Let the Fear of Allah Remain!

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله أما بعد

Fearing one's creator is an essential part of faith(emaan). Allah azza wa jall has not created us for any purpose other than His worship. This is as the ayah goes: وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ 

And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). [surah adh-Dhariyaat:57]

 al Imam ibn Kathir (rh) says in the tafsir of this ayah: Meaning, `I, Allah, only created them so that I order them to worship Me, not that I need them.' `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas commented on the Ayah, ﴿إِلاَّ لِيَعْبُدُونِ﴾ (...except that they should worship Me.) meaning, "So that they worship Me, willingly or unwillingly.'' [Tafsir Quran al Adheem]

Therefore, it is mandatory on every sane human being to realize his or her purpose in life. We were not created for mere play.
Allah swt also says in His noble book:

  أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَـكُمْ عَبَثاً وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لاَ تُرْجَعُونَ 

"Did you think that We had created you in play, and that you would not be brought back to Us'' [alMu'minoon:115]

 So, there will be a final day , where we shall return to our Master and Creator. Ibn Kathir also mentions in the tafsir of this ayah: `Did you think that you were created in vain, with no purpose, with nothing required of you and no wisdom on Our part'? Or it was said that "in play'' meant to play and amuse yourselves, like the animals were created, who have no reward or punishment. But you were created to worship Allah and carry out His commands.' [Tafsir Quran al Adheem]

 So, O son of Adam, the matter is more than just living a life and enjoying it. You will meet your creator. It is only a person of right mind and yaqeen(certainty in Allah) who wonders and prepares for this great meeting. (the meeting between the creator and the creation). Many people say from their mouthes that they are muslims (ones who have submitted to Allah ta3alla) but when you say them one way or another, there are many contradictions that make you think is this person really a muslim?? Islam is different from the other religions. Our deen teaches us that there are conditions for one's emaan and islam to be correct and valid.

Firstly, Islam means to submit to the laws and commands of Allah, our creator, willingly. So, do we follow the commands of Allah and His orders or do we take our Islam for granted and just say we are muslims because our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents were muslims?

Think about it , O servant of Allah! When we talk about emaan, we should pay attention even more. In the Quran , you will find that Allah swt mentions the word believers(mumineen, mu'minoon) , imaan(belief), many times. So, Allah is talking to those who have imaan(true faith and belief in Allah) and are truly believers. We must realize that not every Muslim is a mu'min. A muslim is one who has proclaimed the shahadatayn( testifies to the oneness of Allah and Muhammad saws as being the final messenger) and practices the basic tenets of Islam and imaan. This is a muslim. A muslim may fall into major sins and minor sins because the level of imaan is not that strong. Imaan as we know it, has many branches and it is the belief of Ahlussunah that emaan increases with good deeds and decreases with sins and disobedience. A mu'min is a muslim who completes the basics of Islam and adds to that and does not engage in the major sins.

Allah praises the mu'minoon in the Quran:

  قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ 

"Successful indeed are the believers." [Surah al Mu'minoon:1]

 One of the qualities of the mu'minoon is that they have taqwa of Allah swt. In Lisaan al Arab , the word taqwa means to have khawf(fear) of Allah. The believer fears Allah(has taqwa) and is constantly in a state of imaan and taqwa. The believer does not worship Allah on and off. We should abstain from this 2-face way How can we expect help and mercy from Allah if we turn away from him and constantly are in a state of taqwa.

Allah (SWT) does not accept the prayer of a heedless one(ghaafil). You must be sincere Oh Believer! You must know that you are dealing with an All-Forgiving, All-Wise one.

 Indeed, Allah's Messenger (SAWS) once pointed to his chest and said 3 times: "Taqwa is here.Taqwa is here. Taqwa is here." [Sahih Muslim]

 This means when the heart attains the fear of Allah subhanaah, then the limbs also take this beautiful concept and thus leading the body and mind to be at peace. Muslims are missing this concept of true taqwa(being consciousness of Allah). If people had taqwaa of Allah, the victory of Allah would already be upon us and there would not be so many problems in the ummah as there are today. Nowadays, people not only neglect the Quran and sunnah BUT expose their sin and brag about their sin. SubhanAllah, is there a worse crime!?

