Tawheed is the key

Reflecting on Death
As we know we should remember death often and reflect about it and prepare for the next life.
We know that death is certain and it will come for each and everyone of us. But the question is, in what state? Have we prepared for the long journey?

Whenever we travel somewhere we pack a huge bag, your mom gives you food enough for a big family, your stressed and the only thing on your mind is your trip.

But how much have we prepared for our final journey? Are we really prepeared? Did we pack a whole bag of good deeds, and did we make a lot of food for the heart [thikr] to be ready for our trip?

We all know people who have left this dunya, some closer than others. Your heart longs after meeting them again. But have you ever thought about how you will meet that person, and where?

Think about one person you know who have left this dunya and know for sure that you will meet this person again either in:

1-Jannah: where those who love eachother will meet “In the Gardens of delight (Paradise), Facing one another on thrones” [As-saffat,44-45]. You will enter with what you have earned and raced to reach. You will run for the meeting while your still in dunya you long after following this righteous brother/sister and wish to meet them. This meeting will take place on pulpits of light made for them only. The prophets and shuhadaa’ would wish the same as it was mentioned in a hadeeth.

2-Jahannam: what an evil abode! Regret, sorrow and punishment. The day when you will regret but for no good, it would be too late to regret and wish you never knew that person.

“And (remember) the Day when the Zalim (wrong-doer, oppressor, polytheist, etc.) will bite at his hands, he will say: “Oh! Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger ( Muhammad SAW). “Ah! Woe to me! Would that I had never taken so-and-so as a friend!” [Al-Furqaan, 27-29]

“It will profit you not this Day (O you who turn away from Allah’s remembrance and His worship, etc.) as you did wrong, (and) that you will be sharers (you and your Qarin) in the punishment.” [Az-Zukhruf, 39]

3-That you would be in jannah and he/she would be in jahannam! You will look at him and feel sorry for what hes going through. The cover is lifted between you and if it wasnt that Allaah made you recognize him, you wouldnt because of the colour and the changes that happened to him.

You would call him: “And the dwellers of Paradise will call out to the dwellers of the Fire (saying): “We have indeed found true what our Lord had promised us; have you also found true, what your Lord promised (warnings, etc.)?” They shall say: “Yes.” Then a crier will proclaim between them: “The Curse of Allah is on the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers, etc.),”[al-A'raaf.44]

What a vision that would burn you heart from pain, sorrow and regret.

“And those in the Fire will say to the keepers (angels) of Hell: “Call upon your Lord to lighten for us the torment for a day!” They will say: “Did there not come to you, your Messengers with (clear) evidences and signs? They will say: “Yes.” They will reply: “Then call (as you like)! And the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but in error!”[Ghaafir 49-50]

4-That you are in jahannam while they are in jannah: you look at them and what blessings they received. You would ask him and beg from him whole you feel the fire on your back. You call him and those with him in jannah, “And the dwellers of the Fire will call to the dwellers of Paradise: “Pour on us some water or anything that Allah has provided you with.” They will say: “Both (water and provision) Allah has forbidden to the disbelievers.” [al-A'raaf.50]

but

“Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgement that they make.”[al-Jaathiyah,21]

SubhanAllah have you ever thought about that? Have you thought about how few deeds you have, and your sins, how many they are? What if you stand on judgement day, and you realize “i will end in jahannam”, is there anyone who would help you? Share some of their deeds with you? Feel sorry for you? Or will everyone be nafsy nafsy?

Imagine this in front of you! How much would you regret that day? And how many people would you run to and scream”forgive me for backbiting you i dont have enough hasanat”?? forgive me for this and that, who would help you on that day? The day where even the prophets would say nafsy nafsy! would your tears help you? Your regret? What would help you?

“Answer the Call of your Lord (i.e. accept the Islamic Monotheism, O mankind, and jinns) before there comes from Allah a Day which cannot be averted. You will have no refuge on that Day nor there will be for you any denying (of your crimes as they are all recorded in the Book of your deeds).“[ash-shua'raa', 47]

That day you would know your results!

Imagine yourself runnng to the gates of paradise and they’d be closed right at your face! (if you would get that far)

May Allaah save us from the punishments of jahannam and enter us the gardens of jannah..Ameen!

How she was guided!

