Monthly Archives: January 2006

Khalid bin Walid: From General to Foot-Soldier

January 24, 2006 – 12:17 am

During the reign of Prophet Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وسلم), and later, the reign of Abu Bakr, the first Khalifa, may Allah be pleased with him, Khalid bin Walid, commander of the Muslim army, rocked the non-Muslim armies again and again and again and lead the Muslims to many victories. In this way, he became a fitnah–people ascribed victory to him, and not to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

After the battle of Yarmuk, the newly-instated Khalifa, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) removed Khalid bin Walid from leadership of the army and instated Abu Ubaydah (RA) as the commander. This is after Khalid bin Walid lead the Muslims to victory against gigantic armies–30k, 50k, 75k, 100k, and so on–monstrously huge battles, and he won. He rocked, and he knew it.

So what did Khalid bin Walid do? He didn’t whine and complain. He didn’t build his own masjid across the street or start his own Islamic organization. He said (to the meaning of): “I never did this for personal gain. All of this is for the sake of Allah, so it makes no difference whether I’m the leader or the follower.” Then he rejoined the army as a foot-soldier and continued under Abu Ubaydah’s leadership.

Didn’t flinch. Didn’t cause any fitnah. He became a follower, and they went out.

When Allah tests you in a similar way, remember the lesson of Khalid bin Walid, sword of Allah. May Allah reward him for all the continual benefit we derive from his military prowess.

References

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Conquest: History of the Khulafa. University of Toronto, Toronto. November 2005.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Islamic Work, Sahaba, Tazkiyyah | Comments (2)

Memorize Qur’an: Triple Reinforcement

January 23, 2006 – 12:09 am

To memorize the Qur’an, regardless of your learning style, utilize your senses (sight and sound) plus your intellect to reinforce your memorization inshaAllah.

  1. See it: See the Qur’an in Arabic. A tajweed colour-coded mushaf works. Pick a script you like, and read it over a few times. Learn how the letters look. Read it after you listen to it a few times.
  2. Hear it: Download your favourite reciter and listen to the particular verse you want to memorize. Listen at least a few times, both before and after you try to memorize.
  3. Understand it: Learn the translation in your native language, both of the individual words and of the ayat. When need to remember and get stuck on a word, you can always recall the translation in your native language and translate.
  4. Associate it: Associate words, meanings, and sounds with anything. For example, the word tansawna (to forget) sounds like the English words “ton sauna”. These associations greatly aid your memorization.
  5. Practice it: Every chance you get to recite it, in any prayer, recite it!  Recite it over and over and over and over until you can do it without hardly thinking about it.  Eventually, you reach a point where it becomes ingrained into your subconscious mind.

And of course, straighten your intention before-hand (to memorize for the reward, for example), make du’a constantly, and utilize the early part of the morning (Fajr to sunrise). May Allah aid you in your endeavour.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Tazkiyyah | Comments (1)

The People of the Ditch (7): The People Most Tested

January 22, 2006 – 10:55 pm

Some companions asked the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) “Who are the people most tested?” The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said “The rightly guided people.”

Allah tests people according to the strength of their faith. As you increase in iman, your tests become tougher and tougher.

Allah tests everyone, even non-believers. So if you’re going to be tested, be tested for fleeing to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and the truth.

The scholar said: “when you are tested [o my boy], do not reveal me.” He did not wish to be tested.

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) once said: “O people! Do not wish to meet the enemy, and ask Allah for safety, but when you face the enemy, be patient, and remember that Paradise is under the shades of swords.”1

Jihad (fighting) in the path of Allah is the highest peak–the most reward for personal actions after the five pillars. Khalid bin Walid, may Allah be pleased with him, once said “Not a day made me more happy, not my marriage to a virgin nor my news of a son, but that cold, bitter day on the battlefield.”

So why did the Prophet, peace be upon him, say that? Because nobody knows the state in which they will be when the trials hit–will you be steadfast, or will you run? Will you succeed, or will you fail? Will you rise, or will you fall? In battle, specifically–on the battlefield, people dying to the right and left, blood and heat and severed body parts, fear–that’s the test. If you turn your back, it’s one of the greatest sins. So the Prophet says: don’t wish to be tested, because you may fail.

And seek Allah’s protection. When He tests you, that’s when you need it.

When fitna (trials) of little benefit knock on your door, leave them. You don’t want to be tested. And safeguarding yourself is more important then this project or that organization.

May Allah protect us from the trials of the dunya, the trial of the Dajjal and the trials of the grave.

Related Posts: The People of the Ditch (8): The Power of Words

References

(1) “Chapter 52: Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihad).” Sahih Bukhari. USC-MSA Hadith Database. 22 Jan. 2006 <http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/052.sbt.html#004.052.266>.

(2) Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Tagged | Comments (0)

The People of the Ditch (6): Allah Tests Truth-Bearers

January 22, 2006 – 10:35 pm

The scholar/monk said to the boy, after he defeated the beast: verily, you will be tested.

The sunnah of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) is to test those who come with the truth –place tests in their path.

When the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) first received revelation and visited Waraqa, he said: I wish I had the life/strength to live until the time when your people kick you out.

The Prophet said: Are they going to kick me out?” As in, “how do you know?”

Waraqa said: There is no man who comes with something similar, except that the people hurt him.

Similarly, when Prophet Luqman (AS) gave advice to his son, he said: Establish salaah … and have patience over what will afflict you.

So when you propogate the truth, be forewarned: they’re coming for you.

Allah tests even non-Muslims. Compared to our tests, they suffer through relatively easy tests–and flunk because of their lack of iman in Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

May Allah make us all bearers of the truth and followers of the Prophet Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وسلم).

Related Posts: The People of the Ditch (7): The People Most Tested

References

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Tafseer | Tagged | Comments (0)

The People of the Ditch (5): Humility with Arrogance

January 22, 2006 – 10:27 pm

After the boy killed the lion, news spread fast–news arrives like an ant and leaves like an elephant. Sensationalism.

The boy meets the scholar and informs him of what occurred. The scholar replied with: “O my boy, today you are better then me. You will be tested, so when it happens, do not reveal me (don’t rat me out).”

How was the boy better? He gained knowledge and implemented it, and increased in humility.

Of the types of humility, one is humility with arrogance. What is humility with arrogance? When you intentionally act humble so people will take you as a humble person and, because of that, follow you–to say the words of humility with the intention to get the same end-result that arrogance brings.

The scholars say “perhaps an act of obediance to Allah can bring pride an arrogance”. It happens all the time with Hajjis (those who survived Hajj). They presume themselves to be paradise-bound, and the next thing you know, they’re laughing it up in the club–DJ Hajji.

They act as if good deeds are a favour to Allah, and that Allah owes them something, wa iyyadubillah.

In the time of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), bedouins took the same attitudes. They performed good deeds, then asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, for wealth and such. They argued, “didn’t we accept Islam for you?” and Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) replies in the Qur’an: “Tell them: do not consider your Islam as a favour to me, but Allah gave you a favour when he guided you to faith.”

Indeed, the more you increase in piety, the more you should increase in thankfulness.

After all, if not for the mercy and guidance of Allah, where would you be?

May Allah guide us all to the truth and allow us to live and die on Islam.

Related Posts: The People of the Ditch (6): Allah Tests Truth-Bearers

References

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Tagged | Comments (1)

The People of the Ditch (4): The Boy and the Beast

January 22, 2006 – 10:10 pm

The lie of the scholar/monk to the boy falls under the three types of acceptable lies, a situation of war.

A beast blocked the path of the people. The boy said: “O Allah, if the monk is dearer to you, then kill the beast.” He threw the stone, hit the beast, and it died. (The people came to celebrate him as a great hero.)

