nurun alaa nur April 8, 2011

 

 

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things.

 

 

[Such niches are] in mosques which Allah has ordered to be raised and that His name be mentioned therein; exalting Him within them in the morning and the evenings

 

 

[Are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah and performance of prayer and giving of zakah. They fear a Day in which the hearts and eyes will [fearfully] turn about -

Last Two Verses of Surah Baqarah April 2, 2011

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Concerning Allah’s Words:

The Apostle believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His apostles. “We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His apostles.” And they say: “We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys.”

On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray: ) “Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith.”

Ibn Katheer wrote: Some of the ahadith narrated concerning the Excellence of these two Verses with which Allah (SWT) Hasb blessed us.

1. It is reported on the authority of Ibn Mas’ud from Rasoolillah (SAW) that he said: “Whoever recited the last two verses of suratul baqarah at night, they will be sufficient for him.” [Bukhari]

2. It is reported on the authority of Abu Dharr that he said: “Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said”: “I was given the final verses of Surath Al-Baqarah from a treasure trove beneath the Throne; no Prophet before me was given them.” (Ahmad)

3. On the authority of ‘Abdullah, it is reported that: “When Allah’s Messenger (SAW) was taken on a nocturnal journey (to the seven heavens), he arrived at Sidrat al-Muntaha- a tree in the seventh Heaven and it is at the entrance to the seventh. All things which ascend from the earth stop and are held there as do all things which descend from above (It is with regard to this that).

Allah (SWT) said: “Behold! the Lote tree was shrouded with that which shrouds.” (Qur’an 53: 16) He (the narrator) said: “It (that which shrouded the tree) was (a covering of) golden butterflies.” He further added: “The Messenger of Allah (SAW) was given three things: He was given five prayers, he was given the concluding verses of Surat Al-Baqarah and forgiveness of sins for those (of his community) who do not associate partners with Allah (SWT).” (Muslim)

4. It is reported from ‘Uqbah Ibn ‘Amir Al-Juhani (RA) that he said that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “Recite the last two verses from Surat Al-Baqarah, for I was given them from a treasure trove beneath the Throne” (Ahmad)

5. It is reported on the authority of Hudhaifah that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “We have been favoured over the rest of mankind with three things: I was given these verses from the end of Surat Al- Baqarah from a house of treasure located beneath the Throne: None before me has been given them, and they will not be given to anyone after me.” (Narrated by Ibn Mardawaih)

6. It is reported on the authority of ‘Ali (RA) that he said: “I do not consider it fitting for anyone who has understood Islam to sleep (at night) until he has recited AyatAl- Kursi-and the ending of Surat Al-Baqarah, for they are a gift to your Prophet (SAW) from the treasure which lies beneath the Throne.” (Narrated by Ibn Mardawaih)

7. It is reported on the authority of An-Nu’man Ibn Basheer from the Prophet (SAW) that he said: “Verily, Allah (SWT) wrote something two thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, then He (SWT) sent down from it two verses with which He (SWT) sealed (ended) Surat Al-Baqarah (the cow), and if they are not recited in any house for three nights, Satan approaches it.”
(Al-Hakim narrated it thus, and declared it authentic in accordance with the conditions of acceptance applied by Muslim)

8. It is reported from Sa’eed and Ibn ‘Abbas that they said that the Messenger of Allah SAW used to laugh when he read the last verses of Surat Al Baqarah and Ayat Al- Kursi and he would say: “Verily, they are both from the treasure of Allah (SWT), which lies beneath the Throne.” And when he recited: “Whoever does evil will be recompensed accordingly.” (Qur’an 4: 123)

And: (And that man will have nothing except what he strives for and that [the fruit of] his striving will be seen, then will he be rewarded with a reward complete.) (Qur’an 53: 39-41), then he would sit back, at ease.” (Narrated by Ibn Mardawaih)

9. It is reported from M’aqal Ibn Yasar that he said: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “I was given Fatihat al Kitab and the closing (verses) of Surat Al-Baqarah from beneath the Throne…” (Narrated by Ibn Mardawaih)

10. It is reported on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas that when Jibreel was sitting with the Prophet (SAW) he heard the sound of a door opening above and he raised his eyes to the heavens and said: “This is a door which has opened in the heavens which has never been opened before.” And an angel descended from it and came to the Prophet (SAW), and said: “I bring you the good tidings of two Lights which have been given to you and no Prophet before you has ever received them: Fatihat al Kitaba and the final verses of Surat Al-Baqarah; you shall not recite a single letter from them except that it (the reward of the recitation) Will be given to you.” (Narrated by Ibn Abi Laila)

