Observance to Allah

Are you among those who keep observance to Alla (Fear him)

All praise be to Allah Almighty, the Oft Giver, in Whose hands are the treasures of things; and peace and blessings of Allah be upon the best of Prophets and upon his family and pious companions.

My Muslim brother, Allah has created people and He knows what they conceal and what they reveal, and knows their conditions wherever they are.

{Whatever you (O Muhammad SAW) may be doing, and whatever portion you may be reciting from the Quran, - and whatever deed you (mankind) may be doing (good or evil), We are Witness thereof, when you are doing it. And nothing is hidden from your Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom (or small ant) on the earth or in the heaven. Not what is less than that or what is greater than that but is (written) in a Clear Record.} [Surat Yûnus 10:61]

{وَمَا تَكُونُ في شَأْنٍ عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُوداً إذْ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِ وَمَا يَعْرُبُ عَن رَّبِّكَ مِن مِّثْقَالِ ذَرَّة فِي الأَرْضِ وِلا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَلا أَصْغَرَ مِن ذَلِكَ وَلا أَكْبَرَ إِلاَّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِين} يونس: 61

Transliteration: Wama takoonu fee shanin wama tatloo minhu min quranin wala taAAmaloona min AAamalin illa kunna AAalaykum shuhoodan ith tufeedoona feehi wama yaAAzubu AAan rabbika min mithqali tharratin fee alardi wala fee alssamai wala asghara min thalika wala akbara illa fee kitabin mubeenun

{They may hide (their crimes) from men, but they cannot hide (them) from Allah, for He is with them (by His Knowledge), when they plot by night in words that He does not approve, And Allah ever encompasses what they do.} [Surat An-Nisâ' 4:108]

{يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَلا يَسْتَخْفُونَ مِنَ اللهِ وَهُوَ مَعَهُمْ إِذْ يُبِينُونَ مَا لا يَرْضَى مِنَ القَولِ وَكَانَ اللهُ بِمَّا يَعْلَمُونَ مُحِيطاً} النساء: 108

Transliteration: Yastakhfoona mina alnnasi wala yastakhfoona mina Allahi wahuwa maAAahum ith yubayyitoona ma la yarda mina alqawli wakana Allahu bima yaAAmaloona muheetan

{Have you not seen that Allah knows whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth? There is no Najwa (secret counsel) of three, but He is their fourth (with His Knowledge, while He Himself is over the Throne, over the seventh heaven), nor of five but He is their sixth (with His Knowledge), not of less than that or more, but He is with them (with His Knowledge) wheresoever they may be; and afterwards on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of what they did. Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of everything.} [Surat Al-Mujaadila 58:7]

{أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأرْضِ مَا يَكُونُ مِن نَّجْوَى ثَلاثَةٍ إلاَّ هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ وَلا خَمْسَةٍ إِلاَّ هُوَ سَادِسُهُمْ وَلا أَدْنَى مِن ذَلِكَ وَلا أَكْثَرَ إِلاَّ هُوَ مَعَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كَانُوا ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئهُم بِمَا عَمِلُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّ اللهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمُ} المجادلة: 7

Transliteration: Alam tara anna Allaha yaAAlamu ma fee alssamawati wama fee alardi ma yakoonu min najwa thalathatin illa huwa rabiAAuhum wala khamsatin illa huwa sadisuhum wala adna min thalika wala akthara illa huwa maAAahum ayna ma kanoo thumma yunabbiohum bima AAamiloo yawma alqiyamati inna Allaha bikulli shayin AAaleemun

My Muslim brother, to feel that you keep observance to Allah is one of the great meanings of faith, by which a servant is promoted to the rank of Al-Ihsân (i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allâh, totally for Allâh's sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet (peace be upon him in a perfect manner).

Observance is that essential part of righteous deeds, at which the righteous believers and those who know Allah halt meditating and commending.

It is the adornments of deeds, and the maximum truth in words and actions.

Do you know what does observance to Allah mean?

Ibn al-Mubarak, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Keep observance to Allah Almighty." When a man asked him about its interpretation, he said: "Be always as if you are seeing Allah Glorified and Exalted."

Ibrahim al-Khawâs, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Observance means to devote all that you conceal and reveal to Allah Almighty."

Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Observance means that a slave of Allah is always aware and certain that Allah the True Almighty is ever knowing his inward and outward."

It is said: "Observance means that heart should regard Allah the True in every step or idea."

O Muslim brother! This is observance as defined by the knowing scholars. Its meaning is understandable by the heart, but few are the hearts that understand it and act accordingly.

To remember the divine observance is an indication of success. If a servant is guided to it, then this is a sign of his prosperity and happiness.

The knowing has divided observance into various ranks, the following is the division of Al-Hâfiz ibn Rajab – may Allah have mercy on him – who divided observance into two ranks.

Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy on him, said: the first one is the rank of sincerity in which a slave of Allah brings to his mind that Allah is viewing him, and that He is close to him. If the slave of Allah remembers this in his actions, and works accordingly, in this case he is considered faithful to Allah, because remembering this in his work prevents him from paying attention to other than Allah and His will in his actions. The second rank is that of seeing (witnessing) Allah; that is the slave of Allah is to act as if he sees Allah by his heart. It is that the heart is illuminated by faith and the slave of Allah gains knowledge through his endowed insight, so that the unseen is just like the seen. And this is the truth about Al-Ihsân, to which it is referred in the Hadith of Jibrîl (Gabriel), peace be upon him. The people of this place vary according to the power of their insight."

O Muslim Brother, have you questioned yourself one day wondering: where is it from the observance of Allah Almighty? A little are those who face themselves with this question and hold themselves accountable in their retreat!

The majority has forgotten about reckoning and gave themselves what they wish without being hard on holding them accountable.

What do you think if you were told: You are under the observance of the Governor, what would be your condition?

There is no doubt that you will take precautions for yourself, and will keep away from any action that may be a reason for holding you accountable.

Nevertheless, many people know well that they are observed by He Who knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden… Blessed and Exalted… However, they do not pay attention to this observance.

This ignorance is the case with many of those who do not feel the observance of Allah Almighty.

Because of the greatness of the rank of observance, Allah Almighty sent His trustworthy Angle Gabriel, peace be upon him, to His Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to remind him of the honorable state of that rank. In the long Hadith of Gabriel, peace be upon him, when he asked the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, about several issues, among them is this one: "O Messenger of Allah, "What is Al-Ihsan?" he replied: "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you." [Reported by Muslim]

»قال: فأخبرني عن الإحسان . قال: أن تعبد الله كأنك تراه . فإن لم تكن تراه ، فإنه يراك« رواه مسلم

Al-Hafiz ibn Rajab said: "This Hadith indicates that the slave worships Allah in this manner, by evoking His nearness and that he is before His hands as if he were seeing him, which leads one to fear, piety, respect and veneration."

O Muslim brother: That who watches Allah in his actions and words, is one of the people of al-Ihsan, they are those whom Allah Almighty has said about them: {For those who have done good is the best (reward, i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honour of glancing at the Countenance of Allah) Neither darkness nor dust nor any humiliating disgrace shall cover their faces. They are the dwellers of Paradise, they will abide therein forever.} [Surat Yûnus: 26]

{لِّلَّذيِينَ أَحْسَنُوا الحُسنَى وَزِيَادَةٌ وَلا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلاَ ذِلَّةٌ أُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ} يونس: 26

Transliteration: Lillatheena ahsanoo alhusna waziyadatun wala yarhaqu wujoohahum qatarun wala thillatun olaika ashabu aljannati hum feeha khalidoona

Al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab said: "It is proven in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, explained 'and even more' by seeing the face of Allah Almighty in Paradise, which is appropriate to make it the reward of the people of Al-Ihsan. Because Al-Ihsan means that the believer worships his Lord in this world on the basis of His presence and observation, as if he views Him by his heart in his worship, the reward of this is to see Allah by his own eyes in the Hereafter. "

O you, who are engaged in sinful activities in your solitude, know that you are observed by the One from Him there is not a secret of you will be hidden.
You who are engaged in sinful deeds in your solitude, have you forgotten the observance of the King of kings.

How many people are those who when they are alone they forget this Divine observance, and are tempted by the forbearance of Allah Almighty, they fall over sins and commit the prohibited.

Some of the knowing said: "Fear Allah and do not make Him the least of those who can see you."

Some of them said: "Fear Allah as much as due to His ability over you, and be ashamed of Him as much as due to His closeness to you."

Abu Suleiman Ad-Darani, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "He is a loser that one who shows his most righteous deeds to people while in his solitude he fights with his shameful deeds the One who is closer to him than his jugular vein."

