THE FORK IN THE ROAD: REFLECTIONS ON SURAH ZUMAR

The retreat continues in Africa, surrounded by the tamed beauty of the rural province, we learn to practice what we are learning theoretically. The first obvious test being punctuality or meeqaat, I.e. being in the right place at the right time for prayer for class for lunch for reflections to write the summary and to sleep. After the first few mishaps as my mind and body rebel against the regimen they soon fall into place and the reinforcement from my roommates is inspirational.

Hidden between the lines in Surah Zumar are two important messages. One is self evaluation to recognize which group do we belong to, and the second is to accept and acknowledge that the end result of what happens to us truly lies in the essence of our demonstrated behavior and the sincerity of the act.

Life, societal pressures, age constraints, job constraints, relationships and there demands, all fade into the background as I examine myself in the clarity of the description of the two groups of people.

Suddenly the fork in the road is right in front of me, it seems like there has been no time to prepare for the road I want to be on i.e. the road to Jannah. The other option exudes pain and anguish and seems intolerable.
As I hesitate at the fork of the road, the description of The Fire and those within it becomes real and I find myself propelled in the direction of the path to Jannah.

The description of the qualifications of the people on the path to jannah is rigorous and it seems that though all Muslims are offered jannah, no one with even an iota of impurity in their heart will enter it unless it has been removed prior to doing so.

The process of purification can take place voluntarily in this world by following the requirements outlined in the Surah or if one keeps a cavalier attitude in this world then the next option for purifying us for Jannah is to dip us repeatedly in The Fire until all impurities are burned off.

Option one is voluntary and Option two is mandatory and painful. One would think the decision should be a no brainer and yet habit, procrastination and wishful thinking keeps me waiting for something magical to happen, so that I can keep the status quo and yet get to Jannah.

Ikhlaas……..Sincerity, if only one can develop that in every thought and action, with the impetus that on the day of judgment, our acts and intentions will be tested for the litmus of sincerity, we can be home free.

However for those who want instant gratification…….this is torture, alas, we forget that it will also be torture later.

As the day winds down I am overcome with a severe degree of emotional fatigue. How can I cleanse every thought and act of mind and fill it will sincerity? Just the very thought of going against the grain of the society I live in, exhausts me.

I walk to my little igloo and fall asleep, strange dreams whirling through my head till I awaken for tahajjud.

In the morning, I am seated in class and I open the Surah, the first ayah that we will study freezes me in place.
He Subhanawataala has read my mind and heart and knows my weaknesses, difficulties, and my desire to be on the path to jannah, knowing that I am weak and inept……………this ayah is His gift from him to me…………..:

039.053: Say: “O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

This does not let me off the hook, but gives me a conscious desire to make the effort to remain on the path to Jannah however with a time line:

039.054: “Turn ye to our Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (Will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be helped.

The key is Tawbah, repentance, or returning to my Lord. The room full of people recedes as I begin my dialogue with my Lord……………….

HAVE YOU REVIEWED SURAH ZUMAR LATELY?

WHICH GROUP ARE YOU IN?

THE QUICKSAND OF LIFE: REFLECTIONS ON SURAH ZUMAR

I am in a retreat in Africa. The goal is to understand the Ikhlaas that Allah Subhanawataala requires from his ebad, which He (SWT) outlines in Surah Zumar. We have the honor of being taught by an Alima Sister H.

As Surah Zumar unfolds with its vivid examples of the two groups and how they are separated from each other, the majestic overpowering imagery, its offering of the fork in the road and the end result of each fork, I realize that I live in a forest of quicksand.
Beautiful flora and fauna, to whom I call out, to love me and pull me out of this quicksand of life, while they have no such power to do so, surround me.
Every attempt, every wiggle I make to change my environment sinks me deeper into the quicksand of life.

Allah Subhanawataala addresses RasoolAllah (pbuh) and us in Surah Zumar. He (SWT) clearly defines the choices we make in this world and what they will lead us to at the endpoint of our existence.

Zumar means “groups”, and Allah Subhanawataala describes two groups of people in this Surah, it is dizzying to realize how clearly the two groups are defined and how different they are from each other by just one defining character: IKHLAAS!
We either have ikhlaas or we don’t there are no grey zones or small amounts or degrees of ikhlaas.

As I listen to our Alima tafseering the Surah with explanations of hadith and different scholars, I realize that the endpoint of our existence in the Hereafter lies not in the wiggles we make to pull ourselves out of the quicksand of life nor does it lie within the power of the flora and fauna that surround us to help us reach our goal.

