Ever wonder what your soul goes through as Soon as you Die?

The hadeeth of Imaam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him) from al-Bara’ ibn ‘Aazib who said:

“We went out with the Prophet (SulAllahu 'alayhi wassalaam) for the funeral of a man from among the Ansaar, and we reached the grave whilst it was still being dug. The Messenger of Allaah (sulAllahu 'alayhi wassalaam) sat down and we sat down around him, and it was as if we had birds on our heads. In his hand was a stick with which he was scratching in the earth. He raised his head and said, ‘Seek refuge with Allaah from the punishment of the grave,’ two or three times. Then he said:

‘Verily, when the believing slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him angels from heaven with white faces, as if their faces are the sun. They bring with them one of the shrouds of Paradise and some of the perfume of Paradise. They sit with him as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death (peace be upon him) comes to him and sits by his head and says, ‘O pure soul, come out to the forgiveness and pleasure of Allaah.’ Then his soul comes flowing out like a drop of water flowing from a cup. Then he takes the soul, and no sooner does he seize it but they take it and place it in that shroud and perfume. Then out of it comes the most excellent fragrance of musk to be found on the face of the earth. Then they ascend with it and they do not pass by any group of angels but the angels ask, ‘Who is this pure soul?’ and they reply, ‘It is So and so the son of So and so’ – using the best names by which he was known on earth. Then they bring it to the lowest heaven, and ask for it to be opened, and it is opened for him. Those who are of high rank in each heaven accompany it until they approach the next heaven, and so it goes until it reaches the seventh heaven. Then Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: ‘Record the book of My slave in ‘Illiyoon (the highest heaven) and take him back to the earth, for I created them from it, and I shall return them to it, then I shall take them out from it again.’ Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels come and make him sit up, and ask him, ‘Who is your Lord.’ He says, ‘Allaah.’ They ask, ‘What is your religion?’ He says, ‘My religion is Islam.’ They ask, ‘Who is this man that was sent amongst you?’ He says, ‘He is the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him.’ They ask him, ‘What knowledge do you have?’ He says, 'I read the Book of Allaah and I believed in it.’ Then a voice will call out from heaven, ‘My slave has spoken the truth. Prepare for him a bed from Paradise and give him clothes from Paradise, and open for him a door to Paradise.’ And he will feel its breeze and smell its fragrance, and his grave will be widened for him as far as his eye can see. Then a man with a handsome face, beautiful clothes and a pleasant fragrance will come to him and say, ‘Good news! This is the day that you were promised.’ He will say, ‘Who are you? You face looks as if it brings good news.’ He will say, 'I am your good deeds.’ (The deceased) will say, ‘O Lord, let the Hour come so that I may see my family and my wealth again.’

When the disbelieving slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him angels from heaven with black faces, bringing with them sackcloth. They sit with him as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes to him and sits by his head and says, ‘O evil soul, come out to the wrath and anger of Allaah.’ Then his soul disperses in his body and is dragged out like a skewer being pulled out of wet wool. Then he takes the soul, and no sooner does he seize it but they take it and place it in that sackcloth. Then out of it comes the most putrid stench of rotten flesh to be found on the face of the earth. Then they ascend with it and they do not pass by any group of angels but the angels ask, ‘Who is this evil soul?’ and they reply, ‘It is So and so the son of So and so’ – using the worst names by which he was known on earth. Then they bring it to the lowest heaven, and ask for it to be opened, and it is not opened for him.” Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recited (interpretation of the meaning): “… For them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle” [al-A’raaf 7:40]. Then he said, “Then Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: ‘Record the book of My slave in Sijjeen (the lowest Hell) in the lowest earth. Then his soul is cast down.” Then he recited (interpretation of the meaning): “… and whoever assigns partners to Allaah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place.” [al-Hajj 22:31]. He said, “Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels come and make him sit up, and ask him, ‘Who is your Lord.’ He says, ‘Oh, oh, I don’t know.’ They ask, ‘What is your religion?’ He says, ‘Oh, oh, I don’t know.’ They ask, ‘Who is this man that was sent amongst you?’ He says, ‘Oh, oh, I don’t know.’ Then a voice will call out from heaven, ‘He is lying. Prepare for him a bed from Hell and open for him a door to Hell.’ And he will feel its hot winds and smell its stench, and his grave will be constricted for him until his ribs interlock. Then a man with an ugly face, ugly clothes and a horrible stench will come to him and say, ‘Bad news! This is the day that you were warned about.’ He will say, ‘Who are you? You face looks as if it brings bad news.’ He will say, 'I am your evil deeds.’ (The deceased) will say, ‘O Lord, do not let the Hour come!’”

(Musnad al-Imaam Ahmad, 17803; this is a saheeh hadeeth).

He who walks towards Me, I rush towards him

Abu Dharr (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) as saying that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, stated: "He who comes with goodness, there are in store for him ten like those and even more than those: 'And he who comes with vice, ' it is only for that that he is called to account. I even forgive him (as I like) and he who draws close to Me by the span of a palm I draw close to him by the cubit, and he who draws close to Me by the cubit I draw close to him by the space (covered) by two hands, and he who walks towards Me I rush towards him, and he who meets Me in the state that his sins fill the earth, but not associating anything with Me, I would meet Him with the same (vastness) of pardon (on My behalf)."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 35 Kitab Al-Dhikr, Number 6499]

My Lord! grant me that I should be grateful for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I should do good such as Thou art pleased with, and make me enter, by Thy mercy, into Thy servants, the good ones.

What Left with a Dead Man?

