Returning to Allah………….

Lone Haji on Mount Arafaat: Courtesy Boston Globe

In life there is a way to return to Allah:

With Dhikr and with istighfaar!

Hajj……A Reminder of Another Journey

MINA CAMPS: Walking to the jamaraat: Courtesy Firdous

GUEST ARTICLE

Hajj……A Reminder of Another Journey

By Asma bint Shameem

This time the crowds were tremendous…..more, much more than the previous years. One couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the number of people at Hajj this year. And similarly, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the sheer number of lessons that I learnt on this journey – lessons of patience, lessons of compassion, lessons of humility and lessons of thankfulness to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta‘ala.

Every corner I turned, every where I went, every second I spent during my stay in Mina had the potential to mould me for better or for worse.

When I saw the people on the streets, living under a sheet stretched across two bamboo poles, how could I complain about the size of my camp at Mina?

When I saw little kids rummaging through piles of garbage looking for something to eat, how could I be dissatisfied with all the multiple varieties of fruits and juices and foods that I had at my disposal?

How can I even complain about the same kind of food being served, or how bland it is or how spicy??!!”

And when I saw old, weak people and people in wheelchairs and people limping and crippled standing at the side of the street hoping to find a ride or walking with their legs so swollen that they were the size of their thighs, how could I even begin to complain about the few hours I was stuck on my air-conditioned bus, not to mention the snacks and cold water that I had readily available to me??

I remember the words of one of my teacher, Muhammad al-Shareef. He said once,

“Hajj is not a journey of the body such as one may take to a vacation spot or tourist attraction. It is a journey of the soul and heart.”

And certainly, how true those words are. It is indeed a journey of the heart….a journey to work hard…. to get your sins forgiven….to get to Jannah.

‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas narrates, :

“When Islam entered my heart, I went to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘Give me your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.’ The Prophet spread his hand, but I withdrew mine. He said, ‘What is wrong ‘Amr?’ I said, ‘I want to make a condition.’ ‘And what is that?’ he said. I said, ‘That Allah will forgive me.’ Then the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Did you not know that Islam wipes out what came before it, and that Hijrah wipes out what came before it and that Hajj wipes out what came before it!” – Sahih Muslim

When Allaah will forgive all our previous sins……yes, that’s right…..ALL OUR PREVIOUS SINS…….then is a little discomfort or inconvenience not worth it?

In fact, I think a lot of inconvenience is worth it. Actually, anything…..anything in this world is worth it

“(That Day) No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend, though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, his companion (wife), his brother, the kinsmen who gave him shelter, and whatsoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him.” (Surah Ma’aarij:10-14)

And how dare we complain??

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala chose us from among 6 billion of His slaves, and invited us to His Blessed House to undertake this Blessed Journey…..to perform this Blessed Worship that people only dream about once in their lifetimes and what do we do??

We forget this immense , immense blessing of His on us and instead of falling prostate on our faces, with unstoppable tears of repentance and gratitude…. thanking Him for inviting us there and guiding us to Islaam and giving us the opportunity to have our sins forgiven, we forget the big picture and complain???!!!!

Subhaan Allaah!!

But dear brothers and sisters, who is it that provided us with all the blessings that we enjoy in our lives, all the blessings that we use day in and day out? It is no one but Allaah!

And it is the same Allah that tested us on the plains of Arafah, during our stay in Mina, and during our bus journey to Muzdalifah.

We need to remember that indeed the greatest blessing that Allah has favored us with is Islam, and it alone suffices as favor.

“There is no blame upon you for seeking bounty from your Lord (during Hajj). But when you depart from Arafat, remember Allah at AlMash’ar AlHaram. And remember Him as He has guided you, for indeed you were before that among those who went astray.” (Surah Baqarah: 198)

So thank Allaah for His favors upon you and when that dust blows, instead of complaining….turn to Allah and hit back with patience and a whisper of gratitude to Allah. And ask Him to forgive you.

“Then let them end their untidiness, fulfill their vows, and perform Tawaf around the ancient House.” (Surah Hajj 22:29)

And remember, Hajj is just a reminder of another journey that you and I will eventually have to take…..a journey every soul is traveling, whether they know it or care to just remain heedless…..A journey to the Hereafter, to Paradise or Hell.

“And take sustenance (with you) for the journey; verily the best sustenance is Taqwa (piety and righteousness).“ (Al Baqarah :197)

CORRUPT LEADERS LEAD THEIR NATIONS INTO THE FIRE: 14:30

Pakistan a nation mislead by its leaders:http://www.flickr.com/photos/aahmad/3081639909/

وَجَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا لِّيُضِلُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۗ قُلۡ تَمَتَّعُواْ فَإِنَّ مَصِيرَڪُمۡ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ (٣٠)

Hast thou not seen those who gave the grace of Allah in exchange for thanklessness and led their people down to the Abode of Loss, (28) (Even to) hell? They are exposed thereto. A hapless end! (29) And they set up rivals to Allah that they may mislead (men) from His way. Say: Enjoy life (while ye may) for lo! Your journey’s end will be the Fire. (30)

TAFSEER BY DR. FARHAT HASHMI (translated)

The Clan of Quraish had a special status in Arabia given by Allah Almighty:

1.The clan of Quraish was well respected, affluent and feared, where other tribes’ caravans would be looted but theirs would be protected.

2. A Nabi (Allah’s Messenger) was sent amongst them.

The Quraish despite the special status given to them by Allah Subhanawataala forgot who gave them this status and did “Kufar” and denied the message of Allah brought by Prophet Muhammad pbuh.

They have thus earned the worst place in Akhirah due to their Shirk (denying the Unity of God and attributing His power to others) and disobedience of the Rasool.

They lost all these benefits by their action and brought their nation into the house of decimation, and dejection.

