Islamic Awakening

Well.. hello again!

2010-11-09T11:10:00.000-06:00

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem

It's been quite a while since I came onto a regular computer so hadn't had a chance to actually come to my blog. I also had some exams and other things going on so hadn't been as consistent as I should have been in memorization. Insha'Allah this week will be brighter in terms of memorizing! I have noticed that Surah Al Kafiroon is a bit of a tongue twister of sorts but insha'Allah the more I practice, the easier it is getting. I just wanna be certain I master it before moving on insha'Allah. The first three ayats are memorized, the next two are my struggle, the final one is also memorized, Alhamdulilah. In every struggle in the path of Allah, there is a Reward if we have patience and that is what I am praying for.

Just Another Day...

2010-10-27T10:35:00.000-05:00

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem

or is it? =) Whilst waiting for dinner to finish, I managed to finish memorizing Al-Asr! Alhamdulilah!!! I don't know why I took so long to begin doing this but am ever so thankful to those that have came into my life and made an impact of some kind to push me in the right direction. May Allah (swt) Reward them immensely!

Insha'Allah will begin today on Surah 109: Al-Kafirun (The Disbelievers). Being one of the four Quls, you would think I would memorize it but better late than never insha'Allah! Some info about this Surah: Like many of the shorter surahs, the Surah of the Unbelievers takes the form of an invocation, telling the reader something they must ask for or say aloud. Here, the passage asks one to keep in mind teh separation between belief and unbelief both in the past and the present, ending with the often cited line "To you your religion, and to me mine".

Bismillahir-Rahmani-Raheem

Qul ya ayyuhal-Kafiroun

La a-budu ma ta'-bu-doun

wa la antum abidouna ma a-bud

wa la ana abidum-ma abadttum

wa la antum abiduna ma a-bud

lakum deenukum wa li-ya deen

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Say: "O Al=Kafiroun (disbelievers in Allah, in His Oneness, in His Angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the Day of Resurrection, and in Al-Qadar, etc)! I worship not that which you worship, Nor will you worship that which I worship. And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping. Nor will you worship that which I worship. To you be your religion, and to me my religion (Islamic Monotheism)."

Alhamdulilah!

2010-10-25T10:19:00.000-05:00

Bissmillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem

Alhamduililah!!! I completed memorizing Surah Al-Massad last week! Before updating the right side I was certain to make sure I implemented it into each daily prayer and Alhamdulilah I'm no longer stumbling the 4th line like I was before.

Insha'Allah this week I will memorize Surah Al'Asr. It is only 3 ayats and I figured it would be a good one to learn during this week as I have exams I am doing.

Surah Al'Asr is the 103rd Surah of the Quran. This particular surah explains that all of man kind are in loss, except those who believe in Allah (swt), do good deeds, remind others of the truth, with patience and steadfastness.

It is also the second shortest surah after surat Al-Kawthar. With that said, Insha'Allah I will work on another Surah by Thurdsay.

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem

wal-'aSr

innal-insaana lafee khusr

illal-latheena aamanoo wa'amiloo Saali-Haate

wata-waSo bil-HaQee wata-waSo biS-Sabr

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

By Al-'Asr (the time).

Verily! Man is in loss,

Except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and

recommend one another to the truth,

and recommend one another to patience

Suban'Allah! Quite powerful here. Insha'Allah we will all be able to order each other to perform all kinds of good deeds with Allah has ordained for us and that we can all guide one another from all kinds of sinful activities and evil deeds which Allah has clearly forbidden! For the sake of Allah, we should guide each other in remaining patient with Allah (swt) during the trials we all suffer at some point.

Jummah Mubarak!

2010-10-22T08:25:00.000-05:00

Bissmillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem

It's Friday. It is what some call a Muslim's "holy day". Technically, everyday is a holy day for Muslims but Friday is definitely one of the best days of the week!

Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) had said, "The best day during which the sun have risen is Friday. It is the Day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the day of judgment takes place."

So what do Muslims do on Fridays? We have Jummah prayers in which we all congregate at the mosque. It is compulsory on men, even those who are working, to attend. Women also attend but it is not a must that they do so. Personally, I haven't attended more than 3 Jummah prayers. I feel sad in my heart to know this and my excuse is having little children. Insha'Allah as they grow up a bit more, I will also start partaking in Jummah prayer because I feel I am kind of missing out. An interesting hadith to share about the importance of coming early to the Friday prayers:

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said, "If one washes himself and then went to Friday Prayer, it is considered as if he donated a camel for the sake of Allah. However, If he went in the second hour then it is considered as if he donated a cow and if the third hour then as if he donated a big sheep and if the fourth hour then as if he donated a chicken and if the fifth hour then as if he donated an egg. Then when the Imam starts delivering the speech the angels come and listen to it." Also in anther authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod that the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said, "On Friday the angels come to stand on the doors of the mosque (masjid), the angels record who comes first, if the Imam starts delivering the speech, the angles close their files and come to listen to the speech."

