Love of Quran

It is an undeniable fact that no book was ever held as dear as the Quran. There are numerous inspiring stories of people’s love of Quran. We need not go in the distinct past; a look at the biographies of our Ulama who passed away in the recent years is enough to prove this fact. Ramadan is the month of Quran, so we mention a few stories of the servants of Quran.

(1) Syed Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari (rahimahullah) was blessed with immense love of Quran. He used to say in his speeches: “In my life, there is only one thing that I love and only one thing that I hate. It is Quran that I love and it is the British that I hate.” In fact his love of Quran would force him to hate the British. Jews and Christians harbour hardnosed enmity towards Islam and this fact is spread over the holy pages of Quran.

(2) Hazrat Maulana Qari Fateh Muhammad had devoted himself for the service of Quran. Mufti Taqi Usmani rightly says: “Qari Fateh Muhammad was a living miracle of Quran. His tongue was all the time busy reciting the Quran. He was always engrossed in thinking the best ways of spreading Quran education. He was at home in different accents of recitation. During Ramadan, he would lead the prayer of traveeh and recite seven to ten parts of Quran in one night. In this way he would complete the Quran in three or four days. Then he would again recite the whole Quran in some other accent. By the end of Ramadan he would recite the Quran for about ten times in traveeh alone.

(3) Sheikh-ul-Hadith Maulana Zakariya (rahimahullah) was a hafiz and recite the Quran immensely. For 42 years, it had been his routine that he would recite the whole Quran in each day of Ramadan. About his family women, he used to say, “Our family women spend most of their night time in listening to Quran and in the day time, it is their routine to recite about one half of the Quran. My grandmother was hafiz and it was her routine to recite one manzil of the Quran daily. And during Ramadan, she would recite the whole Quran plus one-third of it again in one day. In addition to this, she would recite thousands of tasbeeh as her permanent routine.

(4) Hazrat Mufti Rasheed Ahmad (rahimahullah) memorized the whole Quran in just three months at the age of 46 years. He did this in such a way that he would easily memorize one part of the Quran in one hour. Despite his tough scholarly engagements, he would spend a large amount of his time in reciting the Quran. He would recite five parts in day and as many at night in tahajjud prayer.

(5) Maulana Subhan Mahmud, sheikh-ul-hadith of Darul Uloom Karachi, was blessed with a special fondness of reciting the Quran. For a long time, it was his routine to recite the whole Quran daily. On becoming old and weak, he would recite more 18 parts of Quran. He continued with this routine till the day he breathed his last. During Ramadan, he would set aside all other activities and remained busy reciting the Quran day and night.

(6) Hazrat Qari Raheem Bukhsh was blessed with such immense love of Quran that except for natural human needs, he would not spend a single moment in which he was not teaching or reciting the Quran. His punctuality was proverbial. He never absented himself from teaching duty during 40 years. Whatever salary he withdrew from the madrasah, he returned it to the madrasah in a short period. His son Qari Abdullah said, “Since childhood, I never see my father miss his tahajjud prayer. He would recite three parts of Quran in tahajjud prayer.”

Our history is full of Quran lovers. They were the people who not only recited the Quran by tongue but their every word and action gave the fragrance of Quran, and their routines and prayers were practical explanation of Quran.

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10 Tip! How to be a Successful Wife

Make Dua to Allah SWT to make your marriage and relationship successful.

All good things are from Allah SWT. Never forget to ask Allah ta'ala for the blessing of having a successful marriage that begins in this Dunya and continues on - by the Mercy of Allah ta'ala - into Jannah.

• Listen and Obey!

Obeying your husband is Fard! Your husband is the Ameer of the household. Give him that right and respect.

• Always seek to please your husband, for he is your key to Jannah.

Rasul Allah – sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam – taught us that any women who dies in a state where her husband is pleased with her, shall enter Jannah. So .. please him.

• An argument is a fire in the house. Extinguish it with a simple ‘I’m sorry’ even if it is not your fault.

When you fight back, you are only adding wood to the fire. Watch how sweetly an argument will end when you just say sincerely, “Look, I’m sorry. Let’s be friends.”

• Thank your husband constantly for the nice things he does. Then thank him again.

This is one of the most important techniques, as the opposite is a characteristic of the women of hellfire.

• Joke and play games with your husband.

A mans secret: they seek women who are lighthearted and have a sense of humor. As Rasul Allah – sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam – told Jabir to marry someone who would make him laugh and he would make her laugh.

• Always wear jewelry and dress up in the house.

From the early years, little girls have adorned themselves with earrings and bracelets and worn pretty dresses – as described in the Qur’an. As a wife, continue to use the jewelry that you have and the pretty dresses for your husband.

• Review the characteristics of the Hoor Al-Ayn and try to imitate them

The Qur’an and Sunnah describe the women in Jannah with certain characteristics. Such as the silk they wear, their large dark eyes, their singing to their husband, etc. Try it, wear silk for your husband, put Kohl in your eyes to ‘enlarge’ them, and sing to your husband.

• When your husband comes home, greet him with a wonderful greeting.

Imagine your husband coming home to a clean house, an exquisitely dressed wife, a dinner prepared with care, children clean and sweet smelling, a clean bedroom – what would this do to his love for you? Now imagine what the opposite does to him.

• Use your ‘Fitnah’ to win the heart of your husband

All women have the ornaments that Allah SWT blessed them with. Use the beauty Allah - Azza wa Jal - has bestowed you with to win the heart of your husband.

May Allah SWT grant all da women enuf wisdom to act upon these tips n make their married life happy n full of barakahs. Aameen Summa Aameen.

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10 Tips! How to be a Successful Husband

1. Dress up for your wife, look clean and smell good.When was the last time us men went shopping for designer pajamas? Just like the husband wants his wife to look nice for him, she also wants her husband to dress up for her too. Remember that Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - would always start with Miswak when returning home and always loved the sweetest smells.
2. Use the cutest names for your wife. Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - had nicknames for his wives, ones that they loved. Call your wife by the most beloved names to her, and avoid using names that hurt their feelings.
3. Don't treat her like a fly. We never think about a fly in our daily lives until it 'bugs' us. Similarly, a wife will do well all day - which brings no attention from the husband - until she does something to 'bug' him. Don't treat her like this; recognize all the good that she does and focus on that.
4. If you see wrong from your wife, try being silent and do not comment! This is one of the ways Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - used when he would see something inappropriate from his wives - radi Allahu 'anhunn. It's a technique that few Muslim men have mastered.
5. Smile at your wife whenever you see her and embrace her often. Smiling is Sadaqah and your wife is not exempt from the Muslim Ummah. Imagine life with her constantly seeing you smiling. Remember also those Ahadith when Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - would kiss his wife before leaving for Salah, even if he was fasting.
6. Thank her for all that she does for you. Then thank her again! Take for example a dinner at your house. She makes the food, cleans the home, and a dozen other tasks to prepare. And sometimes the only acknowledgement she receives is that there needed to be more salt in the soup. Don't let that be; thank her!
7. Ask her to write down the last ten things you did for her that made her happy. Then go and do them again. It may be hard to recognize what gives your wife pleasure. You don't have to play a guessing game, ask her and work on repeating those times in your life.
8. Don't be little her desires. Comfort her. Sometimes the men may look down upon the requests of their wives. Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam set the example for us in an incident when Safiyyah - radi Allahu 'anha - was crying because, as she said, he had put her on a slow camel. He wiped her tears, comforted her, and brought her the camel.
9. Be humorous and Play games with your wife. Look at how Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - would race his wife Aisha - radi Allahu 'anha - in the desert. When was the last time we did something like that?
10. Always remember the words of Allah's Messenger - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam: "The best of you are those who treat their families the best. And I am the best amongst you to my family." Try to be the best!

