Be Thankful for All that You Have

We complain about everything! We tend to take things for granted, not knowing that what we enjoy is all from Allah. Allah says: “And if you would count the graces of Allah, never could you be able to count them”. We have a roof over our heads, three meals at least a day and canned food that is sufficient for three months or more. We have running water and heating systems were others are living in freezing conditions in tents without any of that. You go to the toilet everyday like clockwork. How many people do you know who suffer from constipation? The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said: “Look at the one who is at a lower level than you, and do not look at the one who is above you, for that may keep you from scorning the blessing of Allah. If you have a car, be grateful as others have motorcycles. If you have a motorcycle, be grateful as others have bicycles. And if you are fed up with your bicycle, there are those who walk all day and their biggest wish is to have two wheels! Walking is one of the greatest blessings of Allah as there are those who are on a wheelchair. Someone who can’t walk is more blessed in our eyes than someone who is bedridden and paralyzed. Allah has said the truth: “And if you would count the graces of Allah, never could you be able to count them”. Therefore, stop whining and wailing and show your gratitude and appreciation to Allah wherever you are before He takes it from you!

Sh Assim Al Hakeem

Recommended to fast both 9th and 10th of Muharram

‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora and told the people to fast, they said, “O Messenger of Allaah, this is a day that is venerated by the Jews and Christians.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Next year, if Allaah wills, we will fast on the ninth day.” But by the time the following year came, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had passed away.

Narrated by Muslim, 1916.

Al-Shaafa’i and his companions, Ahmad, Ishaaq and others said: It is mustahabb [recommended] to fast both the ninth and the tenth, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted the tenth and intended to fast the ninth.

Based on this, there are different ways of fasting ‘Ashoora’, the least of which is to fast the tenth only, but it is better to fast the ninth as well. The more one fasts in Muharram, the better.

(Source: Islam QA)

Fasting on the Day of 'Ashoora

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fasting the day of ‘Arafah I hope Allaah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it, and fasting the day of ‘Ashoora’ I hope Allaah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” Narrated by Muslim, 1162. This is by the bounty that Allaah bestows upon us, whereby fasting one day expiates for the sins of a whole year. And Allaah is the Owner of great bounty.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to be very keen to make sure he fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora’ because of its great status. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I never saw the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) so keen to make sure he fasted any day and preferring it over another except this day, the day of ‘Ashoora’, and this month – meaning Ramadaan. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1867.

What is meant by being keen to make sure he fasted it is so as to earn its reward.

Secondly:

With regard to the reason why the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora’ and urged the people to do likewise is mentioned in the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari (1865) from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Ashoora’. He said, “What is this?” They said, “This is a good day, this is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy and Moosa fasted on this day.” He said, “We are closer to Moosa than you.” So he fasted on this day and told the people to fast.

(Source: Islam QA)

Productive Muslim

Listen to this lecture by Mufti Menk on how a Muslim can become productive. 

http://productivemuslim.com/productive-muslim-talk-by-mufti-ismail-menk/?awt_l=ELTE6&awt_m=3iEZO9Yi.6SbnEz

A Powerful Reminder

The Reward of Dhikr after Salah

In a hadeeth reported by Abu Hurayrah from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever glorifies Allaah (says Subhaan Allaah) thirty-three times immediately after each prayer, and praises Allaah (says Al-hamdu Lillaah) thirty-three times, and magnifies Allaah (says Allaahu akbar) thirty-three times, this makes ninety-nine, then to complete one hundred says Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer (There is no god except Allaah Alone, with no partner, His is the power and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things) – his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea.” (Reported by Muslim, 939)

Be careful and do not approve the sins of others

The first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah

The first ten days of Dhu'l - Hijjah are approaching. What is special about these 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).

How can we capitalize on this blessed time? What are some ways we can increase our righteous deeds? Watch this clip:

To learn more about the virtues of these ten days in detail, please follow this link: http://islam-qa.com/en/1699

Strangers

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam began as something strange and will revert to being strange as it began, so give glad tidings to the strangers.” (Muslim)
Today, we have become so distant from Islam that the way in which the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) did some things appears strange to us. Even people who welcome Islam in their lives, find Muslims behaving strangely, which on further investigation turns about to be the recommended behaviour in Islam. So we should not shy from being perceived as strange. 