So it is very important that when we go for Jummah prayers, that we go early insha'Allah! Other things we do...

We increase our supplication. It is said that the hour following Asr prayer is a blessed hour in which Allah (swt) Answers our dua'as.

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said, "Friday has 12 hours, one of which is the hour where cries are granted for Muslim believers. This hour is sought at the last hour after Asr."

We recite Surah Al Kahf (The Cave). Suban'Allah! The story of The Cave is an amazing story which I recently learned more about attending a halaqa. Insha'Allah I will share it soon!

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) had said, "Who ever recites surat Al-Kahf on Friday, Allah will give him a light to the next Friday."

We are also obligated to take a bath every Friday and wear our best clothes.

Jummah prayers take place of Dhour. However, Jummah prayers is only 2 rakats and not 4. The other 2 rakats are simply listening to the Khutbah!!! Many people don't know this fact and because of this, they miss out on the reward. Some are not present during the khutbah and sadly, most are talking during the khutbah (even though there are signs placed throughout "no talking during khutbah"). This mainly happens on the sister's side and I feel it is due to most not being educated on this matter. It's not just about "not talking". We also should not be utilizing text messaging on our cell phones. The point is, we MUST listen to the khutbah insha'Allah! I cannot stress that enough.

Contrary to some belief... People are permitted to work on Fridays, even after Jummah prayers are over. However, they are to leave their places of business and attend prayers. That is an obligation unless one has a valid reason.

Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) said about people who do not attend Friday Prayer, "I wanted to ask a man to lead people in the prayer so that I may go and burn houses of men who did not attend the Friday Prayer with us" He also said reported by Imam Muslim, Ahmad and An-Nesaii, "Either they (meaning people who do not attend the Friday prayer) stop neglecting Friday prayers or Allah will set a seal on their hearts so they can not find the right path again." In another authentic hadith reported by Abu Dawod, Termithi, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the prophet (P.B.U.H.) said, "Who ever does not attend three Friday prayers, (without a valid excuse) Allah will set a seal on his heart".

Let's look at Surah Al Kahf and insha'Allah I will elaborate more details about it in which I learned from the halaqa next Friday!!!

18. Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave)

1. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad ) the Book (the Qur'an), and has not placed therein any crookedness.
2. (He has made it) Straight to give warning (to the disbelievers) of a severe punishment from Him, and to give glad tidings to the believers (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), who work righteous deeds, that they shall have a fair reward (i.e. Paradise).
3. They shall abide therein forever.
4. And to warn those (Jews, Christians, and pagans) who say, "Allah has begotten a son (or offspring or children)."
5. No knowledge have they of such a thing, nor had their fathers. Mighty is the word that comes out of their mouths [i.e. He begot (took) sons and daughters]. They utter nothing but a lie.
6. Perhaps, you, would kill yourself (O Muhammad ) in grief, over their footsteps (for their turning away from you), because they believe not in this narration (the Qur'an).
7. Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. [i.e.those who do good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allah's sake and in accordance to the legal ways of the Prophet ].
8. And verily! We shall make all that is on it (the earth) a bare dry soil (without any vegetation or trees, etc.).
9. Do you think that the people of the Cave and the Inscription (the news or the names of the people of the Cave) were a wonder among Our Signs?
10. (Remember) when the young men fled for refuge (from their disbelieving folk) to the Cave, they said: "Our Lord! Bestow on us mercy from Yourself, and facilitate for us our affair in the right way!"
11. Therefore We covered up their (sense of) hearing (causing them, to go in deep sleep) in the Cave for a number of years.
12. Then We raised them up (from their sleep), that We might test which of the two parties was best at calculating the time period that they had tarried.
13. We narrate unto you (O Muhammad ) their story with truth: Truly! They were young men who believed in their Lord (Allah), and We increased them in guidance.
14. And We made their hearts firm and strong (with the light of Faith in Allah and bestowed upon them patience to bear the separation of their kith and kin and dwellings, etc.) when they stood up and said: "Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, never shall we call upon any ilah (god) other than Him; if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity in disbelief.
15. "These our people have taken for worship aliha (gods) other than Him (Allah). Why do they not bring for them a clear authority? And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah.
16. (The young men said to one another): "And when you withdraw from them, and that which they worship, except Allah, then seek refuge in the Cave, your Lord will open a way for you from His Mercy and will make easy for you your affair (i.e. will give you what you will need of provision, dwelling, etc.)."
17. And you might have seen the sun, when it rose, declining to the right from their Cave, and when it set, turning away from them to the left, while they lay in the midst of the Cave. That is (one) of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs) of Allah. He whom Allah guides, is rightly guided; but he whom He sends astray, for him you will find no Wali (guiding friend) to lead him (to the right Path).
18. And you would have thought them awake, while they were asleep. And We turned them on their right and on their left sides, and their dog stretching forth his two forelegs at the entrance [of the Cave or in the space near to the entrance of the Cave (as a guard at the gate)]. Had you looked at them, you would certainly have turned back from them in flight, and would certainly have been filled with awe of them.
19. Likewise, We awakened them (from their long deep sleep) that they might question one another. A speaker from among them said: "How long have you stayed (here)?" They said: "We have stayed (perhaps) a day or part of a day." They said: "Your Lord (Alone) knows best how long you have stayed (here). So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the town, and let him find out which is the good lawful food, and bring some of that to you. And let him be careful and let no man know of you.
20. "For if they come to know of you, they will stone you (to death or abuse and harm you) or turn you back to their religion, and in that case you will never be successful."
21. And thus We made their case known to the people, that they might know that the Promise of Allah is true, and that there can be no doubt about the Hour. (Remember) when they (the people of the city) disputed among themselves about their case, they said: "Construct a building over them, their Lord knows best about them," (then) those who won their point said (most probably the disbelievers): "We verily shall build a place of worship over them."
22. (Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth, guessing at the unseen; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say (O Muhammad ): "My Lord knows best their number; none knows them but a few." So debate not (about their number, etc.) except with the clear proof (which We have revealed to you). And consult not any of them (people of the Scripture, Jews and Christians) about (the affair of) the people of the Cave.
23. And never say of anything, "I shall do such and such thing tomorrow."
24. Except (with the saying), "If Allah will!" And remember your Lord when you forget and say: "It may be that my Lord guides me unto a nearer way of truth than this."
25. And they stayed in their Cave three hundred (solar) years, and add nine (for lunar years).
26. Say: "Allah knows best how long they stayed. With Him is (the knowledge of) the unseen of the heavens and the earth. How clearly He sees, and hears (everything)! They have no Wali (Helper, Disposer of affairs, Protector, etc.) other than Him, and He makes none to share in His Decision and His Rule."
27. And recite what has been revealed to you (O Muhammad ) of the Book (the Qur'an) of your Lord (i.e. recite it, understand and follow its teachings and act on its orders and preach it to men). None can change His Words, and none will you find as a refuge other than Him.
28. And keep yourself (O Muhammad ) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, etc., and other righteous deeds, etc.) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has been lost.
29. And say: "The truth is from your Lord." Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve. Verily, We have prepared for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), a Fire whose walls will be surrounding them (disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah). And if they ask for help (relief, water, etc.) they will be granted water like boiling oil, that will scald their faces. Terrible the drink, and an evil Murtafaqa (dwelling, resting place, etc.)!
30. Verily! As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, certainly! We shall not suffer to be lost the reward of anyone who does his (righteous) deeds in the most perfect manner.