O you, who are unaware of the watch of the King of kings!
You are in the possession of the One who is aware of your entire affair and nothing can hide you from Him.

It behooves that who has learned that he is observed by Allah Almighty to be really cautious and thoroughly ashamed of Him.

Ibn Aj-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Al-Haq (the True) Glorified and exalted, is much nearer to His servant than the jugular vein. However, He treats His slave as if He is invisible to, and remote from him. He commanded his slave to direct his intention, and raise his hands in supplication to Him. The ignorant hearts feel only His remoteness, therefore they fell committing in sins. Would they have realized that He is present and overseeing them, they would have abstained from committing sins. On the other hand, because they know His nearness, the observant feels His observance which prevents them from being lenient in performing deeds."

Muslim brother: The disease of many of the disobedient is their negligence of the observance of Allah Almighty. They forget that he sees them.

Ibn As-Sammak wonders about a man who has sound common sense and knows that Allah is watching him, and then if he is alone with the prohibited he commits them.

There is neither fear nor shame of Allah to prevent him.
This is the case with many of the fools who did not feel the greatness of Allah Almighty and His observance.

Sammak the preacher wrote to a brother of him: "I advise you to fear Allah, Whom you entrust your secrets to Him, and Who observes you when you are in public. Remember Allah in all your conditions day and night; fear Allah as much as due His nearness to you and his ability over you. And know that he watches you, and you cannot go out of His power to the power of any other one, nor could you go outside of His reign to any other reign. So your cautiousness and fear of Him should be great.”

O you, who committed sins when eyes were slumbering, know that there is an Eye, which never slumbers.
And you, who committed sins when night enshroud, learn that you are under the observation of the One who is aware of everything!

While 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, was travelling to Mecca, he stopped for rest in a place on the way. He saw a shepherd coming down a mountain. He said to him: "O Shepherd, sell me a sheep of this flock?

He said: "I am a slave".

'Umar said: "Tell your master that the wolf has eaten it."

The Shepherd said: "then where is Allah?"

'Umar wept. In the next day he bought this slave from his master and manumitted him.

He said to him: "this word had emancipated you in this world and I hope that it will emancipate you in the Hereafter!"

O Muslim Brother: If you meditate about this story you will find that observance to Allah almighty bears ripe fruits; such as the fear of Allah, truthfulness, faithfulness and honesty.

All of these sublime qualities can be found in those who are mindful of observation.

And they are rare qualities, as dear as the paucity of such attribute (the observance).

Imam Ash-Shafi'I, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "The best and rarest three things are generosity out of scarcity, piety in private, and the right word addressed to one who is a source of hope and fear."

Muslim brother: Observance to Allah is the greatest act of obedience and the noblest attribute, which characterize the believers.

Ibn 'Ata', may Allah have mercy on him, said: "The best acts of worship is the observance to Al-Haq at all times, "That who keeps observance to Allah throughout all his solitudes means that he is glorifying Allah, fearing from Him, sincere in his dealings with, and close to his Lord Glorified and Exalted."

So, always remember that you are observed from Allah, the King of kings, who knows the secret and the most concealed, so fear him wherever you are and wherever you go.

Abu Dhar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said to me: "Fear Allah wherever you are, follow the evil deed with a good deed, so that it would erase it and treat people with good morals". [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi and declared Hasan (good) by Al-Albani]

»اتق الله حيث ما كنت ، وأتبع السيئة الحسنة تمحها ، وخالق الناس بخلق حسن«رواه الترمذي وحسنه الألباني

The observant to Allah Almighty will gain the fruits of observation, the top of which in this worldly life is to attain the degree of Al-Ihsan; and in the Hereafter is to enter Paradise.

Observance to Allah Almighty is a sign of the perfection of faith:

Al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab said: "Generally speaking, the fear of Allah in private is a sign of the perfection of faith, and has a great effect, as Allah implants praise to this person in the hearts of the believers”

Observance to Allah is the adornment of hearts:

Sahl Ibn Abdullah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "no heart has been adorned with something better and more honorable than the knowledge of the slave of Allah that Allah witnesses him wherever he is."

Observance to Allah Almighty is an aid to lower the gaze:

Aj-Junayd, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked: "what can help me for lowering the gaze? He replied: "By knowing that the gaze of the Looker (Allah) to you is preceding your gaze to whomever being looked at."

Observance to Allah is a cause to win the protection of the shade of Allah, on the Day of Resurrection

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: “Allah will give shade, to seven, on the Day of Resurrection when there will be no shade but His", and he mentioned of them: “a man whom a beautiful woman of high rank seduces (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer by saying): ‘I fear Allah.’” [Agreed upon]

»سبعة يظلهم الله في ظله يوم لا ظل إلا ظله - وذكر منهم -ورجل طلبته امرأة ذات منصب وجمال ، فقال إني أخاف الله« متفق عليه

Dhul-Nûn, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked: how could a slave of Allah win Paradise? He said: "by five deeds: integrity without swerving, diligence without oversight, keeping observance to Allah in private and in public, waiting and preparedness for death, and to hold yourself accountable before you are being held accountable."

O Muslim brother, keep observance to Allah in your words and actions and in all what you have resolved to carry out. If Allah is satisfied with it go ahead in executing it, and desist carrying it out if Allah is not satisfied with, as the worthiest to keep observing His overseeing you is Allah Almighty.

If you, one day, become alone, do not say
I am lonely, rather say I have an observer.
Do not think that Allah oversights you for one hour,
nor those things you hide from Him are unseen.
Do not you see that today is the fastest to depart,
And that tomorrow is approaching fast to its expectant?

Mohamed Ibn Ali At-Tirmidhi said: "Make your observance to that Who does not lose sight of you, make your thanks to that Who does not cut off His blessings from you, and make your obedience to that Whom you cannot dispense with and you’re your subjugation to Him you cannot depart from his kingdom and power.

O Muslim brother, he who keeps observance to Allah Almighty in his entire affairs, Allah places his love in people's hearts and vice versa he who does not fear Allah Almighty, hearts would hate him.

Abu Ad-Darda', may Allah be pleased with him, said: "every one of you should beware that the hearts of the believers curse him while he is not aware, he commits acts of disobedience of Allah in private, so Allah places his hate in the hearts of the believers."

O Muslim! Make your solitudes as an opportunity to perform acts of worship, invoke your Lord, and remember His due merits. Remember that the righteous love the company of their Lord, exalted His remembrance. Therefore, no moment they spend much happier than the moments they pass in their solitudes confiding their supplications to their Creator and Divinity Almighty.

Habib Abu Mohamed had secluded in his house, saying: "whoever is not delighted with You, let him be deprived of delightedness, and whoever is not pleased with Your companion, let him feel no pleasure."

O Muslim! Therefore, keep observance to Allah in your private and public, your words and actions. Remember that Allah is always nearer to you than jugular vein.

And permanently hold yourself accountable; remembering the One from Him there is nothing hidden.

All praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon His Prophet, Muhammad, his family and companions.

From the Series of Reckoning by Azhari Ahmed Mahmoud

Kindness and Generosity

 

by Abû Bakr Jâbir al-Jaza'iry

Kindness and Generosity; Generosity is a characteristic of the Muslim, and kindness is his disposition. The Muslim should not be miserly and stingy, for these are two reprehensible traits whose presence spoils the soul and darkens the heart. The Muslim's faith and righteous deeds purify and radiate his heart, so being stingy and miserly negates the purity of the soul, and the light of the heart. So a Muslim is not miserly or stingy. Stinginess is a disease of the heart that no human being is safe from except for the Muslim, with his faith and righteous deeds, like Zakah and prayer, by which Allah will protect him from the evil of this disease, preparing him for success in this life and the Hereafter. Allah the Almighty says:



{ Verily, man was created very impatient; (19) Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; (20) And niggardly when good touches him; (21) Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) (22) Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); (23) And those in whose wealth there is a known right, (24) For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened);} [Al-Ma’aarij 70:19-25]

{إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا ﴿١٩﴾ إِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ جَزُوعًا ﴿٢٠﴾ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلْخَيْرُ مَنُوعًا ﴿٢١﴾ إِلَّا ٱلْمُصَلِّينَ ﴿٢٢﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ دَآئِمُونَ ﴿٢٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَّعْلُومٌ ﴿٢٤﴾ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ} المعارج: 19-25

Transliteration: Inna alinsana khuliqa halooAAan (19) Itha massahu alshsharru jazooAAan (20) Waitha massahu alkhayru manooAAan (21) Illa almusalleena (22) Allatheena hum AAala salatihim daimoona (23) Waallatheena fee amwalihim haqqun maAAloomun (24) Lilssaili waalmahroomi



