tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83489873850462978082024-03-23T03:13:55.358-07:00 The Momin's JourneyA blog dedicated to strengthening our faith and a resource for beneficial knowledge. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-20407010957299026022024-03-13T20:21:00.000-07:002024-03-13T20:21:00.129-07:00A Deeper Look at Surah Imran - Part 3<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AAIgUJRkM6gVunCSn2Wu6QNBNmoLYN5_88dufAWG8UC_NCF4LIh2-rInH1ZtlsBqO48-Bx4LdBffw7D7-a71YuVmmOOU4K8GH2KxneEFTUUH0llHrhiySyw1WXvFoNcAaJHFBRAOreGyzyMxspaIsnUs-x9SYy6X8KEuNHIulOg4Cwb73vrZqJu07Hut/s1080/imran.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8AAIgUJRkM6gVunCSn2Wu6QNBNmoLYN5_88dufAWG8UC_NCF4LIh2-rInH1ZtlsBqO48-Bx4LdBffw7D7-a71YuVmmOOU4K8GH2KxneEFTUUH0llHrhiySyw1WXvFoNcAaJHFBRAOreGyzyMxspaIsnUs-x9SYy6X8KEuNHIulOg4Cwb73vrZqJu07Hut/w400-h400/imran.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Bismillah Ar Rehman, Ar Raheem</p><p><i><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Trial of Wealth and Children, and Competing in this World</span></b></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“It has been made attractive for people to love the desired things; that is, women, children, hoarded heaps of gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and tillage. That is an enjoyment of the worldly life; but with Allah lies the beauty of the final resort.” (3:14)</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Again and again in the Quran, Allah says, ‘your wealth and your children won’t be able to save you,’ this is because the focus of our efforts in this world are usually focused on those two; our progacy and our wealth. The deen tells us to care for our children, to provide for them. However we must not let those two things dictate us to the extent that we go blind over right and wrong. Our pursuits must remain under the umbrella of our purpose in life, which is to be an obedient slave of Allah. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">There is no greater favor conferred upon us but the light of our iman, so it is important that we let go of what is against the shariah, no matter how much we love it. We can’t live life on our own terms, we have to follow the Quran and Sunnah. We should assist in what will bring in Allah’s pleasure, and discourage what will bring Allah’s wrath, and this in itself is the best way to call others towards Allah; by leading a righteous life. </span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">O you who have believed, if you support Allāh, He will support you and plant firmly your feet. (47:7)</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The reason we fall into disobedience of Allah is because we fall in competing with each other over the wrong things. Rather we should be racing towards Allah’s forgiveness, the akhirah, the Jannah that Allah has prepared for His pious; who openly spend in the way of Allah in poverty and wealth. </span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“There is no life worth living except the life of the Hereafter..” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6414)</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“The world is a prison-house for a believer and Paradise for a non-believer.” (Sahih Muslim 2956)</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Verily, the parable of myself and this world is that of a rider who seeks shade under a tree, then he moves on and leaves it behind.” (Musnad Aḥmad 3709)</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Living as a traveler doesn't mean we don’t acquire wealth or don’t live in a comfortable way, rather it means we only take from the world what we need. It means that we are to fill our boat enough to keep it afloat, or else it will sink in the ocean of this dunya</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The distinguishing part of our ummah is that we uphold the shariah of our deen. There lies a great responsibility on us to give dawah and uphold the teaching and shariah in current times. We have to play our part in extinguishing the fire that has plagued the ummah in the trials and fitnahs. Repent to Allah, make dua to have your iman be firmly grounded, implement the commands through knowledge and practice</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><i><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Arrogance and Seeking Allah’s Help</span></b></i></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Arrogance comes to us when we look at what we have and think we deserve it. That we did it ourselves; this removes the barakah from that thing. Allah gives honor to whom He wills, similarly, He can strip you of your power whenever He wills, so ask Him for aafiyah, that He overlooks our sins and excesses.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The reference to the Battle of Badr in this surah reminds us that no matter how much the odds are stacked against us, if Allah is on your side, you will succeed. If we wish for Allah’s help, blessings, in our life, then we need to guard ourselves from succumbing to fleeting pleasures of this world; opposite gender friendships and illicit relationships are exciting but haram, loving your children gives you joy, but it shouldn’t exceed your love for Allah, accumulating wealth brings luxury in life, but it cannot fulfill you. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Importance of the Sunnah</span></i></b></p><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“Say (O Prophet): ‘If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.’ Say: ‘Obey Allah and the Messenger.” Then, should they turn back, Allah does not love the disbelievers.’ (3:31-32)</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">One of the central themes of this surah is the importance of obedience to the prophet ﷺ. The verses attest to the significance of following the sunnah. They attest to the importance and rank of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in our life. That he ﷺ was sent to us to recite the Quran, to purify us, to teach us the Quran and to bestow wisdom upon us. Allah has used three words for the Prophet ﷺ in the Quran: obey [him], [consider him your] role model, and follow [him]. Following him doesn’t only mean the outward sunnahs, which themselves are easier, but this refers to the inward sunnah, the mentality and way of compassion and forgiveness. The verses that tell us about victory at Uhad being overturned, signify how disobedience to the prophet ﷺ can be detrimental to us. Similarly, we are also reminded in these verses that it was the gentleness and great character that Allah had blessed the prophet ﷺ with that won over the hearts of the sahaba. The deen can only be taught and shared through compassion and mercy. Beautiful akhlaq goes a long way, and no matter how pious we are, if we have no compassion or kindness, then all of our deen is reduced to nothing.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“The best of you is he who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to my family. When one of you dies speak no ill of him." (Mishkat al-Masabih 3252, 3253)</span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">We have an example in the prophet ﷺ of forgiveness and patience. On the Conquest of Makkah, he ﷺ forgave everyone, including Hind, who had Hamza killed and his body desecrated. We learn that we should be of those who forgive others for the sake of Allah; forgiving who have been unjust, who have wronged us, hurt us, brought pain to us. Learning to forgive will make us feel light, more content and bring an immense sweetness in our hearts. This also entails forgiving those who didn’t even ask for forgiveness and aren’t aware of damage they have caused. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It is also necessary that we become one of those who are able to swallow their anger—anger is an emotion that is natural, what is required from us is to watch what we say and do, during it, because the person who humbles and lowers themselves for Allah, Allah elevates them.</span></p><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-31906947400497442102024-02-29T20:19:00.000-08:002024-02-29T20:19:00.247-08:00A Deeper Look at Surah Imran - Part 2<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJhqnCfLFq3watzIvpZAD2F_5x9DM4_D4UpWUWHckkj-t9BRzJbn63TJAUoYUWAweSDND3JUBGFrf14a1gIqlCh-nsuZfyOYZUb9-VxtneD5oAjK0yyq4klEUGEquppyaXic79tl-KZ5hyKrGbnIYv1hR-2jAf6DKqaGqO3nvWFmgywaEWM7uyFbLfyGR/s1080/imran.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJhqnCfLFq3watzIvpZAD2F_5x9DM4_D4UpWUWHckkj-t9BRzJbn63TJAUoYUWAweSDND3JUBGFrf14a1gIqlCh-nsuZfyOYZUb9-VxtneD5oAjK0yyq4klEUGEquppyaXic79tl-KZ5hyKrGbnIYv1hR-2jAf6DKqaGqO3nvWFmgywaEWM7uyFbLfyGR/w400-h400/imran.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bismillah Ar-Rehman Ar-Raheem</i></div><br /><p></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Supplication, Pain, and Allah's Will </span></h2><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;">‘At that, Zechariah called upon his Lord, saying, "My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication."’ (3:38)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah, without sin or cutting family ties, but that Allah will give him one of three answers: He will quickly fulfill his supplication, He will store it for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an evil from him similar to it.” They said, “In that case we will ask for more.” The Prophet said, “Allah has even more.” (Musnad Aḥmad 11133)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Your trials won’t last forever. Your pain won’t stay the same forever. He gives without measure, just like He is able to turn day into night, He can make our night of grief and darkness turn into a day of blessings. He is the One who gives rizq/provision. Sometimes one may exert less effort and still get a lot, other times he may exert his all, but gets less. Is is the decree of Allah, to give and constrict as He pleases</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Allah does whatever He wants and wills. Nothing stands in His way, nothing can stop what He wills. Everything in this world has a process, to which there are steps. However, if Allah wills, He can bypass all those procedures (an evidence to humanity of Allah’s Might and Power), like how He created Isa without a father. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It is very easy for us to make du’a and get what we ask for. If Allah wills to give or withhold, no one can do anything. Keeping this in mind, we must pair supplication with action. If we want something, we need to engage in what needs to be done. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They (the opponents of ‘Īsā) devised a plan, and Allah devised a plan. And Allah is the best of all planners. (3:54)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sometimes people may try to harm us, backstab us, but we must realize that nothing can harm us unless Allah wills it. We have the example of Maryam AS, who was criticized by the people, unfairly slandered; so our pain is not new. We should have this assurance in our heart that whatever happens, happens by Allah’s will. As long as we are pleasing Allah, we shouldn’t care what others say about us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Those (are the ones) who say: “Our Lord, surely we have believed, so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of the Fire.” (And those who are) the patient, the truthful and the devout, who spend (in Allah’s way) and who seek forgiveness in pre-dawn hours.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Allah wishes for us to be of those who adorn ourselves with repentance. When in difficulty, He wants us to be patient. He wants us to be of those who are truthful in their speech and actions, those who wake up and perform tahajjud.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If we wish to better ourselves, we could start with acquiring knowledge of fardh/nafl, permissible, impermissible. Then there’s also tahajjud, which is a shortcut to gaining His closeness; it is the time to get your prayers answered, to seek help in diminishing and ridding yourself of your bad habits. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was narrated from Abu Bishr Ja'far bin Abi Wahshiyyah that: He heard Humaid bin 'Abdur-Rahman say: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The best prayer after the obligatory (fard) prayers is prayer at night..” (Sunan an-Nasa'i 1614)</span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Allah descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the first part of the night is over and says: I am the Lord; I am the Lord: who is there to supplicate Me so that I answer him? Who is there to beg of Me so that I grant him? Who is there to beg forgiveness from Me so that I forgive him? He continues like this till the day breaks. (Sahih Muslim 758b)</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">That was narrated to us by Al-Qasim bin Dinar Al-Kufi (who said): “Ishaq bin Mansur narrated to us, from Isra’il” with this (Another chain) Bilal narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Hold fast to Qiyam al-Lail, for it is the practice of the righteous before you, and indeed Qiyam al-Lail is a means of nearness to Allah, a means of prevention from sin, an expiation for bad deeds, and a barrier for the body against disease.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3549)</span></i></p><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-42580543111756585622024-02-19T07:29:00.000-08:002024-02-20T18:44:24.693-08:00A Deeper Look at Surah Imran - Part 1<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SXcrbD9YdD60rB-IVgmwLGq4ziNPM56Ia5ayydNoJnI-_c6hK-9e4y8jr2QvsUwFRzxyCg_eF3W9VtknUGdKxoIgiJXDrRMv08436DmqWGJYATtwxN_RS3shFRJ1gDWsjtLEg2IIjmrGY4QwLAXLPGuQ1n7qPWR-dHpoSAwvWIGMIikYdSG5TLPvrzVX/s1080/imran.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SXcrbD9YdD60rB-IVgmwLGq4ziNPM56Ia5ayydNoJnI-_c6hK-9e4y8jr2QvsUwFRzxyCg_eF3W9VtknUGdKxoIgiJXDrRMv08436DmqWGJYATtwxN_RS3shFRJ1gDWsjtLEg2IIjmrGY4QwLAXLPGuQ1n7qPWR-dHpoSAwvWIGMIikYdSG5TLPvrzVX/w400-h400/imran.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Bismillah Ar Rehman Ar Raheem</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><p></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Birth, Gender, and Wanting the Best for our Children</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0b255e39-7fff-4d8c-ac18-7a7d2816d5e4"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“He is the One Who shapes you in the wombs as He likes…” (3:6)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Allah reminds us of our absolute helplessness, and of how we cannot choose which colors, features, and appearance we will be born with. He is who determines whether we will have a son or daughter. Deriving lessons from this, we learn that it is permissible to have desires or preferences of a son or daughter, but expressing dismay upon the birth of one over the other (rejoicing over the birth of a son while dismay over the birth of a daughter) is ungratefulness. It is Allah who decides who to give children to, and of what gender. It is worth mentioning here that only one of the Umm-ul-Momineen, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ and the most pious of the women, had children; Khadija. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“...O my Lord, grant me from Your own (power) a goodly progeny. Verily, You are the One who listens to the prayer.” (3:38)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If we or anyone we know is suffering from infertility, it is a trial upon them from Allah to test their patience and actions in response to it. If there is medical treatment available, we must avail it. Do not ignore the doors Allah opens for you. On the same side, know that no matter how advanced science gets, it is only by the will of Allah that we may be blessed with children.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Moreover, since gender is assigned by Allah’s infinite wisdom and decree, the fitnah of transgenderism is nothing but a farce. Furthermore, the reality of only two genders point to the fact that men and women are there to complement each other. They are distinct in their own selves, made of different fibers, and there to strengthen each other. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“So, her Lord accepted her, a good acceptance, and made her grow, a good growth…” (3:37)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Maryam's mother, when she found out about her pregnancy, vowed to devote her child to the worship of Allah. She was expecting the birth of a son, but when a daughter was born she wondered how she could fulfill her vow—Maryam means </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">the one who worships. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Allah accepted this intention of hers by making Maryam a mother of a prophet. We learn from this that a mother's intentions for her child during the pregnancy has an effect on them. That the mother's spirituality starts affecting the child as soon as the soul is blown into them. Like the wife of Imran and mother of Maryam, when we have offsprings, we should wish for them to be devoted servants of Allah, who become good followers of the Prophet ﷺ. We worry so much about provision and the future, we must not ignore our own and our childrens’ hereafter. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Three supplications are answered without doubt. The supplication of the oppressed, the supplication of the traveler, and the supplication of the parent for his son." (Riyad as-Salihin 980)</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span></div><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 18pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Learning and Connecting with the Quran, and Seeking Sacred Knowledge</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“He has revealed to you the Book with the truth, confirming what has been before it, and has sent down the Torah and the Injīl. Earlier to give guidance to mankind, and has sent down the Furqān (the Criterion of right and wrong). Surely, those who have rejected the verses of Allah, for them there is severe punishment. Allah is Mighty, the Lord of Retribution.” (3:3-4)</span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Quran confirms all the past scriptures sent before it—consoling the Jews and Christians, and inviting them to Islam—and mentions that it is the last and final message sent by Allah. It is through its light that we will know the distinction between right and wrong, permissible and impermissible.