Did not the prophet(saws) say, "All of my nation will be forgiven except the mujaahireen.(Those who expose their sin and tell people after Allah has concealed it for them)." [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim] A few decades ago, young Muslims or Muslims who would smoke or drink would do so in secret. Now people have lost all shame and can careless what anyone thinks. But what is ironic and interesting is for some people to worry what someone else would think as they drink and commit evil, heinous deeds in private but how they fail to realize that nothing is hidden from Allah. Allah is watching their every deed , yet they do not bother to think if Allah is pleased with them or angered by their act. Who is more important, the creator or creation? The creator has the most right for you to stop doing what displeases Him. He is watching all that you do and on the day when the books are open and the records are read aloud, only then will you wake up.

Is it not wise to wake up now while you still have time?



Oh Allah help us. Indeed, there is no power and might except with Allah.

The Day we Lost Our Honor

THE DAY WE LOST...

  The Day we lost our honor was when the beloved nation of Muhammad(saws) deviated and forgot its well-guided sources.

 The Day we lost our honor and power was when the leaders of the ummah traded their deen for the dunyaa'.

The Day we lost our honor was when the Muslim lands were sold for the protection of the tyrannical, unjust claimants of our lands. 

 The Day we lost our power and honor was when the Muslim women deviated from the proper covering and hijaab and began to indulge in tabaruj(display of beauty , going out frequently).

  The Day we lost our honor was when the sunnah began to become so unpracticed among the muslims(our parents and grandparents) that one who practiced the sunnah was looked down upon and declared, "Wahhabi" and "extremist." Since when is someone who follows the sunnah extreme? 

 The Day we lost our honor was when our scholars and people of knowledge kept quiet from the matters of the ummah.

  The Day we lost our honor and strength was when the ummmah forgot about the Hereafter and indulged in this world and its affairs.

 The Day we lost our izzah(honor) was when we gave the authority of the ummah to those unfit(ruwaybiddah).

  The Day we lost our honor was when the ummah let down their sisters, the chaste women(afeefaat) and allowed them to be arrested and violated all over the world. 

 Until when Oh Muslims? Until when?

The Characteristics of The True Scholars

Who are the scholars and what defines a scholar? Is it a government or a regime that defines who is an 'aalim ? The Most High has already defined for us who is an 'aalim and the qualities of this category of people. The first quality of a true scholar is known for:


1. Having Fear of Allah

Allah azza wa jall says:

إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ

meaning: 

 It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving.[AlFaatir:28]

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah says about this ayah: 

"And this shows that each one who fears Allah is an 'aalim(person of knowledge,scholar) and this is true, and it(the ayah) is not proof that every scholar or person of knowledge fears Allah!" ["Majmoo' al Fataawa" 7/539. See also "Tafseer al Baydhaawi" 4/418 and "Fath al Qadeer"4/494]

Ibn Katheer says: " only those who have knowledge truly fear Him as He should be feared, because the more they know about the Almighty, All-Powerful, All-Knowing Who has the most perfect attributes and is described with the most beautiful Names, the more they will fear Him"

`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas commented on the Ayah:(It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah.) those who know that Allah is able to do all things. Ibn `Abbas said, "The one among His servants who knows about Ar-Rahman, is the one who does not associate anything in worship with Him; the one who accepts as lawful that which He has permitted and accepts as unlawful that which He has prohibited. He obeys His commands and is certain that he will meet Him and be brought to account for his deeds. Sa`id bin Jubayr said, "Fear is what stands between you and disobeying Allah, may He be glorified.'' 

It is also reported that Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (RA) said: "Knowledge is not from narrating much ahadeeth, but true knowledge is on fearing Allah."

We also need to understand that there is a clear distinction between the scholars of the Salaf and those of the Khalaf. Salaf meaning earlier generations, the best generations in this ummah(the sahaba, tabi'een and followers of the tabi'een). These were the best and it is an obligation upon us to follow them , for Allah preferred them and was pleased with them as He said in His noble book. As for the KHALAF, then this term refers to the generations after them until our times. And indeed it has been said; 

 كل خير في إتباع من سلف وكل شر في إبتداع من خلف 

It actually means, " All good is in following the Salaf and all evil is in an innovation from one after(khalaf)." 

Therefore, it is incumbent on the believer to stick to the path of the pious predecessors before us and not incline towards the khalaf. Although the khalaf had good and bad among them, we are still to refrain from over-extolling them and blind following them. The only one whom we are obligated to blind follow (do taqleed on) is Muhammad(sala Allahu alayhi wassallam). 

2. Not Hiding the truth regardless the blame of the blamers

Allah says:

 وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَـقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلاَ تَكْتُمُونَهُ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْاْ بِهِ ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَ

Meaning:

(And remember) when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) to make it (the news of the coming of Prophet Muhammad  and the religious knowledge) known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And indeed worst is that which they bought.[Surah Aali Imraan:187]

Ibn Kathir says in his tafsir of the ayah, In this Ayah, Allah chastises the People of the Scriptures, from whom Allah took the covenant by the words of their Prophets, that they would believe in Muhammad and describe him to the people, so that they would recognize and follow him when Allah sent him. However, they hid this truth and preferred the the small amounts and the material gains instead of the rewards of this life and the Hereafter that they were promised. This is a losing deal and a failing trade, indeed.

These Ayat also contain a warning for the scholars not to imitate their behavior, so that they do not suffer the same fate and become like them. Therefore, the scholars are required to spread the beneficial knowledge that they have, encouraging the various righteous good deeds. They are also warned against hiding any part of their knowledge.

 3.Firmness in The Battlefield and  patience in times of calamities

The proof for this in the words of Allah ta'ala:

 وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِىٍّ قَاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَمَا وَهَنُواْ لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُواْ وَمَا اسْتَكَانُواْ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّـبِرِينَ - وَمَا كَانَ قَوْلَهُمْ إِلاَّ أَن قَالُواْ ربَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِى أَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَـفِرِينَ - فَـْاتَـهُمُ اللَّهُ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا وَحُسْنَ ثَوَابِ الاٌّخِرَةِ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ 

Meaning:

And many a Prophet (i.e. many from amongst the Prophets) fought (in Allah's Cause) and along with him (fought) large bands of religious learned men. But they never lost heart for that which did befall them in Allah's Way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allah loves As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).And they said nothing but: "Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions (in keeping our duties to You), establish our feet firmly, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk." So Allah gave them the reward of this world, and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves Al-Muhsinun.[Aal Imraan: 146-148]

ـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ اصْبِرُواْ وَصَابِرُواْ وَرَابِطُواْ وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

Oh you who believe! Endure and be more patient(with your enemy), and fear Allah, so that you may be successful. [Surah Aali Imraan: 200]

4. Enjoining the Good and Forbid the Evil

لَوْلاَ يَنْهَـهُمُ الرَّبَّـنِيُّونَ وَالاٌّحْبَارُ عَن قَوْلِهِمُ الإِثْمَ وَأَكْلِهِمُ السُّحْتَ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُواْ يَصْنَعُونَ

Meaning:

Why do not the rabbis and the religious learned men forbid them from uttering sinful words and from eating illegal things. Evil indeed is that which they have been performing.[Surah al Maaidah:63]

5.Ruling with the Shariah and endorsing and calling to it

إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُواْ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالاْحْبَارُ بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُواْ مِن كِتَـبِ اللَّهِ وَكَانُواْ عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَآء فَلاَ تَخْشَوُاْ النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ وَلاَ تَشْتَرُواْ بِـئَايَـتِى ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَآ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْكَـفِرُونَ

Meaning: 

Verily, We did send down the Taurah (Torah) [to Musa (Moses)], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's Will, judged the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests [too judged the Jews by the Taurah (Torah) after those Prophets] for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they were witnesses thereto. Therefore fear not men but fear Me (O Jews) and sell not My Verses for a miserable price. And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the Kafirun(i.e. disbelievers - of a lesser degree as they do not act on Allah's Laws ).[Surah al Maaidah: 44]

If we see the Quran, especially in these ayaat in the Surahs of Aal Imraan, alNisaa', al Maaidah, and al A'raaf, Allah speaks about the Bani Israael and criticized them on certain things such as; their distorting the words of Allah in the Injeel(Gospel) and Tawrah(Torah), the killing of their prophets( It is said at one point, they received more than 70 prophets and would kill one prophet after another), their indulgence in Ribaa'(usury , interest),and more. Allah ta'ala specifically told us about their scholars -corrupt scholars of course , who would sell the words of Allah for a cheap price. These scholars would twist the ahkaam(rulings) and the Tawrah and the Injeel to suit their desires and that of the rulers of the time(The Romans). And indeed they were the ones behind the plot to kill the Masih(Messiah),  Esa the son of Maryam (alayhissalam). These scholars knew what they were doing was wrong, yet they used the book of Allah to twist the verses, to suit their whims and desires. They feared the creation and turned away from the remembrance and fear of the Creator. 

