Archive | August 2012

Living by Example

Aug31

Bismillah Hirahamah Niraheem 
                   There are two kinds of people in this world. One who show you how to live and another how not to live. One person of the first category is an aunt of mine. She lost her husband when she was young and had three small children to look after. Still she has neither questioned her fate nor complained about it. This patience she showed when she was neither educated nor working. She just put her trust in Allah(SWT) and continued with helping whoever she could within her means. She has also never hesitated to welcome guests and neither has she hesitated to spend money on others whenever the need arises.  Whenever possible she would feed the poor also. MashaAllah and Alhamdulillah, for her good heart, Allah has made things easy for her.
                   What a contrast to those who fail to show patience in times of difficulties and those who forget that our sustenance has already been guaranteed by Allah. What a contrast to those who keep complaining at the slightest turn of events in their fate. What a contrast to those who live in their own world with self sympathy at the smallest suffering turning blind to the needs of others. What a contrast to those who earn enough by Allah’s grace but still think to spend their money on those in need. What a contrast to those who want to save money for this world but save nothing for the hereafter. A lesson to learn for those who have husbands but are ungrateful just because he did not meet their expectations. May Allah save us from becoming one of all these.

Aleemul Hakeem

Aug30

Bismillah Hirahamah Niraheem
           The most beautiful names belong to Allah(SWT) alone and each name describes Him(SWT)   perfectly , SubhanAllah. That it is beyond the human mind to comprehend His(SWT) greatness, He(SWT) chose to reveal it Himself. Allah hu Akbar, what a great blessing that is to mankind. 
          The other day, I was listening to a lecture of a shaikh on how not to question the decisions of Allah and about the verse 
       “Vallahu ‘Aleem ul Hakeem.”(And Allah is All Knowing, All Wise) 
            If only people truly understood this attribute of His(SWT), there would be lesser worries in this world. There was a gap of three years between the marriage of my twin and that of mine. Believe me, it is not easy answering people when your twin is married and you are not. Especially when the vast majority of these people are disbelievers i.e. my co-workers. Alhamdulillah, Allah made it easy for me. 
           My parents(Ya Allah, have mercy on them both) left no stone unturned to get me married. People came up with 1000 reasons and solutions for that. Allah knows best, but the only reason can be that the right time had not come. 
         Though I did not know it then, those three years of my life were very fruitful in terms of both my dunya and deen. Had it not been for those years, Allah knows best, how different my approach towards life would have been from what it is now.  SubhanAllah, He(SWT) made me realise the good in that delay and that all His(SWT) decisions are for our own good. May Allah grant each believer the wisdom that, whatever the difficulty and whenever their prayers are being unanswered or delayed or accepted, it is for their own good. Aameen.

Ten Commandments for peace of mind

Aug29

Bismillah Hirahamah Niraheem

1.Do not interfere in others business Unless asked
**Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others’ affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform
to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of Allah. Allah has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way.
All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. There is God to look after everything. Why are you bothered? Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

2. Forgive And Forget
This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This, in turn, results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Believe in the justice of Allah and the doctrine of Destiny. Let Him judge the act of the one who insulted you. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.
3. Do Not Crave For Recognition

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless; they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yourself in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely and leave the rest to Allah, which is Tawakkal.
4. Do Not Be Jealous

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody’s life is shaped by his or her previous Destiny. If you are predestined to be Rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.
5. Change Yourself According To the Environment

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured

This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage.
Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully, thinking, “Allah wills it so, so be it.” Allah’s plans are beyond our comprehension. Believe in it and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayers, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.
8. Meditate Regularly

Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If  you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily mediation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.
9. Never Leave the Mind Vacant

An empty mind is the devil’s workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social and charitable work , may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement.  Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental reciting of Allah’s name.

