Ilm Fruits

Parental Appreciation 101

Want to appreciate your parents more? Maybe give them the respect and honour they really deserve? Here's an easy way to do it!

Have you ever been in a position where someone did you a really big favour--big to you, anyway--and you really, really appreciated it? Think back in your life. Chances are you thanked the person a lot for days after it--and, what's more, you changed the way you treated them.

Now think about one that includes your parents--some act of kindness they performed that really changed your life. Maybe they helped you with that Calculus assignment you thought you'd fail. Or bought you a nice car. Or helped you get married.

Thought of one? Good. Now, realize that the deed they performed to help you out is but one in a long, long chain of deeds stretching back to before you were born. Though you may not remember--or even see--everything they do, it started years before you even existed. They found you a good mom, and a good dad. They picked you a good name. Perhaps they even raised you on Islam. That in itself is an amazing blessing.

So remember all those things they did and appreciate them the way they deserve. And know that you can never pay them back for everything they did for you.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur'an:

Translation: And your Lord commanded that you worship none but Him, and show kindness to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) "Ugh" nor chide them, and address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy, and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both, as they cared for me when I was little. (Surah Al-Israa, 17:23-24)

So, what are you waiting for?

• Any Last Words?
• Post-Mortem Parental Rights
• Islamic Phrases for Daily Use
• Pre-Emptive Parental Kindness
• Ten Tips Towards Being a Successful Husband

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Taqwa and Its Metaphors

Taqwa: To be aware of Allah. To obey him and do those things that earn His pleasure and mercy, and avoid disobeying him and doing those things that earn His punishment and wrath.

Ali ibn Abu Talib (رضي الله عنه), fourth khalifa of Islam and amazing companion of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), said: Taqwa is three things:

1. To fear Allah, the almighty.
2. To follow the revelation (i.e. the Qur'an and the Sunnah).
3. To prepare for the day of your departure (i.e. death).

What are some great metaphors for this beautiful concept?

The Thorny Bush: A companion once said, you ever walk through a rose-bush or thorny path? You know how you hold your clothes close so they don't snag and rip? That's taqwa.

The Minefield: Ever see a bomb disarmament team navigate a minefield? They go slowly, check and recheck everything with mine detectors. Even when they locate a mine, they carefully excavate it. At each step, they do their best to make sure they do nothing to trigger it. That's taqwa.

If you think of any more metaphors, post them in the comments inshallah!

• The Purpose of Fasting
• A Delayed Response of Du’aa
• The Pinnacle of Salaah: Khusoo’
• Fear the Creator, Fear the Creation?
• Eid Mubarak!

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Six Days of Shawwal

Now that Ramadan's over, many of us feel sad--we miss the spirituality, the eman rush, the amazing strength that we all demonstrate in Ramadan. So what can you do to bring those feelings back?

One thing is to keep performing the deeds you performed in Ramadan--and this is one of the signs that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) accepted your deeds.

Another act you can perform is to fast six days of Shawwal, the month right after Ramadan. Check this hadith out:

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (رضي الله عن) reported Allah's Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal. it would be as if he fasted perpetually [the whole year, every year]. [Muslim 6/2614]

Why perpetually? Well, we know the reward for good deeds counts as at least ten. Ramadan is one month, so we get the reward of ten months of fasting. Plus six days (times ten; sixty days, or two months), that equals a whole year!

And remember, if you missed completing Ramadan, you need to make those days up first, before you fast any optional fasts. Because Ramadan fasts are fard--they take precedance over mustahab fasts.

May Allah accept all our good deeds from Ramadan and year-round and help make us to make ourselves strong all year around, not just once a year. Ameen!

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Rizq Management. University of Toronto, Toronto. June 2006.

• Moonsighting or Moonfighting?
• The Best Days of the Year
• Amazing Hajj Gems
• Times Blessed with Barakah
• ABCD Life Management

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Tafseer ibn Abbas

Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) was a great companion and a great scholar. In fact, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) made du'a for him, that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) grants him knowledge of the deen.

Even more amazing then this, Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) once made du'a and said, "O Allah! teach him wisdom (i.e. the understanding of the knowledge of Qur'an)." [Bukhari 5/57/100] This is why his tafseer carries a heavy weight, even today, more then a millenium after his death. This is why, if you ever find tafseer by Abdullah ibn Abbas, seize it and don't let go. Ever.

