Fear Not

The fear one feels in this wordly life
Cannot compare to the dread of that day
When all shall stand before the one Lord
Sweating and shaking, no words to say

Think not of the jeers you receive today
For jeers too will be heard in the Hereafter
But only for those who disobeyed His will
For the loving slave, there is laughter

Strive forward, oh believer, and stand up tall
Fear not the abuse of the insults they throw
For the time will come, the balance shall show
He who suffered in this world, to Jannah will go

Allah Ta'aala's Knowledge

My teacher narrated a nice story yesterday during our tafseer lesson.

He mentioned how once Moosa Alayhis Salaam and Khidr Alayhis Salaam were on a ship. They noticed a bird drinking water from the sea. 

Khidr Alayhis Salaam then told Moosa Alayhis Salaam something very true, yet something we do not ponder over enough.

He mentioned that if the knowledge of Moosa Alayhis Salaam and the knowledge of Khidr Alayhis Salaam were put together, it would still not equal even the amount the bird drank from the sea, in comparison to vastness of Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala's knowledge.

It is something to think over, the next time we wonder why so and so thing has happened, or why Allah is not 'accepting' our du'aas, or why we are going through so many trials and tribulations. Trust in Allah Ta'aala's knowledge, because that is our salvation.

Planting Seeds

I heard a nice analogy by Mufti Ebrahim Salejee saheb Daamat Barakaatuhum in his after asr majlis today, so thought of sharing.

When a person thinks of planting some seeds so that crops grow, does he just plant some seeds in any land? No. What he does first is fix up the area. He will get rid of the stones and thorns and weeds. He will make sure the land is completely clean. He will also make sure that the soil is good for planting. Once that is done, the nhe will plant the seeds, and take care of it by watering the seeds and weeding the garden... and after a while Insha Allah there will be beautiful crops.

In the same way, our hearts are where we have to plant the seed of Allah's love, but for that we have to clean up our hearts first so that this seed can be properly taken care of and nourished, and so that insha Allah the flowers of Emaan blossom and eventually bear fruit.

Erase the Photo Craze

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “The people who will receive the severest punishment on the day of judgment are the picture makers (of animate objects).” 

The severity of photography is leaving our muslim community. When a sin becomes widespread, it is taken very lightly. We never imagined that this day will come, when let alone taking photographs, with the cell-phone almost everyone has become a camera-man videoing day to day outings and get togethers.

Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Every picture maker will be in the fire. For every picture that he makes, a living being will be created and will punish him in jahannam.”

As a muslim our firm Imaan will protect us from all forms of photography. Be it on the cell phone, computer screen or our photographs appearing in magazines and newspapers.

Many of us may have stopped taking photographs, let us now complete our repentance by erasing all stored images and by destroying all old albums containing our past photographs. May Allah Ta’ala protect and guide us all. Aameen!

 

Link

Forgive & Forget

A very beautiful majlis by Mufti Ebrahim Salejee, one that I feel everyone of us should listen to.

Just a few points I took down:

• The brave talk about might and power. Don't be proud because Allah doesn't like it.
• There is something even more powerful than might : The Pen
• Everything is stored by Allah, even our memories and thoughts.
• We should take out time and talk about Rasulullah Salla Allahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam.
• Rasulullah Salla Allahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam was the refuge for the orphans and the widows.
• Don't speak gheebat (backbite).
• Keep your heart clean. If it is not clean, then things will become rotten in your own heart, like carrying a sewer around.
• Today everyone is intelligent, but there are very few who have understanding.
• Ask Allah to grant us the qualities of Rasulullah Salla Allahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam
• Don't judge a whole group based on one person.
• Respect the symbols of Allah, be it the azaan, the cap (topee) etc.
• Be a part of one of these three groups - Muhajireen (ie the forerunners), Ansaar (ie the supporters), or the followers.
• Your deeds do not hold any weight before Allah Ta'aala's grandeur.
• The weightiest thing on the scale is good manners. "I won't demand my rights in this world or the hereafter."

Listen to the talk from this Link -> Forgive & Forget

Child's Play

Computer games, comics, fiction novels, apparently harmless cards, metal disks found in various food products … and many other such "toys" have become the "in-thing" with most children and teenagers. Yet, are they really as harmless as they seem? And do they have no effect on the impressionable minds of young children? Many parents have experienced that a great number of these forms of "entertainment" have a dramatic negative impact on young minds. If one looks carefully at these toys, with the spectacles of Imaan and through the eyes of the Qur'an and Sunnah, the danger will be glaring.

