EXCELLENCE OF KNOWLEDGE

“When we come to a conference without a notebook we are saying to Allah: we don’t CARE how much access you give us [to knowledge].”  – Dr. Altaf Hussain ‪‬

I remember going to events and seeing people take notes and not seeing the point of it. It’s not a school. It’s a fun thing to do, listen to lectures and hearing jokes.

But our brains aren’t made that way to retain information like that. I used to just feel good about a lecture and feel like wow, that blew my mind. Awesome. And I’d come home to tell my mom about it but I would mess up all the points and forget the details and end up just saying: you had to be there!

We forget that these lectures are a luxury. And we are going to be held accountable.

There’s an ayah in Surah Taha where Allah raises someone up on the Day of Judgement blind. And they ask Him why. And Allah says, my signs came to you and you ignored them, so today you will be ignored.

You are all students of knowledge – regardless of if you are enrolled in seminars and Islamic classes or just go to a lecture here and there. You need to value that knowledge. Allah gave you youtube, Allah gave you MSA and Halaqas and masjid events and organization conferences. You do not need to travel far for knowledge.

But what good is it if it goes in one ear and out the other.

And notes aren’t to have a collection of journals filled with things. Notes are for review. Strengthening your knowledge.

Tirmidhi relates a hadith from Abu Umama that the Prophet ﷺ said,

“Indeed, Allah, the angels, the denizens of the heavens of the earth, the ants in their burrows, and the fish in the sea pray for blessings to come upon those who teach good to people.”

Tabarani relates from Jabir that the Prophet ﷺ said,

“Everything, even the fish in the sea, seeks forgiveness for one who enlightens the people.”

Once Allah has given you knowledge, it is incumbent upon you to hold onto it and act upon it and then share it.

And don’t say you don’t have time. If other people can find barakah in their time, you can too. It’s just a matter of prioritizing. And if you really loved Allah, you’d make time for Him. You would.

So, study.
Because this is the exam.
The questions come at the end.
And it’s all cumulative.

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Originally posted at DROPS OF KNOWLEDGE 

WHAT’S NEXT AFTER RAMADAN……

Ramadan is over and our old routine is back. Our feelings are still intact, the purpose for which we fasted last month is not over and that was GUIDANCE. The ayah that we all heard and read a lot of time,

ۚشَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.

رمضان کا مہینہ جس میں قرآن (اول اول) نازل ہوا جو لوگوں کا رہنما ہے اور (جس میں) ہدایت کی کھلی نشانیاں ہیں اور (جو حق و باطل کو) الگ الگ کرنے والا ہے

(Surah Al-Baqarah : 185)

Ramadan is the month in which Quran was revealed and Quran is the source of guidance. Alhamdulillah many of us, tried our best to recite, reflect, implement as much possibly during that blessed month. But do you think responsibility is over? Race towards the good deeds is ended? Is our duty to be a thankful servant to Lord no more required? Of course, the answer is NO.

Ramadan was a Trial Period, we were struggling to train ourselves for Future, the year to come. Just like our life in Dunya is short, temporary and limited. Whatever struggle we all could do in Ramadan as per our strength, less or more, we did. Now it’s time to continue those efforts with respect to controlling our desires, earning more rewards with small to big good actions, implementing Sunnah and rectifying ourselves in the light of Quran, loving and helping Allah’s creation with similar passion etc.

Therefore, Ramadan is not a season, it always comes as an opportunity to gain Taqwa and boost our Emaan. If you have achieved 50% what you planned for Ramadan, alhamdulillah, let’s focus on other 50% by sustaining what already is accomplished. The key to being productive in the remaining year is being consistent in maintaining good habits, keep yourself motivated by avoiding or eliminating unproductive environment and joining good company. Always remember, that reward is not dependent on the results, instead it depends on the intentions behind it.

Look we still have a hope before this life ends, so why not maintained the lifestyle and discipline that we had in Ramadan, in the entire year.

May Allah SWT accept our efforts and strengthen us in the path of guidance. Ameen

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Written by Bint e Abdul Waheed – Based on the learning during Ramadan

(Shared with some modifications)

DUA LIST FOR RAMADAN

There are Duas in Quran and Hadith that one can make in the days and nights of Ramadan and Laila-tul-Qadr. However, these Du’as are not restricted to be made only in Ramadan. As always, one can make Dua at anytime of the year.

For your convenience, here i have few examples of personal, relevant Duas you can make in these remaining days of Ramadan, Insha Allah. It would be ideal to print this list (or have it on your phone) and keep it handy. Likewise, please add to your list anything else that you would like, especially that which your heart desires.

Ya Rahman, Ya Raheem, Ya Rabb al Alameen.

1. Oh Allah, please forgive me for all of the bad that I’ve done, and I continue to do. You are so Merciful and kind, please forgive me, and help me stay away from all that’s wrong.Ya Afu, Forgive the sins that I don’t remember and the sins that I didn’t even consider as sins. It’s so hard for me, and I’m so weak but You are the Strong. Please increase me in sincerity.

2. Oh Allah, I beg You, please guide my parents and siblings toward You. Do not let them die without realizing who their Lord is. Let them see the truth and help them resist the pressure of friends who try to turn them away from You. Ya Allah, you are Al Ghaffaar. Forgive them, and grant them good health. Ya Rahman, me a sadaqa jariyah for my parents. Ya Allah Reward them in the greatest measures in this dunya & akhirah. Ya Allah Elevate their ranks and grant them Jannah al Firdaus.Ya Allah Make me coolness of their eyes in their old age.