In conclusion: Never forget to make Dua to Allah - azza wa jall - to make your marriage successful (Aameen).

And Allah ta'ala knows best !!

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Our Role Today is The Same as the Role of the Great Messengers of Allah (Part-3, Last)

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

For the last two Parts, when we asked the question: What is our role in this age and in this society? We said: Our role is the same as the role of the great past messengers that Allah sent to the people. This is because we are their heirs till the Last Day, and we now know that their first task was conveying the message in the clearest way, their second task was the Da'wah, calling people to Allah, and their third task was giving glad tidings and warnings.

In this part, we will continue discussing the other tasks of the messengers so that we will know our role and tasks.

Fourth: Reforming and purifying the People's Souls.

When people live in ignorant societies, that are not ruled by the Deen of Allah and are not guided by Allah's legislation, they get corrupted, and corruption reaches the depth of their thoughts, their visions, their manners, and morals. So, it is a must that someone reform and purify these souls, and bring them back to their pure natural state that Allah created them with.

Allah made this difficult task from the tasks of the great messengers; that is reforming and purifying the souls of those people who accepted and embraced Islam as a way of life.

We see Mousa (S.A.W.) when Allah sent him to the Pharaoh with a clear task. So, Allah said in Surat An-Nazi’at, (Verses 17-19), what can be translated as, "Go to Pharaoh, verily, he has transgressed all bounds. And say to him: "Would you purify yourself (from the sin of disbelief). And that I guide you to your Lord, so you should fear Him."

We also see Ibrahim (S.A.W.), after he finished building Allah's House, supplicating to Allah to send in his progeny after him someone who will purify them. Allah (S.W.T.) said in Surat Al-Baqarah, (Verse 129), what can be translated as, "Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them Your Verses and teach them the Book (this Qur’an) and Al-Hikmah (Wisdom), and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." Allah (S.W.T.) responded to his supplication by sending the prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.). Allah (S.W.T.) also said in Surat Al-Jumu’ah, (Verse 2), what can be translated as, "He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Mohammed S.A.W.) from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book (this Qur’an) and Al-Hikmah (Wisdom). And verily, they had been before in manifest error."

Allah (S.W.T.) made success or failure a result of purified souls or unpurified ones. So, he said in Surat Ash-shams, (Verse 9 & 10), what can be translated as, "Indeed he succeeds who purifies his ownself. And indeed he fails who corrupts his ownself. He also said in Surat Al-A’la, (Verse 14), what can be translated as, "Indeed whosoever purifies himself shall achieve success." Allah (S.W.T.) also made entering Paradise and living in it forever a reward for the one who purified himself/herself. Allah (S.W.T.) says in Surat Ta-Ha,(Verse 76), what can be translated as, "Everlasting Gardens under which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever: such is the reward of those who purify themselves."

Fifth: Correcting Misguidance and Corruption in the Life of the People.

When people live in ignorant societies that are not ruled by the Deen of Allah and are not guided by the legislation of Allah, their societies get corrupted, and this corruption reaches the depth of their dealings. So, it is a must that someone reforms these societies and makes them live according to the Deen of Allah (S.W.T.).

Allah (S.W.T.) made this difficult task from the tasks of the great messengers, that they uprooted corruption that spread in the societies and fought it because it is a transgression and oppression.

So, every messenger that Allah sent used to call his people to follow the straight path, the path of Allah (S.W.T.). And to clarify it to them and guide them to it. This is common among all the messengers; their first slogan was, "O’ People submit yourself to Allah only, surely you don’t have a Lord other than him."

After this call and based on it, we find every messenger uprooting all kinds of corruption in his society.

We see the prophet Hood (S.AW.) denying his people the arrogance on the earth and oppression. So, Allah (S.W.T) said in Surat Ash-Shu’ara, (Verse 128-131) that Hood said, what can be translated as, "Do you build high palaces on ever high place, while you do not live in them? And do you get for yourselves palaces as if you will live therein forever. And when you seize, you seize as tyrants. Now fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me."

We see the prophet Salih(S.A.W.) denying his people the corruption on the earth and following those who do mischief. So, Allah (S.W.T.) said in Surat Al-Araf, (Verse 74), what Salih said to his people, what can be translated as, "…So remember the graces from Allah, and do not go about making mischief on the earth." And Allah (S.W.T.) also says in Surat Ash-Shu’arah, (Verse 152 & 153), what can be translated as, "So fear Allah, keep you duty to Him, and obey me. And do not obey the command of Al-Musrifen (i.e. their chiefs, leaders who were polytheists, criminals and sinners against the law of Allah). Who make mischief in the land, and do not reform.

We see the prophet Loot (S.A.W.) denying his people the despicable act of homosexuality that spread among them. So, he (S.W.T.) said about this story in Surat Al-Ara’f, (Verse 80 & 81), what can be translated as, "And (remember) Loot when he said to his people: "Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding your has committed in the Alamin (mankind and jinn)? Verily, you practice you lusts on men instead of women. Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great sins.)." Also Allah (S.W.T.) says in Surat Al-Ankabut, (Verse 29), what can be translated as, "Verily, you perform sodomy with men, and rob the wayfarer (travelers etc.)! And practice Al-Munkar in your club…"

We see the prophet Shu'ayb (S.A.W.) denying his people the crime of cheating when using the weight scale. So, Allah (S.W.T.) said in Surat Ash-Shuara, (Verse 181-183), what Shu’ayb said to his people, what can be translates as, "Give full measure, and cause no loss (to others). And weigh with the true and straight balance. And do not defraud the people by reducing their things, nor do evil, making corruption and mischief in the earth."

We see the prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) denying his people the crime of killing innocent children, and legislating for themselves what Allah (S.W.T.) has not permitted. Allah (S.W.T.) says in Surat Al-An’am, (Verse 140), what can be translated as, "Indeed lost are they who have killed their children, from folly, without knowledge, and have forbidden that which Allah has provided for them, inventing a lie against Allah. They have indeed gone astray and were not guided." He (S.W.T.) also says to them in Surat Al-Ma’idah, (Verse 103), what can be translated as, "Allah has not instituted things like Bahira (a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and nobody was allowed to milk it) or a Sa’iba (a she-camel let loose for free pasture for their false gods), or a Wasila (a she-camel set free for idols because it has given birth to a she-camel at its first delivery and then again gives birth to a she-camel with its second delivery) or a Haam (a stallion-camel freed from work for their idols, after it had finished a number of copulations assigned for it, all these animals were liberated in honor of idols as practiced by pagan Arabs in Pre-Islamic times). But those who disbelieve invent lies against Allah, and most of them have no understanding."

