Zikir Munajat

Rabi`a al `Adawiyya

Rabia(717 - 801 AD), sometimes called Rabia of Basra or Rabia al Basri, was born to a poor family in Basra in what is now Iraq. Her parents died of famine and she was eventually sold into slavery.

The story is told that her master one night woke up and saw a light shining above her head while she was praying. Stunned, he freed her the next morning.

Rabia chose a solitary life of prayer, living much of her life in desert seclusion.

Her fame as a Sufi holy woman spread and people began to journey to her retreat, to ask advice, to study, to learn.


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The sole object of Rabi`a's life was bound up in her yearning and passionate love (shawq) for her Beloved, which meant not merely the destruction of her self (nafs) but surrender to Allah every moment in the perfect Union in which there is no Lord and slave, no Creator and created being, only He in Himself. In that state she came to realize that she existed in Him without any possibility of separation from His indivisible Oneness.


" I love You with two loves-a selfish love
And a Love that You are worthy of.
As for the selfish love, it is that I think of You,
To the exclusion of everything else.
And as for the Love that You are worthy of,
Ah! That I no longer see any creature, but I see only You!
There is no praise for me in either of these loves,
But the praise in both is for You."

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It was related how one day one of her followers said in her presence, "Oh Allah, may You be satisfied with us!"

Whereupon Rabi`a said, "Are you not ashamed before Him to ask Him to be satisfied with you, when you are not satisfied with Him?"

By this she meant that first we must be truly satisfied with Allah, Most High, before we can ask Him to be satisfied with us.

Then this was followed by the question to her, "When then is the servant satisfied with Allah Most High?"

She replied, "When his pleasure in misfortune is equal to his pleasure in prosperity."

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She had many followers who yearned to feed themselves from her Love which she gave to all those whom she loved. Allah himself was her real Beloved but she kept company with her fellow beings, as she said, "Everyone who obeys (and she meant by this the true lover) seeks intimacy."

Then she recited these lines:

"I have made You the Companion of my heart.
But my body is available to those who desire its company,
And my body is friendly toward its guest,
But the Beloved of my heart is the guest of my soul."


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Throughout her life of poverty, her Love of God and self-denial were unwavering and her constant companions. She did not possess much other than a broken jug, a rush mat and a brick, which she used as a pillow. She spent all night in prayer and contemplation chiding herself if she slept for it took her away from her active Love of God.

Someone asked her why she continued to suffer poverty and did not seek help from her friends and she replied: "I am ashamed to ask for this world's goods from Him to Whom it belongs and how can I seek them from those to whom it does not belong!"

At another time she answered one of her friends:

"Does Allah forget the poor because of their poverty or remember the rich because of their richness? Since He knows my state, what have I to remind Him of? What He wills, we should accept".

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She prayed :

"O Allah! If I worship You for fear of Hell,
burn me in Hell,
and if I worship You in hope of Paradise,
exclude me from Paradise.
But if I worship You for Your Own sake,
grudge me not Your everlasting Beauty."

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She died in Basra, Iraq in 801 A.D, when she was in her early to mid eighties, having followed the mystic Way to the end. By then, she was continually united with her Beloved.

As she told her Sufi friends,

"My Beloved is always with me"..

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Al-Fatihah...

Zikir

KINDNESS AND FORGIVENESS

More than 1400 years ago in Arabia the people were living very much in fear. They feared their neighbors. They feared other tribes. They even feared their idols.

This was the time before Islam. The Arabs were worshipping idols. In their ignorance they would bury their newly born daughters alive. As Islam began to spread among Arabs such cruel practices stopped. Islam taught love and peace. It taught kindness and respect.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself was a very kind and loving person. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) treated every one, young and old, with kindness and respect.

Because Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was spreading the word of Allah. And he was changing, for better, the lives of many Arabs and because some Arabs felt that by the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) their old idols were losing power they disliked Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and planned to kill him. Every time they tried to kill him, they failed. This angered the enemies of Islam even more. So they began to harass him in every way they knew.

One old woman made a habit of throwing rubbish on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) whenever he passed from her house. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had to pass that house daily on the way to the mosque. Even when the old woman threw rubbish on him, he would pass silently without showing any anger or annoyance. This was a regular, daily event.

One day when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was passing by the woman was not there to throw the rubbish. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) stopped and asked the neighbor about her well-being.

The neighbor informed the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that the woman was sick on bed. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) politely asked permission to visit the woman. When allowed he entered the house, the woman thought that he had come there to take his revenge when she was unable to defend herself because of sickness.

But the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) assured her that he had come to her, not to take any revenge, but to see her and to look after her needs, as it was the command of Allah that if any one is sick, a Muslim should visit him and should help him if his help is needed.

