Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet

Allah (tabaarak ta wa ta’aala) says in His Noble Book:

“O you who have believed, do not put [yourselves] before Allah and His Messenger, but fear Allah . Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” [al-Ḥujurat 49:1]

Concerning this verse, al-Awfi stated: "He forbade them from speaking during His speech." (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

It is also known that whenever Imam Malik ibn Anas, the Imam of Dar al-Hijrah (rahimahullaah), would begin his lessons of Ḥadith, if anyone was talking, he would censure and rebuke them by reciting the statement of Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu): "O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet." [al-Ḥujurat 49:2] 

Some scholars have stated that the person who talks over the narration of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) Ḥadith, it is as if they are talking directly over him.

The sittings of knowledge - most specifically those which take place in the masajid - should be held in reverence and honor of the texts and narrations being recited. Are we not aware of the conduct of the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in such circumstances? In the authentic narration collected by Imam Aḥmad in his Musnad on the authority of al-Bara ibn Azib (radhiAllaahu anhu), who said: 

" …He (i.e. the Prophet) sat, and [the companions] sat around him; it was as if there were birds on their heads." The saying "as if there were birds on their heads" is a way of describing how quiet and still they were, quiet and still as statues. 

The noble scholar Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣaliḥ al-Uthaymin (rahimahullaah) stated: "[This was] out of respect for the Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him) and in honor of the venerableness of this sitting." (Sharḥ Riyaḍ al-Ṣaliḥin)

Beware of the Hardness of the Heart!

Beware of the Hardness of the Heart!

Beware of the Hardness of the Heart, for it can lead you to the Fire. So protect your heart from becoming hard and all that which may cause it to harden, and beware of turning away from the admonition of Allah, the Most High. 

Allah, the Most High says: "Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah's Reminder (this Qur'an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injîl (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun (the rebellious, the disobedient to Allah)." [Soorah al-Hadeed 57:16] 

It has been mentioned in explanation of this verse, which has been reported by Abu Hazim, that Amir ibn Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr related to him that his father informed him that only four years had passed between the time of their acceptance of Islam and the revelation of this verse, through which Allah was reproaching them (sahih in Sunan Ibn Majah). 

Ibn 'Abbas said in explanation of this verse, "They became inclined to this world and turned away from the admonition of Allah" (al Baghawi mentions in his tafsir)

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Ikhlaas and Tawheed are a tree in the heart. Its branches are good actions.

Its fruits are a good life in this world, and eternal comfort in the Hereafter, 

and just like in Paradise the fruits whose supply is not cut off, nor are they out of reach, 

likewise are the fruits of Tawheed and Ikhlaas in this world.  

Ibn al-Qayyim – 'al-Fawaid' 292 

O people, all of you are praying confidentially to your Lord, so do not raise your voices over one another in recitation

O people, all of you are praying confidentially to your Lord, so do not raise your voices over one another in recitation

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) was asked about a masjid where the people were reciting Quran, but at the doors of the masjid were people talking excessively, disturbing those who were reciting. He answered:

It is not permissible for anyone to harm the people of the masjid: the people of prayer, recitation, remembrance, supplication, etc., [acts] for which the masajid were built. Thus, it is unbefitting for anyone inside the masjid, at the doors of the masjid or anywhere near it to disturb these individuals. Rather, one time the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came out to his companions while they were praying and raising their voices in recitation [of the Quran] and said: "O people, all of you are praying confidentially to your Lord, so do not raise your voices over one another in recitation." So if he forbade the person who was praying from raising his voice [in recitation] over another worshiper, how much more for other than this? Therefore, whoever does that which disturbs the people of the masjid or what causes it, they are to be prevented from this, and Allah knows best. 

(Majmu al-Fatawa 22/205)

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Without doubt, the sincere person has tasted the sweetness of his worship for Allaah,
this is what stops him from performing worship for other than Allaah,
since there is nothing more sweet or more blessed for the heart
than the sweetness of Emaan in Allaah the Lord of the worlds. 