The sixth task is to run our affairs as Muslims according to the laws of Allah:

If the people accept and embrace the message of the messengers, they become one Jama’ah (group of people) and this Jama’ah progress and develop to become an Ummah, and this Ummah needs someone who can run its affairs and lead it. The great messengers were the ones who took on this great responsibility and ruled the people with the rules of Allah and His legislations. Allah (S.W.T.) says in Surat, Al-Baqarah (Verse 213), what can be translated as, "Mankind was one Ummah (nation) and Allah sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed…"

Allah (S.W.T.) proclaims the mission of Dawud (S.A.W.) on earth, so he said in Surat Sa’d, (Verse 26), what can be translated as, "O’ David! Verily! We have placed you as Khalifah (a successor) on earth, so judge between people in truth and do not follow the desire - for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah…"

The prophets of the children of Israel used to rule their people with the Torah. The prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) says in a Hadith reported by Imam Bukhari, Muslim and others, "The children of Israel used to be ruled by the prophets; when a prophet perished, another prophet arose (to rule them)." Allah (S.W.T.) speaks about this in Surat Al-Maidah, (Verse 44), what can be translated as, "Verily, We did send down the Torah (to Moses), therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah’s Will, ruled the Jews. And the Rabbis and the priests (too ruled the Jews by the Torah after those Prophets) for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah’s Book." Allah (S.W.T.) also says about the Christians; the people of Injeel in the same Surah, in (Verse 47), what can be translated as, Let the People of the Gospel rule by what Allah has revealed therein. And whosoever does not rule by what Allah has revealed (then) such (people) are the Fasiqun (disobedient).

Then, Allah (S.W.T.) says to the prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) in the same Surah, (Verse 48), what can be translated as "And We have sent down to you (O Mohammed) the Book (this Qur’an) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge between them by what Allah has revealed , and do not follow their vain desires, diverging away from that which has come to you…" He also says to the prophet (S.A.W.), in Surat An-Nisa’, (Verse 105), what can be translated as "Surely, We have sent down to you (O’ Mohammed) the Book (this Qur’an) in truth that you might judge between people by that which Allah has shown you…"

Finally, we summarize that our role today is the same as the role of the blessed messengers of Allah, because we are their successors till the day of judgment:

First, conveying the message of Islam in the clearest way.

Second, calling all people to Allah

Third, giving glad tidings and warnings, which were given to us by Allah.

Fourth, reforming and purifying the souls of the people.

Fifth, correcting Misguidance and Corruption in the Life of the People.

Sixth, is to run our affairs as Muslims according to the laws of Allah.

May Peace, Blessings n Mercy of Allmighty Allah SWT be on all of U.
Aameen Ya Rabbil Aalameen

May Allah SWT grant all of us the hidayah n make us the source of hidayah 4 others.
Aameen Ya Rabbil Aalameen

Allahumma nas'aluka salamat fiddin, wa 'afiyatan fil jasad, wa ziyadatan fi 'ilm, wa barakatan fi'rizqi, wa taubatan qablal maut, wa rahatan endal maut, wa maghfiratan baad'al maut, allahhuma hawwinna 'alaina fil sakaratul maut wa najjahanna minanaarr.

Aaameen Ya Rabbil Aalameen

kindly remember me in ur prys, Jazakallah e khairan wa kathiran, Fee Amaan Allah

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Patience: The Superior Solution ( 4 those who let themselves surrounded by grieves and sorrows )

Patience, the focus of about 200 verses of the Qur’an, and referred to indirectly in many others, may be termed the core subject of the scriptures.

The verses directly relating to patience are quite explicit in their content. For instance,

And seek (Allah’s) help with patience and prayer. (2:45)And endure patiently whatever may befall thee. (31:17)And exhort one another to be patient. (103:3)And heed not their annoyance, but put thy trust in Allah. (33:48)

A very pronounced and direct instruction to behave with patience and endurance is apparent in these verses.

The majority of the other verses are also intensely concerned with patience. The very first verse of the Qur’an begins with "Praise belongs to Allah." (al-Fatiha) This shows that Allah expects mankind to express its gratitude and admiration to Him. But this is a very trying expectation! We know that this world is full of unpleasant experiences and nobody can be insulated from them. According to the Qur’an "Man is born in toil." Indeed, it is not possible for anyone to create a life of absolute bliss for himself.

How then a person can become grateful and appreciative of Allah’s grace in the real sense? The only way to be so is through patience. It is only when a man patiently endures worldly problems that it is possible for him to express his feeling of gratefulness to Allah. It is for this reason that the Qur’an associates gratefulness with patience. (31:31)Patience makes a person capable of finding a positive and successful solution to any problem. When someone explodes with anger while facing his adversary, he loses the faculty to respond effectively or to think of well-planned action. But when he applies patience and tolerance, he finds himself competent to make a rational move instead of an impulsive reaction. History testifies that one who acts on impulses and emotional reactions, invariably fails; and one who responds rationally, always succeeds.

Patience is undoubtedly the superior solution to all problems.

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My wife is pushing me to go with Tabligh! Who are they and what to do? Answered by Imam Suhaib Webb

March 1st, 2007 — the translators

Imam Suhaib!

“My wife is constantly bothering me about going with Tabligh Jamat? I do other acts of goodness and don’t really want to join these people. At times she starts to drive me crazy and says I need to do something for the ummah? Please give me some background on this group and tell me how to deal with my wife?”

Tabligh’s Beginnings

Tablighi Jamat represents one of the great efforts to revive the faith of Islam in the hearts of Muslims. Their founder, Mawlana Ilyas (may Allah have mercy on him) was a man of great piety and concern for the Umma. His father was Mawlana Muhammad Ismail (may Allah have mercy on him) who, although a great learned man, was known for drawing water from wells, serving travelers and then offering two rakats of shukr to Allah for blessing him to serve them. He died in 1896 and his funeral prayer was so crowded that it had to be repeated. Shortly after his prayer, a pious man saw him in his dream saying, “Send me off soon. I am feeling ashamed The Holy Prophet is waiting for me.”

His mother, Bibi Safia (may Allah have mercy on her) memorized the entire Qur’an and was known for reading 10 Ajza (parts) of Qur’an every day during the month of Ramadan. She was known for her piety and reverence in worship. She was not only a worshiper of Allah, but she was a Murabiyah, who built and nurtured the young Mawlana and watered him from the blessed spring of Islam. Once, seeing something great in her son’s future, she said to him, “Ilyas, I feel the aroma of the holy Companions in you.” She used to place her hand on his back, and would say, “How is it that I see figures resembling the holy Companions moving along with you?”

The blessed fruit of these noble parents, Mawlana Ilyas, was born in 1885. It was in this home that the Mawlana was raised and nurtured on faith and actions. Once, the Mawlana, describing his grandmother, stated that she had become so engrossed in her worship and dhikr that she stopped eating. It was said to her, “You are old and weak and must eat!” She responded, “I draw sustenance from my tasbihat (remembrance of Allah).” Thus, the young Mawlana was surrounded by pious examples of people who were so attached to Allah that the world attached to them.

The Mawlana memorized the entire Qur’an at a young age and continued his studies of different Islamic sciences. He was known for having an intense presence about him. One day his teacher said to him, “When I see Muhammad Ilyas, I am reminded of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).” He was known for a strong intellect and excelled his peers in all of his studies. He had a number of great teachers and was blessed to study the works of Bukhari and Tirmithi; however, he was struck by an illness which led to his increase in studies and spiritual devotion.

In 1910 he assumed a teaching position at a famous school. After the death of his two brothers, and almost his own, the Mawlana moved to Dehli and began to teach. There he witnessed the horrible conditions of the Muslim Umma. In fact, it is well known that the Muslims there had adopted Hindu names, forgot their prayers and observed Hindu rights and festivals over their own. Under these conditions the heart of this saint pushed him to act. It was not sufficient for the Mawlana to focus solely on himself, but his true devotion to Allah and the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him pece) led him to openly address the ills of the society. Thus, like the famous scholars before him, he not only focused on the purification of his soul, but the purification of his society and the Muslims around him. Thus, he was led to open a number of schools and educational institutions that focused on reviving the core Islamic teachings amongst the people. It was through this effort that Tablighi Jamat was born.