Allah the Almighty says:



{Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them.} [At-Tawba 9:103]

{خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ} التوبة: 103

Tranlsiteration: Khuth min amwalihim sadaqatan tutahhiruhum watuzakkeehim biha wasalli AAalayhim



Allah the Almighty says:



{And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful.} [Al-Hashr 59:9]

{وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ} الحشر: 9

Transliteration: waman yooqa shuhha nafsihi faolaika humu almuflihoona



Since noble characteristics are acquired through different types of exercise and training, so the Muslim works to develop virtuous traits according to what the wise Shari'ah encourages and warns against. Nurturing generosity in his soul will keep his heart on the right track. Allah the Almighty says:



{And spend (in charity) of that with which We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says: "My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah (i.e. Zakat) of my wealth, and be among the righteous [i.e. perform Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)].} [Al-Munaafiqoon 63:10]

{وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَآ أَخَّرْتَنِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ} المنافقون: 10

Transliteration: Waanfiqoo min ma razaqnakum min qabli an yatiya ahadakumu almawtu fayaqoola rabbi lawla akhkhartanee ila ajalin qareebin faassaddaqa waakun mina alssaliheena



Allah the Almighty says:



{As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, (5) And believes in Al-Husna. (6) We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). (7) But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient. (8) And gives the lie to Al-Husna (see Verse No: 6 footnote); (9) We will make smooth for him the path for evil; (10) And what will his wealth benefit him when he goes down (in destruction).} [Al-Lail 92:5-11]

{فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ ﴿٥﴾ وَصَدَّقَ بِٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ﴿٦﴾ فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلْيُسْرَىٰ ﴿٧﴾ وَأَمَّا مَنۢ بَخِلَ وَٱسْتَغْنَىٰ ﴿٨﴾ وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ﴿٩﴾ فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلْعُسْرَىٰ ﴿١٠﴾ وَمَا يُغْنِى عَنْهُ مَالُهُۥٓ إِذَا تَرَدَّىٰٓ} الليل: 5-11

Transliteration: Faamma man aAAta waittaqa (5) Wasaddaqa bialhusna (6) Fasanuyassiruhu lilyusra (7) Waamma man bakhila waistaghna (8) Wakaththaba bialhusna (9) Fasanuyassiruhu lilAAusra (10) Wama yughnee AAanhu maluhu itha taradda



Allah the Almighty says:



{And what is the matter with you that you spend not in the Cause of Allah? And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth.} [Al-Hadid 57:10]

{وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تُنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ وَلِلَّـهِ مِيرَٰثُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ} الحديد: 10

Transliteration: Wama lakum alla tunfiqoo fee sabeeli Allahi walillahi meerathu alssamawati waalardi



Allah the Almighty says:



{And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.} [Al-Baqara 2:272]

{وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ} البقرة: 272

Transliteration: wamatunfiqoo min khayrin yuwaffa ilaykum waantum latuthlamoona



Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam) said:



“Verily Allah is Generous and loves generosity. He loves noble character and He hates disgraceful behavior.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]

»إن الله كريم يحب الكرم ، و يحب معالي الأخلاق ، و يكره سفسافها« صححه الألباني

Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam) said:



“There should be no envy except it the case of two: A man whom Allah gives wealth, so he is able to spend it on the truth, and a man whom Allah gives wisdom so he judges and teaches with it.” [Al-Bukhari]

» لا حسد إلا في اثنتين: رجل آتاه الله مالا ، فسلطه على هلكته في الحق ، وآخر آتاه الله حكمة ، فهو يقضي بها ويعلمها« رواه البخاري

Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam), said:



“Which of you loves the wealth of his heir more than his own wealth” The Companions said: “O Allah's Messenger! There is none of us but loves his own wealth more.” He (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam) said: “His wealth is that which he has sent forward, but that which he retains, belongs to his heir” [Al-Bukhari]

» أيكم مال وارثه أحب إليه من ماله . قالوا : يا رسول الله ، ما منا أحد إلا ماله أحب إليه ، قال: فإن ماله ما قدم ، ومال وارثه ما أخر« رواه البخاري

Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam) said:



“Protect yourself from Hell-fire even with a piece of a date.” [Al-Bukhari]

»تقوا النار ولو بشق تمرة«رواه البخاري

Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam); said:



“There is no day that dawns upon the servants but two angels descend during it. One of them says, 'O Allah! Give to the person who gives (in charity)'; while the other one says, 'O Allah'. Destroy the one who withholds (charity, etc.).” [Al-Bukhari]

»ما من يوم يصبح العباد فيه ، إلا ملكان ينزلان ، فيقول أحدهما : اللهم أعط منفقا خلفا ، ويقول الآخر : اللهم أعط ممسكا تلفا« رواه البخاري

Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam) said:



“Beware of stinginess! It was being stingy that destroyed those before you. It incited them to shed blood and make lawful what was prohibited for them.” [Muslim]

»اتقوا الشح فإن الشح أهلك من كان قبلكم . حملهم على أن سفكوا دماءهم واستحلوا محارمهم« رواه مسلم

Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam) slaughtered a sheep and distributed major portions of its meat. Then he asked: “Is there anything left?” 'A'ishah replied, “Nothing, except the shank.” Thereupon he (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam) said: “All of it is left except the shank.” [Reported by At-Tirmizi as authentic]

»أنهم ذبحوا شاة فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ما بقي منها ؟ قلت : ما بقي منها إلا كتفها . قال : بقي كلها غير كتفها« رواه الترمذي وصححه

Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam); said:



“If a person gives in charity the value of even a date out of his honest earnings - Allah accepts only that which is pure - Allah accepts it with His Right Hand and fosters it for him, as one of you fosters the colt, till it becomes like a mountain.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

»من تصدق بعدل تمرة من كسب طيب ، ولا يقبل الله إلا الطيب ، وإن الله يتقبلها بيمينه ، ثم يربيها لصاحبها ، كما يربي أحدكم فلوه ، حتى تكون مثل الجبل« رواه البخاري ومسلم

Manifestations of Generosity



1. A person giving charity should not render it vain by reminders of his generosity or by injury.



2. The giver should be cheerful when asked and when giving.



3. He should spend without being stingy or irresponsible.



4. Whether giving abundance from his riches, or a small amount of one's meager means, one should give with complete satisfaction, a cheerful face and nice speech.



Examples of Generosity



1. It is narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Amir purchased a house from Khalid bin 'Uqbah bin Mu'it in the market of Makkah for 70,000 dirhams. At night, he heard weeping from the household of Khalid. When he inquired about that, he learned that they were crying because of their house. He called his servant and instructed him to convey to them the message that both the house that they sold and the dirhams that he paid were theirs.



2. It is narrated that Imam Ash-Shafi'i became ill and rested in his deathbed. He had decreed by will that so-and-so should bathe his body. When he died, they called the person instructed to bathe him. When he arrived he demanded some record of Imam Ash-Shafi'i. Upon going through its contents, he found that Imam Ash-Shafi'i had a debt of 70,000 dirhams. The man decided that he himself would repay it on his behalf He said, “This is what Imam Ash-Shafi'i meant by assigning me to bathe him in his will.” Then he left.



3. It is narrated that when Allah's Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam) prepared for the battle against the Romans, the Muslims were facing hardships and difficulties in terms of finance and arms for war. Even the army of the Prophet (salla Allahu ‘alihi wasallam) became known as "The Army of Difficulty." Thereupon, 'Uthman bin 'Affan began donating 10,000 dinars, 300 camels, including their saddles and saddle blankets, and 50 horses. From this charity, half of the army was fully equipped.

The Way to Success

 

Important pieces of Advice on "the Way to Success"



All Praises and thanks be to Allah, we thank Him, and we seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. We appeal for Allah's refuge from the evils of our souls and from the evils of our deeds. This who is guided by Allah will not be misled by anyone, and this who is misled by Him will not be guided by anyone. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah with no partner and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.



My noble brother: Have you ever thought of drawing a safe path for your success in life… in your business… in your study… and in all your affairs?!



Have you tried to understand the reasons of success?

Have you perceived why some people succeed in their affairs while others fail?

We will deal here with the notion of success… and demonstrate its ways and obstacles… What is the meaning of success in the life of a Muslim?





Success in the Life of a Muslim



My noble brother: Know that the notion of success in the Muslim's life is closely connected to his/her belief and approach in life... A Muslim's success in his/her life's affairs is not separated at all from his/her success in his/her afterlife affairs. They are connected by the belief in Allah and the Hereafter.



