Qur'an: Be patient

"O you who believe,

be patient,

be more patient than others,

guard your frontiers,

and fear God

so that you may be successful."

(Al-Qur'an, Surah Aal Imran, Verse 200)

Umar: Spiritual well-being

"Pay a great deal of attention to your heart.

Talk to your troops, exhort them

and remind them of the importance of good intentions

and of checking on themselves.

Patience, patience.

For the help of God comes

in accordance with how much one checks himself.

Ask God to keep you safe and sound,

and frequently repeat the words:

'There is no power and no strength except with God.'

Fear God and put your hope in Him,

and do not take anything for granted..."

(Snippets of Umar ibn al-Khattab's advice to Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas [may God be pleased with them both] when he appointed him commander over the Muslim army in Iraq)

Enjoying Bad Dreams

I had a sequence of bad dreams last night:
Things in my life falling apart.
It didn't feel too good at the time.
And then I woke up.
And I thought to myself:
It's not as bad as it seems;
Things make us stronger.
I had a pleasurable experience.

Better to forgive... and make dhikr :)> (1 of 2)

"... It was his [i.e. Miyanji Noor Muhammad's (rahimahullahu)] habit that whenever anyone caused him trouble, he would say, 'O Allah, I have forgiven him'.

Even if a thief took away his property, he would say, 'O Allah, I make what he has taken from me lawful to him. What shall I do by taking revenge from him or calling punishment on him'.

He was ever occupied in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)..."

(Source: 'Solutions to Domestic Conflicts', extracts from 'Discourses on Islamic Way of Life', collection of speeches by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)

Husband disliking something in his wife (and vice versa?)

"... no husband must detest his wife continuously - because, if he does not like any thing [i.e. something] in her then surely there is something in her that he likes..."

"... When a wife does something with which the husband is displeased, he must not let his displeasure take firm root in him and criticise her for her faults. Rather, he must look at her good points too. If he does that, his anger will subside."

(Source: 'Solutions to Domestic Conflicts', extracts from 'Discourses on Islamic Way of Life', collection of speeches by Justice Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)

Nice little book. More comprehensive in its coverage than merely problems/conflicts that may arise between husband and wife.

The Help of Allah (SWT)...

... arrives in unimaginable ways.

An example (related to the event of Badr):

"... They (the believers) saw them (the disbelievers) with their own eyes twice their number (although they were thrice their number)..."

(Mohsin Khan's translation/meaning of the Qur'an, part of Verse 3:13)

"... their firmness, zeal, and discipline won them divine aid. Enemy prisoners stated that the enemy ranks saw the Muslim force to be many times larger than it was."

(Footnote accompanying verse 3:13 of Yusuf Ali's translation/meaning of the Qur'an)

Learn to Interpret

"... I never observed him [Mufti Azeez ur Rahman (RA)] rebutting anyone in their face... 'you did this wrong'. Rather, even when somebody had erred, he would say, 'No doubt you meant this...' In this way he would interpret, redress and present the correct version in such a way the listener would be in doubt as to his error but never forced into a confrontation or show down.

... redress the error in a positive and mild manner and keep your heart clean...

... Rasulullah (SAWS) said, 'Do not dispute with your brother...'"

(Source: 'Ashraf's Blessings of Marriage' by Hafiz Aslam Patel)

Very difficult. I put the quote forward as a goal for myself. Something I am far from having accomplished.

Fear

Bombs fall but not a tear.

My heart is diseased.

Bombs fall but we will not tear.

Ours is a great affair.

From Earth to Sky

Consumed, over the shoulder discarded
Buried in humble dust, trampled and retarded
Out of sight, out of mind
Non-existent, if defined

Deep in dirt, sunk underground
Alone, darkness does surround

Nourished by soil and earth,
Reflections and contemplations are given birth
Steadfastness and patience begin to grow
Wisdom and experience in abundance do flow

Spread far and wide the sky is reached
Providing fruit and shade, a parable is breached

Where are the discarders, where are the trampling feet
scratching their heads in bitter defeat

-----

The above poem was written by a young man currently going through a testing time. My interpretation of his words is as follows: It is a "parable" of a man (the author I would assume) gaining "nourishment" (developing as a person in many unimaginable ways) from the very plots and plans of those intending to defeat, "discard" and "trample" him. The closing two lines are a taunt to the "discarders" and "trampling feet" to let them know that his spirit has not been broken, not in the least.

