Narrated Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (رضالله عنه)

I asked Allah’s Apostle (صلي الله عليه وسلم) to teach me an invocation so that I may invoke Allah with it in my prayer. He told me to say,

[Sahih Bukhari]

(Hover your mouse over each line to see the translation)

Allahumma innee thhalamtu nafsi thulman katheera
Wa laa yaghfiru thunooba illa anta faghfirlee
Maghfiratam min ‘indika war-hamni innaka
Anta Al-Ghafoor, Ar-Raheem

So what’s so special about this du’a?

For starters, the one who requested the du’a is the best of all the companions of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) – Abu Bakr (رضالله عنه). The one who entertained the request is the seal of the Prophets and the leader of mankind (صلي الله عليه وسلم). So this du’a was given to the best, by the best…and what is the content of the du’a?

“Oh Allah! I have wronged myself greatly!”

Subhan Allah! If Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وسلم) and Abu Bakr (رضالله عنه) have wronged themselves greatly, where do we stand? If the two of the finest of Allah’s creation: the first being the leader of mankind (صلي الله عليه وسلم), the other whose eman is heavier than the eman of the entire ummah combined (رضالله عنه). If they have wronged themselves and they were so adamant in seeking the forgiveness of Allah and begging for the mercy of Allah then really, where do we stand?

How much more have we wronged ourselves in comparison to Rasoolullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) and Abu Bakr (رضالله عنه), yet we don’t have the same drive to ask Allah’s forgiveness and Allah’s mercy!

We should make it a habit of making this du’a in our prayers after tashahhud (i.e. when sitting at the end of the prayer), and at other times too. May Allah forgive us our sins and bestow upon us His Mercy, ameen.
Comments»

Say what?

“The example of a believer, who recites the Qur’an and acts on it, is like an orange (utrujjah) which tastes nice and smells nice.

And the example of the believer who does not recite the Qur’an but acts on it is like a date that tastes sweet but has no smell.

And the example of the hypocrite who recites the Quran is like a sweet basil which smells good but tastes bitter.

And the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is like a colocynth (bitter apple) which tastes bitter and has a bad smell.”

[Allah’s Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم), reported in Saheeh al-Bukhari]

Subhan Allah!

So, in sha Allah, we should all strive to be like the believer who is like an orange: the one who is emanating beauty because of his/her attachment to the Qur’an. And may Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) protect us from being like the hypocrites, ameen!

On the authority of Shaddad ibn Aws (رضالله عنهم) the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, “The chief of prayers for forgiveness is:

Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa Ant
Khalaqatani wa ana ‘abduka
wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu
audhobika min sharri ma sana’atu
abu ooh laka bi ni’matika ‘alayya
wa abu ooh bi zanbi
faghfir lee fa innahu la yaghfiruz zunooba illa Ant

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) added, “If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it and dies before the morning he will be from the people of Paradise.”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari]

The dua in Arabic:

Wow! Subhan Allah! Is this beautiful dua part of your daily life? We should make a habit of at least saying it once or twice a day, and maybe even more…and saying it like we mean it. May Allah accept from us, ameen.

Lessons:

1. When in the middle of a heated argument over anything, just remember: Rasoolullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) has promised YOU a house in Paradise if you give up this argument. What’s better: winning an argument and feeling tough and strong (while in the process, maybe hurting others and maybe disrespecting the Islamic adaab), or a house in Jannah?
2. “I’m not lying, I’m only kidding, yo!” Nuh uh, a lie is a lie – even if it’s meant to be a joke. Making jokes is cool, but only if they are truthful and don’t hurt others. When making a joke that is not true, ask yourself: is picking up a big sin better just to amuse others and make myself look cool, or is a house in the middle of Jannah better?
3. Subhan Allah, I notice that with ahadith relating to adaab (etiquettes, manners), the incentive mentioned in a hadith is mostly Jannah. In this case, it’s the highest part of Jannah!! It’s almost as if good adaab are a stairway to Jannah. Why? Our adaab mostly affect those around us, and thus good adaab benefit those around us and bad adaab hurt those around us. Wallahu alim. One awesome way to improve our adaab can be found here.

