

•

Iman is to believe in your heart, say it on the tongue, and act on the limbs. To say and act depends on the belief in the heart. When will there be belief in the hearts? When we know our Rabb.

•

When I say to myself, ‘I must believe in Allah, I need to increase my faith in Allah (swt)’, well in that case Who is Allah (swt)? Can someone who knows one, two or three facts about Allah (swt) have the same feelings as the one who knows a thousand facts? Of course not!

•

So when we ask ourselves, ‘why is my iman weak?’, the reason is because we don’t know Allah (swt). If we truly knew Him then all our feelings and emotions would be busy with Him, subhan Allah. We would have love and magnification of Allah (swt).

•

People nowadays, especially young teens, love those who are far away from them. Look at how someone in one corner of the earth can get obsessed with someone famous in another corner. Though there is no language, blood, or relation that bonds them but because of how much people talk about this person, magnify him and talk about his good qualities, what happens to this void heart? It gets attached.

•

If this void heart rushed to knowing Allah (swt), then he would be attached to Him, and it would have settled in his heart, subhan Allah. Don’t forget this rule: Allah (swt) placed the fitra in us to love those who are good to us and to magnify those who have great qualities.

•

If we were busy with these two matters: knowing those who are good to us from humans and getting occupied in magnifying others besides Allah (swt), then we will be attached and magnifying something else besides Him.

•

So when we say that knowing Allah (swt) is dependent on having faith, what reality must we have in our heart? Who is Allah (swt) Whom I will magnify. Because the entire deen is dependent on this matter – to believe in Allah (swt) and to believe in His perfect attributes.

Reported by Abu Hurairah (RA): A man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him)

Reported by Ibn `Umar (RA): The Messen-

to give him advice, and he (peace be

ger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,

upon him) said, “Do not get angry.” The

“When one of you intends to come for

man repeated that several times and he

the Friday prayer, he should take a

(peace be upon him) replied (every

bath.”

time), “Do not get angry.” [Bukhari - Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter

[Bukhari & Muslim - Riyad us Saliheen, Chapter 210, 1151]

74, 639] 48

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.