Ibn Taymeeyah - al-Fatawa 10/215

One should neither hold himself above another nor transgress against another

One should neither hold himself above another nor transgress against another

Iyad bin Himar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Allah has revealed to me that you should humble yourselves to one another. One should neither hold himself above another nor transgress against another." [Muslim]

Commentary:  To treat each other humbly, leniently and lovingly is understood as humility. One, under this principle, is also required not to despise anybody on the basis of wealth, social distinction and lineage. Moreover, one should also not adopt an unkind attitude towards others. Besides, if Allah has bestowed honour on somebody, he is supposed to be grateful to Him, instead of behaving disrespectfully towards people and subjecting them to unkindness and tyranny.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 602.

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Who promised you old age?
The graves are full of people who thought that they would practice Islaam when they grow older.

Relying on some deeds, forgetting others

Relying on some deeds, forgetting others

It is reported that Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari - Allah be pleased with him - said, 

"A person might do a single good deed, rely on it and forget sins that he regards insignificant, but then meet Allah (on the Day of Judgment) with those sins surrounding him. 

And a man might commit a sin, but never stop fearing its consequences, until he meets Allah safe and sound."

Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajr, Fath Al-Bari, references this narration to Asad b. Musa’s Al-Zuhd. A slightly different wording is reported by Ibn Al-Mubarak in Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa`iq Vol.1 p170.

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If people display bad character towards us,
it should not make us drop our good character as a result.

Nicknaming is prohibited

Nicknaming is prohibited

Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. [Soorah al-Hujurat 49: 11]

Nicknaming has become a way of life today; social gatherings are filled with personal jokes and character assassination. Whereas, a Muslim is strictly prohibited from uttering nicknames, which involve insult or defamation of another person. Islam forbids revealing faults except in cases of necessity, like court or marriage cases. It encourages covering the faults of others and seeking to eliminate them. 

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) said, Do not hurt the feelings of Allah's servants, do not embarrass them; do not seek to expose their faults. Whoever seeks to expose the faults of his Muslim brother, Allah will expose his faults and expose him, even if he hides in the innermost part of his home. [Musnad Ahmad] 

He (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) also said, Each one of you is the mirror of his brother, so if he sees any faults in him, he should wipe it away from him. [Sunan Abu Dawood 3/4900] and, Whoever covers the faults of a Muslim, Allah will cover his faults on the Day of Resurrection. [(Saheeh) Sunan at-Tirmidhee 2/1152]

Aa'isha (radhi allahu anha) reported that when the camel of Prophet's wife; Safeeyah (radhi allahu anha), became ill, the Messenger of Allah(sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) asked his wife Zainab (radhi allahu anha) to give one of her two camels to her. Zainab (radhi allahu anha) angrily replied, Shall I give it to that Jewess? The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) became so angry that he abandoned her for more than two months. [Abu Dawood]

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Don't look down to people,

you could be looking at someone who enters the Jannah before you.

Do not abuse the dead, because they have attained that which they had forwarded

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

The deceased Muslims should not be censured or condemned for their wrongdoings, for, they have reached their end and they are receiving the return of their deeds in the Hereafter. 

Aa'isha (radhi allahu anha) narrated, 'The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu aliahi wa-sallam) said, 

'Do not abuse the dead, because they have attained that which they had forwarded (i.e., their deeds, good or bad).' [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

Fitnah continues upon the heart, except if the Deen of the slave is completely for Allaah.  

Ibn Taymeeyah – 'al-Fatawa' 10/545 

Begin with Yourself

Begin with Yourself 

Source : Transcribed from: Gems and Jewels | Compiled by: Abdul Malik M | DarusSalam

A man went to Ibn Abbas radiAllaahu anhu and said, "O Ibn Abbas, I want to enjoin people to do good and forbid them from doing evil." Ibn Abbas said, "And have you reached that level?" He said, "I hope that that is so." He said, "If you do not fear to be exposed by three verses of Allah’s Book, then do so." The man asked, "And what are they?" He mentioned this verse:

Enjoin you Al-Birr (piety and righteousness and every act of obedience to Allah) on the people and you forget (to practise it) yourselves, while you recite the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah)]! Have you then no sense? (Baqarah 2:44)

And then asked, "Have you applied the implications of this verse?" He said, "No". Ibn Abbas then mentioned the second verse: 

O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do. (As-Saff 61:2-3) 

After that he asked, "Have you applied the implications of this verse?" He said, "No". He then mentioned the third verse regarding Shu’aib alayhi salaam: 

I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you. (Hud 11:88) 

And then he asked, "Have you applied the implications of this verse? He said, "No". Ibn Abbas said, "Then begin with yourself."