The only factor that matters is that each act of thinking or doing be purified with the water of Ikhlaas (sincerity).
It is the first day and more is yet to come…………….

Islamic Perspective on Sex

GUEST CONTRIBUTION
Islam acknowledges the fact that one’s sexual desire has to be satisfied in a manner pertinent to Shari’ah law, (i.e. through marriage). One may not satisfy his desire in any other way. Allah praises those who abide by these laws saying:
Successful indeed are the believers, who are humble in their prayers, and who shun all that which is vain. And who are active in paying the Zakah, and who guard their chastity, except from their wives or what their right hands possess, for then they are not to be blamed.   (23:1-6)
Allah, the Exalted, encourages Muslims to get married, as this was a Sunnah (practice) of all Prophets and Messengers, may Allah render them safe from every derogatory thing. Allah () says:
And indeed We have sent before you Messengers, and bestowed them with wives and children.   (13:38
The Messenger of Allah () also encouraged Muslims to get married and have offspring. Ma’qal b. Ya’saar () said:
“A man came to the Messenger of Allah () and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am going to get married to a woman who is of noble descent, status and is rich but she is barren. Shall I marry her? The Messenger of Allah () said:
‘Marry the amicable and fertile woman, for I will boast (the large number of) my nation before all nations (on the Day of Resurrection).’”   (Abu Dawood)
Islam has ordered Muslims to assist the one who wants to get married immediately. Abu Hurairah () reported that the Messenger of Allah () said:
‘If you are approached by a man (whose manners and Deen you are satisfied with) then get him married; for if you do not, Fitnah [trials and strife] and evil will prevail.’   (Haakim)
Islam encourages guardians to make matters that relate to marriage uncomplicated. The Messenger of Allah () said:
‘A sign of woman’s Barakah [i.e. goodness] is ease in her engagement, dowry and labor [i.e. child birth].   (Haakim)
Islam commands Muslims to get married and not fear poverty. Allah () says:
And marry those among you who are single [i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband] and [also marry] the Salihun [pious, fit and capable ones] of your [male] slaves and maid-servants. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His bounty. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knowing [about the state of the people].   (24:32)
The Prophet () said:
‘Allah will surely help three people; the Mujaahid [Muslim fighter] in the path of Allah, the one who marries in order to safeguard himself and to seek chastity, and the slave who seeks to buy his freedom.’   (Haakim)
Islam orders those who cannot afford to marry because of financial reasons, to keep chaste.
Allah () says:
And those who find no means of marriage should keep themselves chaste, until Allah grants them means out of His bounty.   (24:33)
In Islam, youth are ordered to get married as soon as possible. The Prophet () has informed us what one must do to curb his desires if he cannot find the means to get married. He () said:
‘O youth, whoever of you can afford marriage [financially and physically] let him get married; for indeed it lowers the gaze, and keeps one chaste; whoever cannot get married, he should fast, for it safeguards him.’ (Bukhari)

The Qur’an has given an exemplary paradigm to Muslim youth on how to deal with sexual desire, and how to suppress it in the story of Yousef (). Allah () says:
And she, in whose house he was, sought to seduce him [to do an evil act], and she closed the doors and said: ‘Come on, O you.’ He said: ‘I seek refuge in Allah! Truly, he [your husband] is my master! He made my living in a great comfort! [So I will never betray him]. Verily, the wrongdoers will never be successful. And indeed she did desire him, and he would have inclined to her desire, had he not seen the evidence of his Rubb. Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen slaves.
(12:23-4)
Even if one is imprisoned and harmed, he should not give in to illegal relations. Allah () says:
She said: ‘This is he [the young man] about whom you did blame me, and I did seek to seduce him, but he refused. And now if he refuses to obey my order, he shall certainly be cast into prison, and will be one of those who are disgraced. He said: ‘O My Rubb! Prison is dearer to me than that to which they invite me. Unless You turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them and be one of the ignorant.   (12:32-33)
Islam prohibits releasing sexual desire by any means other than that which is lawful. If one fears that he would fornicate, then in that case only, he may masturbate to relieve his sexual tension, which is the lesser of the two evils.