A Muslim does not aspire to the pleasure of the present worldly life while discarding his/her share in the afterlife. They understand that whatever success they achieve in life at the expense of their afterlife, it is a loss in the end. And it is known that what is well that ends well. Allah Almighty has said: {Say (O Muhammad): "The losers are those who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Verily, that will be a manifest loss!"} [Surat Az-Zumar: 15].

{قُلْ إِنَّ الْخَاسِرِينَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَلَا ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ} الزمر: 15

Transliteration: qul inna alkhasireena allatheena khasiroo anfusahum waahleehim yawma alqiyamati ala thalika huwa alkhusranu almubeenu



He, Glory be to Him, has said: {and they rejoice in the life of the world, whereas the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter is but a brief passing enjoyment.} [Surat Ar-Ra'd: 26].

{وَفَرِحُواْ بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا فِي الآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ مَتَاعٌ} الرعد: 26

Transliteration: wafarihoo bialhayati alddunyawama alhayatu alddunya fee alakhirati illa mataAAun



Brother: So you have to understand that your success in this life cannot be a real one unless it is in a way which pleases Allah so that it will not be of bad consequences in your end. Such matter cannot be achieved unless you combine two things upon which the success in life and afterlife is based:

The first: high determination that motivates you to seek the means.

The second: the fear of Allah by which you escape from torment.



Determination generates the heat of aspiration to the sublime matters whether in this worldly life or of the Hereafter. Fearing from Allah directs and controls your determination by righteousness and commitment in a way that makes success an evidence for you, not against you before Allah. Following, brother, are the means of success and its way:





Methods of Success:



First: Sincerity: it is the blessing of deeds and their key to success. So, my noble brother, if you want to succeed in your work and in all your life, you should reform your intention in all matters, and that you make it in accordance to what Allah Glorified and Exalted, wants. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him, has said: "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended." [Reported by Al-Bukhari].

«إنما الأعمال بالنيات، وإنما لكل امرىء ما نوى» رواه البخاري

Whatever your goal in life and your desire from your work are, if your intention is to benefit yourself, then it is your goal in life. However, if your intention is to benefit yourself to strengthen it in obedience or to benefit Muslims, and you intend to thank Allah Glorified and Exalted for that, you are, then, heading towards a means of acceptance. Seeking Allah by deeds entails Allah Almighty' love; and Allah's love is a key of acceptance as was mentioned in the Hadith. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him, has said: "If Allah loves a person, He calls Gabriel saying: 'Allah loves so and so; O Gabriel, love him.' Gabriel would love him, and then Gabriel would make an announcement among the residents of the Heaven: 'Allah loves so-and-so, therefore, you should love him also.' So, all the residents of the Heavens would love him and then he is granted the acceptance of the people of the earth." [Reported by Al-Bukhari].

«إذا أحب الله العبد نادى جبريل: إن الله يحب فلانا فأحبه، فيحبه جبريل، فينادي جبريل في أهل السماء: إن الله يحب فلانا فأحبوه، فيحبه أهل السماء، ثم يوضع له القبول في أهل الأرض» رواه البخاري

O brother, remedy your intention and see what do you want from your work?

What is the aim of your study?

If you see it rightful, so commit yourself to it as it is the key of acceptance.



If you find in your intention the trace of love to celebrity or fame, hypocrisy, pride, arrogance and vanity, so reform your intention as deeds become fruitless by bad intentions. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him, has said: "This who learns knowledge that is learned for the sake of Allah Glorified and Exalted, he does not learn it but only to gain the perishable goods of the worldly life will not find the fragrance of Paradise in the Hereafter."



O brother, be sincere in your intention to be gifted with acceptance. Make, by your good intention, the one success as two successes: one in this worldly life and one in the Hereafter.



Second: do not make your success in life as all your determination. Live, however, as a strange and make success in it as a way to the success of the Hereafter {And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world).} [Surat Ad-Duha: 4].

{وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَى} الضحى: 4

Transliteration: Walalakhiratu khayrun laka mina aloola



Suppose that you own all the earth

And people yield to you so what then

Are not your place tomorrow is the bottom of your grave

And dust will fill this and that



Do not make this worldly life and its enjoyment as your utmost concern so you exert all your efforts for that and forget your share in the Hereafter. This will close the means of success. You will then work more and harder and will be deprived from yielding the fruits. In the Hadith, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "verily, whoever takes the Hereafter as is his concern, Allah makes his richness in his heart and reunites him and this worldly life will come to him forced. And whoever has this worldly life as is his concern, Allah makes his poverty between his eyes and disperses him and he will not gain from this worldly life but only what is destined for him." [Al-Albani, authentic due to other narrations].

«من كانت الآخرة همه، جعل الله غناه في قلبه، وجمع له شمله وأتته الدنيا وهي راغمة ومن كانت الدنيا همه جعل الله فقره بين عينيه وفرق عليه شمله ولم يأته من الدنيا إلا ما قدر له» الألباني، صحيح لغيره

O you who endeavors himself

Demands this world in illness and in pain

This world is not for you and you are not for it

So make the two concerns as only one



Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "If the slave is concerned, in day and night, only with Allah alone, Allah Almighty will fulfill all his needs, bear all his concerns and will empty his heart for His love, his tongue for His remembrance and his organs for His obedience. If he is concerned, in day and night, with this worldly life, Allah will make him bear its concerns, distresses and annoyances and will make him engaged with himself. His heart is busy from His love with the love of people, his tongue from His remembrance with their remembrance and his organs from His obedience with their services and businesses. He drudges like beasts in serving others. So whoever turns away from the worshipping, obedience and love of Allah is afflicted by the worshipping, love and servicing of the creatures".



In addition, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him, has said in the Hadith: "whoever makes all concerns as only one; which is the concern of the Hereafter, Allah will suffice him from all other concerns; and this whose concerns of the conditions of the worldly life are ramified, Allah will not care in which valley he perishes" [Declared good by Al-Albani].

«من جعل الهموم هما واحدا، هم المعاد، كفاه الله سائر همومه، و من تشعبت به الهموم من أحوال الدنيا لم يبال الله في أي أوديتها هلك» حسنه الألباني

O brother, do not make all your concern in succeeding in this worldly life. Money will be consumed, position will end and glory will vanish. Only good deeds remain, so make them your greatest concern. If so, Allah has promised you with two things:



The first: to, more quickly, bring you each and every good

The second: to suffice you from all concerns.



These are all mentioned in the words of Allah Almighty: {Whoever works righteousness - whether male or female - while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic 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)} [Surat An-Nahl: 97].

{مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحاً مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ} النحل: 97

Transliteration: Man AAamila salihan min thakarin aw ontha wahuwa muminun falanuhyiyannahu hayatan tayyibatan walanajziyannahum ajrahum biahsani ma kanoo yaAAmaloona



The good life is the title of success. The aim from things is its benefit. The aim of success is but happiness and the good life.



For how long you will be in travelling

Long seeking going and coming

Home emigrant does not benefit you as being estranged

From lovers who do not know conditions

Once in the East, once in the West

Death, due to greediness, is not recalled

If you are satisfied livelihood will come peacefully

Satisfaction is richness; it is not a lot of money



Third: Fearing Allah: this is the key for all good and the prevention from all evil. Allah Almighty has said: {And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). (2) And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.} [Surat At-Talâq: 2-3].

{وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّـهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا ﴿٢﴾ وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ}الطلاق: 2-3

Transliteration: waman yattaqi Allaha yajAAal lahu makhrajan (2)Wayarzuqhu min haythu la yahtasibu



It is a way out from distresses and the key for livelihoods. Allah Almighty has said: {and whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him.} [Surat At-Talâq: 4].

{وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّـهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا} الطلاق: 4

Transliteration: waman yattaqi Allaha yajAAal lahu min amrihi yusran



Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "it means that He facilitates his affairs, makes it easy for him and grants him a speedy relief and a quick way out."



My noble brother: make fearing Allah the key of your success in all matters. Ponder on and work upon His ordains, so He facilitates your affairs. Avoid committing His forbiddance, so He prevents you from afflictions and dooms. Be benevolent to His slaves, so He will be supporter for you. Approach Him by good deeds, so He will be faster with all good for you. Put your trust in Him in your matters, so He will be sufficient for you in all your affairs. Allah Almighty has said: {And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him} [Surat At-Talâq: 3].

{وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّـهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ} الطلاق: 3

Transliteration: waman yatawakkal AAala Allahi fahuwahasbuhu



Brother: remember that you are in need of Allah. He alone disposes the affairs… feeds people… and clothes people… {Who is he that can provide for you if He should withhold His provision? Nay, but they continue to be in pride, and (they) flee (from the truth).} [Surat Al-Mulk: 21].