May Allah give us the tawfeeq to perfect our manners and conduct, and may He enter us into the highest part of Jannah, ameen.

Source: Three Guarantees of Paradise – True and Good Words

1. Make a list of people you deal with:

• Parents
• Friends
• Co-workers

2. Write how you would want to be treated in each of those roles:

• I’d like to be respected and obeyed as a parent, and shown unconditional love by my kids
• I’d like to be held in honor amongst my friends, I’d like them to listen to me, to respect me, to complement me on my good, to ignore my shortcomings and to give me sincere advice
• I’d like to be heard, I’d like to be listened to and I’d like to be respected for my work

Viola! There is your to-do list from now onwards on how to deal with people! The recipe is simple: put yourself in the other’s shoes, and then ask: how would I want to be treated if I was that person? Then, treat them that way and in sha Allah, this is how you’ll be treated by them in response!

This is the way one can PERFECT their adaab. Whoever does this, and has complete iman in Allah (in statements and actions), then without a doubt Jannah will be their abode, in sha Allah.

I pray that Allah gives us all the tawfeeq to have complete Iman in Allah and to perfect our adaab by following the advise of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) as stated in the afore-mentioned hadith, ameen.

Source: Keys to Paradise – True and Good Words

Speak good, or stay silent
Treat your guest, and don’t be violent
Remember the meeting with your Lord, the Most High
Respect your neighbour, before you die

May Allah make us among those who believe in and follow His message and His prophet in all things, ameen!

Source: Speak Good or Stay Silent – True and Good Words

The root word for ٱلۡقَهَّارُ is قَهر which is defined as:

1. to compel something or someone against his/her wishes
2. to subdue
3. to overcome
4. to force [1]

Thus, with regards to Allah (سبحانه وتعال), the noble name Al-Qahhar can be translated as “the Subduer, i.e. the Subduer of His creatures by His sovereign authority and power and the Disposer of them as He pleases, with and against their will.” [1]

Along with ٱلۡعَزِيزُ (the Powerful and Honorable) and ٱلۡجَبَّارُ (the Strong and Powerful), this noble name illustrates that Allah(سبحانه وتعال) has the supreme authority and power to do anything, and He can subdue or force anyone to compel to Allah’s Will against his/her wishes. This supreme power rests with only Allah (سبحانه وتعال).

Allah (سبحانه وتعال) has said in the Qur’an:

Translation: Do they seek other than the religion of Allah, while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to Him shall they all be returned. [Al-Imran: 83]

In this verse, Allah (سبحانه وتعال) is telling us that everything that is created submits to Allah (سبحانه وتعال) willingly or unwillingly, such is the power and force of Al-Qahhar. If we ponder over this ayah and look around us, we will see the amazing truth in it. For example, the gravity of earth and the planets ensure that humans can only make an object go only so far. The limitations of the body ensure that we can only go at a certain top speed and nothing more. Regardless of how advanced the technology becomes, this technology will be compelled and will be subdued by Al-Qahhar to comply to His will, whether it is willingly or unwillingly. That shows how finite and limited we are, and how grand, powerful and majestic is Allah (سبحانه وتعال).

Also, this verse is telling us how foolish those people are who seek a religion other than the religion of Allah (سبحانه وتعال) – Islam – because these people are submitting to other object(s) of worship, whereas to Allah (سبحانه وتعال) submits everything willing or unwillingly, and to Allah (سبحانه وتعال) is the ultimate return. Such is the power and force of Al-Qahhar (سبحانه وتعال).