These ayaat , although Allah was speaking of the scholar of the people of the book and their priests and rabbis, they also apply to the scholars of the ummah of Muhammad(salAllahu alayhi wassallam) and in these ayaat, Allah warns us that if we follow in their footsteps, we will meet a worse or similar fate ie, the punishment of Allah ta'alla in this world and in the next.

6. Guiding the Ummah upon the Haqq(truth) in times of Fitan(trials and tribulations) and not staying quiet or misleading the masses, but instead guiding them.

Allah says:

وَلَـكِن كُونُواْ رَبَّـنِيِّينَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تُعَلِّمُونَ الْكِتَـبَ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَدْرُسُونَ

On the contrary (he would say): "Be you Rabbaniyun (learned men of religion who practise what they know and also preach others), because you are teaching the Book, and you are studying it."[Surah Aal Imraan: 79]

Ibn Abbas said in the tafsir of "koonu rabaniyeen" that this means  to be wise and fuqahaa'.  Abdullah ibn Mas'ud and Ibn Jarir alTabari also said something similar. 

So, the 'aalim is the one who educates the ummah on their basic obligations and guides them in their lives. The 'aalim does not shut himself from the people and keep his 'ilm to himself. The Messenger of Allah said:

(Whoever was asked about knowledge that he knew but did not disclose it, will be tied with a bridle made of fire on the Day of Resurrection.)

.(reference: hadith of Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al Aas which has been graded hasan, al Haakim also graded it sahih following the conditions of alBukhari and Muslim) 

The 'ulama are to be at the forefront of the battle, confronting the fitnah with their knowledge that Allah has blessed them with. That is why the Messenger of Allah (salaAllahu alayhi wassallam) said, "Fight against the polytheists with your wealth, selves, and tongues(speech, words,)." [Musnad Ahmad]

The greatest jihaad is to speak a word of truth in front of a corrupt , tyrant. This is what our early predecessors did. They did not perch next to the people of authority and watch them do as they please. No! They advised them, warned them, and fulfilled their duties as scholars, teachers, and advisers.

7. Not selling the words of Allah and the truth out of cowardice, fear or based on desires. 

Allah ta'alla tells us a story in Surah al A'raaf, which is the seventh chapter of the Quran. This story is about a man who  was a scholar of Bani Israai,, whose name was Bal'am(Ibn Kathir on the tafsir of the ayah from Ibn Abbas). This man saw the miracles of Allah, but turned his back on them and followed his desires.

 وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ الَّذِي آتَيْنَاهُ آيَاتِنَا فَانْسَلَخَ مِنْهَا فَأَتْبَعَهُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَاهُ بِهَا وَلَٰكِنَّهُ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ ۚ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ إِنْ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَثْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا ۚ فَاقْصُصِ الْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Meaning: 

 And recite (O Muhammad ) to them the story of him to whom We gave Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), but he threw them away, so Shaitan (Satan) followed him up, and he became of those who went astray. And had We willed, We would surely have elevated him therewith but he clung to the earth and followed his own vain desire. So his description is the description of a dog: if you drive him away, he lolls his tongue out, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls his tongue out. Such is the description of the people who reject Our Ayat(proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). So relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect.[Surah al A'raaf:175-176]

This was someone who Allah had given the knowledge of His ayaat, and what did he do? He turned his back on them after he saw the dunyaa and it appeased him.So, Allah(swt) compared him to a dog! For indeed, the dog lolls his tongue out in both situations, whether you drive him away or let him be! He sat with the evil corrupt rulers and their wealth and luxury blinded him from the truth and led him to abandon the truth. He clung to this world. This is what clinging to the material world does to people. It blinds them and leads them to loss. So, the believers need to beware of clinging to the Earth and specifically, the scholars because they are the ones looked at and followed. If they go astray, masses of people (laymen) will follow suit. And there is no might and power except with Allah.