Notice the natural inclination of the boy–to help the people. He’s attached to the people, he knew the truth, and wanted to help the people. Note also his bias towards the monk–when he made du’a, he asked about the monk. He didn’t say “O Allah, if the magician is more hated to you” or “O Allah, if the magician is more beloved to you”. He ties his love of Allah to his love of the monk. Subhanallah.

Fundamental Da’wah Technique: Make yourself likable to the recipient. In people’s minds, it’s almost impossible to seperate the caller from the message.
May Allah allow us to learn from these shining examples of iman.

Related Posts: The People of the Ditch (5): Humility with Arrogance

References

Ibrahim Hindy. “People of the Ditch.” UTM MSA. University of Toronto At Mississauga, Mississauga.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Tafseer | Tagged | Comments (0)

Three Acceptable Types of Lies

January 22, 2006 – 9:58 pm

In Islam, lying is haram (prohibited: to lie entails a sin, and to abstain from it enails good deeds). However, there are three circumstances in which a lie is allowed: for a husband to create love and tranqulity between himself and his wife, for one to settle disputes, and in war.

  1. For a man to create harmony with his wife: One may lie to one’s wife in order to create peace and avoid arguementation–for example, if one’s wife asks “do I looks fat and ugly?”, woe to the one who says “yes”.
    Beware that lies to steal property or rights are haram by consensus!
  2. To settle disputes: When two argue and stop speaking to each other and so on, one may lie to bring them together–for example, tell them each, seperately “hey, you know, the other guy says you’re so awesome, you’re like, his hero man!” In this case, the action is mustahab and one receives rewards for it.
  3. In war: in war, one may lie. For example, if captured as a prisoner of war, one may lie about Muslim armies, numbers, locations, strategies, etc. In this case, the action is fard, and must be carried out.

Wallahu ‘alim. When in doubt, ask people of knowledge.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam | Comments (2)

The Key to Attract an Amazing Spouse

January 22, 2006 – 9:44 pm

The key to attract an amazing spouse is to nurture in yourself those qualities that appeal to a person of that standard.

Many of us pine for the perfect spouse–realize he or she does not exist. Pick the best you can find, and learn to live with and cover their warts and weaknesses.

Set your criteria (based on the hadith of the Prophet, peace be upon him)–have they memorized the Qur’an? Do they speak Arabic? Do they pray Tahajjud (middle-of-the-night prayer) once a week?–then ask yourself what a person of those qualities would like in a spouse, and instill those qualities into yourself.

And always double-check your intention to make sure your actions are to please Allah alone.

When you succeed, bi ithnillah, they will seek you out.

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) make us all among those who uphold the deen to the highest standard and take it to new heights.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, Islam, Marriage, Tazkiyyah | Comments (1)

Wear Islam Responsibly

January 20, 2006 – 11:03 pm

When you wear Islam, wear it properly and responsibly. –A. M.

When you grow a beard or put on hijab, be aware of the responsibility. You represent the Muslims, more then ever. Represent properly!

Don’t mess up and appear at clubs or bars and similar places. With the greater reward comes the greater potential of punishment–you can misguide many, many people if you represent Islam improperly.

May Allah protect us from anti-da’wah.

And know that if people know you to be Muslim, regardless of how they look, they receive guidance or misguidance from your actions, your speech, your way of life, whether you know so and conciously work to guide people or not.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, Islam, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)

Seek Protection From Shirk

January 20, 2006 – 10:50 pm

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) asked Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) for His protection from shirk. So why do we act like we know we’ll die Muslim?

Remember, this is the Prophet of Allah. He spoke to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) without any barrier. He received revelation directly from Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). He is the best of creation.

So seek protection in Allah from shirk, the unforgivable sin that destroys good deeds. The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) taught us the following du’a:

Du'a for Shirk
Transliteration: Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika ‘an ‘ushrika bika wa ‘anaa ‘a’lamu, wa ‘astaghfiruka limaa laa ‘a’lamu.

Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I associate anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I know not.

References

Fortress of a Muslim. Islam Awareness Homepage. 20 Jan. 2006 <http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/Fortress/092.html>.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, Islam, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)