Day 22-One who cannot apprecitate the power of Allah, Who faultlessly created him and the whole of the universe, is without a doubt in a state of thoughtlessness.

The Holy Quran

Surah 91. The Sun (Asy-Syams)

1. By the Sun and his (glorious) splendour; 2. By the Moon as she follows him; 3. By the Day as it shows up (the Sun’s) glory; 4. By the Night as it conceals it; 5. By the Firmament and its (wonderful) structure; 6. By the Earth and its (wide) expanse: 7. By the Soul, and the proportion and order given to it; 8. And its enlightenment as to its wrong and its right;- 9. Truly he succeeds that purifies it, 10. And he fails that corrupts it! 11. The Thamud (people) rejected (their prophet) through their inordinate wrong-doing, 12. Behold, the most wicked man among them was deputed (for impiety). 13. But the Messenger of Allah said to them: “It is a She-camel of Allah. And (bar her not from) having her drink!” 14. Then they rejected him (as a false prophet), and they hamstrung her. So their Lord, on account of their crime, obliterated their traces and made them equal (in destruction, high and low)! 15. And for Him is no fear of its consequences.

Wake Up Before We Regret !

He will say, ‘How many years did you tarry on the earth?’ They will say, ‘We tarried there for a day or part of a day. Ask those able to count!’ He will say, ‘You only tarried there for a little while if you did but know! Did you suppose that We created you for amusement and that you would not return to Us?’ ( Surat al-Mu’minun: 112-115)

Hadith

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When Satan hears the Call to the Prayer, he turns back and breaks the wind so as not to hear the Call being made, but when the Call is finished he turns round to distract (the minds of those who pray), and when he hears the Iqamah he again runs away so as not to hear its voice, and when it subsides, he comes back to distract (the minds of those who stand for the Prayer). Hadith in Sahih Muslim

Quick Grasp of Faith 1

Q38 – Is there a numerical coding system in the Qur’an?

The Qur’an also has numerical miracles like the insertion of the number “19” in the verses in a coded way and the numbers of repetitions of certain words.

Word repetitions in the Qur’an: Some related words are repeated the same number of times in the Qur’an. For instance:

1. The phrase the “seven heavens” is repeated 7 times.

2. The words, “world “ and “hereafter” are each repeated 115 times.

3. The word “day” is repeated 365 times while the word “moon” is repeated 12 times.

4. The word “faith” (iman) (without genitive) is repeated 25 times throughout the Qur’an, as is also the word “infidelity” or the phrase “covering over the truth.” (kufr).

5. When we count the word “say”, we come up with the result of 332. We arrive at the same figure when we count the number of times the phrase: “they said” is used.

6. The word “shaytan” is used 88 times. The word “angel” is also repeated 88 times.

The miracle of 19 in the Qur’an: The number 19 is pointed out in the Qur’an in a statement about Hell: “It is guarded by nineteen keepers.” ( Surat al-Muddaththir: 30). This number is also encoded in certain other verses of the Qur’an. For instance:

“In the Name of God, The Compassionate, the Merciful.” This formula, which is found at the beginning of every surah, has 19 letters.

The Qur’an consists of 114 surahs; 114 is a multiple of 19, being equal to 6 times 19.

There are many other such multiples:

The total count of the word “Allah” in the Qur’an is 2698 (19 x 142);

The total count of the word “Merciful” in the Qur’an is 114 (19 x 6);

When we add up all numbers in the Qur’an (without taking repetitions into account), we get the number 162, 146 that is, 19 x 8534;

The first Surah that was revealed had 19 verses.

There are innumerable other examples.

The Prophets

ZAKARIYYA (AS) (ZECHARIAH)

Her Lord accepted her with approval and made her grow in health and beauty. And Zakariyya became her guardian. Every time Zakariyya visited her in the Upper Room, he found food with her. He said, ‘Maryam, how did you come by this?’ She said, ‘It is from Allah. Allah provides for whoever He wills without any reckoning.’ Then and there Zakariyya called on his Lord and said, ‘O Lord, grant me by Your favour an upright child. You are the Hearer of Prayer.’ The angels called out to him while he was standing in prayer in the Upper Room: ‘Allah gives you the good news of Yahya, who will come to confirm a Word from Allah, and will be a leader and a celibate, a Prophet and one of the righteous.’ He said, ‘My Lord, how can I possibly have a son when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?’ He said, ‘It will be so. Allah does whatever He wills.’ He said, ‘My Lord, appoint a Sign for me.’ He said, ‘Your Sign is that you will not speak to people for three days, except by gesture. Remember your Lord much and glorify Him in the evening and after dawn.’ (3:37-41)

And Zakariyya, Yahya, ‘Isa and Ilyas. All of them were among the righteous. (6:85)

Remembering your Lord’s mercy to His servant Zakariyya, when he called on his Lord in secret and said, ‘My Lord, my bones have lost their strength and my head is crowned with white, but in calling on You, My Lord, I have never been disappointed. I fear my relatives when I am gone and my wife is barren, so give me an heir from You to be my inheritor and the inheritor of the family of Ya’qub, and make him, my Lord, pleasing to You.’ ‘Zakariyya! We give you the good news of a boy named Yahya, a name we have given to no one else before.’ He said, ‘My Lord! How can I have a boy when my wife is barren and I have reached advanced old age?’ He said, ‘It will be so! Your Lord says, “That is easy for me to do. I created you before, when you were not anything.”‘ He said, ‘My Lord, give me a Sign.’ He said, ‘Your Sign is not to speak to people for three nights despite the fact that you are perfectly able to.’ He came out to his people from the Upper Room and gestured to them to glorify Allah in the morning and the evening. (19:2-11)

And Zakariyya when he called out to his Lord, ‘My Lord, do not leave me on my own, though You are the Best of Inheritors.’ (21:89)

A Wife

By Ilm Seeker

By getting married you are not just getting a wife, you are getting your whole world. From now until the rest of your days your wife will be your partner, your companion, and your best friend.She will share your moments, your days, and your years. She will share your joys and sorrows, your successes and failures, your dreams and your fears.