(Daily Hadith)

A Beneficial Reminder: Knowledge & Faith

Fasting Six Days of Shawwaal

Don't miss out on the rewards of fasting six days of Shawwaal. 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime” (reported by Muslim, no. 1984)

A Story about a Man Who Lost His Wealth

Etiquettes of Eid

Eid Mubarak from Blog on Islam. 

May Allah accept all of our good deeds and efforts. And may He grant us the ability to taste the sweetness of high Imaan and Taqwaaa all ours lives. Ameen

What are the sunnahs and etiquettes we should follow for Eid?

Read on to find out: http://islam-qa.com/en/36442

Easy Dhikr, Huge Rewards

Whoever says:

Subhaanallaahil - 'Adheemi wa bihamdihi

(Glorified is Allah the Most Great and praised is He)

will have a date palm planted for him in Paradise. 

(At Tirmithi 5/511, and Al Hakim who graded it authentic and Ath-Thahabi agreed 1/501. See also Al-Albani)

Developing an Islamic Personality

Developing an Islamic Personality - By Mufti Menk

Laylat al-Qadr

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadaan as he never did at any other time, praying, reading Qur’aan and making du’aa’. Al-Bukhaari and Muslim narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadaan came, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would stay up at night and would wake his family up, and would abstain from marital relations. Ahmad and Muslim narrated that he used to used to strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadaan as he never did at any other time. 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined staying up and praying on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Agreed upon.

One of the best du’aa’s that may be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her). Al-Tirmidhi narrated, and classed the report as saheeh, that ‘Aa’ishah said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).”

(Islam QA)

Ramadan Tip

Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

"He who provides a fasting person something with which to break his fasting, he will earn the same reward as the one who was observing the fast, without diminishing the reward of the latter at all." (At-Tirmidhi)

Shirk Explained

Any one associating others with Allah is a Mushrik and is doomed in hell forever unless he repents to Allah before he dies. Idol worshippers justified their Shirk by saying: ‘We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah. Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever’. Calling other than Allah in matters that no one can do except Allah is shirk. Anyone calling the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam to prevent him from harm or bring benefit to him is a disbeliever. Allah says to Our Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam: Say "I have no power over any harm or profit to myself except what Allah may will. Anyone thinking that the dead can help him, benefit him or protect him from harm is both a liar and a disbeliever. In order to save yourself, forget your religious upbringing and what the turbaned Sheiks taught you. Go back to what Allah ordered you to follow; the Quran and Sunnah. Calling the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam is Shirk. Calling Ali, may Allah be pleased with him or his descendants is Shirk as well. Calling Al Jilani or Attijani or Al Badawi is major Shirk. The sad thing is that a lot of so called Muslims are falling into the most major sin of all. Allah says: “And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him”. What a shame that people live so many years only to die as s disbeliever!

- Sh Assim Luqman Al Hakeem

Ramadan Advice

In a very weak hadeeth that’s often quoted, the first 10 nights of Ramadan are for mercy, the second 10 are forgiveness, and the third 10 are redemption. Aside from the fact that the chain of the hadeeth is broken, the concept is also problematic since it implicitly justifies the laziness many people carry themselves with through the first two thirds of Ramadan waiting for the redemption part. In truth, the entire month is mercy, forgiveness, and redemption.

In fact, in an amazing authentic hadeeth, the Prophet (SalAllahu alayhi wa salam) said, "At every breaking of the fast, Allah has people whom He redeems from the fire." [Ahmad]

SubhanAllah can you imagine, EVERY night some people are written as those who will be protected from the fire?!

Why is this so important: The Prophet (SalAllahu alayhi wa salam) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) frequently emphasized the importance of treating every moment as your last. So with that, we have the narrations such as “pray as if it is your last prayer”, “actions are judged by their ending”, etc.

As such, we should fast every day as if it is our last fast and hope that on each special night, we are amongst those written from the redeemed!

- Sh Omar Suleiman

Observing Proper Manners While Fasting

While fasting, it is important to not only abandon one's food and drink, but also to shun evil deeds. This includes false speech, backbiting, obscene behaviour, etc. 

Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 
"Whosoever doesn't abstain from speaking falsely, and acting upon false speech, Allah does not care for his abstaining from eating and drinking." (Al Bukhari)

He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 
"Fasting is shield; so on a day that one is fasting, he should not indulge in offensive behaviour or arguing; if anyone verbally abuses him or provokes him, he should say: 'I am fasting.'" (Al Bukhari and Muslim)

Ramadan Preparation

The blessed month of Ramadan is approaching us. This in itself is a great blessing which we should be thankful to Allah for. We will again be gifted an opportunity to experience the days and nights of this beautiful month inshaAllah. A month in which every night, Allah sets His servants free from the Hell-fire. A time in which hasanaat (rewards for good deeds) are multiplied.  