Mutarrif (Radi Allah Anhu) reported on the authority of his father: I came to Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) as he was reciting: "Abundance diverts you" He said (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam): "The son of Adam claims: My wealth, my wealth. And he (the Holy Prophet) said: O son of Adam. is there anything as your belonging except that which you consumed, which you utilized, or which you wore and then it was worn out or you gave as charity and sent it forward?"

[Sahih Muslim : Book 42 "Kitab Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa'iq", Number 7061]

Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) as saying: "A servant says, My wealth. my wealth, but out of his wealth three things are only his: whatever he eats and makes use of or by means of which he dresses himself and it wears out or he gives as charity, and this is what he stored for himself (as a reward for the Hereafter), and what is beyond this (it is of no use to you) because you are to depart and leave it for other people. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of al-'Ala' b. 'Abd al-Rahman with the same chain of transmitters."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 42 "Kitab Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa'iq", Number 7063]

Anas b. Malik (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) as saying: "Three things follow the bier of a dead man. two of them come back and one is left with him: the members of his family. wealth and his-good deeds. The members of his family and wealth come back and the deeds alone are left with him."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 42 "Kitab Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa'iq", Number 7064]

Words of Wisdom

* Knowledge is like a father and action is like a child. Knowledge goes with action as narrating goes with understanding.
* Do not feel satisfied with action while being desolate of knowledge, and do not feel satisfied with knowledge whilst being heedless of actions. Rather, combine the two, even if your share of either may be meager. A little of this, with a little of that is safer in the outcome, if Allah bestows His Mercy, and completes His favor upon His stave...
*Knowledge leads to action, just as action leads to salvation. So if the action is less than the knowledge, the scholar's knowledge is a burden upon him.
* Just as wealth has no benefit unless it is spent, knowledge does not benefit except one who acts upon it and observes its obligations.
* Knowledge is one of the pleasures of the world, yet if it is acted upon, it becomes for the Hereafter.
* There are two tyrannies in the world: the tyranny of knowledge and the tyranny of wealth. What saves you from the tyranny of knowledge is worship, and what saves you from the tyranny of wealth is renouncing it.
* Whenever you intend to be honored with knowledge, be attributed to it and be of its people, before giving knowledge its full rights upon you, otherwise its light will be concealed from you and all that will remain on you is its outward illumination. That knowledge is against you, not for you, because knowledge directs towards its application, so if it is not applied appropriately, its blessings are removed.
* The best knowledge is that which benefits, and Allah only causes knowledge to benefit a person when he acts upon it once having learnt it and He does not cause it to benefit the person that leaves it after having learnt it.
* Knowledge without action is like a tree without fruit.
* You are now in the preliminary world, in front of you are two places of abode, out of which you must live in one of. You have not been given assurance of protection, causing you to feel safe. Nor have you been granted acquittal, causing you to slacken.
* If I were to know with full certainty that all of my life was but an hour, Why should I not renounce it and dedicate it to righteousness and obedience?
* You are submerged in careless hope, the time or death you do not know of. § Do not be fooled by good health, for it is from the most painful of illnesses.
* Every soul is by its day, In the morning all hope will be removed. So act with good deeds and work hard Before you are prevented from acting.
* Aboo Hurayrah radiallahu 'anhu said, "The example of knowledge not acted upon is that of a treasure none of which is spent in the way of Allah the Mighty and Majestic." * Az-Zuhree said, "The people will never be pleased with the statement of a scholar who does not act, nor of a person who acts but has no knowledge." [hasan]
* Whoever sought knowledge, intending the knowledge alone (i.e. without action) would not benefit by it. Yet whoever sought knowledge intending to act upon it, would benefit, even by a little knowledge.
* Knowledge rests upon action, action rests upon sincerity, and sincerity to Allah brings about understanding of Allah the Mighty and Majestic.
* Whoever seeks knowledge in order to act upon it will be humbled by his knowledge but whoever seeks it for other than that, will be increased by it in arrogance.
* The time will soon come, if you live long, that knowledge will become a source of beautification, just as a person beautifies himself with a garment." · "If Allah grants you knowledge, in return worship Him and do not make your goal merely narrating to the people. * The scholar remains ignorant with regard to what he has learned until he acts according to it, and only then does he become a true scholar.
* The knowledge of the hypocrite is in his speech, yet the knowledge of the believer is in his actions.
* Act upon your knowledge O man, and you will profit, for knowledge does not benefit unless one is proficient in action. Knowledge is a beauty, the taqwaa of Allah being its oration, and the pious are busy with the knowledge they possess. Learn, and then act, as much as you are able to, and do not let amusement nor arguing distract you. Teach the people and always intend to benefit them, and beware! Beware of weariness befalling you.
