ALMISKEENAH

 

PONDER…PONDER….PONDER….

I recently received the following ‘ponderables’, JazakumuLlahu khairan katheeran. In turn I invite you to also ponder aspects of this enormous topic, understanding that pondering for the sake of Allah Ta’ala is itself a form of worship….and realizing that scholars throughout the centuries have dealt with, and still are expounding volumes on such topics related to the purification of the heart.

      …"can love and disobedience exist in the same heart? Is this then not true love? Or is it not love at all? Maybe love by its definition is something which constitutes an inability to disobey…? I’d like your thoughts…

Also, I ponder on that heavenly statement…

If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.  (3:31)"

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My humble responses, acknowledging the grand scope of this topic alongside my limited knowledge. This is merely a ponder….

The heart, as a receptacle is capable of containing many states. And as we are encouraged through numerous Ayat and Ahadith to be in a continual process of cleansing this receptacle, then it follows that it surely is holding a concoction of all that is humanly possible; the good, the bad and the ugly, the pure, the impure, and the innumerable diseases that accumulate, blackening the heart, hence the Iman, leading to the obstruction of the Nur of Allah Ta’ala.

Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him, and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the Muhsinoon to be lost.   (12:90)

Nay, to Him belong all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience to Him.  (2:116)

Alhumdulillah the conditions of the heart’s fluctuations are commensurate with the efforts we make on it. Maybe the sign of love co-existing with a temporary disobedience is firstly the recognition of a disobedience followed by the conscious effort to eradicate it? Maybe this could be called true love as one sets out to wage an inner jihad on that which is recognized as not being of any benefit, which requires a true love as the motivating energy? Maybe it is a sign of love by being mindful that disobedience is not the path that leads to eternal bliss and a close proximity to Allah Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu laihi wasallam in the Garden?

Verily, those who believe  and do righteous good deeds, and humble themselves (in repentance and obedience) before their Lord, - they will be dwellers of Paradise to dwell therein forever.    (11:23)

There are visible acts of disobedience; lies, backbiting, bribery, usury, drinking, robbery along with inner acts, including pride, jealousy and malice and we have been commanded to cultivate the best of attributes and work to nurture the best moral character. Maybe if there was no love for Allah Ta’ala’s Commands then there would be no striving or struggling to avoid disobedience?

And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqoon (the rebellious and disobedient).     (5:108)

Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.    (17:25)

And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith to your Lord and submit to Him, before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped.    (39:54)

Abdullah b. Amr b. al-’As RadhiAllahu anhu reported that he heard Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam  as saying: Verily, the hearts of all the sons of Adam are between the two fingers out of the fingers of the Compassionate Lord as one heart. He turns that to any direction He likes. Then Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: 0 Allah, the Turner of the hearts, turn our hearts to Your obedience. 

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to supplicate Allah: "My Lord, help me and do not give help against me; grant me victory, and do not grant victory over me; plan on my behalf and do not plan against me; guide me, and made my right guidance easy for me; grant me victory over those who act wrongfully towards me; O Allah, make me grateful to Thee, mindful of Thee, full of fear towards Thee, devoted to Thy obedience, humble before Thee, or penitent. My Lord, accept my repentance, wash away my sin, answer my supplication, clearly establish my evidence, guide my heart, make true my tongue and draw out malice in my breast." 

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu narrated that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Allah Almighty said: The striving of my servant to please Me does not receive a reward greater than that of fulfilling what I have commanded him to do. My servant volunteers in his perseverance, offering supererogatory devotion to please Me and to earn My love. Once I cast My love upon him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he extends justice, and his foot that carries him. Should My servant then pray for something, I will answer his prayers, and should he seek refuge in Me, I will protect him. Indeed, there is nothing I have decreed, and which I hesitate to do for the sake of a believer except causing him to experience death. He dislikes it, and I hate to displease him, but I have thus ordained.

Abi Imama RadhiAllahu anhu reported that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Among my followers, I love most a believer who controls his emotions, who gives prayers and fasts a good share in his life, who is known to worship his Lord, and who obeys Him in secret. No one recognizes him, and he arouses no curiosities. He subsists on meager sustenance, and exercises patience. His Lord awaits to bring him to stand before Him, few will know of his death, and fewer are his heirs.   

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That which is absolutely lawful is that which involves no sinful disobedience of Allah, and in which Allah (Exalted is He) is not forgotten.  Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani

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Contentment means the expulsion of disagreeable feelings from the heart, so that nothing remains except happiness and joy.  Dhul n-Nun al-Misri

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Fellowship with Allah (Exalted is He) is maintained through good conduct, constant respect, and persistent obedience. Fellowship with Allah Ta’ala’s Messenger SallAllahu laihi wasallam is maintained by following his Sunnah and embracing religious knowledge.  Shaikh Abu Bakr ibn Huwara al-Bataihi

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If someone loves the Lord of Truth, and wishes to find Him, he must cause that wish to dwell within his heart.  

The seeker is a lover, engaged in a quest, while the one who is sought is a loved one, the object of the quest. When the seeker is sought, he is captured, wrested away, and drawn aside. Love’s ardour overwhelms and conquers him, for he has found what he was seeking. He has travelled the road and covered the distance. He has abandoned his personal identity, and forsaken it completely. He has erased all shades of colour from his sight, so he no longer sees them.  Shaikh ‘Ali ibn Wahb ar-Rabi’i

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Seeking nearness to the Sovereign Master; By obeying him and forsaking disobedience.

Performing these acts of obedience – especially the obligatory ones and leaving the sinful ones – draws one closer to Allah and leads to Him. In a sacred tradition (hadith qudsi) it states: “My servant does not draw closer to Me with anything more beloved to Me, than the obligatory duties that I have enjoined upon him. Me servant continues to draw closer to Me by performing optional deeds, until I love him. From The Exquisite Pearl

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The Prophet (s) said: al-mujahidu man jahada nafsahu fi ta`at Allah `azza wa jall [The fighter against unbelief is he who fights against his ego in obeying God; Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, Tabarani, Hakim, etc.]… Sufyan al-Thawri said: "I never dealt with anything stronger against me than my own ego; it was one time with me, and one time against me"… Yahya ibn Mu`adh al-Razi said: "Fight against your ego with the four swords of training: eat little, sleep little, speak little, and be patient when people harm you… Then the ego will walk the paths of obedience, like a fleeing horseman in the field of battle."   GHAZALI ON JIHAD AL-NAFS [FIGHTING THE EGO]

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…Love of Allah

And the abandonment of every distraction,

(That distracts) the heart and body

From the obedience of the Most Merciful.  From Preserving the Heart

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The best you can seek from Him

is what He seeks from you.

A sign of being deluded is:

sorrow over loss of obedience while failing to get on with it.

Ibn ‘Ata’ Illah

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The world is but a moment

so make it a moment of obedience

Imam al-Shafi’i

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Disobedience is leaving a Command of Allah Ta’ala, or not doing what has been Commanded by Allah Ta’ala. In the eyes of Alah Ta’ala this is far greater than committing a forbidden act, manha.

