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. (Tirmidhi)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Growing Old in Islam is a Blessing
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. (Tirmidhi)
The Soul is a Grinding Stone
Ibn al Qayyim رحمه الله said:
It is well known that man has not been given to power to kill his thoughts nor the strength to severe them. They invade him just as his breathing invades his body.
However the strength of Imân and intellect helps him to accept his best thoughts , to be pleased with them, to experience peace and tranquility from them. It also helps him to repulse his most evil thoughts and dislike and recoil from them.
Allâh created the soul similar to a grinding stone that goes round and round – one that does not stop; and always in need of something to grind. If seeds are placed therein it will grind them. If stones are placed therein it will still grind them.
So the thoughts that revolve in the soul are like a seed that is placed in a grinding stone. That grinding stone is never left idle. Something or the other has to be placed inside it. So from amongst the people are those whose grinding stone grinds seeds which comes out as flour – which he and others derive benefit from.
But most of them grind soil, stones, straw and so forth – so when the time of making the dough and baking comes; he sees the reality of what he ground.
[al-Fawaa’id - Page 31 and 173-174]
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Ya Ummi..
And kiss your chaste head
And supress (blame?) my desires
And taste the scent of your blessings
Besmirch in the richness of your feet
my cheek when I meet you
Water the soil with my tears
Happy that you are alive
How many nights did you stay up late
So that I could sleep to my content?
And how many times did you thirst
So you could quench my thirst with your tenderness?
And one day I was Ill, I do not forget
The tears from you that were like the rain
And your eyes which stayed awake
fearing that I may be in danger
And the day we parted at dawn
and Oh what a harsh dawn that was
Words cannot explain what
I felt when I abandoned you
And you told me things which I still
remember throughout my life
"You will never find a heart
more tender towards you than mine"
"You will never find a heart
more tender towards you than mine"
obedience to you, oh want of my life..
[is what] the God of existence has instructed me to do.
Your content is the secret of my success
And my love of you is the secret of my belief
And the sincerity of your prayer [for me]..
has resolved my misfortunes and my sadness
My love towards you..
no human being loves anything like it
You are the beating of my heart
And you are what lights my vision
And you are the tune on my lips
My problems cease when I see your face
To you I do return oh mother
Tomorrow I rest from my journey
And a second age will begin for me
and the branches will blossom with flowers
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Abdullah ibn Masud at his death bed
"What is your ailment?"
"My sins."
"And what do you desire?"
"The mercy of my Lord."
"Shall I not give you your stipend which you have refused to take for years now?"
"I have no need of it."
"Let it be for your daughters after you."
"Do you fear poverty for my children? I have commanded them to read Surah al-Waqiah every night for I have heard the Prophet saying, "Whoever reads Al-Waqiah every night shall not be afflicted by poverty ever."
That night, Abdullah passed away to the company of his Lord, his tongue moist with the remembrance of God and with the recitation of the verses of His Book.
Story of a pious woman at the time of Ferawoon
The Prophet (sul Allahu alayhi wassalaam) smelled a very nice odor. He asked Jibril about this pleasant scent and Jibril informed him this good smell was coming from the grave of the woman whose duty used to be to comb Pharaoh's daughter's hair.
This woman was a good, pious believer. One day, as she was combing Pharaoh's daughter's hair, the comb fell from her hand. At this she said, "Bismillah." Pharaoh's daughter asked her, "Do you have a god other than my father?" The woman said, "Yes. My Lord and the Lord of your father is Allah." Pharaoh's daughter told her father what had happened. Pharaoh demanded this woman blaspheme and leave Islam, but she refused. At that, Pharaoh threatened to kill her children.
He brought a great pot of water and built a great fire under it. When the water boiled, Pharaoh brought her children and started to drop them into that pot one after the other. Throughout all this, the woman remained steadfast to Islam, even when Pharaoh reached her youngest child--a little boy still breast feeding--but she felt pity for him. At that, Allah enabled this child to speak. He said to his mother, "O Mother, be patient. The torture of the Hereafter is far more severe than the torture of this life, and do not be reluctant, because you are right."
At this the woman requested Pharaoh collect her bones and the bones of her children and bury them in the same grave. Pharaoh promised her that--then dropped her into that boiling water. She died as a martyr.
The good odor the Prophet (sul Allahu alayhi wassalaam) smelled coming from her grave is an indication of her high status.
[May Allah make us like these people.]
http://www.islamcan.com/
Standing by his mother's bedside
The young boy hurried to do her bidding, but when he returned to her bedside with the water, he discovered that she had fallen asleep again. Sharafud-Din was not sure what to do. Should he wake her up or wait until she awoke, or leave the water by her bedside and go back to bed himself? He decided to wait until she awoke.
Minutes passed...hours passed...the night passed...and still the small boy waited patiently with the water at his mother's side. Finally his mother awoke a little after the first light of dawn had paled the sky, and to her surprise there was her beloved son at her side.