{أَمَّنْ هَـٰذَا الَّذِي يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُ ۚ بَل لَّجُّوا فِي عُتُوٍّ وَنُفُورٍ} الملك: 21

Transliteration: Amman hatha allathee yarzuqukum in amsaka rizqahu bal lajjoo fee AAutuwwin wanufoorin



He protects and guards them at day and by night. He saves their lives and existence. All creatures are in need of Him. So, do not forget that you are in need for His help, in need for His success. Whatever your efforts are, without Allah's blessing, they are fruitless. A poet said:



Unless Allah supports the boy

The first thing to destroy him is his diligence



Fourth: let your determination be high: brother, if you intend to follow the road of success in your life, putting your trust on Allah, seeking His help, fearing Him, ignoring your intention for money, so you have to know that Allah Glorified and Exalted has fixed cosmic laws concerning life. Some of the laws of Allah in life are toiling and diligence. Any living being has to struggle and toil to survive and live. Each living being has, willy-nilly, to struggle the hardships of life, to struggle its living, hunger, heat, cold and hardships according to what he has of the determination, power, resolution and success.



Allah Almighty has said: {Verily, We have created man in toil.} [Surat Al-Balad: 4].

{لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي كَبَدٍ} البلد: 4

Transliteration: Laqad khalaqna alinsana fee kabadin



This means that man toils the diversities of this worldly life and the matters of the Hereafter. Acquiring the Hereafter requires from you; patience, diligence and toil.



Livelihood needs you to toil. Acquiring knowledge, as well, needs you to toil. Whoever has a goal in this life has to exert efforts to achieve it. A workless cannot gain desires!



And here appears the value of high determination. This who has it is concerned with his/her goal. He/she is never satisfied with inferiority. The core of his/her goal is to live in nobility, die in nobility and be resurrected in the Hereafter with nobility.



Brother, beware of increasing your determination and decreasing your religion. You aspire for prestige, money, position and power while you wreck your religion. This is not high determination. This is, however, the obeyed miserliness of which the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him, has said: "Two hungry fierce wolves left with sheep; eating and spoiling, will not be as messier for the religion of a Muslim who asks for wealth and glory." [Al-Albani said: good authentic].

«ما ذئبان ضاريان في حظيرة يأكلان ويفسدان؛ بأضر فيها من حب الشرف وحب المال في دين المرء المسلم» قال الألباني: حسن صحيح

This who spends days in collecting money

Fearing poverty, this he does is poverty

Do not think that poverty is that out of richness

Poverty of religion is one of the worst poverties



High determination is praised as long as it is an aspiration that pleases Allah and that it is not harmful to one's religion. This is the praised determination that becomes a very powerful reason for success. Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "This who reflects clearly will be guided to the requirement of the noblest standings and will be prohibited from being satisfied with the inferiority at any case. A poet said:



I have not seen in people's faults a fault

As the deficit of the capable for perfection



So the sane should aspire for the utmost possible goal. If it were supposed for a man to ascend to the sky, it would be a very ugly defect to be satisfied to stay on earth. If prophecy could be acquired by diligence, a neglectful of this would be at the rock bottom. As matters are not alike, then one has to acquire the utmost learning. Imitation is a very ugly deficiency. If one has a strong determination, it will elevate him then to choose to himself a doctrine and not to imitate the doctrine of anyone else (do not stay in laziness. What has been missed is being missed due to laziness. Any gaining is reached by diligence and resolution. Determination boils in the hearts like the boiling of what is inside pots." [Said Al-Khatir, (the Hunting of the Thought) p.286]



If souls are grand

From their aspirations bodies will tire



Fifth: good pondering into matters: by continuous planning, preserving arrangement, wise use of time and leisure and avoidance of confusion and disorder. Anyone who can divide efforts on time accurately by giving important goals more effort and time than the less important businesses, he/she must succeed. This can only be achieved by a sane person who can put matters into their proper place.



{He grants Hikmah to whom He pleases, and he, to whom Hikmah is granted, is indeed granted abundant good.} [Surat Al-Baqarah: 269].

{يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا} البقرة: 269

Transliteration: Yutee alhikmata man yashao waman yuta alhikmata faqad ootiya khayran katheeran



(Hikmah literally means wisdom, but it means here the knowledge, and the understanding of the Qur’ân, and the Sunnah and one’s ability to speak and act in the correct and right way) and think my brother, about the words of the Messenger of Allah, Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in the Hadith: "There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good" [Reported by Al-Bukhari].

«نعمتان مغبون فيهما كثير من الناس: الصحة والفراغ» رواه البخاري

It is evidence that time and high determination have a strong role in achievement and success.



Inactivity and wasting time with what has no benefit for a Muslim is a disadvantage in two ways:



First: it is a disadvantage in the Hereafter, because the remorse of the people of the Hereafter will be for each moment at which one did not remember Allah, so what about a moment at which one disobeyed Allah!



Second: it is a disadvantage in this worldly life, as a man who wastes time uselessly must lose a lot of benefits.



As the degree of the people of resolution, resolutions are achieved

And as the degree of the people of honor, honors are achieved

Inferiorities are great in the eyes of the inferior

And great things are inferior in the eyes of the great



Yahya Ibn Mu'az said: "the aggrieved is the one who inactivates his/her days with the fruitless, empowers his/her organs for the things that would destroy them, and dies before being sobered up from the hidden violations."



One of the ancestors said: "night and day work on you so you should work on them."



Abu al-Abbas al-Dynury said: "there is nothing greater or nicer than time and heart and you are wasting both time and heart."



Brother: be wise in disposing your affairs, hold yourself responsible for your time and define your duties towards your Lord, your soul, your family and your worldly life obligations. If you manage your matters well by organizing, planning and accountability, you will succeed in most of your affairs.



Do not procrastinate today's businesses to tomorrow. Do not sleep in the times of duties. Do not be desperate in critical times. Know that persistence is the way of victory and that patience is the key for relief. Be as a poet said:



A heart that looks at its thoughts and a hand

That passes affairs and a soul that its fun is fatigue.



And as another poet said:



I have not got possession by wishes

But with days that made the forepart grey

I wore for it the turbidity of dust as

If you saw unclear to see the weather clear



Do not accompany the people of slackening and laziness. If you accompany them so let it be in fear and apprehension of them. Do not look at the pleasures of the people of idleness; they are but in a way of failure that you do not see its signs. Look at the people of seriousness. Read in their stories in history. Ask about their affairs. You will find that they have busied themselves with the most useful and righteous deeds.



Peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.

Seek Forgiveness for Your Sin Earnestly

All perfect praise is due to Allah The Almighty. May prayers and peace of Allah be upon His truthful Messenger; Muhammad, his family, his companions and those who followed him until the Day of Resurrection.

These are brief words about Istighfar “seeking forgiveness”, its virtues, its proper times, and its wordings. Furthermore, we will touch upon fruits of Dhikr “remembrance of Allah The Almighty” and the best of it. We ask Allah The Almighty to render it beneficial for all.


Seeking Forgiveness

Its virtues:

1. It is an act of obedience to Allah The Almighty.

2. It is a reason for forgiving and erasing sins, for Allah The Almighty Says:
{I said “to them”: Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving}. [Nuh 71:10]

{فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّاراً} نوح: 10

Transliteration: Faqultu istaghfiroo rabbakum innahu kana ghaffara.

3. Sending rain, for Allah The Almighty Says:
{He will send rain to you in abundance}. [Nuh 71:11]

{يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاء عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَاراً} نوح: 11

Transliteration: Yursili assamaa ‘alaykum midrara

4. Increasing wealth and children, for Allah The Almighty Says:
{And give you increase in wealth and children}. [Nuh 71:12]

{وَيُمْدِدْكُمْ بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ} نوح: 12

Transliteration: Wayumdidkum bi-amwalin wabaneena

5. Entering Paradise, for Allah The Almighty Says:
{And bestow on you gardens}. [Nuh 71:12]

{وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ} نوح: 12

Transliteration: wayaj’al lakum jannatin

6. Increasing power in its different forms, for Allah The Almighty Says:
{And add strength to your strength}. [Hud 11:52]

{وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَى قُوَّتِكُمْ} هود: 52

Transliteration: Wayazidkum quwwatan ila quwwatikum

7. Getting good enjoyment, Allah The Almighty Says:
{That He may grant you good enjoyment}. [Hud 11: 3]

{يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَاعاً حَسَناً} هود: 3

Transliteration: yumatti’kum mata’an hasanan

8. Warding off calamities for Allah The Almighty:
{Nor will He punish them while they seek “Allah's” Forgiveness}. [Al-Anfaal 8:33]

{وَمَا كَانَ اللّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ} الأنفال: 33

Transliteration: wama kanaAllahu mu’aththibahum wahum yastaghfiroon

9. It is a reason for bestowing abounding grace to every owner of grace, for Allah The Almighty Says:
{And bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace “i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words”}. [Hud 11:3]

{وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ} هود:3

Transliteration: Wa yu’ti kulla thee fadlin fadlahu

10. Worshipers are really in dire need for asking forgiveness for they usually commit sins day and night. So whenever they ask Allah The Almighty to forgive them, Allah The Almighty will forgive them.

