VIRTUE OF PATIENCE ON DEATH OF A CHILD

 

VIRTUE OF PATIENCE ON DEATH OF A CHILD

 

 

 

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

 

"When a child dies, Allaah says to His angels, 'You have taken the child of My slave.' They say, 'Yes.' He says, 'You have taken the apple of his eye.' They say, 'Yes.' He says, 'What did My slave say?' They say, 'He praised yoau and said "In naa lil laa hi wa inna ilay hi raa ji'oon (Verily, to Allaah we belong and to Him we shall return).' Allaah says, 'Build for My slave a house in Paradise and call it the house of praise(baitul hamd) "[Hadith-Al-Tirmidhi]

Inspirational

True Justice & Motherly Love

The Wisdom Allah bestowed on His Messenger Sulaiman (alayhis salaam)

 

 

 

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "There were two women, each had her child with her. A wolf came and took away the child of one of them. One woman said to her companion: 'The wolf has taken your son.' The other said: 'It has taken your son.' So both of them took the dispute to Prophet Dawud (David) (alaihis salam) who judged that the boy should be given to the older lady. Then they went to Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) (alaihis salam), son of Dawud, and put the case before him. Prophet Sulaiman said: 'Give me a knife so that I may cut the child into two and give one half to each of you.' The younger woman said: 'Do not do so; may Allah bless you! He is her child.' On that Prophet Sulaiman decided the case in favour of the younger woman." [Hadith-Sahih Bukhari]

 

Prophet Sulaiman (alaihis salam) uncovered the truth of the case by the wisdom and understanding of human psychology that Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) had bestowed upon him. The difference between him and many other Muslims is that he credited his intelligence and abilities to Allah (subhana wa ta'ala)

  

Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) had bestowed upon Sulaiman (alaihis salam) many miracles, including the ability to understand the language of birds and animals, a unique favour not given to any before or after him. Sulaiman (alaihis salam) would not only show gratitude to Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) for His special grace to him, but also used it to promote Allah's Deen.

 

A beautiful dua of Sulaiman (alaihis salam) mentioned in the Quran: "My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves." [Surah 27: 17-19]

OUR ALLAH IS SO GREAT!!!

OUR ALLAH IS SO GREAT!!!

This story was written by a Muslim doctor who worked in Africa.

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the maternity ward; but in spite of all we could do she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter.

We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator.

(We had no electricity to run an incubator.) We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts.

One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle.

She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates.

And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed.

It is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no medicine stores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts."Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me.

I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.

During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, Allah," she prayed, "Send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, Allah, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of a corollary, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Ameen?" I just did not believe that Allah could do this.

Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything. The Holy Quran says so.

But there are limits, aren't there? The only way Allah could answer would be for a package to arrive from the homeland.

I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home.

Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that  here was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two kilogram parcel.

I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly.

Excitement was mounting.

Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly coloured, knitted cotton jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the...could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out -- yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle, I cried. I had not asked Allah to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.

The ten year old was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, If Allah has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted.

Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Allah really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed Allah's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child- five months before -- in answer to the believing prayer of a ten- year-old to bring it "that afternoon."

"Before they call for prayer, I will answer all prayers!"

Allah wants us to ask of Him…and He will surely answer.

Our Allah really is………AWESOME !!!!

OLD AGE IS A BLESSING

OLD AGE IS A BLESSING FOR THE BELIEVER

 

 

Allah Says in a Hadith Qudsi:

When My servant reaches the age of 40, I relieve him of 3 calamities: madness, elephantiasis and leprosy. When he reaches the age of 50, I subject him to an easy reckoning. When he reaches the age of 60, I endear to him his return (to Me). When he is 70, I make him dear to the Angels. When he is 80, I write his good deeds and cast away his evil deeds. When he is 90, the Angels say: he is Allah's prisoner on earth; his earlier and later sins are forgiven and his intercession is accepted. When he reaches the age of senility, Allah records for him (his good deeds) equal (in value) to what he did when he was in sound health. If he does anything bad, it is not written. (Hadith-Tirmidhi)

 

Calamity…What to do???

Calamity…What to do???

