Know that if you are patient…..

 

Ali bin Abu Talib went to Ash’ath to console him upon the death of one of his sons. He said,

“If you are sad, then you are deserving of mercy, but if you are patient, then Allah gives you something in place of what was lost or destroyed. Know that if you are patient, everything that was destined for you and preordained for you will occur and you will be rewarded. If you complain and are hopeless, then likewise all that was destined for you will occur, except that you will be blamed for your impatience in Allahs Will.”

 

source: Gems & Jewels; Wise Sayings, Interesting Events & Moral Lessons from Islamic History, Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid, pg 59

The Many Guises of Backbiting

“There are those from the people that backbite or listen to backbiting, and they do so to please the company they keep, with the awareness that the victim is likely to be innocent of some of the things that are uttered about him. Often such offenders feel that if they were to attempt to end such conversation in a gathering, their presence might become unwelcome or burdensome.

There are many methods and guises that are employed when one mentions another in a negative way. Under the pretense of being informative, one could say that it is not one’s habit to mention others, except for the sake of relating another’s condition to someone. Or one could state that by Allah, indeed so-and-so is one to be pitied, thereby showing superiority over one who is to be rejected.

Another method might be to day that so-and-so is a good person; however, he has such and such qualities. Again, one is justified in revealing another’s faults. One could simply state that we should forgive so-and-so, and make supplication for their forgiveness as well as our own, intending only to belittle the one that was mentioned. In reality, all these tactics are designed to deceive Allah and to please the creation; and in reality, the many that follow these methods only serve to deceive themselves.

Then there are those that backbite to raise their own status. When they hear of someone’s error, they employ words like, “Had I prayed for so-and-so last night in  my prayer, the news of their sin would not have reached my ears.” Again, when a person states of another that he lacks understanding in a matter, the implication is personal superiority for the one that mentions the others shortcoming.

There are also those that couple jealousy with backbiting – the act of being critical or belittling to those that are praised in the company of others. Some people also backbite for the sake of humor, playfulness and lightheartedness. A person finds a certain amount of satisfaction from being appreciated for his story-telling abilities, speaking ill of someone in a humorous fashion adds flavour to a tale.

Others engage in backbiting by showing amazement at another’s actions: “How is it that someone could do such a thing?” Yet others mention people and their actions with the pretense of sympathy for their actions or misfortunes. In reality, the one who backbites actually finds contentment and satisfaction at the mention of others and their misdeeds. Another form of backbiting is relating someone’s misfortune to their enemies, so that they, too, may find pleasure in putting them down. From these examples, one can surmise that backbiting pertains to a disease of the heart…

May Allah save us from this most evil of actions and protect us from its temptations.”

– Ibn Taymiyya

source: Gems & Jewels; Wise Sayings, Interesting Events & Moral Lessons from Islamic History, Compiled by: Abdul-Malik Mujahid, page 54  – 55

‘Glad tidings for whoever makes himself hungry in anticipation of the Great Day’

Abu Musa al-Ash’ari was on a boat, and he heard someone calling out: “O passengers, stand up!” And he said this three times. So, Abu Musa told him: “How can we stand up? Don’t you see where we are? How can we stand up?” So, the caller said: “Let me tell you of a rule that Allah made upon Himself: whoever makes himself thirsty for Allah’s sake on a hot day has the right upon Allah to have his thirst quenched on the Day of Resurrection.” So, Abu Musa would search out the days that were so hot that one would feel he was being cooked, and he would fast those days.

Ka’b said that Allah Said to Musa: “I made it incumbent upon Myself that whoever is thirsty for My sake will have his thirst quenched on the Day of Resurrection,” and others said that it’s written in the Torah: “Glad tidings for whoever makes himself hungry in anticipation of the Great Day where he will have his hunger satisfied, and glad tidings for whoever makes himself thirsty in anticipation of the Great Day where he will have his thirst quenched.”

The Virtues of Fasting in the Summer

“What do you think about a man who committed a sin?”

وَمَن يَعۡمَلۡ سُوٓءًا أَوۡ يَظۡلِمۡ نَفۡسَهُ ۥ ثُمَّ يَسۡتَغۡفِرِ ٱللَّهَ يَجِدِ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا
And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s Forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Surah AnNisa (4): 110]

It is reported that a man came to Ali and asked, What do you think about a man who committed a sin? He replied, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him.

[The man] said, He did that, but then sinned again? [Ali] said, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him. The man again said, He did that, but returned to sin. [Ali] said, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him.

The man said for the fourth time, He did, but then sinned again. Ali then said, Until when? Then he said, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him; and not give up until it is Shayṭān who is defeated [overcome].

Hunād b. Al-Sarī, Kitāb Al-Zuhd

And Allâh is Well-Acquainted with what you do

إِن تُبۡدُواْ ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِىَ‌ۖ وَإِن تُخۡفُوهَا وَتُؤۡتُوهَا ٱلۡفُقَرَآءَ فَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّڪُمۡ‌ۚ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنڪُم مِّن سَيِّـَٔاتِڪُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ۬

If you disclose your Sadaqât (alms-giving), it is well, but if you conceal them, and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (Allâh) will expaite you some of your sins. And Allâh is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

[Surah Baqarah (2):271]

It is reported that Abu Al Aliyah said, “I learned writing and the Quran without my family noticing, and not a drop of ink was ever seen on my garment.”