The narrator tells her story saying:

“My story started 3 years ago, in that period i was busy with fashion, style and the outer appearance and i was completly away from Allaah. I used to pray 1 obligatory prayer and scip 20, i was worse than beeing heedless. All i was interested in was the TV world and the superficial life. Allaah gave me beauty to take care of as a blessing from Him, but i used it to show off with it and i wanted to become a model on tv, but something unexpected happened.

One day i was hanging clothes on a rope in the balcony from the 4th floor, suddenly i lost balance and fell down from the 4th floor and everyone had lost hope in me returning back to life, but Allaahs mercy is beyong everything. I had broken bones from my back, arms and legs and other places and a shake in my brain, But alhamdulillaahi Rabbil ‘alameen. My recovery journey started and i went through some pains that i can not describe, and I stayed in my bed without moving for 6 months. My mother and relatives would pray to Allaah for my recovery and that i would be able to stand up once more. Most of the time i was away or asleep because of the medicin. And when Allaah gave me shifaa’ i started to think about what if i had died with empty scrolls? How would i meet Allaah, what ave i prepared for Judgement day? Nothing!

From there i got to know the right path and i started wearing hijaab and got closer to Allaah with eveything i had, and i knw that if i would continue to thank Him for His blessings that cannot be counted, and that He love me and made me go through this so that i could wake up from what i was in, and that He didnt take my life while i was heedless. So sisters believe me, how wonderful is the worship of Allaah alone!

And i ask Allaah to forgive us and let us enter His gardens, for He is capable of all things.”

Note:this story is not a really tawbah story from jaahiliyyah to emaan..but a repentance from sins..something we all need inshaAllah u’ll benefit from it

The affects of backbiting

Noora was a righteous and practicing girl. She knew about the prohibition of backbiting and to talk about the honour of muslims in a negative way, that it was one of the major sins and she knew the punishment prepared for those who commit this sin.

Once she went to visit some relatives and she sat in gathering with some women and young girls. The conversations were many until shaitan made them talk about Fulaanah, eating her flesh by backbiting her, dishonouring her and making fun of her.

Noora wanted to forbid the evil they were comitting and make them stop the evil talk about this muslimah but shaitan and her nafs stopped her from doing it with the excuse of “shyness and embarrasment” in front of those in the gathering, not wanting to make them feel uncomfortable!!

And here the caller of imaan in her heart told her to leave the gathering of backbiting and go into another room! But she didnt do it beacuse she was shy and embarrast in front of the women and didnt want them to call her strange names!

When she returned to her house she prayed but didnt feel the sweetness of prayer that she was used to feel. She opened the Qur’aan and read from it without feeling the sweetness of Qur’aan! She stood up to pray at night to seek her Lord but without feeling the sweetness of night prayers!!

She turned to herself, putting herself to account and was searching for the reason to this sudden change she felt in her heart. Allaah made her realize that it was because she was sitting in the gathering of backbiting even though she didnt participate in it. She turned to Allaah, seeking Him and repenting for that sin. Still she felt inside that she should punish her nafs so that it wouldnt think about returning to that sin again! She made an oath to Allaah that she would fast a whole week as a kaffaara for her sins and as a lesson to her nafs!

She fasted the whole week and she felt the hunger and thirst and she was tired. Everytime she would feel the pain of hunger and thirst she would tell her nafs: patience on hunger and thirst is better than patience in the fire of hell!

From that day Noora would not sit in a gathering of backbiting, slandering, sins or evil. She would either forbid the evil or leave the gathering!

We Ask Allaah to keep us firm on the straight path and protect us from backbiting and slandering. And may Allaah make us of those who forbid the evil and stay away from its people. Ameen

[From "Nisaa' Rabbahunnal-Qur'aan"]

How she repented

A young girl narrates her story saying:” I grew up in an islamic home among righteous parents who was worshipping Allaah and seeking His pleasure. My parents did what they could to give me an islamic upbringing. When i reached the age of puberty i chose the wrong way and i ran after the prohibited desires. My misguidance increased after i got married to a man who also was off the straight path. I didnt ask about his Deen and in front of me he was showing good characters, and I only realized how he was after marriage. He would give me music tapes that i wasnt used to listen to before! And he made me take off my hijaab and made me fall into a lot of major sins.