EXPLANATION OF THE ARABIC WORD BOOR: When the trade material sits and does not sell, supply is excess and demand is less.

This word is used for them.  Thus all of what they invested in was wasted, these leaders have led the rest of the common people into the Fire by opposing Prophet Muhammad and discarding his message from Allah Subhanawataala.

Allah Subhanawataala describes these people as “useless” and recounts their end in Surah Fath 48:12

بَلۡ ظَنَنتُمۡ أَن لَّن يَنقَلِبَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ إِلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِيهِمۡ أَبَدً۬ا وَزُيِّنَ ذَٲلِكَ فِى قُلُوبِكُمۡ وَظَنَنتُمۡ ظَنَّ ٱلسَّوۡءِ وَڪُنتُمۡ قَوۡمَۢا بُورً۬ا (١٢)

“Nay, but you thought that the Messenger (SAW) and the believers would never return to their families; and that was made fair-seeming in your hearts, and you did think an evil thought and you became a useless people going for destruction.” (12)

Tafseer continues:

What a terrible end it is for them because they made some idols that would deflect people from Allah Subhanawataala

Warn them that enjoy life while you can but your final end is in the Fire.

In Surah Zumar 39:8

۞ وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ ضُرٌّ۬ دَعَا رَبَّهُ ۥ مُنِيبًا إِلَيۡهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلَهُ ۥ نِعۡمَةً۬ مِّنۡهُ نَسِىَ مَا كَانَ يَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ مِن قَبۡلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا لِّيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۚ قُلۡ تَمَتَّعۡ بِكُفۡرِكَ قَلِيلاً‌ۖ إِنَّكَ مِنۡ أَصۡحَـٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ (٨)

And when some hurt touches man, he cries to his Lord (Allah Alone), turning to Him in repentance, but when He bestows a favor upon him from Himself, he forgets that for which he cried for before, and he sets up rivals to Allah, in order to mislead others from His Path. Say: “Take pleasure in your disbelief for a while: surely, you are (one) of the dwellers of the Fire!” (8)

How long can one enjoy ones existence by denying Allah, as life in this world is short compared to the Hereafter.

End tafseer

THE ESSENCE OF TODAY……….

Somewhere in the essence of the day is the fact that today is Tariq’s birthday! Twenty four years ago this day, I was all anticipation and full of confidence that Allah Subhanawataala had nothing but the best in store for me. …………….and He did!

As Tariq said:

“Mom you have me for the first twenty and I will have you for your last twenty”

I feel my clock ticking.

Please keep me in your prayers.

SEARCHING FOR THE PURPOSE OF LIFE…..

Check out the Quran: courtesy flickr.com/islam

MORNING DHIKR ACCORDING TO THE SUNNAH

BELIEVER BY CHOICE OR CIRCUMSTANCE? 13:19-20

opposites: ice and the sun

SURAH Ra’ad 13:19-20

اَفَمَن يَّعلَمُ اَنَّمَا اُنزِلَ اِلَيكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ الحَـقُّ كَمَن هُوَ اَعمى اِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ اُولُوا الاَلبَابِ‏ ﴿۱۹﴾  الَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهدِ اللّهِ وَلَا يَنقُضُونَ المِيثَاقَ‏ ﴿۲۰﴾
Is then one who doth know that that which hath been revealed unto these from thy Lord is the Truth, like one who is blind? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition― (19)

Those who fulfill the Covenant of Allah and fail not in their plighted word; (20)
TAFSEER BY DR. FARHAT HASHMI
Background: This Surah is a presentation of contrasts to human beings to extract what is truth and what is false, helping them use their intellect and deductive capabilities to select the Truth and follow it rather than falsehood. Many examples are given in earlier ayahs of kinds of fruit, of taste, etc. Urging humans to select what is best not only in mundane shopping items but in Truth rather than falsehood.
Allah Subhanawataala describes the characteristics of the Believer bound for The Gardens of Jannah the details of which are in the later ayahs, but here is a critical differentiation in the type of Believers and which kind will get his or her abode in Jannah for eternal life.

Allah Subhanawataalla says in these ayahs:

How can one who has ilm (knowledge of Deen) and, believes in it and follows it be equal to the the one who calls himself a believer but does not follow it (is blind) ? They are not equal! Their destinations are different ! and are based on the their recognition of the truth and following the Truth.

There are two types of followers of the truth:
1.    Taqlidi: Those who believe in the truth because they were born into it then followed whatever their forefathers followed.

2.    Shaoori: This group uses his or her intellect, aqal and deductive capacity to understand and then holds fast to the covenant with Allah which was made by the children of Adam (elsewhere in the Quran)

This group has studied and endeavored to gain Ilm (knowledge of Deen) and have discerned the Truth and have chosen to follow it. These are the people who do not break their covenant with God but also do not break the covenant with people. These are the people of Eden (one of the gardens of Paradise)

SHOULD WE REVISE OUR BEHAVIOR TOWARDS REVERTS?
My take:
Perhaps we born Muslims need to be more attentive to the people reverting to Islam, and learn from them, and try to imbue in us their sincerity and purity of heart, instead of trying to patronize them.

Indian Muslims bringing hope……..

Indian Muslims: Steadfast, Consistent, Mustaqeem, Inshallah!

When in need in this dunya ask as Moses (AS) did……….

Translation: Surah Qasas: 028.024
So he watered (their flocks) for them; then he turned back to the shade, and said:“O my Lord! truly am I in (desperate) need of any good that Thou dost send me!”

A SUPPLICATION FOR ANXIETY……..

photo courtesy flickr.com/islam

A Dua for protection from the whisperings of the shaitaan and from the forces of Taghoot: Surah Al Mominoon:97

Translation:

023.097 And say “O my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones.