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A Supplication Before Bed Time Reminds Us of Allaah’s Blessings

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

English Translation of the supplication

All praise is due to Allah Who fed us, provided us drink, sufficed us and provided us with shelter, for how many people there is none to suffice and none to provide shelter. [Saheeh Muslim Number 2715]

 

Brief Reminder

In this supplication, there is a reminder for the Muslim before he (or she) goes to bed regarding the end of the day and the hours that have elapsed, in which Allaah provided him (or her) with food, drink and shelter, whilst there are a number of people who could not find food as a source of nourishment or drink to quench their thirst, or clothing to clothed themselves, or a dwelling place. So whoever Allaah blessed with food and drink, sufficed him (or her) etc then it is obligated on him (or her) to recognise (or acknowledge) the blessings of Allaah and consider it as something that is great indeed. That is because being grateful for the blessings Allaah has given you is a means to retaining and increasing those blessings. Allaah (The Most High) said:[وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ -And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe. (14:7)]

[Paraphrased Excerpt. Source: Fiqhul Ad’iyah Wal-Adkaar’ page 79′ parts 3&4′ by Sh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him)]

 

Hasten Towards The Jumu’ah Prayer For The Remembrance of Allaah!

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانْتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumu’ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumu’ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salat (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know! Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salat (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working, etc.), and remember Allah much, that you may be successful. [Soorah Al-Jum’ah. Aayaat 9-10]

Few Reminders from the above Aayaat

Allaah [The Most High] commands His believing slaves to attend the Jumu’ah prayer and that they hasten towards it when the call for it is proclaimed. And ‘hastening’ towards it means to come to it- giving it importance and making it the most important [affair].

[وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ -Leave off business]-Meaning: Leave off business when the call for the prayer is proclaimed and perform it, for indeed [ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ – that is better for you] than preoccupying yourself with business and missing the obligatory prayer, which is from the most emphasised of obligations; [إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُون – if you did but know!] that what Allaah has with Him [of reward] is better and more everlasting, and that the one who prefers the worldly life over the religious [commandments and prohibitions], then indeed he has [incurred] a real loss, whilst thinking that he has profited.  This command to leave off business is during the time of the prayer.

[فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانْتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ – Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salat (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land] to seek earnings and business (transactions)].

And when it is the case that preoccupation with business is most likely to make a [person] heedless of the remembrance of Allaah, Allaah commanded that He be remembered much, saying:

[وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا – and remember Allah much]- Meaning: Whilst you’re standing, sitting and reclining;

[لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ – that you may be successful]; for indeed an increase in remembrance of Allaah is the greatest means to success.

Source: (Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan). Abridged and slightly paraphrased

Make Room For Your Brothers In The Gatherings And Allaah Will Give You Ample Room From His Mercy

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Brotherhood, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا فِي الْمَجَالِسِ فَافْسَحُوا يَفْسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ انْشُزُوا فَانْشُزُوا يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

O you who believe! When you are told to make room in the assemblies, (spread out and) make room. Allah will give you (ample) room (from His Mercy). And when you are told to rise up, rise up. Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do. [58:11]

This is a practical code of behaviour commanded by Allaah to His believing slaves- that when they come together in one of their gatherings, some of them or some of those who have already arrived should make room (for others); for indeed it is from (good) etiquettes to make room for him (i.e. the other person) to reach his goal.  And this is not to harm the one who is (already) in the gathering in anyway, rather he enables his (Muslim) brother to reach his goal without him being harmed, and reward is given in accordance with a deed; for indeed whoever makes room, Allaah makes room for him, and whoever shows generosity to his brother, Allaah will show him generosity.

[وَإِذَا قِيلَ انْشُزُوا – And when you are told to rise up]- Meaning: To rise up and retire from your gathering for an (obligatory or important) need (i.e. prayer etc), then [فَانْشُزُوا – rise up] – Meaning: proceed towards the fulfilment of that beneficial affair, for indeed the fulfilment of the likes of these affairs is connected to knowledge and Eemaan. And Allaah [The Most High] will exalt in degree the people of knowledge and Eemaan in accordance with what He has portioned out for them from knowledge and Eemaan.

[وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِير -And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do]- Meaning: Allaah [The Most High] rewards every performer of deeds in accordance with his [or her] deeds-if they are good, there will be good recompense, and if evil deeds, there will be an evil recompense. And in this Ayah [i.e. 58:11] is [a mention] of the virtue of knowledge, whose beautification and benefit is that one disciplines [himself or herself] with its etiquettes and act in accordance with what it necessitates.