I’m sure many of our readers are wondering, why the long answer. Let me state that I felt it was an obligation to give them a small glimpse into the life of one of the greatest reformers our Muslim nation has seen in the last 200 years.

Summary of Tablighi Jamat:

Tablighi Jamat is a movement designed to bring faith back into the lives of the Muslims. They focus on five major duties and travel to different locations in order to spread the message of faith and dawa (calling to Allah) to other Muslims. They serve as one of the important alarm clocks whose job is to awaken a sleeping Umma, and remind it of its noble position and tasks. Members are encouraged to go for 3 days in a month, 40 days in a year and, if possible, 4 months in a lifetime.

Answer to the question:

Akhi, I think you should be happy that your wife is complaining that you’re not making dawa, praying, or doing enough for Allah’s deen. It sure beats hearing someone complain about the bills, not having the latest Visa Platinum or a new SUV etc. In fact, such a wife is one of the greatest gifts of Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, “This world is nothing but goods. And the best thing in this life is a righteous wife.” Thus, instead of being angry at your wife, you should praise Allah that he has blessed you with her and she is encouraging you to look after your faith.

As was mentioned earlier, Tablighi Jamat serves as one of the many alarm clocks that Allah has used to wake up this umma. There are many such that are working to benefit others and do good in society. All of these groups have good and bad qualities, thus, what is obligated is to follow the truth. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, “Wisdom is the lost property of the believer.” Thus, one should approach these different groups as one would a fruit garden, examine the fruit and take what is good, If you are able to correct the wrongs found in these groups, based on sound knowledge and wisdom then you should do so. In addition, one of the dangers that any group possesses is a blind fanaticism (ta’assub) which, at times, causes splitting and hatred to appear in the hearts of the believers. It is important to realize that these groups are mere custodians of the umma and not vice versa. Thus, if you are not comfortable with Tabligh, then try and work with another group in your city or location. Islamic work is needed today in the West more than ever. Thus, work with groups who cling to the way of the sunna, avoid extremes on any side, and seek Allah’s assistance.

As for your wife, mention to her the story of Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him): Once a man from the people of renunciation (zuhd) sent him a letter, chastising him for not fasting enough, praying in the night or wearing shabby clothes. The Imam responded by saying, “Allah has distributed actions amongst His servants as He has distributed their sustenance.” Then he mentioned how Allah has placed the love of certain types of worship (ibada) in the hearts of His servants. Thus, you would have a person who loved seeking knowledge, one who loved zuhd and another who loved dawa. The Imam finished his letter by saying, “I have no doubt that you’re on good from your Lord and I’m on good from Him as well.” Thus, you can explain to her, it is very normal for one to be inclined to a certain type of Islamic group. Then, explain to her where your heart leads you and perhaps try to compromise. One night a week you can attend different programs together as a family. Thus, one week for her flavor and the next for yours.

Finally, nicely remind your beloved that it impossible for anyone to know what is in the hearts of Allah’s servants. Thus, if you do something good, she should assume the best and avoid the whispers of Shaytan. The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, “Be careful of suspicion. For, indeed, it is the worst type of speech.”

A Few Points:

1. Mawlana Ilyas (may Allah have mercy on him) did not appear out of a vacuum. Like so many other great luminaries of our umma, the Mawlana was surrounded by wonderful parents who encouraged him to be a great Muslim. Thus, our brothers and sisters should focus on raising the next Imam Shafi’i, Malik or Salah al-din. Therefore, try to teach your children about the Sahaba (may Allah be well pleased with them). Then ask them to choose their favorite. Try to encourage that child to emulate the characteristics of that Sahabi. But remember that the most important lesson they will learn, are those that illuminate from the parents.

2. True tazkiyah leads one past mere focus upon the soul. A true servant of Allah is also concerned with the conditions and situations around him. Ibn Kathir relates that once Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked, “Who is better? One who stays away from others, or one who mingles with others and continues to worship Allah?” Umar said, “Those who mingle with others, put up with their difficulties and continues to worship Allah, “Indeed, they are those whom Allah has tested their hearts for Taqwa.” At the same time mere actions with no inner connection are like an empty cup. Thus, Mawlana Ilyas represented a rare balance of a person. He had a personality built on sound knowledge, sound tazkiyah and sound actions.

3. It is important to realize that the Ahl-Sunna is very wide. It is very dangerous to declare different groups out of Ahl al-Sunna based on one’s mere love for their group. Thus, such issues should be left to the scholars. One thing that one should do is not merely listen to what others say about certain scholars such as Imam Ghazali or Ibn Taymiyya. It is always better to read about their lives and understand the historical and cultural realities that they dealt with.

4. In general it is important to realize that people are different when it comes to different acts of worship. Thus, a truly wise person recognizes this and tries to facilitate the needs of his or her family or community. It is important for MSA’s and masjids to organize programs that benefit all community members. We must move past group politics and work towards realistic unity.

5. The state of the heart is known only to Allah. Thus, questioning another’s intention is something that should be avoided. The great knower of Allah, Junaid (may Allah have mercy upon him), said, “Ikhlas is a secret between Allah and His servant. No angel knows it, nor can any shaytan overcome it.”

6. The virtue of having a pious good fearing wife.

I ask Allah to protect us from ta’assub (blind fanaticism) and hatred. I ask Him to unite the hearts of the umma and make us as one body.

And Allah knows best
Suhaib Webb
TheTranslators 2007

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Our Role Today is The Same as the Role of the Great Messengers of Allah (Part-2)

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

We know from last Last Part, that we addressed the question: What is our role today in this society? We concluded that our role is the same as the role of the great past messengers whom Allah (S.W.T.) sent to humanity. This is because we are the messengers’ heirs till the Day of Judgment, and we know that their first task was conveying the message in the clearest way. We know that conveying the message requires courage and not fearing the people. We also learned that conveying the message can be done by reciting the holy Qur’an that Allah revealed and by clarifying the divine revelations to the people.

In this part, we will continue talking about the other tasks of the blessed messengers so that we can know our role and tasks today. Insha'Allah

• The second task is giving Da’wah (calling) the people to Allah:

The messengers’ task does not end with clarifying the truth to the people and conveying it to them. They also have to call the people to adopt what they are calling them for and submit to it, and apply it in their lives with conviction, both verbally and with action.

All the messengers had the same perspective when calling the people to Allah; They said to the people: You are the creation of Allah and are his servants, and Allah alone is your creator, your Lord and your God, and Allah has sent us to you to show you how you should submit your life to him alone, so you should obey us in this matter... and the verses are abundant in this context, for example, in Surat An-Nahil, (Verse 36), what can be translated as, "And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Submit to Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) taghut (all false deities etc…)…"" And Allah speaks to his prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) in Surat Al-Anbiya, (Verse 25), what can be translated as, "And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Mohammed) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be submitted to but I Allah), so submit to Me (Alone and none else)" Every messenger that Allah sent to the people, said to them, "Fear Allah and Obey Me" This appears in the Qur’an in more than ten different places.

The blessed messengers made so much effort for the sake of calling the people to Allah that it took them their whole life. We find many details about that in the holy Qur’an. For example, the first messenger, Nooh, who spent with his people 950 years calling them to the way of Allah. He spent all of his life, day and night, in different ways of approaching the people, secretly and openly, by alluring them, and making them fear Allah, by encouraging and warning them. Nooh had tried his best to open their minds and their hearts and direct them to the great signs in the universe that indicate the greatness of the creator Allah, but they turned away from his call, and no one believed in him except very few people. Read his story in the holy Qur’an in Surat Nooh and in other places to know the greatness of the Da’wah to the people for Allah.