* Whoever speaks good things yet acts unrighteously, Allah does not accept his good speech. Whereas he who speaks good things and works righteous acts, his speech is raised by his good deeds. That is because Allah says: To Him ascend the goodly word, and the righteous action raises it. [Al-Faatir 35:10]
* Knowledge is the tool of action. So if a person spends his whole life gaining knowledge, when will he act?! § Regardless of what knowledge passes you, do not let acting upon what you already know pass you. § Whoever does not look into Allah's right upon him with regards to his knowledge, that knowledge is a proof against you and its result is evil.
* If knowledge is not acted upon it becomes a proof against you and you are not granted an excuse for the knowledge you possess. So if you have realized this fact also realize, that the proof of a man's speech is in his actions.
* One scholar said, "O how I wish I could gain salvation from my knowledge, it either being for me nor against me."
* If knowledge does not benefit you, it will harm you.
* There is no good in seeking to gain more knowledge, without having acted upon what you have already learnt, for the example of this person is that of one who gathers firewood and then ties them ready to carry. Yet once finding himself unable to do so, adds another to the bundle.
* For how long will I continue seeking knowledge, affectionately gathering with every eagerness, seeking to learn every type of it and every field yet not acting upon a thing of it. If the seeker of knowledge does not act upon what he knows, he is a wretched servant. Indeed knowledge is only of benefit for he who acts upon it and is pious.
* I certainly regard that a person forgets what he used to know because of a sin he commits.
* Indeed if the scholar does not act, his admonitions fail to affect the hearts, just like the rain slides off a smooth rock.
* The example of an evil scholar is that of a large rock which blocks a canal. Neither does it drink from the water, nor does it allow the water to pass, giving life to the trees. So if only the evil scholars advised the servants of Allah saying: "O worshippers of Allah! Listen to what we tell you of your Prophet, and your righteous predecessors, and act upon that. Do not took at these poor actions of ours, as we are a people in trial." They would have, by this, advised the people correctly. Yet they want to call the people towards their bad actions causing them to act similarly.
* A corrupt reciter (of the Qur'aan) is more feared by me than a corrupt man who is open with his corruption, as the latter is the less deceiving of the two.
* One scholar said: "Indeed the Qur'aan was revealed to be acted upon, but the people took its reciting as a vocation." [i.e. in order to earn money by that] At that it was asked, 'What is acting upon it?' So he replied, 'Accepting as halaal what is mentioned in it as halaal and as haraam what is mentioned as haraam. To act upon its orders, abstain from all it prohibits and to ponder over its wonders.
* It has been said with regard to the saying of the Most High: (They) recite it as it should be recited. [Sooratul-Baqarah (2):121] "They follow it as it should be followed, acting upon it." Ibn Katheer mentions in his Tafseer: "lf the reciter reaches mention of Paradise, he beseeches Allah the Most High to grant him Paradise. If he reaches mention of the Fire he seeks refuge in Allaah the Most High from it " He (Ibn Katheer) also mentions, "Aboo al-'Aaliyah said: Ibn Mas'ond radiallahu 'anhu said: 'By Him in Who's Hand is my soul, reciting it as it should be recited is to consider its halaal as halaal and its haraam as haraam. To recite it as Allah revealed it without distorting its words, nor falsely explaining its intended meanings.
* If Allah intends good for a servant he opens for him the door of action and closes for him the door of argumentation. Whereas, if Allah intends for a servant evil [once the servant had decided to follow such a path, Allah the Most Him, allows him to take such a path] He opens for him the door of argumentation and closes for him the door of action.
*We used to seek aid in memorizing hadeeths by acting upon them
*You meet a man not finding one mistake in his speech yet his actions may be completely at fault.
*We have not been given ignorance but we Hide the face of knowledge through ignorance. We detest making mistakes in our speech Yet we do not care about making mistakes in our actions.
* And you will not possess on the Day of Resurrection Other than what you ascertained before death If you do not sow the seeds and the harvest approaches you You will regret not having done so when the time was right.
* When you find yourself in need of provisions You will not find provisions the like of righteous actions.
* One of the scholars saw his neighbors wandering aimlessly, so he asked them, "What is the matter with you?" They replied, "We have finished our duties of the day." So he said' "And is this what the one with no duties has been ordered with?!"
* The people who will be most accountable on the Day of Resurrection will be the healthy ones who had free time. § Take advantage of your spare time by engaging in Prayers For maybe your death will come suddenly So many a healthy person you may have seen His life snatched away from him unexpectedly.
* Some people invited a man to eat with them who in turn said' "I am fasting." They said to him, "Break your fast today and instead fast tomorrow." So he said, "And who will guarantee my living tomorrow?!"
* It was said to a scholar ' "Advise us." So he said' "Beware of saying 'soon. "'
* Beware of procrastination overcoming you and taking over your heart for verily it is the cause of fatigue and wastefulness. Due to it, aspirations are severed and amidst it, death is met. [The names that the sayings were attributed are not cited, fearing the inauthenticity in the original attribution except where the authority is established and has abridged some statements, yet the wisdom within them is resoundingly established.] [al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee rahimahullaah From Iqtidaa-ul-'Ilmil-'Amal]

