The Blessed Effort of Jama'ah al-Tabligh & the Wrong Practices Adopted by some within the Work

The following is not intended to offend anyone; please read with an open heart and mind!

One of my respected Shaykhs, Mufti Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him), in a recent lecture, very passionately and sincerely highlighted the wrong practices adopted by some folks who participate in the organized effort of deen called, ‘Jama’ah Tabligh.’ He explained that there are many different efforts of serving the deen of Allah – such as teaching (ta’lim), conveying the message (da’wah & tabligh), reforming souls (tazkiya), charity work, etc – and the objective of all such efforts is to please Allah Most High. They are all different forms of serving the deen of Allah. However, the problem arises when some people get involved in a particular type of effort, and then think that what they are involved in is the only ‘real’ effort; and all other efforts are either not the efforts of deen or even if they are, they don’t have much significance. This leads to deviation!

He particularly singled out those who become ‘extreme’ in the effort of Jama’ah Tabligh. Some of them – due to lack of knowledge – become so overzealous that they start disregarding all other efforts of deen such as teaching ilm, charity work, etc… If teachers and students of a Madrasa do not come out in their organized Tabligh effort, they think that they are not really doing the work of deen! He then cited an example where a Tablighi brother told his old mother and wife that, “I do not have time to earn and provide for you, you earn and feed the family; I need to go out for Tabligh!” This, he explained, is not what Allah wants from us. In Islam, our family also has a right over us, and one should do what is required at the given time. This is not what the ‘elders’ of Tabligh have taught, he explained.

He said that such people become so fanatical that if any scholar was to give them sincere advice (nasiha) out of love and genuine concern, they become extremely defensive and say things like, “You are anti-Tabligh” and “How dare you point out our mistake” and “The mistakes of one or two should not be taken to mean the whole effort is flawed” and “The Tablighis do great work” etc… but when did anyone say the whole work is flawed, and when did anyone deny the value of the effort?! It seems they just do not want to hear anyone correcting their mistakes!

Finally, he said, the effort of Jama’ah Tabligh is very beneficial, which has spread the message of Islam to far and distant lands. We encourage people, especially the general masses, to participate in this effort. However, the mistakes must be pointed out. If such extremism is not avoided, it may lead this whole effort into becoming some kind of a cult! Avoid such extremism, and save others from it! [End of Shaykh al-Islam Mufti Taqi Usmani’s statement in my own words]

I would like to add that what the respected Shaykh has said was long overdue. In my limited experience, the amount (literally in the hundreds) of irresponsible and flawed statements made by ‘some’ of our Jama’ah Tabligh brothers is astonishing. For example, one brother said, “We are the only saved sect of the 73 mentioned by the Prophet!” Another said, “Seeking knowledge (ilm) is of no benefit if you don’t go out in Tabligh!” One friend said to me, “I was once in I’tikaf and a brother in the Jama’ah said in his talk that we were wasting our time and should be out there!” (La hawla wa la quwwa…..] This is the type of extremism and sectarianism that people like Shaykh Taqi Usmani and others fear!

We need to realize that there are different methods of serving the deen of Allah. Some people are involved in teaching children Qur’an and basics of deen, some in teaching advanced sciences like tafsir, hadith and fiqh, others in doing charity work, some spending their night and day answering people’s questions and writing fatwas, some spending their whole time authoring beneficial books, and some in lecturing and advising people on how to reform their souls. These are all works of deen, and it is wrong to deem that a particular effort is better than the other.

Moreover, “Tabligh” basically means ‘to convey the message’, and this ‘conveying’ itself has many different forms. The individual spending 20 hours of his day and night writing a book is also conveying the message and doing his share of Tabligh. The scholar traveling the globe teaching courses in seminars is also involved in Tabligh! The Imam at your local Masjid teaching kids is also doing his share of Tabligh! One does not have to go out for 3 days, 40 days or 4 months 'in the recognized way' to be regarded as doing Tabligh! Imam Abu Hanifa did not go out for 3 or 40 days, Imam Bukhari did not go in Tabligh for 4 months, Imam Nawawi did not go round doing ‘ghasht’ like it is done today, but they were all still involved in Tabligh.

This shows that one does not have to become part of an organized system to be able to do Tabligh. If some brothers think to themselves, let’s get together and go out to another city and convey the message of Allah, by all means they have a right to do so (as long as they fulfill the basic prerequisites of doing da’wah), even if they have no connection with a local Markaz or the ‘organized’ Tabligh groups!