10. Do Not Procrastinate and Never Regret

Do not waste time in protracted wondering ” Should I or shouldn’t I?” Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Always remember, Allah has His own plan, too for you. Value you time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time.
Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Take it as the Will of Allah. You do not
have the power to alter the course of Allah’s Will. Why cry over spilt milk? *

Best of Luck.

“May Allah grant you the serenity to accept what you cannot change
Courage to change what you can,
And the wisdom to understand the difference”.

Compiled, edited and adapted by Khalid Latif

Source : http://theonlinemuslim.blogspot.com/2008/02/ten-commandments-for-peace-of-mind.html

My Lord, my people have deserted the Quran

Aug14

Bismillah Hirahamah Niraheem
       I heard a very enlightening lecture by Brother Masood Chowdhury titled “My Lord! My People Have Deserted This Quran.”
       This talk is about the Quran and how those who have deserted it based upon the verse “And the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) will say: “O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur’ân”.[Al-Furqan 25:30]. In the days of the Prophet(SWS), the disbelievers were so afraid of the Quran changing their hearts, that they would clap and whistle to drown out it’s noise. The above ayah was revealed when our Prophet(SWS) complained to Allah about it.
      This brother goes on to discuss why the present day Muslims, inspite of having the Quran are not able excel as a society. He also discusses different ways in which muslims have abandoned the Quran and what abandonment of the Quran means. Here is a summary of the lecture for those who dont have time or resources to listen to the entire lecture.

Why was the Quran revealed?
      The speaker starts with ayat of Quran “Shahru ramadana allatheeonzila feehi alqur-anu hudan linnasi” [2:185] i.e. The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind.
      The primary goal for which the Quran was revealed was as guidance for mankind as told in various ayat and Hadith.

Disbelievers comments on the Quran
          William Gladstone,former British PM – “As long as the Quran exists,Europe will not conquer the Islamic east.”
           French Colonial Governor of Algeria – “It is must to remove Arabic Quran from their presence and remove the Arabic language from their tongues in order to have victory over them.”
         Enemies of Islam realise the the Quran has potential to change nations, then why don’t we change?

How have we abandoned the Quran?
         The speaker tells us that abandonment of Quran not only means not coming near the Quran but also various other aspects like
1) Taking people away from Arabic language : The Quran was revealed in Arabic. By reading it in translations we loose the spirit of the Quran. The speaker asks us to teach Arabic to children so that they have direct access to the Quran.

2) Make people focus on the secondary aspects of Quran : The main reason for Allah revealing the Quran was as guidance for Mankind. But by reading the Quran for reasons other than for guidance is why muslims are not able to change inspite of the Quran. The secondary aspects include
   – According to a survey 90% of Muslims read the Quran for it’s barakah. This is right because there are various Hadith stating that the reward for reading each letter of the Quran. But it is not the only reason why the Quran should be read.
   – According to the survey, the next majority of muslims use the Quran for Jinn busting and protection against magic. Definitely the Quran is a shifah for physical ailments and protection against evil. But wearing it as amulets is forbidden and using Quran only for this purpose defies the very purpose of it’s revelation.
  – Most people also read it only for the purpose of Tajweed and Qiraat. We should try our best to beautify our recitation. But Tajweed without Tafsir is like losing the plot. The main reason for reciting Quran beautifully is to understand it better.

3) Misinterpretation of the Quran

What have we to look for when we read the Quran?
         The way we read a book is important. If it is for light reading it is not necessary to understand it fully and if it is for in depth study we need to read it seriously. When reading the Quran we have to know that we are looking for guidance. If we dont know what we are looking for then we wont find it. The main themes of the Quran are
a) Tawhid : The Quran helps us know our Lord, His attributes and how to worship Him. This strengthens our relationship with Him. Ayatul Qursi is the most important ayat of the Quran is because it describes Allah. Surah Ikhas is said to be 1/3rd of the Quran because it describes Oneness of Allah.
b) Self improvement and personal guidance : The Quran provides guidance in the area of manners and the way in which we deal with others. It is guidance for individual improvement.
c) Improvement of society : The Quran contains many rulings for entire mankind to reform the society as a whole.
d) Warns us of enemies of Islam : The Quran tells us of the on going struggle between truth and falsehood from the beginning of times through various narrations and that it will continue till the day of Judgement. It also warns us of the internal enemies of Islam. Like the munafiqoon( hypocrites), the kaafir( disbelievers) and the nafs(inner self)  other than of course the shaitan.