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"Preach to others by your deeds, not by your words."
al-Hasan al-Basri

Greeting the Children

Greeting the Children

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he passed by some children and greeted them. Then he said: "Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to do the same." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary: By greeting children, we please their hearts and also vent our modesty. Besides, the importance of  As-Salam is unconsciously felt by them. Above all it is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and so we are supposed to put it into practice.
Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 862.

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As soon as you die, your identity becomes a "BODY".

People use phrases like: "Bring the Body", "Lower the Body in the Grave", "Take the Body to the Grave Yard", etc.

People don't even call you by your name, whom you tried to impress the whole life.

Live a Life to impress the Creator and not the Creation.

The Connection of the Soul to the Body

The Connection of the Soul to the Body

Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (d.751H)

Source : Kitaabur-Rooh (p. 44)

The soul (ar-rooh) is connected to the body in five different ways, to which different rules apply.

[1] Its connection to the body as a fetus in his mother’s womb.

[2] Its connection to the body after a person is born.

[3] Its connection to the body when a person is asleep, when the soul is connected in one way and separated from it in another way.

[4] Its connection to the body in al-Barzakh (the period between a person’s death and the Day of Resurrection), when it has departed from the body and separated from it, but is not separated completely in such a way that there is no connection at all. We have mentioned at the beginning of this reply that there are ahaadeeth and reports which indicate that the soul is returned to the body when somebody sends the greeting of salaam to a deceased person. This returning is of a special nature which does not mean that the life is restored to the body before the Day of Resurrection.

[5] Its connection to the body on the Day when bodies will be resurrected. This is the most perfect type of connection to the body, and has no comparison to the previous types, because after that the body will never die, sleep or have anything wrong with it.

When a person is asleep, his soul is in his body and he is alive, although his being alive is not the same as that of a person who is awake, for sleep is comparable to death. Similarly, when a dead person’s soul is returned to his body (when the greeting is sent upon him), he is in a state between one who is alive and one who is dead, whose soul is not restored to his body. This is like the case of a sleeping person who is in a state between life and death. We hope that this will dispel a lot of your confusion.

Sincere Faith

Sincere Faith

It is reported that Abu Hurayrah - Allah be pleased with him - said: 

Three things are from Iman: when a man has nocturnal emission during a cold night, so he gets up - only Allah sees him, and has a full wash; when a person fasts on a hot day; and when a man prays in a barren land, where none but Allah sees him.

Al-Bayhaqi, Shu’ab Al-Iman article 51

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You can't force a person to become a better Muslim.

But you can be the reason for a person to change for the best. 

In Shaa Allaah.

If an ordeal appears amongst you extinguish it with taqwaa

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

O you who believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. (Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always,) and die not except in a state of Islam [as Muslims (with complete submission to Allah)]. [03:102] 

The taabi'ee Talq ibn Habeeb [Talq Ibn Habeeb was a famous Taabi'ee. He was known for his knowledge, piety and his recitation of the Qur'aan] said: 

"If an ordeal appears amongst you extinguish it with taqwaa." When asked what is taqwaa, he replied, "Taqwaa (piety) is that you act in obedience to Allaah, and hope in His mercy, upon a light from Him; and taqwaa is leaving acts of disobedience to Allaah out of fear of Him, upon a light from Him." [Related by Ibn Abee Shaybah in Kitaabul-Eei7iaa (No.99) and it was declared saheeh by Shakyh al-Albaanee]

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The biggest celebrities on the day of judgment will be those who had the most taqwa (piety), 

no matter how unknown they were in this life.