Iblis disobeyed a Command by not performing sujud to Adam Alaihis Salam. As a result of this disobedience Allah Ta’ala cursed him till the Day of Judgement, and would not accept his repentance.

On the other hand Adam Alaihis Salam was forbidden to eat of the fruit of one tree in Jannah, however he did so, but when he repented it was accepted by Allah Ta’ala. Fulfilling the Command of Allah Ta’ala is a worship and part of our servitude to Him. Allah Ta’ala’s Commands are meant for themselves, whereas all forbidden acts are meant to protect the Commands. Fulfilling, or obeying a Command reaps a reward multiplied by ten, while performing the forbidden attracts one  sin, sayeah.

And as for the heavenly statement:

If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.  (3:31)   the Divine Speech elaborates with:

And obey Allah and the Messenger so that you may be blessed. (3:132)

Saying that to be deserving of Divine Mercy, the obedience to Allah Ta’ala has been declared necessary and binding, along with the obedience to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. This is oft repeated throughout our Holy Book, the obedience to Allah Ta’ala immediately followed by the command to obey the Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, the basic qualities of Islam and Iman.

And whoever obeys the Messenger, he surely obeys Allah. (4:80)

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May we all be watchful of Allah the Ever-Watchful. We ask Allah Ta’ala to bestow upon our nafs purity and taqwa, He alone is the Most Excellent in turning our hearts to His obedience and opening our hearts to the love of His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and all he left us. May we all strive to be counted among the obedient. Ameen

 
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

 

 

 

What delight is there in life other than companionship with the fuqara?

Shaykh Abi Madyan, from the Qasida in Ra. 

Allah Ta’ala made the Ashab us-Suffa RadhiAllahu anhum, the chosen companions, the paragons of knowledge and wisdom, the original fuqara. They were free from attachment to anything but His acceptance and to the everlasting favour of remaining in His nearness. While at the same time they also recognized that they could not receive His blessings without His shield to protect them against the mundane deceptive attractions and calamitous fascinations which are fabric of this ephemeral world.

Men whom neither business nor trading can divert them from remembering Allah (24:37)

They were not driven to despondence due to lack of worldly comforts, because they had reached such a status by regarding the world as a temporary passing, not taking pride in company that was fated to return to dirt. Except that of our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, who often shared their suffering of hunger and whose teachings permeated their hearts like no other.  

Abu Muhammad ibn Hayyan RadhiAllahu anhu narrated that one day after the Fajr prayers, the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu laihi wasallam came and he inquired from the people of Suffa, saying: “How are you doing this morning?” They replied: “Well.”  The noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Indeed you are well today, but a day may come, when you maybe served one plate of grapes after another fruit is served, and when you will decorate your homes extensively and drape their walls and windows (to exhibit a grandiose look) with material fir got the Ka’aba!”

Amazed by his statement the Ashab us- Suffa RadhiAllahu anhum asked: “O Messenger of Allah SallAllahu laihi wasallam, will we ever come upon such status in this world, and yet remain observant of our religious practices?” He replied: “Yes, somehow you will!” The people of suffa then rejoiced and said: “Then this should be good for us, and should we live to see such a day, we surely will be generous in our charities, and we will free slaves from bondage!”The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu laihi wasallam pondered for a moment then he said: “Nay! Surely you are better today. When such a day comes, you will have developed jealousy and perfidy towards each other, you will be divided with indifference towards one another, and you will even grow enmity and hatred towards one another.”

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Rahmatullahi Alaihi narrated that Thabit al-Banani said: “Salman al-Farisi RadhiAllahu anhu was sitting with a group of people in the Masjid remembering Allah when the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam came by. When the people saw him they immediately stopped. He asked them: “What are you doing?” They replied: “O Messenger of Allah SallAllahu laihi wasallam, we regularly gather here to remember Allah, and to celebrate His praises.”  The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu laihi wasallam then said: “Continue to do what you were doing, for I saw the Divine Mercy descending upon you and I wanted to come here and share with you what I saw.” He then added: “All praises are due to Allah Who made among my followers a group with whom I am commanded to constrain myself and to keep my soul content in their company.”

The achievers of such status and honour of poverty have signs, and those who follow them in their footsteps, up to and beyond the Hour of Resurrection, are surely the princes of faith among the believers. The truthful banners of their commitment cannot be denied, their innermost hearts are a monumental witness and are filled with the omnipresent divine truth, for indeed, the Omnipresent, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing Lord is their divine Guardian and Guide, and His most blessed Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is their ambassador and monitor. In fact, such blessings are the gift to the few privileged ones who eagerly renounce the comfort of this world, and unrelentingly challenge its arrogance and deceptive nature.

(inspiration and excerpts from here)

And the following illuminating description is from a recent sharing received from one of the many visiting Ashiq readers, (JazakumuLlahu khairan katheeran) excerpted from one of my favourite oft quoted texts by the Crown of Saints from his Necklaces of Gems.

Someone once asked the Sultan of the Saints [awliya] of Allah, the venerable Shaikh Abd al-Qādir al-Jilāni (May Allah be well pleased with him) about the meaning of the term "[spiritual] pauper" [faqīr], he said: "[In the Arabic script, it is written with the letters]: fā-qāf-yāy-rā." Then he explained the significance of each of these letters in poetic verse:

The initial fā of the faqir stands for his absortion [fanā] in his essence and his detachment [farāgh] from his description of his attributes.

The qāf stands for the strength [quwwa] of his heart in [its dedication to] his Beloved, and his commitment [qiyām] to Allah for the sake of His good pleasure.

The yāy shows that he pins his hopes [yarjū] on Him, and fears [yakhāfu] Him, and performs [yaqūmu] his duty as true devotion demands.

The rā stands for the refinement [riqqa] of his heart and its purity, and its return [rujū] to Allah from its carnal desires.

The Shaikh (May Allah be well pleased with him) then went on to say:

"What is required of the spiritual pauper [faqīr] is that he should be flexible in thinking [fikr] and centered in remembrance [dhikr], courteous in disagreement [munāza’a] and ready to assist in reconciliation [murāja’a]. He must seek nothing from the Lord of Truth but the Truth [Haqq], and he must practise nothing but truthfulness [sidq]. He must be the most tolerant of people, and the most self-effacing. His laughter should be of the cheerful, smiling kind, and his curiosity should be used as an instrument of learning. He should be a reminder to the heedless, and a teacher to the ignorant. He must not hurt those who hurt him, and he must not meddle in things that do not concern him.

He must give plenty in the way of favors, but little in the way of offense. He must be careful to abstain from things that are unlawful, and stand well clear of things that are of dubious legality [shubuhāt]. He must be a helper [ghawth] to the stranger, and a father to the orphan. His joy should be apparent in his face, while his sadness is stored in his heart. He should be engrossed in his contemplation [fikr] and happy in his poverty [faqr]. He must not disclose a secret, nor rend a veil. He must be graceful in movement, bountiful in kindness, charming in outlook, generous in providing benefits, refined in taste, excellent in moral character, and very gentle.