He who has no manners has no knowledge

Al-Hasan al-Basri said,

“He who has no manners has no knowledge; he who has no patience has no Religion (din); and he who has no God-consciousness has no closeness to Allah.”

The heart becomes covered with rust..

Ibn al-Qayyim - rahimahullaah- said:

'There is no doubt that the heart becomes covered with rust, just as metal dishes - silver, and their like - become rusty. So the rust of the heart is polished with dhikr, for dhikr polishes the heart until it becomes like a shiny mirror. However, when dhikr is abandoned, the rust returns; and when it commences then the heart again begins to be cleansed. Thus the heart becoming rusty is due to two matters: sins and neglecting remembrance of Allaah. Likewise, it is cleansed and polished by two things : istighfaar and dhikr.'

[Al-Waabilus-Sayyib (p.80)]

All humans are dead except those who have knowledge

Imam Shafi' said, "All humans are dead except those who have knowledge ... and all those who have knowledge are asleep, except those who do good deeds ... and those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere ... and those who are sincere are always in a state of worry."

When you are present, you are not known

Ibn Abee Haatim Rahimahullah- said: "I entered Damascus and came upon the students of hadeeth, and I passed by the circle of Qaasim al-Joo'ee . I found a group sitting around him and he was speaking. Their appearance amazed me; and I heard him saying: "Seize the benefit of five things from the people of your time: when you are present, you are not known; when you are absent, you are not missed; when you are seen, your advice is not sought; when you say something, your saying is not accepted; and when you have some knowledge, you are not given anything for it. I advise you with five matters: when you are treated unjustly, do not behave unjustly; when you are praised do not become happy; when you are criticised, do not become upset; when you are not believed, do not become angry; and if the people act deceitfully towards you, do not act deceitfully towards them." Ibn Abee Haatim said: So I took this as my benefit from Damascus"

[Related by Ibn al-Jawzee (RH) in Sifatus-Safwaa (2/200)]

Bears your annoyance

ALLAH’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

“The believer who mixes with people and bears their annoyance with patience will have a greater reward than the one who does not mix with people and does not put up with their annoyance.”

[Al-Tirmidhi 5207, Ibn Majah 4032]

Do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him?

It was narrated that in the days that the Prophet Musa (alayhi asalaam) wandered with Bani Israel (Children of Israel) in the desert, an intense drought befell them. Together, they raised their hands towards the heavens praying for the blessed rain to come. Then, to the astonishment of Musa (alayhi asalaam) and all those watching, the few scattered clouds that were in the sky vanished, the heat poured down, and the drought intensified.

It was revealed to Musa that there was a sinner amongst the tribe of Bani Israel who had disobeyed Allah (SWT) for more than forty years of his life.

“Let him separate himself from the congregation,” Allah (SWT) told Musa. “Only then shall I shower you all with rain.”

Prophet Musa then called out to the throngs of humanity, “There is a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah (SWT) for forty years. Let him separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be rescued from the drought.”

That man waited, looking left and right, hoping that someone else would step forward, but no one did. Sweat poured forth from his brow and he knew that he was the one. The man knew that if he stayed amongst the congregation all would die of thirst and that if he stepped forward he would be humiliated for all eternity.

He raised his hands with a sincerity he had never known before, with humility he had never tasted, and as tears poured down on both cheeks he said, “O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah, forgive me!”

As Musa and the people of Bani Israel waited for the sinner to step forward, the clouds hugged the sky and the rain poured. Musa asked Allah (SWT), “O Allah, you blessed us with rain even though the sinner did not come forward.”

And Allah (SWT) replied, “O Musa, it is for the repentance of that very person that I blessed all of Bani Israel with water.”

Prophet Moses, wanting to know who this blessed man was, asked, “Show him to me O Allah!”

Allah (SWT) replied, “O Musa, I hid his sins for forty years, do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him?”

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “My entire nation is safe, except al-Mujahirin (those who boast of their sins). Among the Mujaharah is that a man commits an (evil) act, and wakes up in the morning while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret, he says: ‘O Fulan! Last night I did this and that.’ He goes to sleep while Allah has kept his (sin) a secret but he wakes up in the morning and uncovers what Allah has kept a secret!” [Saheeh al-Bukhari]

Best of the best

1.The best of the Muslims is he from whose hand and tongue the Muslims are safe. (Muslim).
2.The best of people are those with the most excellent character. (at-Tabarani, Sahih).
3.The best of people are those that bring most benefit to the rest of mankind. (Daraqutni, Hasan).
4.The best of people are those who are best in fulfilling (rights). (Ibn Majah, Sahih).
5.The best of people during fitnah (trouble) is a man who takes up the reins of his horse pursuing the enemies of Allah, causing them fear yet they make him fearful too, or a man who secludes himself in the desert fulfilling the rights of Allah upon him. (Hakim, Sahih).
6.The best of mankind is my generation, then those that follow them and then those that follow them. Then there shall come a people after them who will become avaricious, who will love gluttony, and who will give witness before they are asked for it. (at-Tirmidhi, Sahih).
7.The best of people are those who live longest and excel in their deeds, whereas the worst of people are those who live longest and corrupt their deeds. (at-Tirmidhi, Sahih).
8.The best of women are those that please him (her husband) when he sees her, obeys him when she is commanded, and who does not secretly betray him with regards to herself and her money in that which he dislikes. (Ahmad, Sahih).
9.The best of women are those that please you when you see them, obey you when commended, and who safeguard themselves and your money in your absence. (Tabrani, Sahih).
10.The best of marriages are the easiest ones. (abuDawud, Sahih).
11.The best of your dates is the Borniyyu date; it expels disease yet does not contain any disease itself. (Hakim, Hasan).
12.The best of your garments are those which are white; shroud your dead in them and clothe your living with them. The best of that which you apply to your eyelids is antimony causing the eyelashes to grow and sharpening the eyesight. (Ibn Hibban, Sahih).
13.The best quality of your religion is scruulousness. (Hakim, sahih).
14.The best of your religion is that which is easiest.(Ahmad, Sahih).
15.The best of the prayer lines for men are the first rows, the worst being the final rows. The best of the prayer lines for women are the final rows and the worst are the first rows. (Muslim).
16.The best prayers for women are those performed in the most secluded parts of their houses. (Ibn khuzaymah, Sahih).
17.The best of you in Islam are those who are most excellent in character as long as you deeply understand the religion. (Ahmad, Sahih).
18.The best of you are the best of you in fulfilling (rights). (Ahmad, Sahih).
19.The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family. (at-Tirmidhi, Sahih).
20.The best of you are my generation, then those that follow them and then those that follow them. Then there shall come after them a people who will betray and be untrustworthy, will give witness even though they have not been asked to, will make vows yet will not fulfill them and obesity will appear amongst them. (Sahih Al-Bukhary).