It is true that this type of extremist mentality is found in other groups too. However, it seems that it is more prevalent within the Tabligh Jama’ah. This is due to two reasons: 1) Lack of knowledge, and 2) The excessive number of people participating in the effort. Whenever there are more people, the risk of making mistakes is greater.

The above is not to offend anyone. It is written out of genuine concern and sincerity, InshaAllah. People are encouraged to participate in this very beneficial and blessed work to rectify themselves and preach to others. The effort of Jama’ah at-Tabligh is a very blessed effort, full of Baraka and blessings; and very effective in bringing people to Islam. It has changed the lives of many, and scores of people have benefitted from going out in the path of Allah. No one is denying that, and no one is castigating the group as a whole!

But for the sake of Allah, do not make this beautiful work into some kind of cult, where you think this is the only real effort of deen, and everyone else is wasting their time. Furthermore, this should not be used as an excuse to not participate in this effort or look down upon those who do participate. Those who make such mistakes should be explained in a loving manner, with lots of dua’ for them insha Allah. May Allah protect us and give us the correct understanding of deen, Ameen.

(Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari)

Love Her, She Is Your Wife

Love her .when she sips on your coffee or tea. She only wants to make sure it tastes just right for you.

Love her when she "pushes" you to pray. She wants to be with you in Jannah (Paradise).

Love her when she asks you to play with the kids. She did not "make" them on her own.

Love her when she is jealous. Out of all the men she can have, she chose you.

Love her when she has annoying little habits that drives you nuts. You have them too.

Love her when her cooking is bad. She tries.

Love her when she looks disheveled in the morning. She always grooms herself up again.

Love her when she asks to help with the kids homework. She only wants you to be part of the home.

Love her when she asks if she looks fat. Your opinion counts, so tell her she's beautiful.

Love her when she looks beautiful. She's yours so appreciate her.

Love her when she spends hours to get ready. She only wants to look her best for you.

Love her when she buys you gifts you don't like. Smile and tell her it's what you've always wanted.

Love her when she has developed a bad habit. You have many more and with wisdom and politeness you have all the time to help her change.

Love her when she cries for absolutely nothing. Don't ask, tell her its going to be okay.

Love her.when she suffers from PMS. Buy chocolate, rub her feet and back and just chat to her.

Love her.when whatever you do is not pleasing. It happens and will pass

Love her.when she stains your clothes. You needed a new one anyway...

Love her when she tells you how to drive. She only wants you to be safe. 

Love her when she argues. She only wants to make things right for both.

Love her she is yours. You don't need any other special reason!!!!

All this forms part of a Woman's Character. Women are part of your life and should be treated as the Queen.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) advised concerning the woman: treat the women well. The best of you are those who are the best in the treatment of their wives.

No one honours the woman except an honorable man. And no one humiliates her or holds her in contempt except one who is evil, vile, wicked and depraved. Don't wait for that special occasion, take time now to make her feel Special in Every Way!

Islamic Class on Sunday

         

Assalamualaikum dear mothers and sisters in Islam,

You're invited to join us in a gathering full of angles and blessings!

Our monthly program for kids, teens and ladies.

10 AM - 11:30 AM

Sunday 27/5/2012

No 31, Jalan SS18/3B, Subang Jaya, Selangor

Lessons will be given on these following topics:

Hadith (Fadhai'l A'maal)

Oneness of Allah (Tawhid)

Qualities of Nabi S.A.W (Sublime Conduct)

Stories of the Sahabahs

So hop in! Lets start our day with the remembrance of Allah...

                  

   

                                  

لماذا ندعـوا ولا يستجاب لنا ؟

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم لماذا ندعـوا ولا يستجاب لنا ؟ تستحق التأمل علي فكرة .. :) سئل إبراهيم بن ادهم رحمه الله: لماذا ندعـوا ولا يستجاب لنا ؟ فقال: لأنكم عرفتم الله ولم تطيعوه... وقرأتم القرآن ولم تعملوا به... وعرفتم الرسول وتركتم سنته... وعرفتم الموت ولم تستعدوا له... وعرفتم النــار ولم تهربوا منهــا... وعرفتم الجنة ولم تطلبوهــا ... ودفنتم موتــاكم ولم تعتبروا ... واشتغلتم بعيوب النــاس وتركتم عيوبكم ...