When you are ill, she will take the best care of you; when you need help, she will do all she can for you.When you have a secret, she will keep it. When you need advice, she will give you the best advice.

She will always be with you: when you wake up in the morning the first thing your eyes will see will be hers; during the day, she will be with you, if for a moment she is not with you by her physical body, she will be thinking of you, praying for you with all her heart, mind, and soul; when you go to sleep at night, the last thing your eyes will see will be her; and when you are asleep you will still see her in your dreams.

In short, she will be your whole world and you will be her whole world.The best description that I personally have ever read describing the closeness of the spouses to each other is the Qur’anic verse which says: “they are your garments and you are their garments” [Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 187]

Indeed, spouses are like garments to each other because they provide one another with the protection, the comfort, the cover, the support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans. Just imagine a journey in the winter of Alaska without garments! Our spouses provide us with the same level of comfort, protection, cover, and support in the journey of our lives on this earth as garments would do in the Alaskan journey.

The relationship between the spouses is the most amazing of all human relations: the amount of love and affection, intimacy and closeness, mercy and compassion, peace and tranquillity that fills the hearts of the spouses is simply inexplicable. The only rational explanation for these most amazing of all human feelings is that: it is an act of Allah (swt), “And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions) of your own nature …” [Surah Al-Nahl, verse 72]

Only our Almighty Allah (swt) in His Infinite Power, Boundless Mercy, and Great Wisdom can create and ingrain these amazing and blessed feelings in the hearts of the spouses. In fact Allah (swt) is reminding those who search for His signs in the universe that these feelings in the hearts of the spouses are among the signs that should guide humans to His existence as He says in the Qur’an, “And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquillity with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: verily in that are signs for those who reflect.” [Surah Al-Rum, verse 21]

But Allah (swt) knows that the human heart is not a static entity, it is sometimes weak and at times dynamic. Feelings can and do change with time. Love may wither and fade away. The marital bond might weaken if not properly cared for. Happiness in marriage cannot be taken for granted; continuous happiness requires constant giving from both sides. For the tree of marital love to remain alive and keep growing, the soil has to be sustained, maintained, watered and nurtured.

Remember that our Prophet Muhammad (saw) had found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha (ra). She out ran him but later after she had gained some weight, he out ran her.

Remember that the Prophet (saw) took his wife to watch the young Ethiopians playing and dancing their folk dances. The show of emotions is necessary to keep the marital bond away from rusting and disintegrating.

Remember that you will be rewarded by Allah (swt) for any emotions you show to your wife as the Prophet (saw) said “one would be rewarded for anything that he does seeking the pleasure of Allah, even the food that he puts in the mouth of his wife.”

Never underestimate the importance of seemingly little things as putting food in your wife’s mouth, opening the car’s door for her, etc. Remember that the Prophet (saw) used to extend his knee to his wife to assist her up to ride the camel.

Try to always find some time for both of you to pray together. Strengthening the bond between you and Allah (swt) is the best guarantee that your own marital bond would always remain strong. Having peace with Allah (swt) will always result in having more peace at home.

Remember that the Prophet (saw) gave glad tidings for those couples who wake up at night to pray together. The Prophet (saw) even urged the spouse who rises up first to wake the other spouse up even by sprinkling cold water on his/her face.

Always try your best to be good to your wife by words and by deeds. Talk to her, smile to her, seek her advice, ask for her opinion, spend quality time with her and always remember that the Prophet (saw) said “the best of you are those who are best to their wives.”

Finally, it is common that spouses vow to love and honor their spouses until death do them part. I do believe that this vow is good or even great, but not enough! It is not enough that you love your wife. You have to love what she loves as well. Her family, her loved ones must also become your loved ones. Don’t be like my colleague who was unhappy about his wife’s parents coming to visit for few weeks. He candidly said to her “I don’t like your parents.” Naturally, she looked at him straight in the eye and said ” I don’t like yours either!” Also, it is not enough that you love her until death do you part.

Love should never end and we do believe there is life after death where those who did righteousness in this world will be joined by their spouses [Surah Al-Zukhruf, verse 70] and offspring.

The best example in this regard is the Prophet (saw) whose love for Khadija, his wife of 25 years extended to include all those she loved and continued even after her death. It was many years after her death and he never forgot her and whenever a goat was slaughtered in his house he would send portions of it to Khadija’s family and friends and whenever he felt that the visitor at the door might be Khadija’s sister Hala, he would pray saying “O Allah, let it be Hala.”