As days passed by after i lived with that husband who was one of the main reasons for my further misguidance, i left salah completly and i forgot about worshipping my Lord. I comitted so many sins in search for what they claim is happiness! I didnt find the happiness i was looking for in all those sins, but i only found misery . I would always feel worried and constricted, and it would take contol over me when i was alone and it filled my heart. I would always be angry, nervous, concerned and would always feel disturbed from the inside. I didnt taste the sweetness of marriage with that husband for one moment. He was busy with his new adventures with different women. He left me to suffer alone from the pains of misguidance and the fall into the darkness of ignorance. I tried to commit suicide more than once to be free from this dark and borring life, but every time i didnt have succes.

One day i found a tape with different suwar from the Qur’an by the qaari’ Ahmad al-Ajamy. I listened to it while he wasreciting the verses from the Book of Allaah with his beautiful voice and i ws affected a lot by those verses and burst out crying. I began to Call unto Allaah and and seek Him in the fajr hours asking Him to open the way of guidance for me, beutify iman in my heart and to make me hate fusooq and sins. Allaah accepted my duaa and i traded the path of guidance and walked on the straight path. I began to pray my salaah on time and i started to wear the islamic hijaab and i kept away from sins. I left that husband even though i had so much love for him, and he who leave something for the sake of Allaah, will be blessed with something better.”

[The book " al-'a'idoon ila Allaah"]

The Prophet Said:

There is no one amongst you that makes Wudoo’, and does so perfectly, and then says, ‘I Testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah. He is alone, having no partners. And I bear witness and testify that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger’, except that all eight doors of Paradise are opened for him, and he can enter into it through whichever one he pleases.

Reported by Muslim (#234) and others.

 The Sunnah of kuhl

To apply (surmah, antimony, collyrium) in the eyes is mustabab. One should use kuhl with the intention of ajr (thawaab, reward). It benefits the eye and one receives ajr for following the sunnah also. Imaam Tirmidhi mentions five ahaadith in this chapter.

Hadith Number 1

Ibn ‘Abbaas Radiyallahu ‘Anhu says:

“Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘Use kuhl made of ithmid on the eye; it brightens the eyesight, and strengthens and increases the growth of the eye lashes’. (Sayyidina Ibn’Abbaas Radiyallahu’Anhu also used to say) ‘Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallarn had a small container for keeping kuhl, from which he applied kuhl in each eye three times every night“‘.

Commentary

Ithmid is a special type of kuhl which is reddish black in colour. It is obtained in the Eastern countries. Some of the learned say it is the Isfahaani kuhl, and other say it is the Totiya. Some ‘ulama say, it means those who have good eyesight and it should be used by those with whose eyesight it agrees, otherwise a sick person’s eyes will pain more by its use. It is more beneficial to apply kuhl at the time of sleeping as it will remain longer in the eyes, and will penetrate more into the pores. There are different narrations on the number of times it should be applied in each eye. In a few it is stated that it should be applied three times in each eye, as mentioned above. In other narrations it is stated that it should be put three times in the right eye and two times in the left eye. It is supposed that the variations are because of the different times of the narrations. At a certain time, Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam applied it in one manner and at another time in the other manner. Haafiz Ibn Hajar, Mulla ‘Ali Qaari and other ‘ulama have preferred the first method (as given in the hadith under discussion). the first method has been narrated many times from Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu’ Alayhi Wasallam, as will be seen in the narration that follow.

Hadith Number 2

Ibn ‘Abbaas Radiyallahu ‘Anhu reports: “Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam applied kuhl of ithmid three times in each eye before sleeping’. In a narration also from Ibn ‘Abbaas Radiyallahu ‘Anhu, it is reported: “Rasuluilah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam had a small container for keeping kuhl, from which he applied in each eye kuhl three times before sleeping’.

Hadith Number 3

Jaabir bin ‘Abdullah Radiyallahu ‘Anhu says: “Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘Use the kuhl made from ithmid for the eyes. It brightens the vision and strengthens the growth of the eye lashes’

Hadith Number 4

Ibn ‘Abbaas Radiyallahu ‘Anhu says: “Rasulullah Sallallah ‘Alayhi Wasallam has said: ‘The best from among all the kuhl used by you is the one made from ithmid. It brightens the eyesight and strengthens the growth of the eye lashes”‘

Hadith Number 5

‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar Radiyallahu ‘Anhu related the same hadith from Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallarn that: “Verily use the kuhl made from ithmid. It brightens the vision and strengthens the growth of the eye lashes”.