You can find a lot of points he made in Tafseer ibn Katheer.

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) grant us better knowledge of Islam and the tawfiq to act upon that knowledge, ameen!

External Links: Abdullah ibn Abbas: A Student of the Prophet, Tafsir ibn Kathir (tafsir.com), Tafsir ibn Kathir (Miracle Quran)

• Touched by an Angel
• The Best Days of the Year
• Tafseer by the Sunnah: Uloom ul-Quran
• Breach of Covenant
• Just Two More?!

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Time Sensitivity

As Ramadan comes to a close and the remaining few days fly over our heads, many of us wonder at where it disappeared. We dust off our Qur'ans and gun our engines to catch salaah at the masjid--Taraweeh, Qiyam al-Layl, or just the daily five.

All of us acquire a certain sensitivity to time. Suddenly, every day, every hour counts. We think twice about spending two hours here or half an hour there on things we normally just do. (And university students experience this at midterm and exam time; workers experience this when deadlines loom.)

But remember what Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) said in the Qur'an:

Translation: Every soul shall have a taste of death. And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception. [Surah al-Imraan, verse 185]

That's right--you're going to die one day, and you'll have to answer for everything you did and didn't do. The angels will descend to administer the final exam. Will you spend today watching TV, or preparing for that final exam? Chilling with your buddies and "killing time", or preparing for that final exam?

And subhanallah, you already know how to manage your time. You've done it before--for an exam, or an interview, or a project, or a job.

I'll close with a statement of one of the early generations: about the companions of the Prophet, he said: "They were a people more stingy with their time then you are with your wealth."

Think about that for a minute. Ever go to the masjid during a fundraiser? And when they ask you for as little as $20, Shaytaan whispers "noo, don't do it, it's too much moola!", you actually listen? The companions were more sensitive to wasted time then that! Subhanallah!

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) give us all the ability to use our time in the best manner and for the best deeds, ameen.

External Link: Khutba on death and the questioning of the grave

• The Purpose of Fasting
• Lessons Before Death
• Make Time For Yourself: Avoid Burnout
• Water, Soil, Plants, Fruit, Life Management
• Light of Eman Session 6

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Eid Mubarak!

Just like we have different starting dates for Ramadan, we have different Eid dates.

And you know what? That's ok. Why? Because it's all based on legitimate difference of opinion. Not some beardy guy making stuff up because he feels like it.

So when 'Eid rolls around, enjoy it, and don't hate on other people for when they celebrate. That's messed up.

By the way--when 'Eid rolls around, remember this: you just fasted for 30 days straight, give or take a day. You prayed. You abstained from sins, from backbiting, from looking a second time. Don't stop doing that! That is taqwa of Allah--the real stuff--that you built up in yourself, fast by fast, day by day, and deed by deed. Nurture it. Improve it. Maintain it, so it doesn't degenerate.

So if you picked up some good deeds--you started praying, you prayed Qiyam al-Layl, you decided to wear hijab--even if you fell down every now and then, or more often then not--keep doing those inshallah. That's what Ramadan is for, it's supposed to improve your life.

And if you off-loaded some bad deeds--you stopped smoking, you managed not to argue, you stayed cool even when someone yelled at you--even if you fell down every now and then, or more often then not--alhamdulillah, you are now much closer to success in the Hereafter then you were before. May Allah keep all of us strong after Ramadan (ameen!)

And if you feel exactly the same as before Ramadan, I have horrifying hadith to share with you. Read:

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) ascended the pulpit and said: Ameen, Ameen, Ameen. Someone said to him, "O Messenger of Allah, why did you do that?" He said, "Jibreel said to me, 'May Allah curse a person who let Ramadan elapse without having his sins forgiven, say Ameen,' and I (Prophet Muhammad) said, 'Ameen.' Then he said, 'May Allah curse the one who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise, say Ameen,' and I said, 'Ameen.' Then he said, 'May Allah curse the one in whose presence you (the Prophet) are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you, say Ameen,' and I said, 'Ameen.'" [Ibn Khuzaymah, At-Tirmidhi, Ahmad and Ibn Hibban]

It's never too late to try your best! If there remains a week, a day, or even an hour in Ramadan, then turn to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and make the absolute best of the time you have left.