"He should be a precious substance that melts and flows. He should be long on silence [samt], agreeable in manner [na’t], forbearing when he is treated foolishly, and very patient with anyone who treats him badly. There should be no freezing [jumūd] of the feelings in his presence, and no extinguishing [khumūd] of the fire of Truth. He must never be slanderous [nammūm], envious [hasūd], impetuous [’ajūl], or malicious [haqūd]. He must treat the elderly with deference, and the young with compassion.

"He must be worthy of trust [amāna] and far from betrayal [khiyāna]. His habit should be true devotion, and modesty should be his natural disposition. He should always be on the alert, and make vigilance his constant practise. He should take little for granted, and be very long-suffering. He should mean little to himself, but a great deal to his brothers. His behaviour should be an example of good conduct [adab], and his speech should be a marvel [’ajab]. He must never gloat over anyone’s misfortune, nor speak ill of anyone behind his back.

"He must be dignified and very patient, content and very thankful. He should spend little time in talking, and make a frequent practise of ritual prayer [salāt] and fasting. He must be truthful of tongue, and steadfast of heart. He should treat his guests with cordial hospitality, and supply everyone present with whatever food is available. When disasters befall him, his neighbours must not be adversely affected.

He must not be a verbal abuser [sabbāb], a backbiter [mughtāb], a slanderer [ghayyāb], a calumniator [nammām], or a faultfinder [dhammām]. He must not be impetuous [’ajūl], inattentive [ghafūl], envious [hasūd,], irritable [malūl], malicious [haqūd], or ungrateful [kanūd].

"He must have a tongue that is stored away [makhzūn], a heart that is grief-stricken [mahzūn], a way of speaking that is measured [mawzūn], and a way of thinking that travels far and wide, through what has been and what is yet to be [mā yakūn]."

  Upon Your doorstep my burdens dropped

I don’t dwell on anxieties that once weighed me down

My straits have faded, my joys expanded

It’s all changed to hope what once made me frown.

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Alhumdulillah once again a reminder of the honour of using the stunning art work of Bint-eh Adam, alias Butterfly of Brum for the header. An expressive ALLAH as if blossoming in a heart of pure love….with fronds reaching out to others for the love of Him. Her visual Dhikrs, which seem to transport one to deep inner contemplative  Muraqaba  recesses, are for sale, as well as commissions taken. You can read more about the evolution of her works, and make contact here, Insha’Allah. May Allah Ta’ala continue to grace her hands with His gift of creativity, Ameen.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

 

 

 

 

As the last few moments of Rajab, the month of Allah Ta’ala fades into Shaban, the month of our Blessed Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, may we fill the heart with expressions that stir our love for our Rabb, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, drawing closer to Him, Insha’Allah.

I have selected some of the sayings from the Necklace of Gems (1) of Sheikh ‘Abd al-Qadir, may Allah be well pleased with him, concerning tanzih [the affirmation of Allah’s freedom from all imperfection] to enhance our awareness of the One.

Our Lord, Allah (Exalted is He) is the Near in His sublimity,

the High-Exalted in His proximity.

[He is] the maker of the creation by His power,

and the Foreordainer of all matters by His Wisdom,

and the Wncircler of all things with His knowledge.

His word is complete and His mercy is universal.

There is no God but He.

Liars are they who attribute equal to Him,

as are they who claim that He has a peer,

or believe that He has a likeness or a namesake.

Glory be to Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He)

Glory be to Allah

[in proportion to]

the number of His creatures,

and the good pleasure of His Essence,

and the weight of His Throne,

and the content of His words,

and the extent of His knowledge,

and of all that He has willed

And created and fashioned and formed.

[He being] the Knower of the unseen and the visible,

The All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate,

The Sovereign Lord, the All-Holy, the Almighty, the All-Wise,

Single, One, Unique, Everlasting.

He does not beget and is not begotten,

And to Him there is no equal.  (112:3,4)

There is nothing like unto Him,

For He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing  (42:11)

He has no likeness and no counterpart,

and He has no aide and no assistant,

and He has no partner and no minister,

and He has no peer and no advisor.

He is not a physical body, that could be touched,

nor a material substance, that could be felt,

nor an accidental property, that could be discarded,

nor a compound structure, that could be dismantled,

nor a mechanical apparatus, that could be replicated,

nor a composition, that could be modified.

nor a figment of the imagination, that could be defined,

nor a natural phenomena, among other such phenomena,

nor a celestial body, among other celestial bodies,

nor a darkness, that could become transparent,

nor lamplight, that could shine.

[He is] Present to all things in respect of knowledge,

but without intermingling,

[and He is] a Witness to them in respect of observation,

but without physical touching.

[He is] Irresistible, Decisive, Unique,

Worthy of worship, One who will never pass away,

Sempiternal, One who will never die,

Governing, Just, Powerful,

Compassionate, Forgiving, Pardoning,

Creator, Maker,

Eternal Lord of the Realm of Sovereignty,

Everlasting Lord of the Realm of Dominion,

Self-Sustaining, One who never sleeps,

Almighty, One who can never be harmed,

Impregnable, One who can never be assailed.

His are the Most Beautiful Names,

and the loftiest attributes,

and the ideal paradigm,

and the most lasting glory.

Imaginations cannot picture Him,

and understandings cannot appraise Him,

and He is not subject to analogy,

and He cannot be compared to people,

and minds cannot describe Him,

and intellects cannot define Him.

He far transcends comparison

with that which he made,

or annexation to that which He has originated.

[He is] the Reckoner of breaths.

[He is] Holding every soul

Responsible for what it has earned  (13:33)

He has already counted them [His creatures]

and added them all up,

and all of them will come to Him

on the Day of Resurrection, one by one.

He feeds, but is not fed.

He nourishes, but is not nourished.

He protects, but does not need protection.

He created that which He originated,

not for the sake of procurement.

He provided benefit,

though not to ward off harm,

nor in response to someone who appealed to Him,

nor because of a thought that occurred by chance,

 but rather by an absolute Will,

independent of novel interpretations.

As He has said (Exalted is He):

[He is] Lord of the Throne, the All-Glorious.

Effective in doing whatever He wishes.  (85:15,16)

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The blog has been honoured to use the stunning art work of Bint-eh Adam, alias Butterfly of Brum for the header. An expressive ALLAH as if blossoming in a heart of pure love….with fronds reaching out to others for the love of Him. And below is her “Finding God” This, along with other of her visual Dhikrs, which seem to transport one to deep inner contempaltive, Muraqaba, recesses, are for sale, as well as commissions taken. You can read more about the evolution of her works, and make contact here, Insha’Allah. May Allah Ta’ala continue to grace her hands with His gift of creativity , Ameen.

 

Go sweep out the chamber of your heart. 
Make it ready to be the dwelling place of the Beloved. 
When you depart out, He will enter it. 
In you, void of yourself, will He display His beauties.