The name Al-Qahhar is found in the noun form in six ayaat of Quran. Amazingly, all six times the name الْوَاحِدُ (the One) is combined with Al-Qahhar. These six instances are:

“O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, Al-Qahhar?” [Yusuf:39]

Say (O Muhammad SAW): “Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?” Say: “(It is) Allah.” Say: “Have you then taken (for worship) Auliya (protectors, etc.) other than Him, such as have no power either for benefit or for harm to themselves?” Say: “Is the blind equal to the one who sees? Or darkness equal to light? Or do they assign to Allah partners who created the like of His creation, so that the creation (which they made and His creation) seemed alike to them.” Say: “Allah is the Creator of all things, He is the One, Al-Qahhar.” [ArRad:16]

On the Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will be the heavens, and they (all creatures) will appear before Allah, the One, Al-Qahhar. [Ibrahim:48]

Say (O Muhammad SAW): “I am only a warner and there is no Ilah (God) except Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) the One, Al-Qahhar. [Sad:65]

Had Allah willed to take a son (or offspring or children), He could have chosen whom He pleased out of those whom He created. But glory be to Him! (He is above such things). He is Allah, the One, Al-Qahhar. [Az-Zumar:4]

The Day when they will (all) come out, nothing of them will be hidden from Allah. Whose is the kingdom this Day? (Allah Himself will reply to His Question): It is Allah’s the One, Al-Qahhar! [Ghafir:16]

The reasons why Allah (سبحانه وتعال) chose to combine these two names (الْوَاحِدُ and Al-Qahhar) together at every mention of the name Al-Qahhar are known only to Allah. However, one can see that one of the reasons for this coupling could be that Allah (سبحانه وتعال) is trying to emphasize that there is only, exclusively, unquestionably one Al-Qahhar. In other words, there is no one who is that powerful and mighty such that they can force and subdue all of the creation – willingly or unwillingly – to comply with their will. No one has this capability, except Allah, الْوَاحِدُ (the One) ٱلۡقَهَّارُ, Exalted is He (سبحانه وتعال).

Also, one can see this combination is done every time, in all six instances in the Quran. This is to further emphasize the afore-mentioned point that truly, unmistakably there is only One Al-Qahhar.

The following is an explanation of two ayaat from the afore-mentioned six ayaat.

The first ayah mentioned (in chronological order) is ayah 39 from Surah Yusuf. In the preceding ayaat, the story of Yusuf (عليه السلام) and his encounter with the wife of Aziz was mentioned. In the story, Yusuf (عليه السلام) was imprisoned even though he had not committed any crime and the entire fault laid with the wife of Aziz. In prison, he was approached by two prisoners who wanted to ask Yusuf (عليه السلام) about the interpretation of their dreams. Yusuf (عليه السلام) took this opportunity to do some da’wah, even though he was imprisoned! In his da’wah, he first disassociates himself from the religion and practises of the people of Egypt and then mentions his religion, the religion of Allah. He then poses an intriguing and awe-inspiring question: Are many gods better, or is Allah, الْوَاحِدُ (the One) ٱلۡقَهَّارُ, better?

The question is obviously hypothetical because the answer is so obvious. How can the acceptance of and worship of multiple gods make any sense when Allah, the True God, is One and Allah is Al-Qahhar, and ONLY Allah is Al-Qahhar? The mention of Al-Qahhar emphasizes that Allah is the One who is so powerful and mighty that He can force and subdue all of the creation – willingly or unwillingly – to comply to His Will. So why, then, worship anyone else who itself is submitting to Allah (سبحانه وتعال)?

The last ayah mentioned (in chronological order) is ayah 16 from Surah Ghafir. The ayah is very clear, explicit and dripping with majesty and grandeur. Allah (سبحانه وتعال) is telling us about the Day of Judgement, and how on that day when all of mankind will be summoned abruptly from their graves, nothing on that day will be hidden from Allah (سبحانه وتعال). The مَـٰلِكِ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّين will show everyone who is the King and the Master on this day of chaos: it is none other than Allah, الْوَاحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ.

The mention of Al-Qahhar emphasizes in very clear and certain terms that Allah will subdue everyone and force everyone on that day to comply with His Will. For example, we know from Surah Tariq, ayah 10 that on the Day of Judgment, man will have neither power nor any helper except Allah, الْوَاحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ. We also know that no one can intercede for anyone except by Allah’s leave, nor can anyone help anyone else on this day. So truly, everyone without exception on this day will be subdued and forced to comply – willingly or unwillingly – with the Will of Allah and only Allah, الْوَاحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ, Exalted is He above the seven heavens (سبحانه وتعال).

1. Vocabulary of The Holy Quran. Abdullah Abbas AlNadawi. Darul Ishaat, Karachi Pakistan.

The topic of the ‘awrah of a woman is one of great discussion, both amongst the scholars and the laymen. In sha Allah, here is an attempt to specify what exactly is the ‘awrah of a woman in light of the evidences from the Quran and sunnah, as explained by the scholars.

A few definitions:

‘Awrah – the parts of the body that are not supposed to be exposed to anyone, except your spouses. Even in private, it is a sign of hayaa (modesty) to have your ‘awrah covered.

Mahram – A woman’s mahram is a man whom she may never marry due to the closeness of the relationship between her and him. The ‘awrah of a woman in front of her mahrams is discussed at the end.

The scholars are unanimous that the body of a woman (including her neck down to her ankles, her forearms, and her hair) is part of the ‘awrah of the woman. There is a difference of opinion whether the face (forehead to the chin, and ears), hands (inner and outer palms) and feet (below the ankles) are part of the ‘awrah or not.

• The face: According to Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Baz (may Allah have mercy on him), the Sunnah is to uncover the face during prayer, so long as no non-mahram men are present.
• The hands: According to Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Baz (may Allah have mercy on him), there is more leeway here: there is nothing wrong with either covering them or uncovering them, although some scholars think that it is better to cover them.
• The feet: According to the majority of scholars, the feet must be covered; some scholars allow uncovering the feet but the majority say the opposite. Abu Dawud reported from Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that she was asked about a woman who prayed in a khimaar and qamees (dress or gown). She said, “There is nothing wrong with it if the dir’ (chemise) covers her feet.” In any case, it is better to cover the feet, to be on the safe side.

The face and the hands: There is a difference of opinion here whether the face and the hands outside the prayer are required to be covered.

According to Shaikh Abdul Wahhab al-Turayri (may Allah preserve him), a verse (known as the verse of hijab) was reveled in the fifth year after the emigration to Madinah. Umm Salamah said: “May Allah bless the women of the Ansaar. As soon as the verse was revealed saying: ‘O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when out of doors): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Ghafuwr and Raheem’ [Surah Ahzab: 59], they immediately covered their heads so you see nothing but a black view.” [Sunan Abu Dawud]

So, we know that is the Sunnah of the Mothers of the Believers and the female companions of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) to cover their faces. We also know (unlike what the orientalists claim) that the hijab was not part of Arab tradition, in fact, it was something that started after the verse of hijab mentioned above. Thus, many scholars (including Imam Ahmad and recently bin Baz and bin Uthaymeen) have said that it is obligatory to cover the face and the hands outside the prayer (in front of non-mahrams), with only a small opening for one eye or both eyes.

However, majority of the scholars (including Imams Abu Hanifa, Malik, Shafi’i) are of the opinion that a woman can show her face and hands outside the prayer. The proof that they use is the hadith of Asmaa bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her): Asmaa came in, Aisha and Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) was there, Asmaa had clothing considered thin, so he (صلي الله عليه وسلم) turned aside and said: “If a woman reaches puberty, not permissible for her to show anything except this and this” (pointing to hands and face). [Sunan Abu Dawud, most scholars say hassan, some say weaknesses].

The feet: Unlike the men (who are required to have their garments above their ankles), the women have no such requirement. In fact, many scholars say that a woman’s garment should be below her ankles and covering her feet.

The mahrams of a women are her husband, father, husband’s father, sons, husband’s sons, brothers, brothers’ sons, sisters’ sons, and Muslim women. This can be found in the verse below:

Translation: and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (the parts which are to be covered, discussed above) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women” [Surah Noor 24:31].