We ask Allah to preserve the righteous scholars of the ummah and to keep them firm on the truth. And we ask Allah to expose the falsifiers and those in disguise as scholars , who harm the ummah greatly with their false fataawa and words.

Be FIRM on What Allaah Loves!

BE FIRM ON WHAT ALLAH LOVES!

Ibraaheem al-Harbee said, "I heard Ahmad (Ibn Hanbal) say,

‘If you love that Allaah should keep you upon that which you love, then remain upon that which He loves, and the good is in the one who sees no good in himself'.” [al-Aadaabush-Shar’iyyah (2/31) by Ibn Muflih]

 These were the words of the great scholar, the Imam(leader) of AhlulSunnah wal Jama3ah. The man who stood up to one of the greatest trials to be released upon this nation. It was none other than the fitna of the issue of "The Creation of the Quran" which was being spread like wildfire by the Mu'tazilah(one of the evil misguided sects). So, who was this great giant of Islam who stood up for the truth he believed in? 

He was none other than Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Anyone who reads the biography of this man will have to admire him and what he went through. He was a man who sacrificed his life and everything he loved in order to please Allah Almighty and not the Creation.

 We should all realize that Islaam is not a deen built on "I love" only. The truth requires much more than just lip-service, because everyone and anyone can say I love, but the real deal is to prove that love with your actions.
 Imam Ahmad paid a hefty price for standing up for Islam at a time when scholars were giving into the false words of the Mu'tazilah that the Qur'an is created and not Allah's kalaam(contrary to the belief of Ahlulsunnah). Imam Ahmad saw his companions give in and surrender to the fitna and these were the companions of Imam Ahmad we are talking about.

Al Islaam is not just any religion, it is not a way of life. It is THE ONLY WAY of life which is recognized by the Creator. Let us learn to appreciate this way and milla of the Hunafaa(Upright Ones). This path of love and truth in which many sacrificed their lives and wealth for. Prophets and Messengers were reviled, mocked , and killed by their own people  because of it. The sahaba spilled their blood because of it.

The true and sincere believer is always on guard and worried if his deeds are even accepted by Allah. The companions use to worry about this, so how can we, being in the miserable state we are in now(as an ummah) be so confident? Allah ta'ala says:

 Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allah. None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers. [ Surah al A'raaf:99]

  We should try our best to fear Allah and abstain from the Haraam. Strive to practice your Deen and always put it first and foremost before your dunya affairs. 

Reflections on a Hadith

THE REALITY OF TRUE COMPANIONSHIP IN ISLAM

بسم الله ، الحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على خير خلق الله، محمد المصطفى ، وعلى آله وصحبه ومن سلك .طريقة واتبع سنته إلى يوم الدين أما بعد

 Recently, a sister shared this amazing hadith on one forum I go to and subhanAllah it just made me think and contemplate certain things.

The hadith is a very essential and a truly beautiful one. Of course, all of the ahadeeth of Rasul Allah (sala Allahu alayhi wassallam) are beautiful.

 The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said , what is translated in meaning as, “Souls are like recruited soldiers, those that recognize one another unite in harmony and those that do not recognize one another are at an aversion.” [Sahih Muslim]

 Glory be to Allah subhaanah! Yes, our souls are controlled by Allah and He turns them where He (ta3alla) wills and wishes. This brings to mind the important concept of friendship. I've come to realize through some experiences that it is not us who choose our friends just like that, but rather it is Allah (ta3alla) who chooses good companions for us. There is something called friendship/friends and acquaintances. One must realize the difference between the two. Friends are people who are similar to you and understand you;on the other hand, acquaintances are people you see and meet time to time. The only friendship that will help one succeed in deen and dunya, is a true friendship based on love for the sake of Allah. A friendship not based on true love and companionship for Allah's sake is really none other than a false friendship. Of course, no friendship is perfect and there will always arise issues,but a true Islamic friendship will help the two companions solve their issues and neither will hesitate to fix their problems in their friendship because they know that their friendship was initially established for the sake of Allah. Not because of nationality ,gender, social status, ethnic background, or age. If we look into this issue further, we realize that there are many people around us whom we consider as "acquaintances" but our real friends are quite few. This is because friendship for the sake of The Most High is something special and not for everyone , this is due to the reward being a special one. In a hadith narrated by Abi Hurayra AbdurRahman ibn Sakhr (RA) the prophet (saws)said that are 7 types of people who will be shaded under the shade of Allah (swt)on the day when there will be no shade but His shade. On that horrid day in which the hair of the young child will turn white out of fear and shock, the day when the pregnant female(who died) will drop her load, the day when each and every person will be on their own, the day when the sun will come so close to the people that they will perspire profusely and some will be drowning in their perspiration(due to their amount of sinning when they were in dunya), on that day, Allah swt will honor some people and among these people whom Allah will honor on this day, are those who use to love one another and come together for Allah's sake will be saved and will be enjoying the shade of Allah's glorious throne.