At the moment when a calamity befalls us, how do we react?  Do we exclaim ..oh Allah, why me?  Do we blame the calamity on others and look for causes outside of ourselves?

"Say: 'Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector': and on Allah let the Believers put their trust.  (The Noble Quran, 9:51)"

As believers we must recognize that "No slave of Allah will truly believe until he believes in al-Qadr its good and evil, and until he realizes that what has befallen him was not going to miss him and that which missed him was not going to befall him." [Sahih at-Tirmidhi ].

When the calamity strikes us, it's CRITICAL how we behave in the first moments of the test!  Did we accept Allah's Decree or have we questioned His Decision? Remind ourselves of His Great Power and Might! Allah's Will is greater than any will of our own, and its this acceptance and complete submission to His Will above our own, that is part of the first Pillar in Islam, La illaha il Allah, No god but Allah.  The believer then, will be at ease when the calamity befalls him, taking care to reflect, thanking Allah for whatever befalls us, as we may plan, but He is the Master of planners.

A believer who is tested should be content in the knowledge that Allah tests those whom He loves so they increase in their Iman and neglects those whom have angered Him.  A believer endures patiently. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said "Wonderful are the affairs of a believer; for there is good in every affair of his; this is not the case with anyone else except a believer. If he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (Allah), thus there is good for him in it. If he suffers affliction, he endures patiently, which is good for him". [Reported by Imam Muslim in his Sahih Book of Hadith].

Allah (may He be Praised) says in His Noble Quran, Surat Al Baqarah verse 255:" And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sâbirûn (the patient). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allâh we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."They are those on whom are the Salawât (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones…"

Muslims must always deal with life's issues and problems with patience and perseverance, and must always put their trust in Allah Almighty.   The real rewards are not in this life, but in the life after.  Those who are facing extremely difficult situations in life should remember the story of Prophet Ayub (Allah be pleases with him) and how Allah Almighty was pleased with him after patience in extreme affliction.  We should also know that Allah Almighty has placed us in such situation for a purpose.  We should face the challenge with wisdom, faith and determination.  It is quite possible that Allah Almighty will ultimately reward us in this very life for all of the patience, perseverance and good deeds, but the real rewards are the "multiplied rewards" in the life after.

….and Only in Allah should a believer Trust!

If Allah has taken you to it…Most certainly Allah will take you through it!

What a night

What a night!

By Abdur Rahmaan Umar

"So, sheikh," asked Ahmed fidgeting with his topee(hat), "Why did Allah put this night of Shabe Baraat right here so near to Ramadaan. I mean in two weeks time we have the greatest month with all the forgiveness and good things.... so why would Allah want to put this night of forgiveness so close?"

Without waiting for a response he continued, "In Ramadaan we have the special night of Qadr. So there is really no need for this night, is there? Maybe it should have been in another part of the year?"

Sheikh Hamaad quietly shifted in his seat, his tasbeeh moving in synch with his mouth, saying nothing he continued paying careful attention to Ahmed's words.

"So what's the meaning of this?" said Ahmed his face distorting with confusion.

 

Sheikh Hamaad wordlessly gathered his thoughts. Such questions he knew were always better explained by way of example. He continued stroking his beard and a few white hairs fell onto his kurtha(thobe). He meticulously picked up each one of them then began:

"Hmmm, have you ever helped your mother with the washing?" he enquired still searching for any stray hair that may have gone unnoticed.

"You know I don't do that sort of stuff," Ahmed shot back without a pause, his head jerking back in surprise.

"Perhaps you should help your mother," advised Sheikh, "but I'm sure you've watched her do the washing."

"Yea, sometimes," replied Ahmed shifting his topee(hat) over his face, "I try to help....sometimes, but..."

Sheikh Hamaad didn't wait for his full defence but continued, "Have you noticed how she takes out some garments with really bad stains on them? And then she gives them a bit of a pre-wash, usually spraying one of those many new cleaners on the stain for good measure."

Ahmed's eyebrow lifted as he remembered, "Yea, I've seen her do that a couple of times. Usually its Little Joe's.... errr...Yusuf's clothes with all the food stains." He shot a quick glance at his own T-shirt - quick check for any stains.

