I came across a few gems from Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen rahimahullah in his tafseer and wanted to share them.

Hakeem before ‘Aleem

After the Angels give the glad tidings to Ibrahim alayhi salaam and Sarah alayha salaam of their son and she expresses her shock and amazement, the angels say to her:

قَالُوا كَذَ‌ٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْعَلِيمُ
They said, “Thus has said your Lord; indeed, He is the Wise, the Knowing.” (51:30)

Here the Name of Allah ‘Al-Hakeem’ comes before ‘Al-’Aleem’ because Hikmah precedes ‘Ilm in this situation. Hikmah here is for two things:

1- the delaying of a child for her - Allah did not delay a child for her until she reached this old age without wisdom.
2- giving her a child after she gave up hope in having children and she thought she was barren.

So here we see two wisdoms - hikmah in what has already happened and hikmah in what is to come.

Al-’Aleem comes before Al-Hakeem in most of the ayat in the Qur’an that connect these two Blessed Names, but in this ayah, the situation of Sarah necessitates that Al-Hakeem precedes Al-’Aleem.

The Hikmah of Allah

The Shaykh rahimahullah continues with explaining Al-Hakeem from ayah 30 in this surah. He says that Al-Hakeem not only means that Allah is the Most Wise, but it points to the fact that He is also the Most Powerful in His Authority.

Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen rahimahullah gives the example of ‘Ad when they say:

مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً
“Who is mightier than us in strength?” (41:15) Allah azza wa jal responds,

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً
“See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them?” (41:15)

Allah punished them with something that is so simple and seemingly harmless - a wind. This wind that you cannot even grasp or touch. They claimed that they were strong and could defend themselves from anything, yet because Allah is Al-Hakeem, He destroyed these people who said, “who is mightier than us in strength?” with a simple wind.

This shows us that Allah is Ahkam al-Haakimeen, His Hukm emanates from His Power and Authority and because He is Ahkam al-Haakimeen, His Hukm is the best.

Their Manner of Questioning

Allah says,

يَسْأَلُونَ أَيَّانَ يَوْمُ الدِّينِ
They ask: “When will be the Day of Recompense?” (51:12)

This question is one of denial and shows that they do not believe in the Day of Judgment - for if they were asking this question for information or for clarification they would have asked the way Jibreel alayhi salaam asked the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam: akhbirni ‘an as-saa’ah (inform me about the Hour) - this is a question to gain understanding and clarification.

But these people who are heedless and doubtful ask: ayyana yaum ad-deen, ‘when is the Day of Judgment?’ showing that they want to remove themselves from this fact. That is why Allah azza wa jal says about them,

بَلْ عَجِبُوا أَن جَاءَهُم مُّنذِرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَقَالَ الْكَافِرُونَ هَـٰذَا شَيْءٌ عَجِيبٌ أَإِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا ۖ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ رَجْعٌ بَعِيدٌ
Nay, they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves. So the disbelievers say: “This is a strange thing! “When we are dead and have become dust (shall we be resurrected?) That is a far return.” (50:2-3)

So they are asking about the Day of Judgment not to gain understanding of it and to gain conviction in it, but rather to deny it and to show their disbelief in the idea of a resurrection.

Have you ever wondered why there is so much evil on the earth? Why are there so many environmental problems, so many wars, so many famines and sickness?

It’s because of you. Yes, you. And me, and the rest of man.

Many times when we are struck with a trial or calamity, our first reaction is the thought: “why me?!” Yet the sad fact is that we do not realize these trials are a result of what our own hands have reaped.

Allah azza wa jal says in a monumental ayah for our times:

Evil has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned, that He (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return. (30:41)

Allah ta’ala says ‘fasaad’ has become apparent. Fasaad means an imbalance and is the opposite of ‘islaah’ (reformation).  Fasaad is when something decays, spoils and it is not as it should be. There are two types of fasaad: tangible evil such as famine, drought, wars and intangible such as bad manners and doing shirk.

This ayah does not only state that evil has appeared on the land, but it includes the land and sea. On the land, there is physical land pollution, drought, earthquakes and vegetation is scarce. There is also an imbalance in the people of the land. Such fasaad is also evident in the sea: the water is polluted, and certain species that live within it are nearing extinction.

How is it that we are the cause of this fasaad? Allah ta’ala says:

because of what the hands of men have reaped.

The “ba” in the beginning is known as the ‘ba of reason’ or ‘ba of causation’, showing that it is through continuous sinning without repentance, disbelief in Allah and corruption that fasaad has appeared.  Abu Al-’Aliyah said: “Whoever disobeys Allah in the earth has corrupted it, because the good condition of the earth and the heavens depends on obedience to Allah.”

Allah ta’ala only mentions the hands of men because most of our deeds are done by our hands and our hands represent action.

This fasaad has appeared:

that He (Allah) may make them taste a part of that which they have done.

The ‘laam’ here is known as ’laam of  ‘illah’, of reason. The reason for the appearance of evil is so that we are made to taste and experience what our own hands have reaped.

An interesting part of this ayah is the word  بَعْضَba’dha, which means “some” of the consequences. The fasaad on the earth is not a complete retribution of what people have done, rather Allah ta’ala only gives us a taste of the consequence in this dunya. Imagine, everything that is going on around us is only some of what man has done!

May Allah have mercy on Imam Sa’di who said in his tafseer of this ayah:

Then how Exalted and Glorified is Allah! He blessed through His trials and favored by His end results, and if He made the people taste the full consequence of what they earned, not even one creature would remain on the earth.

Allah azza wa jal then ends the ayah,

in order that they may return.

SubhanAllah, the reason as to why there is fasaad upon this earth is so that we may return to Allah azza wa jal: from wrong actions to right actions, from disobedience to obedience, from imbalance to the balance of the earth.

Islaah, reformation, is a part of tawbah. Allah ta’ala says:

Except those who repent, and do islaah: reformation to good. (4:146)

Take these signs around us as a blessing; how Merciful is Allah to let us see what our own hands have repead so that we may repent! Turn back to Allah and ask for His Forgiveness before it’s too late.

Shaykh ibn al-Uthaymeen rahimahullah beautifully said:

“By Allah, sins effect the security of a land; they effect its ease, its prosperity, its economy; and they effect the hearts of its people. Sins cause alienation between people. Sins cause one Muslim to regard his Muslim brother as if he were upon a religion other than Islam.

But if we sought to rectify ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and those in our areas, and everyone we are able to rectify, if we mutually encouraged good and forbade evil, if we assisted those who do this with wisdom and wise admonition- then it would produce unity and harmony”

Every believer suffers from weak or low emaan once in a while; as the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Emaan wears out in one’s heart, just as the dress wears out (becomes thin). Therefore, ask Allah to renew emaan in your hearts.” [Mustadrak Al Hakim, Authentic]

Low emaan can easily plunge one into sorrow and despair, as emaan is a safeguard from this. When one suffers from low emaan, it paralyzes one from doing good deeds and removes the productivity in one’s life and worship. Of the beauties in our deen is that Allah and His Messenger have prescribed actions for us when we are suffering from weak emaan and sorrow, and one of the most potent cures is duaa.

This week’s supplications include two duaas that everyone should memorize to help you during these times of low emaan, sadness, and times of distress.

First Supplication

The first duaa was narrated by the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) in Saheeh Bukhari. It is narrated in many ahadeeth that the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) would consistently make this duaa, and many of the Companions heard him repeat it over and over.

Allāhumma innī a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazani wal-’ajazi wal-kasli wal-bukhli wal-jubni wa ḍala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijāl.

O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men.

Word for Word Translation and Audio

Read and download the word for word translation here.

Listen and download the duaa here.

Selected Word Analysis

al-Hamm: Hamm means ‘to make uneasy and fill with anxiety’. It is the type of distress one feels that affects the mind, heart, and body. This sadness worries a person, and one’s sole concern is this sadness. Hamm leaves a person preoccupied with one’s thoughts, going over them again and again in the mind, because it is an anxiety that one has regarding something that may or may not happen. If you have ever felt this type of sadness, that anxious and nervous feeling, you know how debilitating it can be.

al-Hazan: Huzn also means sadness but it is different than Hamm. Huzn is grief arising on account of an unpleasant event that has happened, such as the death of a loved one or a distressing situation. In the Seerah, the year that Abu Talib and Khadija (radi Allahu anha) died is known as ‘Aam al Huzn, the Year of Grief. In the Qur’an, Allah ta’ala mentions many times that the Believers will not “yahzanoon“, have grief, this means that in the hereafter, the believers will not grieve over anything that has occurred in the past. Huzn means ‘to be full of sorrow, mourning, grief, and saddened’.

al-’Ajaz: ‘Ajaz means ‘to become weak, to lack strength, to be incapable and a failure’.

al-Kasali: Kasl means ‘to be lazy, idle, sluggish, negligent and inactive’.

al-Bukhl: Bukhl is ‘to be stingy and greedy’. In the Qur’an, Allah uses this word to describe those who have the wealth to give, but hoard it for themselves and do not give it in charity. Bukhl is to refuse to give something lawful (charity, your time etc) that you have in abundance. It is to prefer it for yourself and because of this greediness, this good thing (such as wealth) is never used for good. This word is the opposite of karam, which is to be generous and give in ample amounts. One of the Names of Allah is Al-Kareem; The Most Generous who abundantly gives from his limitless bounty without seeking anything in return.

Al-Jubni: Jubn literally means ‘to shrink’; from this the meaning of becoming cowardly and fearful is taken.

Dala’a: This is the word for rib (body part) and its linguistic roots carry two implications: curvature and weight. Therefore here “dala’a ad-dayn” can either mean the tendency for debt to sway people from righteousness, or the weight one feels when indebted.

Ghalabah: Ghalabah means ‘to be overtaken, subdued or overpowered’. It is said, تغلب عليه النعاس, he was overtaken by drowsiness.

Second Supplication

The second duaa is narrated by the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) as one of the “Da’waat al Makroob“, the supplications of the distressed.

Allāhumma raḤmataka arjū falā takilnī ilā nafsī tarfata ‘aynin wa asliḤ lī sha`nī kullahū lā ilāha ilā anta

O Allah, it is Your mercy that I hope for, so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for a blink of an eye, and rectify for me all of my affairs. None has the right to be worshiped except You.

Word for Word Translation and Audio

Read and download the word for word translation here.

Memorize and listen to the duaa here.

Selected Word Analysis

Arjoo: This word is from rajaa which means ‘to hope, long for, request, expect and look forward to’. This word gives a positive tone because the one in distress should be hopeful of the mercy of Allah and expect that Allah ta’ala will take care of his affairs.

Takilnee: The “nee” at the end is not part of the word. Takil comes from wakala which means ‘to rely on or depend on’; literally meaning ‘to lean on something’. When this word is followed by “ilaa” such as in this duaa, it becomes the transitive meaning ‘to entrust to’ or ‘to hand over to’. In the case of this specific supplication it means ‘do not leave me to my nafs‘.

Tarfata ‘Aynin: This is an expression in the Arabic language which means ‘in the twinkle of an eye’. Tarfah means ‘to blink, wink, squint or twinkle’. It is said, ما إشار بطرف, he didn’t bat an eye. The expression in this duaa gives the meaning of instantly or for a single moment. We are asking Allah to not leave us on our own for even the blink of an eye.

Aslih: The root of this word has many meanings but in this duaa it means ‘reformation, restoration, mending, improvement and rectification’. This word is the opposite of fasaad which means when there is imbalance in things. We are asking Allah to make our affairs good for us and rectify our problems.

Points of Benefit

[benefits from each duaa have been combined]

• It is ok to feel these emotions.You are not less of a believer if you have anxiety or feel sadness. The distinction between the believer and non-believer is that the believer remains patient and turns to Allah for assistance.

• If you are suffering from low emaan, then examine your relationship with Allah. Allah says, “But whosoever turns away from My Reminder, verily for him is a constricted life, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.” (20:124) Allah connects dhikr with experiencing difficulty because dhikr enlivens the hearts. Many times when we slack in our worship, life seem to get harder, so look to your prayer and your recitation of the Qur’an and you may find the answer to your problems.

• Repent from your sins if you are faced with a calamity because you never know if this calamity you’re facing is a result of your sins. One of the salaf said, “I disobey Allah to find its effect in the way my animal behaves and my wife [treats me].” Ibn Zayd said, “Sins overcome the hearts until no good can get through to them.”

• The believer is always in a win-win situation. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “The affair of the believer is amazing! The whole of his life is beneficial, and that is only in the case of the believer. When good times come to him, he is thankful and it is good for him, and when bad times befall him, he is patient and it is also good for him.” [Muslim]

• Allah purifies you when you experience these emotions or pain. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” [Bukhari]

• The traits mentioned in the first supplication all point to weakness, so we should make this supplication and also work on ourselves to remove them from our character. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone.” [Muslim]

• Do not say “if” when a calamity befalls you or you did something that you’ve come to regret. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don’t say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your ‘if’ opens the (gate) for Shaytan.” [Muslim]

• Complain only to Allah. Many of us turn to venting or complaining to others when we are faced with a hardship, but when we look in the Qur’an, we see that the believers complain only to Allah. Ya’qub (alayhi salaam) says to his sons when they bring the news that his son was accused of stealing, “So patience is most fitting (for me).” (12:83) But then in the next ayah, Allah describes that he turned away from them and said privately, “Alas, my grief for Yusuf!” And he lost his sight because of the sorrow that he was suppressing.” (12:84) Ya’qub (alayhi salaam) did not say this in front of his family, but it was between himself and Allah. Allah says that he was “suppressing” (in Arabic: kadheem) and this means when someone holds their breath back to control their tears and their agony. It is to the point that they have trouble breathing because they cried so much. He was full of grief but he was not wailing and crying out loud, but rather holding back his anger. When his sons saw how much distress this news has caused him, they said to him, “By Allah! You will never cease remembering Yusuf until you become weak with old age, or until you be of the dead.” (12:85) Then during the height of this anxiety he says, “I only complain of my suffering and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not.” (12:86) SubhanAllah! It is okay to feel these emotions, and people may see that you are distressed, but turn to Allah and complain to Him Alone.

• We are bound to be tested and pushed to our limits, each of us to our own level. When Maryam was delivering her son all alone, she said, “Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!” (19:23) The tafseer mentions that Maryam (alayha salaam) was not only in physical pain and solitude, but also experiencing the pain of ostracism and isolation that occurs when you are telling the truth but no one believes you. She spoke these words at a time when she had already been given the good news of being chosen above all women and that her son would be a Prophet of Allah. This reminds us that even the best people, whom Allah has clearly chosen, are still human. Everyone’s patience and steadfastness is pushed to the limit at one time or another. Everyone reaches a point where they contemplate just giving up, but that doesn’t mean that it’s all over. You must always put your trust in Allah and keep going. Remember, these are words said by Maryam, the best woman to walk on the earth! This shows us that being patient doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t ever become overwhelmed, or won’t ever complain, but patience is when you do get overwhelmed and still keep going, and only complain to Allah. (12:85) Sabr does not mean that you are happy with the decree of Allah, but sabr means that you accept the decree of Allah even if you don’t understand it.

• Have good hopes and thoughts of Allah - acknowledge it wholeheartedly that He only sends what is good for you. The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) reported in a hadeeth qudsi that Allah (azza wa jal) said, “I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than them; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.” [Bukhari]

• Surely, Allah is the Best of Planners, so find relief that you do not have to decide on your own but rather The One who knows what is in the heavens and earth is the One who Plans your affairs. Think back to those times when you thought one thing was good for you but Allah did not will it for you - remember the sadness you felt - and then later you realized how perfect that plan was for you. In the second duaa, it is as if we are saying to Allah, “O Allah, I know whatever You plan for me is good for me, so please guide me to the best, even if I do not perceive it as so.”

• “And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?” (15:56) Never, ever, dear believer, lose hope in the Mercy of Allah. After Ya’qub (alayhi salaam) tells his sons that he only complains to Allah, he says in the next ayah, “And never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allah’s Mercy except the people who disbelieve.” (12:87) Only the disbelievers despair in the Mercy of Allah because they are not aware of His Wisdom, His Knowledge, His Most Beautiful Names and Attributes, and that His Mercy extends to all things.

• Things are not always as they seem. The mother of Musa was told to throw her son in the river; Yusuf was left for dead in a well; Maryam delivered a child alone; Yunus was swallowed by a whale; Ibrahim was thrown in the fire; A’ishah was slandered throughout the city; and Umm Salamah thought no one could be better than Abu Salamah… Yet look at how it turned out for them in the end. So don’t worry, Allah has a plan for you.

Extra Reading:

The Reality of Faith - Shaykh Salih Al Munajjid

Increasing Eemaan - Shaykh ibn Baaz

Weakness of Faith - Shaykh Salih al Munajjid (e-book)

Beneficial answers from IslamQA on anxiety and depression.

Please share your cures for weak emaan in the comments!

And Allah knows best. We ask Him to guide us through all of our affairs.

Do the companions of Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) think that they can keep him to themselves? No, by Allah, we will surely race with them for him, until they know that they left behind men.

The famous tabi’i, Abu Muslim Al Khawalani rahimahullah

]]> http://www.tayyibaat.com/2010/02/07/racing-for-the-prophet/feed/ http://www.tayyibaat.com/2010/02/07/and-how-excellent-these-companions-are/ http://www.tayyibaat.com/2010/02/07/and-how-excellent-these-companions-are/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:04:03 +0000 Amatullah http://www.tayyibaat.com/?p=1888 Bismillah

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam once came upon his companion named Thawban (radi Allahu anhu) and noticed that he looked sad so he said to him, “O Thawban, what has changed your appearance?” Thawban replied, “O Messenger of Allah, I do not have any sickness or any pain except that I feel discomfort when I do not see you, so I seclude myself completely until I meet you. Then I remembered the hereafter and and was afraid that I would not see you there. I know that you will be with the Prophets, and if I enter Jannah, I will be in a level lower than yours. But if I do not enter Jannah, then I will never see you again.”

So Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala revealed,

“And whoever obey Allah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!” (4:69)

-Narrated by Ibn ‘Asaakir, Authenticated by Shaykh Albani.

Lessons from this Narration:

• The eagerness and love of the Companions to see and be in the company of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. They loved him so much so that when they would not see him, their sadness would be apparent in their appearance and would affect health.
• The care of their teacher and friend sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, he noticed the sadness of Thawban and asked him about it.
• The Companions consistently thought about the hereafter and their end. They did not assume they would enter Jannah because the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was in their midst.
• The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam only spoke when he knew the answer or after Allah sent revelation to him. Here we see that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam did not respond to Thawban, but rather Allah azza wa jal above the heavens responded to His Servant.
• The Mercy, Generosity and Kindness of our Rabb. Allah takes care of His believing servants in this life and in the next and He takes care of their affairs. How can anyone despair when their Rabb is Ar-Raheem?
• The reminder for the believer to be humble. Our deeds will not take us to Jannah, rather we will only succeed with the Mercy of Allah.
• An ease for the believers. We will never be like the Prophets, but by obeying Allah and His Messenger, we can be in their company bi’ithnillah.
• This hadeeth is a bushraa (good news) for you and me: we’ve lost our chance to be with the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam in his lifetime, but Allah ta’ala has given us an opportunity to be with him eternally. Strive for this opportunity.

May Allah ta’ala forgive our sins and grant us this excellent companionship in the hereafter.

In surah Tahreem, Allah azza wa jal says about the wives of Lut and Nuh:

“and it was said: “Enter the Fire along with those who enter!” (66:12)

We notice here that Allah ta’ala used the passive form in “qeela”, “it was said” (the doer is not mentioned).

Allah ta’ala says in this same ayah,

“They were under two of our righteous servants.” (66:12)

Some scholars of tafseer state that the passive form is used to show that although these two women were honored in the Dunya with being the wives of Prophets, in the aakhirah this not will not save them from the punishment of the Fire. They will not be given any special treatment in the aakhirah because of the status they held in the Dunya. Their righteous husbands will not be able to save them because they disobeyed Allah. Their status will not avail them in the least, because in the hereafter, we are only judged by our deeds. So it will be said to them both, enter the Fire, just like it will be said to every other dweller of the Fire.

Imam Qurtubi says,

The Most High sets this parable as a clarification and warning that no one will benefit from family or lineage when they are separated by the Deen. Lut and Nuh cannot protect their wives, even with the honor that Allah bestowed upon them (Prophethood and Islam), they will not be saved from the punishment of Allah.

Tafseer Qurtubi 201/18

In our society today we see how the status and family of a person can protect them for receiving retribution for the crimes they commit. The people are deluded by their fame and fortune, so they are not brought to account, they are preferred over regular people and given things that most do not have. In this life, they may be able to get away with their wrongdoings because money can buy a way out, but in the aakhirah - where the currency is good deeds - their wealth and family will not help them in any way and they will not be preferred over anyone else because of their status. This is a lesson and reminder for us all: in the hereafter we will only be judged according to our deeds, so look to your deeds and see what you have prepared.

We ask Allah to save us from the punishment and humiliation of the Fire.

His Hands are stretched and the angel waits …for you to repent! Turn back to At-Tawwaab: the One who consistently accepts repentance AND doesn’t tire of accepting it AND accepts repentence each time His slave repents.

Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Allah, the Exalted, will continue to stretch out His Hand in the night so that the sinners of the day may repent, and continue to stretch His Hand in the daytime so that the sinners of the night may repent, until the sun rises from the west”. [Muslim]

Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “The angel of the left raises [and holds] his pen for six hours from the Muslim servant of Allah who has wronged or committed a mistake. So if he regrets and seeks Allah’s forgiveness from it he returns it back, and if that is not the case then it is written as one.” [Mu'jam al Kabeer, Hasan according to Albani]

Usually we think that repenting immediately after committing a sin is like being a hypocrite or that it is not a sincere repentance but rather this is a trick from Shaytan to make us despair in the Mercy of Allah. Look at the description that Allah gives to the people of Jannah:

“Those who when they commit a sin or wrong themselves remember Allah right away and ask for forgiveness for their sins - and none can forgive sins but Allah - and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.” (3:135)

Do not think that your sins are too great or too many for Allah to forgive! Allah calls those who despair and lose hope in His Mercy disbelievers. Rather, repent immediately if you happen to fall into a sin and there you will find the Mercy of Allah before you. Remember that every son of Adam is a sinner, but the best of the sinners are those who repent. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Allah turns with mercy to him who turns to Him in repentance”. [Bukhari and Muslim] The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam also promised Tooba for the one who seeks forgiveness much. So, what are you waiting for?

For more beautiful resources on repentance:

-From the Duaa series: two supplications for seeking Allah’s Forgiveness

-Read the chapter from Riyad as-Saliheen.

-Read the difference between istighfar and tawbah here.

-Read the article on Repentance by Shaykh ibn al Uthaymeen.

-Read the article: “I Would Like to Repent, But!..” by Shaykh Salih al Munajjid

May Allah, at-Tawwaab, accept our forgiveness and make us among His true believers who constantly and immediately turn to Him in repentance. Ameen.

Taken from MuslimMatters.org

The following is a message from brother Ahmed ibn Ambroise; a Muslim based in Haiti. JazakAllah khair to brother Tariq, President of SOAS Islamic Society, for sharing it with us.

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Ya Ikhwani! We are in need of your assistance. Our country has been hit by an act of nature that has left our people with countless deaths, homeless, without water, food, blood and medication.

All of our hospitals have crumbled, we have piles of people in the streets dead. Some people have had to have their limbs removed without aesthetics. Makeshift hospitals are being made with tents but there are not enough doctors or medication for the amount of injured.

The smell of dead bodies has risen in the entire city, the people have become desperate of the situation.

There are still people who are under the rumble and cannot be reached.

My brother Didier Ambroise is missing and we have not been able to find him. My Uncle Roblain Legagneur and my cousin Namu Corvington and his wife died buried under their house.

Brother Ibrahim Abdoul Salam’s house was destroyed and his cousin died.

Also brother Abou Bakr’s house was crumbled and his sister died.

Many brothers and sisters are unaccounted for. We do not know if they are alive or dead. May Allah give ease to them in whatever state they may be. Amin.

Houses have been destroyed, stores, buildings, it is a complete nightmare. A children hospital was destroyed and thousands of children have died.

All the masjids are still standing and the brothers and sisters are using them as shelters for those in need. The little available is being shared.

Unfortunately all the churches have been destroyed and over 100 priest have died.

There are wails in every corner of the city. It’s just a real living nightmare. They’ve had to do massive burials and have started to do massive cremations and more bodies are being discovered.

We ask you please for your du’as to Allah, subhanahu wa ta ala, to alleviate us from this tragedy. And if you can help us in any way, with food, water, medication or whatever it may be. Please, please, please do so.

May Allah keep you all under His shade and move your hearts to extend your hands to your brothers and sisters and our people who are in need.

Barak’Allah fikum!

Ma’asalaama!