 The Messenger of Allah swt says in the hadith: ((ورجلان تحابا في الله، إجتماعا عليه وافترقا عليه ...)) meaning: "And two people who love one another for Allah, they meet on that and they leave on that." [agreed upon]

 SubhanaAllah! This is the true friendship we should strive for . A real friend has the good intention of being there for you when you need him or her. A real friend tells you the truth when you need to hear it, a true friend grabs your hand when you are doing wrong and tells you "Fear Allah and stop this." A true friendship is built on the love of Allah swt thus Allah blesses these individuals with being under His shade on a day whose length will be equal to 50,000 years. Allah swt says in a sahih hadith qudsi narrated from Abi Hurayra RA as well; ((أين المتحابين في جلالي اليوم أظلهم في ظلي ، يوم لا ظل إلا ظلي )) meaning: "Where are those who loved one another for My sake? Today I shall shade them under my shade, when there will be no shade but my mine!"

 So, O fellow Muslim, take heed in who you take as a friend and companion and realize that not every person is suited to be your companion. The righteous belong with the righteous, and likewise, the sinners and disobedient belong with one another.

 This is the sunnah of Allah as He says: (( الخبيثات للخبيثين والخبيثون للخبيثات والطيبات للطيبين والطيبون للطيبات)) meaning: "Bad statements are for bad people (or bad women for bad men) and bad people for bad statements (or bad men for bad women). Good statements are for good people (or good women for good men) and good people for good statements (or good men for good women).."[Surah Nur:26]

 وصل الله على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم

Castle In The Sky

(The Woman Who Left Her Worldly Paradise for the Everlasting One.)

 In the Quran, Allah subhanahu wa taala has mentioned to us stories(qisas in Arabic). These stories include stories of the prophets, other righteous people like; the companions of the Ditch, the companions of the Cave, the story of Luqman, al Khidr, and accounts of righteous women.

We should know and realize that Allah has mentioned to us these stories not for entertainment and history, but rather for a very important reason beyond all that.

Allah says:
فاقصص القصص لعلهم يتفكرون

So relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect. [Al A3raaf:176]

Allah also says:
أولئك الذين هدى الله فبهداهم اقتده

They are those whom Allah had guided. So follow their guidance. [Al An3aam:90]

لقد كان في قصصهم عبرة لأولي الأبصار

Indeed in their stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding.[Yusuf:111]

Therefore, in the Quraan and Sunnah, stories are meant to raise our imaan and teach us a lesson that life is not easy and it was NOT easy for the righteous ones before us. Nowadays, we complain about things such as not being able to wear the hijaab because of school ,work, or what peers may think of us. Not growing a beard because of such and such, not being able to make it to jumuah(for men) because of "work" and with all these "excuses", people fail to realize that Islaam is not limited to acts of worship.

When one submits to Allah, this means that you are dedicating your life to Allah, you are putting your Creator first and above your creation. Now , let us look at the glimpse of a woman who had all the world could offer , yet gave all that up for her Creator and in the end, gave up her own life for Allah subhaanah.

