The best enjoyment of the world is a pious and virtuous woman

The best enjoyment of the world is a pious and virtuous woman

Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "The world is but a (quick passing) enjoyment; and the best enjoyment of the world is a pious and virtuous woman". [Muslim]

Commentary:  This Hadith mentions the qualities of a virtuous woman. When her husband looks at her, she pleases him; when he orders her, she obeys him; and when he is absent, she guards herself (chastity) and the property of her husband. (Abu Dawud and Nasa'i).

This Hadith stresses the fact that if one wants success in this world and the Hereafter, he should select a pious wife. Rather than going after her beauty, lineage and wealth, one should give preference to her Faith over all other considerations. If he chooses a woman who is faithful to her Deen and strictly adheres to the Shari`ah, she would be a source of blessing for him in this life and the Hereafter.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 280.

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Allaah has so many creations and yet He never forgets us, 
but we only have One Creator and yet we have forgotten him a number of times. 
O Allaah forgive all of us.

From the Etiquette of a Son with his Father

From the Etiquette of a Son with his Father

Abu Hurayrah - Allah be pleased with him - once saw two men. He asked one of them, "How is this man related to you?"

He replied, "He is my father."

Abu Hurayrah said, "Do not call him by his name, do not walk in front of him and do not sit before he does."

Al-Bukhari, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad. Shaykh Al-Albani graded its chain of transmission sahih in Sahih Al-Adab Al-Mufrad Vol. 1 p19.

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"A Calamity That Makes You Turn To Allah Is Better For You Than A Blessing Which Makes You Forget The Remembrance Of Allah."

Ibn Taymiyyah

Asking Allaah to Forgive Every male and female Muslim

Asking Allaah to Forgive Every male and female Muslim

Upon the authority of Ubaadah ibnu Saamit (radiAllaahu 'anhu) who said: I heard the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say: Whoever seeks forgiveness for the male and female believers, Allaah writes for him a good deed for every male and female believer! [Collected by At-Tabaraani in Musnad Ash-Shaamiyeen 3/234, hadeeth no. 2155 - declared Hasan by Al-Albaanee in Saheeh al Jaami' (6026)]

Shaykh Abdur-Razzaq ibn Abdul-MuHsin al-Abbaad Al-Badr (hafidhahumallaah 'ala as-Sunnah) said: 

"... Whoever seeks forgiveness for the male Muslims and the female Muslims, he will receive for himself a good deed for each and every one of them. Do you know how many good deeds you will receive if you say in your supplication: Allaahumma ighfirr lil-Muslimeenawal-Muslimaat wal-Mu`mineena wal-Mu`minaat, al-aHyaa minhum wal-amwaat (Oh Allaah, forgive the male and female Muslims, and the male and female believers, the living from them and the deceased). 

A phrase which is not even one line. How many good deeds will you receive?! Count from Adam until Allaah inherits the earth and all those upon it. You will receive a good deed for every Muslim - millions of good deeds! Then you supplicate for them (those living) to have guidance, firmness, assistance, success, and safety from trials and tribulations. If this supplication comes from your heart, this is proof of the soundness of your heart and conscience for the welfare of your Muslim brother."

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O soul of mine! It is not but a few days of patience; as if the extent were but a few dreams. 
O soul of mine! Pass on quickly through this world; and leave it, for indeed life lies ahead of it. 
Imam ash-Shafi`i​

Children of the Hereafter

Children of the Hereafter

It is reported from Ali b. Abi Talib - Allah be pleased with him - that he said:

The thing I fear for you most is following desires and having extensive hopes (about this worldly life). Following one’s desires blocks you from the truth, and having extensive hopes makes you forget the hereafter. Verily, this worldly life is departing and the hereafter is approaching and each of them has its children. So be children of the hereafter, not children of this world, for today there are (opportunities to do) deeds and there is no reckoning, but tomorrow there will be reckoning and no deeds.

Quoted by Al-Bukhari, Al-Sahih, The Book of Raqa`iq without the first sentence. Reported in its entirety by Abu Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliya Vol.1 p40, and others.

Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajr states in Fath Al-Bari:

Extensive hopes (about this worldly life) give rise to lethargy when it comes to acts of obedience, procrastinating with repentance, desire for worldly things, forgetfulness of the hereafter and hardness of the heart; because the softness of the heart and its purity only comes about by remembering death, the grave, reward and punishment, and the horrors of the hereafter…for if one remembers death, he strives to do acts of obedience, his worries decrease and he is satisfied with less.

The Prophet [sal Allaahu alaihi wa sallam] said,

"Wealth does not diminish by giving sadaqah [charity].

Allaah raises the honour of one who forgives; and one who serves another [displaying humility] seeking the pleasure of Allaah, Allaah will exalt him in ranks."