SHIRK IN GAMES

 

Among the thousands of titles of computer games, subtle messages of immoral behaviour and even shirk (idol worship) can be discerned. The "characters" in one game can be controlled to interact with other characters in various ways. Some of these ways are clearly what amounts to illicit contact in terms of Shariah. Imagine the effect on children who continuously control the characters to behave in an illicit manner? Another game takes the player through various stages wherein he conquers the enemies. As he progresses to higher levels, he eventually comes to the "Grand Temple" and his prize is to come into the court of the "Grand Master," etc. In the process of these "games" many subtle messages settle in the mind and heart. Allah forbid, they could become the stepping-stone to acting in a like manner in real life.

METAL DISKS AND CARDS

The metal disks and cards in packets of chips, boxes of cereals and other products are also a cause for great concern. Apart from the eerie faces and horrid pictures on the cards, they largely centre around magic, wizards and fairies. The "powers" of one card character is listed as "omnipotent." Omnipotence is an attribute of Allah Ta'ala alone. The aspect of shirk in this is obvious. 

Fiction novels are another major factor in the breakdown of Islamic morals and respect in the youth. Many fiction books that are very popular among school-going boys and girls are books that encourage "dating" and in general the illicit boy-girl relationships that are a standard feature in Western society. A Muslim teenage girl came to a local dressmaker and asked for her garment to be sewed in exactly the same immoral style as the character of a popular novel series that she was reading! Many comic books also centre around illicit boy-girl relationships. Children reading these "comics" for entertainment are affected by the behaviour of the characters. The negative effects are bound to fall in their impressionable minds.

Parents can never afford to be complacent with regard to what their children play with. The damage to their character and Imaan can be disastrous. We cannot allow anyone to play with the Imaan and character of our children!!! 

Link

She Weeps... She Cries

Raindrops falling from the heavens above

Tell me why she weeps, my beloved sky?

What makes her turn so dull and gray

And what is the reason for her heartsick cry?

Why does she stay not blue and bright

And why do her winds continue to sigh?

Oh human, Oh you made of coloured sand

How could one like you understand her pain?

The best you were made among all His creation

So much you can do, so much you can gain

Yet time you squander and goodness deny

Oh human, she cries, for you are your own bane

Sportmania: Taking Stock

Dear sincere Muslim, Dear follower and true lover of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam):

While the sportmania has gripped the world, sit back briefly and ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I also overwhelmed by all the media hype about a bunch of people kicking a ball around? (If yes, it means the propaganda machine has found another victim.)

2. Have I ever missed any salaah, or missed performing it with Jama’ah in the Musjid, due to sports? (If yes, then sports is your terrible enemy since it is taking you on the path of Allah Ta’ala’s wrath!)

3. Do I know more about kaafir sports stars than what I know about Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)? (If yes, ... no words can describe something so ghastly. Stop! For Allah’s sake stop ... Stop and make amends, before your heart stops and it is too late.)

4. Since most people have been caught up in this insane frenzy, will I also blindly follow the hordes irrespective of what effect it has on my Imaan? Or do I have the courage of my convictions to say “Enough is enough!?” (Answer that with the Imaan in your heart!)

Link

Differing with Love

Abbas bin Abdul Azeem al-Ambari reports: “I was seated in the company of Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal (rahmatullahi alaih) when Ali bin Madeeni (rahmatullahi alaih) came mounted on a conveyance. They debated regarding a certain issue until their voices raised and I feared that this will cause ill-feelings between them two. When Ali (rahmatullahi alaih) intended to leave, Imaam Ahmad (rahmatullahi alaih) stood up and held the stirrup of his conveyance.”

Yunus bin Abdul A`laa as-Sadafi (rahmatullahi alaih) – one of the special students of Imaam Shaafi`ee (rahmatullahi alaih) says: “I never saw anyone more intelligent than Imaam Shaafi`ee (rahmatullahi alaih). One day we debated regarding a certain mas’alah and then separated. Thereafter, Imaam Shaafi`ee (rahmatullahi alaih) met me, held my hand and said, ‘O Abu Moosa! Can’t we remain as brothers although we do not agree in even one mas’alah?”

Shaikh Muhammad Awwamah (hafizahullah) comments: “Consider his statement, ‘Although we do not agree in even one mas’alah.’ This means that our disagreeing in every issue should not affect the cordiality of our brotherhood.” (Adab-ul-Ikhtilaaf, p. 81, 82)

 Link

Pillars Alone?

Just a thought that has been coming to me for the last few days.

Many people feel that once they are abiding by the five pillars of islam...

ie:

1. Emaan
2. Salaah
3. Zakaah
4. Sawm
5. Hajj

...they are complete Muslims.

However, a building does not only constitute of pillars. There are many other things that make up a building. So, while these five pillars are the foundation of a Muslim, the rest of the commands of Allah and His Rasul Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam are just as important, even if they are something we deem small. 

Otherwise, it is just like a house without roof and walls.