“The Messenger of Allah believes in what has been revealed to him from his Rabb) Allah (SWT) informs us that the Prophet (SAW) has believed in the Revelation given to him from his Rabb. Ibn Jareer reports, on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik (RA), that he said: “When this verse was revealed to the Prophet (SAW), he said-”It is his right that he should believe.” (Narrated by Al-Hakim who said that its chain of transmission is authentic)

As do the Believers) Allah (SWT) has mentioned the Believers along with the Messenger of Allah ( Then He (SWT) says: (Each one of them believes in His angels, His Books and His Messengers. [They say:] ‘We make no distinction between one and another of His Messengers’) The Believers believe sincerely that Allah (SWT) is One (Indivisible), Alone, the Eternal, and that none has the right to be worshipped but He and that there is no Rabb but He (SWT) ; and they believe in all of the Prophets and Messengers, and all of the Books which were sent down from the heaven to the Messengers and Prophets from amongst the slaves of Allah (SWT) ; and they do not differentiate between them accepting some while rejecting others-rather they believe that all of them are truthful, pious, noble, Rightly-guided and Guides to the Path of Goodness, even though the Law brought by some of them abrogates that of others, by Allah’s permission, until He (SWT) abrogated all of them with the Law given to Muhammad (SAW), the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, upon whose Law the Hour (the Day of Judgement) will come – and there will remain a group from amongst his Ummah clearly upon that Law.

“And they say: “We hear and obey.”” That is, “We hear your Words, 0 our Rabb! And we have understood them and we have acted upon them.”

“[We seek] Your forgiveness, 0 our Rabb.” This is a request for forgiveness, mercy and kindness. It is reported from Ibn ‘Abbas that when the Believer recites these verses, up to the Words: ([We seek] Your forgiveness, 0 our Rabb) Allah says: “You are forgiven.” (Narrated by Ibn Abi Hatim)

“And to You is the end of all journeys.” That is, the return and the final destination on the Day of Reckoning. It is also reported on the authority of Jabir (RA) that when these verses were revealed, Jibreel said: “Verily, Allah (SWT) has heaped praise upon you [O Muhammad] and upon your Ummah, so ask and it shall be given. So he asked that: (OnThe Hour: The Day of Judgement no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear… ) to the end of the verse.” And His Words: (On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear) means that Allah does not burden anyone with what is beyond his capacity to perform, and this is from His Kindness towards His creatures and His Goodness and Compassion. And this is an abrogation of the Words of Allah (SWT) from which the Companions were in fear:

“And whether you disclose what is in your own selves or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it” (Qur’an 2: 284) That is, He will call to account and He (SWT) will ask, but a person will not be punished concerning those things over which he had no power, such as the whispering of oneself and one’s speech to oneself, for this Allah (SWT) will not hold mankind accountable. And to abhor the evil whispering is a part of Faith.

“it gets everything that it earns” That is, every good.

“And upon it is everything that it reaps” That is, it will receive the recompense for its evil deeds; and this is in those deeds, which are amongst those over which he had control.

“Our Rabb Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error.” That is, should we neglect any obligation due to forgetfulness, or commit sins for the same reason, or make a mistake due to ignorance of Islamic Law.

It has been authentically reported by Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurairah (RA) that when the slave says these words, Allah (SWT) replies “Yes” (i.e. your prayer is answered). And according to the hadith of Ibn ‘Abbas, Allah (SWT) says: “I have already done so.” It is reported from Ibn’Abbas (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said:

“Verily, Allah (SWT) has forgiven my Ummah for their (unintentional) mistakes and their forgetfulness and that which they do under duress.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah)

“Our Rabb Lay not on us a burden like that which You laid on those before us.” That is, do not burden us with the obligation of deeds which we may find difficult to perform and cannot bear as You made obligatory for the nations before us.

It is reported by Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurairah, (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Allah (SWT) said: “Yes.” and from ibn ‘Abbas, that Allah (SWT) said; “I have already done so.” (Muslim)

“Our Rabb! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear.” That is, hardship, calamities, and trials-do not try us with those things which are beyond our capacity to withstand.

Ibn Abi- Hatim reports that Allah (SWT) says: “Yes” and in the other (above-mentioned) hadith: “I have already done so.” (Pardon us) That is, for that which is between us and You, which You know about from our omissions and our lapses.

“And grant us forgiveness.” That is for that which is between us and Your slaves, and do not let them know our faults and our evil deeds.

“Have mercy on us” That is, in the future, and do not let us fall into other sins. This is why it is said that the sinner requires three things:

1. That Allah (SWT) pardons him for that which is between him and his Rabb.
2. That He (SWT) hides from His slaves that which is between him and them.
3. That He (SWT) protects him from falling into other like sins. And it has been reported that when the slave makes this appeal, Allah (SWT) says: “Yes” and “I have already done so.”

“You are our Protector.” That is, You are our Protector and our Helper, and upon You we depend, and You are the One Who is asked and You we rely upon, and there is no power and no movement except through You.

“Grant us victory over the unbelievers” That is, those who reject Your Religion (Islam) and disbelieve in Your Oneness and the Message of Your Prophet (SAW), worship others instead of You and assign partners to you from amongst Your slaves. Give us victory over them and let the end result be in our favour against them-in this world and in the Hereafter. And in the aforementioned two hadith, it is said that when the Believer says these words, Allah (SWT) says: “Yes,” and “I have already done so.”

Ibn Jareer reports, on the authority of Mu’adh, that whenever he completed the recitation of this Surah, he would say: “Ameen!” (Oh Allah answer my supplication)

 

April 2, 2011

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/15306487″>Sheikh Hacene Chebbani on the excellence of Dhikr</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user2579037″>AlKauthar</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>

 

missing laylat al-qadr and ramadhan March 6, 2011

Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.

And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?

The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.

The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.

Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.

 

 

It was said to him, Enter Jannah December 3, 2010

September 20, 2010

I once sat with a very old man at a public gathering. Most of those present were people with the usual skills and abilities. The old man was busy speaking to whoever was sitting next to him. He did not stand out in the for any reason, except by virtue of his old age.

I delivered a lecture and during it mentioned a verdict given by the eminent Shaykh ‘Abd al-’Aziz bin Baz. When I finished, the old man said to me with pride, “Shaykh bin Baz and I were colleagues. We used to study together in a mosque under Shaykh Muhammad bin Ibrahim, about forty years ago.”

I turned around to look at him and noticed that he seemed very happy to share this information with me. He was delighted to have accompanied a successful man once in his life. I said to myself, “Poor man! Why did you not become as successful as bin Baz? If you knew the way to success, why did you not pursue it? Why is that when bin Baz passes away, people cry for him from the pulpits, mihrabs, and institutes, and various nations grieve over the loss; yet, when your death comes, perhaps, nobody would shed a single tear, except out of kindness or custom!”

We all may say at sometime or another, “We knew so-and-so and we sat with so-and-so.” But this is nothing to be proud of. What one can be proud of is to scale the peak as they did.

SubhanAllaah! How true is this statement! Is this not something to ponder over?! If Allaah SWT Blesses us by allowing us to be able to sit and become friends with those who are successful, it is not just something for us to be proud of. Rather, this is a test from Allaah SWT which will be a witness against us on the Day of Accounting. Most, if not all of us, have at some point in our lives known or accompanied those who are successful either in terms of their superior character, constant worship of Allaah SWT, greater knowledge in the Islamic sciences, achievement in academics and career, etc. We take this as something to be proud of, bragging every now and then that I know so-and-so or I have met so-and-so or so-and-so is a distant relative of mine, but wAllaahi none of this will truly benefit us until we learn something from these individuals and act upon what we learn in order that we may become even more successful in the sight of Allaah SWT and increase our ranks in Jannah insha’Allaah.

Truly All Blessings are from Allaah SWT Alone, and were it not for His Mercy and Guidance we would all be lost right now.
May Allaah SWT make us of those who pursue excellence in all good that we do, and May He make us of those who are successful in this life and in the Hereafter.
Ameen.

The Paradox of Our Time June 30, 2010

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life; we’ve added years to life, not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space; we’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less; we plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait; we have higher incomes, but lower morals; we have more food, but less appeasement; we build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; we’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology has brought this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference, or to just hit delete…

By Dr. Bob Moorehead
(NOT written by George Carlin)

June 26, 2010

Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Shall I tell you who is unlawful for the Fire – or the one for whom the Fire is unlawful? It is unlawful for everyone who is easy, flexible, modest and uncomplicated.” [at-Tirmidhi]

June 26, 2010

And there is nothing more harmful to the servant than to become bored of the blessings of Allah, because he does not see it as a blessing, and he does not thank Allah for it, and does not become happy because of it. Rather, he belittles it, complains about it and considers it to be a disaster – all this while it can well be from the greatest of Allah’s blessings upon him.

Ibn al-Qayyim

Luhaidan Recitation June 9, 2010

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

Tafsir al-Jalalayn

A group of followers of the Prophet (s) asked him, ‘Is our Lord nearby so that we should talk to Him secretly, or is He far away, so that we should call out to him?’, and the following was revealed: And when My servants question you concerning Me — I am near, to them in My knowledge, and he informed them of this; I answer the call of the caller, by granting him his request, when he calls to Me; so let them respond to Me, My call to them to be obedient, and let them believe, [let them] persevere in faith, in Me that they might go aright, [that] they [might] become guided.