Day 21 – Heedlessness means that a person cannot see, sense or be aware of the realities around him

The Holy Quran

Surah 92. The Night (Al-Lail)

1. By the Night as it conceals (the light); 2. By the Day as it appears in glory; 3. By (the mystery of) the creation of male and female;- 4. Verily, (the ends) ye strive for are diverse. 5. So he who gives (in charity) and fears ((Allah)), 6. And (in all sincerity) testifies to the best,- 7. We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss. 8. But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient, 9. And gives the lie to the best,- 10. We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Misery; 11. Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the Pit). 12. Verily We take upon Ourselves to guide, 13. And verily unto Us (belong) the End and the Beginning. 14. Therefore do I warn you of a Fire blazing fiercely; 15. None shall reach it but those most unfortunate ones 16. Who give the lie to Truth and turn their backs. 17. But those most devoted to Allah shall be removed far from it,- 18. Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification, 19. And have in their minds no favour from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, 20. But only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Lord Most High; 21. And soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction.

Wake Up Before We Regret !

The throes of death come revealing the truth.That is what you were trying to evade! The Trumpet will be blown. That is the Day of the Threat. Every soul shall come attended by one who will drive it on, and another to testify against it. One will say: ‘You were heedless of this, so now We have stripped you of your covering and today  your sight is sharp.’        (Surah Qaf: 19-22)

Hadith

Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) happened to pass by two graves and said: They (their occupants) are being tormented, but they are not tormented for a grievous sin. One of them carried tales and the other did not keep himself safe from being defiled by urine. He then called for a fresh twig and split it into two parts, and planted them on each grave and then said: Perhaps, their punishment may be mitigated as long as these twigs remain fresh.         Hadith in Sahih Muslim

Quick Grasp of Faith 1

Q37 – What are the scientific miracles of the Qur’an?

Although the Qur’an was revealed 1400 years ago, it includes many scientific facts which were absolutely unknown at that time and have been discovered only in our day by the help of the latest scientific and technological means. These attributes of the Qur’an clearly demonstrate that it originated in Allah. The following are some of these miracles.

The constant expansion of the universe is one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century. Yet Allah proclaimed this truth to us 1400 years ago in the 47th verse of Surat adh-Dhariyat:

It is We who have built the universe with (Our creative) power, and, truly, it is We who are steadily expanding it. ( Surat adh-Dhariyat: 47)

The movement of heavenly bodies in unchanging orbits was proclaimed centuries ago in the Qur’an:

It is He who created night and day and the sun and moon, each one moving in its own orbit. ( Surat al-Anbiya: 33)

Interesting properties are revealed when the Arabic wording of the verses that make mention of the sun and the moon is examined. In these verses, the words siraj (lamp) and wahhaj (brightly-burning) are used for the sun. For the moon, the word «munir» (enlightening, shiny) is used. Indeed, while the sun produces an enormous amount of heat and light as a result of the nuclear reactions inside, the moon merely reflects the light it receives from the sun. This distinction is made as follows:

Do you not see how God has created seven heavens in full harmony with one another, and has made the moon a light therein, and made the sun a (radiant) lamp? (Surah Nuh: 15-16)

In the Qur’an, the 22nd verse of Surat al-Hijr refers to the “fertilizing” property of the winds:

And We send the fertilizing winds, then cause water to descend from the sky, therewith providing you with water (in abundance). ( Surat al-Hijr: 22)

In Arabic, the word “fertilizing” refers to the effect on both plants and clouds. Modern science for its part has shown that the winds do indeed have both of these functions.

Another miracle of the Qur’an is emphasized in the following verse:

He has created the Heavens and the Earth for the sake of Truth. He wraps the night up in the day, and wraps the day up in the night… ( Surat az-Zumar: 5)

In this verse, the day’s and the night’s wrapping each other up is described by the word “tekvir”. In English, this means «to make one thing lap over another, folded up like a garment that is laid away». In Arabic dictionaries this word is explained as the action of wrapping one thing around another, in the way that a turban is put on. Implicit in this verse, therefore, is accurate information about the shape of the world. The expression used can be truly apt only if the earth is round. This means that in the Qur’an, which was revealed in the 7th century, the roundness of the world was hinted at.

The Prophets

YUNUS (AS) (JONAH)

We have revealed to you as We revealed to Nuh and the Prophets who came after him. And We revealed to Ibrahim and Isma’il and Ishaq and Ya’qub and the Tribes, and ‘Isa and Ayyub and Yunus and Harun and Sulayman. And We gave Dawud the Zabur. (4:163)

And Isma’il, al-Yasa’, Yunus and Lut. All of them We favoured over all beings. And some of their forebears, descendants and brothers; We chose them and guided them to a straight path. (6:86-87)

How is it that there has never been a city that believed, whose faith then brought it benefit, except the people of Yunus? When they believed We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in the life of this world and We let them have enjoyment for a time. (10:98)

Yunus too was one of the Messengers. When he ran away to the fully laden ship and cast lots and lost. Then the fish devoured him and he was to blame. Had it not been that he was a man who glorified Allah, he would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are raised again. So We cast him up onto the beach and he was sick; and We caused a gourd tree to grow over him. We sent him to a hundred thousand or even more. They believed and so We gave them enjoyment for a time. (37:139-148)

And Dhu’n-Nun (Yunus) when he left in anger and thought We would not punish him. He called out in the pitch darkness: ‘There is no god but You! Glory be to You! Truly I have been one of the wrongdoers.’ We responded to him and rescued him from his grief. That is how We rescue the believers. (21:87-88)

So wait steadfastly for the judgement of your Lord. Do not be like the Companion of the Fish (Yunus) when he called out in absolute despair. Had a blessing from his Lord not overtaken him, he would have been thrown up on the naked shore, for he was at fault. But his Lord chose him and made him one of the righteous. (68:48-50)

Watch Your Intentions

By Abd al-Ahad

There are many times throughout our daily activities that we do things without clarifying the intention to ourselves. We may buy a new car but end up doing it to raise our status in society or for pride. At the same time though, we may buy a car and do it solely for Allah’s cause, and in this there is good.

Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an:

“So whomsoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it.”
- Surah Az-Zalzalah V.7

In an explanation of this ayat it is narrated by Abu Hurairah (ra) and collected in Sahih Bukhari that Allah’s Messenger (saw) said:

“Horses are kept for one of three purposes: A man may keep them (for Allah’s cause to receive a reward in the Hereafter); another may keep them (as a means of his livelihood) protection (from begging others) and a third may keep them (out of pride and to show off) to be a burden for him…”

The hadith in and of itself is quite long, but Abu Hurairah (ra) continues to narrate:

“As for the man for whom the horse is a source of reward, he is the one who keeps it for Allah’s Causes, and he ties it with a long rope in a pasture…whatever it eats or drinks in that pasture…will be added to his good deeds. And if it breaks its rope…for all its footsteps and its manure, good deeds will be written for him. And if it passes by a rive and drinks of its water, though its owner had no intention to water it from that river, even then he will have good deeds written for him. So, the horse will be reward for such a man”

Subhanallah! This goes to show the true Mercy of Allah (swt) and it shows how Gracious and Giving our Lord really is. Can you imagine the reward piling up for such a person who commits to having something and using it for the sake of Allah (swt)? Surely, on the Day of Judgment such a man will be astonished to see the amount of his good deeds.

Continuing the hadith, Abu Hurairah (ra) narrates:

“…But if a man ties (the horse) out of pride and to show off and to excite others, then that horse will be burden (of sins) for him.” Then Allah’s Messenger (saw) was asked regarding donkeys. He replied, “Nothing has been revealed to me except this comprehensive verse which includes everything:

“So whomsoever does good equal to the weight of an atom shall see it. And whomsoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom shall it”- Surah Az -Zalzalah V.7-8

Can you imagine? Subhanallah, may Allah (swt) make us amongst those whose good deeds out-weigh the evil deeds. May He make us amongst those who are able to make our wealth, our lives, our death, our everything for His sake and His sake only.

Be of those who desire to do everything for Allah (swt) because He will not disappoint you on The Day it will matter the most.

Day 20 – The mind of someone who obeys Allah’s call is freed of all filthy things that clog it up and it becomes clean and clear

The Holy Quran

Surah 93. The Morning Hours, Morning Bright! (Adh-Dhuha)

1. By the Glorious Morning Light, 2. And by the Night when it is still,- 3. Thy Guardian-Lord hath not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased. 4. And verily the Hereafter will be better for thee than the present. 5. And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give thee (that wherewith) thou shalt be well-pleased. 6. Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter (and care)? 7. And He found thee wandering, and He gave thee guidance. 8. And He found thee in need, and made thee independent. 9. Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness, 10. Nor repulse the petitioner (unheard); 11. But the bounty of the Lord – rehearse and proclaim!

Wake Up Before We Regret !

…Yet man still wants to deny what is ahead of him, asking, ‘So when is the Day of Resurrection?’ But when the eyesight is dazzled, and the moon is eclipsed, and the sun and moon are fused together, on that Day man will say, ‘Where can I run?’ No indeed! There will be no safe place. That Day the only resting place will be your Lord. ( Surat al-Qiyamah: 5-12)

Hadith

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When a dog licks a utensil belonging to any one of you, (the thing contained in it) should be thrown away and then (the utensil) should be washed seven times.)          Hadith in Sahih Muslim

Quick Grasp of Faith 1

Q35 – The Qur’an addresses every age, doesn’t it?

Allah sent down the Qur’an as a guide for all worlds and all times:

This is a clear explanation for all mankind, and guidance and admonition for those who fear Allah. ( Surat Al-Imran: 138)

Allah gives examples in the Qur’an based on past events so that people who live throughout the ages may take warning and not repeat the same mistakes. One may commonly encounter events similar to those recounted in the Qur’an even today.

Q36 – The verses of the Qur’an have been preserved by Allah until today without any change, haven’t they?

The Qur’an is protected by Allah and has come down to our day without any change for the past 1400 years. Allah informs us of this truth:

It is We Who have sent down the Reminder (the Qur’an) and We Who will preserve it. ( Surat al-Hijr)

The Words of your Lord are perfect in truthfulness and justice. No one can change His Words. He is the All-Hearing, and the All-Knowing. ( Surat al-An‘am: 115)

These promises of Allah are sufficient for those who believe. Yet, Allah has shown us that the Qur’an is the book of truth by including certain scientific and numerical miracles in it.

The Prophets

AL-YASA’ (AS)

And Isma’il, al-Yasa’, Yunus and Lut. All of them We favoured over all beings. (6:86)

Remember Our servants Isma’il, Al-Yasa’ and Dhu’l-Kifl; each of them was among the best of men. (38:48)

Lessons Before Death

By Ilm Seeker

From the teachings of the khulafa rashideen:

When you’re about to do something, ask yourself: “Would I be happy and unregretful of how I spent my time today?”

