Qur'an: Gentleness

So it is through Mercy from God that you were gentle to them.

Had you been rough and hard-hearted,

they would have surely dispersed from around you.

So pardon them, seek forgiveness for them,

and consult them in the matter.

And once you have taken a decision,

place your trust in God.

Surely, God loves those who place their trust in Him.

(Al-Qur'an, Surah Aal Imran, Verse 159)

Qur'an: Spending the cherished

"You shall never attain righteousness

until you spend from what you love.

And whatever it is you spend,

God is fully aware of it."

(Surah Aal Imran, Verse 92)

Spending the cherished:

to give away what one likes and holds dear,

preferring another over one's self,
knowing with certitude that God recompenses.

The verses of Riba in Surah Al Baqarah

Here's some points taken out from Ma'aariful Qur'an about the verses of Riba (interest/usury) in Surah Al-Baqarah. Worth a ponder!

1. The verses of Riba (verses 275-279) are surrounded by the verses of charity (verses 261-274 and verse 280), signifying perhaps that the two concepts are related to and at odds with each other. One is to do with giving (decreasing one's stock), and the other is to do with taking (increasing one's stock).
2. God does not respond to the reasoned argument that "Riba is similar to trade" with a counter-argument but, rather, responds by stating that one is allowed and the other is not. (See verse 275.)
3. God has stated that one who lived his life in the consumption of Riba will be raised on the Day of Judgement like one tormented by Satan's touch. Raising the consumers of Riba in this state is perhaps indicative of a certain parallelism: They lived their lives in pursuit of money, senseless & unaware of the harms of their actions, and thus they will be raised.

The etiquettes of giving in charity

Here's some lessons on giving charity taken out from verses 261 to 274 of Surah Al-Baqarah:

1. Give to attain God's approval, and as an affirmation of your faith, and not to be seen by people.
2. Do not follow your giving with reminders of benevolence or hurtful words.
3. A kind word and forgiveness is better than a charitable deed followed by hurtful words.
4. Give from the good things you have acquired and not from the bad things which you yourself would not accept.
5. To give openly is good, and to give in secret is even better, and know that God is well aware of all that you do.

Envy vs Contentment

"... Contentment is a treasure that never exhausts.
Know that that which has been allotted for you, it will reach you..."

(Quote from the chapter on envy in the 'Purification of the Heart' audio series)

Envy: a want aroused on sight of someone else's possessions, qualities or luck.

Contentment: satisfaction in what one is and has.

Ma'ariful Qur'an: The Free

On them shall be no fear,

for that which is to come.

nor will they grieve,

over that which has passed.

Ma'ariful Qur'an: Blessings – The tangible and intangible

Food, wealth, health, family, security.

Honour, happiness, intelligence, wisdom, guidance.

Winners consult, losers mope!

مَا خَابَ مَنْ اِسْتَشَارَ
وَ لَا نَدِمَ مَنْ اِسْتَخَارَ

maa khaaba man istashaara
wa laa nadima man istakhaara

He never loses, the one who consults others.
And never does he regret, the one who consulted God.

Wealth and faith

How is it
I tell myself
I'll be at peace
were I to secure wealth

And yet
my mind knows
comfort is not in material
but a faith to be protected within my heart...

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.

Man in his wanderings

"If water stands motionless in a pool it grows stale and muddy, but when it moves and flows it becomes clear: so, too, man in his wanderings."

I sent this quote out (attributed to 'an old Kurdish nomad' in Muhammad Asad's book 'The Road to Mecca') a few days back on my regular text-out and got this reply back - a saying of the Tablighis - "fil harakah, barakah (in movement there is blessing)", which could equally be worded "al-barakah fil harakah (the blessing is in movement)" or perhaps even "al-harakah lil barakah (movement for blessing)". Nice saying! Here's another, found/quoted in the book 'Jesus, Prophet of Islam', about how the desert wilderness removes false senses of security from a person and teaches him to rely on Reality alone: "In the barrenness of the wilderness, all other support falls and one is laid bare to the One God, the Power, the Constant Source of all life, and the Root of all security." Sweet!! :)>

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

"... He [Miyanji Noor Muhammad (rahimahullahu)] was ever occupied in Dhikr (remembrance of Allah)...

When he went to buy something, he carried a pouch full of money which he handed over to the seller and asked him to take away his due from it.

He never counted the money, for, he spent the time it would take him to count in making Dhikr."

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

Free (in my bubble)

"... I would like to close this talk of mine by encouraging you to give that, which belongs to Allah (3azza wa jalla), but He decided to put it in your hands.

To give some of it for the sake of assisting and freeing and helping your brothers behind bars..."

(Source: Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki's half-hour pre-recorded message that was not allowed to be aired at yesterday's cageprisoners event, see link below)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/aug/23/islamist-preacher-council-address

Subn7aanallah. Good deeds - giving in charity in particular - is a funny business. I always hesitate and start thinking ifs and buts before I do. But I have never regretted or felt my wealth has decreased whenever I have. And yet I don't give freely? The story of the Companion Abdur-Rahman Ibn Awf (radhiyallahu 3anhu) is recommended reading.

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)

Add a forehead to those knees

"The greater reformer Martin Luther King is quoted as saying, 'I have so much to do today, I'll need to spend another hour on my knees.' To him, prayer was not a mechanical duty but rather a source of power in releasing and multiplying his energies."

('The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People')

"If you take a child and you throw the child up, there's a point where they go into this state of complete panic. And then when they come back to your arms they're laughing. THAT is Dunya. I guarantee you. That moment, that is your life. You came from God and you're going back to God. And there's just a moment where you're in complete state of panic. But just relax, you're in good hands. You're in good hands."

(Attributed to Hamza Yusuf by the person who sent it to me)

When sleeping

"When you want to sleep, lay down your bedding facing the Qiblah and sleep on your right hand side as a deceased person is laid in his grave...

and know that sleep is just like death...

and waking up in the morning is like the Resurrection...

be prepared to meet Him by going to sleep on Tahaarah (purity). Have Wudhu when you go to sleep and have your will written under your pillow."

(Mufti Abdur-Rahman Ibn Yusuf quoting Imam Ghazali (rh), 'The Beginning of Guidance' (audio series))

Deeep! I have started doing this (all and more except the will under the pillow) and these past few weeks I have been sleeping and rising with clarity like never before, wallahu akbar wa lillahil-7amd.

Taqwa

"The root meaning of Taqwa is to avoid what one dislikes. It was reported that Umar bin Al-Khattaab asked Ubayy bin Ka'b about Taqwa. Ubayy said, 'Have you ever walked on a path that has thorns on it?' Umar said, 'Yes.' Ubayy said, 'What did you do then?' He said, 'I rolled up my sleeves and struggled.' Ubayy said, 'That is Taqwa.'" (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Guidance to know the path, Taqwa to walk its rugged stretch.
Struggling through, Shunning doubt.
Holding out, Having faith.

4.2, Firm Belief and Perfect Reliance

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) said, “A group of people (both men and women) whose hearts will be like the hearts of birds, will enter Jannah (Paradise)” (Muslim)

It has been interpreted that such people are those who put their trust in Allah; another interpretation is that these people are those who are tender-hearted. Both, trust in Allah and kindness of heart are valuable qualities and both are means to enter Paradise. In terms of trust in Allah, one should not worry much about his food and means of sustenance; we should have hearts like birds that do not collect to keep in reserve but go out every morning in search of food and return to their nests fully satisfied.

In another similar Hadith, Umar (RA) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying, “If you all depend on Allah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to birds who go forth hungry in the morning and return with full belly at dusk.” (At-Tirmidhi)

It is true that provision, or exam results as the case may be, is from Allah and that nothing happens without the Will of Allah. But trust in Allah does not mean we give no importance to work and effort. What it means is that along with the due importance of work and effort, we have full trust in Allah. It is necessary to work and make effort for livelihood and prosperity because this is ordained by Allah. For example, birds do not keep sitting in their nests waiting for food but fly out in search of it.

And whenever you leave your nest, your house, say as the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “I begin in the Name of Allah; I trust in Allah; there is no altering of conditions except by the Power of Allah.” Whoever says this, it will be said to him: ‘You are guided, defended and protected,’ and the devil will go far away from him. (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nisaa-ee)

In conclusion, I end with the advice given by the Prophet (SAW) to Ibn Abbas when he was once riding behind the Prophet (SAW), “O boy! I will instruct you in some matters. Be watchful of Allah (i.e., the Commandments of Allah), He will preserve you. Safeguard His Rights, He will be ever with you. If you beg, beg of Him Alone; and if you need assistance, supplicate to Allah Alone for help. And remember that if all the people gather to benefit you, they will not be able to benefit you except that which Allah had foreordained (for you); and if all of them gather to do harm to you, they will not be able to afflict you with anything other than that which Allah had pre-destined against you. The pens have been lifted and the ink has dried.” (At-Tirmidhi)

4.1, Firm Belief and Perfect Reliance

I begin in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Who informs us in the Qur’an, “Those (believers) unto whom the people (the hypocrites) said, ‘Verily, the people (the pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.’ But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: ‘Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)’. So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty.” (3: 173, 174)

In another place, Allah, the Most Glorified and Exalted, says, “And put your trust (O Muhammad (SAW)) in the Ever Living One Who dies not.” (25: 58)

Further, Allah says, “And whoever puts his trust in Allah, then He (Allah) will suffice him.” (65: 3)

And the pages of the Qur’an are filled with many verses besides these; commanding us to have firm belief and perfect reliance on Allah. Those who posses these qualities are in grades clearly distinct from those who waver and who are shaky.

We find shining examples of this faith and trust when looking into the lives of the prophets. When Prophet Ibraaheem (AS) was thrown into the fire, he said, “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and, He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” So did the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (SAW) when he was told: “A great army of the pagans has gathered against you, so fear them.” But this (warning) only increased him and the Muslims in Faith and they said, “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).”

What we see in these two examples is that even in the worst of circumstances and the most testing of times we should have strong faith and trust in Allah. Another point to note is that we will only meet the likes of these tough examinations and trials with such perfect responses if we maintain and develop this attitude in our day to day lives, when we find ourselves in relative ease.

As another example from the life of the Messenger (SAW), when he was returning from an expedition with some of his companions they stopped for sleep. It was mid-day and they were in a valley full of prickly shrubs. The Messenger and the Companions that were with him scattered around seeking shade under the trees. He hung his sword on the branch of a tree and took rest. Then, one of the polytheists came, took down the Messenger’s sword, drew it and said: “Are you afraid of me?” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “No”. The man then said, “Who will then protect you from me?” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) replied, “Allah”. As soon as he said this, the sword fell down from the man’s hand and the Messenger of Allah (SAW) catching the sword, asked him, “Who will protect you from me?” The man pleaded, “Please forgive me.” The story continues and in it is an example of the Prophet’s habit of pardoning, and his gracious attitude. Aside from this, this incident demonstrates the Prophet’s utmost trust in Allah. It tells that one who has trust in Allah is helped by Him.

One who fears Allah and has trust in Allah is helped by Him. I would like to think that we all know this, but certain questions arise when we do a little self-inspection and listen to ourselves: “If I keep taking breaks for prayer, how will I get my coursework done on time?” Or, the men amongst us, “If I have facial hair and look like a Muslim, who will give me a job?” Or, the women amongst us, “If I wear a scarf on my head, my non-Muslim colleagues will make fun of me.” Or, something that applies to us all, “If I become an active member of the local Muslim community, I will be blacklisted.” As silly as they are, are these not the kinds of things that we think and say? Do we think that shying away into corners of the library, refusing to debate our beliefs and hiding behind fake appearances will do us good? If anything, this fearful, secretive, edgy behaviour is what raises suspicion and causes media attacks to intensify, and, besides, where is the firm belief and perfect reliance on Allah?

As a final example, on the eve of Emigration, when the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq (RA) set out from Mecca for Al-Madinah the disbelievers had announced a huge reward for their arrest. Thus people were searching for them wildly. In the course of their search, some of them reached the mouth of the cave of Thaur where the Prophet (SAW) and Abu Bakr (RA) had stopped for refuge and rest. Abu Bakr said:

“When the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and I were in the cave of Thaur and I saw the feet of the polytheists who were above us at the mouth of the cave, I submitted, ‘O Messenger of Allah! If one of them were to look down below his feet, he would see us.’ The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two whose third is Allah?’” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This Hadith and the previous examples describe the valour, fearlessness and unlimited confidence of the Prophet (SAW) in Allah; it also indicates how Allah helps His favourites. We ask Allah that He honour us with such firm belief and perfect reliance.