Mahmud Shabistari - ‘Rose Garden of Mystery’

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

 

 

SABR…..patience; a beautiful fluid, flowing quality, a honeyed marvelment, floating in a sea of syrupy sweetness awaiting to be contained in the heart. May we seek its capture, anchoring it in the heart by its empyreal solitary dot, in the hope of being the recipients of all the favours Allah the Almighty promises….

And convey glad tidings to those who are patient (2:155)

O you who believe, endure with patience, outdo all others in patient endurance, be ready, and observe your duty to Allah, in order that you might succeed. (3:200)

Our Lord! pour out on us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims.  (7:126)

Verily! I have rewarded them this Day for their patience, they are indeed the ones that are successful.  (23:111)

Those will be rewarded with the highest place (in Paradise) because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect.  (25:75)

So be patient (O Muhammad), with a good patience.  (70:5)

Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient ones)   (2:153)

And Allah loves As-Sabirin  (3:146)

Sabr, one of the highest and noblest of qualities endowed on our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam by Allah Ta’ala. May Allah Ta’ala bless him infinitely.  Ameen.

Narrated Anas RadhiAllahu anhu and Ayesha RadhiAllahu anha: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity."  And another narration: “And whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.”

Al-Bara’ bin ‘Azib RadhiAllahu anhu narrated that Allah Ta’ala’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “Allah Almighty has selected and elite among His servants. He reserved for them the highest heavens, for they are the wisest people.” Al-Bara’ added: “We asked: O Messenger of Allah, in what way are they the wisest?” He replied: “They mainly endeavour to please their Lord, and they renounce curiosity, aspiration for leadership, and comfort in this world, hence, the trials of the world are light ans easy on their eyes, knowing that their exercise of patience in this world for a short while will help them attain permanent peace in their permanent life thereafter.”

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“Allah is the Most Patient One.

In everything He is in perfect measure and in perfect time.

He is patient, and He loves….

…is with the patient ones (8:46)

In His creation as in His actions, in His dealings with His creation, nothing is either bigger or smaller, better or worse, earlier or later than it is determined for it to be. He does not delay things beyond their appointed times or fail to finish them as a lazy one might do, nor does He hasten and imperfectly finish things as an impatient one might do. Rather He does everything in its proper time and in just the manner that it ought to be done.

Patience is in Allah’s divine disposition; therefore, patient men reflect this honoured disposition.

Patience is a very high state for the believer, because the affairs both of this world and the Hereafter are resolved by it. No success, no perfection, can be achieved easily and without pain. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam says that: ‘Paradise is surrounded by things that the flesh does not want.’ Allah promises infinite rewards for those who can be patient with the turbulence of the desires of the flesh and of their egos. There are even greater rewards for patience in supporting misfortunes, poverty, accidents, and sickness, which are unavoidable and come from Allah. If people shoe patience, they receive rewards that far surpass the pain.

The meaning of Islam is submission: to forego one’s appetites, desires and will in favour of the will of Allah. To be able to submit, one has to be patient.

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Patience is a mirror of certainty, and needed to at­tain every high aim. Our sheikh distinguishes three types, saying: “The masters have conveyed to us that three hundred spiritual de­grees may be reached by patience in performing acts of obedience, six hundred degrees by patience in refraining from disobedience, and nine hundred degrees by patience with others.” It transmutes the imper­fection of the circumstances one is patient with into the perfection of being with Allah, who says in Surat al-Baqara, “Verily Allah is with the patient” (Koran 2:152).

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“Conventionally sabr, patience stands for a striving of the heart because to restrain the self from jaza, expressing unrest and disorder is called patience. Some Ulema have said that jaza is that intention of man whereby he tries to get out of some trouble into which he has fallen, whereas sabr, patience means giving up of jaza.

A man should imagine the critical times of distress and calamities and think that his impatience and restlessness in such a situation will bring neither relief or aggravation in his suffering nor cause any shifting of the time backward or forward. It is therefore useless to give way to restlessness and bewailing. This behavior may prove to be harmful rather than beneficial. The best way of attaining patience is to remember the promises made by Exalted Allah to reward His servants who practice patience and perseverance.”

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It is reported that a man once said: “O Messenger of Allah, my property has gone and my body has become sick.” So the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam told him: “There is no good in a servant of the Lord whose property does not depart, and whose body does not get sick. Whenever Allah, Exalted is He, loves a servant of His, He is sure to put him to the test, and when He puts him to the test, He admonishes him to be patient.”

A man once came to see what he could learn from Ash-Shibli, may Allah the exalted bestow His mercy upon him, so he said to him: “What kind of patience is hardest on those who are patient?”

“Patience in relation to Allah.”

“No.”

“Patience for the sake of Allah.”

“No.”

“Patience in bearing with Allah.”

“No.”

“Well then, what is it?”

“Patience in enduring separation from Allah.” At this point ash-Shibli gave vent to such a plaintive cry that his spirit was almost destroyed.

The basic noun sabr, patience means that no distinction is made between the state of grace, ni’ma and the ordeal of tribulation, mihna, and that both are experienced with equanimity. The derived form tasabbur, trying to be patient means calmness in coping with misfortune, although the feelings are affected by the burdens of the ordeal.” (1,2)

 *

The Station of Patience

Their souls patiently enduring all that is disdainful;

Desirous of what it entails of divine benevolence.

Patient perseverance (sabr) is restraining the soul from what it finds disdainful, when doing so entails the pleasure of the Most Merciful. (note: Ibn al-Qayyim: Al-Junayd said: ‘The journey from this world to the Hereafter is smooth and easy for the believer, but leaving ordinary life for the sake of Allah is difficult. The journey from the ego (nafs) to Allah is extremely difficult, and patience (sabr) in Allah is even more difficult.’ He was asked about patience, so he replied: ‘It is to swallow bitterness without frowning.’ Dhu’l-Nun al-Misri said: ‘Patience is to distance yourself from opposing [the truth], to remain calm when engulfed with calamities and to display sufficiency when poverty occupies your daily life.’ It has been said: ‘Patience is to face affliction with the best conduct.’ It has been said: ‘It is to absorb affliction without displaying complaint.’ It is said: ‘it is accustoming the soul to the onslaught of adversity.’ It is said: ‘It is to settle down with adversities in good companionship, in the same manner as one settles down with well-being.’ And ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman said; ‘It is standing firm with Allah and meeting tribulation with magnanimity and welcome.’)

Patient perseverance is of three types: patiently persevering in the obedience of Allah. So that it may be fulfilled; patiently persevering against disobedience, so that it may be abandoned; and patiently persevering with regards to the hardships that Allah decrees, not showing any impertinence towards it. When the soul feels lazy about obeying Allah, one exhorts and enjoins it to do so, as well as encouraging it by reminders of the rewards [entailed]. When the soul is strong in inviting towards disobedience to Allah, one restrains and warns it from doing so, and reminds it about the punishment for disobedience. Patient perseverance is needed in all these affairs. (note: as for complaining in times of adversity, Imam ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said in al-Fawaid pp.130-131,

“The ignorant one complains about Allah to the people! This is the height of ignorance in complaining and in whom the complaint is about. For if a person were to truly know his Lord, he would never complain of Him? If he truly knew people, he would never complain to them?….The gnostic complains only to Allah, and the most knowledgeable of the gnostics are those who complain to Allah about themselves, not about others….So there are three levels: The mosy contemptible of them is to complain to people about Allah; the loftiest of them is to complain to Allah about oneself; the middle level is to complain to Allah about others.”