The old woman was greatly moved by this kindness and love of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). By the example of greatness of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), she understood that he was truly the Prophet of Allah and Islam was the true religion. She accepted Islam at once.

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Nasheed : Yusuf Islam(Cat Stevens)

A is for Allah by Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) (This was recorded for his baby daughter to teach her the arabic alphabet.)

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I Look I See - Yusuf Islam




LYRIC
===============

I look, I look, I look, I see
I see a world of beauty
I touch, I touch, I touch, I feel
I feel a world around so real

And everything I do
I dedicate to You
Cause You made me
I am for You

I listen, listen, listen, I hear
I hear the words of God so clear
I read, I read, I read, I know
It helps my knowledge grow

And everything we do
We dedicate to You
Cause You made us
We are for You

I listen, listen, listen, I hear
He sent the Prophet to show us the way
He made Religion perfect that Day
Peace be upon him, upon him we pray Salatullah,
wa salamu 'alyhi

I sleep I sleep, I sleep, I dream
I dream I'm in a garden green
I wish, I wish, I wish I pray
I pray to be here everyday

And everything I do
I dedicate to You
Cause You made me
I am for You

I work, I work, I work, I strive
To make something of my life
I seek, I seek, I seek, I find
I find another hill to climb

And everything we do
We dedicate to You
Cause You made us
We are for You

I look, I look, I look, I see
He sent the Prophet to show us the way
He made Religion perfect that Day
Peace be upon him, upon him we pray Salatullah,
wa salamu 'alyhi (x2)

THE GIFT

Whenever they reaped their first harvest, they brought early, fresh fruits to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh). Then he would distribute them among those who sat around him.

This morning, a poor man brought one fruit from his small farm and gave it to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) accepted the gift, tasted it and then went on eating it alone while the companions watched. One of those present meekly said: "O Messenger of Allah, you have over looked the right of those who watch while you eat?"

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) smiled and waited till the man who had brought the fruit had gone.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

"I tasted the fruit and it was not yet ripe. Had I allowed you to have some of it, someone would have definitely shown his distaste, thus disappointing the poor man who had brought the gift. Rather than make him feel better, my palate accepted the bitterness."

YOUNG BOY WITH STRONG BELIEF

Shaykh Fath al-Mowsily relates, once I saw a young boy walking through the jungle. It appeared as if he was uttering some words. I greeted him with Salaam and he replied accordingly. I inquired, "Where are you going?"

Young boy retorted, "To the house of Allah, Kaaba in Makkah." I further asked, "What are you reciting?" "Noble Qur'an" he replied.

I remarked, "You are at a tender age, it is not an obligation that you are required to fulfill."

Young boy said, "I have witnessed death approach people younger than me and therefore would like to prepare if death was to knock on my door."

I astoundingly commented, "Your steps are small and your destination far."

He responded, "My duty is to take the step and it remains the responsibility of Allah (SWT) to take me to my destination."

I continued to ask, "Where is your provision and conveyance (means of transport)."

He replied, "My Yaqeen (certainty) is my provision and my feet's are my conveyance."

I explained, "I am asking you regarding bread and water."




Young boy replied! "Oh Shaykh if someone invited you to his house, would it be appropriate to take your own food?"

I exclaimed, "No!"

"Similarly, My Lord has invited His servant to His house, it is only the weakness of your Yaqeen (certainty) that makes us carry provisions. Despite this, do you think Allah (SWT) will let me go to waste?"

"Never" I replied.

Young boy then left. Sometime later I saw him in Makkah. Young boy approached me and inquired, "Oh Shaykh are you still of weak belief?"



(Source: Stories of the Pious by Shaikh Ahmad Ali)

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(Excerpt from a speech of Shaikh Zulfiqar)

The Sight of Ka'abah



One never tires of gazing at the sight of the House of Allah, the Kaa'bah. The site upon which the mercy and blessings of Allah are constantly descending. There is truly nothing comparable to the House of Allah on this Earth. People wish time would stand still so they could keep gazing at the Kaa'bah; their thirst is never quenched, rather it increases.

The blessings of Tawhid descend in Makkah, and the blessings of Prophethood descend in Madinah. One has seen nothing in life if he has not seen these two holy sites. May Allah give all Muslims the opportunity to visit to His House...(ameen)


(Source:http://www.islamcan.com/cgi-bin/increaseiman/htmlfiles/static/116996079869728.shtml - for further story on this)

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~ How true....Alhamdulillah for the chances given and hope for many more...ameen..

"Bagaimana wudhu zahir dan batin?"

