Beware of luxury

It has been narrated by Muadh Ibn-Jabal that when the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sent him to Yemen he said to him:

"Beware of luxury, for the slaves of Allah do not live a life of luxury." [Imam Ahmad]

The problem nowadays is that people make luxurious life their only goal, and you should ask philosophers about it, as desire turns to pain when it is your target destiny. That's why it has been said: Take whatever you like from the earthly life and you will be granted the same (amount) of worries, because he who takes more than necessary from the earthly life is attracting, unaware of it, his death.

It was narrated by Abd Allah Ibn-Mohsen Al Khutami that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

"Whoever wakes up in the morning well and able, safe within his neighborhood and in possession of his daily bread will be (feeling) as if he has won the whole world." [Tirmidhi]

The Spiritual Aadaab of seeking Knowledge in Islam:

Once a student sat with a teacher to read a text. As he opened the book, the teacher turned to him and said, “Have you ever asked yourself why the scholars use the word bāb(door) to title what you call chapters in English?” The student responded, “Yes, but I did not give it a lot of thought.” What followed was one of those special moments that can only happen when knowledge is passed from one heart to another:

“The word bāb is used because it reminds the student that he is entering a new realm. The realm of knowledge; that he is leaving a place of ignorance and entering into a place of understanding. Thus, he needs to have the proper character so the knowledge will touch his heart and mind.

“The word bāb is used because it reminds the student that, just as you enter a person’s home and are careful to make sure you have the right location, to knock with respect, to enter with humility, to sit gracefully, not complain about the food, if served, or the home, he has to seek knowledge, approach his teacher with humility and be satisfied with whatever is given to him, being thankful for what is given, polite and kind to his hosts.

“At the same time, it reminds the Shaykh to be gracious to his student, to treat him like his own, welcome him with a large heart and serve him the best he can, seeking God’s pleasure alone. 

In short, this one word contains every adab (etiquette) that Imam al-Ghazzali mentioned in the etiquette of the student and the etiquette of the teacher. Amazing!

“Finally, it reminds that student to be sincere, seeing God alone, since the bāb in the book reminds him of the doors (abwāb) of Paradise! You see, there are gems to be found in these old works. Be patient and God will show you more!”

Next time you read a book with a master, be sure to ask him/her about those things; you will learn to see the prophetic light found in the texts, the symmetry of tauhid (oneness) in its lines.

Taken from suhaibwebb.com

The most effective way to salvation-Dhikrullah (Remembrance of Allah)

The most effective way to salvation-Dhikrullah (Remembrance of Allah)

"...And the men and the women who remember Allah much (with their hearts and tongues). Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e., Jannah)." (Quran, 33:35) 

“No other act of man is more effective for his deliverance from Allah’s punishment than Dhikrullah (Remembrance of Allah)” (Ahmed)

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Shall I tell you about the best of deeds, the most pure in the sight of your Lord, about the one that is of the highest order and is far better for you than spending gold and silver, even better for you than meeting your enemies in the battlefield where you strike at their necks and they at yours?" The Companions replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Remembrance of Allah.'' (Tirmidhi, Ahmad, and Al-Hakim)

Remember Allah always (whether standing, sitting or lying)

Remember Allah always (whether standing, sitting or lying)

Allah says, "In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people of intelligence: those who remember Allah standing, sitting and lying on their sides." (Quran, 3:190-191)

"And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting and [lying] on your sides." (Quran, 4:103)

A'isha رضي الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ عنه  said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to remember Allah Almighty in all states." 

(Muslim)

The Prophet ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ  said, "Whoever sits and does not mention the Name of Allah (before he rises) will find it a cause of sorrow from Allah. Whoever lies down to sleep and does not mention the name of Allah before rising, will find it a cause of sorrow from Allah." 

(Abu Dawud 4/264. See Al-Albani, Sahihul-Jami' As-Saghir 5/342)

The Prophet ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ  said, "Let your tongue always be moist with the rememberance of Allah." (Tirmidhi 5/458, Ibn Majah 2/1246; Sahih)

The time spent without Dhikrullah will be the only Regret in JANNAH: 

Mu`adh ibn Jabal (RA) said that the Prophet ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ  said: 

"The People of Paradise will not regret except one thing alone: the hour that passed them by in which they made no Dhikr (remembrance) of Allah." (Bayhaqi in Shu`ab al-iman (1:392 #512-513) and by Tabarani; graded as Hasan).