If the answer is “no”, then find something better to do with your time.

And remember: Time is one of the ONLY irreversable resources. Money comes and goes, status builds, but time, once it’s gone, it never comes back.

The Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, said: Two things about which people are deceived are their health and their time.

May Allah allow us to optimize our times in the best of manners for the best of uses. Ameen.

Day 19 – People of wisdom are reminded to take warning on by reflecting on the anecdotes in the Qu’ran

The Holy Quran

Surah 94. Solace, Consolation, Relief (Alam Nasyrah)

1. Have We not expanded thee thy breast?- 2. And removed from thee thy burden 3. The which did gall thy back?- 4. And raised high the esteem (in which) thou (art held)? 5. So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief: 6. Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. 7. Therefore, when thou art free (from thine immediate task), still labour hard, 8. And to thy Lord turn (all) thy attention.

Wake Up Before We Regret !

Mankind! you are the poor in need of God, whereas God is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. If He wills He can dispense with you and bring about a new creation. That is not difficult for God. ( Surat al-Fatir: 15-17)

Hadith

‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) liked to start from the right-hand side for performing ablution, for combing (the hair) and wearing the shoes.                                                                      Hadith in Sahih Muslim

Quick Grasp of Faith 1

Q33 – Anyone who reads the Qur’an can understand it, can’t he?

Allah has sent down the Qur’an to all people as a guide. This is why the Qur’an is extremely comprehensible and clear. Allah thus stresses this characteristic of the Qur’an:

“A Light has come to you from Allah and a Clear Book.” ( Surat al-Ma’ida: 15)

Another verse further clarifies this:                                                                                 

In this way We have sent it (the Qur’an) down with Clear Signs. Allah guides anyone He wills. ( Surat al-Hajj: 16)

Yet, to be able to see the wisdom in the Qur’an and to comprehend its supreme features, one who reads it must be a hundred percent sincere and always think in accordance with his conscience.

Q34 – I can read the Qur’an all the time, can’t I?

The Qur’an is the only guide a believer will have recourse to throughout his life. In a verse of the Qur’an where Allah addressed the wives of the Prophet, He commanded them to “remember the Signs of Allah and the wise words which are recited in their homes…” ( Surat al-Ahzab: 34),

and urged all believers to recite the Qur’an. As this verse makes clear, the believers read the scriptures in their homes and remember their verses. However, more important is reading and then fully practicing and diligently carrying out the Qur’an’s injunctions.

The Prophets

ILYAS (AS)

And Zakariyya, Yahya, ‘Isa and Ilyas. All of them were among the righteous. (6:85)

Ilyas was one of the Messengers. (37:123)

‘Peace be upon Ilyas!’ (37:130)

Day 18 – Take Allah’s artistry as an example above all else

The Holy Quran

Surah 95. The Fig, The Figtree (At-Tiin)

1. By the Fig and the Olive, 2. And the Mount of Sinai, 3. And this City of security,- 4. We have indeed created man in the best of moulds, 5. Then do We abase him (to be) the lowest of the low,- 6. Except such as believe and do righteous deeds: For they shall have a reward unfailing. 7. Then what can, after this, contradict thee, as to the judgment (to come)? 8. Is not Allah the wisest of judges?

Wake Up Before We Regret !

As the verses make it clear, just the death of a disbeliever is an entire period of agony in itself. While people surrounding him see a seemingly untroubled death in his bed, a great spiritual and physical torment begins for him. The angels of death take his soul, inflicting pain and humiliation on him. In the Qur’an, the angels who take the souls of disbelievers are described as:

“those who pluck out harshly”. ( Surat an-Nazi’at: 1)

Hadith

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: The Prophet said: Fitrah (natural disposition) is five acts or five are the acts quite akin to the Fitrah (natural disposition), or five are the acts of Fitrah: circumcision, shaving the pubes, cutting the nails, plucking the hair under the armpits and clipping the mustache.)               Hadith in Sahih Muslim

Quick Grasp of Faith 1

Q31 – Is the love of Allah not sufficient? Is fear of Allah a must?

According to the Qur’an, true love requires respect and avoiding things of which Allah does not approve. When we look at the lives and actions of people who believe that love alone is enough, we see that they are not steadfast on the point mentioned above. However, a person who loves Allah sincerely, primarily follows His commands strictly, avoids the things He prohibits and is guided towards actions of which He approves. He shows his love by seeking his Lord’s approval at every moment of his life by his deep respect for, trust in, obedience and loyalty to Him.

As a result of such concern, he deeply fears losing Allah’s approval and incurring His wrath. Otherwise, expressing one’s love only in words, while living a heedless life, transgressing Allah’s limits, is certainly a very insincere attitude. In the Qur’an Allah has ordered man to fear Him:

Turn back in repentance to Him, and fear Him: perform salat (regular prayers), and do not be of those who ascribe partners to Allah. ( Surat ar-Rum)

Q32 – How intense must the fear of Allah of a sincere believer be?