[Sahih Muslim]​

Three Laughs and Three Tears

Three Laughs and Three Tears

It is reported form Abu Al-Darda - Allah be pleased with him - that he said, "Three make me laugh, and three make me cry.

Those that make me laugh are a person who puts his hopes in this worldly life while death pursues him, a person who is heedless [of his Lord] while [his Lord] is not heedless of him, and a person who always laughs while he does not know whether he has pleased Allah or angered Him.

What makes me cry is being separated from my beloved: Muhammad and his party (the Companions), the horrors of the time of death, and standing in front of Allah azza wa jall on the Day when the secrets will be revealed and I do not know will I then go to Paradise or Hell?"

Ibn Al-Mubarak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa`iq article 250.

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Anas [radi Allaahu anhu] passed by some children and greeted them [by saying Assallamu Alaikum to them].

Then he [radi Allaahu anhu] said: The Prophet [sal Allaahu alaihi wa sallam] used to do the same.

[Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Beneficial Brotherhood and Love

Beneficial Brotherhood and Love

It is reported that ‘Abdullah b. Abbas - Allah be pleased with him - said, "Love for Allah and hate for Allah, make your enmity because of Allah and your allegiance because of Allah; for indeed, the love and support of Allah is not achieved save through this. And a man will never taste true faith (iman) - though he may pray and fast much - except when he is like that. Today, the people’s brotherhood is based upon worldly considerations (dunya), but this will not do anything for them on the Day of Resurrection."

Ref.: Ibn Al-Mubarak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa`iq article 353.

Life is bread, water, and shade; so do not be perturbed by a

lack of any other material thing.

"And in the heaven is your provision, and that which you are promised." [51:22]

Knowledge transforms the student

Knowledge transforms the student

Al-Hasan Al-Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said:

When a man sought knowledge, it would not be long before it could be seen in his humbleness, his sight, upon his tongue and his hands, in his prayer, in his speech and in his disinterest (zuhd) in worldly allurements. And a man would acquire a portion of knowledge and put it into practice and it would be better for him than the world and all it contains - if he owned it he would give it in exchange for the hereafter.

Ref.: Ibn Al-Mubarak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa`iq Vol.1 p.156.

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It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basri [Allah have mercy on him] said:
Verily, Allah lets [a person] enjoy a blessing for as long as He wills.

But when He is no longer thanked for it, He turns it into a punishment.
Ibn Abi Al-Dunya, Kitab Al-Shukr article 17

May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other

May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other. Promote greeting amongst you (by saying As-salamu `alaikum to one another)". [Muslim]

Commentary:  In this Hadith, Islam has been regarded as the medium of mutual love. This is the reason Muslims have been enjoined to greet each other regardless of acquaintance. It does not, however, mean that a Muslim will be a true believer or entitled to Jannah, by mere greeting. What it really means is that his Faith will become meaningful only when it is supported by actions. Greeting is an Islamic custom and a practical form and demonstration of it. The combination of Faith and its practice will take a Muslim to Jannah.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 378.

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Always remember that your God is Oft-Forgiving.

The Virtue of Patience and Prayer

The Virtue of Patience and Prayer

Allah [tabaarak ta wa ta’aala] says: "O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly, Allah is with As-Sabirun(the patient)." [Soorah al-Baqarah 02:153]

After Allah commanded that He be appreciated, He ordained patience and prayer. It is a fact that the servant is either enjoying a bounty that he should be thankful for, or suffering a calamity that he should meet with patience. A Hadith states: (Amazing is the believer, for whatever Allah decrees for him, it is better for him! If he is tested with a bounty, he is grateful for it and this is better for him; and if he is afflicted with a hardship, he is patient with it and this is better for him.)

Allah has stated that the best tools to help ease the effects of the afflictions are patience and prayer. Earlier we mentioned Allah's statement: "And seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayers) and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khashi'un [i.e. the true believers in Allah - those who obey Allâh with full submission, fear much from His punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise) and in His Warnings (Hell)]." [Soorah al-Baqarah 02:45]

There are several types of Sabr ـ patience: one for avoiding the prohibitions and sins, one for acts of worship and obedience. The second type carries more rewards than the first type. There is a third type of patience required in the face of the afflictions and hardships, which is mandatory, like repentance.

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, "Sabr has two parts: patience for the sake of Allah concerning what He is pleased with(i.e., acts of worship and obedience), even if it is hard on the heart and the body, and patience when avoiding what He dislikes, even if it is desired. Those who acquire these qualities will be among the patient persons whom Allah shall greet (when they meet Him in the Hereafter; refer to Surat Al-Ahzab 33:44), Allah willing."

Source: Tafseer ibn Katheer Juz 2 (Part 2) Al-Baqarah.

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Be patient, you will realize that the wait was worth it, if it was for the sake of Allah.