3. Oh Allah, please guide my neighbors, towards You. Please guide them to the right path.

4. Oh Allah, make every single aspect of my life be for You and in service of Your Creation. Please remove all false intentions that I have. Ya Allah Remove the love of this world in its degrees & forms from my heart.

5. Ya Wahab, Grant me death with the shahadah on my tongue. Expand my grave for me and illuminate it with light. Preserve my record in Illiyeen and Lighten for me the questioning of the grave, Ya Kareem, Grant me death in a state of Ibadah, resurrect me in the same state and my Rabb, please keep me free from fear, anxiety and terror of the Day of Judgment.

6. Oh Allah, Grant my book in my right hand, make me among those who show their books to others with happiness. Make me successful in the Meezan.

7. Ya Allah, let me love You as You deserved to be loved, and let me fear You as You deserve to be feared, and let me leave this world serving Your creation for Your sake.

8. Oh Allah, increase me in beneficial knowledge, but let this knowledge be with sincerity, not seeking fame, glory, status, material wealth. Let this knowledge serve Your cause in a way that You accept, and let it benefit humanity. Oh Allah, guide me to seek this blessed Deen (religion) from those who are sincere, who possess the correct Islamic knowledge, who are moderate and gentle, who are not harsh or impatient with me, and who understand where I’m coming from, my situation as a Muslim in this country, living in this world today.

9. Oh Allah, bless our scholars and leaders who are striving to establish Islam in this world on the balanced path of Your beloved Prophet. O Allah, bless all of those who have taught me about You and Islam.

10. Oh Allah, give me the ability to forgive all those who have hurt me in word and deed and please Oh Allah, join our hearts.

11. Oh Allah, please guide my children and all children. Protect them my Lord from all of the evil influences that are around them. Give them friends who will strengthen their faith and help them stay on the Straight Path. Ya Allah Save our children from the impact of our mistakes in their lives. Ya Allah, assist us with physical & emotional strength to be a good parents & example to our children. Ya Allah Make our children the coolness of our eyes and make them sawaab-e-jaariya for me & my spouse.

12. Ya Allah Protect our children from harm, sicknesses, disbelief, haraam and destruction. Ya Rabb, Grant our children success in Deen, duniya & Aakhirah & grant us a lineage of righteous offspring until Yawm al Qiyaamah. Ya Allah Make them of those who establish Salah and prostrate only to you.

13. Ya Allah Make our children workers for Your Deen, hafidhul Quran, da’ees, imaams, scholars and shaheeds.

14. Oh Allah, please grant my family/friends who are waiting for the gift of “children”.. Please grant them Saleh children who will grow up to be a source of Mercy for them.

15. Oh Allah, please help me stay away from Haram in achieving the best of this world.

16. Oh Allah, guide and protect our teenagers who need Your Help and Guidance from all of the temptations of sex, drugs, alcohol and all of the other Harams in our society.
17. Ya Allah Give me the strength to be steadfast throughout the trials I encounter. Oh Allah, don’t let me ever turn away from You, no matter how many trials and difficulties You test me with.

18. Ya Allah Protect my family from evil, calamities, enviers & the shayaateen from man & jinn. Ya Allah Reward my spouse Your best reward for her/his striving for my family. Ya Allah save me & my entire family from the Hellfire & make us enter Jannah al Firdaus Aa’laa without being accounted.

19. Ya Allah Shield, increase & protect the love/mercy/barakah between me & my spouse for as long as we live. Bind us together with love. Do not let shaytan break our bond.

20. Ya Allah Forgive the sins of those who have passed away in my family & the Ummah – young & old.

21. Ya Allah Unite the hearts of those undergoing family/marital difficulties.

22. Ya Allah Guide me towards performing good accepted deeds for Your Sake only. And Help me to attain khushu’ & ikhlaas in my ibaadah.

23. Ya Allah Help me get closer to you as my end draws near. Ya Allah Make me love You, Your Prophet (pbuh), Your Deen, Your Quran the way it deserves to be loved. Ya allah Increase my iman, tawakkul, yaqeen in You. O Allah Increase me in Taqwa, Make me of shakiroon (grateful slaves) and Oolil Albaab (People of sound understanding).

24. Ya Allah Grant me a soft heart & content with Your Laws. Ya Allah Make the Quran be my companion in both worlds.Ya Allah Guide me to the siraat mustaqeem until my last breath, never be deviated in shirk, kufr or bid’ah. Ya Qaadiru, Make me among the muhsineen, muttaqeen, mukhliseen, the sabiqoon fil ilm.

25. Ya Allah Favour me with the ability to do tazkiyah of my soul throughout my life journey.

26. Oh Allah, please get my (father/brother/husband/ name of any person) out of this horrible debt that is burdening him. Please give him means that are to get out of this as soon as possible, so that we can face You on the Day of Judgment free of all debts.
27. Oh Allah, open a way for brothers/sisters to marry as soon as possible. Let them marry who is sincere and devoted to You and who is compatible with them.

28. Oh Allah, cleanse my heart of the sicknesses of arrogance, malice, jealousy, hatred, self-admiration, show off, envy and pride and let me die as one of the sincere, humble Muslims.

29. Oh Allah, open a way for me to make Hajj and umrah with my family again and again.

30. Oh Allah, all of my brothers and sisters who are suffering for Your sake through torture, violence, in jails, etc., around the world please forgive their sins and grant them Paradise. Oh Allah, help orphans and poor wherever they are and Forgive the Muslim ummah -the living and the dead. Bless the Muslims. Grant victory to the oppressed. Fill their hearts with Eman. Ya Qawiu, Ya Azizo, Bring the downfall of those (modern day pharaohs) oppressors & Relieve those who are deprived, burdened, oppressed, in debt. Ya Allah Protect my brothers & sisters across the warzones & from the persecution, rape, slaughter, humiliation.