Everyone who is aware of the being of Allah and who knows Him with His supreme attributes fears Allah deeply. This is because in addition to being infinitely compassionate and merciful, Allah is also al-Qahhar (the Subduer), al-Hasib (the Reckoner), al-Muazzib (the Punisher), al-Muntaqim (the Avenger), al-Saiq (the One Who consigns to Hell). Therefore, Muslims fear Allah in the unseen; they know no one is safe from His punishment. Since they know that they will be accountable for everything they do, they greatly avoid behaving in any way displeasing to Allah. However, it must be added that fear, as referred to here, has a totally different connotation from the typical fear felt in irreligious societies. It is a fear that gives peace to the believer, motivates him and prods him to action to gain Allah’s approval. Allah commanded the believers as follows:

So fear Allah as much as you can, and listen and obey and spend in charity for the benefit of your own soul. It is the people who are safeguarded from the avarice of their own selves who are successful. ( Surat at-Taghabun: 16)

The Prophets

SULAYMAN (AS) (SOLOMON)

They follow what the Satans recited in the reign of Sulayman. Sulayman did not disbelieve, but the Satans did, teaching people sorcery and what had been sent down to Harut and Marut, the two angels in Babylon, who taught no one without first saying to him, ‘We are merely a trial and temptation, so do not disbelieve.’ People learned from them how to separate a man and his wife but they cannot harm anyone by it, except with Allah’s permission. They have learned what will harm them and will not benefit them. They know that any who deal in it will have no share in the hereafter. What an evil thing they have sold themselves for if they only knew! (2:102)

We have revealed to you as We revealed to Nuh and the Prophets who came after him. And We revealed to Ibrahim and Isma’il and Ishaq and Ya’qub and the Tribes, and ‘Isa and Ayyub and Yunus and Harun and Sulayman. And We gave Dawud the Zabur. (4:163)

We gave him Ishaq and Ya’qub, each of whom We guided. And before him We had guided Nuh. And among his descendants were Dawud and Sulayman, and Ayyub, Yusuf, Musa and Harun. That is how We recompense the good-doers. (6:84)

And to Sulayman We gave the fiercely blowing wind, speeding at his command towards the land which We had blessed. And We had full knowledge of everything. And some of the Satans dived for him and did other things apart from that. And We were watching over them. (21:81-82)

We gave knowledge to Dawud and Sulayman who said, ‘Praise be to Allah Who has favoured us over many of His servants who are believers.’ Sulayman was Dawud’s heir. He said, ‘Mankind! We have been taught the speech of birds and we have been given everything. This is indeed clear favour.’ Sulayman’s troops, made up of jinn and men and birds, were assembled for him, paraded in tight ranks. Then, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant said, ‘Ants! Enter your dwellings so that Sulayman and his troops do not crush you unwittingly.’ He smiled, laughing at its words, and said, ‘My Lord, keep me thankful for the blessing You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and keep me acting rightly, pleasing You, and admit me, by Your mercy, among Your servants who are righteous.’ He inspected the birds and said, ‘How is it that I do not see the hoopoe? Or is it absent without leave? I will certainly punish it most severely or slaughter it if it does not bring me clear authority.’ However, it was not long delayed, and then it said, ‘I have comprehended something you have not and bring you accurate intelligence from Sheba . I found a woman ruling over them who has been given everything. She possesses a mighty throne. I found both her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah. Satan has made their actions seem good to them and debarred them from the Way so they are not guided and do not prostrate to Allah, Who brings out what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you divulge. Allah-there is no god but Him-the Lord of the Mighty Throne.’ He said, ‘We will soon see if you have told the truth or are a liar. Take this letter of mine and deliver it to them and then withdraw from them a little and see how they respond.’ She said, ‘Council! A noble letter has been delivered to me. It is from Sulayman and says: “In the name of Allah, All-Merciful, Most Merciful. Do not rise up against me, but come to me in submission.”‘ She said, ‘Council! Give me your opinion about this matter. It is not my habit to make a final decision until I have heard what you have to say.’ They said, ‘We possess strength and we possess great force. But the matter is in your hands so consider what you command.’ She said, ‘When kings enter a city, they lay waste to it and make its mightiest inhabitants the most abased. That is what they too will do. I will send them a gift and then wait and see what the messengers bring back.’ When it reached Sulayman he said, ‘Would you give me wealth when what Allah has given me is better than what He has given you? No, rather it is you who delight in your gift. Return to them. We will come to them with troops they cannot face and we will expel them from it abased and humiliated.’ He said, ‘Council! Who among you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?’ A demon of the jinn said, ‘I will bring it to you before you get up from your seat. I am strong and trustworthy enough to do it.’ He who possessed knowledge of the Book said, ‘I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you.’ And when he saw it standing firmly in his presence, he said, ‘This is part of my Lord’s favour to test me to see if I will give thanks or show ingratitude. Whoever gives thanks only does so to his own gain. Whoever is ungrateful, my Lord is Rich Beyond Need, Generous.’ He said, ‘Disguise her throne. We shall see whether she is guided or someone who is not guided.’ Then when she came, she was asked, ‘Is your throne like this?’ She said, ‘It is exactly like it.’ ‘We were given knowledge before her and were already Muslims, but what she worshipped besides Allah impeded her. She was from an unbelieving people.’ She was told: ‘Enter the courtyard,’ but when she saw it she supposed it to be a pool and bared her legs. He said, ‘It is a courtyard paved with glass.’ She said, ‘My Lord, I have wronged myself but I have submitted with Sulayman to the Lord of all the worlds.’ (27:15-44)