31. These! For them will be 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens); wherein rivers flow underneath them, therein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine and thick silk. They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good is the reward, and what an excellent Murtafaqa (dwelling, resting place, etc.)!
32. And put forward to them the example of two men; unto one of them We had given two gardens of grapes, and We had surrounded both with date-palms; and had put between them green crops (cultivated fields etc.).
33. Each of those two gardens brought forth its produce, and failed not in the least therein, and We caused a river to gush forth in the midst of them.
34. And he had property (or fruit) and he said to his companion, in the course of mutual talk: I am more than you in wealth and stronger in respect of men." [See Tafsir Qurtubi, Vol. 10, Page 403].
35. And he went into his garden while in a state (of pride and disbelief) unjust to himself. He said: "I think not that this will ever perish.
36. "And I think not the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back to my Lord, (on the Day of Resurrection), I surely shall find better than this when I return to Him."
37. His companion said to him, during the talk with him: "Do you disbelieve in Him Who created you out of dust (i.e. your father Adam), then out of Nutfah (mixed semen drops of male and female discharge), then fashioned you into a man?
38. "But as for my part (I believe) that He is Allah, my Lord and none shall I associate as partner with my Lord.
39. It was better for you to say, when you entered your garden: 'That which Allah wills (will come to pass)! There is no power but with Allah '. If you see me less than you in wealth, and children.
40. "It may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden, and will send on it Husban (torment, bolt, etc.) from the sky, then it will be a slippery earth.
41. "Or the water thereof (of the gardens) becomes deep-sunken (underground) so that you will never be able to seek it."
42. So his fruits were encircled (with ruin). And he remained clapping his hands with sorrow over what he had spent upon it, while it was all destroyed on its trellises, he could only say: "Would I had ascribed no partners to my Lord!" [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
43. And he had no group of men to help him against Allah, nor could he defend or save himself.
44. There (on the Day of Resurrection), Al-Walayah (the protection, power, authority and kingdom) will be for Allah (Alone), the True God. He (Allah) is the Best for reward and the Best for the final end. (La ilaha ill-Allah none has the right to be worshipped but Allah).
45. And put forward to them the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything.
46. Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds (five compulsory prayers, deeds of Allah's obedience, good and nice talk, remembrance of Allah with glorification, praises and thanks, etc.), that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.
47. And (remember) the Day We shall cause the mountains to pass away (like clouds of dust), and you will see the earth as a levelled plain, and we shall gather them all together so as to leave not one of them behind.
48. And they will be set before your Lord in (lines as) rows, (and Allah will say): "Now indeed, you have come to Us as We created you the first time. Nay, but you thought that We had appointed no meeting for you (with Us)."
49. And the Book (one's Record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer in the Oneness of Allah, and in the left hand for a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah), and you will see the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.), fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: "Woe to us! What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!" And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice.
50. And (remember) when We said to the angels; "Prostrate to Adam." So they prostrated except Iblis (Satan). He was one of the jinns; he disobeyed the Command of his Lord. Will you then take him (Iblis) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil is the exchange for the Zalimun (polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc).
51. I (Allah) made them (Iblis and his offspring) not to witness (nor took their help in) the creation of the heavens and the earth and not (even) their own creation, nor was I (Allah) to take the misleaders as helpers.
52. And (remember) the Day He will say:"Call those (so-called) partners of Mine whom you pretended." Then they will cry unto them, but they will not answer them, and We shall put Maubiqa (a barrier, or enmity, or destruction, or a valley in Hell) between them.
53. And the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners), shall see the Fire and apprehend that they have to fall therein. And they will find no way of escape from there.
54. And indeed We have put forth every kind of example in this Qur'an, for mankind. But, man is ever more quarrelsome than anything.
55. And nothing prevents men from believing, now when the guidance (the Qur'an) has come to them, and from asking Forgiveness of their Lord, except that the ways of the ancients be repeated with them (i.e. their destruction decreed by Allah), or the torment be brought to them face to face?
56. And We send not the Messengers except as giver of glad tidings and warners. But those who disbelieve, dispute with false argument, in order to refute the truth thereby. And they treat My Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and that with which they are warned, as jest and mockery!
57. And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of his Lord, but turns away from them forgetting what (deeds) his hands have sent forth. Truly, We have set veils over their hearts lest they should understand this (the Qur'an), and in their ears, deafness. And if you (O Muhammad ) call them to guidance, even then they will never be guided.
58. And your Lord is Most Forgiving, Owner of Mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, then surely, He would have hastened their punishment. But they have their appointed time, beyond which they will find no escape.
59. And these towns (population, 'Ad, Thamud, etc.) We destroyed when they did wrong. And We appointed a fixed time for their destruction.
60. And (remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his boy-servant: "I will not give up (travelling) until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travelling."
61. But when they reached the junction of the two seas, they forgot their fish, and it took its way through the sea as in a tunnel.
62. So when they had passed further on (beyond that fixed place), Musa (Moses) said to his boy-servant: "Bring us our morning meal; truly, we have suffered much fatigue in this, our journey."