11. It is a reason for sending down mercy for Allah The Almighty Says:
{Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah, that you may receive mercy?}. [An-Naml 27: 46]

{لَوْلَا تَسْتَغْفِرُونَ اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ} النمل:46

Transliteration: lawla tastaghfiroona Allaha la’allakum turhamoon.

12. It acts as the expiation of sins committed at a sitting or gathering.

13. It is a kind of treading the same path of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, for he used to ask forgiveness from Allah The Almighty for more than seventy times in a single gathering and in another narration: one hundred times.


Quotes about Asking Forgiveness

1. It was narrated that Luqman, may Allah exalt his status, said to his son: “Accustom your tongue to seeking Allah's forgiveness, for surely Allah The Almighty has moments when He does not reject any supplicant.”

2. ‘Ai’shah; Mother of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “It is a fortunate person who “on the Day of Judgement” finds in his record many Du’aas “supplications” for forgiveness.”

3. Qatadah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “This Qur’an guides you to the recognition of your illnesses and to their remedies. Your illnesses are your sins and your medicine is seeking Allah’s forgiveness.”

4. Abu Al-Minhaal, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “No neighbor of any servant in his grave is better than “more beloved to him than” Istighfar.”

5. Al-Hasan, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Ask for Allah's forgiveness frequently in your homes, at your tables, on your roads, in your markets, at your meetings, and wherever you are. You never know when you will be granted Allah’s forgiveness.”

6. Once, a Bedouin said: “Whoever wants to live among us has to seek Allah’s forgiveness great deal, for rain sent down by seeking forgiveness.”


Favorable times of Seeking Forgiveness

It is permissible to seek forgiveness at all times; however, it will be obligatory at the times of committing sins. Moreover, it is recommendable at the end of all righteous actions such as seeking forgiveness thrice after every prayer, seeking forgiveness after performing Hajj and the like.

In addition, it is desirable to seek forgiveness in the last hours before dawn for Allah The Almighty praised those who seek His forgiveness in the last hours before dawn.


Different Wordings of Istighfar

1. Sayyid Al-Istighfaar is the best way of seeking forgiveness. It is that the servant says: “O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no God except You. You have created me and I am Your slave and I am keeping my promise and covenant to You as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I do. I acknowledge Your blessing and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for there is none who can forgive sin except You”. [Al-Bukhari]

«اللهم أنت ربي لا إله الا أنت، خلقتني وأنا عبدك وأنا على عهدك ووعدك ما استطعت، أعوذ بك من شر ما صنعت، أبوء لك بنعمتك عليّ وأبوء بذنبي، فاغفر لي، فإنه لا يغفر الذنوب إلا أنت»

Transliteration: Allahumma anta rabbiy laa ilaaha illa anta, khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduka wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa‘dika ma astata‘tu. A’oodhu bika min sharri ma sana‘tu, aboo’u laka bi ni‘matika ‘alayya wa aboo’u laka bi dhanbi, faghfir li fa innahu laa yaghfir al-dhunooba illa anta

2. “I seek forgiveness from Allah” [Al-Bukhari]

«أستغفر الله»

Transliteration: Astaghfirullah

3. “O my Lord! Forgive me” [Al-Bukhari]

«ربِ اغفر لي»

Transliteration: Rabb iIghfir lee

4. “O Allah, I have done great injustice to myself, so grant me forgiveness for no one forgives sin except You”. [Al-Albani, authentic]

«اللهم إني ظلمت نفسي فاغفر لي، فإنه لا يغفر الذنوب إلا أنت»

Transliteration: Allahumma inni thalamtu nafsi faghfir li, Fa’innahu laa yaghfir al-dhunooba illa anta.

5. “O my Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance, for You are the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful”. [Al-Albani, authentic]

«رب اغفر لي وتب عليّ إنك أنت التواب الغفور، أو التواب الرحيم»

Transliteration: Rabbi ighfir li wa tubb ‘alayya innaka anta At-Tawwaab Ar-raheem

6. “O Allah, I have done great injustice to myself and no one forgives sin except You. So grant me forgiveness from You and have mercy on me, for You are the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”. [Agreed upon]

«اللهم إني ظلمت نفسي ظلماً كثيراً ولا يغفر الذنوب إلا الله، فاغفر لي مغفرةً من عندك، وارحمني إنك أنت الغفور الرحيم»

Transliteration: Allahumma inni Thalamtu nafsi Thulman katheeran wa laa yaghfir al-dhunooba illa anta, faghfir li maghfiratan min ‘indika warhamni innaka anta Algh-Ghafoor Ar-Raheem

7. “I ask forgiveness of Allah the Almighty, besides Whom there is no god, the Ever-Living, the Eternal, and I repent to Him”. [Al-Albani, authentic]

«أستغفر الله الذي لا إله إلا هو الحي القيوم وأتوب إليه»

Transliteration: AstaghfiruAllah Al-‘Atheem alladhi laa ilaaha illa huwa Al-hayyu Al-qayyoom wa atoobu ilayhi


Fruits of Dhikr “Remembrance of Allah The Almighty”

There are many benefits and fruits of Dhikr, amongst them are:

1. Drive Satan away.

2. Pleases Ar-Rahmaan “the Most Gracious” i.e. Allah The Almighty.

3. Relieve from worry and distress.

4. Bring happiness and cheerfulness.

5. Brighten the face.

6. Increase one’s provision.

7. Makes Allah The Almighty loves His worshiper.

8. Makes the worshiper love Allah The Almighty, observe Him, knows Him, return to Him and bring him near to Him.

9. Makes the person in remembrance get accustomed to the remembrance of Allah The Almighty.

10. Revive the heart.

11. Erase sins.

12. Benefits one at the times of hardships and difficulties.

13. Eliminates feelings of alienation between the worshiper and his Lord.

14. It is a reason for sending down tranquility, mercy and angels.

15. Keeps one busy from Gheebah “Backbiting”, Namimah “tale-bearing” and obscene speech.

16. Protect one from regret on the Day of Resurrection.

17. It, along with crying in seclusion “i.e. crying when one is alone from the fear of Allah The Almighty” include one among those whom Allah will shade on the Day of Resurrection with the shade of His Throne.

18. Guards one against forgetting Allah The Almighty.

19. Guards one from Nifaaq “hypocrisy”.

20. It is the easiest and less difficult act of worship. In spite of this fact, it equals freeing a slave and rewarded by great rewards that are better than that of any other act of worship.

21. It is the tree of Paradise.

22. Satisfies the heart and fulfills its needs.

23. Strengthens the wills and determinations of the heart.

24. Disperses the worries, distresses and sadness of the heart.

25. Strengthen and fortify one against the soldiers of Satan.

26. Makes one pay much attention to the affairs of the Hereafter and forget about that of the worldly life.

27. It acts as the essence and essential part of gratefulness and the whoever does not remember Allah The Almighty is not grateful.

28. The most honorable person in status before Allah The Almighty is the one who keeps his tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah The Almighty.

29. Eases the hardness of the heart.

30. Entails the mercy of Allah The Almighty and supplications of His angels.

31. All the acts of worship are imposed only for establishing the remembrance of Allah The Almighty.

32. Allah The Almighty expresses His pride to His angels about those who remember Him most.

33. Eases difficulties, lessens hardships and eases matters.

34. Bring bless to time.

35. Has a magnificent effect in achieving safety. In fact, there is nothing more beneficial for the one who has serious fears than the remembrance of Allah The Almighty.

36. Enables one to defeat his enemies.

37. Strengthens the power of the heart.

38. Mountains and desert express their pride and be pleased with those who remember Allah The Almighty on their grounds.

39. Constant remembrance in roads, homes, while traveling and staying and in all places strengthens the belief of the worshiper in the Day of Resurrection.

40. Has a different distinguishing taste other than any act of worship.


The Best Wording of Dhikr

“Glory be to Allah, Praise be to Allah, There is no God except Allah, and Allah is the Most Great”.