And We gave Sulayman power over the wind-a month’s journey in the morning and a month in the afternoon. And We made a fount of molten brass flow out for him. And some of the jinn worked in front of him by his Lord’s permission. And if a single one of them deviates at all from Our command, We let him taste the punishment of the Searing Blaze. They made for him anything he wished: high arches and statues, huge dishes like cisterns, great built-in cooking vats. ‘Work, family of Dawud, in thankfulness!’ But very few of My servants are thankful. Then when We decreed that he should die, nothing divulged his death to them except the worm which ate his staff; so that when he fell down it was made clear to the jinn that if they had truly had knowledge of the Unseen they need not have stayed there suffering humiliating punishment. (34:12-14)

We gave Dawud Sulayman. What an excellent servant! He truly turned to his Lord. When swift horses, champing at the bit, were displayed before him in the afternoon, he said, ‘Truly do I love the love of good, with a view to the glory of my Lord until the sun disappeared behind its veil. Return them to me!’ And he set about slashing through their shanks and necks. We tested Sulayman and placed a lifeless body on his throne. Then he repented. He said, ‘My Lord, forgive me and give me a kingdom the like of which will never be granted to anyone after me. Truly You are the Ever-Giving.’ So We subjected the wind to him to blow at his command, softly, wherever he directed. And the Satans, every builder and diver, and others of them, yoked together in chains. ‘This is Our gift: so bestow it or withhold it without reckoning.’ He will have nearness to Us and a good Homecoming. (38:30-40)

Day 17 – Never upset others by mocking them

The Holy Quran

Surah 96. The Clot, Read! (Al-‘Alaq)

1. Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created- 2. Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: 3. Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful ,- 4. He Who taught (the use of) the pen,- 5. Taught man that which he knew not. 6. Day, but man doth transgress all bounds, 7. In that he looketh upon himself as self-sufficient. 8. Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all). 9. Seest thou one who forbids- 10. A votary when he (turns) to pray? 11. Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance?- 12. Or enjoins Righteousness? 13. Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away? 14. Knoweth he not that Allah doth see? 15. Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock,- 16. A lying, sinful forelock! 17. Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades): 18. We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)! 19. Day, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah.!

Wake Up Before We Regret !

When Our Signs are recited to them – Clear Signs – you can detect denial in the faces of those who are disbelievers. They all but assault those who recite Our Signs to them! Say: ‘Shall I inform you of something worse than that? The Fire which God has promised those who are disbelievers. What an evil destination!’ ( Surat al-Hajj: 72)

Hadith

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) had observed: You will have your faces, hands and feet bright on the Day of Resurrection because of your perfect ablution. He who can afford among you, let him increase the brightness of his forehead and that of hands and legs.                                                                                                            Hadith in Sahih Muslim Quick Grasp of Faith 1

Q29 – Since what we perceive as the material world is merely comprised of perceptions seen by our soul, then what is the source of these perceptions?

As has been made clear, matter does not in itself have a self-governing existence. Since matter is a perception, it is something “artificial.” That is, this perception must have been caused by another power, which means that it must have been created. It is very evident that there is a Creator, Who has created the entire material universe, that is, the sum of perceptions, and continues His creation ceaselessly. This Creator is Allah, the Omnipotent. The facts that the heavens and the earth are not stable, that their presence has only been made possible by Allah’s having created them and that they will disappear when He ends this creation, are all explained in the following verse:

It is Allah Who keeps a firm hold on the heavens and earth, preventing them from vanishing. And if they vanished, no one could then keep hold of them. Certainly He is Most Forbearing and Ever-Forgiving. (Surah Fatir: 41)

Q30 – How is it that Allah encompasses everything and He is closer to us than our jugular vein?

Matter is composed only of sensations. And the only real, absolute being is Allah. This means that only Allah exists; all things except Him are shadow beings. Allah is surely “everywhere” and encompasses all. Everything that exists is an image projected to us by Allah.

Since material beings are each a perception, they cannot see Allah; but Allah sees the matter that He created in all its forms. That is, we cannot grasp Allah’s being with our eyes, but Allah has thoroughly encompassed us from the inside, from the outside, in looks and in thoughts. We cannot utter any word unless it is with His knowledge, nor can we even take a breath.

While we watch these sensory perceptions in the course of our lives, the closest being to us is not any one of these sensations, but Allah Himself. The secret of the following verse in the Qur’an is concealed in this reality:

“It is We Who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein.” (Surah Qaf: 16)

When a human being thinks that his body is made up only of “matter,” he cannot comprehend this important fact. If he takes his brain to be “himself,” then the place that he accepts to be the outside is 20-30 cm away from him. However, when he understands that there is nothing such as matter, and that everything is imagination, notions such as outside, inside, far or near lose their meaning. Allah has encompassed him and He is “infinitely close” to him.