63. He said:"Do you remember when we betook ourselves to the rock? I indeed forgot the fish, none but Shaitan (Satan) made me forget to remember it. It took its course into the sea in a strange (way)!"
64. [Musa (Moses)] said: "That is what we have been seeking." So they went back retracing their footsteps.
65. Then they found one of Our slaves, unto whom We had bestowed mercy from Us, and whom We had taught knowledge from Us.
66. Musa (Moses) said to him (Khidr) "May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance and true path) which you have been taught (by Allah)?"
67. He (Khidr) said: "Verily! You will not be able to have patience with me!
68. "And how can you have patience about a thing which you know not?"
69. Musa (Moses) said: "If Allah will, you will find me patient, and I will not disobey you in aught."
70. He (Khidr) said: "Then, if you follow me, ask me not about anything till I myself mention it to you."
71. So they both proceeded, till, when they embarked the ship, he (Khidr) scuttled it. Musa (Moses) said: "Have you scuttled it in order to drown its people? Verily, you have committed a thing "Imra" (a Munkar - evil, bad, dreadful thing)."
72. He (Khidr) said: "Did I not tell you, that you would not be able to have patience with me?"
73. [Musa (Moses)] said: "Call me not to account for what I forgot, and be not hard upon me for my affair (with you)."
74. Then they both proceeded, till they met a boy, he (Khidr) killed him. Musa (Moses) said: "Have you killed an innocent person who had killed none? Verily, you have committed a thing "Nukra" (a great Munkar - prohibited, evil, dreadful thing)!"
75. (Khidr) said: "Did I not tell you that you can have no patience with me?"
76. [Musa (Moses)] said: "If I ask you anything after this, keep me not in your company, you have received an excuse from me."
77. Then they both proceeded, till, when they came to the people of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused to entertain them. Then they found therein a wall about to collapse and he (Khidr) set it up straight. [Musa (Moses)] said: If you had wished, surely, you could have taken wages for it!"
78. (Khidr) said: "This is the parting between me and you, I will tell you the interpretation of (those) things over which you were unable to hold patience.
79. "As for the ship, it belonged to Masakin (poor people) working in the sea. So I wished to make a defective damage in it, as there was a king after them who seized every ship by force.
80. "And as for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.
81. "So we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in righteousness and near to mercy.
82. "And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the town; and there was under it a treasure belonging to them; and their father was a righteous man, and your Lord intended that they should attain their age of full strength and take out their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord. That is the interpretation of those (things) over which you could not hold patience."
83. And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: "I shall recite to you something of his story."
84. Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything.
85. So he followed a way.
86. Until, when he reached the setting place of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water. And he found near it a people. We (Allah) said (by inspiration): "O Dhul-Qarnain! Either you punish them, or treat them with kindness."
87. He said: "As for him (a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah) who does wrong, we shall punish him; and then he will be brought back unto his Lord; Who will punish him with a terrible torment (Hell).
88. "But as for him who believes (in Allah's Oneness) and works righteousness, he shall have the best reward, (Paradise), and we (Dhul-Qarnain) shall speak unto him mild words (as instructions)."
89. Then he followed another way,
90. Until, when he came to the rising place of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We (Allah) had provided no shelter against the sun.
91. So (it was)! And We knew all about him (Dhul-Qarnain).
92. Then he followed (another) way,
93. Until, when he reached between two mountains, he found, before (near) them (those two mountains), a people who scarcely understood a word.
94. They said: "O Dhul-Qarnain! Verily! Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) are doing great mischief in the land. Shall we then pay you a tribute in order that you might erect a barrier between us and them?"
95. He said: "That (wealth, authority and power) in which my Lord had established me is better (than your tribute). So help me with strength (of men), I will erect between you and them a barrier.
96. "Give me pieces (blocks) of iron," then, when he had filled up the gap between the two mountain-cliffs, he said: "Blow," till when he had made it (red as) fire, he said: "Bring me molten copper to pour over it."
97. So they [Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog)] were made powerless to scale it or dig through it.
98. Dhul-Qarnain) said: "This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the Promise of my Lord comes, He shall level it down to the ground. And the Promise of my Lord is ever true."
99. And on that Day [i.e. the Day Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) will come out], We shall leave them to surge like waves on one another, and the Trumpet will be blown, and We shall collect them all together.
100. And on that Day We shall present Hell to the disbelievers, plain to view,
101. (To) Those whose eyes had been under a covering from My Reminder (this Qur'an), and who could not bear to hear (it).
102. Do then those who disbelieve think that they can take My slaves [i.e., the angels, Allah's Messengers, 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), etc.] as Auliya' (lords, gods, protectors, etc.) besides Me? Verily, We have prepared Hell as an entertainment for the disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism).
103. Say (O Muhammad ): "Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds?
104. "Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds!
105. "They are those who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord and the Meeting with Him (in the Hereafter). So their works are in vain, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall not give them any weight.
106. "That shall be their recompense, Hell; because they disbelieved and took My Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and My Messengers by way of jest and mockery.
107. "Verily! Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, shall have the Gardens of Al-Firdaus (the Paradise) for their entertainment.
108. "Wherein they shall dwell (forever). No desire will they have to be removed therefrom."
109. Say (O Muhammad to mankind). "If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid."
110. Say (O Muhammad ): "I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord."