May Allah alleviate his burden, pour forth upon him patience and make him firm in the face of difficulty.

3.2, Patience and Perseverance (Khutbah)

Abdullah bin Mas’ud (RA) reported: I can still recall as if I am seeing the Messenger of Allah (SAW) resembling one of the Prophets whose people scourged him and shed his blood. While he wiped blood from his face, he said: “O Allah! Forgive my people, because they certainly do not know.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This Hadith mentions the refined character and compassion of the prophets, which is an important lesson for those who preach righteousness. We should be prepared to face hardships in inviting people to the right path and, instead of retaliation, forgive our audience and pray for their guidance.

Further, any hardship that we do face, in any aspect of life, we should remember the words of Allah’s Messenger, “Never is a believer stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah will expiate his sins on account of his patience.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Such is the special Grace and Mercy of Allah: The hardships and troubles suffered by a Muslim are turned into a means of expiation (atonement) for his sins. But this is only possible if the believer exercises patience. If, on the other hand, he starts cursing and swearing instead of showing patience then besides suffering hardship, he would also be deprived of the reward which lies in bearing it patiently. Thus, on top of the hardship he faces he shall have to take the burden of additional sins also. This is also an indirect reason why we must make our tongues moist with the remembrance of Allah; constantly reciting Qur’an and saying words like “Alhumdulillah” and “Subhaana-Allah”. So that when something goes wrong, instead of instinctively responding with a curse or a swear word, we respond with a better response, which is the praise and glorification of Allah.

I end by reminding myself and those before me that difficulties in the path of Faith are irrespective of time and place. People devoted to their religion have passed through trials and tribulations everywhere and in every age, and have emerged purified as does the gold after passing through the furnace.

3.1, Patience and Perseverance (Khutbah)

Allah, the Glorified and Exalted says in the Qur’an, “O you who believe! Endure and be more patient…” (3:200)

In another place, Allah says, “And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruit, but give glad tidings to As-Saabiroon (the patient).” (2:155)

Further, Allah says, “Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.” (39:10)

And Allah says, “And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” (42:43)

And Allah says, “Seek help in patience and As-Salaat (the prayer) Truly, Allah is with As-Saabiroon (the patient).” (2:153)

And if you open the pages of the Qur’an you will find no shortage of verses calling to patience and highly praising it. After all, patience is that strong weapon which provides the Muslim with steadfastness in every aspect of his life.

What about the sayings and actions of Allah’s Messenger (SAW)? Again, the reminders and examples are numerous; however, time will only allow us to go through a few.

To begin, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him.” (Muslim)

A Muslim is required to behave in poverty and prosperity, ease and hardship, in the manner stated in this Hadith. It means not to forget Allah in times of prosperity and ease; rather to be continually grateful and thank Him for His Favours. Similarly, not to tend to weeping, complaining and grieving against the Will of Allah in times of trouble and turmoil; rather to patiently endure it. For example, at the time of death it is permissible to express the trouble and restlessness which one feels in a natural way. However, to begin wailing, moaning and tearing off clothes is not right.

The Messenger of Allah said, “Allah, the Exalted says: ‘I have no reward other than Jannah for a believing slave of Mine who remains patient for My sake when I take away his beloved one from among the inhabitants of the world’.” (Al-Bukhari)

It is a great sign of faith to accept the death of someone dear to us as the Will of Allah; to bear their loss with patience. After all, wailing and saying nonsense things shows weakness of faith. The reward of patience on such tragedies is Jannah while the result of impatience is the displeasure of Allah.

As for death itself, none of us should forget the advice of the Messenger of Allah, “Let not one of you wish for death because of a misfortune which befalls him. If he cannot help doing so, he should say, ‘O Allah, keep me alive as long as You know that life is better for me, and make me die when death is better for me’.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Since we have no knowledge of our future, whether it is good or bad, we should never desire for death because of the troubles and turmoil that we find ourselves in. This is because desire for death is sheer impatience. If, however, one has to express wish for his own death, he should do so in the words quoted in this Hadith.