Motivasi Buat Bakal Dan Para Huffaz

Oleh : hafizquran

 

Saya kurang pasti kiranya ini boleh dikatakan sebagai motivasi. Namun ramai yang memberi emel dengan maksud yang lebih kurang sama. Selain untuk bertanya kaedah dan petua, perkara wajib yang diminta adalah tasyji’ dan motivasi buat meneruskan perjuangan sebagai huffaz. Itulah realiti. Seorang huffaz tanpa motivasi akan menjadi lembah yang tiada air.

1. Betulkanlah niat. Andai sudah betul, jagalah niat itu. Jaga dan terus jaga. Hati manusia boleh berbolak balik dalam dua detik sahaja.

2. Jagalah adab. Adab dengan semua. Al-Quran terutamanya. Junjung dan tatang secara luaran dan dalaman. Adab dengan guru @ murabbi. Adab dengan Ibu dan ayah sendiri. Ambil berat persoalan adab. Jaga dan terus jaga.

3. Perhatikan masa dan usaha. Semua orang mempunyai 24 jam tapi tak semua orang ‘memiliki’ 24 jam. Tingkatkan usaha. Istiqamah dengan usaha ana sendiri.

4. Pelajari kaedah. Banyak tempat untuk dirujuk dan bertanya. Tanya pada yang alim , pada yang sudah berpengalaman. Terima dan praktikkan dengan penuh iltizam.

5 . Jangan hangat2 tahi ayam. Jangan sekerat jalan. Kembali kepada persoalan niat. Tekad seteguh2nya.

6. Jauhi maksiat zahir dan batin . Maksiat kecil sehinggalah maksiat besar. Duduk berseorangan pun boleh berlaku maksiat, apatah lagi ditengah kekalutan orang dan budaya. Perhatikan makna taqwa yang diumpamakan oleh seorang sahabat r.a : ” Laksana kamu berjalan di atas jalanan yang penuh dengan onak dan duri…”

7. Pegang Al-Quran sentiasa. Kucup dan junjung. Bawa dalam keadaan suci dan berwudhu’. Sayangi Al-Quran secara jujur tanpa sedikitpun unsur hipokrit. Sayangi yang zahir ( mushaf ) dan sayangi yang batin ( hafazan dan amalan ).

8. Syaitan akan ‘mendampingi’ anda sentiasa. Nafsu akan mengikut anda ke mana2. Suatu ketika anda mungkin akan di’peras ugut’ oleh keduanya. Iman seorang penghafaz Al-Quran juga adakala menaik dan merudum. Diibaratkan ; kalau baik , lebih baik dari Malaikat. Kalau jahat, lebih jahat dari Iblis. Itulah huffaz.

9. Maka selalulah bermohon kepada Allah. Minta dengan Allah. Jangan tinggal solat hajat. Permintaan supaya dipermudahkan hafazan dan di’benar’kan khatam hafazan Al-Quran jangan ditinggalkan. Itu antara doa wajib bagi anda sampai anda mati.

10. Jangan tinggal hubungan hati dengan Allah walaupun sedetik. Sedetik itu sangat bermanfaat bagi Syaitan untuk mengambil ruang dan kesempatan. Seorang murid pernah dihantar oleh gurunya untuk berdakwah di suatu tempat ( kisah sahabat r.a ) :

Guru bertanya : bagaimana kiranya dalam perjuanganmu kamu akan diganggu oleh nafsu dan syaitan yang akan menerkam bila2 masa sahaja? Murid menjawab : aku akan menghalaunya . aku akan sentiasa menghalaunya. Murid memahami bahawa syaitan dan nafsu adalah ujian wajib. Guru bertanya lagi : bagaimana kalau keduanya terus mengganggumu? Murid menjawab : aku akan terus melawan dan menghalaunya. Guru bertanya lagi : justeru sampai bila? Murid gagal memahami , lalu dinasihatkan oleh gurunya : Jika kamu diganggu oleh binatang buas yang akan menerkammu, beritahulah kepada tuan kepada binatang tersebut supaya tuannya boleh menghalau binatang tersebut dari terus mengganggumu. Tuan kepada kedua musuh kita hanyalah Allah. Jangan sesekali tinggalkan doa dan pergantungan kepadaNya.

Apa yang perlu diketahui dan diingati oleh seorang huffaz?

1. Al-Quran yang dihafaz adalah amanah. Anda sendiri yang ‘mencari pasal’ untuk mengambil amanah tersebut. Bagaimanapun, anda ‘mencari pasal’ yang baik. Jadi janganlah suatu masa nanti anda bukan sahaja melupakan hafazan anda , bahkan tidak mahu mengaku anda seorang huffaz!