Also, the life of the prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) was all Da’wah for Allah and he used through it all means available to him and at all levels, inside Makkah and outside. The books of the Seerah are the best source for details about this.

The angels Gabriel and Mike’eel showed the prophet (S.A.W.) an example that clarified to him and us his role and his task. In the Hadith reported by Imam Al-Bukhari and At-Tirmithi, that the prophet (S.A.W.) said, "I saw in my dream that Gabriel was at my head, and Mike’eel was at my feet; one of them saying to the other: give him an example of himself, so he said: ‘listen, may Allah help you hear, and may Allah make your heart to understand, Your example and the example of your ummah is as the king who got some land, and built on it a house, then brought in it a table with food on it, then he sent a messenger to invite the people to his food, some of them accepted the invitation and came, and others rejected the invitation and turned away.’ ‘Allah is the King, the land is Islam, the house is the Paradise, and you oh Mohammad are the messenger, and the one who accepted the invitation and came, they entered Islam, and whoever enters Islam, they enter Paradise, and whoever enters Paradise, they will eat what is in it."

So, we should invite people to Islam, the Deen of Allah that he sent down to the prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.), and whoever accepts our invitation will enter Paradise, and whoever enters Paradise, they will eat what is in it. This is our second task.

• The third task is giving glad tidings and warnings:

The Da’wah of the messengers to their people was always associated with glad tidings and warnings; it is the way that does not separate from the Da’wah, and because they are so associated with each other, because of that we find the holy Qur’an in some verses clarifying the task of the messengers as giving glad tidings and warnings. Allah (S.W.T) says in Surat Al-Kahif, (Verse 56), what can be translated as, "And we send not the Messengers except as giver of glad tidings and warners."

The prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) gave an example about himself in a hadith that was reported by Imam Bukhari and Muslim, "my example and the example of what Allah has sent me with is like a man who came to a people and said: Oh people, I have seen the army of the enemy with my own eyes, and I am the naked warner, so save yourself, save yourself, so a group among his people obeyed him, so they moved early before dawn, they withdrew slowly and saved themselves from the enemy. And the other group among his people disbelieved in him and remained in their places, and in the early morning the army of the enemy got to them, destroyed them and ran all over them. So this is the example of the one who obeyed me and followed what I was sent with, and the example of the one who disobeyed me and disbelieved the truth that I came with."

The messengers, when giving glad tidings and warnings to the people, they were applicable to this life and the Hereafter. Allah (S.W.T.) says in Surat An-Nahil, (Verse 97), what can be translated as, "Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer verily, to him We will give a good life (meaning in this worldly life)," and also the Messengers gave glad tidings to the obedients and promised them with dignity, power, and peace in this life. Allah (S.W.T.) also says in Surat An-noor, (Verse 55), what can be translated as, "Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their deen, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear. They submit to me and do not associate anything with Me…", Also, on the other hand, the messengers warn the disobedients of hardship and punishment in this life before the Hereafter. Allah (S.W.T.) says in Surat Ta-ha, (Verse 124), what can be translated as, "But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (this Qur’an) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection." Allah (S.W.T.) also says to the prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) in Surat Fussilat, (Verse 13), what can be translated as, "But if they turn away, then say (O’ Mohammed): "I have warned you of a Sa’iqa (a destructive awful cry, torment, hit a thunder-bolt) like the Sa’iqa which overtook Ad and Thamud (people).

Giving glad tiding and warning like the messengers did is the key to the human soul because the good soul is naturally always seeking the good things for itself and keeping the bad and harm away from itself. If the messengers and the Da’eeyah (caller for Allah) show the people the good that they will gain from belief and the righteous deed, the people would hurry to gain that good. On the other hand, when it is shown to the people the great harm that would befall a person as a result of disbelief, misguidance and remaining away from the path of Allah, the people would get scared and hurry to leave all of that.

So, we should not forget the importance of this issue when we play our role in this world. Also we should start with conveying the message in the clearest way, then calling the people to Islam, then giving glad tidings and warnings, and this should be practiced in a balanced careful way without extremes.

In the next part, if Allah wills, (Insha'Allah) we will continue learning about the tasks of the great messengers of the past, that is in fact our role and task today.

May Allah SWT grant all of us the hidayah n make us the source of hidayah 4 others.

Aameen Ya Rabbil Aalameen

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The Power of Dua.

Once Prophet Muhammad SAW passed by some people who were suffering from some affliction. "Why don't they make dua (pray ) to Allah SWT for protection," he said. With all the suffering and disasters Muslims are facing in various parts of the world, the question can be directed to all of us today.

It is not that we have forgotten dua completely; we refer to it regularly. But, our ideas and practice regarding dua have become distorted. Often it is reduced to the level of a ritual. Generally it is considered when all our efforts have failed --- an act of last resort. It is belittled through actions and sometimes even with words. Is it any wonder that today mostly a mention of dua is meant to indicate the hopelessness of a situation.

What a tragedy, for dua is the most potent weapon of a believer. It can change fate, while no action of ours ever can. It is the essence of ibadah or worship. With it we can never fail; without it we can never succeed. In the proper scheme of things, dua should be the first and the last resort of the believer, with all his plans and actions coming in between.

Dua is conversation with Allah SWT, out Creator, our Lord and Master, the All Knowing, the All Powerful. This act in itself is of extraordinary significance. It is the most uplifting, liberating, empowering, and transforming conversation a person can ever have. We turn to Him because we know that He alone can lift our sufferings and solve our problems. We feel relieved after describing our difficulties to our Creator. We feel empowered after having communicated with the All Mighty. We sense His mercy all around us after talking to the Most Merciful. We get a new commitment to follow His path for that is the only path for success. We feel blessed with each such commitment.

In every difficulty our first action is dua, as is our last. We ask Allah SWT to show us the way to handle that difficulty; we seek His help in following the path He shows to us; we seek His aid in making our efforts successful. When we fall sick, we know that we cannot find the right doctor without His Will; that the best doctor may not be able to diagnose our condition without His Command; that the best treatment plan will not succeed without His Permission. We make dua for all of these. We make dua before we seek medical help, while we are receiving it and after it has been delivered. The same is true of all other difficulties we may encounter.

Dua is the essence of ibadah. A person engaged in dua affirms his belief in Tawheed (monotheism) and shuns belief in all false gods. With each dua his belief in Allah SWT grows. He beseeches Him, affirming his own powerlessness. A person seriously and sincerely engaged in dua understands exactly the relationship between himself and the Creator and affirms it through his actions. That is the essence of worship! Additionally, such a person can never become arrogant or proud, a logical result of true worship.

Dua is conversation with Allah SWT … It is the most uplifting, liberating, empowering, and transforming conversation a person can ever have.

Dua is our most potent weapon in all struggles of life as well as in jihad in the battlefield. During the battle of Badr, the Prophet Muhammad SAW stood up all night in prayer seeking Allah SWT's help in the battle between unequal armies that would follow the next day. In the decisive battles against the crusaders, Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi was busy day and night. His days were devoted to Jihad. His nights were spent making dua, crying, seeking Allah SWT's help. This has been the practice of all true mujahideen.

We should make it a point to make dua for all things big and small. It is the beginning of wisdom to realize that big and small are arbitrary labels that are totally irrelevant in this context. Nothing is too big for Whom we are asking from; nothing is too small for the one who is asking. That is why we have been taught to ask Allah SWT when we need something as small as shoelaces. We should ask as a beggar, as a destitute person, for that is what we in reality are in relationship to Allah SWT. At the same time we should ask with great hope and conviction that we shall be granted our prayers. We should remember the Hadith: "There is nothing more dear to Allah than a servant making dua to Him." On the other hand, a prayer lacking concentration and conviction is no prayer at all.

We should make dua at all times, not only during times of distress. The Prophet Muhammad SAW said: "Whosoever desires that Allah SWT answers his duas in unfavorable and difficult conditions, he should make plentiful dua in days of ease and comfort." Also he said: "The person who does not ask from Allah SWT, Allah SWT becomes angry with him."

We should ask for all of our needs: those related to this world as well as those related to the Hereafter. Those who only concentrate on the former are, in effect, announcing that they don't care for their life in the permanent abode. They should blame no body but themselves for the total ruin in that world that Qur'an assures us awaits them. Those who only concentrate on the later are also showing lack of balance, for we need Allah SWT's help to lead a good life here as well.

We should make dua not only for ourselves but also for our parents, brothers and sisters, spouses and children, relatives and friends, teachers and other benefactors, and destitute and struggling Muslims everywhere. We should pray for them for the good in this world as well as in the Hereafter. The Prophet SAW said: "The dua of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is readily accepted. An angel is appointed to his side. Whenever he makes a beneficial dua for his brother the appointed angel says, 'Aameen. And may you also be blessed with the same.'" [Sahih Muslim]

In the dark ages that we are living in today, everyday brings fresh news about atrocities committed against our brothers in Palestine, Kashmir, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Chechnya, and the list goes on. And what do we do? We can continue to just feel frustrated and depressed. We can petition the determined perpetrators or a fictional "International Community". We can just forget all this and move on to some other subject. Or we can stand up before Allah SWT and pray for His help, who alone can help. The dua can change our life, our outlook, and our fate. It is the most potent weapon. But it works only for those who try sincerely and seriously to use it.

May Allah SWT grant all of the ability to understand our duties as a muslim and also grant us the power and opportunities to make duas as much as we can. Aameen, May Allah SWT once again let us reunite as an ummah, the ummah or our Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Aameen Ya Rabbil Aalameen.

Ya Allah! its only and only you who can salvate us from the evilness of satan, So kindly save us from him. Aameen Ya Rabbil Aalameen.

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Be Thankful To Allah SWT

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times,
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes,
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also
thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and theycan become your blessings.

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I AM TOO BUSY

Everyday as i wake up at dawn,

My mind start working the moment i yawn,

There were many things to do, o dear!

That's why i hastily did my Subuh prayer!

I didn't have the time to sit longer to praise the Lord,

To me rushing out after prayer is nothing odd...

Since school, i had been busy every minute,

Completing my tutorials and handing it in,

My ECAs took up most of my time always,

No time did i have to Allah to pray

Too many things to do and zikir is rare

For Allah, I really had no time to spare...

When i grew up and started my career,

Working all day to secure my future,

When I reached home, I prefered to have fun,

I chatted on the phone but i didn't read the Quran.

I spent too much time surfing the Internet!

Sad to say, my faith was falling flat...

The only time i have left is weekends,

During which i prefer window shopping with friends.

I couldn't spare time to go to the mosque,

I'm too busy, that's the BIG EXCUSE...

I did my five prayers but did so quickly,

After prayer, I didn't sit longer to reflect quietly...

I didn't have time to help the needy ones,

I was loaded with work as my precious time runs...

No time at all to visit a sick Muslim friend,

To orphans and elderly, I hardly lent a hand!

I'm too busy to do community service,

When there were gatherings, I helped the least...

My life was already full of stress!

So i didn't counsel a Muslim in distress.

I didn't spend much time with my family,

B'coz i thought, doing so is a waste of time...

No time to share with non-Muslim about Islam,

Even though I know, inviting causes no harm!

No time to do Sunnah prayers at all,

All these contribute to my imaan's fall...

I'm busy here and busy there,

I've no time at all, that's all i care!

I went for religious lessons, just once in awhile,

Coz i'm too busy making a pile...

I worked all day and i slept all night!

Too tired for Tahajjud and it seemed not right!

To me, earning a living was already tough,

So i only did basic deeds but that's not enough...

No time at all, to admire God's creation!

No time to praise Allah and seek His Compassion!

Although I know how short is my life,

For Islam, I really didn't strive...

Finally the day comes, when the Lord calls for me,

And I stood before Him with my Life's History!

I feel so guilty b'coz i should have prayed more,

Isn't that what a Muslim lives for?

To thank Allah and do more good deeds,

And the Quran is for us all to read...

Now at Judgement Day, I'm starting to fret,

I've wasted my life but it's too late to regret...

My entry to Paradise depends on my good behaviour,

But i've not done enough nor did proper prayer!

My "good deeds book" is given from my right!

An angel opened my "book" and read out my plight...

Then the angel chided me...

"O You Muslim servant, you are the one,

Who is given enough time, yet not much is done!

Do you know that your faith is loose?

Saying "no time" is only an excuse...

Your "good deeds book" should be filled up more

With all the good work you stood up for...

Hence, I only recorded those little good deeds,

As I say this, I know your eyes will mist...

I was about to write some more, you see

But i did not have, THE TIME to list".......

THE END..

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My Prayers Has Been Answerd (Alhamdulillah)

I asked for Strength.........
And Allah SWT gave me Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom.........
And Allah SWT gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity.........
And Allah SWT gave me Brain and Brawn to work.
I asked for Courage.........
And Allah SWT gave me Danger to overcome.
I asked for Love.........
And Allah SWT gave me Troubled people to help.
I asked for Favours.........
And Allah SWT gave me Opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted
I received everything I needed
My Prayer has been answered
(Alhamdulillah)

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Our Role Today is The Same as the Role of the Great Messengers of Allah (Part-1)

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

Many of us wonder today: What is our role as Muslims in this non-Islamic society? Asking this question is a good thing in itself because it indicates the beginning of the awareness in the mind of the Muslims, after a long absence.

This is an important and a dangerous question because it searches for an answer for a fundamental and a vital issue in our lives; if the correct answer is not found, then we will end up with the wrong one which may threaten our future and the future of Islam in America.

There is a good chance that the wrong answer will be found because of many factors:
The ignorance of many Muslims in the reality of Islam and its role in saving humanity.
The lack of awareness of the reality of this age, the status of the Muslim Ummah, the events that occur on the world level, the conspiracies of the enemies to put down and destroy Islam and end its role in the world or give it a marginal role by redefining Islam with a new fake definition.
The defeated mentality is dominant among many Muslims today. This came as a result of defeat and the absolute astonishment at what the non-Muslims have as civilization, technologies, and even culture.
The vain desires, the love of this worldly life and the hatred of death, by undervaluing the hereafter, influenced the minds and personality of many Muslims.
The many misguiding and forced solutions presented to Muslims by their enemies who work very hard in a deceiving manner to tell us what is our role today in this society. These enemies forced the wrong and false answers onto us deceivingly in many ways. They also removed the correct original answers and attacked it by describing it and the people who believe and carry this answer with the worst descriptions. This is so that the Muslim will get away from them and hate the correct answer instead of adopting it and working to establish it. Allah (S.W.T.) says in Surat Al-Anfal, (Verse 30), what can be translated as, "They were plotting and Allah too was planning, and Allah is the Best of the planners."
What makes things more complicated and the vision more erroneous is that some loyal sincere Muslims fell into the trap that the enemies of Islam have set up and skillfully designed. These sincere Muslims with their followers and those whom they influence took the wrong way that was defined for them. These Muslims became the fuel and the workers in a conspiracy that they did not plan and will not benefit from either in the short term or the long term. Furthermore, if someone pointed out their mistakes, that they are adopting, they would find justification for the errors in the religious texts that justifies their position. This is done without deep investigation and verification until we become like the prophet (S.A.W.) said in a trial that makes the intellectuals confused.
What is our role in this age and in this society as Muslims?
To answer this question, first of all, we do not need to devise a new role. This is because our role had already been defined to us by Allah (S.W.T.) a long time ago. Many great messengers played that role, and achieved many reforms and saved the humanity throughout the course of history.
All we need today is to rediscover and explore this role and know its characteristics by removing the ruins and debris away from it until we can clear its beautiful picture, and then to adopt it and behave according to it. If we do that, then we will save ourselves and the entire humanity with the help of Allah (S.W.T.) like the messengers do.
All of us know and believe that Allah (S.W.T.) the One who created the creations did not leave people without guidance; on the contrary, he devised to all humanity a complete and comprehensive system of life. Which was carried by the messengers from one generation to the next. This
role of the messengers had never changed or altered with the differences of age or place that they were sent in from Noah until the prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.); the seal of all prophets and messengers.
Today, Muslims are in fact the followers and true inheritors of those messengers and are the extension of truthfulness. Allah (S.W.T.) has sealed the messages and the messengers with the prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) and made their role to be played by the messengers' heirs who are the Muslims till the Day of Judgment.
This role has not changed with time nor has it changed with place; its phases, goals and ends have remained unchanged. What have changed are its means and tools that may differ according to time and place.
Now, I will present the role of the messengers and their tasks so that we know our role in this life.
First, is conveying the message in the clearest way:
The messengers are the ambassadors of Allah (S.W.T.) to his servants and the carriers of his revelations. Their first task is to deliver and convey this trust, which they carried to the servants of Allah. Allah (S.W.T.) says in Surat Al-Ma’idah, (Verse 67), what can be translated as, "O’ Messenger (Mohammed)! Proclaim (the message) which has been sent down to you from your Lord. And if you do not, then you have not conveyed His Message."
Conveying the message needs courage and not to fear the people. This is needed because the person will deliver to them what is completely different and conflicts with their Aqeedah, their status, and desires that they have lived with for a long time. Allah (S.W.T.) says in Surat Al-Ahzab, (Verse 39), what can be translated as, "Those who convey the Message of Allah and fear Him, and fear none except Allah…"
Conveying the message should be done by reciting the verses that Allah (S.W.T.) has revealed no more or less. Allah (S.W.T.) says, commanding the Prophet Mohammed, in Surat Al-Ankabut, (Verse 45), what can be translated as, "Recite (O Mohammed) what has been revealed
to you of the Book (the Qur’an)…" Allah also says in another verse, (151),
Surat Al-Baqarah, what can be translated as, "Similarly We have sent among you a Messenger (Mohammed) of your own, reciting to you Our
Verses the (Qur’an)…" So, if the revelation is not a divine text that is to be recited meaning the Prophet’s tradition (Sunnah), then conveying the message is by clarifying the commands and the prohibitions and the meanings and the knowledge that Allah (S.W.T.) had revealed no more no less.
From conveying the message the messenger should clarify and explain clearly the meaning and goals of the revelation that Allah had sent down to his servants. This is because he, the messenger, knows better than anyone else about what Allah (S.W.T.) means from his revelation.
In this context, Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat An-Nahil, (Verse 44), what can be translated as, "… And We have also sent down unto you (O’ Mohammed) the reminder and the advice (the Qur’an) that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them…" The prophet (S.A.W.) may clarify the meaning of the revelation by his saying, doing, or consent. From here came the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) to clarify many Qur'anic verses.
If it happens that the people turned away from the messengers' call, the messengers can not do anything except to convey the message. Allah (S.W.T.) says in surat Al-‘Imran, (Verse 20), what can be translated as, "…But if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message…" Allah also says to the people in surat Al-ma’idah, (Verse 92), what can be translated as "...Then if you (people) turn away, you should know that it is Our Messenger’s duty to convey (the message) in the clearest way.", and in another verse, He (S.W.T.) also says to his Prophet Mohammed in Surat As-Shura, (Verse 48), what can be translated as, "But if they turn away (O Mohammed)…We have not sent you as a hafiz (protector) over them. Your duty is to convey the message…"
So the first task and role of the great messengers is conveying the message in the clearest way to the people. And this is our first task in our role today and it should not be changed or altered.

In the next part with the help of Allah SWT (Insha'Allah) we will learn more about our tasks so that we will better know our true role as Muslims today.

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Who does not have problems? ( For my loving lill sister )

Problems are a part of life. If it were not for distance and separation, people would never know the joy of meeting and reunion. If it were not for poverty, people would not know wealth. And if it were not for sorrow, people would not know joy.

In this manner, Allah SWT has permitted the world to be a place of passage, where pleasure is accompanied by pain and laughter by tears, a world where the degree and severity of suffering is commensurate to the degree of happiness a person feels when that suffering goes away.

Every home has its problems, as does every office, corporation, and country. Every soul is afflicted with its own inner problems. When a person knows that his own self does not comply with what he wants from it and does not fulfill his expectations, and that it often shames him and disappoints him unbearably, then what can he possibly expect from others?

What can he hope to expect from the difficulties that arise from social interactions, whether they occur within a family setting, or among neighbors, or between colleagues and business partners, or with those who he meets on the road?

In spite of all this, the goodness, companionship, and human welfare that social interactions bring about can never be attained by a person who lives in isolation. The evils brought about by seclusion are far greater than the discomfort that comes from dealing with others.

How many people have tried to solve their problems by cutting off their dealings with others and going into seclusion? They seek to treat their ailments with something that is a sickness itself. They wind up longing to return to the very circumstances that they had so much detested before.

A woman feels that she can not stand to live with her husband's behavior any more and sees divorce as the only solution. Then when she gets what she wants, she feels like she is going to die of loneliness and starts to think of a way to undo what she had done.

An employee feels he can not bear his job any longer so he quits his job. After a while, though, he starts looking for people to intercede on his behalf as he repeatedly tries to get his job back.

This is why it is not sensible to hastily resort to severing ties, thinking that this is going to get to the root of the problem and make it just go away. This course of action can possibly cause much more suffering than before.

Reactions that are spontaneous and overemotional only serve to cloud a person's judgment, making it seem that the only solution is to completely divorce oneself from the source of the problem and with everything that in any way relates to it.

The problem could actually come from the deep within a person's character or personal history and cannot be simply shrugged off. It could also come from unavoidable circumstances outside of that person's control.

Often we besiege ourselves with problems and difficulties. This is not to say that those problems are not real. They definitely are. But we often have many good ways of getting around them. We do not have to dwell on them. We need to seek the help of Allah SWT and cling hard to the firm handhold that He provides, repeating the words: "You alone we worship and You alone we beseech for help."[Surah AL-Fatihah]

One of the supplications that the Prophets (May peace n blessings be on all of them) of old used to make goes as follows:"O Allah! Yours is the praise. You are the one whose help we seek. You are the one on whom we rely. Yours is the aid that we seek. There is no might and no strength except with Allah, the High and Mighty."