"Well, in the same way ..., " explained Sheikh Hamaad his Tasbeeh resting quietly on his lap, "Ramadaan is a great month and it's meant to purify and elevate us all. But some of us, actually all of us, need a bit of a pre-wash. So Allah Ta'ala, in His mercy has granted this night. So we can be cleansed of our sins before Ramadaan."

"Then what will Ramadaan do for us," question Ahmed, "Isn't Ramadaan supposed to be for that?"

"For some, but what Allah really wants is to elevate our stages in Ramadaan, so He grants us these opportunities to cleanse ourselves of all sins and to use Ramadaan to pour His mercies upon us. And for us to be drawn closer to Him."

"Wow!" exclaimed Ahmed, "Allah is really very merciful. But what about those few who will not be forgiven like the drunkard, the one who is disobedient to his parents, those who drink alcohol...and the one who wears his trousers below his ankles...and...Ay, I can't remember the others."

"Yes, there are a few that Allah will not forgive. To add to your list those who harbour enmity against one another, those who sever family ties, idol worshippers and those who commit adultery and murder."

"So Allah will never forgive them!" cried Ahmed, "They're doomed then!"

"No, no it's not like that," Sheikh softened his voice to calm Ahmed, "Allah will forgive whoever he wants but these people have committed such crimes that will require a very special effort on their part to get forgiven."

"Like the really, really stubborn stains?" Yusuf smiled, pleased at understanding the Sheikh's example.

"Yes, they will have to give up their ways and make sincere Tauba, repentance to Allah before He will forgive them. They must make a firm resolution never to commit that crime again and be very remorseful of what they did in the past. And if they turn to Allah on this special night He will forgive them too."

A silence filled the room as the two became awed by the magnanimity of Allah's mercy.

Sheikh wiped the little moisture that gathered in his eyes and continued, "And you notice all these crimes beside idolatry are crimes against man. Man upon man! Not crimes against Allah Ta'ala?"

"Yup, that's true," replied Ahmed, "Never really noticed that ... but you right."

"That's how much Allah cares for us, that it's not only what we do with Him but what we do to one another that's so important."

Ahmed continued staring at his T-shirt for a while, waiting for the tears to settle, then he asked, "So what should I do on this night?"

Sheikh Hamaad closed his eyes contemplating the long list of activities usually prescribed for this night and knew that many of them were not substantiated from the Ahadith.

"You need to do just two things."

"Just two things!" exclaimed Yusuf

"Firstly you must make sure that you are not one of those that Allah has mentioned as stubborn stains, and if you are then you must repent and make Tauba (Repent). If you have been disobedient to your parents or cut off family ties then you must set this right first. It doesn't help you try to earn Allah's pleasure while these things still hang over your head."

"And the second thing?" he asked while the Sheikh paused to sip some water.

"The second thing is to do those things that will draw Allah's attention and earn His pleasure like reading the Quran, salaah, zikr and of course, dua to beg Him for His Mercy and Favours."

A broad smile covered Ahmed's face, "I am so glad Allah Ta'ala granted us this opportunity for a pre-wash before Ramadaan. Allahu Alkbar!"

The Month of Shabaan and Laylatul Baraa'ah

The Month of Shabaan and Laylatul Baraa'ah

[15th Night of Shabaan]

 

 

 

The month of Sha'baan enjoys a very special place in the Islamic Calendar because in this month lies a very auspicious night known as LAYLATUL- BARAA'AH (The Night of Emancipation; The night of Freedom from fire). The word Sha'baan means branches of good a'maal (deeds).

 

FASTING IN SHA'BAAN:

 

In this month Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) used to fast more than in the preceding months. Hadhrat Ayesha(radhiyallahu anha) reports that: " I never saw the Messenger of Allah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of Sha'baan. He used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to fast almost the whole of the month." (Tirmizi)

 

However, Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) advised in several other Ahaadeeth that when the (first) half of Sha'baan has passed, one should not fast (i.e. during the second half of the month). Ulama explain that one should not unduly exert and strain one's self by fasting much (in the second half), for fear of one's health deteriorating before Ramadhaan begins; instead one should rather build strength and prepare one's self for the fasts of Ramadhaan. However, should one have the strength and health, then it would be meritorious and virtous to keep fasts according to one's ability.