"How long have you been standing here?" she asked. "You haven't been there all night have you?"
'Yes, mother," he replied, "I have been here since you asked me to bring you some water."
His mother was deeply touched by his devotion, and asked Allah to pour His blessings on her son. One day he grew up to be a great saint!
Source: "True Stories for Children" by Matina Wali Muhammad
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The wasiyyat of Hadhrat Aadam
(1) Never have confidence in the world and its life. Allah did not approve of my confidence in Jannat, hence I had to leave.
(2) Never fulfil the desires of women. I succumbed to the desire of my wife, ate of the forbidden fruit of Jannat, hence I was put to shame and remorse.
(3) Before doing anything, reflect well on its consequences. If I had done this, I would not have been put to shame in Jannat.
(4) If your heart is agitated by something, do not do it. When I was about to eat of the forbidden fruit, my heart agitated, but I did not heed it.
(5) Before doing anything consult with people of wisdom. If I had consulted the Angels, I would not have suffered shame.
Naked in Qiyaamah
These will be the women who wear transparent garb, tight-fitting provocative dress, dress with revealing slits, etc.
http://www.themajlis.net/
Thursday, September 30, 2010
If You Ask About Paradise...
"And if you ask about its ground and its soil, then it is of musk and saffron.
And if you ask about its roof, then it is the Throne of the Most Merciful.
And if you ask about its rocks, then they are pearls and jewels.
And if you ask about its buildings, then they are made of bricks of gold and silver.
And if you ask about its trees, then it does not contain a single tree except that its trunk is made of gold and silver.
And if you ask about its fruits, then they are softer than butter and sweeter than honey.
And if you ask about its leaves, then they are softer than the softest cloth.
And if you ask about its rivers, then there are rivers of milk who's taste does not change, and rivers of wine that is delicious to those who drink it, and rivers of honey that is pure, and rivers of water that is fresh.
And if you ask about their food, then it is fruits from whatever they will choose, and the meat of whatever birds they desire.
And if you ask about their drink, then it is Tasneem, ginger, and Kaafoor.
And if you ask about their drinking cups, then they are crystal-clear and made of gold and silver.
And if you ask about its shade, then a fast rider would ride in the shade of one of its trees for a hundred years and not escape it.
And if you ask about its vastness, then the lowest of its people would have within his kingdom and walls and palaces and gardens the distance that would be travelled in a thousand years.
And if you ask about its tents and encampments, then one tent is like a concealed pearl that is sixty miles long.
And if you ask about its towers, then they are rooms above rooms in buildings that have rivers running underneath them.
And if you ask about how far it reaches into the sky, then look at the shining star that is visible, as well as those that are far in the heavens that the eyesight cannot possibly reach.
And if you ask about the clothing of its inhabitants, then they are of silk and gold.
And if you ask about its beds, then its blankets are of the finest silk laid out in the highest of its levels.
And if you ask about the faces of its inhabitants and their beauty, then they are like the image of the Moon.
And if you ask about their age, then they are young ones of 33 years in the image of Adam, the father of humanity.
And if you ask about what they will be hearing, then it is the singing of their wives from among the Hoor al-'Ayn, and better than that are the voices of the Angels and the Prophets, and better than that is the Speech of the Lord of the Worlds.
And if you ask about their servants, then they are young boys of everlasting youth who resemble scattered pearls.
And if you ask about their brides and wives, then they are young and full-breasted and have had the liquid of youth flow through their limbs; the Sun runs along the beauty of her face if she shows it, light shines from between her teeth if she smiles; if you meet her love, then say whatever you want regarding the joining of two lights; he sees his face in the roundness of her cheek as if he is looking into a polished mirror, and he sees the brightness from behind her muscles and bones; if she were to be unleashed upon the World, she would fill what is between the Heavens and the Earth with a beautiful wind, and the mouths of the creation would glorifiy, praise, and exclaim greatness, and everything between the East and the West would be adorned for her, and every eye would be shut from everthing but her, and the light of the Sun would be outshone just as the light of the Sun outshines the light of the stars, and everyone on the face of the Earth would believe in the Ever-Living, the One who Sustains and Protects all the exists.
And the covering on her head is better than the World and all that is in it, and she does not increase with age except in beauty; free from an umbilical cord, childbirth and menses, and pure of mucous, saliva, urine and other filthy things; her youth never fades, her clothing is never worn out, no garment can be created that matches her beauty, and no one who is with her can ever become bored; her attention is restricted to her husband, so she desires none but him, just as his attention is restricted to her so she is the sole object of his desire, and he is with her in utmost safety and security, as none has touched her before of either humans or Jinn.
And if you ask about the Day of Increase (in reward) and the visit of the all-Mighty, all-Wise, and the sight of His Face - free from any resemblance or likeness to anything - as you see the Sun in the middle of the day and the full Moon on a cloudless night, then listen on the day that the caller will call: 'O People of Paradise! Your Lord - Blessed and Exalted - requests you to visit Him, so come to visit Him!' So they will say: 'We hear and obey!'