Commentary

In all the above narrations the use of kuhl made from ithmid has be stressed. Only those eyes are meant, that agree with the use of it, otherwise, because of certain eye conditions kuhl does not agree with some people, as was mentioned previously. The ‘ulama have written that due to these commands and practices it is sunnah to use kuhl, and it is better to use the one made from ithmid. If one uses kuhl made from any other substance it will be regarded as sunnah, but the virtue is obtained by using kuhl made of ithmid.

Of course sisters shouldnt wear it outside, unless they cover their eyes.

.: Description of Paradise in the Hadeeth :.

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “The people of Paradise will look at the dwellers of lofty mansions (i.e. a superior place in Paradise) in the same way as one looks at a brilliant star, far away in the East or in the West of the horizon. This is because of their superiority over one another (in reward).” One of the people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger, are these lofty mansions for the Prophets which no one else can reach?”

The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, replied, “No! By Allah, in whose Hands is my life, these are for men who believe in Allah and also believe in the Messenger.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Musa al-Ash’ari narrated that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “Verily, for the believers in Paradise, are tents made of a single hollow pearl. The length of which would be sixty miles long from all sides, their wives being therein. The believer will go around them (i.e., visit them) and they will not be able to see each other.” (Sahih al-Jami)

Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “There is not a tree in Paradise, except that its trunk is made of gold.” (Sahih al-Jami)

Anas ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “Verily in Paradise there is a market in which (the inhabitants of Paradise) will come to every Friday. The North wind will blow and scatter fragrances on their faces and on their clothes. This will add to their beauty and their attractiveness. They will then go back to their families after having an added luster to their beauty and their attractiveness. Their families will say to them, ‘By Allah you have been increased in beauty and loveliness after leaving us,’ and they will say, ‘By Allah you too have increased in beauty and attractiveness after us.’” (Muslim)

Jabir ibn Abdullah narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, “(I saw in a dream that) I entered Paradise, and behold, there was a palace built of gold. I asked, ‘Whose is this palace?’ They (the angels) replied, ‘For a man from the Quraysh.’ So I thought it might be I, so I asked, ‘And who is he?’ They said, ‘Umar Ibnul Khattab.’ Nothing stopped me form entering it except your Ghirah (sense of honor).” Umar said, “My Ghirah would never be offended by you, O Messenger of Allah.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Anas ibn Malik said that Allah’s Apostle sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said,
“I entered Paradise and found myself by a river, by its edges were tents of pearls. Then I tapped with my hands where the water was running, and there was then a beautiful smell of Musk. I asked, ‘What is this O Gabriel?’ He said, ‘This is Kawthar (river in Paradise) which Allah has given to you.’”
(Sahih al-Jami)
“The most common thing which leads people to Paradise is taqwa of Allah and good conduct, and the most common thing which leads people to the Hell Fire is the mouth and the private parts.” (Tirmithi)

“All of my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, who would refuse?” He said, “He who obeys me enters Paradise and he who disobeys me has refused.” (Bukhari)

 The Prophet (saw) saw Sidrat al-Muntahaa, a tree in Heaven, and near it, Paradise, as is mention in al-Bukhaari, and Muslim in the hadith of Anas (ra). At the end of this narrative of al-Israa, the Prophet (saw) said, “Then Jibreel brought me to Sidrat al-Muntahaa which was veiled in colours indescribable. Then I entered Paradise, and its lights were of pearls and its soil was musk”.

Muslim, Abu Dawud and Imaam Ahmad report from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that the Messenger (saw) said, “When Allaah (swt) created Paradise and Hell, He sent Jibreel to Paradise, saying “Go and look at it and at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants”. So he went and looked at it and at what Allaah had prepared therein for its inhabitants…. then He sent him to Hellfire saying, “Go and look at it and what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants” So he looked at it and saw that it was in layers, one above the other….”