* 

In Bukhari Shareef this is also mentioned in a Hadith and Maulana discussed the wisdom in that:
"So that through grazing sheep and goats,
The Prophet’s patience and dignity may be exposed.
The reason they are made to rear goats is,
To teach them patience and gentleness amidst adversity. "

Read complete story here, and listen to an audio series here. 

 

Three Maulana Rumi Rahamtullah alaihi gems:

Lovers are Made Aware.

You make a hundred resolutions

to journey somewhere,

He draws you somewhere else,

He turns the horse’s bridle in every direction

So that the untrained horse may know there is a rider

The clever horse is well paced

because it knows a rider is mounted upon it.

He fixed your heart on a hundred passionate desires,

disappointed you, and then broke your heart.

Since He broke the wings of your first intention,

how do you doubt the existence of the Wing-Breaker?

Since His ordainment snapped the cord

of your contrivance,

how can you remain blind to His Command?

Your resolutions and aims now and then are fulfilled

so that through hope your heart

might form another intention

which He might once again destroy.

For if He were to keep you completely from success,

you would despair:

how would the seed of expectation be sown?

If your heart did not sow that seed,

and then encounter barrenness,

how would it recognize its submission to Divine will?

by their failures lovers are made aware of their Lord.

Lack of success is the guide to Paradise:

Pay attention to the tradition,

"Paradise is encompassed with pain"

*

Lovers share a sacred decree –

to seek the Beloved.

They roll head over heels,

rushing toward the Beautiful One

like a torrent of water.

 

In truth, everyone is a shadow of the Beloved –

Our seeking is His seeking,

Our words are His words.

 

At times we flow toward the Beloved

like a dancing stream.

At times we are still water

held in His pitcher.

At times we boil in a pot

turning to vapor –

that is the job of the Beloved.

 

He breathes into my ear

until my soul

takes on His fragrance.

He is the soul of my soul –

How can I escape?

But why would any soul in this world

want to escape from the Beloved?

 

He will melt your pride

making you thin as a strand of hair,

Yet do not trade, even for both worlds,

One strand of His hair.

 

We search for Him here and there

while looking right at Him.

Sitting by His side we ask,

"O Beloved, where is the Beloved?"

 

Enough with such questions! –

Let silence take you to the core of life.

 

All your talk is worthless

When compared to one whisper

of the Beloved.

*

 

Petals

Even when you tear its petals off one after another,

the rose keeps laughing and doesn’t bend in pain.

"Why should I be afflicted because of a thorn?

It is the thorn which taught me how to laugh."

Whatever you lost through fate,

be certain that it saved you from pain.

A Sheikh was asked: "What is Sufism?"

He said: "To feel joy in the heart when sorrow appears."

*

May we seek its capture, anchoring it in the heart by its empyreal solitary dot, in the hope of being the recipients of all the favours Allah the Almighty promises….Ameen.

 
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

After posting this entry I saw this moving chapter (page 19) on Patience from The Attributes of the Believer  http://www.yursil.com/Sifat-Part1.pdf posted by brother Yursil,  http://www.yursil.com/blog/ JazakumuLlah khairan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A tablecloth, a lamp and a sock!

The Story of Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu anhu.

Once some guests came to visit Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu anhu, who entertained them with a meal. The tablecloth became dirty and discoloured, due to some food falling on it. Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu anhu instructed the maid servant to cast it into the burning furnace. The servant did as she was commanded to do.

The guests were astonished at this command. When the tablecloth was thrown into the burning furnance, they awaited the appearance of smoke to indicate that the tablecloth was burning. But instead when it was removed from the fire, it was still intact and had become clean.

They asked him:

“O companion of Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, why did this tablecloth not burn in the fire?

And instead of burning, had become perfectly clean.”

Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu anhu replied:

“The reason for the tablecloth not burning is this, that on various occasions Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam cleansed his hands and lips on this cloth.”

Now Maulana Rumi Rahmatullah alaihi says:

“O you, who have become frightened of the fire and the punishment of Jahannam

It is most advisable that you draw near to such blessed hands and lips, by following the Sunnah.

When something material has been granted such honour by the lips of Rasulullah Sallahu alaihi wasallam

You can imagine what honour he must have granted to his true Lovers.”

Lesson:

When a tablecloth was granted this honour by the wiping of his Sallahu alaihi wasallam’s blessed hands one can imagine what honour and nearness to Allah Ta’ala will be granted in both worlds to those who follow the Sunnah diligently, which is a way of obtaining Divine proximity. May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the ability to follow the Sunnah and make us anxious to attain that great bounty from Him, Ameen!

*

The Story of a Person Walking with a Lamp by Day.

One day a certain person took a burning lamp in his hand during the light of day as he proceeded to the market. Someone said to him: “What is wrong with you? What need is there for a lamp during the daylight?”

He replied: “I am searching for man everywhere. I do not see even one man.”

The person said: “But this market is filled with men.”

He replied: “No there is no man in this market, only the outer forms of men.
These are only the bread-eaters and persons involved with their desires.

All the persons you see in this market are all carriers of attributes contrary to the true mankind.

They are not men but persons dressed in the outer forms of men.

For a man the attributes of man are necessary.

If aloe wood which has a fragrance, does not possess fragrance, then what is the difference between it and other timber?

Manhood and humanity is not the name for flesh, fat and skin.

Manhood is the name given to those attributes, character and deeds

Through which Allah’s pleasure is attained. If manhood is only for those in manly form,

Then Ahmad and Abu Jahl would be equal, yet we know it is not so.”

Lesson:

If we should on the above criteria take stock of our manhood and humanity, then on the whole surface of the earth the only real men will be the saintly ones. The rest of those who are supposed to be human beings are only eating and defecating ones, who are busy with their objectives and what is connected to them.

The best example of this is the machine for grinding flour. At the one side the corn is entered into it and at the other end the flour comes out. Similarly, the human body of those who only eat and defecate is also a machine, where on the one side bread is entered into it, and the other side is the rubbish coming out of it. It is thus a machine producing rubbish. So those who only look upon their aims in life as eating and eliminating waste are actually calling their bodies a machine. May Allah save us from this stupid theory.

Maulana Rumi Rahmatullah alaihi’s other theme, that man is not a name for flesh and fat, covered in human skin but is a name for him who does that which pleases Allah. The signs of it being so is that this person becomes adorned with deeds and character which lead to His pleasure. Such a person undoubtedly is fit being called a man. He has the contact of ‘nisbat’ within him. Adam alaihis Sallam’s special description is that he uttered the cry:

“Rabbanaa Zalamnaa Anfusanaa wa Illam taghfirlanaa tarhumnaa lana koonanna minul khausireen.”   