The Prophets

DAWUD (AS) (DAVID)

When Talut marched out with the army, he said, ‘Allah will test you with a river. Anyone who drinks from it is not with me. But anyone who does not taste it is with me-except for him who merely scoops up a little in his hand.’ But they drank from it-except for a few of them. Then when he and those who believed with him had crossed it, they said, ‘We do not have the strength to face Goliath and his troops today.’ But those who were sure that they were going to meet Allah said, ‘How many a small force has triumphed over a much greater one by Allah’s permission! Allah is with the steadfast.’ (2:249) When they came out against Goliath and his troops, they said, ‘Our Lord, pour down steadfastness upon us, and make our feet firm, and help us against this disbelieving people.’ (2:250) And with Allah’s permission they routed them. Dawud killed Goliath and Allah gave him kingship and wisdom and taught him whatever He willed. If it were not for Allah’s driving some people back by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah shows favour to all the worlds. (2:251)

We have revealed to you as We revealed to Nuh and the Prophets who came after him. And We revealed to Ibrahim and Isma’il and Ishaq and Ya’qub and the Tribes, and ‘Isa and Ayyub and Yunus and Harun and Sulayman. And We gave Dawud the Zabur. (4:163)

Those among the tribe of Israel who disbelieved were cursed on the tongue of Dawud and that of ‘Isa, son of Maryam. That is because they rebelled and overstepped the limits. (5:78)

We gave him Ishaq and Ya’qub, each of whom We guided. And before him We had guided Nuh. And among his descendants were Dawud and Sulayman, and Ayyub, Yusuf, Musa and Harun. That is how We recompense the good-doers. (6:84)

My Lord knows best everyone in the heavens and earth. We favoured some of the Prophets over others. And We gave Dawud the Zabur. (17:55)

And Dawud and Sulayman when they gave judgement about the field, when the people’s sheep strayed into it at night. We were Witness to their judgement. (21:78) We gave Sulayman understanding of it. We gave each of them judgement and knowledge. We subjected the mountains to Dawud, glorifying, and the birds as well. This is something We are well able to do. (21:79)

We wrote down in the Zabur, after the Reminder came: ‘It is My servants who are righteous who will inherit the earth.’ (21:105)

We gave knowledge to Dawud and Sulayman who said, ‘Praise be to Allah Who has favoured us over many of His servants who are believers.’ (27:15) Sulayman was Dawud’s heir. He said, ‘Mankind! We have been taught the speech of birds and we have been given everything. This is indeed clear favour.’ (27:16)

We gave Dawud great favour from Us: ‘O mountains and birds! Echo with him in his praise!’ And We made iron malleable for him. (34:10)

They made for him (Sulayman) anything he wished: high arches and statues, huge dishes like cisterns, great built-in cooking vats. ‘Work, family of Dawud, in thankfulness!’ But very few of My servants are thankful. (34:13)

Be steadfast in the face of what they say and remember Our servant Dawud, who possessed true strength. He truly turned to his Lord. (38:17)

Has the story of the litigants reached you? How they climbed up to the Upper Room and came in on Dawud who was alarmed by them. They said, ‘Do not be afraid. We are two litigants, one of whom has acted unjustly towards the other, so judge between us with truth and do not be unjust and guide us to the Right Path. This brother of mine has ninety-nine ewes and I have only one. He said, “Let me have charge of it,” and got the better of me with his words.’ He said, ‘He has wronged you by asking for your ewe to add to his ewes. Truly many partners are unjust to one another-except those who believe and do right actions, and how few they are!’ Dawud realised that We had put him to the test. He begged forgiveness from his Lord and fell down prone, prostrating, and repented. So We forgave him for that and he has nearness to Us and a good Homecoming. (We said), ‘Dawud! We have made you a successor on the earth, so judge between people with truth and do not follow your own desires, letting them misguide you from the Way of Allah. Those who are misguided from the Way of Allah will receive a harsh punishment because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.’ (38:21-26)

Day 16 – Talk when it is necessary and when it is most appropriate

The Holy Quran

Surah 98. The Clear Proof, Evidence (Al-Bayyinah)

1. Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, were not going to depart (from their ways) until there should come to them Clear Evidence,- 2. An apostle from Allah, rehearsing scriptures kept pure and holy: 3. Wherein are laws (or decrees) right and straight. 4. Nor did the People of the Book make schisms, until after there came to them Clear Evidence. 5. And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to practise regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight. 6. Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures. 7. Those who have faith and do righteous deeds,- they are the best of creatures. 8. Their reward is with Allah. Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein for ever; Allah well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.

Wake Up Before We Regret !

Mankind, have fear of your Lord! The quaking of the Hour is a terrible thing. On the day they see it, every nursing woman will be oblivious of the baby at her breast, and every pregnant woman will abort the contents of her womb, and you will think people drunk when they are not drunk; it is just that the punishment of God is so severe. ( Surat al-Hajj: 1-2)

Hadith

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: By Him in Whose hand is my life, the Son of Mary (may peace be upon him) will soon descend among you as a just judge. He will break crosses, kill swine and abolish Jizyah, and the wealth will pour forth to such an extent that no one will accept it.                  Hadith in Sahih Muslim

Quick Grasp of Faith 1

Q25 – Is the existence of the external world indispensable?

We cannot know whether the external world truly exists or not. Since each object is only a collection of perceptions and those perceptions exist only in the mind, then the only world that really exists is the world of perceptions. The only world we know of is the world that exists in our minds: the one that is designed, recorded, and made vivid there; the one, in short, that is created within our minds. This is the only world of which we can be sure.

Q26 – Are we deceived into believing perceptions, without any material correlates, to be real?

Yes, we are deceived into believing perceptions, without any material correlates, to be real. This is because we can never prove that the perceptions we observe in the brain have material correlates. Those perceptions could conceivably be coming from an “artificial” source. We often experience this feeling in our dreams, in which we experience events, see people, objects and settings that seem completely real. However, they are all nothing but mere perceptions. There is no basic difference between the dream and the “real world”; both of them are experienced in the brain.