Allah says:

وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا امْرَأَت
َ فِرْعَوْنَ إِذْ قَالَتْ رَبِّ ابْنِ لِي عِنْدَكَ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَنَجِّنِي مِنْ فِرْعَوْنَ وَعَمَلِهِ وَنَجِّنِي مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ

And Allah has set forth an example for those who believe, the wife of Firawn (Pharaoh), when she said: "My Lord! Build for me a home with You in Paradise, and save me from Firawn (Pharaoh) and his work, and save me from the people who are Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers and disbelievers in Allah). [Tahrim:11]

So, who was this woman , who made such an incredible supplication to Allah? Why did she specifically ask Allah for a mansion in paradise and what was it that her husband, the pharaoh was doing that she had to ask Allah to save her from? This woman was none other than, Aasiyyah bint Muzahim.

She was the wife of the greatest tyrant of the world at the time, the disbelieving pharoah of Egypt. The man who claimed to be God. The man who declared war on Musa alayhissalam, the one who was known as Kaleemullaah (the one who spoke to Allah ). The one who put the children of Israel under the worst form of slavery and psychological torment. The one who ordered his vizier and right hand man, the kaafir, Haman to build a ladder for him so that he can "reach" the God of Musa and see if He truly exists. What disbelief! We seek refuge in Allah from their likes!

Yet, this noble woman of such high stature made a conviction to believe in Musa alayhissalam. And this only made sense, how can she(Aasiyyah) believe that the Musa who now claimed to be prophet , was a liar and sorcerer , when she was the woman who had helped raised him from his infancy? Who knew Musa better than her! She was his second mother.

It was Aasiyyah who asked for the life of Musa alayhissalam, when he was an infant, to be spared. She volunteered to take the child in and raise him as her own. Aasiyyah felt a strong connection and love for Musa alayhissalam and Allah had blessed her to see him grow into a strong young man, until he left Egypt.
Now that he had returned with the message of Tawheed, Aasiyyah definitely knew that someone like Musa, whom she had raised , would never claim something false.

We have to realize that the environment and the roof in which Aasiyyah dwelt under was not an easy one. Aasiyyah was living under a dictator(if we use today's terms), she saw the evils and oppression of Firawn firsthand. In other words, she underwent the greatest form of jihaad any woman could go through. And that is saying the word of truth in the face of an oppressive tyranny.

However, to show us the strength of this strong , beautiful woman, she still went forth and accepted the message of the prophets of Allah Musa and Harun. When Firawn found out, he resolved to put her under great torture and persecution , just like the other believers.

In Tafsir Ibn Kathir:

Qatadah says, "Fir`awn was the most tyrannical among the people of the earth and the most disbelieving. By Allah! His wife was not affected by her husband's disbelief, because she obeyed her Lord. "

Look at the strong emaan of this woman. She was living under a disbeliever, but because of her sincerity and love for the truth, Allah protected her from being influenced by Firawn's disbelief and she stayed firm on the truth. Firawn who had lost all sense of humanness and compassion, had no problem having his wife tortured and killed before his very eyes!

Aasiyyah meant nothing to him as soon as she chose the truth over his disbelief. Why did Aasiyyah ask for a mansion in paradise ? Firawn would have Aasiyyah tortured and during this ordeal, the angels would shade her and she would be shown her palace in the sky.

The scholar Ibn Kathir writes in his tafsir:

Ibn Jarir recorded that Sulayman said, "The wife of Fir`awn was tortured under the sun and when Fir`awn would finish the torture session, the angels would shade her with their wings. She was shown her house in Paradise.''

Aasiyyah also asked Allah to save her from Firawn and his evil actions? This was to show her disavowal and innocence from her husband's kufr.

Towards the end of her torture, Aasiyyah would ask " who has prevailed?" And then it was said to her, "Musa and Harun have prevailed (over Firawn)." She replied, " I believe in the Lord of Musa and Harun."

Ibn Kathir then writes:

Fir`awn sent his aides to her and said to them, `Find the biggest stone. If she insists on keeping her faith, throw the stone on her, otherwise she is my wife. When they came to her, she looked up to the sky and was able to see her house in Paradise. She persisted on the faith and her soul was then captured. The stone was thrown on her lifeless body.'' end qoute.

Nothing pleased Aasiyyah but to know that the truth will prevail. She understood as a believer(mu'min) that the truth required much sacrifice and that Islaam is not a deen built upon "I believe" only and that it is a religion of tests and trials, and in the end it is the muttaqeen (pious , God-fearing ) who will prevail. It doesnt matter who wins these battles. As long as we know the end result is for the believers, then we should not complain and worry. May Allah have mercy on our mother Aasiyyah and unite us with her in the peak of al Firdaws!