 

SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NIGHT OF BARAA'AH

 

On this night Allah's Special Mercy and Forgiveness descends upon His fortunate servants. Furthermore, the announcements seeking out those who want forgiveness well exceed those, which occur every other night of the year.

 

It is narrated from Hadhrat Abdullah bin Amr(radhiyallahu anhu) that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "Allah looks with special attention towards His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha'baan and forgives all His servants except two categories of people, the person who harbors enmity(hatred) and a murderer." ( Imam Ahmad reports this Hadith with a slightly weak chain of narrators- Targhib-wat-Tarhib)

 

Hadhrat Uthmaan bin Abil 'Aas(radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: : "On the fifteenth night qf Sha'baan Allah's (special mercy) descends to the nearest heavens. Thereafter, a proclaimer announces:" Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who desires anything so that I may grant his wishes? Allah thus fulfills the requests of all accept the adulteress and idolator." ( Baihaqi has reported this Hadith -Durre Manthur Page 27 Vol.6)

 

UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE

 

According to the Ahaadeeth, certain people are deprived of Allah's mercy even on this auspicious night. These unfortunate souls are:

1) Those who ascribe partners unto Allah.

2) Those who harbour enmity against others.

3) Those who habitually consume alcohol.

4) Those who disobey their parents.

5) Those men who wear their clothing etc.below their ankles.(out of pride)

6) Those who commit adultery and murder.

7) Those who sever family ties.

Every Muslim should take stock of oneself and if one is involved in any of the above vices, one should turn to Allah and sincerely implore for forgiveness, lest one be deprived on this night.

 

SINCERE TAUBAH(REPENTANCE)

 

Allah Ta'aala says in the Noble Qur'aan: " O you who believe, turn to Allah with sincrere repentance, in the hope that your Lord will remove from you your evil deeds." (Quran: Surah Tahreem - Para 28).

One should turn towards Allah with sincere regret and shame for the sins that one has committed. One should seek Allah's forgiveness for one's sins and make a firm resolution and promise not to commit sin again. However, sins relating to the rights of fellow beings will not be forgiven by mere taubah alone. Allah will only forgive such sins if forgiveness is first sought from the person who had been harmed and a sincere effort to redress the wrong committed against him/her is made.

 

 

 

What should one do on this night?

 

During this night one should engage oneself in Salaah, Qur'aan Tilaawat, Du'aa, Istighfaar and Zikr, according to one's ability and strength.

 

 Dua on the 15 th of Sha'ban

 

Nabi SAW read this dua in sajda on the 15^th night of Sha'ban. [Targheeb]

 

A'uzu bi afwika min iqabik wa auzu bi ridaka min sakhatik wa auzu bika minka la uhsi thanaa an 'alayka anta kama athnayta 'ala nafsik.

 

O Allah! I seek protection through Your forgiveness from Your punishment. I seek protection from Your anger by means of Your pleasure. I seek protection in You from You, I cannot truly praise You, as You ought to be praised, You are as You have praised Yourself.

 

 

 

PREPARATIONS FOR RAMADHAAN

 

Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) frequently recited the following du'aa: " 0 Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha'baan and make us reach Ramadhaan."

 

We should earnestly begin preparing for Ramadhaan during this month of Sha'baan by making Istighfaar and cleansing ourselves of sins. We must endeavour to curtail our desires of committing sins, especially with the eyes, ears, tongue, mind and heart. Then we should begin inculcating good practices and bring about a spiritual and moral transformation in our lives in anticipation and eagerness for Ramadhaan.

 

The virtue of this night as established from Ahaadeeth, is that from the very beginning of the night, Allah Ta'ala turns with special mercy and attention towards the creation and forgives those who repent and seeks forgiveness. Every Muslim should therefore value this night. Turn towards Allah Ta'ala with sincere regret and shame over sins committed and make a firm promise not to return to sin and seek forgiveness from Allah Ta'ala. Have firm hope and resolution in the heart that Allah Ta'ala will surely show mercy and forgiveness. We should value and treasure this night and derive maximum benefit therefrom; remembering to make duaa for the entire Ummah, the living and the deceased. Let us not be deprived of its tremendous blessings due to sheer negligence and indifference.