[Source 🙁 Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan). Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

Children and Wealth Are Temporary Gifts of This Worldly Life, So They Should Not Divert Us From The Remembrance of Allaah

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Family & Women, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers.” [Soorah Al-Munaafiqoon: Ayah 9]

Allaah [The Most High] commanded His believing slaves to remember Him a lot because in that there is profit, success and abundant good.  And He [The Most High] forbade them from being diverted from His Remembrance by their wealth and children because many souls have a natural inclination towards love of wealth and children, so he (a person) gives them precedence over love of Allaah and in that there is a great loss.  And for this reason He [The Most High] said: [وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ – And whoever does that] – Meaning: Diverted by his wealth and children from the Remembrance of Allaah, [فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ -Then they are the losers] – Meaning: [Losers] in that eternal happiness and abiding bliss, because they preferred what will come to an end over what will abide forever.

 [Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan]

 

The Prophet Used To Seek Refuge With Allaah From These Four Affairs

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Zaid Bin Arqam [radiyallaahu-anhu] narrated that the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] used to say:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ ‏لَا تَشْبَعُ ‏ ‏وَمِنْ دَعْوَةٍ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا

O Allaah! I seek refuge with You from knowledge that does not benefit; from a heart that does not fear [You]; from a soul that does not get satisfied and from a supplication that is not answered.

[Reported by Muslim 2722]

 

O Mukallafoon! Our Deeds Differ Greatly, So Let Us Strive To Excel Each Other

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Al-Layl Aayah 4:

[إِنَّ سَعۡيَكُمۡ لَشَتَّىٰ- Certainly, your efforts and deeds are diverse (different in aims and purposes)]- Meaning: O Mukallafoon [i.e. those who have reached the age of accountability]! Your deeds differ greatly based on the type of deed [being performed], its value and the enthusiasm of [its performer]; and based on the aim and intention [of the performer] ….

[Source: (Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer kalaam Al-Mannaan). Abridged and paraphrased]

Istighfaar at all Times, Especially When One Reaches the Beginning of the End of His [Or Her] Life

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah (The Most High) said:

إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًا فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا

When comes the Help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad against your enemies) and the conquest (of Makkah); and you see that the people enter Allah’s religion (Islam) in crowds; so glorify the Praises of your Lord, and ask for His Forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and forgives. [Soorah An-Nasr]

Few Beneficial Reminders from Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah):

This shows that Allaah has legislated Tawbah and Istighfaar at the end of deeds, such as at the end of Hajj and  the night prayer. Whenever the Prophet (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) finished the prayer (i.e. compulsory prayer), he would say Astaghfirullaah three times. It is also legislated for the one who performs Wudhu- after completing his (or her) Wudhoo- to say: [اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنْ التَّوَّابِينَ ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ – O Allah! Make me one of those who repent and make me one of those who purify themselves (Ref A)]. Allaah made it known that Tawbah is legislated at the end of righteous deeds, so Allaah commanded His Messenger to make Istighfaar after fulfilling the propagation of the Message of Islaam and Jihaad in the path of Allaah, after the people entered the religion in crowds. Propagating Islaam is an act of worship and he (Messenger) did it perfectly and fulfilled it, so Istighfaar was legislated for him at the end. [Ref 1]

Few Beneficial Reminder from Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaa):

This shows that the lifespan of Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) was coming close to its end and that virtuous deeds, such as prayer, hajj and other deeds are concluded with Istighfaar. Therefore, Allaah commanded his Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) with glorification and Istighfaar in this situation (i.e. after the conquest of Makkah and after people entered into the religion in crowds) as an indication that his life span was coming to an end, so that he prepares himself to meet his Lord and seal his lifespan with best of deeds… [Ref 2]

Few Benefits from Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah):

When one contemplates on the wisdom behind this, it means that after the Help of Allaah came to pass and the conquest of Makkah, then indeed the end of your lifespan [i.e. the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] is close and there is nothing left for you except glorifying the praises of your Lord and Istighfaar…[Ref 3] [End of quotes]

We ask Allaah (The Most Merciful) to forgive us our shortcomings and show us mercy, for indeed we can never fulfil what He has commanded in the manner it truly deserves to be fulfilled. We ask Allaah to grant us thabaat, sidq, ikhlaas and husnul khaatimah…Aameen

[Ref A: Hadeeth reported by Imaam at-tirmidhee (rahimahullaah). Number 55 & declared authentic by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in Saheeh At-tirmidhee number 48]

[Ref 1: Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ Vol 3 page 381-382. Publisher: Daar Ibn Al-Jawziyyah 2nd  Ed. Year 1431AH. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm 1st Ed. 1424AH (Year 2003). Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: Tafseer Juz Amma’ pages 336- 337. Publisher: Daar Al-Baseerah. ISBN: 2003/11937]

 

A Single Wolf Causes Great Harm to a Flock, Then What about Two Hungry Wolves?!- However, the One Who Craves For Wealth Or Status in the Deen Is More Harmful Than Those Two Hungry Wolves

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Two hungry wolves let loose among sheep are not more harmful than a person’s craving after wealth and status in his Deen.”