HOW TO SEEK GUIDANCE FROM THE ALMIGHTY? 2:21-25

Sometimes our Nafs intervenes in our desire to seek guidance. Sometimes our Nafs does not want to follow the commands of Allah Subhanawataala. This manifests itself in how people negate something they don’t want to follow i.e. The Quran:
1.    They make fun of it (mention of the mosquito etc)
2.    They nit pick
3.    They criticize it
4.    They marginalize it
5.    They pick a subject that sidetracks the main issue
6.    They say it is impossible to follow, its not practical

HIDAYA (guidance) IS GIVEN FROM ALLAH if we do the following:
1.    Keep a strong connection with the Quran & Sunnah
2.    Contemplate nature and reflect on the signs of Allah
3.    Excessive Dhikr and dua (at every step ask for guidance)
4.    Attend Majalis saliheen, attend meetings where deen is discussed, keep the company of people close to the deen or trying to get close to the deen. Make an effort to listen to those who are making presentations on our Deen, and be in an environment where this is possible.

Allah does not give hidaya to a fasiq
Definition of a Fasiq: Those who break the bond of( ihad) or promise or connection with Allah. They break their connection with Allah. They dissociate themselves from Allah.
They say the kalima and them break their connection with Allah.
They break their connection with Allah and do as they wish
They break the interhuman relationships; specifically those relatives that Allah has specifically asked to do sila rahmi
They spread fasaad in the earth
They criticize the Quran and question those things they don’t want to do
They also discourage others from doing so (discouraging people from going to deen get togethers)
They criticize the people who are trying to obey Allah

They break two kinds of relationships:
Their relationship with Allah SWT
Their relationship with blood relatives

What happens to these people?
These people are in great deficit, they will earn Khasarah, and Allah sends Laanat on these people (deprives them of His mercy). These people and their children will be in great deficit in the Hereafter, they are true failures in the Hereafter.

How do you seek guidance from the ALMighty?

CHARACTERISTICS OF A HYPOCRITE( MUNAFIQ):SURAH BAQARAH

EXCERPTED FROM TAFSEER BY DR. FH

Hypocrisy is a state of the heart, which is expressed by double-faced actions.
1.    They have a discrepancy in what they have in their heart & what is on their lips
2.    Munafiq means “double faced”
3.    They hide the truth
4.    They are untruthful to others (Momins) and to themselves
5.    They create fasaad, by saying one thing to one person and another to another person, neither of them being the truth
6.    When they are questioned about their actions that are causing fasaad they say we are just reforming society/people, we are doing this for the good of society.
7.    When they are asked to believe, have emaan, they say, “Do I look stupid”?
8.    In front of the momin they say they are with them, but when they are with the Shaiyateen (with people like themselves or their leaders), they say we were just joking privately, we are not really with the Momins.
9.    Their words and actions do not match
10.    The are without wisdom and without understanding of reality and truth (Shaoor)
11.    Hypocrites are present in all times
12.    Though hypocrites say verbally that they believe in God, Allah disqualifies their emaan as they are only saying it only with their tongue, and not with their hearts they do this only to fool others.
13.    In their privacy they make fun of the Momin
14.    They prefer to keep their eyes closed rather than see the truth and see the right path.
15.    Allah has given them rope to do what they want and they choose to stray further and further away form the right path.
16.    They are restless and without peace even in this world and try to entertain themselves with worldly things
17.    They live in a world of self deception
18.    Due to their actions they create fasaad in the world and do not have the understanding that their words and actions are the cause of the fasaad.
19.    When they are asked to have emaan they say are we stupid that we become stupid like the momin who loose everything (worldly) because of their emaan.

SUMMARY OF CHARACTERISTICS OF A MUNAFIQ
1.    DOUBLE FACED
2.    IN TWO BOATS
3.    THEIR ACTIONS DO NOT CONFIRM WHAT THEY SAY
4.    THEY FOOL PEOPLE
5.    THEY PRACTICE SELF DECEEPTION
6.    THEY LIE
7.    LACK UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRUTH
8.    CREATE FASSAAD BEHIND REFORM
9.    THEY DO NOT HAVE A CONSCIENCE
10.    THEY ARE STUPID
11.    THEY ARE IGNORANT
12.    DOUBLE STANDARD
13.    IBNAL WAQT
14.    CHANGE WITH WHOEVER THEY ARE WITH
15.    TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE
16.    THEY MAKE FUN OF MOMINS (PRIVATELY)
17.    BAY ASOOL (WITHOUT STANDARDS OF HONESTY & MORALS)
18.    THEY DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE TIME ALLAH SWT HAS GIVEN THEM AND ARE MISUSING IT
19.    BEY BASEERAT/THEY WANT TO LIVE IN IGNORANCE
20.    THEY CHOOSE GUMRAHI(BEING LOST) INSTEAD OF GUIDANCE
21.    THEY DELIBERATELY REMAIN AWAY FROM GUIDANCE

One word summary: They lie!

PUNISHMENT FROM ALLAH FOR MUNAFIQS
1.    Allah will make fun of them
2.    Blindness of the heart: Allah has given them rope, (leave) and they are taking advantage of it and their hearts are blinded and they are straying further in their wrong path, and Allah is watching them
3.    Allah will deny them guidance (al Hudda) They have exchanged the right path for the wrong path, this will be a huge disadvantageous for them. They are unable to get guidance as they are not asking for it, nor wanting it.
4.    There are seven levels of Hellfire and They will b e in the bottom most part of the hellfire. why ? because they base their life on lies,
5.    Those who have the characteristics of hypocrisy Allah will not give them guidance.

Hadith Sahih Bukhari
How to recognize a hypocrite: four characteristics
1.    When given a trust he betrays it.
2.    When he speaks he lies
3.    When he promises he breaks it
4.    When he argues he is unjust
5.    Irrespective of whether he prays, fasts and claims that he is a muslim then he or she is a pure munafiq

Steps To get out of Hypocrisy (surah Nisa) and join the momins;
Taubah
Self-correction
Strong connection with Allah
Make ones deen khalis (do the good works for Allah and not to show people)
Be thankful of every Naimah with kasarat
Decrease complaints of what we did not get in this world

HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR HEART LATELY?

HYPOCRITES & STRIFE…….. (SURAH BAQARAH)

(Tafseer by Dr. FH excerpted from Surah Baqarah)

Hypocrites can be in all times. They state that we believe in Allah, Allah SWT disqualifies their statement as they are only saying this with their tongue, and they are trying to fool (hide the reality) (ukhadaioona) Allah SWT.

What is the defination of a Hypocrite?(MUNAFIQ)

There is a difference between what they say and what is in their hearts.

They are making a fool of people who truly do believe in God as well as trying to fool God.
They do not understand the depth of the fact (lack of shaoor)(lacking the understanding of what he is doing, lacking self awareness). They actually they are fooling themselves.

Why have they become like this because they have a disease of the heart called hypocrisy and suspicion. Thus Allah has increased their disease. They are restless in this world they have no peace, and entertain themselves with worldly things.

In the Akirah they will be at the bottom of hell. Because they lied.

In order to be a momin, one first has to be true to oneself, which leads him or her to be true to those with eman as well as with Allah.

Someone whose thinking is based on lies, suspicion and his life is not based on truth such a person is the basis of fasaad(strife)  in the community.

When they were asked not to do fasaad (Strife)  in the community they say “we are actually improving the condition of the community”, they are fooling themselves, and they are not recognizing that they are in the wrong.

Allah’s warning

Allah SWT warns that those who have a difference between what is in their heart and tongue, it is they who cause fasaad (strife) in the land, they do not understand the concept of truth.

When they are asked to believe or have emaan (faith), they say:
“Should we have emaan like these stupid people with emaan, who sacrifice themselves and their comfort for the sake of their eman and the truth?”

Allah SWT says that actually it is the hypocrites who are stupid.

When they sit with people who have emaan they behave like them, but when they are with their own, they say they are with you (other hypocrites and disbelievers) and they say we re just having some humor at the expense of the momineen.

Allah is making fun of them, Allah Swt is giving them rope but they are straying further and further.

They lack the sight of the heart; they are unable to see with their heart. These are the people who have traded the good for the bad.

HAVE YOU LOOKED INSIDE YOUR HEART LATELY?

How to Find Hope in Despair……..

Being a parent in GAZA

 

I am in Africa and the world is exploding with grief and anger.

I am at the end of the discussion on Surah Zumar which divides mankind into two clear groups. It is the last night of the retreat on Surah Zumar, and I feel the steadily increasing load on my heart and brain.

The sneaking feeling I have had all along that I may belong to the group that I do not want to belong to has increased to a crescendo, hope is a waning light,  I feel I have run out of time, and as I see jannah receding with the waning evening, I almost give up in despair to improve my status in the eyes of Allah.

I awaken the next morning and the session resumes with……………I am immobilized! Allah’s message for me in despair, it is the Ayah of Hope, it is not only being addressed to me but for all those bleeding hearts, everywhere, where hope seems remote, He says…………..

039.053 
Say: “O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. 

La taknatu mer rahmatullah!

and I am reminded…….it was a sister from South Africa who had taught me this tasbeeh……………”say it a million times sister”, she had said…………..and now I need to say it again for myself and for all the mothers of the `ummah……………

 

Could you also?