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) allow us all to enter into His mercy in this blessed month of Ramadan and in all the other Ramadans we live to see, ameen.

• Eid Mubarak!
• Ramadan Mubarak!
• Follow the footsteps of Khalilullah
• Ramadan Mubarak!
• Eid Mubarak!

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The Purpose of Fasting

One of the verses of the Qur'an we hear all the time in the context of fasting is this one:

Translation: O you who believe! Allah prescribed fasting upon you, as it He prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwa (piety, God-consciousness). [Al-Baqarah, 2:183]

Those last two words summarize the entire purpose of fasting: to attain taqwa.

We hear about taqwa all the time, this beautiful concept of being conscious of God (or being "God-fearing"). But what does it really mean? How can we apply it to our daily lives, and how do we earn it through fasting?

The answer is this--something we've all experienced at one time or another during our fast. We say things like "I won't argue with you, I'm fasting." "Oops, I can't lie, I'm fasting." "Wait, I can't do that, I'm fasting." Sometimes it happens deliberately--we acquire a sensitivity to things we can and cannot do. We can't eat. We can't drink. We can't lie. We can't backbite. We can't argue. We can't do so many things!

And that's taqwa! To be conscious of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), to remember Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) at all times and in all things, and to perform that which He perscribed and likes and to avoid that which He hates and prohibits.

In Ramadaan, we suddenly experience a "taqwa rush", as we grapple with the task of fasting one month straight. Some of us struggle. Yet we do it.

Our goal is to maintain and nurture that taqwa, and to cling to it outside of Ramadan as well as inside.

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) grant us all increased taqwa and help us to benefit from this great and blessed month, ameen!

• So Why Are You Fasting?
• THE Purpose of Creation
• Ramadan Mubarak!
• Fasting in Muharram
• Light of Eman Session 5

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‘Umar and the Eloquent Woman

The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, in a long hadith: "A believer should speak good or keep silent!" We all know this hadith, right?

But how do we implement this hadith? What if someone does something wrong? What if they deprive us of our rights? Should we still keep silent, or give them 80 lashes with our tongues?

Check this out--this incident ocurred during the life of 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه), second Khalifa of Islam.

Ash-Sha'bi (رحمةلله) reported that Ka'b Bin Sur was sitting with 'Umar when a woman came and said, "O Ameer al-Mu'mineen! I have never seen a man better then my husband. By Allah, he prays the night and fasts the day." Upon hearing this, 'Umar praised the woman and supplicated for her, and she shyly departed. Ka'b then said, "O Ameer al-Mu'mineen! Shouldn't you have considered her accusation against her husband, for she indeed was quite eloquent in her complaint!" 'Umar replied, "Why do you not judge between them, for you have understood about her situation that which I did not." [After he judged], 'Umar said, "By Allah, your first understanding (of her situation) is not more amazing then the second (the judgement). I hereby appoint you as judge over Al-Basrah, and indeed, you are a remarkable judge." (Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah and others. Verified to be authentic by Al-Albani (Irwa' ul-Ghalil no. 2016). [1]

This becomes even more amazing when you realize that 'Umar (رضي الله عنه) was known for being one of the toughest people around--nobody messed with him, neither before or after Islam!
What lessons can we learn from this athaar?

• Good Speech: Notice that the woman came to complain to 'Umar (رضي الله عنه) that her husband deprived her of her marital rights (something we usually focus on for men rather then women). She didn't call him a ninny, or an idiot, or swear; rather, she praised him, and what happened? Subhanallah, the Khalifa made du'a for the guy! She came to complain against him, and 'Umar (رضي الله عنه) made du'a on his behalf! Subhanallah, that's Islam for you! And, wallahu 'alim, this is a true example of "speak good or keep silent".
• Best of Names: The woman called him "Ameer al-Mumineen". Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) uses this tactic in the Qur'an, as well, when he addresses Bani Israeel--despite all their transgressions and denial of His miracles. [2]
• Admit Failings: 'Umar (رضي الله عنه) did not rebuke his companion, or say "what are you talking about?", or "no, that's silly"--rather, he realized immediately that he failed to grasp the situation, and asked his companion to carry through since he knew better! Subhanallah, that takes real humility and humbleness.

That's all inshallah. If you come up with any more lessons, psot them in the comments inshallah. May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) reward you for your efforts!

And subhanallah, the ashaab were the best and most amazing example in so many ways! May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) grant us the ability to learn and benefit from their lives, ameen!

[1] Al-Jibaly, Muhammad. The Fragile Vessels: Rights and Obligations Between the Spouses in Islam. 2nd ed. Vol. 3. Beirut: Al-Kitaab & as-Sunnah, 2002. 49-50.

• Gender Interaction: Professionalism
• Imam Abu Hanifa: A True Tradesman
• The Assassination of ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab
• Protect Your Dignity
• The Parable of Spouses and Garments

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Five Categories of Everything

Those five categories of all actions--fard (also known as wajib), mustahab (sometimes called "sunnah"), mubah, makrooh, and haram--what do they really mean? While you can understand these from different angles, we explain these from an Usool-ul-Fiqh perspective. Here they are:

Fard/Wajib (obligatory) means any action that you earn a reward for performing, and earn a punishment from abstaining from. Examples include praying, fasting, etc.

Mustahab/Sunnah (recommended) means any action that you earn a reward for performing, and earn nothing from abstaining from. Examples include breaking your fast as soon as it's Maghrib time, praying two rakaahs after Maghrib, using miswaak, etc.

Mubah (permissible) means any action you earn nothing from performing, and earn nothing from abstaining from--though with the right intentions, these can be promoted or demoted into the other categories. More on that here. Examples include eating food, sleeping, and blinking.

Makrooh (hated) means any action you earn nothing from performing, and earn a reward from abstaining from. Examples include staying awake after 'Isha time.

Haraam (prohibited) means any action you earn a punishment from performing, and earn a reward for abstaining from. Examples include eating pork, murder, and adultry.

Note these amazing facts: you earn a reward for abstaining from haram actions--every sin you turn away from earns you good deeds! You also earn a reward for mubah acts, with the proper intention--Salmaan Al-Farasi (radiallahu 'anhu) said, "I expect Allah to reward me in my sleep the way he rewards me for Tahajjud." Subhanallah. Similarly, intentionally avoiding makrooh acts nets you good deeds! How's that for motivation!

So set your intentions straight before another second passes by, and inshallah you'll find huge mountains of good deeds waiting for you in the akhira! We ask Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) to help us all earn that reward, ameen!

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Code of Scholars. University of Toronto, Toronto. August 2005.

• “Do they seek other than the Religion of Allah…”
• Light of Guidance
• Rules of Engagement
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Ramadan Burn-Out

Ramadan is the month of Qur'an. A month where many of us fast, pray Taraweeh, pray Qiyam al-Layl, and read the entire Qur'an--maybe more then once!

But subhanallah, in our love for Ramadan and our zeal for good deeds, we sometimes aim to accomplish more then our human capacity. We're humans, we all have limits.

But people say "I'm going to read the WHOLE QUR'AN this time!" when they can't--sometimes, even reading only one juz, maybe even the last juz, is an accomplishment for them, one within their ability. But they plough on, undettered, increasingly more tired and more tired and more burned out every day, until finally 'Eid arrives and they say "Thank God Ramadaan is over!"

But that's messed up! Protect yourself from being in that state! Know yourself, and know your limits--and push them, always push them, so you grow a little more, accomplish a little more, and raise your standards so next time inshallah (if there is one for you) is better then this time.

And the key is to prioritize. Remember that the reward of all the non-obligatory prayers--all the Qiyam al-Layl, all the Taraweeh, all of it--is utterly worthless if you're not completing the obligatory, you're not fasting, not praying 'Isha, sleeping through Fajr, and skipping other prayers. The obligatory and prohibited acts of worship take priority.

May Allah protect us from Ramadan burn-out, and help us grow and use Ramadan as a spring-board of eman for the whole year, ameen! May Allah accept all our prayers and fasting and deeds in this great and blessed month, and keep us with them throughout the rest of the year. Ameen!

• Your Amazing Ramadan: Planning
• Ramadan Mubarak!
• Six Days of Shawwal
• Ramadan Tips
• Ramadan Mubarak!

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