31. Oh Allah, bless whole Muslim Ummah with tranquility and love, and end their hardships specially muslims from Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Pakistan, India, Kashmir, Srilanka .. (the list is endless).

32.Oh Allah, please help brothers give up smoking this year but only You can make it easy.

33. Ya Waliu, be the Helper of Single mothers and Widows.

34. Oh Allah, protect us against fitna of grave, Dajjal, Yujuj & Majuj, the last Day and Hell fire.

35. Ya Rahmanu, Expand my grave and illuminate it with light and Ya Allah Make my grave & barzakh a peaceful, cool abode.

36. Ya Allah Grant me the Shade of your Arsh on Yawmul Qiyaamah. Ya Allah Give me my record of deeds in my right hand and make my mizaan (scale) heavy with the good deeds.

37. Oh Allah, make us amongst the Sabiqoon as mentioned in Surah Al Waqiyah also make us worthy so we will drink water from the fountain of Al Kauthar from Prophet’s ﷺ hands on Day of Judgment.

38. Ya Allah Ease my crossing of the Siraat & Qantarah (bridges before Paradise) with the speed of light and more.

39. Oh Allah, lift the veils from the eyes of those who have been deceived into seeing Islam as something bad because of ignorance and media stereotypes.

40. Oh Allah, bring all humans closer to You and each other. Please do not make us Muslims a test for them with our misrepresentation of Islam because of our bad behavior. Oh Allah, save humanity from being its own enemy. Protect Your creation from oppression.

41. Ya Aleemo, Help me understand, write and speak Arabic

42. O Allah, Help me maintain good ties with my relatives

43. Ya Ghaffaro, Help me see my faults and cover it from others

44. Ya Raz’zaqo, Bestow me with wealth to spend in your way

45. Oh Allah, help me stop my bad habits of eating and talking too much. Grant me soft speech, protect my tongue from lying, backbiting, hurting others.

46. Ya Allah, Do not let others humiliate/oppress/mock/take advantage of me

47. O Allah, Help me be courageous and take correct decisions. Grant me correct Aqeedah, excellent memory and understanding of the deen with daleel

48. Grant me modesty in clothing and speech in front of non Mahrams.

49. Oh Allah help me leave behind a legacy with humility.

50. Ya Shaafio, Grant your perfect cure to those who are sick and give them beautiful Patience.

Ya Allah, O my Allah, Ya Rehman, Ya Rahim, Ya Kareem, Ya Sattar, Ya Ghaffar, Ya Qadir, Ya Sami, Ya Aleem, Ya Zuljalaali Wal ikraam be rahmatika astaghees.

Ya Allah I turn to you in repentance, in submission. I beg you plz fulfill my duas. Ya allah Forgive my sins, a complete forgiveness that leaves no trace. Ya allah Forgive my transgressions of Your Commands & the violations of the rights of people. Ya allah Grant me victory over my shortcomings, Reform and upgrade me Ya Kareem. O Allah, accept my duaas, ibaadah & deeds. Ameen Ya Rabul Ala’meen

 

JOURNEY OF A MUSLIM TO BE A MOMIN (Part 1)

It’s the story of every muslim, who is looking to achieve big goal after the life, that is JANNAH TUL FIRDOUS and WAJHI’ILAH. The life of dunya is like a set journey, it’s like a game, when you attain one level, another level unlocked for you. But if you stuck in one phase, the other level ll remain a mystery. But unlikely the struggle in the initial phase is more, once your aptitude is built, you’ll have better opportunities to face hardships of next level in skillful manner. I ll discuss first part of this journey related to dunya (world) while in other part insha’Allah ll look with the perspective of consequences of actions in hereafter (akhirah).

The Quran, divine book of muslims, is an ultimate guidance, you should keep it with you all time. It explains what to do and what not to do, to remain on track. Also, it explains what ll come in your way, when you ll be trying to attain a badge or an award.

The journey begins with the dua that may Allah swt be your Helper and ask His aid in every aspect. It shows don’t underestimate the challenges, what is in front of you is surely not easy. So, keep your weapon of dua ready all time. And don’t forget, you are seeking assistance of the Al-Mighty, the Most Powerful. Then there are some don’ts and do’s. If you are looking to score high in the end, you need to struggle hard and don’t miss any award or bonus coming in your way. It’s very challenging, at every corner, you’ll experience distractions that will mislead you from your target. When you’ll start this game, maybe you would be struggling to become a conscious muslim but by the end you ll be a Momin who’ll have titles of Sabir, Tahir, Taw’wab, Muttaqi, Muhsin and list goes on.

However, some of the qualities or titles would already present in you. But for few you would require extra time and inner strength. Each chapter of the Quran ll give you practical and moral tips to ease your struggle. It ll also explain past stories of other participants (nations) who attempted it, some were failures and some were high scorers. Those who didn’t follow the rules have faced the consequences in this dunya but in spite of that, they’ll confront bigger punishments on the day of resurrection. Similarly those who scored high in this dunya, will be honored with many good news.

Let’s see some details of difficulties that’ll come in the way of achieving titles. A muslim should have fear of Allah and hope that his struggle ll have beautiful ending. When there is fear, he’ll be less distracted and can identify traps of his enemy, the Shaitan. One the key to success is be more focused in akhirah. It ll help to score more and more good deeds. Always remember every good deed has its weight and value. Every step should be taken with clear understanding to please Allah swt. It ll insha’Allah make you Muttaqi. On the other hand, when you’ll be tested with trials, like lack of wealth, health, fear of loss, hunger, death of loved ones, abuse of relatives/friends etc, the required behaviour is to uphold patience. If you face all or any difficulty with patience, and don’t complain in front of others, with your actions, words or gestures, glad tidings are there, alhamdulillah you have achieved the Title of the Sabir. Allah swt loves Sabireen and He is always there for them.Being patient is hard work; it does not always come naturally or easily.