How to benefit from the Quran?
     We can benefit from the Quran by having the right attitude when reading it. We should not be skeptical by agreeing with one ayat and not being sure of another. We have to completely trust the entire Quran.
      Next, reading the Quran is a dynamic process. We have to implement it as we read it and not decide to implement after we finish reading the entire book. By implementing each  ayat we increase our interation with the Quran.

Etiquette of reading the Quran
     The speaker concludes with some etiquette of reading the Quran like
Time to read : 24 X 7
Best time : At fajr
How much : quality not quantity is important.how much we can reflect effectively.
Best place : Masjid
Best etiquette : with wudhu and after seeking refuge with Allah.
   For all those who want to listen to the lecture in detail, here is it.

A non-hijabi more religious…or is she???

Aug10

Bismillah Hirahamah Niraheem
Found an interesting article on how Islam is both about gaining knowledge and practising it. It is relevant not only to the hijab but all other aspects of Islam. Made me rethink of how much Islam I know and how much of it I have really implemented in my life. May Allah increase us all in knowledge and may Allah grant us the tawfeeq to implement it. Ameen.

A non-hijabi more religious…or is she???.

The Power of Istighfar

Aug7

Bismillah Hirahamah Niraheem

During his old age, while Imam Ahmed was traveling he stopped by a town. After the prayers, he wanted to stay for the night in the masjid yard because he didn’t know anyone in the town. Owing to his humility, he hadn’t introduced himself to anyone thinking that if he did, he would be welcomed by many people.

Failing to recognize Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay in the mosque. Imam Ahmed tried numerous times, but the guard did not accept his requests. Frustrated, Imam Ahmed resolved to spend the night in the masjid yard. The guard became furious. As Imam Ahmed was quite old, the caretaker had to drag him out of the mosque. On seeing this, a baker from a nearby place felt pity for this man (Imam Ahmed) and offered to be the host to him for the night. During his stay with the baker, Imam Ahmed observed that the baker would constantly recite Istighfar (seek forgiveness from Allah). Imam Ahmed asked the baker if the constant practice of saying Istighfar had any effect on him.

The baker responded, “By Allah! No duaa (supplication to God) I made except that it was answered but one.”
“And what is that?” asked Imam Ahmed.
“To be able to see the famed Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal!” Replied the baker.
On this, Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal said that Allah had not only listened to his dua but had dragged him (Imam Ibn Hanbal onto his (the baker’s) doorsteps.
[Summarized from Al Jumuah magazine, vol 19, issue 7]

This story is a reminder of the power of saying Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness) frequently. Let’s remember that the prophet s.a.w used to say Istighfaar frequently during the day.

Tafseer Al-Qurtubi states:
A man complained to Al-Hasan about a drought, and he said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another man complained to him of poverty and he said to him: “Pray to Allah to forgive you.”

Another man said to him: “Pray to Allah to bless me with a child.” He said: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another complained to him that his garden was dry. He said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

He was asked about it and he said: “This is not my personal opinion, for Allah says in Surah Nooh (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance. And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” Tafseer Al-Qurtubi (18/301-302)
One of the narrators of a Hadith was asked about the manner in which forgiveness is to be sought, to which he answered: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to say: ‘Astaghfirullah! Astaghfirullah! (I beseech Allah for forgiveness, I beseech Allah for forgiveness)’.
[Sahih Muslim].

Aim to seek and gain Allah’s forgiveness during this Ramadhan.
Source : Al Huda Institute,Canada