Muslim reports from Aishah (ra) that there was a solar eclipse in the time of the Messenger (saw) and he said, “Whilst I was standing here I saw everything that you have been promised, I even saw myself picking some of the fruits of Paradise, when you saw me stepping forward. And I saw Hellfire, parts of it consuming other parts, when you saw me stepping backward”.

al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Ibn ‘Abbas the same incident, “I saw Paradise and I tried to take a bunch of its fruit. If I had managed to do so, you would have eaten from it until the end of time. And I saw the Fire of Hell, and I have never seen anything so horrific or terrifying. I saw that the majority of its inhabitants are women.” (Nas’al Allaah al ‘afiyah)

Muslim also reports from Anas that the Prophet (Saw) said, “By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, if you had seen what I saw, you would laugh little and cry much.” They said, “What did you see, O Messenger of Allaah?”, He said, “I saw Paradise and Hell”.

al-Bukhaari and Muslim report from Jaabir that the Messenger of Allaah said, “I entered Paradise where I saw ar-Rumaysa, the wife of Abu Talhah. And I heard footsteps and asked, “Who is that?” He (Jibreel) said, “That is Bilaal”. And I saw a palace with women in its courtyard. I asked, “Whose is this?” They said, It is for ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab” (Mishkaat al-Masaabih, 3/226)

 al-Bukhaari and Muslim report that Abu Hurayrah (ra) said, “Jibreel came to the Prophet (saw) said, “O Messenger of Allaah, Khadeejah is coming, carrying a container of food. When she comes to you, convey to her greetings of peace from her Rabb and from me, and give her the glad tidings of a house in Paradise made of brocade, in which there is no noise or exhaustion.”" [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 3/266]

Muslim, Abu Dawud, Ahmad, an-Nasaa’ee, and Ibn Maajah report from Umm Habeebah that the Messenger of Allaah (saw) said, “Whoever prays twelve extra [supererogatory] rak’ahs every day, Allaah (swt) will build for him a house in Paradise.” [Saheeh al-Jaami', 5/316, no. 6234]

The Light of Paradise

Ibn Katheer in his commentary on the aayah: “And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening. Such is the Paradise, which We shall give as an inheritance to those of Our slave who have been al-Muttaqoon [pious and righteous]” [19:62-63] said, “This means something approximate to the times of day and night, it does not mean that there will be a day and night there. They will know the passing of time by the changes in the light” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/471]

Ibn Taymiyyah said, “There is no sun and moon in Paradise, and no day or night, but they will know morning and evening from a light that shines from the direction of the Throne” [Majmu' Fataawa Shaikh al-Islaam, 4/312]

Allaahumma Innaa Nas’alukal Jannah Wa na’oothu Bika Min An-Naar

Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “What good is there in a person who sees the sacred things of Allah being violated, His limits transgressed, His religion forsaken, the Sunnah of His Messenger neglected, and yet he remains indifferent, with a `cold heart’ and silenced tongue, like a silent devil. Such people, besides being despised by Allah, have been afflicted by the worst disease, namely the death of their hearts. For the more the heart is alive and vibrant, the more its anger for the sake of Allah and His Messenger is felt, and the stronger and more complete its support for the Deen.”

[Quoted in the Book; In pursuit of Allaahs pleasure]

Whats the best thing for a sister..?

it was narrated from alee bin abee taalib, that he said they were sitting with the prophet saws, so he asked them, “whats the best thing for a woman”? so they stayed silent. so when he got back he asked his wife faatimah radiyallaahu anha, so she replied “that men dont see her” Alla yaraaha ar-Rijaal. so he mentioned that to the prophet saws and he said ” faatimah is a part of me”.

 

[Thank the one who offers you a naseeha]

“…The one who is truthful in his advice to you, who orders you to do good, who shows you your bad characters, deserve to be thanked by you. You thank the one who shows you a scorpion hidden on your body or on your clothes and you hurry to throw it away from you. Thats how you should behave towards the one who offers you a naseeha, who inform you about deeds you can come closer to Allaah with, who shows you your bad characters. For bad characters are disgusting scorpions that destroys the heart and leave its poison in it…”

May Allaah make us of “Those who listen to the Word [good advice La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) and Islamic Monotheism, etc.] and follow the best thereof (i.e. worship Allah Alone, repent to Him and avoid Taghut, etc.) those are (the ones) whom Allah has guided and those are men of understanding (like Zaid bin ‘Amr bin Nufail, Salman Al-Farisi and Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari).” [Az-Zumar, vers 18]