Our Hearts

2010-10-20T06:32:00.001-05:00

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem

According to Diseases Of The Hearts & Their Cures by Sheikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, there are three types of hearts.

The dead heart. A heart containing no life, neither knowing or worshiping Allah (swt).
The correct heart: A heart in which opposes all desire that goes against Allah (swt).
The heart with some life but also with a defect: A heart in which loves Allah (swt), has faith in Him, sincerity and trust towards Allah from those things that are essential to remaining alive. However, this heart contains the love and preference to it's desires, despicable manners from those things that causes it's death and is constantly wavering between these two conditions.

Ponder for a moment... where does your heart sit?

Done pondering? So let's work on this insha'Allah! Let's work on getting ourselves to having the correct heart which is humble, soft and gentle. Have you ever met a person who has a heart like that? They radiate! Suban'Allah! They simply draw you closer in a way that you cannot understand and this is from Allah (swt)!
May Allah (swt) Guide us and Soften all of our hearts and keep us from having a dry and hardened heart.

Allaah, the Most High, said: “There has come unto you an exhortation from your Lord, a healing for that which is in your breasts, a guidance and mercy for the believers.” [Surah Yoonus (10):57].
“O you who believe! Answer the call of Allaah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life, and know that Allaah comes in between a person and his heart. And verily to Him you shall be gathered.” [Surah al-Anfaal (8):24].
“He brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living.” [Surah ar-Room (30):19].

In the book, The Purification of the Soul, four poisons of heart are mentioned:

unnecessary talking
unrestrained glances
too much food
keeping bad company

Anas in al-Musnad said:

“The faith of a servant is not put right until his heart is put right, and his heart is not put right until his tongue is put right.”

Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

"A person who talks too much is a person who often makes mistakes, and someone who often makes mistakes, often has wrong actions. The Fire has a priority over such a frequent sinner."

This brings us to unnecessary talking... What exactly does unnecessary talking mean? Well... Let's look at the following:

Abdullah ibn Masud said: "By Allah, besides Whom no god exists, nothing deserves a long prison sentence more than my tongue." He also used to say: "O tongue, say good and you will profit; desist from saying evil things and you will be safe; otherwise you will find only regret."

Abu Huraira reported that Ibn al-Abbas said: "A person will not feel greater fury or anger for any part of his body on the Day of Judgement more than what he will feel for his tongue, unless he only used it for saying or enjoining good."

Al-Hassan said: "Whoever does not hold his tongue cannot understand his deen." The least harmful of a tongue's faults is talking about whatever does not concern it. The following hadith of the Prophet is enough to indicate the harm of this fault: "One of the merits of a person's Islam is his abandoning what does not concern him."

Abu Ubaida related that al-Hassan said: "One of the signs of Allah's abandoning a servant is His making him preoccupied with what does not concern him." Sahl said, "Whoever talks about what does not concern him is deprived of truthfulness."

SO we MUST guard our tongues and whatever doesn't benefit us, we should refrain ourselves from speaking it. This isn't just our tongues anymore however... It is also what is in our hands. Many of will go off on rants about "so and so" and really... will that help us on The Day of Judgement? If it cannot benefit us there, let's refrain from utilizing both our tongues and our hands in speaking and typing words that will not help us. Let's refrain from backbiting, lying, gossiping, showing off, arguing, complaining, singing, mocking others. The list of things our tongue can do is endless. These things ruin our heart and can cause us to lose happiness and pleasure in this life but more importantly, what will our success and profit be from the next life?

We should be preparing ourselves for our REAL LIVES. This is the time in which we should be working on that. Just like we take all kinds of preparation going on vacations, we should take even more time preparing ourselves for the akhirah, where we shall remain.

Unrestrained Glances... I believe that is self-explanatory and in the Quran we will find:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that is more purifying for them. Surely Allaah is aware of what they do.” [24:30] .

Allah says: "Do not go near fornication and adultery, it is an abomination and an evil way." (Quran 17:32).

"Tell the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make far greater purity for them; And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And tell the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty." (Quran 24:30-31).

It has been related that the Prophet (saws) once said words to the effect: "The glance is a poisoned arrow of shaytan. Whoever lowers his gaze for Allah, He will bestow upon him a refreshing sweetness which he will find in his heart on the day that he meets Him."