Before it begins, it is important to ponder about its many virtues and how we can best worship Allah swt. How can we fruitfully use our time to reap its benefits? How will this Ramadan be different?

One step we can take now is to set objectives which we can achieve during the month, by Allah's Mercy.  It might be useful to write up your objectives on a piece of paper and post it somewhere where you can see every day.  

Hadith on the Importance of Charity

The Meaning of Zikr

A short lecture by Mufti Menk on the meaning and benefits of zikr:

http://www.muftimenk.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/MENK-TheMeaningofZikr_64kb.mp3

Istighfar

This story about “Istighfar” is from the life of Imam Ahmed Bin Hanbal, who is considered as a renowned scholar of Islam and a famous theologian.

During his old age, while Imam Ahmed was travelling 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 bin Hanbal, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay in the mosque. 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 telling Imam Ahmed that Allah had accepted all of his duas (supplications), except one. When he asked him what dua was it that hadn’t been accepted, the baker replied that he had been asking Allah to provide him the privilege to meet the famous scholar Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal.

On this, Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal said that Allah had not only listened to his dua but had dragged him 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 Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) frequently. 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].

Beauty of a Simple Smile

"A simple smile can break barriers, prevent misunderstandings, ease tensions, create friendship, improve mental, physical, emotional & spiritual well-being, improve social conditions, give a feeling of sincerity & care and lead to much more goodness.Hence a smile is declared a highly recommended act of worship.Keep your face illuminated with a constant smile & see how your life changes!"

-Mufti Menk

Advice

How you react to those who disagree with you & those who excel beyond you displays your true character.

(Source: Facebook Mufti Ismail Menk)

A Supplication

Be Grateful

Be grateful for the countless gifts Allah has bestowed on you.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

"Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying,). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me." (Surah Baqara:152)

Reminder About Patience

When something slips from your hands, be patient, for surely there is goodness in it. 

"When Allah tests you, it is never intended to destroy you. When He removes something in your possession, it is only in order to empty your hands for an even greater gift."  (Ibn al-Qayyim)

A Motivating Lecture

A lecture packed with beautiful reminders by Mufti Menk. Please spare some time to listen and share. And lastly, think about how you can start bringing changes in your life. How can we prepare ourselves to meet our Creator? 

http://soundcloud.com/mudeer-menk/lecture-in-memory-of-adeel

Control the tongue

Our tongues and speaking ability is a blessing from Allah. It is important for us to assess how we are using this gift. 

Are we using it to remember Him? Are we using it as a means to seek His Pleasure? 

Or are we using it to bury ourselves in sins by backbiting, lying, engaging in evil vain talk and all other blameworthy acts?

If we find ourselves in the latter category to any extent, then we should seriously stop and seek Allah's forgiveness. Seek His forgiveness before it is too late. 

Pray to Allah for help and guidance. Use your full strength to improve yourself and free yourself from such blameworthy deeds.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever has wronged his brother with regard to his honour or anything else, let him seek his forgiveness today, before there will be no dinar and no dirham, and if he has any good deeds to his credit they will be taken from him in a manner commensurate with the wrong he did, and if he has no good deeds, then some of his counterpart’s bad deeds will be taken and added to his burden.”

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2317.

Celebrating the Prophet’s Birthday: Not Prescribed in Islam

Celebrating the Prophet’s birthday was not prescribed by Allaah or by the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so it is not permissible for the Muslims to celebrate his birthday, in obedience to the command of Allaah and the command of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
( Islam QA, See http://islam-qa.com/en/ref/13810 for details)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah [way] and the way of the Rightly-Guided khaleefahs. Adhere to it and cling tightly to it. And beware of newly-invented matters [in religion], for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going-astray.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Sunnah, 3991; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, no. 3851). 

May Allah guide us all to the straight path. Ameen.

Refresh Your Iman (Faith) - Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan

Beware of Zombies or Are You One

" Our goal is to call people to Him in the most beautiful of ways while taking ourselves into account first. So the next time you plan on judging your Muslim brother and sister, don’t, because that zombie you see just might be your own self." 
-Moutasem Atiya

Read this article, here:

http://www.suhaibwebb.com/personaldvlpt/purification-heart/beware-of-zombies-or-are-you-one/