Two hungry wolves let loose on a flock! Then what will remain from the flock?! Even when a single wolf stops eating because its stomach is full, it still kills the rest of the flock; then what about two hungry wolves let loose on a flock!! Not a single (sheep) will remain.

Likewise, a person who craves for wealth or status will corrupt the religion. And because of this it is obligated on a person that his intention is far removed from this- far removed from craving for wealth and status in the religion. We ask Allaah to aid us to accomplish this.

There are many people who do not give concern except to wealth or status, so that they are pointed at (i.e. recognised). This destroys the religion because one’s soul inclines towards wealth and status and as a result of this a person forgets what is more important – the affair of the religion (i.e. sincerity etc).

[Source: At-Taleeq Alaa Siyaasah Shar’iyyah’ by Shaikh Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah). Page 454-455. Abridged & paraphrased]

 

Seven Temporary Pleasures of The Worldly Life Diverts Many People From The Remembrance of Allaah

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Allaah (The Most High) said:

زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ

‘’Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life; but Allah has the excellent return (Paradise with flowing rivers, etc.) with Him.’’ [3:14]

Women: They are the greatest adornment of this worldly life, the most coveted thing and the greatest trial (i.e. the impious women)

Children: They are a source of honour and pride for a man etc

Gold and silver: They are a means of fulfilling one’s desires (i.e. wealth).

Branded beautiful horses: They are a source of might, pride and protection for their owners, and instruments of war, conquests etc

Cattle: They are utilised for riding, food, clothing (i.e. their furs and skins) and other benefits.

Well-tilled land (i.e. Vegetation): A source of nourishment for them and their animals, and also a source of fruits and medication (i.e. through plants).

Allaah (Glorified Be He) stated that all these things are the pleasures of this present worldly life. Then He (The Most High) urged His slaves towards the enjoyment of the Hereafter, saying:

قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

Say: “Shall I inform you of things far better than those? For Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2) there are Gardens (Paradise) with their Lord, underneath which rivers flow. Therein (is their) eternal (home) and Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives) [i.e. they will have no menses, urine, or stool, etc.], And Allah will be pleased with them. And Allah is All-Seer of the (His) slaves”. [3:15]

—————————————————————————————–

[Source: ‘Badaai’u At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ Vol 1 page: 216. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Severe Warning to Those Who Mock and Look Down On Others They Consider to Be of Inferior Lineage

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Brotherhood, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

The Messenger (sallal-laahu-aalayhi-wasallam) said:

Whoever is held back by his deeds, his (nobility) of lineage will not push him forward.(1)

Imaam Nawawi (rahimahullaah) said, ”Its meaning is that the one whose deeds are deficient and he does not catch up with the performers of (good) deeds, then it is obligatory upon him not to crown himself with nobility of lineage and the virtues of his forefathers, whilst he is lagging behind in (performing good) deeds.”(2)

Ubay bin ka’b (radiyallaahu-anhu) said: Two men (mentioned their) lineages during the lifetime of Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam); one of them said (to the other): ‘’I am Fulaan the son of Fulaan (i.e. mentioning his name and that of his parents, grandparents etc.), so who are you (with) no mother? (i.e. rebuking him). So Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “Two men (mentioned their) lineages during the lifetime of Moosaa (alayhis-salaam); one of them said (to the other): “I am Fulaan son of Fulaan, until he counted nine (people from his lineage), so who are you (with) no mother” (i.e. rebuking the other). He (the other person) said: “I am Fulaan the son of Fulaan the son of Islaam.” So Allaah revealed to Moosaa (alayhis-salaam): ‘’Indeed those two who (mentioned their) lineages, as for you ascribed or attributed to nine, (they) are in the hell fire and you are the tenth amongst them. And as for you ascribed or attributed to two, (they) are in paradise and you are the third of them.” (3)

(1) [Saheeh Muslim…part of hadeeth in (The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness)]

(2) [Sharh Saheeh Muslim:  Hadeeth Number 2699; Vol 17, page 18]

(3) [Reported by Imaam Ahmad 5/128 and declared authentic by Imaam Al Albaani in As-Saheehah 1270]