Have a routine.

Have a routine. 

Some people say routines are boring. Do you know that the Quran and Sunnah emphasize the importance of a routine in a believer’s life? Allah the most high says,

"Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours." [Soorah an-Nisaa 4:103]  

and Allah the most high says,

"O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and 'Asr prayers]." [Soorah al-Ahzaab 33:41-42] 

Action points: Stick to the routines from the Quran and Sunnah; pray each prayer on time and say your morning and evening supplications on time. An extra tip for parents is to really stick to bedtimes, mealtimes, and bath times. Children feel more secure in structure and it will give you more time for yourself! Accept routines in your life. Your body and spirit need a routine. A good sleep routine is key to be productive. A good meal routine is crucial for your body. Only eat when you’re hungry, not because you’re sad, bored or happy.

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We sometimes pray for a situation that we don't realise is worse for us than what we are in, 
so the Almighty through His Mercy keeps it away from us & 
we keep thinking our prayers are not answered.
The favours of the Almighty upon us are countless.

Lets be always thankful to Him.

What right can any wife demand of her husband?

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

Mu`awiyah bin Haidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): "What right can any wife demand of her husband?" He replied, "You should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, not strike her on the face, and do not revile her or separate from her except in the house". [Abu Dawud]

Commentary:  If it comes to temporarily severing relation with a disobedient wife to set her right, it should be done within the house and the best course for it is that one suspends the practice of sleeping with her. Some people say that this suspension should be to the extent of sleeping with her only and one should not stop speaking to her because that will increase the rift between the two. But in case of special circumstances, one can separate from her by leaving his home, as was done by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) by shifting to upper room of his house.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 277.

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When you want to mention your companion’s faults, remember your own faults.

Four Distinctions of Abu Bakr

Four Distinctions of Abu Bakr

It is reported that Al-Sha’bi - Allah have mercy on him – said: 

Allah the Exalted distinguished Abu Bakr Al Siddiq - Allah be pleased with him - with four qualities He did not distinguish anyone else with: He called him Al Siddiq (the true believer), and He never named anyone else Al Siddiq; [Abu Bakr] was the companion of Allah’s Messenger - praise and peace of Allah be upon him - in the cave, and his companion during the Migration (Al-Hijrah); and Allah’s Messenger - praise and peace of Allah be upon him - told him to lead the prayer in the presence of the rest of the Muslims.

Abu Bakr Al-Daynuri, Al-Mujalasah wa Jawahir Al-Ilm article 2815.

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When we do good nobody remembers, but when we do bad nobody forgets.
The Almighty deletes bad deeds that are followed by good deeds, 

but man chooses to look at the past bad of a person rather than the current good.

Ask for Allah's Mercy and Grace for an Out from Tough Situations

Ask for Allah’s Mercy and Grace for an Out from Tough Situations

As believers we should recognize that only Allah’s Grace and Mercy can deliver us from challenging situations. Allah tells us in the Quran:

"Then after that you turned away. Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah upon you, indeed you would have been among the losers." [Soorah al-Baqarah 02.64]  

Another way to ask for Allah’s Grace and Mercy is by asking for His forgiveness and seeking repentance. Allah tells us in the Quran:

And (commanding you): "Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves the needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). [Soorah Hood 11:03] 

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Many of us only realise the gem we had, after we lose it. 
Recognise & appreciate what you have.

Be thankful to Allaah always.

The people of goodness used to advise each other with three

The people of goodness used to advise each other with three

Abu Awn (rahimahullah) said: When the people of goodness used to meet, they would advise one another with three (things) and when they were absent (from each other), some of them used to write to others, (saying): 

(1) Whoever acts for the sake of the afterlife, Allaah will suffice him with his worldly affairs; 

(2) Whoever rectifies what is between him and Allaah (i.e. obedience to Allaah and fear of Him etc), Allaah will suffice him with the people; 

(3) And whoever rectifies his secret affairs, Allaah will rectify his outward affairs.