We can look at our problems as they really are and strive to get rid of them or at least minimize them, without letting them suffocate us or hold us back. Our problems must not make us stop working and living productive lives. We can also defer some problems that we cannot solve at the present time and wait for Allah SWT, in whose hands rest all affairs, to relieve us of them.

At the same time, there can be no doubt that expecting relief from Allah SWT is a form of worship, since it is part of being patient. This brings to our attention an important yet often overlooked fact - that many problems can be solved, but not by jumping ahead of things. They must be approached one step at a time. Haste can lead to making our problems more deeply entrenched than they were before. Sometimes the best solution is to postpone action and be patient until the right opportunity comes along for a solution to be sought.

Patience, then, is necessary in all cases. Therefore, we have been encouraged - actually commanded - to be patient. The word patience, in all of its morphological forms, comes in the Qur'an about 103 times. Without patience to beautify our deeds, our efforts come to nothing.

This is what Umar (radiAllahu anhu) meant when he said: "We found the best of our lives in patience."[Sahih AL-Bukhari #6104]

We can solve some problems with Allah SWT's help, and we can minimize others. As for those problems for which we cannot find a solution, we can do our best to accommodate them. If a person were to take a small square, no bigger than the palm of his hand, and place it right in front of his eye, that small square would completely block his vision. The same thing can be said of problems when we make them larger than they actually are and give over to them a good share of our lives, thoughts, and feelings so they become a serious impediment to our moving forward and living productively. The classical Arabian poet Mutanabbih writes:

The eye of a small person makes small things look large

And the eye of a great person makes great calamities look small.

And When a man grows accustomed to dwelling in the fear of death its arrival becomes the easiest possible event.

Without the least doubt, a person is going to face difficulties from his family, sometimes because they are worried about him, and sometimes because they are angry with him for violating their norms and customs, and sometimes because they love him, as love can bring about its own stresses.

He is going to face difficulties from society, from his school or university, from his job, and from the people he chooses to interact with.

Moreover, he is going to have to deal with difficulties emanating from within himself. Within him will be tendencies pulling him to do good and others pulling him to do evil. It will be as if his own inner condition is saying to him: "Why is it that I call you to salvation, yet you call me to the Fire?"

At the same time, this person, by way of supplication, devotion in prayer, and humility, will find Allah SWT's help and support, and Allah SWT will bless him the strength of will that he needs. He will also find help and support from his believing brethren who follow the same path.

Even when a problem springs from the inner depths of our being, we still must not let it bring us down. We must start afresh, take an assessment of our injuries, and bring our scattered wishes together. Then we must keep our eyes on the future instead of always looking back.

Is not Allah SWT the one who is Oft Forgiving and accepts our repentance? Are not we human beings all prone to error? Our hearts can be cleansed with the knowledge that Allah is forgiving and by keeping hope before us. We must leave our vanities and base passions aside so they will not kill our souls. A believer takes refuge in his Lord and keeps the company of people who will help him overcome the obstacles along the way and help him to strengthen his resolve and his commitment. If he pulls himself up every time he stumbles, he will surely arrive. (Insha'Allah Ta'ala)

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Signs of week Iman

• Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.
  
• Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.
  
• Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salaat
  Neglecting the Sunnah.
  
• Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.
  
• Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.
  
• Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.
  
• Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.
  
• Desiring status and wealth.
  
• Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.
  
• Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.
  
• Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.
  
• Being concerned with whether something is haraam or halal only; and not avoiding makrooh (not recommended) things.
  
• Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque, and spend their time in the way of Allah (Tableegh).
  
• Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.
  
• Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote & propagate Islam.
  
• Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.
  
• Becoming engrossed and very involved with duniya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.
  

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(Dawah) The Master Key

An article in an Arabic magazine headlined Al-Miftahul Azim (Master Key), citing dawah power as the greatest of all Islamic strengths, says that if in the past, Islam achieved its universal victories through dawah, today, it can turn its defeats into victories by the same method. Dawah is very much under discussion these days among Muslim writers and speakers. Its exponents, however, spend more time unraveling the plots and conspiracies hatched against them by non-Muslim nations than in practicing what they preach. That is to say that, on the one hand, they exhort Muslims to assume the role of da’is (the person giving dawah) while, on the other hand, they assure them with great vehemence that as far as the Muslims are concerned, all the nations of the world have turned into rapacious wolves and, as such, must be fought against and annihilated. Both these utterances are made in the same breath, without any awareness of their contradictory nature, the one spelling peace and the other spelling war. And who are these nations who, day in and day out, are labeled oppressors and conspirators? They are those very non-Muslim nations who are the potential recipients of dawah. They are our mad’us (the persons recieving dawah). The Muslims are the da’is and their neighboring nations are the mad’us. Now, when da’is are constantly having it bored into them that the mad’u is a cruel predator, there can be no arousal of any sincere missionary spirit as described in the Qur’an: the da’is is truly a well-wisher of his mad’u. Dawah is wholly an experience of love. The da‘i must be fully committed to guiding his mad’u. Only then can the process of dawah be meaningful. The da’is must ignore the antagonism and combativeness of the mad’u; he must erase all adverse impressions of the mad’u from his heart, so that he may spontaneously begin praying for the mad’u’s guidance. People talk of dawah without ever realizing its prerequisites. They want the credit for being da’is without ever fulfilling its demands. They want the credit for communicating the divine message to man without paying the price for it. This is true not only of the weak Muslim minority in non-Muslim countries, but also of the Muslim majority living in Muslim countries. The only difference between these two categories is that the former have endless grievances against the local non-Muslim authorities, while the latter blame their woes on international non-Muslim powers such as the Jews, Christians, Orientalists, and so on. In Islam, the most important consideration of all is dawah. All other considerations, no matter how serious and important they may be, can be legitimately passed over in its favor. The Sunnah of the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) gives such clear guidelines on this subject as leaves no doubt in the mind of a lover of Truth. Shortly before his migration to Madina, the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) visited Ta’if. There, scorned by the inhabitants, he was subjected to the worst kind of humiliations details of which can be had from Sirah books. The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) later told his wife, Aishah (RA), that he had never had a harder day than the one in Ta’if. It was when the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) left Ta’if in great grief and sorrow that he was visited by the angel of the mountains at Allah SWT’s command. He said to the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), "Allah SWT has heard what your people had said to you. I am the angel of the mount. If you ask me I can crush their settlement by these mountains". The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) replied, "No, I am still hopeful that there will arise people among their following generations who will worship Allah without associating anything with Him." (As-Sirah an-Nabawiyya li Ibn Kathir vol. II, p. 153). It is quite plain that dawah is the master key. But it takes a great heart to make use of it. It takes a character of the utmost sublimity—khuluqin azim, as it is described in the Qur’an. Only those who possess such qualities can recognize and utilize such opportunities as come their way. Allah SWT has made dawah the master key for believers for all time. Whatever the Muslims gained in the first phase of Islamic history was through dawah. Any future gains will likewise be through dawah (Insha'Allah), for the revolution brought about by the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) and his companions (RAA) in world history is still making its impact. It has facilitated the process of dawah and invested them with great power. It is still the super key to meaningful achievement in the world of religion. In modern times, the latest methods of communication have provided new avenues for the propagation of Islam. But even more important is the development of various branches of scientific research which have quite finally established the veracity of Islam. What was formerly achieved by our predecessors in circumstances fraught with great difficulty because of poor, or non-existent communications, and a lack of scientific proofs, can now be accomplished with comparative ease. (Alhamdulillah) Dawah is certainly the master key for believers. But it will prove to be so only when true Islamic prerequisites are kept in mind.
Jazakallah-e-khairan wa Kathiran

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