2. Bila anda faham bahawa anda yang ‘mencari pasal’ , jadi anda kena SMI ( Sendiri Mau Ingat ) tentang hafazan anda. Ana sangat suka kepada mereka2 yang bertanya dan nampak bersungguh2 bila diutarakan topik hafazan Al-Quran.

Tapi ana sungguh2 menyampah dan kecewa bila sesetengah penghafaz Al-Quran lebih bersemangat bila menyentuh topik siasah, jamaah, program dan perkara2 lain. Bila sentuh bab Quran, diam dan ubah topik. Tidak berminat.

Bila malas iadah, beri alasan ‘tak masyi’. Macam mana nak masyi kalau malas iadah? Sama juga dengan macam mana nak kenyang kalau tak telan nasi. Mengejar perkara lain tidak salah apatah lagi soal yang lebih utama, tetapi hafazan Al-Quran telah anda kendong terlebih dahulu. Jadi berilah perhatian sewajarnya.

3. Dalam proses anda hafaz Al-Quran, anda akan diuji.

4. Anda akan semakin diuji..

5. Anda akan terus diuji..

6. Dan anda akan semakin kuat diuji..

7. Ujian yang datang kepada anda ada tahapnya. Syaitan yang berdiri di hadapan anda diibaratkan berpangkat Jeneral , bukan prebet. Semakin anda lawan , semakin anda rajin , semakin anda masyi, semakin anda istiqamah, Maka semakin tinggilah bintang di bahu Syaitan yang dihantar kepada anda.

8. Anda akan rebah. Ada ketikanya anda akan diuji teruk . Samada kematian , masalah hati , wanita, duit ataupun pangkat dan kedudukan. Anda mungkin tumpas dengan salah satu , yang boleh memberi kesan besar kepada tahap motivasi dan tekad anda untuk meneruskan hafazan. Seorang sahabat ana di madrasah dahulu, kecundang waktu dah berada di juzuk 23. Alangkah sayang..

9. Kalau anda jatuh, anda rebah , jangan menangis. Jangan ‘laknat’ diri anda kerana anda rebah. Adakala memang anda perlu rebah supaya anda tahu apakah itu ‘sakit’. Jangan sedih andai tika anda ‘rebah’ tiada yang membantu, apatah lagi ‘merawat’. Anda kan punya Al-Quran. Peluklah Al-Quran . Hayatilah dengan lantunan suara anda sendiri. Bagi ana, itulah teman yang paling setia..

10. Anda bukan penghafaz Al-Quran sejati kalau anda tidak pernah menangis kerana Al-Quran ( hafazan ) anda.

11. Anda perlu ingat formula ini sampai bila2. Ingat dan faham betul2. Dalam menghafaz Al-Quran anda cuma ada dua keadaan yang diberikan oleh Allah. Diulangi : diberikan oleh Allah. Pertama anda berada dalam keadaan senang hafaz dan mudah ingat. Kedua , anda berada dalam keadaan sebaliknya iaitu susah hafaz dan sukar ingat.

Apa yang perlu anda faham dan tanam dalam hati? Ini penting. Fahami bahawa sebenarnya kedua2nya adalah UJIAN. Pesan Ustaz Badlishah Johan ( my murabbi ) yang tak pernah saya lupa adalah tentang ini. Orang yang senang hafaz mudah ingat , Allah nak tengok adakah dia akan bersyukur dan melazimi Al Quran . Manakala yang susah ingat Allah nak tengok samada dia benar2 ikhlas, akan terus berusaha dan istiqamah atau tidak. Atau mungkin berputus asa. Kalau yang mudah ingat pula, mungkin akan banyak lepak, banyak borak.

12. Justeru, JANGAN menangis dan menyalahkan diri anda andainya anda tidak ingat Al-Quran. TETAPI sila menangis dan salahkan diri anda kiranya anda malas , tiada istiqamah dan tidak konsisten dengan hafazan anda . Pesan Allah ta’ala dalam surah Al-Qiyamah : ” Sesungguhnya Kami lah yang menghimpunkan Al-Quran itu dalam dada2 manusia..”