</span></span> </p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Attaching ourselves to sacred knowledge is very important. It befits us that we learn this Book, when we know we will be judged on its basis. If we have so little knowledge of it, how will we succeed? How will we become aware of right and wrong? Allah wishes for us to be of those well grounded in knowledge, of those who anchor themselves to the Quran, because this anchoring will never allow us to go astray. </span></p></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim…” (Sunan Ibn Majah 224)</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><br /></i></span></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Those who have a disease in their hearts have issues with the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">mutashabihat </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(the ambiguous verses). They go about questioning them, seeking to know their meanings. While those who are well grounded in Islamic knowledge firmly believe that the entire Quran is from Allah, and so we believe and submit even if we do not understand some parts. This doesn’t mean that if there’s something we don’t understand, we let it be, rather this specifically alludes to the ambiguous verses. For other verses, we should research and rely on “the people of remembrance” if we do not know. Concurrently, those blessed with the knowledge of the deen have a greater responsibility to convey the message in the best of manner. </span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-7211225220954590862023-09-09T06:36:00.001-07:002023-09-09T06:36:00.161-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (15)<p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Bismillah Ar Rehman, Ar Raheem </b></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></i></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"> <span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Make haste in giving voluntary charity, for calamities cannot pass by it (Mishkat al-Masabih 1887)</span></span></p></blockquote></blockquote><span id="docs-internal-guid-adca1512-7fff-fe8f-9254-5e1dc1ae4a0d" style="font-family: times;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"...follow up a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out.."</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (Hadith 18, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi) When we think of charity, we think of money, however charity can simply be smiling. Our duha prayer, the good we do for others, the time we dedicate in good, they are all charity. Charity is a shield against Hellfire, and a way to defer difficulty in dunya. The scholars encourage us to give in charity when we are distressed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><br /></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Guard against the Hellfire, if even with half a date, and whoever does not possess that then with a good word (Sahih al-Bukhari 6540)</span></p></span></blockquote><span><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When we find ourselves hesitant towards giving something in charity, it might be an indication of our love for the dunya. Do not overthink when it comes to charity, break attachments and give according to your ability. Love for dunya is the root of all sin: anger, arrogance, greed, all come from it, and the remedy is to give from what we love.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-70094639223628760722023-09-02T17:45:00.000-07:002023-09-02T17:45:00.164-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (14)<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Bismillah Ar-Rehman Ar-Raheem</b></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mughira b. Shu'ba reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Verity Allah, the Glorious and Majestic, has forbidden for you: disobedience to mothers, and burying alive daughters, withholding the right of others in spite of having the power to return that to them and demanding that (which is not one's legitimate right). And He disapproved three things for you; irrelevant talk, persistent questioning and wasting of wealth. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(Sahih Muslim 593f)</span></h4><span id="docs-internal-guid-6798b4fa-7fff-26a1-2e8f-a509faaf2400"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The order of commands listed in an <i>ahadith </i>signify its importance. Here the disobedience of the mother is listed as first, and then </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">later </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">comes the sin of killing a life, emphasizing the enormity of how haram it is to disobey one’s mother.</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">disobedience to mother → killing daughters → denying debts → taking what's not yours → idle talk and gossip → excessive questioning → wasting money → gossip</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You will be questioned for all you knew and did not follow through on, therefore, keep it simple and don't obsess over minor details. Your <i>rizq </i>is <i>imanah</i>, don't waste it on useless things—don't engage in <i>israaf</i>. If you feel suddenly restricted in your <i>rizq</i>, wonder where you usually give in charity but didn't lately or forgot. Allah gives ten-folds of what you give. He constricts if you withhold. be mindful of what you spend of your husband's money.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We are to look at the examples of the prophets that came before us, the care with which they would spoke to their mother, the way they disagreed if there was a need, the way they would care for them, even in situations where they felt unsafe. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and do good to parents…”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (17:23)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There is no obedience to the creation in which there is disobedience to the Creator. Don’t be sneaky or try to bend the laws for your benefit, Allah knows. Lying and backbiting is clearly forbidden, however we shouldn’t share details about others without their consent, especially if you know they won’t like it—which is gossip: to speak about a person in their absence in a way they wouldn't like. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-68154477388562856622023-08-24T09:49:00.001-07:002023-08-24T09:49:00.143-07:00Brief Tafseer: Juz 9 (Al-Araaf 88 to Al-Anfal 40 )<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tYr_0Jn2E3jptRQjSyYACNUpyN79Z9PcJOjlg0Dqsgm-jZ6_KpPK3YEBIAhVKZrEGWsBDkQ3jSLKy1mI-m6q86_mSfdMTrhtRglgOyuJg5UeZU469IOdop41QgcLdSnI9lICRFlG9-CKzHSM-e0953T3BXkxV4vfGtP5KAKwYPlPdWC0VKDCb3jc3_RJ/s750/RamadanTafseer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="juz tafsir, an-anfal, quran" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tYr_0Jn2E3jptRQjSyYACNUpyN79Z9PcJOjlg0Dqsgm-jZ6_KpPK3YEBIAhVKZrEGWsBDkQ3jSLKy1mI-m6q86_mSfdMTrhtRglgOyuJg5UeZU469IOdop41QgcLdSnI9lICRFlG9-CKzHSM-e0953T3BXkxV4vfGtP5KAKwYPlPdWC0VKDCb3jc3_RJ/w400-h400/RamadanTafseer.png" title="juz 9 tafsir" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Bismillah Ar-Rehman Ar-Raheem</b></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those who think highly of themselves don’t want to see the good in others, and feel threatened by the other’s success. The elites of the previous nations would reject messengers of Allah due to this arrogance</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing good can occur without the will of Allah, therefore if we can do something good today, we can’t assume we will be able to do it forever</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep making du’a that Allah keeps us steadfast</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Never be arrogant about your faith and never take it for granted</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Iman is not something a believer can move on from, because iman is their identity. It defines them; their life and their joys</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A sincere believer is unwilling to give up their faith no matter what</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Iman and righteousness are a favor from Allah. It is very easy to stray away from the right path, because remember that Iblees was once a righteous being</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thereafter, We substituted good in place of evil until they increased, and said, “Hardship and prosperity came to our fathers (too).” Then We seized them suddenly while they were not aware. (7:95)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prosperity and hardships are both tests from Allah. Blessings are a test of gratitude </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be mindful of Allah; of what you do, where you transgress, because what if the punishment of Allah befalls you suddenly</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The believer is afraid of his sins, and performs the acts of worship while fearing Allah’s wrath. While the wicked commits acts of obedience while feeling safe from the wrath</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A consequences of sins are calamities and hardness of the heart, this is when a person feels no shame over their sins</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah is the One who gives power to the people, if He gives power to those who oppress us, He can also seize that power according to His will. Therefore, turn to Him in any and every situation. Seek His help through salah and sabr</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah is well aware of our situations, He knows what is in our hearts, but we must use our words and talk to Him, we must make du’a</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Relief in your situation will come according to its due time, but talking to Allah and unloading your apprehensions will give you moments of relief and tranquility</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is very important that we respect the times Allah has determined for things. Our impatience can cause more harm than good</span></p></li></ul></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“...haste is from Satan.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2012)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t forget the lessons your past trials have taught you. Be grateful and better in your conduct</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The greatest ignorance is not knowing Allah, recognize Him and don’t be swept by trendy ideologies</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To learn the Book of Allah, we need to focus on it, which in some cases might be achieved by isolating ourselves</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The reward of being able to see Allah in Jannah is a reward that will supersede any other reward in the Hereafter</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Make du’a to be given that reward and status</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Weak intentions lead to weak actions, so strive for the best, have lofty intentions and then work towards them. Even if you fail to reach the limit you have set, you will still be performing more than you had expected</span></p></li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is there anyone more Merciful than Allah? The slaughter of animals, or being hurt of children and those less guilty is not for us to complain about. Allah will raise each person according to their level of guiltiness</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is we want the permanent mercy of Allah, we need to believe in and follow the sunnah</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disobedience brings road blocks in our way, it brings deprivation of rizq</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those of the Bani Israel who tried to stop the transgressors in the incident of Sabath were the only ones who Allah saved, this is why it is important that we continue to speak the truth even if people don’t want to accept it</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All the souls that came and will come till the end of time were created at the same time, and were asked “Am I not your Lord?” This was asked before a single prophet came to inform us of the truth, proving that recognizing Allah as our Creator is our fitrah</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not following the verses while having knowledge of them is a devilish act. If you don’t stop yourself from doing this, shaytan will distance you even more from the truth</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is important that we act on what we know</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good company is an equal component of action, along with knowledge, because good company will motivate us to act on what we know</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When making du’a, use His Names that are relevant to what you are asking for. This means we should know His names, and recognize Him in that light</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Examples: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ya Wahhab, you are the Giver of Gifts, gift us with Your guidance, Your help, Your love, Your closeness, and Your acceptance. Ya Qahhar, You can overpower who You will, You punish who You will, and You spare who You will, forgive us and don’t punish us. Ya Hakam, grant us the wisdom and patience to accept Your decree no matter how painful it may seem momentarily. You are the Judge and Your decree is haqq.</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should not be concerned with when the day of judgment will be, rather we should be concerned about what we have prepared for it</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should be grateful for our faculties; our limbs, our senses, our good health. The best way to be grateful and give thanks is by using those same blessings in a good and righteous manner</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shaytaan is always trying to insight bad thoughts in our head, whispering wrongful things, making us angry. When this occurs, rely on dhirk until you calm down</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Salah and dhikr are the fortress of a muslim</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Develop a regular routine of morning and evening adhkar, and do so with humility</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the Quran is being recited, pay attention to it. Do not make it mere background noise. Do not engage in tasks that take away your attention from it</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When someone says something ignorant to you or about you, ignore and pardon them</span></p></li></ul><p><b id="docs-internal-guid-b940eadc-7fff-622e-05c1-cdf8c1818c7b" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Suran Al-Anfal</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Money is a fitnah, making even the good people weak</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unity and love are far more precious than any amount of wealth</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is not right that we be estranged from our family or harbor ill feelings towards someone due to wealth or transient possessions</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If the more difficult route in an option of two befalls you, know that there is greater good in it for you</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Certainly, the believers are those whose hearts are filled with awe when (the name of) Allah is mentioned; and when His verses are recited to them, it makes them more developed in faith; and in their Lord they place their trust. (8:2)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The state of a true believer is that he becomes fearful of sins at the mention of Allah, and abandons that sin and makes necessary changes in his life. The mention of Allah strengths his iman</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reflect over how you make du’a, do you beg and ask Allah as much as you should?</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And do not be like those who say, “We have listened” while they do not listen. (8:21)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is not sufficient to only hear, it is necessary to bring about the changes in our life</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Betraying Allah and the Messenger means not obeying the commandments completely, for e.g. being inattentive during salah</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Property and children are indeed a blessing from Allah, but they are also a trial, because they keep us occupied. They are a trial of whether we become forgetful of Allah and our duty to Him, while busy with our blessings</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> When a person remembers Allah and is mindful of Him, Allah blesses this person with self awareness and clarity. Taqwa allows this person to distinguish between right and wrong.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As long as a person seeks the forgiveness of Allah, he is safe from punishment. Even the angels are told to wait a little before noting down a person’s sins, in case he regrets and repents</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“...Allah is your protector. So excellent a protector is He, and so excellent a supporter.” (8:40)</span></p><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fact that Allah is our Protector should always bring relief to us in the face of fear, hate and opposition. Therefore, never lose hope </span></p></li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-7231184610689955402023-08-14T21:55:00.001-07:002023-08-17T18:26:36.729-07:00SHORT REMINDERS FROM SURAH BAQARAH<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">﷽</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-db3aa136-7fff-a504-05e1-0cc2ae07798a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This Book has no doubt in it - a guidance for the God-fearing (2:2)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Surely for those who have disbelieved, it is all the same whether you warn them or you warn them not: they do not believe. (2:6)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">...the Qur’ān was revealed as guidance for mankind, and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong… (2:185)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When we study the Quran with an open heart, we find it a treasure, recognizing the truth of revelation. Consequently, if we study it with malice or discord, it will become a source of misguidance for us</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The human soul craves permeance, companionship and beauty, all of which are promised to us by Allah in Jannah</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And when We said to the angels: “Prostrate yourselves before ’Ādam!” So, they prostrated themselves, all but Iblīs (Satan). He refused, and became one of the infidels. (2:34)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We must guard our heart against arrogance, because it can ruin our deen and dunya. To counter arrogance, we should engage in self reflection; be so focused on improving your own flaws, that you don’t look towards gloating about your strengths, accept and acknowledge your mistakes, be the one to apologize first, make peace with others, be the one to offer Salaam first, and do tasks you would have considered ‘beneath you’</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Then ’Ādam learned certain words (to pray with) from his Lord; so, Allah accepted his repentance. No doubt, He is the Most-Relenting, the Very-Merciful. (2:37)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Man is fallible, and will continue to make mistakes, however, as believers, it is upon us to keep repenting for our sins. Accept your weakness in not being able to obey the commands set down by Allah, repent, and make dua to have istaqama, rather than rationalizing or justifying your sins</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Seek help through patience and prayer. It is indeed exacting, but not for those who are humble in their hearts, (2:45)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Patience entails reminding ourselves at every step that something better will emerge, but this mindframe comes with practice and strengthening our relationship with Allah—work on improving the quality of your salah to achieve beautiful patience</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Whenever Allah bestows us with triumph, victory or grace, the response of a believer should be humility and gratitude, of attributing their success to Allah alone, rather than gloating in their own abilities</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There is infinite wisdom behind the hurdles Allah makes us go through, if He wills, He can do anything without any effort from us</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The stories Allah mentions in the Quran are lessons for the believers, for them to ponder over them and be mindful of our actions</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Not repenting from your sins blackens the heart, and too many layers of it can make the heart impermeable: a sign of this is not feeling remorse or regret when we sin. Introspection over our conduct removes these layers</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As for those who believe, and do good deeds, they are the people of Paradise - there they will live forever. (2:82)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And be steadfast in Salāh (prayer), and give Zakāh. Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah. Certainly, Allah is watchful of what you do. (2:110)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Allah will not allow your faith go to waste. Certainly Allah is very kind, very merciful to the people. (2:143)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">No matter how small the deed may be, if we have done good in this world, we will find it with Allah. go to waste. There are times when our sacrifices and efforts go unseen in daily life, but we should find solace in the fact that nothing goes to waste in the court of Allah, He is All-Watching.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do you think that you will enter Paradise while you have not yet been visited by (difficult) circumstances like those that were faced by the people who passed away before you? They were afflicted by hardship and suffering, and were so shaken down that the prophet, and those who believed with him, started saying: “When (will come) the help of Allah?” (Then, they were comforted by the Prophet who said to them) ‘Behold, the help of Allah is near.’ (2:214)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tests and trials will come to us throughout our lives, however their frequency, nature and intensity will vary and change with the stages of our life; some tests will be through fear, some through loss of provision, some through loss of relationships</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Loving Allah will never result in hurt, whereas in any other relationship or activity or person, we cannot guarantee that we won’t be disappointed or won’t get hurt. Loving Allah means knowing that He will never turn away from us</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yet, those who repent and correct and declare (what they used to conceal), their repentance is accepted by Me. I am the Most-Relenting, the Most-Merciful. (2:160)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You could be as pure and sin free as a newborn baby, but should still continue to seek forgiveness, because we fail to worship Allah in the way He deserves</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Righteousness is not (merely) that you turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteousness is that one believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and gives wealth, despite (his) love for it, to relatives, and to orphans, the helpless,the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and (spends) in (freeing) slaves and observes the Salāh (prayers) and pays Zakah-and (the act of) those who fulfill their covenant when they enter into a covenant, and, of course, those who are patient in hardship and suffering and when in battle! Those are the ones who are truthful, and those are the God - fearing. (2:177)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Adorned is the present life for those who disbelieve, and they laugh at those who believe, while those who fear Allah shall be above them on the Day of Resurrection. Allah gives provision to whom He wills without measure. (2:212)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This world has been adorned for those who disbelieve. If we are living in this world like this is our final place, then we will be imitating the believers. We live in this dunya with the mindsight that living here will lead to our next life, that the dunya is a mere resting place towards our destination, and that we are to live here according to the manual Allah had give us</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The origin of your blessings is from Allah, therefore your giving in charity is actually giving not from yourself, but from what Allah has given you</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sincerity in action elevates that action, so even a small amount of charity with good intentions can weigh heavy. Similarly, not having the correct intentions or boasting of your good deeds can make the deed null and void in reward</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Allah is the one who decides what is right or wrong, it is not up to us with our small and limited minds to decide what is halal or haram. Every rule in the shariah has a wisdom behind it, one we cannot usually see. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And when you said, “Mūsā , we will no longer confine ourselves to a single food: So, pray for us to your Lord that He may bring forth for us of what the earth grows - of its vegetable, its cucumbers, its wheat, its lentils and its onions.” He said, “Do you want to take what is inferior in exchange for what is better? Go down to a town, and you will have what you ask for.” Then they were stamped with disgrace and misery, and they returned with wrath from Allah… (2:61)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They said, “Pray for us to your Lord that He makes it clear to us what sort (of cow) should she be.” He said, “He says she should be a cow neither too old, nor too young - of some middle age in between. Now, do what you are being asked to do.” (2:68)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, woe to those who write the Book with their hands and then say, “This is from Allah”, so that they may gain thereby a trifling price. Then, woe to them for what their hands have written, and woe to them for what they earn. (2:79)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">O you who believe, eat of the good things We have provided to you and be grateful to Allah, if it is He whom you worship (in real terms). (2:172)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do not be like the Bani Israel, who were ungrateful despite Allah’s abundant mercy, who got into the nitty gritty of commandments and made their own task difficult, who returned to shirk after Allah’s help, who changed the scripture for worldly gains, who made a mockery of Allah’s commands and tried to find loopholes in order to fulfill their desires</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-90120459123056892692023-08-05T20:01:00.002-07:002023-08-13T17:40:09.238-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (13)<p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-980d18a1-7fff-763c-9e52-f5569cb23e4a"><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"To seek sacred knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim." </span> </h4></span></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-980d18a1-7fff-763c-9e52-f5569cb23e4a"><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(Sunan Ibn Majah 224)</span></h4></span></blockquote></blockquote><span id="docs-internal-guid-980d18a1-7fff-763c-9e52-f5569cb23e4a"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Acquiring knowledge that pertains to our obligatory worship is mandatory on us to know: how to pray salah, what breaks wudu, the fard and wajid, halal and haram. We cannot make excuses of why we held high degrees in secular studies, but did not learn even the basics of what benefits us in both worlds.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"The best among you is he who learns the Qur'an or teaches it." </span> </b></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><span><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>(Sahih al-Bukhari 5027)</b></span></h4></span></blockquote><span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The best believers in the sight of Allah are those who are seekers of Quran, who seek to learn, understand, and share that knowledge with others. They learn how to recite the Quran properly, they learn it's lessons/knowledge/teachings, they implement those teachings, and they reflect and ponder over the verses. They are those with the best of character, those who bring benefit to others. We should be in a continuous effort to learn, reviewing, revising again and again, because there's something to learn every time.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-87510001678666617392023-07-28T19:58:00.002-07:002023-08-13T17:39:34.832-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (12)<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><h4 style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"A believer is a mirror for a believer, and a believer is the brother of a believer; he safeguards him from destruction and protects him in his absence." </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 239)</span></h4></blockquote></blockquote><span id="docs-internal-guid-e9461ef3-7fff-0121-6752-9c537613a624"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One understanding of this hadith is that when you interact with other sincere believers you will see your own self reflected in them, and you can work together on becoming better, e.g. if one can go pray salah during class, you can too. Another understanding is that the flaw we see in others are a reflection of our own flaws, we ourselves have them, that's why we see them in others. Vice versa, if you see goodness in others, you are likely to have goodness within yourself. One more lesson we can take is that we should safeguard other believers like we would like to be safeguarded; we should protect their honor, guide them to good when we see them stray, and not backbite about them.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p></span></div></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><span><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">"Believers are like a single person; if his eye is in pain, his whole body pains, and if his head is in pain his whole body pains." </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">(Sahih Muslim 2586d)</span></h4></span></div></span></blockquote><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">A mu'min is characteristically empathetic towards other believers. The recent mainstream trend of being selfish, putting yourself first, having an individualistic mindset doesn't align with our values. We are to share in the pain and grief of our fellow believers, comforting them and helping them.</span></p></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-91130049011115192292023-07-17T00:15:00.001-07:002023-07-17T00:15:00.132-07:00Lessons from Surah Baqarah: Part 4<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MLt2jg3gnQGb7rDuzdZKjJ9DtRI1xZK2xqatnCDvxI1KNTelATsCIetKt-oS_yVL9TWkpWGjdD7fCYARNOstRKIkDjeIQKvUowDAsZfONezdJ7M-IJU0X3nUPudgsm0ruq5uVkDilvJ1fkDpETVyG_JfBGDs2I_jksAVjZ3j9fpS1L8GoMhYdri9XuzO/s1080/ramad1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MLt2jg3gnQGb7rDuzdZKjJ9DtRI1xZK2xqatnCDvxI1KNTelATsCIetKt-oS_yVL9TWkpWGjdD7fCYARNOstRKIkDjeIQKvUowDAsZfONezdJ7M-IJU0X3nUPudgsm0ruq5uVkDilvJ1fkDpETVyG_JfBGDs2I_jksAVjZ3j9fpS1L8GoMhYdri9XuzO/w400-h400/ramad1.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Bismillah Ar Rehman Ar Raheem<span><a name='more'></a></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or, do you rather want to question your Prophet as Mūsā was questioned earlier? And whoever takes infidelity in exchange for faith has certainly missed the straight path. (2:108)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Every rule in the shariah has a wisdom behind it, one we cannot usually see</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The lesson we derive from incident of the cow in Musa’s time, is that we should not indulge in excessive questioning or getting into the nitty gritty of commands in the Quran and hadith</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No matter how small the deed may be, no matter how trying the times, if we have done good in this world, we will find it with Allah</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah is All-Watching, He will not let out forbearance go to waste</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are times when our sacrifices and efforts go unseen in daily life, but we should find solace in the fact that nothing goes to waste in the court of Allah</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="3" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: square; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The mercy and help of Allah will come</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the day of judgment, we will be standing at the Mercy of Allah, with nothing but out deeds to shelter and protect us</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is a certain decorum and etiquette we are to follow as a muslim; when visiting the masjid, do not be loud, especially in the prayer hall. When reciting the Quran, recite it in a beautiful voice, steady pace. </span></span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-417b2d80-7fff-16e0-a39e-fed208a07626" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, whosoever submits his face to Allah, and is good in deeds, will have his reward with his Lord, and there shall be no fear for such people, nor shall they grieve. (2:112)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When Allah loves any of His servants, He tests them. These tests and trials become a means to elevate their rank, they are a part of life, and we have already been informed of such by Allah</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Prophet Ibrahim was tested again and again; his own father was an unbeliever, his family and community would coerce him to worship their pagan idols, he was oppressed by the king of his community, who threw him in the fire, he migrated for religious freedom leaving behind all that he knew and had, he was childless for many years of his life, when he was blessed with a child, he was commanded to leave the child and mother in the middle of nowhere, and then he was told to sacrifice the child</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When he fulfilled all these tests, Allah rewarded him for his perseverance, and made him a leader for all ummahs until the Day of Judgement</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether you look at acceptance in this world or next, neither can be achieved without great sacrifice; not even the minutest sacrifice goes unnoticed in the Court of Allah</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We should make a lot of du’a: du’a for those who have been good to us, du’a that Allah accepts our efforts and sacrifices</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What we should learn from our prophets is that when it comes to our children, our top concerns should be of their akhirah </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The kind of obedience Allah requires from us is an obedience in all aspects of our life, one that is a clear reflection of the way Allah wishes for us to lead</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We are a moderate ummah, we shun all forms of extremism. Any deviance from the path of the Prophet ﷺ is extremism, no matter how well it is presented</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The sunnah has taught us a perfect balance between deen and dunya; how to manage one’s relationship with Allah, with His creations, what to prioritize when</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Moderation doesn’t mean we become slaves to the dunya and our nafs</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We should strive to make the sunnah our anchor, because the Prophet ﷺ was sent in this world as our teacher and messenger</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is a great injustice upon ourselves if we choose to turn away from deen, and towards dunya, after Allah has illuminated our hearts with knowledge</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The more we remember Allah, the more He will remember us. When we remember Him in our hearts, He remembers us with those with Him (the angels in His Court)</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The scholars have said that when we remember Him through obedience, He remembers us through giving rewards</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The opposite of shukr is to reject. When we make abundant dhikr, it leads to shukr, because remembering Allah makes us mindful of His blessings</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We should be grateful and show gratitude to those who support us and work for our betterment</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Surely We will test you with a bit of fear and hunger, and loss in wealth and lives and fruits, and give good tidings to the patient. (2:155)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tests and trials will come to us throughout our lives, however their frequency, nature and intensity will vary and change with the stages of our life; some tests will be through fear, some through loss of provision, some through loss of relationships</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Patience entails a person remains steadfast, and does not react in the face of difficulty</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This does not mean we are not allowed to feel the pain of difficulty, it means that we accept these changing circumstances as the decree of Allah</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah accepts our repentance when we confess our wrongs to Him with the intention of rectifying them and never doing them again</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pacing between Safa and Marwa is an act of obedience to Allah, because Allah accepted it from Hajra AS when she paced between both while searching for water for Ismail</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The