JUMP START YOURSELF IN WINTER

GUEST ARTICLE

Got the Winter blues? Make the most of it! by Asma bint Shameem

Ah…Alhamdulillaah! Winter is here. The nights are long and the days are short….. the temperatures have dropped and the weather is really cool! What a perfect time to take advantage of the weather and utilize it to your benefit.

You can increase your good deeds, take care of your obligations and earn the Pleasure of Allaah all at the same time!

How? One might ask… Its simple. Make the most of winter by fasting during its short days and praying Qiyaam during the long nights.

The smart Muslim is always looking for opportunities and ways to increase his good deeds, seek forgiveness from his Lord, and improve his Deen. He values each and every moment of his life, observing his duties to the best of his ability because he is preparing…..Preparing for that ultimate, inevitable meeting with Allaah, Rabbul ‘Aalameen.

And the winter season is one perfect and easy way to do just that.   ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab  said: “Winter is booty for the devout worshippers.” Meaning, it is easy to gain rewards from Allaah by  striving in worship during winter through fasting and praying than in the summer, which is like gaining easy warbooty without the hardships of war.

Fast during the day Since the days are short, it is easy to fast. How many of us have days of fasting that we have to make up, either because of sickness, traveling, or just plain neglect and laziness? (May Allaah to protect us from that). And how many sisters have to make up their fasts due to feminine reasons, either from this past Ramadhaan or even before?

We all know that making up the days of fasting is fardh on every adult Muslim man and woman and not doing so is a sin. Straight forward, its an order from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala. Allaah says: “The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Koran was sent down, a guidance for people, and clear verses of guidance and the criterion. Therefore, whoever of you witnesses the month, let him fast.

But he who is ill, or on a journey shall (fast) a similar number (of days) later on. Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you. And that you fulfill the number of days and exalt Allah who has guided you in order that you be thankful.” [Surah al-Baqarah:185]

Thus, we should hasten to fast the number of days we missed. And what better opportunity than this? How much easier could it get? The days are short and the weather is cool, so you don’t really get thirsty or even feel hungry.

Allaah, in his Infinite Mercy, is providing us with an easy opportunity to seek rewards from Him. So shouldn’t we take it up?   Abu Hurayrah RA  said to some people: “Shall I not point you to comfortable proceeds?” They asked, “And what is that O, Abu Hurayrah?” He replied, “Fasting in winter.”

Pray Qiyaam ul Lail at night As for the winter night…..it is quite….it is long and it is peaceful. What more could one ask? A night so calm and so long….. to stand in front of our Lord and beg Him for forgiveness…..ask Him for guidance…..beseech him for His Mercy.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Aliyhi wa Sallam) said: “Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains, and He says, ‘Who will call Me that I might answer him, who will ask of Me that I might give him, who will ask My forgiveness, that I might forgive him?’” (Bukhaari)   And he (Sal Allaahu Aliyhi wa Sallam) said: “You should pray qiyaam al-layl, for it is the custom of the righteous who came before you and it brings you closer to your Lord, and expiates sins and prevents misdeeds.”  (al-Tirmidhi- hasan by al-Albaani)

What better chance than this to pray Tahajjud and to read Qur’aan?

‘Ubayd b. ‘Umayr RA said: “It used to be said when winter came: O people of the Qur’aan, the night has become long so you can pray (more) and the day has become short for you to fast.”- (Abu Nu’aym, Hilyat Al-Awliyaa’)   Yazeed al-Riqaashi said: “A lot of Tahajjud brings delight to the worshippers, and a lot of thirst (i.e., fasting), brings joy when they meet Allaah.”

So when the cold hits you and the weather gets you down, don’t get discouraged. Instead of sleeping away the night and wasting away the day, look on the bright side and make the most of it. Put this time of year in a whole new perspective. Remind yourself of the many acts of worship and benefits that this time of the year brings with it rather than just focusing on how cold it is.

One of the righteous used to say: “I have never heard the adhaan except that I remember the caller who will announce the Day of Resurrection, and I never see the falling snow except that I imagine the flying pages of the records of peoples deeds (on that day), and I never see swarms of locusts except that I think about the Great Gathering on the Last Day.”

And actually, if you think about it, the winter is a big blessing from among the innumerable, uncountable blessings of Allaah. He is honoring us by the bounty of His Giving, His gracious Blessing and His great Favor, so that we may be able to pray qiyaam, fast during the day and worship Him.