May Allah enable us to remember Him in all states and all moments of our lives. Ameen.

Remembrance of Allah (Dhikrullah) should be a part of all our gatherings:

 A Muslim always remembers Allah, whether he is alone or in a gathering. 
There are many Ahadeeth that stress that Remembrance of Allah (Dhikrullah) should be a part of all our gatherings and meetings.

The Prophet ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ  said, "Whoever sits and does not mention the Name of Allah (before he rises) will find it a cause of sorrow from Allah. Whoever lies down to sleep and does not mention the name of Allah before rising, will find it a cause of sorrow from Allah." - Abu Dawud 4/264, Al-Jami' As-Saghir 5/342 (Sahih).

Abu sa’id رضي الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ عنه  narrated that the Prophet ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ ﻋﻠﯿﮧ ﻭﺍٓﻟﮧ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ  said,

“ Whenever a group gathers and does not remember Allah during their meeting, it will incur sorrow on them on Judgement Day, even if they enter the Garden”

(An-Nasa’ee in As-Sunan Al-Kubra, Kitab ‘amal Al-Yawm Wal-Laylah (Book of Actions done in the Day and Nights) no.10242)

Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) seldom left a gathering without supplicating (doing Dua)..." [Tirmidhi with a Hasan chain]. 

 وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : [ ما من قوم يقومون من مجلس ولا يذكرون الله تعالى فيه إلا قاموا عن مثل جيفة حمار وكان لهم حسرة ] رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح 

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Those people who leave a gathering in which they have not remembered Allah, will conclude it as if it has foul odour similar to that of a rotten carcass of a donkey. And it will be a cause of grief to them.'' [Abu Dawud, Sahih]. 

Commentary: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has warned us against refraining from the remembrance of Allah because most of the heart diseases are caused by this indifference, and because most of the sins are committed as a result of this indifference. 

 وعنه رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال : [ ما جلس قوم مجلسا لم يذكروا الله تعالى فيه ولم يصلوا على نبيهم فيه إلا كان عليهم ترة فإن شاء عذبهم وإن شاء غفر لهم ] رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن 

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Whenever a group of people sit in a gathering in which they do not remember Allah the Exalted, nor supplicate to elevate the rank of their Prophet, such a gathering will be a cause of grief to them. If Allah wills, He will punish them, and if He wills He will forgive them.'' 

[Tirmidhi, Hasan]. 

Commentary: Any meeting where Allah (SWT) is not glorified and praised and His blessings are not invoked to elevate the rank of His Prophet (PBUH), will cause grief and punishment to the participants in the Hereafter. 

 وعنه رضي الله عنه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم قال : [ من قعد مقعدا لم يذكر الله تعالى فيه كانت عليه من الله ترة ومن اضطجع مضجعا لا يذكر الله تعالى فيه كانت عليه من الله ترة ] رواه أبو داود

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "If anyone sits in a gathering where he does not remember Allah, he will bring grief upon himself (on the Day of Resurrection), and he who lies down in a place where he does not remember Allah, will bring grief upon himself (on the Day of Resurrection).'' 

[Abu Dawud]. 

Commentary: To sum up what has gone in these Ahadith, man should remember Allah on all occasions. This will establish and cement his bond with Allah, keeping heedlessness away from his heart and mind. It is heedlessness which prompts man to transgress Divine rules and limits, whereas the remembrance of Allah prevents him from indulging in backbiting and passing slanderous remarks against people in their absence or reproaching and belittling someone at a meeting. Unfortunately, such petty and negative out-pourings are relished at chat sessions in our society. This generates grudge, ill-will and hostility in hearts and splits up social cohesion and Islamic solidarity. Every Muslim should, therefore, take care to avoid such gatherings. 

THE EXPIATION OF ASSEMBLY (Kaffaaratul Majlis)

Aishah (RA) said: "Allah's Messenger (SAW) did not sit in a gathering, and did not recite the Qur'an, and did not perform any prayer without concluding by saying :

سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُـمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَـدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْكَ.

Transliteration:

Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illa Anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilaika.

Translation:

Glory is to You. O Allah, and praise is to You. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You.

[Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi and Nasa'i-Sahih]

Abu Dawood narrated that Abu Barzah al-Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say, when he wanted to leave a gathering: “Glory and praise be to You, O Allah, there is no god but You, I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.” A man said: O Messenger of Allah, you are saying something that you did not say before. He said: “It is expiation for anything that happened in the gathering.”

Reciting Surah al-‘Asr before leaving a gathering:

This was the practice of the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them). 

It was narrated that Abu Madeenah al-Darimi said: When two men among the companions of the Prophet met, they did not part until one of them recited to the other Surah al-‘Asr, then one would say salam to (greet) the other.

(Abu Dawood (no. 417); al-Tabarani in al-Mu’jam al-Awsat (5/215); al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eeman (6/501), Sahih)

The prophet seldom left a gathering without saying this Dua...

 وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنه قال : قلما كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يقوم من مجلس حتى يدعو بهؤلاء الدعوات : [ اللهم اقسم لنا من خشيتك ما تحول به بيننا وبين معاصيك ومن طاعتك ما تبلغنا به جنتك ومن اليقين ما تهون به علينا مصائب الدنيا اللهم متعنا بأسماعنا وأبصارنا وقوتنا ما أحييتنا واجعله الوارث منا واجعل ثأرنا على من ظلمنا وانصرنا على من عادانا ولا تجعل مصيبتنا في ديننا ولا تجعل الدنيا أكبر همنا ولا مبلغ علمنا ولا تسلط علينا من لا يرحمنا ] رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن 

Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) seldom left a gathering without supplicating in these terms: "Allahummaqsim lana min khashyatika ma tahulu bihi bainana wa baina ma`sika, wa min ta`atika ma tuballighuna bihi jannataka, wa minal-yaqini ma tuhawwinu `alaina masa-'ibad-dunya. Allahumma matti`na biasma`ina, wa absarina, wa quwwatina ma ahyaitana, waj`alhul-waritha minna, waj`al tharana `ala man zalamana, wansurna `ala man `adana, wa la taj`al musibatana fi dinina, wa la taj`alid-dunya akbara hammina, wa la mablagha `ilmina, wa la tusallit `alaina man-la yarhamuna.

 (O Allah, apportion to us such fear as should serve as a barrier between us and acts of disobedience; and such obedience as will take us to Your Jannah; and such as will make easy for us to bear in the calamities of this world. O Allah! let us enjoy our hearing, our sight and our power as long as You keep us alive and make our heirs from our own offspring, and make our revenge restricted to those who oppress us, and support us against those who are hostile to us let no misfortune afflict our Deen; let not worldly affairs be our principal concern, or the ultimate limit of our knowledge, and let not those rule over us who do not show mercy to us).'' 

[Tirmidhi]. 
Ameen.

This Hadith reveals a prayer through which we may be able to reach all that which is good in this world as well as in the Hereafter. 

Dont be deluded by the worldly possessions and progress of the non-Muslims

How can one prevent himself from being deluded by the worldly possessions and progress of the non-Muslims?

Remember the reality. Allah says of the disbelievers:

 Do not be impressed by their wealth and children (Al-Tawbah, 9:55),

 Do not strain your eyes in longing for things We have given for enjoyment to groups of them, the splendour of the life of this world, through which We test them; the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring (Ta Ha, 20:131) &

 Let not the movement of the disbelievers in the land deceive you. (Al `Imran, 3:196)

You should see their worldly possessions as being completely insignificant things which cause them to lose out on their portion in the next world. You should feel sympathy for those who have been deceived by this contemptible world and you should wish that they are given insight. 

They are like children who are promised sweets and toys in exchange for being slaughtered. Not knowing the meaning of being slaughtered, they happily accept the sweets and toys. 

So look at these disbelievers with sympathy just as you would look at those poor children. Save them if you are able to. Do not be deceived as they have been deceived but wish that they be guided and have sympathy for them.

The whole earth was created for the pious and not for the disbelievers, but Allah tests His slaves through the existence of disbelievers: Such days (of varying fortunes) we give to men in turns  (Al `Imrān, 3:140) but the pious Muslims will eventually inherit the earth: We wrote in the Zabūr (Psalms), after the Message (given to Mūsā) that My pious slaves will inherit the earth. (Al-Anbiyā’, 21:105)

-Adapted from http://muwasala.org