fact that Allah commanded the Prophet ﷺ to mimic this action of Hajra AS, attests to the status of women in Islam, and of how Allah does not discriminate when it comes to piety</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We should be very careful about commenting on religious text, lest we fall into the practice of the Jews who would twist their scripture to suit their nafs</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once the disbeliever has died, there is no hope for them. Taking lesson from this, we should make du’a for the protection of our imaan, that Allah does not take it away at the end of our life, that He doesn’t deprive us of the biggest blessing; imaan</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The way we ascribe partners to Allah is by showing devotion to anything other than Him, whether it is our desires, our luxuries. We prioritizes those things over our duty to Him</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah takes away what we run after, He makes them a trial for us. He will take out the blessings and barakah from those things and make us detest them</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fasting, salah, and spending on the poor is an act of love, which we do on our own accord to gain the pleasure and acceptance of Allah</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Loving Allah will never result in hurt, whereas in any other relationship or activity or person, we cannot guarantee that we won’t be disappointed or won’t get hurt. Loving Allah means knowing that He will never turn away from us</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What we consume has a direct effect on our actions, therefore eat halal bought from halal earnings</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah informs us of what is haram/unlawful to consume: animals that have died a natural death, blood that flows out, swine, meat slaughtered with the name other than that of Allah</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If one is in a situation where he is starving and will die if he doesn’t eat, he may consume what is usually haram—this shows the the importance of preserving a life</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">True righteousness is when one focuses on their iman, on spending their wealth upon those who have a right upon it, on establishing salah and paying zakat, on keeping one’s promises, and remaining patient in the face of trials</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A believer is true to their word; this is the quality which differentiates a believer from an unbeliever</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those who have fear of Allah in their hearts, exercise patience</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No matter how much worship you do in seclusion, if your dealings with the world around you are not in the light of the Quran and sunnah, then your worship will not benefit you</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Qisas is the execution of a murderer who killed someone intentionally. If the family of the murdered choose to settle on blood money instead, it is more virtuous—Allah has ordered ihsan in every matter</span></span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There is life for you in QiSāS, O people of wisdom, so that you may refrain (from killing). (2:179)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This verse means that if the murderer makes sincere repentance and then is punished for his crime—execution—his death will be a new life for him, because he will be sin free in the akhirah</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The life of this world is fleeting; Allah commands us to draw up a will and leave behind enough wealth for your heirs to not be dependent on others. A will lists what you owe others, the kaffara you have to pay, the number of salahs you missed, and commands of hajj-e-badal</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Knowing your family will get their lawful shares, you may bequest ⅓ of your wealth to anyone else or any cause you choose</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When My servants ask you about Me, then (tell them that) I am near. I respond to the call of one when he prays to Me; so they should respond to Me, and have faith in Me, so that they may be on the right path. (2:186)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This verse evidences how much Allah loves us, so should we not strive to do what He loves?</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Replying to a query posed by the believers, Allah says that the waxing and waning of the moon is a way for believers to determine time and season; hajj, time of due zakat, duration of a woman’s iddat</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hajj is fard for those who have the financial means and sound health. However we must understand what ‘having the financial means’ is, it is not chasing after more luxury and comfort</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We should save for hajj and make du’a for it, and when we are blessed with the opportunity, we should have pure intentions</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You could be as pure and sin free as a newborn baby, but should still continue to seek forgiveness, because we fail to worship Allah in the way He deserves</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The hypocrites in the Prophet ﷺ’s time pretended to be loving companions, but in reality their hearts did not contain iman nor love for Allah and the Prophet ﷺ</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The hypocrites were two-faced, they would change themselves according to convenience and who they were around. We must not be like them, when we say we believe in and love Allah and His Messenger, then why do we want to disobey them?</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">O you who believe, enter Islam completely, and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Surely, he is an open enemy for you; (2:208)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah addresses the believers and tells them not to pick and choose what you believe in. Don’t favor what you want to do, while leaving what you don’t like. He expects us to follow the deen completely in the way it was revealed—there is no need to modernize it according to your desires</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Islam is a complete code of life, we must educate ourselves about its rulings and then follow it. If a person doesn’t enter into Islam despite being knowledgeable of the commandments, it is considered a rebellion against Allah</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we come across ambiguous verses, we must have belief over the literal </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">understand it may have a metaphorical meaning which only Allah knows</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We must take heed from previous nations that if we engage in shirk, do a mockery of the Prophet ﷺ and his sunnah, and commit major sins, then we too will be punished severely</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This world has been adorned for those who disbelieve. If we are living in this world like this is our final place, then we will be imitating the believers</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We live in this dunya with the mindsight that living here will lead to our next life, that the dunya is a mere resting place towards our destination, and that we are to live here according to the manual Allah had give us</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We draw our own parameters of what success is and then judge others based on them, when we must realize that Allah gives to whom He wills in ways He wills</span></span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you think that you will enter Paradise while you have not yet been visited by (difficult) circumstances like those that were faced by the people who passed away before you?...(2:214)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How is it that for a reward as grand as Jannah, we won’t be tested? Let the tests be a reminder for you to be patient and trusting of Allah</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah tells us that there may be times when we feel overwhelmed with a situation or commandment. There may also be times when we desire something dearly, but do not get, it is times like these when we should remember that Allah knows everything, that He is closer to us than our jugular vein</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You might see some benefit in liquor/intoxicants, but the harm is far greater. Allah is advising and prohibiting us in a gentle manner. Taken as a rule, we should not look at the temporary gains, but rather at the fact that Allah has prohibited something</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah advises us to give off from our surplus; to budget, to use our finances in an efficient manner. We have an excellent example in the prophet ﷺ who would give away abundantly</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is nothing but ihsan when a person chooses to serve the orphans</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If the fostering or adopting mother has not breastfed the child, she will have to observe hijab when the male child reaches puberty</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the basic criteria of nikah is that a muslim marries a believer, however a muslim man </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">may </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">marry a practicing, devout woman from the People of the Book</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When seeking a spouse, our first priority should be iman</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An investment you can make for your akhirah to live happily with your spouse and children, striving to have a good family environment </span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Said spousal relation is motivated by the fear of Allah; because we we will have to account for how we provide for and treat them</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The rulings and laws set down by Allah lead to peace and unity in the home</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the midst of rulings in this surah, Allah reminds us about turning to Him in salah; that if we wish to achieve success, it is through anchoring our day with salah, through strengthening our relationship with Allah</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whenever there come oppressors and corruptors in the world, Allah sends people who destroy them so that peace and tranquility may prevail</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What we learn from this is that there will be corruption and chaos in thr world, but so will there be peace</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah gave different qualities and privileges to different prophets: Allah talked to Musa, aided Isa with Jibraeel, gave eloquent speech to Muhammad SAW</span></span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">O you who believe! Spend from what We have given to you before a day comes when there will be no trading, no friendship and no intercession, and it is the disbelievers who are unjust. (2:254)</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, then do not make their spending followed by boasting about favour, or with causing hurt,- they have their reward with their Lord and there is no fear for them nor shall they grieve. (2:262)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The origin of your blessings is from Allah, therefore your giving in charity is actually giving not from yourself, but from what Allah has given you</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are two paths a person can take in life. The first one is to follow the path of earning through unlawful means and accumulating the wealth of this wealth. The second is that a person may take what they need to live, and then spend the rest in the way of Allah</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The wealth we have in this world is an amanah from Allah, and any amanah is to be accounted for </span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sincerity in action elevates that action, so eve a small amount of charity with good intentions can weigh heavy. Similarly, not having the correct intentions or boasting of your good deeds can make the deed null and void in reward</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the day of Judgment while the believers will stand waiting for Allah’s judgment to begin, they will go prophet after prophet, asking them to intercede on their behalf. But these prophets who were behind them, advising them in their lives, will not be willing to. When the believers will reach the prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Allah will allow him to intercede for his ummah</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are many virtues of ayat-ul-kursi; if one recites it after fard salah, it makes one enter Jannah after death. If recited at night, it protects the house and even the neighbors. If recited before sleeping, an angel is appointed to protect him until dawn</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You cannot force someone to accept Islam, it has to be done in one’s free will</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wali </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">means a friend, one who nurtures and protects. Allah is the intimate, protective friend of whoever believes</span></span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">…When Ibrāhīm said: “My Lord is the One Who gives life and brings death,”... (2:258)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When Ibrahim AS argued with the King of Babylon that it is Allah who gives life and death, the king argued that he (the king) does, so he sentenced a prisoner to death, while revoked the death sentence from one on death row. We learn from this, that those who are against Islam will use odd explanations and absurd proofs to ‘evidence’ their criticism</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We should take our role as a da’i very important, understanding and acknowledging the weight of being an agent of the deen. It is important that we spread a word of guidance even when the other party might be impartial</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Satan frightens you with poverty, and bids you to commit indecency, and Allah promises you forgiveness from Him, and grace as well. And Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing. (2:268)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah is the one who decides what is right or wrong, it is not up to us with our small and limited minds to decide what is halal or haram</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah tells us that people are motivated to take riba because they want to increase their wealth, however riba will only decrease it, while it is charity that brings increase in wealth and rizq</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The prohibition of taking riba is the most strongly worded prohibition, because of the vicious and devastating cycle it brings about</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If someone has taken a loan from us, we should consider forgiving it or at least deferring it</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah does not obligate anyone beyond his capacity. For him is what he has earned, and on him what he has incurred.“Our Lord, do not hold us accountable, if we forget or make a mistake, and, Our Lord, do not place on us such a burden as You have placed on those before us, and, Our Lord, do not make us bear a burden for which we have no strength. And pardon us, and grant us forgiveness, and have mercy on us. You are our Lord. So then help us against the disbelieving people.” (2:286)</span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-30424059322420551912023-07-15T14:32:00.001-07:002023-08-13T17:39:24.620-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (11)<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"The most beloved actions in the sight of Allah are the regular ones, even if they amount to little in quantity." </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(Sahih al-Bukhari 6464)</span></b></h4></blockquote></blockquote><span id="docs-internal-guid-d0085624-7fff-fe4e-6aed-4ff16c8ddd2f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This hadith tells us about the importance of remaining steadfast and consistent on good deeds. When we do something regularly, it has an impact on us. (This hadith refers to the voluntary good deeds, as we are already obligated to do the fard)</span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><br /></span><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><span><h4 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Truth leads to piety and piety leads to Jannah. A man persists in speaking the truth till he is enrolled with Allah as a truthful. Falsehood leads to vice and vice leads to the Fire (Hell), and a person persists on telling lies until he is enrolled as a liar.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(Riyad as-Salihin 54)</span></b></h4></span></blockquote><span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We know what is good and bad, and doing good brings the pleasure of Allah. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Truth (haqq) is in itself is a sign of righteousness, of being an upright individual, who is able to attain the raza of Allah. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are many levels/branches of imaan, and so many ways to express the belief in our heart. Truthfulness is one of those expressions, and it takes to Jannah. Being truthful is extremely important in the deen of islam. Jannah is the highest gift Allah gives when He is pleased with a believer</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Usually people lie because of fear of consequences and/or to increase them in other people’s opinion—to appear better or superior. In the deen of Islam the only sight we need to be elevated in is in the sight of Allah. The whole goal in this life is to get Jannah, doing anything against that is useless. Everything we think, do, strive for, should be with Jannah as a goal. Despite how far we have gone or what we have done, Allah is Al-Haleem, there is always a back to His Mercy. Lying is never an option, because one lie asks for one more to cover it up. Don’t think about major or minor, think about Who is watching you.