Allaah is pleased with the pleasing of the parents & angry with whom angers them

Allaah is pleased with the pleasing of the parents & angry with whom angers them

​

 1. On the authority of Abdullaah Umarooh bin al-Aaas may Allaah be pleased with them that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace be upon him) said: 

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The Lord is pleased with the pleasing of the parents, and the Lord is angry with whom angers the parents. 

 ​[

Saheeh al-jaamee (3500) & Silseelah as-Saheehah (516)]

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 2. Also on the authority of Abdullaah Umarooh bin al- Aaas may Allaah be pleased with them that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace be upon him) said: 

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The Lord is pleased with the pleasing of the parents, and angry with whom angers them. 

​[

Saheeh al-Jamee (3501)]

​

3. And in another narration Abee Huraira may Allaah be pleased with him who said that the Messenger of Allaah (Peace be upon him) said: 

 

The Lord Tabarak and Exalted is pleased in the pleasing of the parents, and the anger of Allaah Tabarak and Exalted is in making the parents angry.

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"Don’t announce your problems to the world looking for sympathy.
Most don’t care, many don’t want to hear them and some are glad you have them.
Address your concerns to Allah, He’s always there and He only can help." 

One should not take the respite for exemption

One should not take the respite for exemption

Abu Musa (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Verily, Allah gives respite to the oppressor. But when He seizes him, He does not let him escape." Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) recited, "Such is the Seizure of your Rubb when He seizes the(population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful (and) severe". (Soorah Hood 11:102) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary: One should not take the respite for exemption because no one knows when respite granted by Him will come to an end and punishment will follow.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 207.

No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself

No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary: We learn from this Hadith about the importance and virtue of mutual love among the Muslims. If we act upon the injunctions mentioned in this Hadith, the Muslim societies will be immediately purged of the evils like exploitation, bribery, dishonesty, falsehood, cheating, forgery, etc., which are rampant in them at present. Islam has taught golden principles to its followers who have unfortunately neglected them and in consequence are leading a life of utter disgrace and moral turpitude.

May Allah guide them to the Straight Path.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 183.

Hajj Selfie

Story of Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) when death approached him

Story of Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) when death approached him 

by Dr. Saleh as-Saleh

Abdullaah Ibn Ahmad Bin Hanbal said: when death approached my father, I came close to him and I set by his side and I had piece of cloth with me. I looked at him and I saw him becoming unconscious and I thought that he had passed away. Then he became conscious and he said: "La Ba’ad! La Ba’d! (Not yet! Not yet!)" He did this once and twice and whilst he was doing in the third time I said to him, ‘Oh my father, what is this you are saying now? He Imaam Ahmad said to his son, "Ya Bunaiy, Oh my son, you don’t know? So I said no I don’t know. 

So he said, iblis the cursed one, he stood by my feet, and biting his fingers, he kept saying: Ya Ahmad , Futanee, Meaning: you are saved from me from my plots, why is he saying this to Imaam Ahmad at this time of death? He is saying to him that you are safe from me you were protected from me, why? In order to lead Imaam Ahmad to feel pride of himself, and this is an affliction, he was trying to cause a fithna at the time of death and this is why Imaam Ahmad kept saying La Ba’ad hata amut, not until I die this what he explained to his son. ‘Until I die then I will be inshaa Allaah, be saved from your plots but not yet."

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These are the fruits of Imaan that Allaah will be the believers at the time of death steadfastness against the shaitan and plots of shaitan.

May Allah make us be among the ones who are mentioned in this ayah. Ameen.

story-of-imaam-ahmad-rahimahullaah-dr-saleh-assaleh.mp3

Everything that is decreed for the believer is the best for him.

Spread Salaam (Islamic greeting of Peace) between yourselves

Spread Salaam (Islamic greeting of Peace) between yourselves

"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things." [Soorah an-Nisaa 04:86] 

The Prophet ﷺ commanded us to return salaams, and made it a right and a duty.  Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The Muslim has five rights over his fellow-Muslim: he should return his salaams, visit him when he is sick, attend his funeral, accept his invitation, and pray for mercy for him [say "Yarhamuk Allaah"] when he sneezes." Ahmad (2/540), al-Bukhaari (1240), Muslim (2792), al-Nisaa’i in al-Yawm wa’l-Laylah (221) and Abu Dawood (5031)

The Prophet ﷺ  explained the reward earned by the one who says salaam:
They reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that a man passed by the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ whilst he was sitting with some others, and said: "As Salaam ‘alaykum (peace be upon you)." The Prophet ﷺ said, "[He will have] ten hasanaat (rewards)."

Another man passed by and said "As Salaam ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah)." The Prophet ﷺ said, "[He will have] twenty hasanaat."