Donate now to Islamic Relief’s Earthquake Appeal via the US site, UK site, Canadian site, or the International portal.

I received this in an email and since I benefited from it, I wanted to share it with others:

Advice from Shaykh Hasan Abdul-Wahhab Al Banna

As I entered the masjid for our class with our Shaykh Hasan Abdul-Wahhaab Marzouq Al-Banaa, may Allah preserve him, I saw him praying. After I offered my prayer of greeting the masjid, I greeted the Shaykh, and kissed his head. We talked about how each of us spent our Eid and the conditions of our families. After this the Shaykh began to drink his tea, which was prepared for him. I asked the Shaykh, how does one become a strong student, treading the path of seeking knowledge?

The Shaykh replied, Patience (Sabr). He said this 3 times. He said patience with Allah, in good and bad times. Patience with yourself, patience with ease and with hardships. Patience with your family and friends. Patience with knowledge. Patience with the Qur’aan. Patience with learning the arabic language. I thanked the Shaykh and returned to my place of sitting.

After a short while, the Shaykh motioned to me to come to him. He told me, not to waste time. He told me to guard my time from the time wasters. He told me not to waste my time with that which wont bring about any benefit. Guard your time against your desires. Give knowledge all of your time. Tire yourself with seeking knowledge. Do not become distracted by those who want to take your knowledge. Once again I thanked the Shaykh and returned to my place of sitting.

After a short period, the Shaykh motioned to me again to come to him. He told me to engulf yourself in reading the Qur’aan. He said to read the Qur’aan in abundance. Over and over and over. He said to read the Qur’aan when you wake from your sleep, read the Qur’aan before you go to bed. The more you read the Qur’aan, the better you will become in the arabic language. So constantly read the Qur’aan.

He also told me to listen to the tapes of the Ulemaa (major scholars), from the likes of Shaykh Al-Albaanee, Shaykh Al-Uthaymeen, Shaykh Ibn Baaz, and Shaykh Saalih Aali Shaykh.

Later on the Shaykh was asked about the Rights of the Qur’aan. Is it to read it or to memorize it?

He, the Shaykh, may Allah preserve him said, one should read the Qur’aan. The Qur’aan is to be read. To memorize it is good. But if it cant be memorized, so read it. Read it in your prayer, before you sleep, when you wake. Before prayer and after prayer. Always have a mushaf (copy of the Qur’aan) near you, everywhere. In Shaa Allah.

Abu Sulayman

In the beginning of surah Yaseen, Allah ta’ala says:

تَنْزِيلَ الْعَزِيزِ الرَّحِيمِ

(This Qur’an) is a revelation from the All-Mighty, the Especially Merciful. (36:5)

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala begins this surah with an oath on the Qur’an that is Hakeem, and then declaring the Prophethood and guidance of the Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

Allah ta’ala describes this Book as Tanzeel, a revelation. Tanzeel is not just one that is sent down, but tanzeel is gradual revelation that is sent down according to its need.

This Tanzeel is from Al-’Azeez, The Always All Mighty, and Ar-Raheem, The Especially Merciful. Al ‘Azeez the One who is Great, Mighty and Powerful. Ar Raheem the One who is Very Merciful.  Isn’t it amazing that these two Names of Allah have been mentioned here? Is there any human being who can encompass both of these qualities simultaneously? No, right? Either they are ‘azeez (powerful and mighty) or they are raheem (merciful), and for Allah is the Highest Example. We see how important these two Characteristics of Allah are, how much Power and Mercy He has, azza wa jal.

He is ‘Azeez, no one has the power to change His Decree, but at the same time, He is Raheem, He did not just create, leaving His creatures to fend for themselves, but He ta’ala nurtured us, sent us blessing after blessing, sent us guidance and taught us how to be successful in the hereafter.

Why are these two seemingly opposite Names mentioned together when introducing the Qur’an and the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam? The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was a basheer (giver of glad tidings) as well as a natheer (one who warns). This Qur’an mentions hellfire and right afterwards mentions Jannah. The combination of these two Names of Allah shows balance; if you go towards Allah’s obedience, He is Raheem, but if you choose to disobey, you cannot run away or hide from Him, He is ‘Azeez.

We ask Allah ta’ala to have mercy upon us, guide us upon the straight path and make us companions of the Qur’an, Ameen.