21.The best of you are those who feed others and return greetings. (abu Yala, Hasan).
22.The best of you is he from who good is anticipated and safety from his evil is assured; the worst of you is he from whom nothing good is expected and one is not safe from his evil. (at-Tirmidhi, Sahih).
23.The best thing mankind has been given is excellent character. (Hakim, Sahih).
24.The best of that which you treat yourself with is cupping. (Hakim, Sahih).
25.The best of journeys undertaken are to this Mosque of mind and the Ancient Hosue. (Ahmad, Sahih).
26. The best of which man can leave behind for himself are three: a righteous child who supplicates for him, an ongoing charity whose reward continues to reach him and knowledge which others benefit from after him. (Ibn Hibban, Hasan).
27. The best Mosques for women are the most secluded parts of their houses. (al-Bayhaqi, Sahih).
28. The best of the worlds women are four: Maryam bint Imran, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad and Asiyah the wife of Firawn. (Ahmad, Sahih).
29. The best of days that you should perform cupping are the 17th , 19th and 21st of the month. I did not pass a single gathering of angels on the night of Isra except that they would say to me, O Muhammad, perform cupping! (Ahmad, Sahih)
30. The best day on which the Sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it Adam was made to enter Paradise and on it he was expelled. The Hour will not be established except on Friday. (Muslim).
31. "Verily, the best of perfume for men is that which is strong in smell and light in color, and the best of perfume for women is that which is strong in color and light in smell." (at-Tirmidhi, Sahih).
32. "The Most beloved of religions according to Allah the Most High is the 'easy and flexible religion." (Ahmad, Hasan).
33. "The most beloved of deeds according to Allah are the continuous ones, even if they are little." (Agreed upon).
34. "The most beloved of names according to Allah are AbdAllah, 'Abdul-Rahman and Harith." (Abu Ya?la, Sahih).
35. "The most beloved of deeds according to Allah are the prayer in its right time, then to treat the parents in an excellent manner, and then Jihad in the path of Allah". (Agreed upon).
36. "The most beloved of deeds according to Allah is that you die and yet your tongue is still moist from the remembrance of Allah." (ibn Hibban, Hasan).
37. "The most beloved words according to Allah the Most High are four: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Lailaha illallah and Allahu Akbar; there is no problem with which one you start with." (Muslim).
38. "The most beloved of speech according to Allah is when the servant says, 'Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi' (How Transcendent is Allah and we praise him!)." (Muslim).
39. "The most beloved of speech according to Allah the Most High is that which Allah chose for his Angels: Subhana Rabbi wa bihamdihi, Subhana Rabbi wa bihamdihi, Subhana Rabbi wa bihamdihi." (at-Tirmidhi, Sahih).
40. "The most beloved of people according to Allah is he who brings most benefit, and the most beloved of deeds according to Allah the Mighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him. It is more beloved to me that I walk with my brother Muslim in his time of need than I stay secluded in the mosque for a month. Whoever suppresses his fury while being able to execute it, Allah will fill his heart with satisfaction on the Day of Standing. Whoever walks with his brother Muslim in need until he establishes that for him, Allah will establish his feet firmly on the day when all feet shall slip. Indeed, bad character ruins deeds just as vinegar ruins honey." (at-Tabarani, Hasan).

Prophet Sulaiman (solomon) the king Prophet

For the guidance of mankind, Allah honoured four famous Prophets by revealing to them four Holy Books as under:

1) Taurat to Prophet Musa (Moses):

2) Zaboor (Psalms) To Prophet Dawood (David);

3) Injeel (Evangel) To Prophet Isa (Jesus);

4) Qur'an To Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (s).

The commandments of Allah are contained in these books. The first three books were for the earlier times. The Holy Qur'an is the last book of God and is for the guidance of entire mankind till the Day of Judgement.

Prophet Dawood eventually became King of his people. He had 19 sons. Each of them hoped to inherit the father's throne. Allah revealed to Prophet Dawood a few questions and their answers and commanded him to put the questions to each one of his sons. Whosoever answered those questions correctly, would inherit the throne of the father, Prophet Dawood.

One day Prophet Dawood called all his sons in the presence of the scholars and the chiefs of the tribes of his kingdom. He then put forward the following questions:

1) Which thing is closest (nearest) to man?

2) Which is the farthest thing?

3) Which two things are attached to each other?

4) Which is the most awe-creating thing?

5, Which two things remain unchanged?

6) Which two things are always different?

7) Which two things are opposed to each other?

8) What is the action the result of which is good?

9) What is that action the result of which is bad?

The sons of Prophet Dawood felt helpless and could not answer any of these questions. Then the youngest of the sons, Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) stood up and gave the following answers:

1. The nearest things to a man is the hereafter (Life and Death - as one may die any moment);
2. The farthest things is the time which has passed away (which is not to come again);
3. The two things that are attached to each other is man's body with the soul;
4. The most awe-creating is the man's body (dead) without soul;
5. The two things which remain the same are the sky and the earth;
6. The two things which are different are the day and night;
7. The two things which are opposed to each other are life and death;
8. The action - the end of which is good - is patience and forbearance at the time of anger;
9. The action - the end of which is bad is haste at the time of anger.

Prophet Dawood obviously, was very much impressed with these correct answers and appointed Prophet Sulaiman as his successor.

Thus it will be seen that it was the supreme knowledge and understanding that made Prophet Sulaiman succeed his father and become the Great King Prophet.

http://www.al-islam.org/

If Allah loves a people, He tests them

"If Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever is pleased, for him there is pleasure, and whoever is angry, upon him there is wrath."