13. Terakhir, sentiasa ingat bahawa Al-Quran akan memberi syafaat kepada kita dan memberi kemuliaan kepada kedua ibubapa kita pada hari Qiamah. TETAPI Al-Quran juga boleh menjadi hujjah ke atas kita pada masa tersebut. Inilah peringatan paling ‘keras’ buat kita semua para huffaz Al-Quran ( terutama ana ).

” Allahummaj’alhu Hujjatal lana Wala Taj’alhu Hujjatan ‘Alaina Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin..”

Salam Maju Jaya Untuk Anda.

Wallahua’lam.

 

pemilik karya asal: myilham.com

Why Should I Study Islam?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الحمدلله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على المبعوث رحمة للعالمين وعلى آله و اصحابه ومن والاه بإحسان إلى يوم الدين أما بعد
 

Our topic today is indeed a very vast one. I’lm or in English, knowledge. We are going to talk about knowledge and education from the Islamic perspective. Though it’s impossible to enlist all the virtues and discuss all aspects of knowledge in just one article, I wish to highlight few of its important points. It's a bit long, really hope it doesn't bore you out. But if it does, I apologize. Please make Dua for me so that I can write better next time.

Allah Ta'ala said in the Noble Quran:

يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ

"Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks".

Meaning, Allah will raise the status, the rank of the believers and the people of knowledge. In other words, Allah Ta’ala by His infinite mercy has chosen a group from His entire creation and granted them the gift of Imaan. And HE then specially chose another group from among the believers to grant them the gift of I’lm (knowledge) and hikmah (wisdom).

As Muslims, our goal in life should be, "I want to go to Jannah, I want to be among the ‘faaizoon’ (successful ones). Allah says in His noble Qur’an;

لا يستوي اصحاب النار و اصحاب الجنة اصحاب الجنة هم الفائزون

“Not equal are the companions of the Fire and the companions of Paradise. The companions of Paradise are the truly successful ones.”

But…"Is it easy to achieve Jannah?" Ever notice how easy it is for some to get up in the middle of the night and perform Salat-ul-Tahajjud, while for some it is hard to even perform the fardz solah? Have you ever seen how easy it is for our Hafizul-Qur’an brothers and sisters to memorize the whole Qur’an by heart while others memorize the latest songs in the market? Have you ever seen how easy it is for some of the students of knowledge to study Qur’an and Hadeeth for hours and hours, whilst others cannot even open the Qur’an or Hadeeth at least once a month or once a year? Subhanallah, do ever wonder what made it so EASY for them to practice Islam and to be so focused on the right direction to Jannah? The answer to that is; the Prophet (saws) has left with us a very small key to Jannah, which we Muslim’s today have become oblivious of. Just like you need a key to open your car door, or house door, or office door; similarly you need a key to open Jannah. What is this key? Prophet Muhammad (saws) said:

من سلك طريقاً يبتغي فيه علماً سهل الله له طريقاً إلى الجنة

"Whoever goes down a path/road searching for Knowledge, Allah will make it easy for him the road to Paradise." 

[Saheeh Muslim, Vol.3 Hadith No. 99]

The hadeeth was narrated by Abu Dardaa’ (r.a) when someone came to him all the way from Madeenah to Damascus with the sole purpose of learning just ONE hadith. Abu Dardaa’ was very surprised and pleased so he gave him glad tiding that Allah will ease his way to Jannah.

Knowledge is the ROAD to Paradise. In this world it will benefit us, and in the hereafter too. One simple example, Islam does not only teach us to perform our solah, fast, pay zakat and go for Haj. But! Islam also teaches us to give forgive, to be humble and to give Sadaqah. What do we know about the reward for forgiving another person? One hadith is recorded in Sahih Muslim that; “If one gives charity it does not diminish his wealth, if one forgives, Allah bestows more honor on him, and if one humbles himself for Allah’s sake, Allah will exalt him higher.”

Superiority of an Aa’lim

There isn’t any person who can beat the superiority of an Aa’lim (learned person). The Prophet S.A.W said:

فضل العالم على العابد كفضل القمر ليلة البدر على سائر الكواكب

"The eminence on an Aa’lim over a devout worshipper is that of the full moon over the stars."

Imagine, looking at a full moon in the sky,the moon shines brighter than all the stars. A person who seeks knowledge shines just as bright in the eyes of Allah Ta’ala and the Malaaikah! 

Do we know of anyone who is granted the privilege to walk on the wings of the Malaai’kah, wings of the purest and most obedient creation of Allah? Once, Hadrat Safwan bin A’ssaal came to him to seek knowledge, he said to Rasulullah (S.A.W):   اني جئت اطلب العلم
Rasulullah (S.A.W) honored him and said:

"Welcome to the seeker of knowledge!