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-49804075054397614912023-07-12T03:00:00.001-07:002023-07-12T03:00:00.131-07:00Lessons from Surah Baqarah: Part 3<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11ZicrVBTlTZzgxibuTiah2EKGWCrORiI8a6HpAWbkUDd0_zvoSwp1S4ufi-mFthtFvdwR8dSsgqftT6yP1Om56WW1L13QhUzT63AQKDqbDlRfUQmgV6e0fmsHZCoh_VXpq0KwM7vN9luvv-juMEAxr0ajw53w3-3RAfMbFYoaibqUbBbHJFhL_rL71-M/s1080/ramad1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11ZicrVBTlTZzgxibuTiah2EKGWCrORiI8a6HpAWbkUDd0_zvoSwp1S4ufi-mFthtFvdwR8dSsgqftT6yP1Om56WW1L13QhUzT63AQKDqbDlRfUQmgV6e0fmsHZCoh_VXpq0KwM7vN9luvv-juMEAxr0ajw53w3-3RAfMbFYoaibqUbBbHJFhL_rL71-M/w400-h400/ramad1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">﷽</span><br /></span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Surely, those who believed in Allah, and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabians, </span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">whosoever believes in Allah and in the Last Day, and does good deeds - all such people will </span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no reason for them to fear, nor shall </span></div><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">they grieve. (2:62)</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9e837b44-7fff-bac9-28d4-0cbb29c8c25e"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Before the coming of the Prophet, if the Jews and Christians practiced their religion in a pure way—not corrupted with innovations and such—it was permissible and a means of reward, however after Islam was revealed, iman is only accepted and become a means of Jannah if one believes in the finality of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The tradition of Sabbath was that Saturdays were declared sacred for the Jews; they were commanded to honor that day and not fish on it. This was a test from Allah, because the livelihood of the jews came from fishing, and the fish would appear abundantly on the surface on Saturdays. The Jews in their defiant disobedience would cast out nets on Friday, and come on Sunday to retrieve the fish. They made a mockery of the command.</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What we learn from this is that we should not be looking for loopholes or ways out in the shariah to fulfill our desires. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="3" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: square; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Riba is prohibited, regardless of whatever we rename it as</span></p></li></ul></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">An excuse the Jews in Madinah made to not accept Islam was that the revelation was brought to the Prophet ﷺ through Jibraeel, when they wanted angel Mikaeel to bring it. Here Allah informs the people that Jibraeel was given the duty to deliver the message to the prophet, and that Allah does not tolerate disrespect of His angels</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">There is infinite wisdom behind the hurdles Allah makes us go through, if He wills, He can do anything without any effort from us</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The stories Allah mentions in the Quran are lessons for the believers, for them to ponder over them and be mindful of our actions</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When Musa said to his people, “Allah commands you to slaughter a cow”, they said, “Are you making fun of us?” He said, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“I seek refuge with Allah from being one of the ignorant.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> (2:67) </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Du’a for protection from ignorance: Aoothu billahi an akoona minal jahileen (2:67)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The incident of the slaughtering of the cow was to create humility in the Bani Israel, for them to see their own reluctance in following a command of Allah by asking excessive questions and trying to find ways out</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We learn from this is that we should not busy ourselves with the nitty gritty of commands, rather we should submit to Allah’s will completely; while making dua that Allah makes the matter easy for us and for us to be submissive to His will</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Our spiritual heart is responsible for the kind of actions we perform in this world. To get a soft heart, we should remember death abundantly, visit graveyards and hospitals occasionally, listen to the Quran, cry to Allah, and spend time with the poor and needy</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“‘No man who weeps for fear of Allah will be touched by the Fire…” (Sunan an-Nasa'i 3107)</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Allah gave Bani Israel plenty of reminders and opportunities to turn back to Him, but they did not obey, coming up with reasons to disbelieve and disobey</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">What we should learn from this is that we mustn't be like them; not availing the opportunities and chances Allah gives us to return to Him</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Similarly, like them we mustn't entertain false hopes that regardless of our lack of good actions, piety, going against the commands of Allah, we will somehow be saved in the HereAfter</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Every moment has an opportunity cost, either you can use that moment to earn for this world or the next</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Not repenting from your sins blackens the heart, and too many layers of it can make the heart impermeable</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">A sign of this is not feeling remorse or regret when we sin</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Introspection over our conduct removes these layers</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The more a soul is attached to the world, the more difficult it will be for the soul to leave the body</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">In this context, it is fine to desire a long life, because a long life may becomes a means of more years of doing good</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We learn that shaytan was responsible for the taintment of the reputation of prophet Sulaiman. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">To protect and cure ourselves of black magic, we should rely on Allah alone, rather than a third person</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">It is easy to blame your failures on black magic rather than reflecting upon your own misconduct</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">It is permissible to study something with the intention to protect yourself from it once you know, for e.g. studying agnostic philosophy in order to refute it</span></p></li></ul></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-43710858753422384132023-07-05T08:00:00.002-07:002023-07-06T15:13:41.486-07:00Lessons from Surah Baqarah: Part 2<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyiqZVm39wGXexpL5mKEdqLf2pgaTIqcu9KdnnL9MjQ2U3S82IbJa3umvx6tT-hTO73I0spgf6XagKL3adWuyZw1OLyaAt-J90N0MyeVI8q47zCCe0ZARdRE5V7j_R5qui6ZQ358Pwxr51cyCz4JMuVQx2MWjNM-mJgPZAv_Yo266Kv9LAmh3OxZVN0Vt/s1080/ramad1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyiqZVm39wGXexpL5mKEdqLf2pgaTIqcu9KdnnL9MjQ2U3S82IbJa3umvx6tT-hTO73I0spgf6XagKL3adWuyZw1OLyaAt-J90N0MyeVI8q47zCCe0ZARdRE5V7j_R5qui6ZQ358Pwxr51cyCz4JMuVQx2MWjNM-mJgPZAv_Yo266Kv9LAmh3OxZVN0Vt/w400-h400/ramad1.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">﷽<span></span></span></b></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do not even go close to fornication.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It is indeed a shameful act, and an evil way to follow. (17:32)</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And We said, “O ’Ādam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise; and eat at pleasure wherever you like, but </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">do not go near this tree, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">otherwise you will be (counted) among the transgressors.” (2:33)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah told Adam and Hawa to not even go </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">near</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the tree in Jannah, similarly, Allah tells the believers to not go near zina. He is aware of the nature of man, of how if we remain in a certain environment long enough, we start to grow soft towards it: first we surround ourselves with it, then we start to rationalize it, last we start doing it</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Man is fallible, and will continue to make mistakes, however, as believers, it is upon us to keep repenting for our sins. Accept your weakness in not being able to obey the commands set down by Allah, repent, and make dua to have istaqama, rather than rationalizing or justifying your sins</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We must be very careful and dutiful of the promises and pledges we make, especially the pledge we took to spend our life according to Allah’s commands</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The prophet ﷺ has told his ummah that we will make the same mistakes as the Bani Israel, but we must keep learning from our mistakes and seeking repentance for our sins</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">After Musa عليه السلام passed away, the Bani Israel started to forget tawheed and returned towards sin, losing all the honor and prestige Allah had given them for being followers of Musa عليه السلام</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Jews of Madina recognized Muhammad ﷺ as the Prophet they were waiting for, but they refused to acknowledge and accept him because he was from the descendents of Ismael, rather than Ishaq</span></span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">…And do not exchange My signs for a small price, and fear [only] Me. (2:41)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Learning from the conduct of the Jews, we must not barter our deen for worldly success; don’t go after haram for the sake of earning more provision</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Jews of Madina would, in an insulting and degrading manner, use ambiguous words when talking to the Prophet ﷺ From this we learn that in our daily life we should abstain from speech that might come off as a double-edged sword; another lesson from this is that even a halal action can become a means of sin if employed in a wrongful manner</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once the Jews had made up their minds to not believe in the Prophet’s message, they kept finding ways to hurt him ﷺ. The lesson we derive from this is that we should not make up our minds based on ego and conceit, not even entertaining reasonable thought</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It does not suit a believer to imitate the Jews by harboring even the slightest jealousy for others. Blessings are bestowed by Allah according to His will, we are not ones to object, question or complain over how He distributed the blessings based on His infinite wisdom</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An effective cure for envy is to make sincere du’a for the one we are envious of</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If someone is envious of us, and it is apparent in their behavior, we should follow the sunnah of the prophet ﷺ and overlook and forgive</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Being steadfast in salah is the cure for one’s love for themselves (arrogance and conceit)</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Those who advise but don’t do so themselves will be punishable on the day of judgment. However this doesn’t mean we seize giving dawah or advising others unless we ourselves are perfect, rather we must take it as a warning and motivation to strive to do what we preach</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Patience entails reminding ourselves at every step that something better will emerge, but this mindframe comes with practice and strengthening our relationship with Allah—work on improving the quality of your salah to achieve beautiful patience</span></span></p></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">…Then, He accepted your repentance. Indeed He is the Most-Relenting, the Very-Merciful. (2:54)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When Allah forgave the Bani Israel for their immensely gross shirk, how can we despair in His mercy when we make sincere tawbah. Regardless of their disobedience, their shirk, and their constantly going against His wishes, He gave them sustenance, mun-o-salwa. Keeping that in mind, what makes us think that Allah will not take care of us, will not accept our repentance when we try out best to live a life of submission</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the ummah of the Prophet commit shirk, all they need to do is to do is sincere tawbah in their heart, make a pledge to Allah to not commit it again, and be steadfast in this pledge. However this was not the case for previous nations, like the Bani Israel were commanded to kill themselves in repentance</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When the Bani Israel committed an act of shirk or disobeyed Allah despite knowing and realizing the truth of the deen, Allah sent difficulties in their life as a result of their sins</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It does not befit a believer that he hordes commodities others may need in time of need, similarly, it is disallowed to horde things in lust, greed, or inability to give to others</span></span></p></li></ul><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Make haste in giving voluntary charity…” (Tabarani, Razin)</span></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px; text-align: left;"><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whenever Allah bestows us with triumph, victory or grace, the response of a believer should be humility and gratitude, of attributing their success to Allah alone, rather than gloating in their own abilities</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We should learn from the ungratefulness of the Bani Israel that we shouldn't fall in the trap of this world and prioritize it’s facade. We must not choose fleeting moments of pleasure over everlasting peace in the Hereafter</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Allah advises the scholars of today to not follow the example of the Jews and alter the deen in a way to suit their desires. Our deen is complete, it does not need to be changed with modern times</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“...Today, I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed My blessing upon you, and chosen Islam as Dīn (religion and a way of life) for you…” (5:3)</span></span></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-10765031385121153732023-06-29T23:26:00.004-07:002023-06-29T23:38:22.390-07:00Lessons from Surah Baqarah: Part 1<div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIE_YbaT164vkjdnlFi6qnULAVyzgov3bY8LHcV_QKBruW1bBmFkXVwiBk87rQetKB1iSN5ZURaRU7UbBO8oNQX9Ue19yQ-_--_DOZm_3KrW14eFCHNhaIZex4jufDg8bJeJX6p3jrUkZiDMId9izW6ms0wvZPTLRwUF0htr6AB6X_7IUEFdc_qvgjx4j/s1080/ramad1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tafsir, baqarah, blog" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIE_YbaT164vkjdnlFi6qnULAVyzgov3bY8LHcV_QKBruW1bBmFkXVwiBk87rQetKB1iSN5ZURaRU7UbBO8oNQX9Ue19yQ-_--_DOZm_3KrW14eFCHNhaIZex4jufDg8bJeJX6p3jrUkZiDMId9izW6ms0wvZPTLRwUF0htr6AB6X_7IUEFdc_qvgjx4j/w400-h400/ramad1.png" title="surah baqarah tafsir" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">﷽</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2e5422e0-7fff-9945-d5fe-b6ed1d53e294"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This Book has no doubt in it - a guidance for the God-fearing, who believe in the Unseen, and are steadfast in Salāh (prayer), and spend out of what We have provided them; (2:2-3)</span></p><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The Quran is a guidance for every single being, however it is a means of greater guidance for the pious believers. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Firm believers are those who: have firm iman in the unseen, pray salah, give in charity, are abstinent against shirk, kufr and sins</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">There are two types of hypocrites mentioned here. The </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">first </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">ones being the </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">munafiq bil iman</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">, who in the time of the prophet ﷺ were those who had accepted Islam in name only, with intentions to harm the muslims </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">They feigned belief because of their greed of the world, which is a lesson to us to protect our hearts from the disease of love of the dunya, which is the root to our motivation behind sin</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">second</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> hypocrites are </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">munafiq bil amar,</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> these are those who don’t practice what they preach; they have knowledge, yet they willingly disobey </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Being a devoted worshiper entails that a person strives to spend their day and night in obedience, limiting their worldly activities to the limits set by Allah</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Our fitrah is to believe in Allah as our Rabb. It is distorted by our environment and nurturing</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Iman, belief in Allah, needs to be coupled with righteous actions </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">When we study the Quran with an open heart, we find it a treasure, recognizing the truth of revelation. Consequently, if we study it with malice or discord, it will become a source of misguidance for us</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The human soul craves permeance, companionship and beauty, all of which are promised to us by Allah in Jannah</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">fasiqeen</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">, the disobedient ones and the sinful ones are those who: break the pledges, cut off relations, and spread discord</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">the pledge here refers to the intrinsic intelligence which every being has to recognize Allah and obey Him as their Rabb. This pledge may also refer to the pledge all souls made before they were sent into the world, when they attested to Allah being their Lord</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">cutting off relations refers to one's relationship with Allah, and one's relationship with fellow humans; we are to discharge the rights of people </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="3" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: square; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Allah determines the family and circumstances we are born in, our test is how well we perform given what we have. Our test is unique to each one of us, but the answers to which are always in the sunnah</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Spreading discord and corruption refers to stealing the rights