"The most harshly tested people are the Prophets, followed in succession by those who are best after them. A man is tested according to his religion. If his religion is strong with him, his test will be more intense. If his religion is weak with him, he will be tested according to the level of his religion. (Allah's) slave will continually be tested until he is left to walk on the earth without a mistake (to have to account for)."

"Wonderful is the situation of the believer. All of his affairs are good (for him)! And this is only for the believer. If good befalls him, he is thankful, and that is good for him. If harm afflicts him, he is patient, and that is good for him."

"And know that if the entire Nation were to gather upon benefiting you with something, they would only benefit you with something that Allah has (already) written for you. And if they were to gather upon harming you with something, they would only harm you with something that Allah has (already) written for you."

"The righteous ones are tested: first, the best of them, then the next, and so on."

"The believer is like a tiny branch; the wind blows it to the right and to the left."

[Dont be Sad]

Half our deen

Al-Haakim narrated in al-Mustadrak from Anas, in a marfoo’ report: “Whomever Allaah blesses with a righteous wife, He has helped him with half of his religion, so let him fear Allaah with regard to the other half.”

[Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb (1916)]

What's the path to Jannah like?

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "Paradise is surrounded with difficulties, and Hell is surrounded with desires."

[Muslim]

The benefits of being patient

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) advised Ibn Abbaas (رضي الله عنهما): "Remember that there is much good in bearing with patience that which you dislike, and that victory comes with patience, and that with hardship comes a way out and with difficulty comes ease."

[Ahmad]

I went to Steal from him, but he Ended up Stealing my Heart!

A burglar scaled the wall of Maalik bin Dinar’s house one night and easily managed to get inside. Once inside the house, the thief was disappointed to see that there was nothing inside actually worth stealing.

The owner of the home was inside at the time, he was busy performing prayer. Realizing that he was not alone, Maalik quickly ended his prayer and turned around to face the thief. Without showing any sign of being shocked or afraid, Maalik calmly extended greetings of peace and then said, ‘My brother, may Allah forgive you. You entered my home and found nothing that is worth taking, yet I do not want you to leave my home without taking away some benefit.’

He stood up, went to another part of the room, and came back with a jug full of water. He looked into the eyes of the burglar and said, ‘Make ablution and perform two units of prayer, for if you do so, you will leave my home with a greater treasure than you had initially sought when you entered it.’

Much humbled by Maalik’s manners and words, the thief said, ‘Yes, that is a generous offer indeed.’

After making ablution and performing two units of prayer, the burglar said, ‘O Maalik, would you mind if I stayed for a while, for I want to stay to perform two more units of prayer?’

Maalik said, ‘Stay for whatever amount of prayer Allah decrees for you to perform now.’

The thief ended up spending the entire night at Maalik’s house. He continued to pray until the morning.

Then Maalik said, ‘Leave now and be good.’

But instead of leaving, the thief said, ‘Would you mind if I stayed here with you today, for I have made an intention to fast the day?’

Stay as long as you wish,’ said Maalik.

The burglar ended up staying for a number of days, praying during the late hours of each night and fasting throughout the duration of each day.

When he finally decided to leave, the burglar said, ‘O Maalik, I have made a firm resolve to repent for my sins and for my former way of life.’

Maalik said, ‘Indeed, that is in the Hand of Allah.’

The man did mend his ways and began to lead a life of righteousness and obedience to Allah.

Later on, He came across another burglar he knew. [His friend] said to him, ‘Have you found your treasure yet?’

He said, ‘My brother, what I found is Maalik bin Dinaar.

I went to steal from him, but it was he who ended up stealing my heart.

I have indeed repented to Allah, and I will remain at the door [of His Mercy and Forgiveness] until I achieve what his obedient, loving slaves have achieved.’

[al-Mawaa'idh wal-Majaalis: 85]

Shaheed Sahaabah

In 1932, the Sahaabi Hadhrat Huzaifah (radhiyallahu anhu) in a dream instructed king Faisal of Iraq to relocate their graves elsewhere since water from the river was seeping in.

The king issued orders for the bodies of Hadhrat Huzaifah (radhiyallahu anhu) and Hadhrat Jaabir Bin Abdullah (radhiyallahu anhu) to be exhumed. The exhumation was done in great style and pomp. Thousands of people witnessed the event. When the bodies were removed, it seemed as if they were buried o­nly a couple of hours ago inspite of the lapse of almost 14 centuries. The bodies were fresh and glittering with Noor.Thousands witnessed the exhumation and many non-Muslims who were present embraced Islam.

http://www.themajlis.net/

A man of Almighty

Hadhrat Shaqeeq Balkhi (rahmatullah alayh) said:

"If you wish to recognize a man of Allah, then look at his attitude to promises— does he generally ignore the promises of Allah and has he reliance o­n the promises of people."

If his reliance is o­n the promises of Allah, not o­n the promises of people, he is a man of Allah.

There is no love in an immoral person

“A haasid (jealous person) never experiences peace of mind. There is no faithfulness in a miser. A man with a small (constricted) heart has no friends. A liar is bereft of culture. An abuser of trust cannever be trusted. There is no love in an immoral person.”

Hadhrat Ahnaf Bin Qais

Elaika Daf version

A good life

A Western thinker said:

"It is most possible for you, while you are behind steel bars, to look out upon the horizon and to smell roses. It is also extremely plausible for you to be in a castle replete with opulence and comfort, and yet be angry and discontented with your family and wealth."

Therefore happiness is not determined by time or by place, but instead by faith in Allah and obedience to Him, matters that are rooted in a person's heart. The heart has a far-reaching significance in that it is the place that Allah looks at and scrutinizes. If faith settles itself in the heart, happiness and tranquility will pervade both the heart and the soul.