Indeed the Angels cover the seekers of knowledge by their wings

and they gather one upon another until they fill the space between that student and the sky of the earth

for the love of the knowledge which is being sought." (Tabraani)

Dear mothers and sisters, from now, we get up every morning with a purpose: to seek Jannah by seeking Knowledge! For the pleasure of Allah, let us become lovers and seekers of knowledge because Knowledge is Light. Beneficial knowledge is something that helps us to improve the quality of our Solah and teaches us to have good character with other people thereby gaining reward from Allah Ta'ala. For example, learning Arabic helps us to understand the words of Qur'an-ul-Kareem.

We should always remember that, Syaitan made a promise to Allah Ta’ala that he will most definitely mislead human beings using every possible way. His mission starts from the moment a baby is born, and he won’t stop nor give up until he dies. Think about this, Syaitan doesn't mislead us to make wrong calculation in Math or Science experiment. Let's take one simple practical example to illustrate this point. When we culculate, 2 + 2, the answer every one comes up with is 4, right? Shaytan never bothers us, he never whispers to us…and says that “No…2 + 2 is 3!"

Where Syaitan always and will forever deviate us is in our LIFE. Syaitan confuses our minds and clouds our path towards Allah with every possible mean. Once, Imam ar-Rabbani (rahmatullahi alaih) after a short period of entering the toilet, he knocked the toilet’s door to call his servant. The servant ran by thinking that he probably forgot to prepare the water and rag for cleaning. Imam ar-Rabbani opened the door a little bit and handed his clothe to the servant and told him, “Deliver this clothe to such and such person as a gift.” The servant asked in confusion, “O’ my master! Wouldn’t it be better if you would order this thing after you get out of the toilet? Why did you put yourself into this much of trouble?” The “Imam” replied. “Giving my dress to that poor person as a gift crossed my mind in the toilet. I was afraid that if I’d delay until I get out of the toilet, shaytan would probably give me evil suggestion ‘Waswasa’ so that I would give up doing that good deed.” Knowledge is the weapon against the deceptions of Syaitan.

Sadly, our time is referred to as the worst of era. The time of the Prohet (sallallahu alaihi wassallam) and his companions (radhiallahu anhum) was the best era, then the time of the Tabi’een followed by the Tabi’ Tabi’een’s. As we all can see, more and more of our youngsters are drifting away from Islam. We see the fathers and the grandfathers filling up the rows at the masjid during Ramadhan performing Taraweeh solah. We see the mothers and the grandmothers sitting in groups doing Tadarus. Alhamdulillah! But where do we find our youngsters?

Respected mothers and sisters,
Jannah is not only for the ‘warga emas’, for fathers and grandfathers, for mothers and grandmothers, Jannah is also for our YOUNGSTERS to achieve! Rasulullah (S.A.W) said:

سبعة يظلهم الله يوم لا ظل إلا ظله إمام عدل شاب نشأ في عبادة الله

“There are 7 persons whom Allah will cover with His shade on the day when there will be no shade but His. 1) A just ruler (2) A youngster who grows up worshiping Allah” (part of a long hadith)

We know that young age is a time desires are more, mind is rebellious, and temptation of Shaytan at it's maximum. But if he/she is willing to suppress those desires and sacrifice the fun which other people are enjoying, and commit himself to seeking knowledge of Islam, it is as if, he/she is growing up in the worship of Allah, and Allah Ta’ala promised a special rank for this youth. Subhanallah! However, it is how one Malay proverb goes: “Tak kenal maka tak cinta”. Without properly being taught about Islam, how are they going to truly recognise and love Allah and Islam?

As Muslims and adults, are we not going to give them the opportunity to study their own religion? Perhaps they will become good Muslims in their life!

If someone has to ask me, why do you need to learn Deen? Is there some special benefit to it? Based on my insignificant and limited experience, among many reasons, I’d give this ONE reason and that is knowledge kindles the first spark of love for Allah Ta’ala. You learn Deen, you will come to love Allah, you will come to love Rasulullah and you will come to love Islam sincerely from your heart.

When I first started my journey as a student to knowledge, I was an ignorant person. I knew that I am a Muslim, I knew that Allah is my creator and I also knew that Muhammad (S.A.W) is the messenger of Allah, but I didn’t know what I should do about it, how should I behave as a Muslim and how should I serve my creator in a way that it pleases Him. After 5 years, only then I realize that a true Muslim and Mu’min is a person who love Allah and I too want to love Allah. Allah Ta’ala described one of the qualities of true believers in the Noble Qur’an;

والذين آمنوا أشد حباً لله

But those of faith are overflowing in their love for Allah. (Suratul Baqarah : 165)

Allow me to highlight yet another important point. Travelling on the path to knowledge does require some effort, either by walking or driving along an actual road, such as going to Conferences, Conventions, going to Islamic lectures at local Masajids, attending weekend Qur’an classes/Arabic programs, or by actually dedicating 4-5 + years of your life for studying and memorizing Qur’an and Hadeeth in a proper Islamic institute because religious knowledge does not come down onto one’s head like a pear falls down from a tree. True knowledge is learned from the words, actions, behaviours of a real enlightener (Murshid/Ustaz). Learning from books will not always humble you and shock you with the reality that there’s so much knowledge out there that you’re ignorant of, and it’ll cause us to miss out on the great opportunity to sit in the company of the pious people.

And all efforts made to acquire knowledge of Islam are rewarded tremendously by Allah Ta’ala. Rasoolullah said, to Abu Dzarr (radhiallah anhu) that;

يا أبا ذر ! لان تغدو فتعلم آيةً من كتاب الله خير لك من أن تصلي مائة ركعة ، ولان تغدو فتعلم باباً من العلم عمل به أو لم يعمل خير لك من أن تصلي ألف ركعة

If he goes and learns one verse of the Qur'an, it will be more rewardable for him than praying one hundred rak'ahs of nawaafil, and that if he learns a chapter of knowledge which may or may not be applicable at that time, it is more rewardable for him than praying one thousand rak'ahs of nawaafil. 

Nabi (s.a.w) used to supplicate to Allah for beneficial knowledge, and he also sought protection from knowledge that does not benefit.

اللهم اني أعوذبك من علمٍ لا ينفع

"O Allah! I seek refuge in you from Knowledge that does not benefit.

Let me end this with one last hadith of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wassallam);

أن استطعت أن تكون عالماً فكن عالماً ، وإن لم تكن عالماً فكن متعلماً ، وإن لم تكن 

متعلماً فأحبهم ، فإن لم تحبهم فلا تبغضهم

"If you are capable of becoming an Aa’lim (knowledgeable person), then become one. If you can,’t then

become a student of knowledge. If you still can’t do so, then have the love for the people of knowledge. But if you can’t even do that much, then do not hate the people of knowledge".

May Allah Ta’ala accept all of us to seek knowledge of Islam and ease our way towards Jannah InsyaAllah.

What Is Life All About?

When I woke up this morning, I asked myself, “What is life all about?”

I found the answer in my room. The fan said, “BE COOL.” The ceiling said, “AIM HIGH”. The window said, “SEE THE WORLD!” The clock said “EVERY MINUTE IS PRECIOUS.” The mirror said “REFLECT BEFORE YOU ACT.” The calendar said “BE UP TO DATE.” The door said “PUSH HARD FOR YOUR GOALS.” The floor said, “KNEEL DOWN AND PRAY!”

Life is about controlling your temperament. So getting angry too easily is not a good idea. Be cool, be more understanding. Over look people’s mistakes and help each other to improve. There’s always a solution to a problem. So don’t make it a big thing!

Life is about aiming high. Learn from people who are successful. You wanna ace in your exam, learn from those who have aced the exam before. And more importantly, you wanna ace your Akhirah life, you’ve gotta read more stories of the pious because they have aced their life of Akhirat!

Life is about how we value our time. Tick tock tick tock and every minute is precious. When you feel bored, instead of thinking of what you can do to ‘kill’ some time, why not read 1 SUBHANALLAH while playing football? Your garden (Jannah) will be decorated with 1 tree InsyaAllah. Or maybe LAA ILAHA ILLALLAH while jogging? Your sin is forgiven with every step you take. After all, you are a Muslim athletic person right?

Now girls....Mirror, mirror on the wall! Who’s the prettiest of all?! Give some attention to your internal beauty while you care for your external beauty. Have good character with parents, siblings, friends and co-workers means no BENCI, no DENGKI, no BALAS DENDAM, no MENGUMPAT and lots more!