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyâ` Vol. 2 p217.

It is reported that when Ibn Abi Layla prayed [at night], if someone entered [his house], he would lie down on his bed [as if he was sleeping].

Ibid. Vol. 4 p351.

It is reported that Ayyûb Al-Sakhtiyânî used to pray all night and hide it. In the morning, he would raise his voice as if he had just woken up

Al-Dhahabî, op. cit. Vol. 6 p17.

It is reported that Dawud b. Abi Hind fasted for forty years without his family knowing, he would take his lunch out with him and donate it in the street.

Ibid. Vol. 6 p378.

Quotes taken from SayingsOfTheSalaf

Hajj Poem: The Farewell Tawaf (part six)

[The Farewell Tawaf]

When they’ve achieved at Mina all their gains,

Once more they fill the valleys and plains:

To the Ka’bah, the Sacred House, by the end of the day,

To circle it seven times, and then to Pray.

When departure nears and they are certain

That the bond of proximity is about to loosen,

There’s only a last stand for a final farewell:

Now for Allah are the eyes that swell,

And for Allah are the heavy hearts that turn

Into cauldrons of desire where fire does burn;

And the passionate sighs whose heat so vigorous

Nearly melts the Lover, ecstatic, rapturous!

Now you see those bewildered, perplexed in the throng,

Whilst others chant their sorrowful song:

“I depart, but there remains for You my yearning,

My fire of grief is raging and burning;

I bid farewell, but longing pulls my reins –

My heart is encamped in Your eternal plains!”

No blame today for saying what you feel:

No blame for expressing what you used to conceal!

– Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah

O Allah grant us the chance to make Hajj

Hajj Poem: Mina (part five)

[Mina]

Then they return to Mina, each to his tent,

Every minute wish is granted, and they are content;

They stay there a day, then another, then a third,

They’re allowed to depart early, but to stay is preferred;

They stone the pillars daily after the sun’s decline,

With a slogan of Takbir in the presence of the Divine!

If only you could see their standing there:

Palms outstretched, hoping for Mercy’s share!

“O Lord! O Lord! Knowing as You do

That we hope for no-one, only You!

Then grant our wish, O You All-Knowing,

We pray for Your Mercy overflowing.”

Part Six: The Farewell Tawaf comming soon

Hajj Poem: Muzdalifah and Mina (part four)

[Muzdalifah & Mina]

Now to Muzdalifah, to spend the night

In the Sacred Area, then Prayer at first light;

Now on to the Great Pillar, which they need

To stone at the time of the Prayer of ‘Id;

Now to their tents for the sacrifice prepared,

Reviving the tradition of a Father revered.

If sacrificing themselves were Allah’s demand,

They would respond, submitting to the command;

Just as they’d expose their necks in Jihad

To Allah’s enemies, till these stream with blood;

They discipline themselves, presenting the head for a shave:
Bringing humility and happiness to the obedient slave.
…..

[The Tawaf of Ifadah/Ziyarah]

So when they’ve removed those natural growths,

Completed their rites, and fulfilled their oaths,

He invites them again to visit His House:

What honour and welcome this visit allows!

By Allah, they visit it in so much splendour,

Receiving their rewards and plenty of honour;

There Allah bestows Grace, Favour and Kindness,

Showing Generosity, Mercy and Forgiveness.

Part Five: Mina here

The Hajj: ‘Arafah (part three)

[‘Arafat]

Now to ‘Arafat, hoping for Mercy and Forgiveness

From the One overflowing with Generosity and Kindness;

Now for Allah is that Magnificent Standing

Like, though lesser than, the Day of Reckoning.

The Irresistible draws near, His Majesty manifest,

Boasting to His angels, for He is the Mightiest,

“My slaves have come to Me so lovingly,

I’ll be Generous and Merciful, willingly.

I have forgiven their sins, – to this you are witness –

Fulfilled their hopes, and showered them with goodness.”

So joyous news! O people of that standing,

When sins are forgiven and Mercy is spreading;

How many slaves are set completely free?

Whilst others seek a cure, and heal will He.

Now Satan is never known to lose such face:

He’s blameworthy, rejected, in utter disgrace.

For he sees a matter that enrage him must:

He flees, slaps his face and covers it in dust!

Such Forgiveness he never did see

As granted by the Lord, and such Mercy!

He built his edifice from every temptation available

Till he thought it was complete, unassailable;

Then Allah struck his building at its very foundation,

So it fell upon him, tumbling in devastation;

What worth has his structure, this evil ploy,

That he does build, and the Lord does destroy?

…

Part Four: Muzdalifah & Mina here

There is great virtue in fasting the day of Arafat

‘Flee with religion from tribulations to Allah’

The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Worship during the time of bloodshed is like emigrating to me.”

(Sahih Muslim)

Imam al Nawawi  said: “The reason for this virtue is because during such times, people are usually heedless of worshiping Allah and are usually preoccupied with other affairs and you will find that no one frees himself for worship except a few.”

Ibn al ‘Arabi  said: “Worshiping is likened to emigration because the first emigration (from Makkah) was to flee from the abode of disbelief to the abode of faith and its people. Then when tribulations occur it becomes binding upon man to flee with his religion from the tribulation to worship Allah…”

‘If we are not from the people of worship during times of ease, what will happen when the tribulations occur! May Allah safeguard us from all tribulations, the apparent and hidden.’ – Ustaadh Alomgir Ali