Ahmad ibn Hanbal was a venerable scholar and a prolific compiler of hadith. He lived a productive life, yet he was not rich: his garment was patched in many places and every time it tore again, he would sew it himself. He lived in a three-room structure made of mud. Often, all that he could find to eat was a piece of bread. And his biographers mention that he had the same shoes for seventeen years and he would often patch them up or sew them if there was a tear. Meat would find its way to his plate only once a month, and on most days he fasted. He journeyed throughout the lands seeking out ahaadeeth (hadiths). Yet, despite all of the hardships he had to bear, he was contented, comfortable, serene, and unworried, qualities that can be attributed to his fortitude, to his knowing his goal and final destination, to his seeking reward from Allah, and to his striving after the Hereafter and Paradise.

On the other hand, the rulers of his time, such as Al-Ma'moon, Al-Wathiq, Al-Mu`tasim and Al-Mutawakkil, all lived in castles. They owned hoards of gold and silver; an entire army was at their disposal; they had all that they desired. In spite of all their material wealth, they lived in turmoil and they spent their lives in anxiety and worry. Wars, uprisings, and insurgencies brought them misery. In the records of history we even find that many of them would renounce the world bitterly on their deathbed, feeling regretful for their extravagances on the one hand and for their shortcomings on the other.

Shaykh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah is another example: he spent his time on this earth with no family, no place to call home, no wealth, and no position. He had a room adjoining the central mosque, a slice of bread to keep him going for the day, and two garments. Sometimes he would sleep in the mosque. But, as he said about his situation, his paradise was in his breast, his execution meant martyrdom, imprisonment was peaceful seclusion, and being exiled from his country meant traveling abroad as a tourist. Such sentiments could come from him only because the tree of faith in his heart had firm and solid roots.

...whose oil would almost glow, forth [of itself], though no, fire touched it. Light upon Light! Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. [Qur'an 24: 35]

He will expiate .from them their sins, and will make good their state. [Qur'an 47: 2]

While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance, and bestows on them their piety. [Qur'an 47: 17]

You will recognize in their, faces the brightness of delight. [Qur'an 83: 24]

Abu Dhar was a Companion known for his abstemious lifestyle. Taking with him his wife and children, he left the city and settled in an isolated location. After setting up his tent, most of his days were spent chiefly in worship, recitation of the Qur'an, and reflection. Most days he fasted. His worldly possessions were limited to a tent, some sheep, and a few other trifling things. Some friends visited him once and they asked, "Where is the world (i.e. where are the material things that others have)?" He said, "In my house is all that I need from this world, and the Prophet (bpuh) informed us that in front of us is an insurmountable obstacle (i.e. on the Day of Judgment), and no one will pass it (safely) except for the one who has a light load."

Despite living a life of penury, he had all that he needed from this world. As for superfluous possessions, he felt that they would divert him from his main purpose and would only cause him worry.

[Dont be Sad]

A few words on patience

Ibn Mas'ood (may Allah be pleased with him) is related to have said: "Relief and aid are from faith and contentment. Anxiety and grief are from doubt and anger."

He also used to say:

"The patient one achieves the best of aims."

Abban ibn Taghlab said:

"I heard a Desert Arab say, `One of the noblest of characteristics becomes manifest when one is afflicted by a trial and then uses patience to overcome that trial. His patience and hope affect him positively; it is as if he constantly visualizes himself being saved from his problem; his state of mind is positive to such a high degree because of his trust in Allah and his good opinion of Him. Whenever one possesses these characteristics, he will never have to wait long for Allah to fulfill his needs and remove hardship from his life. He will be saved, and his religion and honor will remain safe."'

Al-Asma'ee related that a Desert Arab said:

"Fear evil when you find yourself to be in a good situation; hope for good when you are in an evil situation. Many have lived who have sought after death and many have died who have sought after life. And safety comes most often for a person after he has followed the path of fear."

Some of the wise would say:

"The wise person, when afflicted by hardship, consoles himself in two ways. The first is to be contented. The second is in hoping for a way out of the difficulties that have befallen him. The ignorant person is shaken and nervous in situations of hardship in two ways. The first is in the number of people from whom he seeks aid. The second is in his constant fears and apprehensions about that which is worse than what has already befallen him."

And as I mentioned earlier, it has been said that Allah, the Exalted, disciplines us through trials, a form of education that opens hearts, ears, and eyes.

Al-Hasan ibn Sahl described trials as being a wake-up call for the forgetful ones, a means of achieving reward for the patient ones, and a reminder of blessings for everyone. And the decree of Allah is always better, especially for those who, through their bravery, appear to be seeking out deaths - who are searching for a life of remembrance, and who are unlike those that are described in the following verse:

[They are] the ones who said about their killed brethren while they themselves sat [at home]: If only they had listened to us, they would not have been killed. Say: Avert death from your own selves, if you speak the truth. [Qur'an 3: 168]

[Done be Sad]

Plan your affairs and take proper precautions

When a Muslim sets out to do something, he must do the following: he must plan with caution, and he must put his trust in Allah. The Prophet (bpuh), who was protected by Allah and who had stronger trust in Allah than anyone else, wore armor in battle. A man asked the Prophet (bpuh), "Should I tie my camel to the post or should I put my trust in Allah?" The Prophet (bpuh) said,

"Tie it up and put your trust in Allah."