May Allaah enable us all to make better use of our winters. Ameen.

“Whoever works righteousness – whether male or female – while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)” [Surah al-Nahl 16:97]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS WINTER?

THE GIFT OF PRAYER……..

Photo courtesy of Flickr:Islam pool

How prayer was given to us as a gift and a channel of connection to Allah Subhanawataala………..in the words of our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him:

From Sahih Bukhari (English translation)
Prayers (Salat)

Volume 1, Book 8, Number 345:

Narrated Abu Dhar:

Allah’s Apostle said, “While I was at Mecca the roof of my house was opened and Gabriel descended, opened my chest, and washed it with Zam-zam water. Then he brought a golden tray full of wisdom and faith and having poured its contents into my chest, he closed it.

Then he took my hand and ascended with me to the nearest heaven, when I reached the nearest heaven, Gabriel said to the gatekeeper of the heaven, ‘Open (the gate).’ The gatekeeper asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel answered: ‘Gabriel.’ He asked, ‘Is there anyone with you?’ Gabriel replied, ‘Yes, Muhammad I is with me.’ He asked, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel said, ‘Yes.’

So the gate was opened and we went over the nearest heaven and there we saw a man sitting with some people on his right and some on his left. When he looked towards his right, he laughed and when he looked toward his left he wept.

Then he said, ‘Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious son.’ I asked Gabriel, ‘Who is he?’ He replied, ‘He is Adam and the people on his right and left are the souls of his offspring. Those on his right are the people of Paradise and those on his left are the people of Hell and when he looks towards his right he laughs and when he looks towards his left he weeps.’

Then he ascended with me till he reached the second heaven and he (Gabriel) said to its gatekeeper, ‘Open (the gate).’ The gatekeeper said to him the same as the gatekeeper of the first heaven had said and he opened the gate.

Anas said: “Abu Dhar added that the Prophet met Adam, Idris, Moses, Jesus and Abraham, he (Abu Dhar) did not mention on which heaven they were but he mentioned that he (the Prophet ) met Adam on the nearest heaven and Abraham on the sixth heaven.

Anas said, “When Gabriel along with the Prophet passed by Idris, the latter said, ‘Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.’ The Prophet asked, ‘Who is he?’ Gabriel replied, ‘He is Idris.”

The Prophet added, “I passed by Moses and he said, ‘Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious brother.’ I asked Gabriel, ‘Who is he?’ Gabriel replied, ‘He is Moses.’ Then I passed by Jesus and he said, ‘Welcome! O pious brother and pious Prophet.’ I asked, ‘Who is he?’ Gabriel replied, ‘He is Jesus.

Then I passed by Abraham and he said, ‘Welcome! O pious Prophet and pious son.’ I asked Gabriel, ‘Who is he?’ Gabriel replied, ‘He is Abraham.

The Prophet added, ‘Then Gabriel ascended with me to a place where I heard the creaking of the pens.” Ibn Hazm and Anas bin Malik said:

The Prophet said, “Then Allah enjoined fifty prayers on my followers when I returned with this order of Allah, I passed by Moses who asked me, ‘What has Allah enjoined on your followers?’ I replied, ‘He has enjoined fifty prayers on them.’ Moses said, ‘Go back to your Lord (and appeal for reduction) for your followers will not be able to bear it.’ (So I went back to Allah and requested for reduction) and He reduced it to half.

When I passed by Moses again and informed him about it, he said, ‘Go back to your Lord as your followers will not be able to bear it.’ So I returned to Allah and requested for further reduction and half of it was reduced.

I again passed by Moses and he said to me: ‘Return to your Lord, for your followers will not be able to bear it. So I returned to Allah and He said, ‘These are five prayers and they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change.’ I returned to Moses and he told me to go back once again.

I replied, ‘Now I feel shy of asking my Lord again.’ Then Gabriel took me till we ” reached Sidrat-il-Muntaha (Lote tree of; the utmost boundry) which was shrouded in colors, indescribable. Then I was admitted into Paradise where I found small (tents or) walls (made) of pearls and its earth was of musk.”

LONG LIFE IS NOT NECESSARILY A BLESSING…….

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YUSUFALI: If We grant long life to any, We cause him to be reversed in nature: Will they not then understand?

PICKTHAL: He whom we bring unto old age, We reverse him in creation (making him go back to weakness after strength). Have ye then no sense?

SHAKIR: And whomsoever We cause to live long, We reduce (him) to an abject state in constitution; do they not then understand?