If we see something that is indecent for us to look out (according to Allah, not ourselves), then we should simply look away and not take a second glance. This even goes to the lengths of looking at the same gender. Something which could be quite hard to avoid if reading any fashion magazines and watching television.

Abu Sa'eed, (r.a.) the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "A man should not look at the Awrah of another man, and the woman should not look at the Awrah of another woman." (Muslim).

Too much food... one can ponder why this is something that can cause a disease in the heart... well, we know it causes physical disease but spiritual? Muslims fast during Ramadan during the daylight hours and we have a different sense in life in which we feel more tender, humble, gentle and our desires are weakened. Is this because it is "Ramadan"? In a way, yes... However, what do we do during Ramadan? We fast! Now, if we fast and we fast appropriately in a way in which we do not over-fill our stomachs, we will insha'Allah feel all that we should within our hearts the entire month.

Al-Miqdam Ibn Ma’d Yakrib said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (saws) say: “The son of Adam fills no vessel more displeasing to Allaah than his stomach. A few morsels should be enough for him to preserve his strength. If he must fill it, then he should allow a third for his food, a third for his drink and leave a third empty for easy breathing.”

1/3 for food
1/3 for drink
1/3 for air

If we all followed that equation above, I have a feeling we would not only be more humble, gentle and kind... but the obesity rates would drop enormously. Health would also improve insha'Allah.

Keeping bad company:

The Prophet (saws) said, "The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is I like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof."

Suban'Allah! Have you ever had a friend who... as much as you tried to guide her to doing righteous things that your life sorta took its own twists? From personal experience, we should guide others but we should remember for WHO. We guide others for the sake of Allah (swt). We should keep that as our main goal and not go any steps beyond that with a particular person who could be deemed as "bad company" because as much as we believe we are strong... the shaitan still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Astaghfirullah. Aoudobillah! May Allah protect us all from the traps of shaitan, Ameen!

We should benefit from whatever companionship we have in our lives. There are four categories of companions:

People whose company is like food; indispensable , night or day.
People whose company is like medicine; only needed when a disease sets in.
People whose company IS the harm, never profiting here in this life or the Akirah.
People whose company is the DOOM itself. This shouldn't be confused with number 3. This is the worst type of people. These are the people who are like poison to the heart and many people belong in this category. They have misguidance and practice innovation. They abandon the Sunnah and implement their own beliefs (desires). They call what is Sunnah, bidah and vice versa.

We should CURE our diseased hearts even if we feel that the disease which we behold is not that harmful. It is more harmful than what we know. Allah (swt) Knows best.

So if you, O servant of Allaah, wish to cure your heart then it is upon you to be truthful with regards to:

(1)seeking refuge with Allaah and
(2)putting trust in Him, to
(3)pray a great deal of supererogatory prayers, to
(4)perform the actions of obedience to Allaah frequently,
(5) to pray the night prayer while the people are sleeping, and to treat your heart by
(6) making it continuously stick to the remembrances and by
(7) befriending only the righteous and to
(8)frequently recite the Qurâan. And Allaah will indeed allow all of this to be preserved by Him.

(Source: Diseases of the Hearts and their Cures by Shaykhul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah)

Whenever we struggle to please Allah (swt), He will Reward us several times over in this life and more importantly, the Akirah. It is a Jihad but a Jihad but a Jihad worth undertaking and we will be all the better for it insha'Allah!

Surah al-Masad

2010-10-18T11:19:00.000-05:00

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem

Insha'Allah I will begin memorizeing Surah al-Masad (The Palm Fibre or The Flame). An amazing site I found gives a great overview about this particular Surah:

After proclaiming the Bismillah, the surah condemns Abu Lahab (one of Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) uncles) and his wife as examples of worldy and wealth driven sinners. Although they have much on earth, it will not avail them in the Hereafter. The "firewood" they have carried in this life (symbols of their clutching onto material possessions and business) will in the Hellfire prove to be the kindling of their damnation. This is to say, in their materialism they have been the architects of their own unfortunate destiny.
Muslims present this surah as evidence fo rthe divinity of the Quran, since Abu Lahab could have ruined the Quran and Islam by simply accepting Islam, just like Abu Sufyan (another uncle of the prophet (PBUH)) did.