When you take appropriate steps to reach your goal, and when at him same time you put your trust in Allah, you have implemented two important principles of Islamic Monotheism. To trust in Allah. thought taking appropriate measures - i.e. without making an effort o achieve one's goals - is a contemptible misunderstanding of the 'religion. And to take appropriate measures without trusting in Allah means that there is a defect in one's faith in Allah. An Arab poet said:

"The slow cautious person will achieve part of his goals, while the impetuous hasty one will often fail."

By being circumspect in your affairs, you will not have acted contrary to your belief in pre-ordainment; but rather, you will have implemented a fundamental part of it.

And let him be careful...

[Qur'an 18: 19]

To protect you from the heat [and cold], and coats of mail to protect you from your [mutual] violence.

[Qur'an 16: 81]

[Dont be Sad]

Naseeha - Good Health and Free Time (Sh Dr Ibrahim Dremali)

Whatever is written for you will unerringly come to you

A person who is impatient about his sustenance, worried about why he has so little, and unsatisfied at being lower than others in worldly status is like one who precedes the Imam when going from one stage of prayer to the next. At the end, he cannot make Salaams (the final action that makes the prayer complete) until after the Imam has done so. Similarly, one does not die until he receives all of the provision that was decreed for him. Sustenance and provision were preordained and decided upon fifty thousand years before the creation was created.

The Event ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it.
[Qur'an 16: 1]

And if He intends any good for you there is none who can repel His Favor...
[Qur'an 10: 107]

Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

"O' Allah, I seek refuge in you from the stamina of the wicked person and from the feebleness that accompanies (a false) confidence."

This phrase has a very significant meaning. As I contemplated key events in history, I found that many of Allah's enemies had prodigious levels of fortitude, hardiness, and perseverance. In contrast, I found that many Muslims were insipid, lethargic, and feeble, all the while thinking and falsely so - that they were putting their trust in Allah. A true trust in Allah requires striving and working, and then leaving the results to Allah.

[Dont be sad]

Happiness is a Divine gift that does not distinguish between the rich and the poor

It is not uncommon to see laborers who are so poor that whatever they earn on any given day is spent on that same day. Yet many of them are happy, peaceful, with strong hearts and tranquil souls. This is because they are too busy to think about yesterday or tomorrow. Their life-style has given them an appreciation of today since they have not been afforded the opportunity of thinking about anything else.

Compare these to those who live in mansions. Inactivity and free time have afforded them with plentiful time to think about their problems and their lack of purpose in life. Thus misery and worry afflict many of them day and night.

[Dont be sad]

The past is gone forever

By brooding over the past and its tragedies, one exhibits a form of insanity - a kind of sickness that destroys resolve to live for the present moment. Those who have a firm purpose have filed away and forgotten occurrences of the past, which will never again see light, since they occupy such a dark place in the recesses of the mind.

Episodes of the past are finished with; sadness cannot retrieve them, melancholy cannot make things right, and depression will never bring the past back to life. This is because the past is non-existent.

Do not live in the nightmares of former times or under the shade of what you have missed. Save yourself from the ghostly apparition of the past. Do you think that you can return the sun to its place of rising, the baby to its mother's womb, milk to the udder, or tears to the eye? By constantly dwelling on the past and its happenings, you place yourself in a very frightful and tragic state of mind.

Reading too much into the past is a waste of the present. When Allah mentioned the affairs of the previous nations, He, the Exalted, said:

That was a nation who has passed away.

[Qur'an 2. 134]

Former days are gone and done with, and you benefit nothing by carrying out an autopsy over them, by turning back the wheels of history.

The person who lives in the past is like someone who tries to saw sawdust. Of old, they used to say: "Do not remove the dead from their graves."

Our tragedy is that we are incapable of dealing with the present: neglecting our beautiful castles, we wail over dilapidated buildings. If every man and every jinn were to try jointly to bring back the past, they would most certainly fail. Everything on earth marches forward, preparing for a new season and so should you.

[Dont be Sad]

The ingredients of happiness

1. A thankful heart and a tongue that is moist with the remembrance of Allah. An Arab poet said "Thankfulness, remembrance, and patience, In them are blessings and rewards"

2. Another ingredient of happiness is the keeping of secrets, especially one's own secrets. Among the Arabs there is a famous story of a Bedouin who was entrusted with a secret for a free of twenty dinars. At first he remained true to the deal and then suddenly, in a fit of impatience, he went and returned the money - he wanted to unburden himself from the load of the secret. This is basically because secrecy requires steadfastness, patience, and will power. "Oh my son! Relate not your vision to your brothers" (12:5)

A weakness of man - which is just one of his many weak traits - is that he constantly feels the urge to reveal the details of his personal affairs to others. This sickness is an old one in the annals of history. The soul loves to spread secrets and disseminate stories. The connection between this topic and that of this book is that whoever spread his secrets will inevitably feel regret, sadness, and misery. "And let him be careful and let no man know of you" (18:19)

["Dont be sad", Dr, Aid Al-Qarni]

Things that bring about happiness

1. Good Deeds

whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, whie he (or she) is a true believer (of islamic monotheism) verily, to him we will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision). (16:97)

2. A Pious Wife

"Our lord, bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes. (25:74)

3. A spacious house

The Prophet (PBUH) said "Oh Allah, make my house spacious for me"

4. Sustenance that is derived and earned through honest means

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said : "Verily, Allah is Tayyib (good and pure), and He does not accept other than what is good and pure".

5.God manners and spirit of fellowship with people.

"And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be" (19:31)

6.Being debt-free and not being a profligate spender.

"And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly" (25:67)

"And let not your hand be tied (like a miser) to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift)" (17:29)

["Dont be sad", Dr, Aid Al-Qarni]