Nokia N9? iPad 2 ? Samsung Galaxy tablet? Be up to date with the latest gadgets, fashion and music trends? Don’t worry about that so much people, those things get out-dated too quickly. Rather up date yourself with knowledge and ‘amal’ (practice). Are you still repeating the 4 QULS (Surah Ikhlas, Falaq, Naas, and Kaafirun) in 5 times Solah? Whoa….that’s so out dated!

Alright, you want to memorize few more Surahs? Now push hard for your goal. Learn 1 new surah every week, or if you can’t do that, memorize 1 surah in one month. Come on, we have 12 months in a year. If you are consistent, you’ll know 12 new surah every year, Subhanallah. This is not just a wishful thinking. Try and you’ll see the result.

Nothing is ever too hard when we ask help from Allah the Al-Mighty and Powerful. He will make impossible things become possible and unimaginable conditions become reality.  So KNEEL DOWN AND PRAY to Allah and sincerely ask HIM to help us in every aspect of our sweet and sour life!

Has not the time come for us to repent.....

when passing through a mountain-pass, a bedouin once came across an

old man who was blind and who seemed to be afflicted with various

aliments all over his body, it was clear that he was wasting away.

He was even paralyzed and was consequently forced to remain in

a seated position.  The Bedoiun could distinctly hear him say:

''All praise is for Allah, Who has kept me safe from ailments

with which He has tested many among His creation,  and He

has indeed preferred me over many among that He [Azza wa Jalla']

created."

"My brother!"exclaimed the Bedouin. "What have you been saved from?

By Allah, I think that you have been afflicted with every single kind of

ailment!"

"Go away from me," said the old man, as he raised his head. "Do I not

still have a tongue with which  I can pronounce His oneness, and with

which I can remember Him every single moment? And do I not still

have a heart with which I can know Him?" These words of the old

man had a profound effect on the Bedouin.  He immediatetly repented

to Allah [azza wa Jalla] for his sins and asked Allah [Azza wa Jalla]

for forgivness.

So let us ponder oh, my beloved brothers and sisters in Islam.  How 

much have we been given! But how little have we made shukr for in return!!

Rather we go one step ahead in the opposite direction and transgress 

the limits set by Him shamelessly!!

May The Al-Mighty give you and me the thaufeeq ( The ability) to do 

good!  AMEEN

 

A Mother's Advice to Her Daughter prior to Marriage.

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم


i came across this story in the book 'gems and jewels'

A Mother's Advice to Her Daughter prior to Marriage.

My daughter, if advice were to be left off to those of virtue, I would have abstain from advicing you, but good advice is a reminder to the heedless and a helper to the wise. If a woman didn't need a husband because of the richness of her parent and because of their great need for her, then you would never have been the richest of people in that regard; however, women were created for men and men were created for women. My daughter you are indeed leaving this house that you have been raised in, leaving to go to your husband's home to spend the rest of your life. Be a slave to him and he will become your slave, and preserve for him these qualities:

1) Sincerity towards him by always being satisfied with your condition and good obedience to him.

2) Be careful about his eyes and nose: do not let him see you in a bad state and do not let him smell from you any odor except for the most fragrant of odors.

3) Look after the time of his sleep and the time of his meals for the continued state of hunger makes one weak and restless sleep leads to anger.

4) Protect his wealth and look after his family - the key to wealth is good estimation, and the key to the family is good planning.

5) Never disobey his command and never spread his secrets - the former embitters his heart and the latter will make you unsafe from his betrayal.''

Baraka

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

My ustad one day while defining the word 'BARAKA' mentioned an incident. He said he doesnt know how true or authentic it is. Any way...


Once, a person dreamt that under a tree there was a bag of gold and he was told to go and take it,so he asked ''Is there baraka in it?'' Somebody said;''No''. He said; ''I don't want it then''.The next day he sees the same dream but it was half a bag so he asks is there baraka in it?? The same voice replies ''No'', so he said "I don't want it". This continued until one day he sees the same dream but with only 2 dinars/dirhams in it, so he asks ''Is there baraka in it?'' And the reply was ''Yes''. So he went and took it and then later he went to the market and bought fish with these dinars,and then he went home and cut the fish and found a pearl in it...This pearl was so valuable that no one could pay for it not even the king!

So based on this, my Ustad was saying a person earns 100,000 and another earns only 1000 and he might think that the one earning more has more baraka,but actually money is only number and it has no value in it..You'll have baraka in whatever you earn only if you give sadaqa..so make sure that you give sadaqa daily even though it might be something small.