Another man passed by and said "As Salaam ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa baarakaatuhu (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings)." The Prophet ﷺ said, "[He will have] thirty hasanaat." Reported by al-Nisaa’i in ‘Aml al-yawm wa’l-laylah (368) and al-Bukhaari in al-Adab al-Mufrad (586) and by Ibn Hibban (493).

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Virtue of Four Deeds in one day!

The slips of our tongue already get us in so much trouble in this world, 

Imagine what it will do for us in the afterlife.

Allah will reward those who have patience with a threefold reward: blessings, mercy and guidance

Allah will reward those who have patience with a threefold reward: blessings, mercy and guidance

Allah [Subhanahu wa Ta'ala] says: And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient).

Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."

They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones. [Soorah al-Baqarah 02:155-157]

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When people came to offer their condolences to one of the salaf, for some calamity that had befallen him, he said:

​"

Why should I not practice patience, when Allah has promised those who have patience three rewards, each of which is better than this world and everything in it?"

You should know with certainty that everything that happens,

occurs in accordance with the divine decree.

Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are Muhsinun

Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are Muhsinun

Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty to Him), and those who are Muhsinun (good-doers). [Soorah an-Nahl 16:128] 

Narrated Abu Hurairah [radhi-yAllahu anhu]: Allah's Messenger [sal-Allahu alayhi wa sallam] said, "The deeds of anyone of you will not save you [from the (Hell) Fire]." They said, "Even you (will not be saved by your deeds), O Allah's Messenger?" He said, "No, even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me and protects me with His Grace. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise)." [Sahih Al-Bukhari, 8/6463 (O.P.470)]

Ref.: The Noble quran Soorah an-Nahl 16:128

Don't depend to much on anyone in this world because 
even your own shadow leaves you when you are in darkness.​

‘Taqwa’ is the most important thing to bring on your trip to Hajj

‘Taqwa’ is the most important thing to bring on your trip to Hajj

If there is one thing you can bank on during your trip, it is that you will be tested, over and over. It doesn’t matter if you have a 5-star package and access to amenities that most others don’t, you cannot escape the tests that Allah subḥanahu wa ta'ala(glorified and exalted be He) will place before you.

You may experience long delays in getting from point A to point B. You may get ill. You may get stuck with a fellow Muslim in your group that annoys you. You may lose your luggage or your passport. You may get lost from your group. Something may happen that throws your whole Hajj in jeopardy. The bottom line is: you will face challenges along the way. This has always been the case, right from when Hajj was first instituted until now.

Our Master and Creator subḥanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He) has provided us with some advice in the Qur’an on how we can respond to the tests that He will send.

"... And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness). So fear Me, O men of understanding!" [Soorah al-Baqarah 02:197]

Allah subḥanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He) teaches us how we can prepare for those tests. It is taqwa that you should carry with you every step of the way because it will give you the strength to bear the tests that Allah subḥanahu wa ta'ala(glorified and exalted be He) will place upon you to test your faith and strengthen your imaan and maybe even, raise your status with Him subḥanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He).

Taqwa here means to have an elevated consciousness of Allah subḥanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He), to be constantly aware that He is watching over you at every moment. With this awareness comes a desire to please Allah subḥānahu wa ta'ala(glorified and exalted be He) even in moments of distress. When your buttons are pushed, you control your emotions and act rationally with patience.

A Muslim woman must remove nail polish whenever she intends to perform Ablution & Ghusl

A Muslim woman must remove nail polish whenever she intends to perform Ablution & Ghusl

Removing all things that prevent Water from Reaching the Skin:

This means that a person must remove everything covering the body parts he washes during ablution that would prevent water from reaching his skin. This applies to those who work with paint. If this substance sticks hard onto the body parts they wash during ablution to the point that water cannot reach the skin, one is obligated to take it off by using paint remover before performing ablution.

This also applies to nail polish, which women put on their nails. They must remove this from their nails before performing ablution. A Muslim woman must remove this nail polish whenever she intends to perform ablution or ritual bathing, i.e. ghusl from sexual impurity. She may use this nail polish in her home afterward depending on whether she agrees with her husband that it is a means of beautification and adornment.

Source: Taken from the Book "An Explanation of 'The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of Prayer" Published by al-ibaanah 
Explained by Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al Jaami (rahimahullaah) and Shaykh Abdul Muhsin al-Abbaad (hafidhahullaah)

The reward of performing Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation

The reward of performing Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation

Uthman bin Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: "One who performs Isha prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night. And one who performs the Fajr prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat the whole night." [Muslim]

The narration of At-Tirmidhi says: Uthman bin Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) saying: "He who attends Isha in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night; and he who attends Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for the whole night."

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that the reward of performing Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation is so great that it equals the worship of the whole night.

Ref.: Imam Al-Nawawi's Riyad-us-Saliheen # 1071.

May Allah make me and all those who read practice. Aameen.