Since you have achieved big badges, by maintaining them, you can easily unlock further challenges of the way. But don’t forget, life is series of moments, keep your connection strong with your Lord, the Majesty, Allah swt. We have to equipped ourselves with more potent weapons like gratitude (Shukar), excellence (Ihsan) and forgiveness (Tawba).

Shukar ll keep you humble in the bliss moments and when we realize the blessings of Allah swt, that are surrounding us from all sides. Iman is the one of the biggest blessing, that helps muslim to become momin. It makes him goal oriented and we feel that we are not born without the purpose. Next comes, how to achieve level of excellence. It leads muslim to the level of perfection in islamic faith, the difficult challenge. And just like you cannot tell if someone is a Mumin, you cannot tell if someone is a Muhsin either. And just like it is impossible to be a Mumin without first being a Muslim, likewise it is impossible to be a Muhsin without first being a Mumin. So it goes hand in hand. Level of excellence is attained by doing every act with best of your ability. Ihsan deals with the purification if inner soul (tazkiyah). So we can say, by attaining level of Ihsan, one also become Tahir. And a Tahir requires to be purified himself physically and spiritually from Rijs (impurity/filth). The temptations of the life, ego, show-off, jealousy, discontentment, disobedience increase the rijs of heart and soul. And it distract the believer (momin) from his goals, he lost his awards, good deeds and fill his bucket with that filth.

But as soon your conscious wakeup, re-built your connection with the Oft-Forgiving, Al-Ghafur, Allah swt. To receive His forgiveness, recognize your mistake, and make a promise not to repeat the offense. And do whatever needs to be done to rectify the mistakes and keep asking His forgiveness. It will entitled you as Attaw’wab. Isn’t beautiful, that every single opportunity of good, is leading towards the title? Indeed, Allah is very happy when any of His slaves repents. If he responds to the call of his Lord and repents, he will have a prosperous life in this world and the good rewards in the hereafter. If he however does not repent, Allah will punish him for his sins and He is not unjust with anyone.

Beware that every single title is connected with other, if you lose one most likely you’ll lose other, it is utmost struggle until death hit. There are set guardians over you. As soon the time of life-game is over, the book of deeds will be closed, , and angels of death ll take our soul and they never fail in their duty. [1] When the soul of a believer who is righteous and innocent is removed, it comes out of the body like a drop of water sliding off the tip of the spout of a jug. However the soul of a disobedient person fights back and refuses to leave the body. His soul is removed forcibly and comes out torn and fragmented like a piece of cloth being pulled off a thorny bush. [1] 

Here big phase is completed, next part of journey explains the results depending upon the scores.

May Allah swt bless us to successfully accomplish high scores and titles so that we become worthy of Jannah tul Firdous where we live happily ever after, ameen.  

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[1] Reference (The Hereafter by Anwar Awlaki)

DUA OF DISCIPLES OF ISA A.S

⚜💖✨Dua- Rabbana Aamanna Bima Anzalta✨💖⚜
⚜💕✨💖⚜⚜💗⚜⚜💖⚜⚜💗⚜⚜💖✨💕⚜

رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا بِمَا أَنْزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ

✨Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger Jesus, so register us among the witnesses [to truth].”✨

(Surah Ale-Imran : 53)

💕This dua was made by the hawariyyun (disciples) of Isa AS. They believed in him, the message that he bought and supported him in his cause and made dua to be among the witnesses.

💕The witnesses refers to the sahaba, the companions of the Prophet ﷺ. They too believed in the Prophet ﷺ and helped spread the message of Islam. So the dua of the hawariyyun  was to be registered with the sahaba. They longed to be part of good company.

💕Good friends, company of the Sawliheen is amongst the greatest blessing of Allah SWT. It is impossible for a person to walk the path of obedience alone. Good company and team work makes a person more productive and achieve results that are impossible to achieve alone.

💕Good company comprises of those that love each other for the sake of Allah.

✨Allah the Exalted said:

“My love is obligatory for those who love each other for my sake, who sit together for my sake, who visit each other for my sake, and who spend on each other for my sake.”

(Source: Musnad Ahmad 21525, Grade: Sahih)

May Allah SWT bless us with good company and register us amongst the witnesses.

⚜💓✨آمین يا رب العالمين✨💓⚜

Planning is a First Step to Build on….Let’s Plan for Ramadan

Ramadan is the name of a month in Islam.This month is known as one of most blessed month due to its special relation with the Divine Book of Allah swt, The Quran. It’s revelation was First introduced to Prophet Mohammad ﷺ in the Month of Ramadan۔ Later، its revelation continued for next 23 years.This month has special night which is better than the worship of 1000 months. If one encounters this blessed night and stands for worship during the night, get the opportunity of reward equivalent to 1000 month. Invocations have special importance in this blessed month more importantly at the time of breaking fast. If one attains Taqwa, obeys Commands of Allah swt and refrain from unlawful, insha’Allah they ll become source for acceptance of Duas.

Allah swt says in Quran,

“And when ask you My servants about Me, then indeed I am near. I respond (to the) invocation (of) the supplicant when he calls Me. So let them respond to Me and let them believe in Me, so that they may (be) led aright.

(Surah Al-Baqarah: 186)

Ramadan is a wonderful opportunity to refresh our iman and to remove our impurities. In this time of year, we are blessed with pure quality time to look in our hearts, to see our mistakes and an opportunity to get rid of bad habits that are harming our affairs of this world and Hereafter.