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem
Tabbat Yada Abee Lahabiw-wa Tabb
Ma 'Aghna 'Anhu Maluhu Wa Ma Kasab
Sayasla Naraan Dhata Lahab
Wamra-'atuhu Hamma-la-tal-Hatab
Fee Jeediha Hablum-min Masadin

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he!
His wealth and his children (etc.) will not benefit him!
He will be burnt in a Fire of blazing flames!
And his wife too, who carries wood (thorns of Sadan which she used to put on the way of the Prophet(saws), or use to slander him).
In her neck is a twisted rope of Masad (palm fibre).

Awaken from Within...

2010-10-18T10:09:00.000-05:00

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem

As Salaam Alikum (Peace be upon you)! Being that this is the first post, I feel an introduction should take place. I am a Muslimah for 13yrs. Married with six wonderful children, by the grace of Allah. I've become inspired by a dear friend of mine to start a blog and utilize it to keep track of Surahs memorized, as well as, I would like to implement Islamic knowledge as I learn it. May Allah (swt) Give me the strength and the patience and help me learn more about Deen al Haqq (The True Deen) and memorize the Quran.

First and foremost. It is important to start every action we do with Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem. You will find this insha'Allah on every post of mine. I feel inclined to elaborate on its meaning just a bit.

Bissmillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem is a magnificent expression that most Muslims use especially before doing any significant activity. I feel that it should be used even in the insignificant activities including sweeping the floor and cooking food. In addition, every surah (chapter) of the Quran except Surah 9 begins with this phrase.

It is generally translated as "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Compassionate". This translation is good, however, it lacks the true depth of the meaning. Many people write it in different ways when using transliteration and some say it in different ways due to accents. What is important and what we will be rewarded for is within our hearts when we are saying it.

The word Bismillah is a combination of three different words. The first part, "bi", means "by", "for", "with the aid of". "Ism" is from a root word which indicates the means in which something is distinguished. The third word, "Allah" is an Arabic name for the "One". The word Allah goes back to the Hebrew El and Elohim, Canaanite Elat, and Aramaic Alaha. All these roots point toward unity, oneness, the eternal power which includes all of existence and of non-existence. In modern English this would generally be translated as God (which is old English, likely based on the Sanskrit word "hu", meaning that which is worshiped, honored or adored).

Using the basic roots discussed above, we can conclude that Bismillah can be translated as any of the following:

By means of the very essence of God
For the glory of our Creator
With the light of the One
With the guidance of The Divine
As an instrument of the One
In harmony with Divine Presence

The point is... Every action we do we should we should do for and BECAUSE of the One who Created us. The One who we came from and the One who we will return to!

Ir-Rahman Ir-Raheem

The beauty of these two names of Allah (swt)! According to Ibn Qayyum (1350 AD), rahmân describes the quality of abounding Grace which is inherent in and inseparable from the Almighty. Suban'Allah, without any request, Allah (swt) Gives us endless Blessings, many of which we don't even think about until it is taken away or struck with a thorn. Raheem, on the other hand, is the essence of the One when we do something for His sake alone. If we take one step towards Allah, He takes ten steps towards us. According to Ibn Qayyum (1350 AD), rahîm expresses the continuous manifestation of the Grace in our lives and its effect upon us as a result of our own activities.

The term Rahman points toward the One who gives an endless amount of love and mercy and it is continually showered on the entire creation. The term Rahim points toward the Merciful One whose love and mercy are manifested in that which is received as the consequence of one's deeds.

So, the phrase "ir rahman ir rahim" is recognizing and giving honor to the very source of all existence, blessings, compassion, and mercy to the One who gives endlessly to all of us and who also responds accordingly to our moral integrity, our harmony with all of creation and our love of Allah.

I found some beautiful poetic renderings that I would like to share insha'Allah!

With every breath that we breathe, may we be act on behalf of the Divine Presence, the Source of all that we receive.

With every step that we take, may we be instruments of the One Light which guides us, the Source and Nourisher of all of creation.

Every moment of this life is filled with your eternal radiance my Beloved, You are the Beneficent One who endlessly showers all of creation with nourishment and blessings, and the One who generously rewards those who live in harmony with Your Divine Will.

Subana'Allah! I really want to point out that as you can see... Arabic is such a beautiful and magnificent language and the simple translations that we read in whatever language that we can read and understand is simply NOT enough to TRULY understand the beauty of the Quran. We will never be able to feel within our hearts, within our souls unless and until we learn the beautiful language of the Quran.

Insha'Allah when you read above, I pray that you have taken something from it and it has awakened your heart the way that it has mine. It has inspired me in such a way and I pray Allah (swt) continues giving me the Blessings in which He has and I pray for more knowledge of this beautiful religion, Islam.