[Al-Musannaf 7/165]

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An action done without Ikhlaas and without following the Messenger is 

like a traveler whose sock becomes filled with sand, which weighs him down, 

and has no benefit.  

Ibn al-Qayyim - al-Fawaid 89 

The Effects of a Pleasant Smile

The Effects of a Pleasant Smile

Regarding the hadeeth where the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

"Do not look down on any act of kindness, even if it is just meeting your brother with a pleasant smile on your face." [Sahih Muslim]

Ibn Uthaymeen said: "A pleasant smile causes people to become happy, wins over their love and affection, and leads to both parties having good thoughts of each other. Just try it and you will see. However, were you to frown upon the people, they would stay away from you and not feel comfortable sitting with you nor talking to you. You may even become afflicted with a dangerous condition: high blood pressure. Having a tranquil chest and a pleasant smile is the most wholesome remedy and the best preventative measure for this condition. For this reason, physicians advice people who have this condition to stay away from what disturbs and angers them, since those things only agitate this condition. A pleasant smile actually has a remedial effect on this condition, since it leads to a tranquil chest, and it causes others to love you."

Ref.: Taken from: "Upright Moral Character" by Ibn Uthaymeen, p. 49

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Anger is a condition in which the tongue works faster than the mind.

Be successful, Hold your tongue.

Allaah is more compassionate towards His slaves than this mother towards her child

Allaah is more compassionate towards His slaves than this mother towards her child

It was reported that one of the righteous people was passing through the street when he saw an open door out of which came a boy who was crying and weeping, followed by his mother who was pushing him out. She shut the door in his face, and went back inside. 

The boy went a short distance away, and stood there, thinking, but he could find no other refuge than the house from which he had been expelled and no one else who would care for him as his mother would. Broken hearted, he went back, and found the door still locked. So he lay down on the doorstep and went to sleep, with the tear marks still streaking his face. 

A little while later, his mother came out. When she saw him in this state, she could not help herself. She embraced him, kissed him and started to weep, saying: "O my son, where did you go? Who would care for you except me? Didn’t I tell you not to disobey me and not to make me punish you, when Allaah has made me merciful and caring towards you?" Then she picked him up and went back inside.

But the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us: "Allaah is more compassionate towards His slaves than this mother towards her child." (Reported by Muslim)

There is no comparison between a mother’s compassion and the Mercy of Allaah, which encompasses everything. 

Ref.: Taken from "Enter The Gate Of Repentance" by Shaykh Saalih Al-Munajjid

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The most loved mother in law is the one whose aim is to make life as easy as possible for her daughter in law & vice versa.
Never treat daughters in law as slaves who have come to do all the work we are supposed to be doing. 
May the Almighty grant us homes full of love, harmony, peace & a good understanding. Aameen.

Believe in the Divine Decree

Believe in the Divine Decree

When facing difficulties, our weak faith can sometimes drive us to question the fairness of it all. In this context, we should remind ourselves that believing in al-Qadr (Allah’s divine will and decree) is one of the pillars of Islamic faith. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, it means belief in (1) Allah, (2) His Angels, (3) His revealed Holy Books (Quran, Bible, Torah, Zabur), (4) His Messengers, (5) Day of Judgment, and (6) to believe in al-Qadar (the divine decree) both good and bad. Allah also says in the 

Quran: 

No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah. 
In order that you may not grieve at the things over that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not every prideful boaster. [Soorah al-Hadeed 57:22-23] 
As part of that belief, we should, therefore, recognize that Allah does what He wills for reasons that are only known to Him. Any attempt to comprehend the wisdom of it all using our limited faculties, or to understand how our current situation fits in His overall plan can only lead us to erroneous conclusions resulting in increased frustrations.
We, as Muslims, should accept Allah’s Decree both as it manifests itself around us and in our lives. It should be a relief to us that only Allah is the master of our destiny and we are only going to be tested about whether we reacted to what befalls as true believers and Mo’mins, i.e. being patient in adversity and grateful in prosperity.

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We live in a strange world where the poor walk miles to get food, 
and the rich walk miles to digest food.