«سبحان الله، والحمد لله، ولا إله إلا الله، والله أكبر»

Transliteration: Subhaan Allah, Alhamduli-llaah, Wa Laa Ilaha Ilaa Allah, wa Allahu Akbar

Such words are the best words of remembering Allah The Almighty after the Noble Qur`an and they are also from the Noble Qur`an. [Based on an authentic hadith reported by Muslim]

The Great words of Dhikr include:

• “there is no strength and power except with Allah”.

«لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله»

Transliteration: Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah

It is one of treasures of Paradise [Based on an authentic hadith reported by Al-Bukhari]. In fact, it has an amazing effect in easing difficulties, alleviating burdens and elevating one to sublime degrees.

• “Glory and praise be to Allah”,

«سبحان الله وبحمده»

Transliteration: Subhaan Allahi wa bi hamdihi

Whoever says it one hundred times a day all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. [Reported by Al-Bukhari]

«من قال: سبحان الله وبحمده، في يوم مائة مرة، حطت خطاياه وإن كانت مثل زبد البحر» رواه البخاري

• “Glory and praise be to Allah, glory be to Allah the Almighty”.

«سبحان الله وبحمده، سبحان الله العظيم»

Transliteration: Subhaana Allah wa bihamdih, subhaan Allah il-‘Atheem

They are two words which are light on the tongue and heavy in the scale, and beloved to the Most Merciful. [Agreed upon]

«كلمتان حبيبتان إلى الرحمن، خفيفتان على اللسان، ثقيلتان في الميزان: سبحان الله وبحمده، سبحان الله العظيم» متفق عليه

• “There is no God except Allah Alone, with no partner or associate His is the sovereignty and to Him be praise”.

«لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك، وله الحمد، وهو على كل شيء قدير»

Transliteration: Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd

Whoever says it ten times in a day, will have “a reward” equivalent to freeing four slaves of the children of Isma‘eel “Ishmael” and whoever says it one hundred times in a day one hundred Hasanaat “good deeds” will be recorded for him, one hundred Sayi’aat “bad deeds” will be erased from him, will have “a reward” equivalent to freeing ten slaves, and he will be protected from Satan for that day. [Reported by Al-Bukhari]

«من قال: لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، وهو على كل شيء قدير. في يوم مائة مرة، كانت له عدل عشر رقاب، وكتبت له مائة حسنة، ومحيت عنه مائة سيئة، وكانت له حرزا من الشيطان يومه ذلك حتى يمسي...» رواه البخاري

Conclusion

The fruits of Dhikr “remembrance” can be perfectly attained by doing great deal of it, concentrating on saying them, adhering firmly to the Adhkar of the two ends of the day “Morning and evening remembrance”, sticking to the restricted Adhkar and that are not restricted to a particular time, and keeping away from innovations and transgressing the limits of the rulings of religion.

May peace and blessing of Allah be upon our Prophet; Muhammad, his family and his companions.


Dar Al-Qaasim

O you who have reached sixty and seventy

 

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



All praise and thanks be to Allah Almighty who has created and has created well, Who has taught and has taught well. And peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet; the Guide to the True Religion, and upon his family and his companions who have walked the straight path.



I have written this message upon the request of one of the Muslim sister to write in this subject; may Allah reward her the best of rewards. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer." [Reported by Muslim].

«من دل على خير فله مثل أجر فاعله» رواه مسلم

This subject is worthy of being written about; there are a lot of people who are in their sixties and more who have neglected the value of time. It was worthy of them to be more aware and benefit from the hours of their lives. The more man gets older, the more understanding and experienced he gets which incites him to understand what happens around him. This message, though is entitled to those who reached sixty and seventy, it also includes one who has reached forty and beyond. As a whole it is directed to every reasonable person who seeks to reform both his religious and worldly affairs.



O Muslim brother: age is the window to that life that everyone lives, the believer and the infidel... As for the believer, it is in the service and worship of his Creator, Blessed and Exalted be He… he puts before him the words of Allah: {And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).} [Surat Az-Zâriyât 51:56].

{وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ} الذاريات: 56

Transliteration: Wama khalaqtu aljinna waalinsa illaliyaAAbudooni



As for the infidel, he did not accept servicing and worshipping Allah… he spent his whole days as beasts do… rather, a beast is better than him… a beast glorifies its Lord and worships Him.

{They are like cattle, nay even more astray; those! They are the heedless ones.} [Surat Al-A'raf 7:179]

{... أُولَـٰئِكَ كَالْأَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْغَافِلُونَ} الأعراف: 179

Transliteration: olaika kaalanAAami bal hum adallu olaika humu alghafiloona



A human being loves to live… and loves all his days to be pleasurable and delightful.



However, no matter how long a man lives, he loves to describe himself as still being young… he would love to realize a lot of hopes. Here are some of the anecdotes of man:



Al-Hassan Al-Basri saw a leek with his mother. He said: "O mother! What is this evil tree in your hands?"

She said: "O my son! What a senile old man you are."

He said: "O mother: who is older: you or me?"



A man said to Al-Fadhl ibn Marawan: "how old are you?"

He answered: "seventy." A few years later he asked him the same question to which he answered: "seventy."

He said: "did you not give me the same answer twenty years ago?"

He said: "yes. But I am a friendly man. If I get used to a year I stay in it for twenty years. I will not exceed it to another."



The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has told us about this eloquently, he has said, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: "The son of Adam (i.e. man) grows old and so also two (desires) grow old with him, i.e., love for wealth and (a wish for) a long life." [Reported by al-Bukhari].

«يكبر ابن آدم ويكبر معه اثنتان؛ حب المال، وطول العمر» رواه البخاري

My Muslim brother: I wish people would pay attention to the passing of days... and the lapse of ages... as they have been aware of prolonged hopes... and the weaving of dreams!



Al-Hassan Al-Basri said: O son of Adam: you are but a number of days. When a day ends, some of you ends."



How many ages have been wasted... and their owners have been wasted!

How many lives elapsed before the hopes of their owners are fulfilled!

How many lives have been lived without any purpose!

How many lives have been spent in other than the obedience to Allah Almighty!



In the long life there is the argument of Allah against the slave!



Sure… As your days increase, the argument of Allah Almighty against you increases.

How many are those who neglected this notion while they are in the sludge of life… struggling for survival.

Wake up O son of Adam: How many apparent arguments of Allah against you there are while you are heedless!



The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "he, from my nation, who lives long till he reaches the age of seventy, then Allah has excused him in his age." [Narrated by Al-Hakim, authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih At-Targhib].

«من عمّر من أمتي سبعين سنة، فقد أعذر إليه في العمر» رواه الحاكم، صحيح الترغيب للألباني

Qatadah said: "you should know that to live long is perfect proof and argument, we seek refuge with Allah to be discredited by age."



{Did We not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition could receive it? And the warner came to you. So taste you (the evil of your deeds). For the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers) there is no helper.} [Surat Fâtir 35:37].

{أَوَلَمْ نُعَمِّرْكُم مَّا يَتَذَكَّرُ فِيهِ مَن تَذَكَّرَ وَجَاءَكُمُ النَّذِيرُ ۖ فَذُوقُوا فَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِن نَّصِيرٍ} فاطر: 37

Transliteration: awalam nuAAammirkum ma yatathakkaru feehi man tathakkara wajaakumu alnnatheeru fathooqoo fama lilththalimeena min naseerin



My Muslim brother: this does not mean that the argument of Allah is not held against who is under seventy. However, he who has passed puberty is more worthy to have the argument of Allah be established against him.



Al-Hassan Al-Basri said: "he has excused that you are forty; so hurry before your time is due. By Allah, the man in older times used to reproach himself when he reached the age of forty."



'Umar ibn Abdel-Aziz said: "the argument of Allah is established against the son of forty years so he died because of it."



O you who has lived long: hold yourself accountable… do not lag behind… be sincere in your work to Whose argument has been established against you… how many proofs there are in long age that break excuses.



Longevity is a preacher to whoever is preached



Verily there are lessons and examples in the passing of days… to whoever contemplates and ponders! Rather, there is not a day passing of this life but has a lesson to sane people!



How many lessons –O man– there are in your life?



In long life there is increase in understanding… have you benefited from that?



In long life there is weakness… frailty… have you discerned that?



Abdul Aziz ibn Abi Rawad said: "he who does not learn a lesson from three will not learn a lesson from anything: Islam, the Quran and old age."



Some wise man said: he who is missed by the arrows of death will be tied by nights and years."



Yunus ibn Habib entered the mosque and was supported by two men because of his old age. Some man, who used to accuse him for not liking him, said: what do I see, you are getting old O father of Abdel-Rahman?

He said: it is what you see. I wonder if you would reach it!