Ibadah : Worship Of The Almighty

IBADAH: The Worship of the Almighty

بسم الله العلي العظيم ، فاطر السموات والارض رب العرش الكريم والصلاة وسلم على رسوله الكريم وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين. أما بعد 

 Indeed, among the greatest deeds a Muslim servant of Allah can engage in, are the ibaadaat(acts of worship). What exactly is ibaadah?

Allah swt mentions ibaadah when he says:
 وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

"And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). "[surah adh-dhariyaat:57]

 Allah uses the plural present tense verb ya3budun, which originally comes from ibaadah The scholars have described ibaadah as every good act or statement that is pleasing and loving to the Almighty(Subhaanah). Ibadah is what brings us closer to Allah The Most High. Ibadah can be a fi3l(action) or qowl(word, statement). This is the general rule. However, we have an obligation to know that every act of worship is accepted only if the following conditions are met:

 1.Sincerity of the intention And the proof for this is the hadith of the prophet from Ummar ibn al Khaddab "Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended..." [al Bukhari and Muslim]

  2.The act must be from the sunnah and not from one's own pocket. In other words, it should not be an innovated act(bid'a). The proof for this is in the hadith of Aisha, the mother of the believers, the sideeqa, daughter of the sideeq(abu bakr), in which the prophet (salaAllahhu alayhi wassalam) said: "He who innovates something in this matter of ours that is not of it will have it rejected." [al Bukhari and Muslim] And in one version by Muslim it reads : "He who does an act which our matter is not [in agreement] with will have it rejected." 

Other scholars add a third condition, and that is: Imaan(faith) This is because, no deeds are accepted by Allah except if one is a Muslim and has affirmed that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is His final Messenger. This is from the 5 pillars of Islam, which every muslim should know about and practice. This point is obviously clear if the person has ikhlaas and mutaba'ah. The 2 previous conditions.
 After this, we should know that mankind is divided into 2 categories. Those who affirm the oneness (tawheed) of Allah. The MU'MINEEN(believers). They are the ones who follow and adhere to the law of Allah swt. They follow the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His beloved Messenger SAWS. The second category is that of the disbelievers , the ones who are not muslims and do not adhere to the religion and way of truth. Allah SWT even in His noble revelation only recognizes these 2 groups. The camp of Islam and the camp of kufr(disbelief). The prophet SAWS that it will continue like this until Allah will make clear who is a believer and who is not. Do we not fear Allah SWT and not want this honor. Paradise is only for the believers. By Allah, there is no way that Allah ta3alla will allow a kaafir and a muslim to be in jannah both. Why? BEcasue there is a purpose to everything.

 Allah tells us why He created hellfire:

  وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَآتَيْنَا كُلَّ نَفْسٍ هُدَاهَا وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّ الْقَوْلُ مِنِّي لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ 

"And if We had willed, surely! We would have given every person his guidance, but the Word from Me took effect (about evil¬doers), that I will fill Hell with jinn and mankind together. "[Surah Sajda:113]

 So, Allah azza wa jall is saying that if he wanted he would have chosen for all of mankind to be muslim, but that is not how is meant to be. Therefore, it should be very simple and clear. Al Jannah is for the people of tawheed and Islam, while hellfire(jahannam) is for the disbelievers and hypocrites. May Allah not make us of the dwellers of hellfire. So, O servant of Allah, choose your path wisely. Life is not about play, sleep, and work. It is about knowing who is your creator , knowing what He has created you for , and then worshiping Him upon al baseerah(insight).

Allah says: قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي ۖ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
Say (O Muhammad SAW): "This is my way; I invite unto Allâh with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me . And Glorified and Exalted is Allâh (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh; those who worship others along with Allâh or set up rivals or partners to Allâh)." [surah Yusuf:108]

Worshipping Allah upon baseerah means to worship Him with certainty and true knowledge of how He should be worshipped. This can be done by going back to the Quran and sunnah. We askAllah to have mercy on us and to guide us to that which He loves.

 وآخر دعوانا أن الحمد لله رب العالمين وصل اللهم وسلم على خير خلق الله وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم . By Umm Abdullah