Until, when they finally reach the wide valley where they will all meet - and none of them will turn down the request of the caller - the Lord - Blessed and Exalted - will order His Chair to be brought there. Then, pulpits of light will emerge, as well as pulpits of pearls, gemstone, gold, and silver. The lowest of them in rank will sit on sheets of musk, and will not see what those who are on the chairs above them are given. When they are comfortable where they are sitting and are secure in their places, and the caller calls: 'O People of Paradise! You have an appointment with Allaah in which He wishes to reward you!' So they will say: 'And what is that reward? Has He not already made our faces bright, made our scales heavy, entered us into Paradise, and pushed us away from the Fire?'
And when they are like that, all of a sudden a light shines that encompasses all of Paradise. So, they raise their heads, and, behold: the Compeller - Exalted is He, and Holy are His Names - has come to them from above them and majestified them and said: 'O People of Paradise! Peace be upon you!' So, this greeting will not be responded to with anything better than: 'O Allaah! You are Peace, and from You is Peace! Blessed are You, O possessor of Majesty and Honor!' So the Lord - Blessed and Exalted - will laugh to them and say: 'O People of Paradise! Where are those who used to obey Me without having ever seen Me? This is the Day of Increase!'
So, they will all give the same response: 'We are pleased, so be pleased with us!' So, He will say: 'O People of Paradise! If I were not pleased with you, I would not have made you inhabitants of My Paradise! So, ask of Me!' So, they will all give the same response: 'Show us your Face so that we may look at it!' So, the Lord - Mighty and Majestic - will remove his covering and will majestify them and will cover them with His Light, which, if Allaah - the Exalted - had not Willed not to burn them, would have burned them.
And there will not remain a single person in this gathering except that his Lord - the Exalted - will speak to him and say: 'Do you remember the day that you did this and that?' and He will remind him of some of his bad deeds in the Worldy life, so he will say: 'O Lord! Will you not forgive me?' So, He will say: 'Of course! You have not reached this position of yours (in Paradise) except by my forgiveness. '
So, how sweet is this speech to the ears, and how cooled are the righteous eyes by the glance at His Noble Face in the Afterlife...
"Some faces that Day will be shining and radiant, l ooking at their Lord..."
[al-Qiyaamah:22-3]
[from the amazing and beautiful book Haadi al-Arwaah ilaa Bilaad il-Afraah by Ibn al-Qayyim, pg. 193]
http://www.kalamullah.com/paradise.html
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Virtues of Ramadan
[Bukhari and Muslim]
Kaab bin Ujra relates, "Rasulullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "Come near to the mimbar". And we came near to the mimbar. When he ascended the First step of the mimbar he said "Aameen". When he ascended the second step of the mimbar he said, "Aameen". When he ascended the third step he said, "Aameen".
When he descended we said, "O Rasul of Allah, we have heard from you today something which we never heard before". He said, When I ascended the first step) Jibra-eel A.S. appeared before me and said, "Woe to him who found the blessed month of Ramadhaan and let it pass by without gaining forgiveness", Upon that I said, "Aameen". When I ascended the second step, he said "Woe to him before whom thy name is mentioned and then does not read Durood (salaat alan Nabi) on you". I replied "Aameen". When I ascended the third step he said, "Woe unto the person in whose presence both parents or o ne of them attain old age, and (through failure to serve them) is not allowed to enter Jannah" I said "Aameen".
[Reported by Haakim.]
Abu Hurayrah relates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, "My Ummah were given five things for Ramadhaan which were not given to anyone except them. For them, the smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more sweeter to Allah than the fragrant smell of musk. On their behalf the fish in the sea seek forgiveness for the fasting persons until they break their fast. Allah prepares and decorates a special garden in Jannah everyday and then says (to it), "The time is near when faithful servants shall cast aside the great trials of the world and come to you". In this month (for them) evil-minded Shaytaan is chained so as not to reach unto those evils to which they normally reach during other months besides Ramadhaan. On the last night of Ramadhaan they are forgiven".
The Sahaabah R.A. thereupon enquired, "0 Messenger of Allah, is that last night Laylatul Qadr? Rasulullah (SAW) replied, "No. But it is only right that a servant should be given his reward on having completed his service".
[Reported by Ahmad, Bazzaar and Bayhaqi]
This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is Jannah ( paradise. It is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer's rizq is increased. Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast at sunset, for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from the fire of Jahannam (hell}, and for such feeder shall be the same reward as the one who Fasted (who he fed) without that persons reward being decreased in the least."
Thereupon we said, "0 messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast." Rasulullah (SAW) replied, "Allah grants the same reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date, or a drink of water, or a sip of milk."
"This is a month, the first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahan-nam."
"Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (bonds-men) in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannam."
"And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah (i.e. recite the Kalimah Tayyibah Laa llaaha illallaah) and make much Istighfaar beg Allah's forgiveness with Astagirfirul- laah)." And as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah, entrance into paradise and ask refuge in Him from Jahannam."
[Reported by ibn Khuzaimah in his 'Saheeh.]
Consequences of not paying Zakath
(Bukhari)
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
When A Child Dies
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Elaika - To you..
Imam Shafi`i on his death-bed was asked by Al Muzni “What is your condition?”
Then Imam Shafi’ (رحمه الله) replied,
Imam Shafi’ (رحمه الله) then began to cry profusely and recited the following;
blood almost flows from his eyelids due to the excess of his emotions (lament)
the brother of sleeplessness and secret conversation when the night darkens
You are enough of a longing and benefit for those who have hope
And You have not ceased being gracious to me and full of favours
And cover up my crime and what has gone forth
Were it not for my contentment in you, I wouldn’t, O my Lord, have seen any comfort at all
A rebellious, oppressive tyrant still sinning
Even if they entered my soul into Jahannum, due to the sins
But Your forgiveness comes to the servant, more exalted and more great
And Light from the Most Merciful has spread in the sky
And when glad tidings draw close, it becomes feverish
It overlooks me in the darkness of the grave, apparent and clear
And I preserve the contract of love, lest it be defiled
That’s pursuing my footsteps in ecstasy
And whoever hopes for Him, then never will he regret..
Monday, June 14, 2010
Their Share is in The Aakhirah
THE KEY
Ibn Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that everything has a key. The key of Jannat is to love the true and patient Fuqaraa and Masaakeen. on the Day of Qiyaamah, they will be the companions of Allah Ta’ala. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) supplicated: "O Allah! Keep me alive as a Miskeen; let me die a Miskeen and raise me up ( in Qiyaamah) in the assembly of the Masaakeen."
This supplication of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is more than ample confirmation for the lofty rank and importance of the Fuqaraa and Masaakeen. In this dua, Nabi-e-Kareem (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) did not ask for the Masaakeen to be raised up in his assembly. Rather, he supplicated to be raised up in their group. This form of his Dua significantly highlights the rank of the fuqaraa.
Toleration
"A husband who tolerates the indiscretion of his wife will gain the reward (similar to the reward) of Nabi Ayyoob (alayhis salaam), and a wife who patiently bears the injustice of her husband will gain the reward of Hadhrat Aasiyya (rahmatullah alayha)."
(Hadhrat Aasiyya was the Muslim wife of Fir'oun. Allah Ta'ala speaks highly of her in the Qur'aan Majeed.)
Toleration of the wife's indiscretion is a noble attitude. It is a great virtue which is lacking in most husband's.
Tolerating the wife's indiscretion should not be understood to mean acceptance of her acts of transgression against the Shariah which bring about the Anger of Allah Ta'ala. Her indiscretion with regard to the husband's fancies and desires should be tolerated, not her violations and of the Shariah.
Luqman's Advice
"O my son! I have carried steel and stones, but nothing is heavier than (the Amaanat of) Deen.
I have experienced comfort and pleasure, but nothing is more pleasurable than safety.
I have tasted bitterness of all kinds, but nothing is more bitter than dependence on others."
Where to find Safety
"I heard from Hadhrat Ja`far Saadiq (rahmatullahi alayh) that safety has almost disappeared so much so that searching for it has become obscure. If there is safety in anything, it is in anonymity. If it is not in anonymity then it is in solitude, but this is not equal to anonymity. If it is not in solitude then it is in silence, but this is not equal to solitude. If it is not in silence, then it is in the discourses of the pious people of bygone times. A fortunate man is he who finds solitude in his heart."
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Almighty likes sneezing and dislikes yawning
[Sahih Al-Bukhari: Volume 8, Book 73, Number 240]
Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) : The Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said, "Allah likes sneezing and dislikes yawning, so if someone sneezes and then praises Allah, then it is obligatory on every Muslim who heard him, to say: 'May Allah be merciful to you (Yar-hamukallah) '. But as regards yawning, it is from Satan, so one must try one's best to sop it as much as possible. Because if anyone of you yawns the Satan laughs at him."
[Sahih Al-Bukhari: Volume 8, Book 73, Number 242]
Saturday, May 15, 2010
4 Poisons Of The Heart
Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "A person who talks too much is a person who often makes mistakes, and someone who often makes mistakes, often has wrong actions. The Fire has a priority over such a frequent sinner."
2. Unrestrained Glances
It has been related that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallum once said words to the effect: "The glance is a poisoned arrow of shaytan. Whoever lowers his gaze for Allah, He will bestow upon him a refreshing sweetness which he will find in his heart on the day that he meets Him."
3. Too Much Food
Al-Miqdam ibn Ma'd Yakrib said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah say: "The son of Adam fills no vessel more displeasing to Allah than his stomach. A few morsels should be enough for him to preserve his strength. If he must fill it, then he should allow a third for his food, a third for his drink and leave a third empty for easy breathing."
4. Keeping Bad Company
Allah's Apostle said: "The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is I like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof."
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Honour of a Mu'min
[Tabarani, Majma-uz-Zawaid]
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Almighty says "I am very near to My Servant"
[Sahih Muslim : Book 35 Kitab Al-Dhikr, Number 6471]
Friday, April 9, 2010
Be satisfied with the little of little of life
And prepare yourself for the long journey
In His obedience, you win both life and the hereafter
And in His obedience is the pride for the humiliated slave
And in His disobedience there is, shame and fire
And there is also the distance (from Allah) with humiliation
So, dont disobey your Lord and obey Him, always for you might be luckily accepted!
And our Lord Prays and Blesses at all times And Offers peace (salam) at sunrise and sunset Upon Taha -The Prophet pbuh- who brought the good tidings The seal of the Prophets, the guide and leader
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Five Things & Five Matters
"I entered Damascus and came upon the students of hadeeth, and I passed by the circle of Qaasim al-Joo'ee (d.248H). 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 also 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 people act deceitfully towards you,do not act deceitfully towards them." Ibn Abee Haatim said: So I took that as my benefit from Damascus."
Related by Ibn al-Jawzee in Sifatus-Safwaa (2/200).
Determination and Patience
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Blessings of a simple marriage
Sufyan then mentioned his own story to the man. “We were four brothers,” he said. "Muhammad, ‘Umran, Ibrahim and I. Muhammad was the eldest, ‘Umran was the youngest, and I was in the middle. When Muhammad wanted to marry, he desired status and married a woman of higher standing, so Allah tested him with ignominy. ‘Umran desired wealth, so he married a richer woman and Allah tested him with poverty, as (her family) took everything from him and gave him nothing.”
“I pondered over their situation,” Sufyan continued. “Once when Mu’ammar Bin Rashid came to us, I consulted him and told him the story of my brothers. He reminded me of the Hadith of Yahya Bin Ja’dah and the Hadith of Ayesha.” The first Hadith states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “A woman is married for four things: her religion, her status (lineage), her wealth or her beauty; so take the religious one and be successful.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) The second Hadith of Ayesha states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The most blessed woman is she who is easiest to maintain.” (An-Nasa’i)
“Thus,” Sufyan said, “I chose (to marry a woman of) religion and with a modest dowry, in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and Allah gave me status and wealth along with the religion.” – Abu Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliya (7/289, 290)
Note: The second Hadith has been graded weak by scholars. However, scholars point out there is another narration that supports and adds to its meaning, which states: “It is from the good qualities in a woman that she (is taken in marriage with) an easy dowry, an easy proposal (via her guardian) and an easy womb (i.e. she is fertile and bares children without difficulty).” (Musnad Ahmad)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Shaytan, tell me who are your friends, and who are your enemies?
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, tell me who are your friends, and who are your enemies?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), first I have 15 enemies:
1) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my first enemy is you and your Ahlul Bayt; if it were not for you and your Ahlul-Bayt, my mission would have been quite successful. There would not have been even a single believer. But you brought the religion of Allah (Islam) to this world and you made people believers of Allah's communication.
2) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my second enemy is that just ruler who rules a nation with complete justice.
3) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh). My third enemy is that rich person who does not have any ego nor feels super to poor people around him.
4) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my fourth enemy is that businessman who conducts his business with justice.
5) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), My fifth enemy is that scholar (Aalim) who fears Allah and practices what he preaches.
6) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my sixth enemy is that specific believer who works to show others the path of truth. Who offers the knowledge of obligatory (Wajibaat) and forbidden (Haraam) duties of Allah. This Person is undoing, all of my hard work.
7) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my seventh enemy is that person who doesn't listen to what is forbidden, doesn't look at what is forbidden, and doesn't eat what is forbidden.
8) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my eighth enemy is that believer who keeps himself clean all the time. A person who remains in Wudhu and who wears clean clothes.
9) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my ninth enemy is that person who has a big heart, who spends his money the sake of Allah.
10) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my tenth enemy is that person who gives charity (Sadaqah) only in the name of Allah.
11) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my eleventh enemy is that person who reads, memorizes and acts according to Qur`an.
12) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my twelfth enemy is that person who recites Salaat Al Lail (prayers recited after midnight and before the Salaat of Fajr). I am always afraid of this person.
13) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my thirteenth enemy is that person who pays his Khums, Zakaat, and other obligatory Sadaqah.
14) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my fourteenth enemy is that person who observes Hijaab (veil), and safeguards her Hijaab.
15) Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my fifteenth enemy is he who performs his worship (Ibaadat) without having any thoughts except for the thoughts of Allah.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, and who are your eleven friends?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my friends are:
1) First, is that leader who is an oppressor.
2) My second friend is that businessman who does his business by deceiving his customers.
3) My third friend is that believer who drinks alcohol.
4) My fourth friend is that rich person who is proud of his wealth and who angrily refuses to give money in charity to the poor and needy.
5) My fifth friend is that person who does backbiting, who talks in such a way that enmity increases between the people, and who reveals the defects of people.
6) My sixth friend is that person who kills another human being for any reason other than for Allah.
7) My seventh friend is that person who snatches away the belongings of an orphan.
8) My eighth friend is that person whose livelihood is based on collecting interest.
9) My ninth friend is that person who gives more importance to his worldly life rather than giving importance to his life after death. This friend of mine prefers to perform those deeds which he knows will bring benefits in this world, but in the hereafter, such deeds will bring loss.
10) My tenth friend is that person who keeps long hopes and delays in asking for forgiveness from Allah.
11) My eleventh friend is that person who helps women increase their interest in performing magic on people.
These are my eleven friends who are the worst enemies of Allah.
An Interview With Shaytan (The Cursed One) By Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
Our beloved Prophet (pbuh), though he possessed full knowledge, asked Shaytan the following questions for the sake of his companions:
Our beloved Prophet (pbuh), Oh Shaytan, what is this hat?
Shaytan, the cursed one: "Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), My colorful hat is this world. I present this world with all transient materialistic goods, perishable benefits, and temporary enjoyments. Once a person gets caught by this colorful hat of mine, then that person stays in my control and forgets all about the Hereafter.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, what is this belt you are wearing with gold and diamonds around your waist?
Shaytan, the cursed one: "Oh Prophet (pbuh), this is my second weapon which keeps my back bone strong. Oh Prophet (pbuh), when believers do not fall into my trap by my hat then I use this weapon.
Prophet (pbuh): But what is it?
Shaytan, the cursed one: "Oh Prophet (pbuh), These are the materialistic unveiled women of this world. Through these women I deceive the believers.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, what is this bell you are holding in your left hand?
Shaytan, the cursed one: This is a bell through which I destroy the faith (Imaan) of the believers.
Prophet (pbuh): How do you do that?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Whenever I see believe arguing, getting into minor verbal antagonisms or disagreements with each other, then I ring this bell. As I ring this bell, these believers get into major verbal fights and start saying things to each other (such as backbiting, false accusations, or using bad language), due to which their own faith disappears from their hearts.
Prophet (pbuh): What is this net you are holding?
Shaytan, the cursed one: When I see the believers not getting trapped by any of my weapons, then I throw this net at them as my last weapon.
Prophet (pbuh): But what is this net?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), this is Riya! (performing good deeds only to show people). Whenever I see that your believers are performing all the good deeds and that they are not getting caught by my weapons, then I throw this net at them. By stepping into this net their good deeds, which the performed for Allah, become invalid. Because the believers gradually develop an ego in themselves while performing their Prayers, observing Fasts, performing Hajj, paying Zakat and Khums, and several other duties towards Allah. They perform all these and other good deeds; but after they get caught by my net, they show their good deeds to others and think that they have done a favor for Allah by performing such good deeds. They tell people when they perform night prayers. They tell people when they fast. They tell people when they go to Hajj. They give money in charity but only to show off or for their own personal interest. This is how they eventually feel superior to those people whom they know are not performing these good deeds. All these actions, which take place after they step into my net, makes their good deeds go to waste.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, tell me one more thing. Now that you have spent so much of your time in this life with your bad deeds, do you have any friends?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Although I visit all the houses and people in general, there are 11 types of people that are my best friends and companions. And there are 15 types of people that I hate the most. Oh Prophet (pbuh), keep in mind that a person who is my friend is an enemy of Allah, and a person who is my enemy is a friend of Allah.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, tell us why you stop my followers from offering their prayers? What benefit do you get out of it?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Whenever your follower recites prayers, my body gets feverish and it starts to shiver; and with a sick body I can not deceive your followers from obeying Allah.
Prophet (pbuh): Why do you stop my followers from observing their fasts during the month of Ramadan?
Shaytan, the cursed one: I can't deceive them during time they fast because I'm thrown into prison and I can't misguide them.
Prophet (pbuh): When my followers prepare to fight Allah's way, why do you stop them?
Shaytan, the cursed one: When they go to fight for Allah's sake, my hands are tied to my neck, and I can't deceive them by having my hands tied to my neck.
Prophet (pbuh): Why do you prevent my followers from performing Hajj?
Shaytan, the cursed one: When they go for Hajj, their movement of going towards Hajj ties my legs. And with my legs tied, I cannot misguide your followers from obeying Allah's commands.
Prophet (pbuh): Why do you prevent my followers from reciting the Holy Qur`an?
Shaytan, the cursed one: When they recite the Holy Qur`an, my existence turns into non-existence. And without having any existence, how can I deceive your followers from living according to the will of Allah?