“O our Lord, we have been unjust to our own selves. And if You do not forgive us and have Mercy on us, we shall be of the losers.”

He cried thus for a lifetime so much so that from the tears he shed, small fountains started flowing and from them fragrant flowers, roses, and jasmine were created (as mentioned in the Tafseer Maha-imy)

Hence Maulana Rumi Rahmatullah alaihi says:

“Those people who are special children of Adam, will, like their father

Cry: Rabbanaa Zalamnaa, over their sins, begging His pardon.”

Through this theory of Maulana Rumi Rahmatullah alaihi many an owner of huge mansions and motor cars, but who do not possess the attributes of true servants of Allah Ta’ala, should pass judgement over themselves as to whether they are great men or small men. In fact there is no doubt as to whether they are men at all. Great men are those who have kept Allah Ta’ala pleased with them. On the Plain of Reckoning, on the Day of Qiyamah, everyone will be brought to his correct level. If in this world it is said that this is a great man, because he owns a mansion stretching over 2,000 yards, or that he has three cars and is the owner of three factories, of what use it is going to be to him when in the Hereafter he will be looked upon as if he was just a sweeper.

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam once asked: “O people, do you know who is a great man?”

He then informed them that a great man is one who is known as the “Ashaabu-Layl” and “Hamalatul-Qur’an”. That is, he is one of those who stand up during the night to recite Tahajjud prayers and secondly he is one of those who not only recite the Qur’an but has made the Quranic lifestyle his habit. If he had been only a recite of the Qur’an, Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would have said “Hafathatul-Qur’an”.

May Allah Ta’ala make us the true exponents of manhood and humanity, Ameen.  And may He enter into us the correct relationship with our father Adam Alaihis Sallam and may He cause the true soul to enter our bodies, Ameen.

*

The Story of an Eagle Taking Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s Socks.

Once Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam after performing wudhu went to put on his leather socks, when an eagle came along and took one of the socks and flew away with it. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam was quite surprised and distressed about this. However after a short while, the eagle came back, turned the sock upside down towards the ground and a black snake fell out of it. Then the eagle presented the sock to Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and said:

“O Messenger of Allah, the reason for this flying with the sock was that a snake was hidden in it;

This was the cause of my insulting behavior.

Allah ordered me to protect you, otherwise I had no other duty

Than to be submissive and utterly respectful towards you.”

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam expressed his gratitude to Allah and said:

“The incident which I considered a sad affair

Was actually a case of loyalty and mercy.

O eagle, you carried my sock away and I became displeased

You made me sad and I considered it a case of grief.”

The eagle replied:

“O Beloved SallAllahu alaihi wasallam for you this incident is a lesson of warning from Allah

So that you may be pleased with every verdict of Allah

And consider it as a means of goodness.

And accept with pleasure from Allah if anything contrary to your wish takes place.

That anything which outwardly appears to harm you by Divine verdict

You may be certain that it is for your welfare and good.

Should any calamity take place, do not become saddened

And be not grief stricken when any loss occurs.

Because whatever calamity overtakes you wards off a greater calamity

And any loss occurring is to ward off a greater loss.

While flying in the air I saw the snake inside the sock.

This was not as a result of my own specialty.

No! it was a reflection of your own light and your own blessings.

And Allah in His Wisdom kept the snake hidden from you

To give a special lesson.”

Lesson:

The lesson in this story is that a person should not become impatient and unduly worried when a calamity comes. Instead one should think that it has come to ward off a greater calamity. In other words, one should always pray for safety and make plans in that direction, but be patient over any calamity that comes his way from Allah Ta’ala. The thought that it has come to ward off a greater calamity is a consolation and eases the pain and suffering.

* 

These lessons about our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, based on the Mathnawi of Jalaluddin Rumi Rahmatullah alaihi, from the commentary by Maulana Hakim Muhammad Akhtar, Daamat-Barakaatuhum, provide us with many deep "ponderable" insights. The above excerpts are from the print edition, however the online edition offers many other valuable stories to enlighten and awaken! May we all be enlightened and awake with our pondering!

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

 

 

 

 

Tauba, Istighfar and Maghfirah

SubhanAllah, how Allah Ta’ala’s plans throughout the day present certain signs to shake one to focus on the big issues of life.

After Ziarah in Rowdha Shareef this morning I needed to buy a particular book that I had previously purchased many times, so I was aware of its price. I went to four shops before I found the title, which had a sticker on it indicating that was the amount I had paid in the past. I put it on the counter and momentarily looked at other books. When I went to pay for the one I wanted the brother was removing the last remains of the sticker from the back and tried to tell me the book was double the price that had been clearly written on it. I was not impressed and simply walked away without the book. Initially I was not angry, but then the more I thought about it, and the more other occasions of being cheated around Haram came to mind I found myself “annoyed” to say the least.

Later while passing through the new tunnel on the eastern side of Jannatul Baqi, there was an unusual line of cars parked along the entire length of both sides, and coming out of the tunnel on the opposite side of the road was a huge traffic jam. We later learnt that there was to be a beheading nearby, with all these people gathering to witness it.

Thoughts gravitated to Tauba, repentance, and Istighfar, seeking forgiveness from Allah Ta’ala, and Maghfirah, forgiving the other, as part of the essence of our servitude and submission to our Rabb. Istighfar also being the means of enhancing our consciousness of Allah Ta’ala and strengthening our relationship with Him. Turning only to Him, confessing our deepest mistakes, failures, sins and weaknesses, as well as unconditionally forgiving the other.

Truly Allah loves those who repent, and He loves those who purify themselves. (2:222)

Inform my servants that I am the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful. (15:49)

Some of the noble Ahadith from the Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam:

“O Allah! Make me among those who, when they commit an act of virtue, feel good, and when they commit a mistake, seek forgiveness,”

 “Verily Allah extends His Hand during the night so that the one who sins during the day may repent, and He extends His Hand during the day, so that the one who sins during the night may repent. And this continues until the sun rises from its setting place in the west,”

 “O people, Repent to Allah and seek His forgiveness, for indeed I repent to Allah one hundred times a day,”

 “The best among you is he who is frequently put to trials and ordeals and who most often offers repentance.”

“Every human sins excessively and the best of sinners are the repentant ones."

Forgiveness is a symbol of the pure, righteous, deliberate and pleasant Muslim. Forgoing one’s rights is preferring the benefits of the Hereafter above that of this world. Being generous to others with a pure mind and out of piety commands their love and respect.

Forgiving others is not an easy matter. For one has to fight and overcome one’s self-centeredness and sense of revenge. This can only be achieved by the strong who are able to overpower the desires of their heart even though they are able to express their anger.