of others, inflicting harm on them, rejecting and mocking tawheed. To be unlike such people, we should be mindful about our purpose of creation, and not be a source of bad</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Allah created Adam عليه السلام as a representative on this earth, a viceroy. So we must try to keep this in mind and live our lives in such a manner</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">An etiquette of a seeker of knowledge is to express our gratitude to Allah for what He has given us, and express and admit what we don’t know</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The reason Allah commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam عليه السلام was to establish the superiority of man over the angels. The trait that elevates man is the knowledge Allah blessed him with</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The scholars say that a man who seeks a simple life in obedience surpasses the honor of angels, since angels have no free will</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">The reason Iblees refused to prostrate to Adam عليه السلام was due to his own arrogance, his insolence</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">He had been worshiping Allah for so long, but one moment of arrogance put his years of worship to waste. He went from being a devout servant to an enemy</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Arrogance is a disease that can enter our hearts in many ways, some being in a better position than others in wealth, status, skill or rank. This elevated rank in the dunya can make us full of ourselves, and then manifests in subtle ways, like: showing off our wealth, desire to be the center of attention, body language that demeans others, exaggerating one’s achievements, being habitual in interrupting others, wanting things to be done in their way, having unrealistic expectations from others, being quick to taunt and humiliate others</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We must guard our heart against arrogance, because it can ruin our deen and dunya</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">To counter arrogance, we should engage in self reflection; be so focused on improving your own flaws, that you don’t look towards gloating about your strengths, accept and acknowledge your mistakes, be the one to apologize first, make peace with others, be the one to offer Salaam first, and do tasks you would have considered ‘beneath you’</span></p></li></ul></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-46284228008487384622023-05-04T16:48:00.001-07:002023-05-04T16:49:25.405-07:00Short Reminders from Surah Al-Kahf<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bismillah Ar-Rehman Ar-Raheem</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Praise belongs to Allah who has sent down the Book to His servant, and allowed no crookedness in it, a straightforward Book to warn of a severe punishment from Him, and to give the good news to the believers, who do righteous deeds, that they will have an excellent reward (Paradise)” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(18:1-2)</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-598e13d5-7fff-6016-a516-1f8d126fe150"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The way to Jannat ul Firdous is through the Quran. It is a justly balanced book that gives glad tidings along with warnings. <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Surely, We have made what is on earth an adornment for it, so that We test them as to who among them is better in deeds.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(18:07)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are given blessings as a test to see our sincerity. Do we express our gratitude for our worldly blessings by enjoying them without being wasteful and heedless, do we share with others, or do we become so materialistic and distracted that we lose sight of the fact that we are being tested.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We narrate to you their story with truth. They were young men who believed in their Lord and We gave them more guidance. We made their hearts firm when they stood up and said, “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We shall never invoke any god other than Him, otherwise we would be saying something far from the truth.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(18:13-14)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the story of the People of the Cave, Allah tells us that He guided young men from well off families whilst they lived among a disbelieving community. This is a reminder that Allah guides whom He wills, and thus we should not lose hope that we ourselves won’t become better, or that our people won’t change. Allah is capable of changing conditions and restoring hearts. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Some will say, “(They were) three, the fourth of them being their dog,” and some will say, “Five, the sixth of them being their dog, just making conjectures.” And others will say, “Seven, the eighth of them is their dog.” Say, “My Lord knows best about their number.” No one knows them except a few, so do not argue about them except an apparent argumentation. And do not ask anyone of these about them.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (18:22)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is easy to get distracted in the details, however our focus should be on the essence of a lesson or command. What is right and wrong is apparent, and is found clearly in the Quran and Sunnah.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Wealth and children are the embellishment of the worldly life, and the everlasting virtues are better with your Lord, both in rewards and in creating good hopes.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(18:46)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">None of our success or achievements are by our own hands, they have been permitted and gifted to us by Allah. In the story of the Man with Two Gardens, we learn that we must be humble and ascribe our success to Allah, because He can take away what He has given. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Mūsā said to him,‘May I have your company so that you teach me some of the rightful knowledge you have been given.’ He said, ‘You can never bear with me patiently. And how would you keep patient over something your comprehension cannot grasp?’” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(18:66-68)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we fail to see the wisdom behind an occurrence, it is not due to any deficiency in the laws of Allah, rather a deficiency in our understanding. In the story of Musa عليه السلام and Al-Khidr, we learn that when we are to surrender to Qadr Allah, having firm belief that what He has decided for us is the best course.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He said, ‘What my Lord has (already) given in my control is better enough (for me than the tax you are offering to me), so help me (only) with some (man) power, and I shall make a rampart between you and them.’” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(18:95)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah gives each of us our own unique tests; for some, the test is in the power and wealth given to them. In the account of Zulqarnain, which is the fourth story mentioned in this surah, Zulqarnain denies payment and appreciation for the work he did, attributing his success to Allah even at the peak of his achievements. This is the attitude of a true believer, one that all of us should strive to. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Those are the ones whose effort in the worldly life has gone in vain, while they think they are doing well.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(18:104)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not having belief, not having correct intentions, can turn all our efforts into a waste of energy. Serving the creation instead of serving the Creator, building grand monuments to be remembered by people instead of as a means to gain Allah’s pleasure through charity, can make our deeds void, because they will not be given weightage in the HereAfter. Noble intentions even towards the smallest action can weigh heavy in the scales, since in the court of Allah, nothing is left out. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-79837082611465831672023-04-27T13:11:00.000-07:002023-04-27T13:11:05.128-07:00Brief Tafseer: Juz 8 (Al-An'am 111 to Al-Ar'af 87)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZaoqipRgzwyt1P5RotBe9n0rS0vhzqmUllKA0_8CBrEo5KbRimwKlqY0mKoWKazsyWOgJg5NrSZwVaX45knkzSanE0QuyZh6a7RhJg9MR2ftrIkD4PMCtV6NRaxPHPITtWEKu_mepmuP/s750/RamadanTafseer.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="quran tafseer" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZaoqipRgzwyt1P5RotBe9n0rS0vhzqmUllKA0_8CBrEo5KbRimwKlqY0mKoWKazsyWOgJg5NrSZwVaX45knkzSanE0QuyZh6a7RhJg9MR2ftrIkD4PMCtV6NRaxPHPITtWEKu_mepmuP/w400-h400/RamadanTafseer.png" title="ramadan quran tafseer" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-6a947e31-7fff-4df6-fcb9-96b1e4c746ff"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bismillah Ar-Rehman Ar-Raheem</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ignorance becomes an obstacle in the path to guidance. Our own bias are like an ignorance that prevent us from submitting</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here Allah comforts the Messenger ﷺ that the prophets have always had critics and enemies who plotted against them</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you break down the words of the critics, they are nothing but fancy language by which weak minded people get affected. It is a play on words, lies</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People who deceive others with fancy language are liked devils because they are misleading themselves and others </span></p></li></ul></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The truth is bitter sometimes because it calls for making changes, whether now or with the people of Makkah. Those who don’t want to change despite seeing the truth will distort the facts</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do not fear the hate people spew about Islam and the Quran. You may fear that their lies are causing damage, but remember that Allah guides who He wills, who are willing to seek the truth</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The word of Allah is perfect and true. The Quran is unchangeable, because only what is imperfect needs to be revised. The Quran is relevant for </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and for all </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">times</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The practice of majority is not always evidence to establish something as credible. The majority follow their own desires, assumptions, rumors</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One who wants to follow the truth must hold onto the truth firmly</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leave all sins, whether they are public (like taunting others) or private (like backbiting), as both are wrong. Any sins whether in words or actions needs to be left behind, because our sins are known to Him</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having iman not only makes the heart alive, it also gives it clarity. There’s light inside and out</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first kind of guidance is </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">irshad, </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">which is</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> talim; </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">when a person gets to know what Allah wants</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is equally available to all people</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second type of guidance is </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sharh al-sadr, tawfiq, </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">which is the ability to act on what you know. This ability is given by Allah through opening of the chest; which is to trust and believe in what Allah had said, to follow and submit to it</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If Allah chooses to, He can close the hearts, preventing them from getting guidance. For such people, they find Islam suffocating, the obligations like salah and sawm make them feel like a prison sentence</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should ask Allah to open our hearts and expand our chests, because the person whose chest is open to Islam, will happily accept and fulfill the commandments</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In surah Fatiha we ask Allah to set us on the straight path, that straight path leads to the Home of Peace, Jannah, the Home of As-Salaam</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is a home of everlasting safety and security from disease, old age, death, all and any evil and harm. It is a place with no disturbance nor difficult circumstances; you won’t even need to worry about bodily fluids!</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The greeting of the people of Jannah will be Salaam</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those who were together in sin will be together in punishment. If someone helps you sin, know that they aren’t a friend</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our rank in Jannah will be based on our deeds</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The people of the Quran are those who live by the Quran; they live by it’s commandments, they read it</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we are short on time or energy, what do we find ourselves cutting out or decreasing? Is it our entertainment? We should use this to determine what we give preference to</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When a person commits heinous crimes then the heart also becomes hard, which deprevies the person from guidance </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We cannot invent our own ways to please Allah, since a good intention alone isn’t enough, it needs to be followed by a deed that has been legislated by Allah</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For example, performing four rakahs instead of three in maghreb with the intention to pray more, this is wrong!</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gratitude is that you enjoy the blessings Allah has given you, you don’t prohibit them on yourself, and that you share them with others</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However do not be excessive or wasteful. Spending in a great quantity is itself not wrong, but spending on a sin is a waste</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spending on yourself in an excessive manner is wasteful when you forget that you were given that wealth to meet your needs </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as well as </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">earn rewards</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything good or bad happens by the permission of Allah. Everything happens by a cause, and the effect happens by the will of Allah.</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Did Allah not prevent the fire from burning Ibrahim?</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we intend on something, we cannot see it through without Allah’s permission</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just because Allah allows something, doesn’t mean He necessarily likes it. His is not the way to force people to guidance. The allowance we have to engage in bad without getting caught right away, the liberties that we enjoy, will have to be accounted for in the akhirah, where every single deed will be weighed</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is essential for a believer to know what is halal and haram, and must share this knowledge with others. Haram is not decided by logic, rather it is determined by what is commanded by Allah and His Messenger. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are to follow the Quran, learn it, understand it, and make it our guide. Whoever wants Allah’s mercy, should follow His Book</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The quran is a source of endless blessings and benefits</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything that we do, is supposed to be for the sake of Allah, regardless of whether it is a religious or worldly affair</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Al-Araaf</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Quran is there to inform and remind. It has been described as a light, and light brings you comfort in the darkness, it gives you hope</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should engage in morning and evening adhkar, seeking Allah’s protection because we don’t know what will befall us</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deeds will be weighed on the Day of Judgement, and deeds done with sincerity will be as heavy as mountains</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deeds that are heavy in the scale: good character, remaining silent, participating in someone’s funeral, patience at the loss of a child, a sadaqa jariya in the form of a property or estate dedicated to charity</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The way of Iblees is to blame Allah for his own wrongdoing, which is something we are warned against and shouldn’t be copying</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Iblee’s prayer was granted, but he makes us believe ours won’t be. Hence do not fall in this state of despair, rather don’t stop making du’a, even when you have committed a sin—the way to Allah is open</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[Satan] said, "Reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected." (7:14)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shaytan makes sins attractive, starting with the change in mindset that what is forbidden to us by Allah, has indeed some benefit in its consumption. He intends for us to make that unlawful thing lawful on ourselves </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are two kinds of sins (1) refusal to obey Allah, which is what Iblees did. (2) to do what Allah has prohibited, which is what Adam AS did. Both sins are wrong, but what sets the difference between Iblees and Adam AS is that Adam repented and did not repeat the sin again</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dress appropriately when you engage in the worship of Allah: clean, covering and decent clothing. He is worthy of our efforts</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah has not prohibited us from enjoying the good things in life, but He has told us to be moderate</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah has forbidden all immoralities, whether in eyes, speech, action or mind. Therefore be careful with your tongue, don’t use dirty or curse words, don’t find joy in vulgar or indecent jokes</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do not belittle the smallest good or bad deed, even that small deed can decide your fate for eternity</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our actions can never be enough, but we must try our best</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a loneliness in the human heart that can’t be reduced without talking to Allah. A sadness that can’t be removed without knowing Him</span></p></li></ul></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-42962699768283333512023-04-20T00:00:00.001-07:002023-04-20T00:00:00.185-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (10)<p></p><blockquote><blockquote><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Abu Dharr said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me: 'Have Taqwa of Allah wherever you are, and follow an evil deed with a good one to wipe it out, and treat the people with good behavior." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1987)</b></span></span></blockquote><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b></b></span></span></blockquote><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b></b></span></span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d0631b0c-7fff-63a8-4096-81edf6cacd28"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Taqwa is having fear of Allah with an undertone of love. It is a fear of disappointing who you love. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">We should always be mindful of Allah’s rights over us, everything we have is a loan from Him to us. He should be forefront in our intentions to do good.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">In this hadith we learn that when we commit a bad deed, a black dot forms on our heart, and that dot only goes away when you follow up the bad deed with a good deed.</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">A bad deed is a bad deed regardless of whether it is big or small, intended or not. We should be in a constant state of repentance</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Seeking forgiveness is a trait, and Allah loves those who seek forgiveness</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Scholars say that when you do good, Allah gives you the tawfeeq to continue on that good path. Same case about sin, that Allah opens ways for you to sin more, so much so that you become one of the liars</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">When we don’t repent from our sins, the black dots upon our heart become an impermeable layer</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">If you sin against yourself—like by missing Fajr—repent in your heart and by your tongue. And follow up the sin with a good deed that you keep between you and Allah</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Have a good character entails being willing to make exceptions for other’s behaviors. There will be times where others will hurt you, but you must be focused on pleasing Allah first and foremost. You must fulfill the rights of others, if others don’t fulfill your rights, you will be compensated for them in the akhirah</span></span></p></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Sufyan ibn Abdullah reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a word in Islam I will not need to ask of anyone after you.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Say, ‘I have faith in Allah,’ and then remain steadfast.” (Muslim 38)</b></span></blockquote></blockquote></span><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Staying firm/steadfast upon the deen refers to fulfilling the obligations and staying away from the prohibitions. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">We don’t get to excuse ourselves from aspects of the deen by claiming that we have it in our hearts—action must follow belief. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">We should not concern ourselves with what we don’t have control over; our rizq for example, Allah controls that. </span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">If we want something specifically, or want things to be a particular way, we should make du’a for it. Vain hopes and desires are useless unless coupled with du’a</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">The only thing in our control is our actions, our ability to remain steadfast</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Don’t commit a sin thinking I will repent from it later, because that is major disrespect: knowing that Allah is a witness over you, knowing the deed you are doing is wrong, and still doing do</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reflect over how you disregard Allah over your desires, while He puts your needs first, if He wills, He could take away your next breath from you</span></span></p></li></ul></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Indeed, those who have said, "Our Lord is Allāh," and then remained on a right course - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (46:13)</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-77649202911390337002023-04-18T04:41:00.001-07:002023-04-18T04:41:21.495-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (9)<p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: times;"><b>It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that: The Messenger of Allah [ﷺ] said: "The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe, and the believer is the one from whom the people's lives and wealth are safe." (Sunan an-Nasa'i 4995)</b></span></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9f390b21-7fff-26c1-5eb2-34ee7013eb4f"><span style="font-family: times;"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A true believer is one who guards the wealth, life, and honor of the other believers just as he does for himself; he is true, loyal, and trustful to other believers. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This applies to giving mindful and sincere advice too</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The reason the tongue is mentioned before the hand is because the wounds of the tongue are far more devastating. They are deeper and can be afflicted at any time, any distance. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Therefore we must be careful with our speech, as a habit of excessive talking may lead to committing sins of the tongue</span></p></li></ul></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b></span></p><blockquote><blockquote><b>Nawwas b. Sam'an al-Ansari reported: I asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about virtue and vice. He said: Virtue is a kind disposition and vice is what rankles in your heart and that you disapprove that people should come to know of it. (Sahih Muslim 2553a)</b></blockquote></blockquote></span></span><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In this ahadith the prophet ﷺ is giving us a brief yet wholesome definition of what piety/virtue is; good character, having husnul khuluq</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ones closest to the prophet <b style="white-space: normal;">ﷺ </b>on the Day of Judgement will be those with the best character</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A measure of gauging an individual’s piety is to look at their ikhlaq with their family—a position in which they are their truest selves</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A sin leaves one uneasy and in a state of doubt. It is an action or habit you wish to hide from others.</span></span></p></li></ul><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b></span></p><blockquote><blockquote><b>Narrated Abu Hurairah: That the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Fulfill the trust for the one who entrusted you, and do not cheat the one who cheated you." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1264)</b></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A believer is not someone who is petty. A believer takes the high road, and does not engage in revenge, because the believer looks to their Lord for approval and reward, rather than to the creation. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are instructed through this hadith to keep our promises, and in case a situation arises in which we can’t, we must pay a kaffara for it</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In instances where someone may insult our deen, we are told to reply with wisdom even then</span></p></li></ul></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-65630298492799903312023-04-15T01:38:00.001-07:002023-04-15T01:38:11.270-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (8)<blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Abu Malik at-Ash'ari reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “...the Holy Qur'an is a proof on your behalf or against you…” (Sahih Muslim 223)</b></span></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d3de3e0f-7fff-a6a0-6b48-a2cc524b3731"><span style="font-family: times;"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we discharge the haqq of the Quran by honoring it, then the Quran will testify for us, be a witness for us on the Day of Judgement. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Similarly, if we don’t honor it, don’t fulfill it’s rights, it will be against us as a witness. Which means it will complain to Allah about us, and will ask for its right. </span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our relationship with the Quran should be: </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Iman: believe in it as the Book of Allah</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Talawah: recite it like it should be recited</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tadabur: reflect over what we recite</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ilm: to gets its knowledge, meaning, the rulings derived from it</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amal: to implement that knowledge</span></p></li></ul></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><blockquote><blockquote><b>Anas b. Malik reported: The Paradise is surrounded by hardships and the Hell-Fire is surrounded by temptations. (Sahih Muslim 2822)</b></blockquote></blockquote></span></span><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Jannah requires sacrifice and effort, so choosing to do good even if it is hard is better than doing what is easy and going towards Hellfire.</span></span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Following the desires of our nafs takes us closer to Hellfire</span></span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Say, "Not equal are the evil and the good, although the abundance of evil might impress you." So fear Allāh, O you of understanding, that you may be successful. (5:100)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sometimes unlawful things can be easily accessible to a person, but this is just another trial. In which passing the test is to save yourselves from engaging in that unlawful thing in the fear of Allah.</span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="3" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: square; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Can you refrain yourself from sin when no one is watching? When it is only you and Allah?</span></span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">If your wealth is earned to impermissible means, it’s never going to have any barakah. It will only be a source of burden in this life and the next. On the other hand, our pure income might be little in quantity but it will be full of barakah and a source of rehma in this world and the next. </span></span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Good things have a good impact on this life and the next. Sometimes evil and sin become so common and widespread, that we forget what the right and good thing is. In such, we must pick the right thing. </span></span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="3" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: square; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">Whether it is in your speech, deeds, clothing, or income, good and bad are not the same, because good leads to Jannah, while bad leads to Hellfire.</span></span></p></li></ul></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-38326276611770268652023-04-12T00:19:00.002-07:002023-04-12T00:19:12.272-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (7)<p><span style="font-family: times;"><b></b></span></p><blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: times;"><b> <span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It is enough for a man to prove himself a liar when he goes on narrating whatever he hears." (Riyad as-Salihin 1547)</span></b></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: times;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: times;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c19b7b58-7fff-8c3e-d544-7c48479b6e95"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should be mindful of relating what we hear, regardless of whether we have consent by the concerned party. We must verify details before sharing them ahead. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should also be mindful of how we use the faculties Allah has blessed us with; our hearing, our sight, our speech, they should be engaged in good deeds, rather than spreading corruption. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are other creations around us, who may not have our best interests in mind, therefore, we should guard our speech, especially when it comes to relating our dreams or fears. </span></p></li></ul></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: times;"></span></b></span></p><blockquote><blockquote><b><span style="font-family: times;">Jabir reported: I heard Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) as saying. Every servant would be raised (in the same very state) in which he dies. (Sahih Muslim 2878a)</span></b></blockquote></blockquote></span><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Death is a sealing state, once a person passes away, nothing can be changed. Therefore it is important that we live a life that will allow us to receive death in a state of iman. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is easy to think that we will be in a state of iman when the time comes for death, but what is important is to change ourselves today in a manner that ensures that, starting with being in a constant state of wudu</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our iman is the most valuable possession we have, we need to protect it at all costs. An essential step to do that is to not engage in the forbidden, and/or conflicted. </span></p></li></ul><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Lessons by Alimah Sobia Hasan and Alimah Sana Khan at Maryam Institute</i></span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-15947379319023688632023-04-09T21:41:00.000-07:002023-04-09T21:41:43.570-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (6)<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><blockquote><blockquote><b><span style="font-family: times;">Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet(s.a.w) said: "The one who eats and is grateful is like the status of the patient fasting person." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2486)</span></b></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a20e4cf1-7fff-e411-43a3-2acf123e058f"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Food is one of the greatest blessings given to us, therefore disrespecting it is a major sin, and major sins are not forgiven unless we repent for them sincerely. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we are offered a food item that we do not like, we should not complain, rather not eat it. After the meal has ended, then you may advise or express your likes. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To cultivate gratefulness, we should spend time with those who have less, so volunteer in cooking, distributing meals, give in charity, and sincerely reflect. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before eating a meal, look at it and reflect over how all the individual ingredients came together by the command of Allah to becomes a means of energy for you to perform good deeds. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ahadith advise us:</span></p></li></ul></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'Umar bin Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said to me, "Mention Allah's Name (i.e., say Bismillah before starting eating), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is near you.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" (Riyad as-Salihin 727)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never found fault with food. If he had inclination to eating it, he would eat; and if he disliked it, he would leave it. (Riyad as-Salihin 735)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lessons by Alimah Sobia Hasan and Alimah Sana Khan at Maryam Institute</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-11442915071419406722023-04-05T22:09:00.004-07:002023-04-05T22:13:27.144-07:00Brief Tafseer: Juz 7 (Al-Maidah 83 to An-An'am 110)<p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZaoqipRgzwyt1P5RotBe9n0rS0vhzqmUllKA0_8CBrEo5KbRimwKlqY0mKoWKazsyWOgJg5NrSZwVaX45knkzSanE0QuyZh6a7RhJg9MR2ftrIkD4PMCtV6NRaxPHPITtWEKu_mepmuP/s750/RamadanTafseer.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img alt="quran tafseer juz" border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZaoqipRgzwyt1P5RotBe9n0rS0vhzqmUllKA0_8CBrEo5KbRimwKlqY0mKoWKazsyWOgJg5NrSZwVaX45knkzSanE0QuyZh6a7RhJg9MR2ftrIkD4PMCtV6NRaxPHPITtWEKu_mepmuP/w400-h400/RamadanTafseer.png" title="brief tafseer of the quran" width="400" /></span></a></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-3530d32e-7fff-2c01-9a67-4f4686a75b43"><span style="font-family: times;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bismillah Ar-Rehman Ar-Raheem</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anybody who follows the footsteps of the Prophet SAW will be protected by Allah from the cunning devices of people. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking even one step towards Allah will open the doors for ten more. Allah is waiting for us to turn towards him in repentance. All we need to do is to express our humility and confess our wrongdoings in order to be forgiven. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should make dua for the people that we love, that are close to our heart. We should ask for their guidance, for them to come to the straight path. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We cannot force the deen on someone, nor do we have any control over who Allah guides. We are to have high hopes in Allah’s mercy and to be consistent in our supplications. <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we seek to understand the Quran with an open heart, it will surely have an effect on us. This is the transformative power of the Quran, there is no better source of guidance for us. It has been sent so that we change our lives according to its teachings. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crying upon listening to the Quran is a practice of the righteous, since they have fear of Allah. This fear is not a means of misery, but one hopeful in the mercy of Allah</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Completely realize and internalize that the Quran is the word of Allah, and so you must surrender to it’s teachings and commandments</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should say good things, because even one good statement can be a means of forgiveness for us and raise our ranks in the HereAfter.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are to use the good things Allah has made lawful for us, however we must not misuse them, nor waste them. It is not right for us to restrain ourselves from those blessings.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taqwa of Allah is very important when it comes to staying away from sin. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taqwa with ihsan is better, it is to fear Allah and refrain from sin, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as well as </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to do good deeds to the best of our abilities, knowing that Allah is watching</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we make an oath and break it, the expiation is to feed ten poor people according to an average of what you feed yourself and your family. However if someone cannot afford this, they can fast for three consecutive days. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When a person makes an oath in the name of Allah, they are to be mindful of what they are saying. </span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes unlawful things can be easily accessible to a person, but this is just another trial. In which passing the test is to save yourselves from engaging in that unlawful thing in the fear of Allah.</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you refrain yourself from sin when no one is watching? When it is only you and Allah?</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If your wealth is earned to impermissible means, it’s never going to have any </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">barakah</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It will only be a source of burden in this life and the next. On the other hand, our pure income might be little in quantity but it will be full of barakah and a source of rehma in this world and the next. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good things have a good impact on this life and the next. Sometimes evil and sin become so common and widespread, that we forget what the right and good thing is. In such, we must pick the right thing. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether it is in your speech, deeds, clothing, or income, good and bad are not the same, because good leads to Jannah, while bad leads to Hellfire.</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah is good, and accepts that is good. So have the correct intentions and do deeds in a good manner—even when giving charity, give from lawful earnings</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whatever we need to know to practice our deen has been provided in the Quran and Sunnah, therefore there’s no need to engage in the behavior of the older nations and complicate matters by excessive questioning.</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 5:105, Allah advises us to focus on our own deeds. It is virtuous to advise others when we see them engage in wrong, but our attention to be directed at our own amal. We should make dua for our guidance and others.</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Miracles of the prophets were by the permission of Allah, which should be a reminder that whatever happens, happens with the permission of Allah.</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Place all your trust in Allah alone, as He has knowledge of all things</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we make du’a, we should make it in the manner of the prophets by being humble in it</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Truthfulness is what will benefit a person on the Day of Judgment, because truthfulness leads to piety, and piety leads to Jannah</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you want Allah to be pleased with you, you should be pleased with Him—His decree, His decisions, whatever He has decided for your health, your wealth, your wellbeing, the different ways He has tested you, the different obligations He has laid upon you. Be pleased with Him, and He will be pleased with you.</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anaam</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In this surah the false arguments of the polytheists are refuted.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hamd is the right of Allah, it doesn’t only mean </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I praise Allah now in this moment,</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> it means</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I praise Allah forever and always. </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No matter the time or place, Allah is always worthy of praise</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should praise Him for our past, for our present, and for our future</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sin causes blessings to decline. We should not consider any sin too small, instead if we have committed a sin, we should not nurse that guilt, we should instead seek forgiveness immediately</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah’s mercy is greater than His wrath, so ask Him for mercy and forgiveness, because He alone can remove our burdens and give us good</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If an affliction is given by Him, it will be removed by Him</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those who are wise turn towards Him in times of calamity</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are some who remain unaffected when they hear the Quran, and these are the people we should pray</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> not to be</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> like</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should make du’a that the Quran becomes a light that guides our heart</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To benefit from the Quran, we need to have a clean heart. And a clean heart is obtained by astaghfar </span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No matter what you do for this dunya, it will ultimately reach its end. Perfect houses collapse, beautiful bodies decay in grave—which is why we shouldn't let worldly activities keep us so occupied</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ask yourself what you hope to achieve from whatever activity you engage in</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">True contentment is for those who believe in Allah alone, a contentment now and forever</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trials come to the believer to humble them and turn them back to the Rabb. We may be doing our obligatory worship, but do we truly remember Him?</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A believer is relieved from the harshness, tests and trials of the world at death</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Provision can be a trial; one who has been given more may not necessarily be more beloved to Allah. Similarly, one who has been given less may not necessarily be less beloved, or disliked by Allah</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is also a punishment that a person keeps on sinning and yet their worldly affairs keep getting easier for them, preventing them from hardships that would have brought them back to Allah</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sins trap a person in this life and the next, so it is necessary we remind ourselves to that we come out of sins </span></p></li></ul></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For every event there is a point (of time and place) to occur, and you will soon know (it).” (6:67)</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a process to everything, we cannot wish for something and expect it to happen immediately. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When in a gathering whether people are criticizing or arguing over the Quran, then do not sit with them, lest you be counted as one of them</span></p></li></ul></span></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-72535595798172172692023-04-03T09:28:00.002-07:002023-04-05T22:13:51.499-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (5)<p></p><blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “The world is a prison-house for a believer and Paradise for a non-believer.” (Sahih Muslim 2956)</span></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d8e31138-7fff-77c8-8808-f2f60573cf98"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just like a prisoner has his eyes set on the day he will be released from prison, a true believer is waiting for the day he will be set free from this world, because a true believer doesn’t consider this world a permanent abode, rather as a bridge to his ultimate destination. <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A disbeliever on the other hand is focused on amassing more and more, rushing in the race to get further and forward in a life that is only transient. They do so because this is all they have. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you find yourself invested in this life to the point that thoughts of death or afterlife distress you, give in charity abundantly, so that you have something of what you love waiting for you ahead. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When you invest in the Afterlife, you will look forward to it</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reflect over the fickleness of this life, and your true purpose of creation</span></p></li></ul></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b></b></span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The world, with all that it contains, is accursed except for the remembrance of Allah, that which pleases Allah; and the religious scholars and seekers of knowledge." (Riyad as-Salihin 1384)</b></span></blockquote></span><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Accursed means totally deprived of anything good, completely outside the folds of Allah’s mercy. And so the world is accursed, except:</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The dhikr of Allah</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="3" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: square; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anything done according to the commandments of Allah, like sleeping with good intentions, eating halal because Allah commanded us to, playing with and caring for the kids Allah has given you</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those things that Allah loves</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="3" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: square; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah loves His creation, therefor caring for Allah’s creations, saying Salaam first, protecting their honor, saying a kind word to them</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Someone who has sacred knowledge, and implements and shares that knowledge</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="3" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: square; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is extreme importance of studying and learning the deen of Allah, so much so that it elevates one from being accursed to being full of blessings</span></p></li></ul></ul></ul><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lessons by Alimah Sobia Hasan and Alimah Sana Khan at Maryam Institute</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-8358987232074867542023-03-29T10:00:00.002-07:002023-04-05T22:14:04.479-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (4)<p style="text-align: left;"></p><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Calmness and patient deliberation is from Allāh and haste is from Satan. (al-Sunan al-Kubra 20270)</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-38d612e1-7fff-e672-3066-0f0d1e683e3d"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah is Al-Haleem, The Forbearing. He does not immediately take us into account for the wrongs that we do. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Similarly, Allah wishes for us to adorn ourselves with forbearance and calmness. The Prophet (SAW) is our role model, he was a pillar of patience in the face of trials. He was known to be kind, just, and trustworthy, all of which are rooted from having sabr. <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A person should not rush through their decisions in life, as haste is from shaytan.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The instances where haste is allowed:</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">burying the body as soon as possible after death</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">praying salah on time</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">marriage if a proposal comes</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hajj if one has the means</span></p></li></ul></ul><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><b><blockquote><blockquote>Narrated Abu Dharr: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The best of the actions is to love for the sake of Allah and to hate for the sake of Allah. (Sunan Abi Dawud 4599)</blockquote></blockquote></b></blockquote><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking your natural inclinations and pairing it with good intentions—doing actions for the sake of Allah—leads to rewards</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Holding your tongue and having patience for the sake of Allah can become a means of entering Jannah. Moreover, depending on the relationship, loving and keeping ties of kinship with someone unpleasant is a means of rewards</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hating for the sake of Allah does not mean harming someone physically, mentally, or even financially—as believers, we have a certain decorum to follow</span></p></li></ul><div><br /></div><div><span id="docs-internal-guid-1dc8c500-7fff-cc55-06f1-774b9f971486"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><b></b></span></p><blockquote><blockquote><b>Narrated Ibn `Umar: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Oppression will be a darkness on the Day of Resurrection." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2447)</b></blockquote></blockquote></span><p></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oppression entails two types of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">zulm: </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1) what we do upon ourselves, which is disobeying Allah, rebelling and transgressing the limits set by Him, 2) what we do upon others, which is by not discharging their rights, not upholding their honor, not giving the time, respect and attention they deserve</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One interpretation of darkness may be literal, which will make it difficult for the believer to cross the pul-e-sirat on the day of judgment. Another interpretation may be in a spiritual sense; the darkness of wrong deeds. </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Regardless, the oppressor will be held accountable for the oppression they committed</span></p></li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Lessons by Alimah Sobia Hasan and Alimah Sana Khan at Maryam Institute</i></div></span></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348987385046297808.post-88530031535536553272023-03-27T09:36:00.002-07:002023-04-05T22:14:18.511-07:00Provision for the Seekers: A Brief Study of Selected Ahadith (3)<p></p><blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mughira b. Shu'ba reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Verity Allah, the Glorious and Majestic, has forbidden for you: disobedience to mothers, and burying alive daughters, withholding the right of others in spite of having the power to return that to them and demanding that (which is not one's legitimate right). And He disapproved three things for you; irrelevant talk, persistent questioning and wasting of wealth. [Sahih Muslim 593f]</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f2b59fdf-7fff-bbbb-1772-dd12b4b80f23"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The order of commands listed in an ahadith signify its importance. Here the disobedience of the mother is listed as first, and then </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">later </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">comes the sin of killing a life, emphasizing the enormity of haram it is to disobey one’s mother.</span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">disobedience to mother → killing daughters → denying debts → taking what's not yours → idle talk and gossip → excessive questioning → wasting money → gossip</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You will be questioned for all you knew and did not follow through on, therefore, keep it simple and don't obsess over minor details<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your rizq is imannah, don't waste it on useless things—don't engage in israaf. If you feel suddenly restricted in your rizq, wonder where you usually give in charity but didn't lately or forgot </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allah gives ten-folds of what you give</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He constricts if you withhold</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">be mindful of what you spend of your husband's money</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are to look at the examples of the prophets that came before us, the care with which they would spoke to their mother, the way they disagreed if there was a need, the way they would care for them, even in situations where they felt unsafe. </span></p></li><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and do good to parents…”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (17:23)</span></p></li><li aria-level="2" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: circle; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is no obedience to the creation in which there is disobedience to the Creator</span></p></li></ul><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t be sneaky or try to bend the laws for your benefit, Allah knows.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lying and backbiting is clearly forbidden, however we shouldn’t share details about others without their consent, especially if you know they won’t like it—which is gossip: to speak about a person in their absence in a way they wouldn't like. </span></p></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lessons by Alimah Sobia Hasan and Alimah Sana Khan at Maryam Institute</i></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0