Reflecting on the gifts from Allah

Mufti Ismail Menk: 

The gifts of the Almighty upon us are so many that we would never be able to count them all.

Sadly we concentrate on the few issues that He has tested us with and become ungrateful, forgetting the countless gifts we have.

Let us dedicate some time on a regular basis to ponder over what we have been given and express gratitude to Our Maker through our words and deeds.

The Almighty has taught us that the way to increase the goodness we have been bestowed with is through gratitude. "If you are grateful, I shall indeed increase you (in goodness)" S14:V7

(Source: Facebook page of Mufti Ismail Menk)

Eid ul Adha

Eid Mubarak! May Allah forgive our sins and may you all have a blessed Eid! Ameen

Double-faced People

Narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "The worst people before Allah on the Day of Resurrection will be the double-faced people who appear to some people with one face and to other people with another face. " 

(sahih al-bukhari, vol 8, Hadith no. 84)

Those who remember God most

Ibn Abil-Dunya mentioned in a hadith reliably transmitted from the first generation that when the Prophet, peace be upon him, was asked which of the people who frequented the mosque were best, he answered, 'Those who remember God most.' When asked which of the people who attended a funeral were best, he answered, 'Those who remember God most.' When asked which warriors were best, he answered, 'Those who remember God most.' When asked which pilgrims were best, he answered, 'Those who remember God most.' And when asked which of those who visited the sick were best, he said, 'Those who remember God most.' At which Abu Bakr said, 'Those who remember have taken all the good!'

(Friday Nasiha, Issue 708)
Compiled From: "The Invocation of God" - Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, p. 97

Short Video - First Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

Virtues of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are approaching inshAllah. What is so special about these upcoming ten days?

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the

 Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457).

Prepare yourself in advance. Think about how you will make the most out of these ten special days inshAllah. Here are some pieces of advice:

1. Increase dhikr (remembrance of Allah) 
For instance, recite lots of Tasbeeh ("Subhan-Allaah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allaahu akbar"), Tahleel ("La ilaaha ill-Allaah") . Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "There are no days greater in the sight of Allaah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel ("La ilaaha ill-Allaah"), Takbeer and Tahmeed." (Reported by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh).
2. Fasting. - The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. It was narrated from Hunaydah ibn Khaalid from his wife, that one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays. Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawood; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2/462.
3. Increase your Duas

4. Perform Qiyam (Night Prayers)

5. Recite the Holy Quran. Recite it in Arabic as well as a language you know best to understand its meanings. 

6. Give Charity

7. Sincere repentance for your sins 

8. Shield yourself from the haraam and sins. Strive to become a better servant of Allah by adhering to what he has commanded.

For more, see the below links:
http://islam-qa.com/en/ref/1699/qadr
http://islam-qa.com/en/ref/49042

Seeking Happiness

Happiness in its entirety cannot be found in society. Happiness in its entirety cannot be found in people. 

It cannot be found in friends nor can it be found in your career or material objects.

Happiness in its entirety only lies with Allah swt. 

Seek it through him by submitting to him and building your relationship with Him. 

Obey Him and Fear Him. That is eternal happiness.

Christian becomes Muslim - Street Dawah-'Live'