Allah Ta’ala says:

Let harm be requited by an equal harm, though anyone who forgives and puts things right will have his reward from Allah Himself, He does not like those who do wrong. There is no cause to act against anyone who defends himself after being wronged, but there is cause to act against those who oppress people and transgress in the land against all justice , they will have an agonizing punishment, though if a person is patient and forgives, this is one of the greatest things. (42:40-43)

While there is no comparison between the severity of these two incidents this morning, Tauba and Istighfar remain the same healers. Maybe the person was spared, as often happens in these cases, where the family of the victim at the last moment forgives the murderer. As for the brother in the shop, Allahu ‘Alum on his relationship with Allah Ta’ala, but I know I still have work to do with my forgiveness of him. Such a small misdemeanour compared to forgiving one who murders a loved one. Imagine the rewards bestowed on ones who forgive such a crime. SubhanAllah!

Forgoing one’s right and having self-control are signs of overcoming the circumstance. This is where one stands distinguished from others. This is the real strong person that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam praised. He SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “Whoever suppresses his anger while he is able to express it, Allah will call him in the presence of all creatures [on the Day of Resurrection] and ask him to choose of the houris [of Paradise] the ones he likes.” SubhanAllah!

The spirit of forgiveness while dealing with others is generally emphasized in the case of a man who came to the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and asked him, “How many times shall we forgive [our] servants?” The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam did not respond. The man repeated the question and the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam yet did not respond. When the question was repeated again, the Prophet said, “Forgive him seventy times every day.”

However, there are some people whose hearts are so hardened that they cannot forgive anyone. Nothing in this life is more important to them than taking revenge. Astaghfirullah.

The Qur’an uses three words for the act of forgiveness.  But each with a shade of different meaning.  “Afa” is normally translated as ‘forgive’, but it also means to forget and to obliterate from one’s mind.  “Safaha” means to overlook, to ignore or to turn away from, to treat a matter as if it did not affect one. “Gafara” means to cover up something as Allah Ta’ala does to our sins with His grace. I still have work to do, Astaghfirullah!

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said:  "If the tears of regret flow from the eyes of a believer onto his face due to the fear of Allah even though they may be the size of the head of a fly, then Allah will make the fire of Jahannum haram on that face."

Insha’Allah, whatever sins one has committed can all be forgiven by repenting. Anas RadhiAllahu anhu states that he heard Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam saying that Allah Ta’ala said, "O son of Adam, as long as you supplicate to me and have hope in Me, I will forgive you whatever the sin be and I will not bother. O son of Adam, if your sins reach the clouds in the sky and you seek forgiveness, I will forgive you and I will not bother. O son of Adam, if you come to Me with so many sins that they fill the earth, and you meet Me without having ascribed partners to Me, I will forgive you with the same great amount of forgiveness."

This hadith is a general announcement for the believers from our Rabb Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. Man commits sins and faults. He commits deficiencies in fulfilling the laws. He slips in being regular and punctual. A person commits minor and major sins due to negligence. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has kept the prescription of seeking forgiveness with extreme humility as a means of obtaining His pardon. He should be ashamed in his heart and express regret for the sin he has committed and regret his disobedience to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. He should make a firm intention not to commit the sin again. Upon this Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala will forgive him. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala says that this forgiving is not a burden for Him. I do not bother - there is no difficulty in forgiving a minor sin nor any obstacle in forgiving a major sin. How can we not forgive when Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is so Kareem with His forgiving?

He has granted the believers more solace by announcing that He will forgive even if the sins metaphorically fill the earth or if they fill the space between the earth and the sky. If your sins can fill the earth, then My forgiveness can also fill the earth. His forgiveness is limitless. The expanse of the sky and the earth is naught before Him. However, disbeliever and a polytheist will not be forgiven. A believer may have committed whatever amount of sins, but should not lose hope in the mercy of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. He should continue repenting and having firm hope of being forgiven.

Shaikh Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilani Rahmatullah alaihi when asked about Tauba he explained: “Repentance is the process whereby the Lord of Truth (Exalted is He) looks towards His ancient and predestined providence for His servant, directs that providence towards His servants heart, and tenderly detaches it, by attracting it toward Him and grasping it. When this takes place, the heart is drawn toward Him, away from the corrupt ambition. The spirit obediently complies, the heart and the mind follow suit, repentance is truly accomplished, and the whole affair becomes proper to Allah, Exalted is He.”

Ibrahim bin Adham Rahmatullah alaihi said: “Not till you exchange sleeplessness for sleep, riches for poverty, humility for honour, effort for gift, you shall not be fit to sit in the company of saints. He said that six precepts if followed will make one a saint:

1.       When you commit a sin against Allah Ta’ala, do not partake of His food.

2.       When you desire to commit a sin, get out of His Kingdom.

3.       Commit a sin at a place where He cannot see you.

4.       At the time of death, seek a few moments respite from the messenger of death that you might repent during that time for your sins.

5.       Do not allow the Angels, Munkir and Nakir to approach you and question you about your past deeds.

6.       When you are cast into the Fire, refuse to go there.

If you cannot perform these, then never vow to sin.”

To overlook and forgive are the admirable qualities of our Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. So how can we say we love and follow him if we are not prepared to emulate his noble ways? Where do we stand regarding the beautiful qualities of the leader of the Messengers SallAllahu alaihi wasallam?

 

O Allah, Your fugitive and disobedient has come again to Your door, Imploring You for Your forgiveness with a humble prayer to pardon of my sins. Forgive me and grant me salvation, by Your infinite mercy. Be kind to me and cast on me a glance of Your mercy, O Allah, forgive my past sins and protect me from future sins. You indeed have power over all things and You alone can have mercy on me. Ameen.

O Allah! who solves the very difficult problems. O Allah, You are the last resort for the courage of those who are aggrieved and sad. O Allah, when You want to do anything Your say: BE and there it is! My sins have surrounded me on all sides. You alone are the store of resources at the time of difficulties and hardships and I consider You for myself a store on such difficult times. Pardon me. It is You alone who accepts repentance and shows mercy. Ameen.

O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness for every sin by which I wronged one of Your friends and assisted one of Your enemies; or of which I spoke favourable, against Your liking, or upon which I rode away from Your obedience: or which I advanced in blatant defiance of Your Command.

O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness for every sin that remained hidden from Your creation but did not escape You, for which I repented to You and You forgave me. But then I returned to it, yet You still keep it concealed for me.

O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness for every sin that Your pen recorded and Your knowledge encompassed, every one that I have committed and that I am to commit until the end of my life. I seek Your forgiveness for all my sins: the first and the last, the intentional and the unintentional, the few, the many, the minor and the major, the subtle and the noticeable, the past and the recent, the secret and the open and public, and all those I am to commit throughout my life.

O Allah, send blessings on our Master Muhammad, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and upon the family of our Master Muhammad, and upon his Companions; and grant them abundant peace. Grant them abundant blessings and peace that remain as long as Your remain and last as long as You last, that have bounds only You can know, the blessings that please You and him, and by which You are pleased with us, O Lord of the worlds! And for this all praise is due to Allah! Ameen.

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

 

 

Ponder….

The prominence given to the date palm, specifically mentioned several times by Allah Ta’ala in His Book:

Then We cause to grow thereby gardens of palm trees and grapes for you; you have in them many fruits and from them do you eat. (23:19)

And the lofty date palm, with layers of fruit stalks, as sustenance for the servants. (50:10)

In them [both] will be fruits, and date palms and pomegranates. (55:68)

Ponder….