From the lessons is the death of peers… the parting with loved ones… this is a lesson to be prepared. Imagine O sane person:



Imagine I lived for ever

Fulfilled my wishes of sons and wealth

How can I see those I was familiar with

And my youth which has gone and never returned



From them is the repetition of events… seeing the calamities in the self and the siblings… if there is contentment, there is the reward.



Abdel-Rahman ibn Abi Bakrah, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: "who wishes for long life, let him adapt himself to calamities."





The virtue of longevity in performing acts of obedience



This is the great virtue of long life… the reason of the creation is worshipping Allah Almighty. Whoever performs this function perfectly, then he is the luckiest man by his life; it is worthy of him to wish for long life.



It is like that who deposits a sum of money in his account every day… there is no doubt that it makes him happy if this lasts so that he increases his money. This is the condition of he who deposits in his mortal account… and this is his pleasure. Then what about the pleasure of he who deposits in the immortal account?



The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: would I tell you about the best among you?"

They answered: yes.

He has said: "the best among you is he who lives longer and performs the best righteous deeds among you." [Al-Albani, authentic due to other narrations].

«ألاأنبئكم بخيركم؟ قالوا: نعم، قال: خياركم أطولكم أعمارا، وأحسنكم أعمالا» الألباني، صحيح لغيره

Suleiman ibn Abdel-Malik entered into the mosque of Damascus. He saw an old man crawling; so he said: O sheikh, would it please you to die?

He said: no.

Suleiman asked: why and that you have reached what I sea of old age?

The man said: youth has gone along with its evil, and old age has remained with its goodness. When I sit I mention Allah, when I stand I praise Allah, so I'd love these two things to last for me.



An old man was asked: how old are you?

He said: ten years.

It was said: how is that and you are an old man?

He answered: I have been a repentant for ten years.



Mohamed ibn Eissa al-Bughdadi said: "it was said: what belongs to you from your life is the period in which you obeyed Allah, the period you disobeyed Allah in is not to be considered from your life."



Hilal ibn Yassaf said: "when men of the Medina reached their forty years of age, they used to devote themselves to worship."



Ibrahim An-Nukha'i said: "they used to seek this worldly life but when they reached forty they sought the Hereafter."



O Muslim brother: make your life a farm for your day of poverty… exploit its hours in acts of worship… and attend to yourself so that you harvest goodness and survival.



Beware of wasting your life in other than worshipping Allah Almighty:

My Muslim brother: your life is a trust entrusted to you by Allah… do not come tomorrow and you have lost His trust!



So be keen, O sane man, to benefit from your life… and do not waste it in other than obeying Allah Almighty.



Those who have reached their sixties and seventies should be the keenest people in obeying Allah Almighty… as this is the age of solemnity and carefulness.



But you would wonder when you see this who reached sixty or seventy crowed over this worldly life… gasping behind its lustrous desires! Neither a religion nor a brain restrains him.



Such man was supposed to be a role model for others in virtues… good morals… wasting the life of such a man is grand.



For him we dedicate the words of Shumayt ibn 'Ajlan…



Shumayt ibn 'Ajlan said: you find the one of them has grown old, his bones weaken, and he has been denied sleep and taste, his mouth wide open, longing for this worldly life, as if he has invented living old, Woe to you!

Do you wish that youth returns back to you?!

It is not returning back to you, would you not get hold of yourself in the rest of your life?! Would you not hasten in repentance to Allah?!



How odd this is! Was there not in old age and the passing of years anything that restrains your light mindedness and lustrous desires?



Your nights end and your sins increase

Your life wears out but time is new

You calculate that the decrease is increase

But you decrease not increase

Think and ponder your condition you may

Remember and sanity may return to you



How many old men are there who wasted their hours watching TV… abandoning the call of sanity and wisdom!



How many old men are there who wasted their hours in staying up late at night, fruitlessly, gossiping!



How many old men are there who wasted their hours with bad company… coming and going!



'Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "the remaining of the life of a person is priceless. He tries to make up for what has passed and revive what he has made die".



There is another type who wasted their life in collecting profits… seeking livelihood… you see them busy with kids… unaware of themselves… suddenly here is the cup of Death… they leave behind what is a fortune for others… but for him it is forfeiture!



Abu Hazim said: "people are two types of workers: a worker in this worldly life for this worldly life; it has occupied him from his Hereafter; he fears poverty for those whom he will leave behind and he secures himself against it; so he wears his life out for the needs of others!



And a worker in this worldly life for what comes after it; so what is destined for him from it comes to him without any work and he becomes a king before Allah. He would never ask Allah for something and but that He will respond to him!"



How strange! O you who seek to establish your worldly life, would it not be better to establish your Hereafter!



O grayed hair who maintain this worldly life

How many wonders there are in you

What is the excuse of he who builds a house

While his body is weak and wrecked



Beware of Death!



O you whose life has been prolonged… know that the journey has an end!

Have you remembered – O wise - how will you conclude this trip?!

It is: death! The severe end for those who have not prepared for it!



Masruk said: "when anyone of you reaches his forties, he must be on his guard from Allah."



Al-Fudhayl ibn 'Ayyad asked a man: how long have you lived?

He said: sixty years.

So he said to him: for sixty years you are walking towards your Lord. You are almost there.

The man said: Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.

Al-Fudhayl said: do you know the interpretation of what you have just said?

You say: I am a slave to Allah and I shall return to Him. So he who knows that he is a slave to Allah and that to Him he shall return he must know that he is to be held responsible for his actions and that he will be asked about them; so he must prepare an answer.

The man said to him: then what shall I do.

He said: easy.

The man asked: what?

He answered: perform good deeds in what is left of your life so that what has passed will be forgiven; because if you perform evil deeds in what is left of your life you will be punished for what has passed and what is yet to come.



So O you whose life has been prolonged: here you are watching the death of people, young and old… yes, Death does not differentiate between the young and the old… but it is closer to the old!



That is the reason the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, has said: "the ages of my nation are between sixty and seventy, and the least among them who surpasses them.'' [Authenticated by Al-Albnai]

«عمار أمتي ما بين الستين إلى السبعين، وأقلهم من يجوز ذلك» صححه الألباني

My Muslim brother: prepare for the day when you will meet the only Originator of the heavens and the earth… remember the day when you will be alone shrouded in a narrow pit… heavily dark!



If being seventy is your disease

Then the only remedy is Death

If a person has been seventy years walking

He is to his end is near



What you should be:



You should be keen, O wise man, on being always concerned on worshipping Allah... not a day to pass by without you checking the balance of good deeds... just as you are keen in checking your mortal balance of money...



The most important thing to start with; is the obligations… and the most important of obligations are observing prayers… you should perform them in their due time… in the houses of Allah Almighty (the mosques).



Make sure to perform them perfectly with reverence… fulfilling all their pillars… as well as their acts from the Prophetic sunnah… be keen in reading the books of the religious scholars which describe the correct manner of prayer; as has been performed by the Prophet, peace and blessing of Allah be upon him.



Persist in increasing your optional acts of worship… You are in an age where you should hasten to performing righteous deeds… and to grasping the biggest share out of them.



Try to be early to the mosque… you will be blessed if you accustom yourself to be the first to come… and the last to leave.



When you come early to the mosque, increase performing optional prayers… and reading from the Book of Allah Almighty… repeat that after concluding the prayers…unless that they are the times when prayers are forbidden to be performed… increase your regular part of the Quran.



Do not keep company unless with whom is beneficial to you in your religion… keep away from the meetings where Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden) increases… or sexual relations… and even if you sit in a meeting and you felt that its people are heedless, if your heart is full of the love of acts of obedience you will find serenity and tranquility that will delight you.



Be keen in abiding by the Prophetic invocations of different occasions like the invocation when entering the house, the invocation of getting out of the house, the invocation when eating and drinking, the invocations before sleeping and other invocations.



Thus, you will always be connected to Allah Almighty… and increase praising Allah, glorifying Him and thanking Him.



And as most preoccupations are at homes… so you must fill your leisure at home by many means such as performing optional prayers, reciting the Quran, reading useful books and conducting useful conversations with the kids. A home would be changed into a successful school from which successful generations are graduated if its potentials are well-utilized. From home you can phone your kin and relatives to check on their conditions.



Finally: remember that obeying Allah Almighty is the end which everyone should roam around, it is the means to the happiness of the two homes (this worldly life and the Hereafter). Be keen to be one of its people and avoid the other (sin).



I ask Allah to make me and you from the people of worship... and may He take us by His mercy to the high grades in this worldly life and after death... and all praise be to Allah Almighty... And peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet and his family and companions.





Azahari Ahmad Mahmoud