Let’s make a planner to groom and organize ourselves in this month with intention to improve the quality of our Iman.With intention to enter in coming month with improved qualities and high status in Iman near Allah swt through purification, striving, internal training, invocations, and with lots Istighfar (seeking forgiveness of Allah swt for sins).

Why Planning is Important?

Planning is most important to have a clear framework and structure before working and to decide all required steps to be taken. It makes one organized and provides a timeline to start and complete the target properly.

Things to Remember before Planning for Ramadan, a self grooming project:

1- Set short/easy goals: It will make it easier to achieve your goals with less burden on mind and soul. Once you will achieve your short tasks, it will give you sense of achievement and will encourage you to proceed further.

2- Equilibrium: It is an important rule of Balance. Do not add too many things in your to do list from beginning of month. It will tire you by the last 10 special days of Ramadan when Our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would be most devoted for worship. Make sure, you’ll be fresh and ready for more in the end of Month.

3- Continuity & Firmness: It is most divine rule that we maintain consistency in our routine. Allah swt likes those deeds which are smaller but continuous. In your to do list, set some goals from start and make sure you remain consistent throughout.

Every Day Schedule/Day Planner:

1. Divide your activities in half hour/ smaller chunks.
2. Assign activity to yourself from each category such as Prayer, Invocations, hifz review, Juz recitation, preparing Sahoor, kids school getting ready time, Dawa Time, Time for your parents on phone, study time etc.
3. Prioritize activities those are must to do while you can compromise others if some thing unusual comes up.In this way you’ll attain continuty on “Must to do goals’ and will remain patient on missed activity.

For a reference you can divide following activities as per our Ramadan Planner

Ibadah Improvement	Self Grooming Improvement	Dawa/Spreading Divine Message Project	Cooking/Feeding a Source of Ibadah a way to enter In Paradise
First and main Goal	Punctuality	Sharing the Blessings	Cooking/Feeding/ Serving is Ibadah:
Put most effort in Beautifying and Betterment of Ferd Prayers	If you lack Punctuality; like can’t wake up on first alarm, delay prayers for making up wudu, or waste time doing other chores even on your way to prayer rug, spend extra time on phone, in cleaning/cooking or in just sitting, Now it’s time to divide each hour in useful little chunks for attaining continuity. Praying on Time is one of the Most Beloved deed near Allah swt	Different ways of sharing are to:	Renew your Intention,
		1- Write a Letter to your Neighbour about importance of Ramadan.	1- Offering Food to hungry, is itself a Sadaqa. Each day when you’ll present food with love to your family, it will cheer your heart as well. According to meaning of an Hadith, to feed others is a way to enter in paradise.
		2- Mention sharing my Iftar with you	2- You are cooking healthy nutritious food to actively perform in your Ibadah.
		3- Take a Brown bag add some dates or any sweet you want to add	3- To share this food with others
		4- Wrap in an Envelope with some rose petals in it	4- Eating and enjoying good Healthy food, is also a way to be thankful for the blessings of Allah swt.
		5- Add some Dawa Cards.	5- Balance is a Rule for success. Make sure not to spend a big portion of day only in cooking
		Make an intention to share your Iftar with above package at least with one Neighbour/Muslim or Non Muslim. With the Help of Allah swt and one’s determination message can be delivered to 30 families in 30 days of Ramadan. May Allah swt help us to achieve our goals, Ameen.
New Adhkar and Dua	Anger Management:	Quantity doesn’t count:	Instant receipe Plan:
Add one New Dua/adhkar in your prayers every day.	If you feel you need to work on your temper control, look for strategies from sunnah and start applying, also make lots of Duas along with your effort to achieve this target.You will see improvemnt.	Having big Iftar at your place can be time consuming in this precious month.Buy some dates boxes and deliever to your family Friends/Relatives with intention, if they break fast with these dates, reward for Iftar will instantly go in our Bank of deeds Inshah’Allah	Find some healthy instant food recipes before Ramadan and remain prepared with ingredients.
			1- Freeze chicken/Kabab/ pre-cut vegetables in small packets.    2- Cut Fresh Fruits Daily 3- Avoid soda such as coke, sprite, etc. 4- Lemonade is good for digestion.
Add Sunnah Prayers:	Talkative:		Time for Iftar:
If you pray Ferd only, add sunnah from now on with intention to continue later after Ramadan as well.	We all need to watch our words as are being written.To speak good and beneficial is better then lots of Gossips/lyin/backbiting/etc		Do not spend too much time in Iftar. It is better to break the fast by eating dates or drinking water first; then, the evening prayer (maghrib) is performed. It is also appropriate to eat the dinner quickly and then perform the evening prayer.
	*start working on this with asking aid from Allah swt to attain persistence to talk useful.
Add Nafil Prayers:	Spending on unnecessary stuff:		Water intake:
If you pray ferd and sunnah, add obligatory prayer Nafil in your ibadah with intention to continue after Ramadan	Spending extravagant is that effects the strength of our Iman and weakens our relationship with Allah swt		Do not drink too much water at once or too fast, after iftar drink here and there in short intervals to avoid dehydration. Water Deficiency will make you tired and less active.
	*Avoid buying extra that has no benefit or use
Addition in Nafils:	Breaking bad habits:		Eat in Balance:
If you already have continuity on Ferd/sunnah/Nafil add 2 Nafil for Wudu before any one or Two prayers such as before Asr and Maghrib for this Year.	Figure out one of your bad habit first, and activate conscious thinking of your brain because it is important stage, initially it ll be battle between the strength of your conscious mind and programmed behaviors in your subconscious control. And with the blessings of Ramadan, you’ll insha’Allah attain grip on it later.		Do not fill your stomach as you need to stand for (Taraweeh) Night prayer.

 

 

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Written by Bint e Abdul Waheed 

CHAPTER 4: 1ST PRINCIPLE – TYPES OF WORSHIP (Al-INAABAH, AL-ISTI’AANAH)

WHAT IS TURNING REPENTANTLY (Al-Inaabah)?

It is to turn to Allaah, the Most High, in obedience, and avoiding disobedience to Him, and its meaning is close to that of repentance (tawbah),  except that it is more subtle in meaning, and conveys the sense of dependance upon Allaah and fleeing for refuge to Him, and it cannot be except for Allaah, the Most High.

Islaam as prescribed and required of us in the Sharee’ah  and that is to submit to the laws and commandments of Allaah. This is because submission to Allaah, the Most High, is of two types:

(i) Submission of all the creation, which is to submit to whatever He has decreed should exist and occur in the creation about which the creation has no choice. So this is general and covers everyone in the heavens and the earth, the Believers and the unbelievers, the righteous and the wicked. No one can possibly disdain and depart from this.

The evidence for it is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High,

أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ اللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ

“And to Him everyone in the heavens and the earth submit, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him you will all be returned.” 

(Soorah Aal-‘Imraan (3):83)

(ii) Submission to the laws and prescriptions of Islam: and this is to submit in obedience. This is particular to those who are obedient to Allaah, the Messengers and those who follow them upon good. The evidences for this in the Quran are many, and from them is the Aayah  mentioned below :

وَأَنِـيبُواْ إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُواْ لَهُ

So turn, O you people, repentantly and obediently to your Lord, and submit obediently to Him”

(Soorah az-Zumar (39): 54)

WHAT IS AID AND ASSISTANCE (Al-Isti’aanah)?

Al-Isti’aanah means seeking aid and assistance, with regard to everyday matters which people are able to do, there is no harm in this because it is in co-operation upon righteousness and dutifulness to Allah. It is of various types:

(i) Appealing for aid and assistance from Allaah – this is an appeal for aid and assistance that comprises complete humility of the servant before his Lord, and to submit and entrust the affair to Him, and to be certain that He is fully sufficient for him. This is not to be except for Allaah, the Most High, alone, and the evidence is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High,

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

“O Allaah You alone we worship, and to You alone we appeal for aid.” 

(Soorah al-Faatihah (1):5)

The fact that this is to be for Allaah, the Most High, alone is shown by the fact that He mentions the word upon which the verb acts before the verb itself, and according to the principles of grammar of the Arabic language, in which the Qur’aan came down, bringing forward that which usually comes afterwards indicates restriction and particularisation. So directing this type to other than Allaah, the Most High, is shirk which takes a person out of the Religion.

(ii) Seeking the help of a person from the creation, in something which he is capable of helping in. Then this will be in accordance with the action in which help is sought. If it is a good action then it is permissible for the person to seek help upon it, and prescribed for a person to help in that, as Allaah, the Most High, says,

وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الْبرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ آلْعِقَابِ

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa, but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And have Taqwa of Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment.” 

(Soorah al- Maa’idah (5):2)

If it is a sinful thing, then it is forbidden for the person doing it and for the one who assists, as Allaah, the Most High, says,

If it is something permissible, then it is allowed for the person to seek help and to be assisted, and the one who is helping may be rewarded for kind treatment and thus it becomes something prescribed for him as Allaah, the Most High says,

وَأَحْسِنُواْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

“And do good, indeed Allaah loves those who do good.” 

(Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 195)

(iii) Seeking the help of a person from the creation who is alive and present, except that it is something which he is incapable of, then this is futile and useless. For example that he seeks the help of a weak person in order to carry something very heavy.

(iv) Seeking the aid of any deceased person, or the aid of the living in a matter of the hidden and unseen, which they cannot reach. Then this is shirk  since it will only be done by a person who believes that those whose help he seeks have some hidden control over the creation.

(v) Seeking help by performing deeds that are beloved to Allaah, the Most High. This is something that is prescribed due to the Saying of Allaah, the Most High,

وَاسْتَعِينُواْ بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَوةِ

“And seek assistance through patience and Prayer.” 

(Soorah al-Baqarah (2):45)

The author, rahimahullaah,  uses as evidence for the first type the Saying of Allaah, the Most High,

“O Allaah You alone we worship, and to You alone we appeal for aid.” 

(Soorah al-Faatihah (1):5)

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Related Links:

Introduction to Author – Imam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab

Al-Usool Ath-Thalatha

SOURCES:

ittibaa.com

Audio in Urdu: Dr. Farhat Hashmi – Al-Usul al-Thalathah

Arabic Text: Download Book-Al-Usul Al-Thalaathah

Explanation of Usool Ath Thalatha by Shaykh Uthaymeen

1ST CHAPTER OF BOOK:

PART 1 – INTRODUCTION TO FIRST OBLIGATORY MATTER TO LEARN

PART 2- INTRODUCTION TO NEXT THREE OBLIGATORY MATTERS TO LEARN

2ND CHAPTER OF BOOK:

Introduction

The First Matter (Part -1) , Part-2

The Second Matter (Part -1), Part -2  – Negation of Shirk

Evidence on Second Matter

The Third Matter – Alliance and the Disociation

Evidence on Third Matter

THIRD CHAPTER OF BOOK:

What is Al-Haneefiyah?

Ibadah with Tawheed (Part 1) – (Part 2)

FOURTH CHAPTER OF BOOK:

 Introduction to 3 Fundamental Principles

First Principle ( WHO IS YOUR LORD) – Part 1

First Principle ( Proof) – Part 2

First Principle – Signs of Allah – Part 3

Proof for Allah’s Lordship and His Sole Right to all Worship – Part 4

Types of Worship

• Ad’Dua
• Fear (Khauf) , Hope (Ar’Rija)
• Reliance (Att’awakkul)
• Fervent desire (Ar-Raghbah), Dread (Ar-Rahbah), Humility (Al-Khushoo), Awe(Al-khashyah)

• Turning Repentantly (Al-Inaabah) and Aid /Assitance (Al-Isti’aanah)

CHAPTER 4: 1ST PRINCIPLE – TYPES OF WORSHIP (Al-KHAUF, AR’RAJAA’)

What is Fear?

Fear is to be frightened and is a result of expecting something which will bring about destruction, harm or injury, and Allah, the one free of all imperfections and the Most High, forbade having fear of the allies of the Satan, and He commanded fear of Himself alone. Fear is of three types:

(i) Natural fear, طبعی خوف such as a person’s fear of predatory animals, fire, or drowning. This is something for which a person is not to be blamed. Allah, the Most High, said about Moosaa,

فاصبح في المدينة خائفا يترقب  

“So he entered in the morning in Pharaoh’s city in a state of fear, awaiting events.”

الغرض صبح کے وقت شہر میں ڈرتے ڈرتے داخل ہوئے

[Soorah al-Qasas (28): 18]

However if this fear is, as mentioned by the author, a cause of his leaving an obligation or doing something forbidden, then it is forbidden. Since whatever causes an obligation to be abandoned, or causes something forbidden to be done is itself forbidden (haraam).  The evidence here is the Saying of Allah, the Most High,

انما ذلكم الشيطان يخوف اولياءه فلا تخافوهم وخافون ان كنتم مؤمنين

“So do not fear them, but fear Me and beware of disobeying Me, if you are truly Believers.”

یہ (خوف دلانے والا) تو شیطان ہے جو اپنے دوستوں سے ڈراتا ہے تو اگر تم مومن ہو تو ان سے مت ڈرنا اور مجھ ہی سے ڈرتے رہنا

  [Soorah Aal-‘Imraan (3):175]

Furthermore fear of Allah, the Most High, is sometimes something praiseworthy, and is sometimes something that is not praiseworthy. It is praiseworthy when it prevents you from being disobedient to Allah, and causes you to fulfil the obligatory duties and to avoid what is forbidden. So if this goal is reached, then the heart settles and is at peace, and is dominated by joy at the blessings of Allah and hope for His reward. It is something that is not praiseworthy when it causes a person to despair of Allah’s Mercy and to give up hope altogether. In such a case the person will give up and may continue in sin due to the fact that he totally gives up hope.

(ii) Reverential fear,  that he fears something and takes that as his religion. This is to be for Allah, the Most High, alone. Directing such reverential fear to anyone other than Allah, the Most High, is major shirk.

(iii) Secret supernatural fear,  such as fearing someone buried in a grave, or a person thought to be pious, who is far away and cannot affect him, yet still he has secret fear for him. This is also mentioned by the scholars as being a case of shirk.

What is Hope and longing (Ar-rajaa’)?

حصول کی اُمید رکھنا It is that a person wishes for something that may be attained and is close, and it may be something that is far off but treated as being something close. This earnest hope which comprises humility and submission may not be directed except to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and directing it to anyone other than Allaah, the Most High, is shirk.  This shirk  will either be lesser shirk  or major shirk  depending upon the state of the heart of the person in this case. The author uses as evidence the Saying of Allah, the Most High,

اذ اوى الفتية الى الكهف فقالوا ربنا اتنا من لدنك رحمة وهيئ لنا من امرنا رشدا

“So whoever hopes to see His Lord and be rewarded by Him, then let him make his worship correct and make it purely and sincerely for Him; and let him not make any share of it for anyone other than Him.”

جب وہ جوان غار میں جا رہے تو کہنے لگے کہ اے ہمارے پروردگار ہم پر اپنے ہاں سے رحمت نازل فرما۔ اور ہمارے کام درستی (کے سامان) مہیا کر

[Soorah al-Kahf (18):11O] 

 طبعی الرِجاء تمع الشرک: کسی  سے اِیسی چیز کی خواہش یا تمع رکھنا جو دینا اُسکے اِختیار یا قدرت میں نہ ہو۔ شرک میں شامِل ہے۔

 طبعی الرِجاء تمع : کسی زندہ شخص کی چیزحاصل کرنے کی خواہش یا تمع رکھنا جو دینا اُسکے اِختیار میں ہو۔

‘Hope‘ which is praiseworthy is only that which is found in a person who acts in obedience to Allaah and hopes for reward from Him, or a person who repents from sin and hopes that his repentance is accepted. As for a person who hopes despite the fact that he does not act, then this is delusion and false hopes, and is something blameworthy.

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Related Links:

Introduction to Author – Imam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab

Al-Usool Ath-Thalatha

SOURCES:

ittibaa.com

Audio in Urdu: Dr. Farhat Hashmi – Al-Usul al-Thalathah

Arabic Text: Download Book-Al-Usul Al-Thalaathah

Explanation of Usool Ath Thalatha by Shaykh Uthaymeen

1ST CHAPTER OF BOOK:

PART 1 – INTRODUCTION TO FIRST OBLIGATORY MATTER TO LEARN

PART 2- INTRODUCTION TO NEXT THREE OBLIGATORY MATTERS TO LEARN

2ND CHAPTER OF BOOK:

Introduction

The First Matter (Part -1) , Part-2

The Second Matter (Part -1), Part -2  – Negation of Shirk

Evidence on Second Matter

The Third Matter – Alliance and the Disociation

Evidence on Third Matter

THIRD CHAPTER OF BOOK:

What is Al-Haneefiyah?

Ibadah with Tawheed (Part 1) – (Part 2)

FOURTH CHAPTER OF BOOK:

 Introduction to 3 Fundamental Principles

First Principle ( WHO IS YOUR LORD) – Part 1

First Principle ( Proof) – Part 2

First Principle – Signs of Allah – Part 3

Proof for Allah’s Lordship and His Sole Right to all Worship – Part 4

Types of Worship

• Ad’Dua
• Fear (Khauf) , Hope (Ar’Rija)

HOW BRAIN WORKS?

It seems mysterious how our brain works – and how we perform, act, and interact as a result. The brain’s exact storage capacity for memories is difficult to calculate.

Things we have seen, heard around us not necessarily practically said, get saved in our brain’s disc. They remain there, though new learning, new words might push them back. Whenever it learns something new, brain quickly starts reading its disc and brings out that old memory which matches with the new one. For example, when we say some words such as apple, stick, grass …etc., these words come out of our mouth instantly, gives the glimpse of any past or recent memory.

Similarly, some incidents remind us of some other related occurrences. If our mind is filled with informative, positive, beneficial stuff, each flash of memory will be a good refreshment and source of support for us in present. On other hand, if our brain disc is filled with useless, unhealthy, meaningless junk, the results will be negative and it will leave unpleasant effects on body too.  The way our brain acts, it seems, is sensitive to the way we, their owners, think and get influence from our surroundings. Certain memories involve more details and thus take up more space; other memories are forgotten and thus free up space. Additionally, some information is just not worth remembering in the first place.

This is good news because our brain can keep up as we seek new experiences over our lifetime. But it is more important to nourish it in an educated healthy environment. It’s also essential to keep our eyes, ears and tongue safe from watching and listening to useless and indecent stuff so that our mind disc only fill with pleasant and pure thoughts.

The personality is a pattern of thinking, feelings and behaviors that make a person unique. A good thought reflects in our actions and words and in turn makes us a personality as a whole. If we want to see our generations and ourselves as productive and healthy beings, we must ask from Allah subhana’watalah to protect them from every evil.

There is a supplication that our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us to recite thrice in the morning and evening for protection of faculties and well-being.

اللهم عافني في بدني اللهم عافني في سمعي اللهم عافني في بصري لا اله الا انت

O Allah! Grant well-being of my body and well-being of my ears and well-being of my eyesight, There is none worthy of worship besides you.

(Sunan Abu Dawud:5090 – Hasan)

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Written by Bint e Abdul Waheed 

CHAPTER 4: 1ST PRINCIPLE – PROOF (PART 2)

The author, rahimahullaah,  presents as proof for the fact that Allah, the one free of all imperfections and the Most High, is the one who nurtures and sustains all of creation, the Saying of Allah, the Most High: “All praise is for Allah“  meaning that description with the attributes of perfection, majesty and greatness are for Allah, the Most High, alone.

“The Lord of all creation“  meaning that He is the one who nurtured and sustained them with His blessings, and that He is their creator and their owner and Sovereign-Lord, and that He is the one Who controls their affairs as He, the Mighty and Majestic, wishes. So no-one can say that I have Lord besides the Lord of all creation. This is the proof of Ruboobiya (Lordship) of Allah subhana’watalah. He is the only one Who deserves worship and this nullifies the worship of others.

The creation (al-‘Aalam:  that by which something is known) is so called because they are a sign for their Creator, their sovereign Lord. So everything contains a sign showing that Allah is one, and I am one of the creation, and my Lord has made it obligatory upon me that I should worship Him alone.

اياك نعبد واياك نستعين

It is You we worship and You we ask for help.

اے پروردگار) ہم تیری ہی عبادت کرتے ہیں اور تجھ ہی سے مدد مانگتے ہیں)

(Surah Al-Fatiha : 5)

This ayah indicates the restriction because the fact that the governed word is brought forward Iyyaka and the governing verb is put back. So “You” we worship is different to “we worship You“, because saying “we worship” is merely affirmation. However, “You, we worship” includes negation and affirmation, meaning we do not worship anyone else besides You. And worship will not be correct except with negation and affirmation and Laillaha’illalah includes same meaning as it contains both expressions, a negation for the right to be worshipped from everything else besides Allah, and affirmation is for Allah, the Majestic and Perfect.

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Related Links:

Introduction to Author – Imam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab

Al-Usool Ath-Thalatha

SOURCES:

ittibaa.com

Audio in Urdu: Dr. Farhat Hashmi – Al-Usul al-Thalathah

Arabic Text: Download Book-Al-Usul Al-Thalaathah

Explanation of Usool Ath Thalatha by Shaykh Uthaymeen

1ST CHAPTER OF BOOK:

PART 1 – INTRODUCTION TO FIRST OBLIGATORY MATTER TO LEARN

PART 2- INTRODUCTION TO NEXT THREE OBLIGATORY MATTERS TO LEARN

2ND CHAPTER OF BOOK:

Introduction

The First Matter (Part -1) , Part-2

The Second Matter (Part -1), Part -2  – Negation of Shirk

Evidence on Second Matter

The Third Matter – Alliance and the Disociation

Evidence on Third Matter

THIRD CHAPTER OF BOOK:

What is Al-Haneefiyah?

Ibadah with Tawheed (Part 1) – (Part 2)

FOURTH CHAPTER OF BOOK:

 Introduction to 3 Fundamental Principles

First Principle ( WHO IS YOUR LORD) – Part 1

First Principle ( Proof) – Part 2

First Principle – Signs of Allah – Part 3