Allaah has permitted a woman to show her adornment in front of her husband and mahrams. According to Shaikh Salih Munajjid (may Allah preserve him), what is meant by adornment is the places where adornments are worn: the place for a ring is the hand, for a bracelet is the forearm, for an earring is the ear, for a necklace is the neck and chest, and for an anklet is the leg.

So, in front of her mahrams (like dad, brothers, etc.) she can show what usually appears, i.e. face, neck, hair, forearms, feet. In front of her husband, she can show whatever she wants.

It goes without saying that all Muslims, male or female, need to maintain a sense of hayaa (modesty) at all times, as hayaa is part of Iman. Usually (a personal observation!) a person’s clothing is one of the indicators of their hayaa (modesty).

And Allah (the Exalted, the Wise) Knows Best.

• Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. The Shepherd’s Path. University of Ryerson, Toronto. March 2007.
• Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, by Shaykh ‘Abd al-’Azeez ibn Baaz, p. 57 (explained here: http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=1046&ln=eng&txt=awrah)
• Salih Munajjid (http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=82994&ln=eng&txt=arms%20awrah )
• Abdul Wahhab Al-Turayri (http://www.islamtoday.com/show_detail_section.cfm?q_id=216&main_cat_id=4)

Abu Hurayrah (رضالله عنه) reported that Allah’s Messenger (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “When a human being dies, all of his deeds are TERMINATED, except for three types:
1. An ongoing charity (aka sadaqah jariyah)
2. A knowledge (of Islam) from which others benefit,
3. A righteous child who makes du’aa for him.” [Muslim and others].

Ongoing charity is basically a charity given for the sake of Allah that continues to bring benefit. It’s like a system that you establish (or help establish): once its in place, you reap rewards while it remains!

Ongoing charity may mean building a mosque, buying Mushafs (copies of the Quraan) to be placed in a place of worship, establishing an endowment fund to help the poor, the orphans, the needy, the seekers of knowledge, etc. It can even be a good word that you speak to someone, and as a result of it the person is inspired to do some good deed.

So find out (or start) a means of sadaqah jariyah, help them out with your time and money, encourage good deeds and speak good, and finally (and most importantly) pray that Allah accepts and blesses your efforts! It’s the tried and tested way of the pious predecessors and the ‘ulema (scholars) before us!

This is knowledge of an aspect of Islam that you learned and then conveyed to someone, and they act upon it. It can be an ayah of Quran, a blessed hadith of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), or a reliable scholarly opinion.

The first step before imparting knowledge onto others is that you learn it yourself first!! How, you ask? Read the Quran daily, read ahadith daily (Riyadh us Saliheen is excellent), attend the Quran halaqah at the local Masjid, travel to seek knowledge (e.g. AlMaghrib classes in Toronto) … and pray rabbi zidni ilma (My Lord, Increase me in knowledge)! KNOW that there is NO EXCUSE for not seeking knowledge! Not having time ain’t gonna cut it on the Day of Judgement.

Remember:

Translation: Allah bears witness that Laa ilaaha illa huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness)” [Surah Al-Imran, verse 18]. SubhanAllah, look the EXALTED company that Allah mentions the people of knowledge in! Don’t you want to be a part of this?

Once you have some knowledge, spread it. Talk to your friends about what you learned. Tell your parents, your siblings, and your relatives. Start a blog. Reflect upon that amazing ayaat that you learned yesterday, and keep talking about it. And most importantly, pray that Allah accepts and blesses your efforts!

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “A man’s status will be raised in Paradise, and he will ask, ‘How did I get here?’ He will be told, ‘By your son’s du’aa’s (prayers) for forgiveness for you.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, no 3660; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1617)

So make du’aa for your parents, whether they are dead or alive. This is a sign of true love for them (unlike a father’s/mother’s day gift!) And if you have children, teach them to make du’aa for you! May Allah accept from all of us, ameen.

Allahumma innee as’aluka ilman naafian, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbilan.
Oh Alllah! Give me ilm (knowledge) that is beneficial, and rizq (sustenance) that is clean/pure/halal, and deeds that are accepted. Ameen!

Source: Inheritence that Benefits – True and Good Words