Prophet (pbuh): Why do you prevent my followers from offering Du`a (supplication)?
Shaytan, the cursed one: When they recite Du`a I become deaf and dumb. How can I deceive your followers without having the ability to speak and the ability to listen.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, tell me why you prevent my followers from paying Sadaqah?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), when your followers pay Sadaqah (giving money in charity), it is as if I am being cut in two with a saw, and one piece is thrown to the East and the other piece to the West.
Prophet (pbuh): Why do you get such a strong blow when my followers pay Sadaqah? Why do you get cut into two pieces?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Whenever a person gives his money in charity, that person receives three benefits m Allah. The first benefit such a person receives is that Allah becomes his borrower. The second benefit is that Allah makes Heaven his inheritance (such that he will be called an owner of Heaven). And the third benefit is that Allah increases his wealth 700 times, which in turn this person uses the increased wealth for charity.
Prophet (pbuh): Now tell me when does a person who is my follower get under your total control?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), your follower gets under my total control when they perform three things. The first thing is that when your follower becomes stingy he gets under my total control. Stinginess is the root of all sin, which makes a person perform all types of other sins. The second thing is that when a person starts forgiving his own sins. This person performs deeds that are against the will of Allah. Then he does not remember them nor does he ask for forgiveness. At that time he comes under my absolute control. And the third thing is that when a person gambles.
Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), any person who performs these three deeds falls under my absolute control.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, you know that Allah has given my followers the strong weapon of repentance. Whenever my followers ask for true forgiveness with an intention of not repeating that sin, Allah forgives them. How do you deal with this problem?
Shaytan, the cursed one: I know Oh Prophet (pbuh), Allah has given them this strong weapon, but I have prepared myself to confront your followers with their strong weapon.
Prophet (pbuh): What method do you have through which you prevent my followers from asking for forgiveness?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), to deal with this problem I have created four different units. Each unit deals with a different age group of your followers. In each group I make your followers perform such deeds which makes their repentance invalid.
Prophet (pbuh): What are these units?
Shaytan, the cursed one: In the first unit I occupy your old men in four sins. I make them lie, I make them accuse someone of something which they have not done, I make them testify falsely and I make them perform prayers without having the complete knowledge of the laws of performing prayers. Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), your old men will be offering du`as and reciting obligatory prayers; but if you talk to them you will hear them talking bad about other people, falsely attributing bad deeds to other people without having any knowledge about those people, and reciting obligatory prayers without knowing all the laws of prayers. Your old men will not try to learn the laws of prayers because of their pride (ego). Whenever some young men from your Ummah try to explain the right way of performing Wudhu, your old men will get mad and say, "You have just entered Islam, and now you are trying to teach us how to perform Wudhu?"
Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my second unit is that which takes care of your young men. I do not prevent them from reciting prayers, performing Hajj or anything else; except that I lure them into two things. First, I make them look at things that are forbidden for them; and secondly, I make them listen to those things that are forbidden for them.
Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my third unit is that which deceives your old women. I entice them to backbite, to falsely accuse others, to destroy the character of men and women and to perform magic on the people.
Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), my fourth unit is not active because it is suppose to take care of the young women of your Ummah. Since all of your young girls are already my soldiers and I have a strong hold over them, I do not have a hard time deceiving them. However, sometimes I may find one girl in a thousand that is following your way of life and I will not be able to do anything to deceive her.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, tell me do you get upset when you see any of your soldiers fleeing from you and following Allah's commands?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), I do not get upset. I wait until that person performs any good deed, then I go to that person again and deceive him to believe that he has done a favor for Allah by performing that good deed.
Prophet (pbuh): You make that person feel that he has done a favor for Allah?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh). That person goes around after performing a good deed telling people what he has done. Such as, he recited prayers, observed fasts, paid so much money in charity, or helped someone in their time of need.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, how do you deceive those followers of mine who try their best not to be deceived by you?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Allah made one deed, which if your followers perform with the right intention and at the right time, then they can never be deceived me. And that deed is obligatory prayers. But to solve this problem, what I did was that with every one your followers I have assigned to them one of my soldiers, whose name is Mutawaqee. And his job is make your followers procrastinate and to preoccupy them in such activities due to which they will recite their prayers at the last minute. And when your follow recite their prayers at this time, they recite it in such a manner that their prayers are not acceptable to Allah.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, since you know so much about Islam and its followers, why don't you ask Allah for forgiveness?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), Allah does not want me to ask for forgiveness, so what can I do?
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, I heard that sometimes you feel as if someone has thrown a heavy stone on your head, which breaks your head into several pieces.
Shaytan, the cursed one: Oh Prophet of Allah (pbuh), yes it is true. Whenever your follower truly repents to Allah, I feel like that.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, I heard that sometimes you feel as if your body is being cut into several pieces.
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, when your followers go out to fight for the sake of Allah, I feel like that.
Prophet (pbuh): I heard that sometimes you feel a someone is slapping you.
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, when your followers recite the Qur`an with correct pronunciation.
Prophet (pbuh): When are you thrown to the lowest pit of hell?
Shaytan, the cursed one: When your followers perform good deeds towards their parents or relatives.
Prophet (pbuh): I heard that sometimes you feel a great pain in your whole body.
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, when your followers give charity without showing off.
Prophet (pbuh): I heard that sometimes you feel as if someone is whipping you.
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, when your follower sees a non Mehram (a girl with whom a man can marry) and then he immediately casts his eyes down.
Prophet (pbuh). Whom do you like the best among my followers?
Shaytan, the cursed one: that person who does business by deceiving people.
Prophet (pbuh). When do you get hurt the most?
Shaytan, the cursed one: When your followers remember Allah day and night.
Prophet (pbuh): Whom do you fear the most?
Shaytan, the cursed one: I fear those men who recite prayers in the first row of congregation (Jama`at).
Prophet (pbuh): Which people among my followers have you chosen to be your permanent soldiers?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Any of your followers who use any type of intoxicating beverages.
Prophet (pbuh): Which person makes you laugh?
Shaytan, the cursed one: That person who encourages others to commit sins.
Prophet (pbuh): With whom do you speak the most?
Shaytan, the cursed one: A person who lies the most.
Prophet (pbuh): Who is the most pleasing to you?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Any man who divorces an innocent women.
Prophet (pbuh): Do you have any more friends?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, that person who delays in offering his obligatory prayers.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, where do you stay the most?
Shaytan, the cursed one: A place where non Mehram men and women get together without any separation or observing Hijaab, that is my place of stay.
Prophet (pbuh): Where do you meet people?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Bazaars (shopping malls); I try to make buyers deceive sellers and sellers deceive buyers. I also encourage men to do their business with women and women to do their business with men. I persuade people to all types of sins in bazaars.
Prophet (pbuh): What do you read?
Shaytan, the cursed one: I read songs.
Prophet (pbuh): What is your way of calling people towards committing sins?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Music and songs; whenever your followers listen to music they come toward me.
Prophet (pbuh): What is your book?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Playing cards are my book.
Prophet (pbuh): Who is your helper?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Any person who contributes to the defeat of your Muslims.
Prophet (pbuh): What do you eat?
Shaytan, the cursed one: I eat everything that is obtained by forbidden earnings or by not paying khums.
Prophet (pbuh): What do you drink?
Shaytan, the cursed one: I drink alcohol.
Prophet (pbuh): What is your dessert?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Backbiting.
Prophet (pbuh). Do you have any desires?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Every false commitment is my desire.
Prophet (pbuh): Are you thankful for anything?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, I am thankful to those men and women who indulge in sins after asking Allah for forgiveness.
Prophet (pbuh): Do you relax?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, when your followers miss Fajr (morning) prayers.
Prophet (pbuh): Do you get any rewards from my followers?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, whenever your followers break their relationships with relatives or neighbors.
Prophet (pbuh): Do you have any companions?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, that person who has sex with his wife without saying "Bismi-llahir Rahmanir Raheem" and that person whose earnings are through un-Islamic means.
Prophet (pbuh): What deed of my follower makes you angry?
Shaytan, the cursed one: When a mother tries to make her son (or daughter) fast or offer prayers.
Prophet (pbuh): Are there any men among my followers whom you cannot possibly misguide?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, any man who does not intentionally look at a non-Mehram.
Prophet (pbuh): Are there any women among my followers whom you can't misguide?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes, that woman who observes Hijaab and who listens to her husband.
Prophet (pbuh): Shaytan, Out of the men and women you have described, do you have any special men women that you love the most?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Yes! Among women I love those women who do not observe Hijaab. And among men, those who are proud and those who are sinful Ulama (religious scholars).
Prophet (pbuh): Which men do you hate the most?
Shaytan, the cursed one: Four Men: The first are humble rich men. The second are Ulama who practice at they preach. The third are young men who ask for forgiveness. And the fourth are old men who fear Allah.
Prophet (pbuh): Are you alone or do you have any companions?
Shaytan, the cursed one. Yes, I have some companions who gather at the mosques in order to deceive its visitors. My companions make the visitors talk about things that give them bad deeds instead of good deeds. Other companions make your wise followers think of their bad deeds as few and their good deeds as many. And other companions, when they see someone giving money in charity or helping someone for the sake of Allah, they entice that person to tell others of his charity and good deeds.
Then Shaytan, the cursed one said, "O Prophet of Allah (pbuh),. I have talked to you in much detail. I would like to tell you that you are working towards taking people to heaven and I am working towards taking people to hell." After this, Shaytan, the cursed one gave Salaams to our beloved Prophet (pbuh) and disappeared.
http://home.earthlink.net/~halimcisse/warnings_shaytan.html