The date palms growing in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, like all things here, are doubly blessed by Allah Ta’ala.

Ponder..

owning your own Al-Madani date palms.

 

“Al-Madinah Treasures”, is a new investment project where one can buy your own date palms in an area 15 kms from Masjid Nabawi. Unfortunately the finer details do not appear in the article, and inquiries I have made in the past few days have not yet been answered.

Ponder…..

another investment:

Fulfiling your dreams…Live near the Two Holy Mosques.

Luxurious accommodation and blessed investment. Living close to Makkah and Madinah is an everlasting dream Muslims around the world aspire to fulfill. Today, through the packages of Zamazam deeds, we offer you a unique opportunity to obtain the utilization right of lavishly designed and furnished residential suits in the proximity of the Two Holy Mosques, for a periodical part of the year, at amazing rates!

SR230 per day. Spend 7 days yearly during summer vacation in Makkah and Madinah for 21 years."

 

Dar Al Qeblah, Madinah 

Abraj Al Beit, Makkah (1,2,3,4) 

Ponder.….

an immediate attainable investment.

 

For every SUBHANALLAH WA BIHAMDIH we utter, a tree is planted for us in Jannah! 

Ponder… 

the narration of ‘Abdullah bin Umar RadhiAllahu anhu who said that while sitting with the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam a branch of a date palm tree was brought to him. The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "There is a tree among the trees which is as blessed as a Muslim"

 Ponder…

Have you not considered how Allah makes a simile in the form of a beneficial word, like a good tree with stable roots and its branches in heaven.  (14:24)

 Ponder….

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

 

 

 

MUHABBAH MUHABBAH MUHABBAH MUHABBAH MUHABBAH

 

And those who believe are intense in their love for Allah

(2:165)

At this time when so many feel that the world is awry, we need to reflect upon the nature of love and the definition it may have in our hearts and minds. While so many issues around us appear chaotic, attempting to lead us to despair, Allah Ta’ala’s Muhabbah is a constant. Insha’Allah we allow ourselves to ride above the confusions and series of crises trying to giddy, not only the individual, but the Ummah as a whole, and renew and strengthen our connections with the essence of Muhabbah, the pure, unconditional love. May we be intense in our love for Allah Ta’ala, His Esteemed Master of Truth and Trustworthiness SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and all the Saliheen, Ameen. 
Some "ponderables" to keep you pondering for quite some time follow!

The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said:

“O Allah, I ask of You, Your muhabbah of those who love You.”

“Love Allah for His blessings by which He nurtures you, and love me for Allah’s love of me, and love my kindred for my love.”

Anas RadhiAllahu anhu said that a man came to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam ans asked: “When will the Last Hour come, Messenger of Allah?” He said: “What have you prepared for it?” He said: “I have not prepared a lot of prayer or fasting or charity for it, but I love Allah and His Messenger.” The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: “You will be with the one you love.”

He who loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him….

“Allah Ta’ala created mankind from His sheer power and mercy, and for this man is forever indebted. Man is the sum of the parts that Allah Ta’ala has given him: work of the eye is to see: the work of the ear is to hear; the work of the mind is to think, and the work of the heart is to love”…..read on here….. Articles of the month: Love and its Fruits. 

Hadhrat Sheikh Abu Bakr Kitaani (rahmatullah alayh) narrates:
“I was once in Makkah Muazzamah in the company of a group of Sufiyaa Kiraam who were discussing the question of Allah’s Love. The youngest of the group was Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi (rahmatullah alayh). The Sufi’s urged him to speak on this question.
Hadhrat Junaid (rahmatullah alayh) lowered his head and shed tears profusely. Then he said: “A lover is such a servant whose ego has been eliminated. He is absorbed in the thikr of Allah. He fulfills the rights of Allah. He looks with his heart towards Allah. The rays of Divine Fear have consumed his heart. The cup of Wine of Divine Love is for him. From behind the unseen veils Allah has become manifest to him. When he speaks, he speaks with Allah. When he moves, he does so with Allah’s command. When he rests, he rests with Allah. He is constantly with Allah he exists with Allah and he is in Allah’s companionship.”
All the Mashaa-ikh shed tears in abundance and said: Can anyone say anything more superb? O Taajul Aarifin (crown of the Auliyaa)! May Allah increase your intelligence and wisdom.”

And (the Messenger) said: "For those persons who have friendship for each other for the sake of God Most High a red ruby column is set up on top of which are 70,000 pavilions. From there they will look down upon the inhabitants of heaven, and the light of their countenances will fall upon the inhabitants of heaven, like the light of the sun in this world. The people of heaven will say, ‘Come, let us go look at them.’ They will see them clothed in green brocade. On their foreheads will be written Those who love each other in God: They are the friends of God most high." (Al-Ghazzali)

 

Human perfection resides in this: that the love of God should conquer a man’s heart and possess it wholly, and even if it does not possess it wholly it should predominate in the heart over the love of all other things.

Once while sleeping at night he heard footsteps on the roof of the palace. When he asked; ‘Who is there?’, a voice replied: ‘I am searching for my camel.’
King: ‘Who can be more ignorant than you, searching for a camel on the palace roof?’
Voice: The person who searches for Allah while sitting on a royal throne is more ignorant.

The arrow of Divine Love pierced Ibrahim Adham’s heart. All of a sudden he renounced the throne and set out into the wilderness. He took up residence in a mountain. On Thursdays, he would descend from the mountain, gather firewood and sell it. Whatever he acquired from the sale of the wood, half would he spent in the path of Allah. The other half was used to buy food for the following 7 days. After spending a considerable time in the wilderness, he was divinely instructed to go to Makkah Mukarramah where he entered into the spiritual companionship of Hadhrat Fudhail (rahmatullah alayh). As a result, Hadhrat Ibrahim Bin Adham gained spiritual distinction and great spiritual heights.

Hadhrat Shibli (rah) said: Muhabbah is called Muhabbah because it erases everything from the heart except the Beloved.The renowned master [ustadh] Abul Qasim Qushayri (rah) said: Muhabbah is the erasure of the qualities [sifat] of the lover, affirming the essential being [dhat] of the Beloved.

Shaykh Hayat ibn Qais al-Harrani Rahmatullah alaihi (from) said:
Love keeps the heart in a state of suspense, between reverential awe and intimate friendship.
Love attaches the lover to the beloved and to the meeting that is sought.
The lover wins the contest with clear reason, and he considers death delightful, so he never jostles with the crowd, and at no time pushes to the fore.
The glory of lovers depends upon their loved ones.
When the fire of love appears, it kills opponents, brings years to life, keeps secrets intact, makes evil extinct, and produces many effects.

  

“I love You two loves, love that raptures the heart,

And love because that is Your due.

That which raptures the heart,

Invokes Your name sans cesse….

The love which is Your due,

May lift up the veil that I may gaze at You.”

Rabi’a Al-Adawiyyah

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.