Seorang ahli ibadah bernama Isam Bin Yusuf, sangat warak dan khusyuk
solatnya. Namun, dia selalu khuatir kalau-kalau ibadahnya kurang khusyuk
dan selalu bertanya kepada orang yang dianggapnya lebih ibadahnya,
demi untuk memperbaiki dirinya yang selalu dirasainya kurang khusyuk.

Pada suatu hari, Isam menghadiri majlis seorang abid bernama Hatim Al-Assam
dan bertanya, "Wahai Aba Abdurrahman, bagaimanakah caranya tuan solat?"

Hatim berkata, "Apabila masuk waktu solat, aku berwudhu' zahir dan batin."

Isam bertanya, "Bagaimana wudhu' zahir dan batin itu?"

Hatim berkata, "Wudhu' zahir sebagaimana biasa iaitu membasuh semua anggota wudhu' dengan air".

Sementara wudhu' batin ialah membasuh anggota dengan tujuh perkara :-

* Bertaubat
* Menyesali dosa yang telah dilakukan
* Tidak tergila-gilakan dunia
* Tidak mencari/mengharap pujian orang (riya')
* Tinggalkan sifat berbangga
* Tinggalkan sifat khianat dan menipu
* Meninggalkan sifat dengki.

Seterusnya Hatim berkata, "Kemudian aku pergi ke masjid, aku kemaskan semua anggotaku dan menghadap kiblat.

Aku berdiri dengan penuh kewaspadaan dan aku rasakan:

1.aku sedang berhadapan dengan Allah,
2.Syurga di sebelah kananku,
3.Neraka di sebelah kiriku,
4.Malaikat Maut berada di belakangku, dan
5.aku bayangkan pula aku seolah-olah berdiri di atas titian 'Siratal mustaqim' dan menganggap bahawa solatku kali ini adalah solat terakhir bagiku,
kemudian aku berniat dan bertakbir dengan baik."

"Setiap bacaan dan doa didalam solat, aku faham maknanya kemudian aku
rukuk dan sujud dengan tawadhuk, aku bertasyahud dengan penuh pengharapan dan aku memberi salam dengan ikhlas. Beginilah aku bersolat selama 30 tahun."

Apabila Isam mendengar, menangislah dia kerana membayangkan ibadahnya
yang kurang baik bila dibandingkan dengan Hatim.

Untuk munafaat kita bersama. Sabda Nabi, ilmu itu milik Tuhan, barang siapa menyebarkan ilmu demi kebaikan, insyaAllah Tuhan akan menggandakan 10 kali kepadanya.

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Sunnahs of Sleeping/Awakening

Sunnahs of our beloved prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)

Sunnahs of Sleeping:

To sleep in the state of Wudu'(Ablution).
To make the bed yourself.
Dust the bed thrice before retiring to bed.
One should change into some other clothes
(e.g.pyjamas) before going to sleep.
It is Sunnah to sleep immediately after Isha Salaah.
To apply surmah in both the eyes.
To brush the teeth with a miswaak.
To sleep on the right hand side.
To sleep with the right palm under the right cheek.
To keep the knees slightly bent when sleeping.
To refrain from sleeping on ones stomach.
To sleep on a bed or to sleep on the floor are both sunnah.
To face Qiblah.
To recite Surah Mulk, before sleeping.
To recite Ayatul Kursi.
To recite Surah Ikhlaas, Surah Falaq and Surah Naas before sleeping 3 times and thereafter blow over the entire body thrice.
Recite Tasbeeh-e-Fathima before sleeping.( i.e. 33 X
Subhan Allah 33 X Alhamdulillah and 34 X AllahuAkbar).
To recite the dua before sleeping.
To wake up for Tahajjud Salaah

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Sunnahs on Awakening:

On awakening rub the face and the eyes with the palms of the hands in order to remove the effects of sleep.

When the eyes open in the morning say "Alhamdulillah" thrice and then recite Kalimah-e-Tayyibah

Thereafter recite the dua on awakening.

On awakening cleanse the mouth with a miswaak.

WEALTH AND POVERTY

It was a usual meeting. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him(pbuh) was in his place and his companions gathered around him to hear the words of wisdom and guidance. Suddenly a poor man in rags appeared, saluted the assembly:

"Salamun Alaikum" (Peace be on you)

And finding a vacant place comfortably sat down.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had taught them that all Muslims were brothers and in an assembly one should sit wherever one finds a place, regardless of any status. Now, it so happened that this poor man was seated next to a very rich man. The rich man felt very disturbed and tried to collect the edges of his dress around himself, so that the poor man didn't touch them. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) observed this and addressing the rich man, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

"Perhaps you are afraid that his poverty would affect you?"

"No, O Messenger of Allah," he said.

"Then perhaps you were apprehensive about some of your wealth flying away to him?"

"No, O Messenger of Allah," he replied.

"Or you feared that your clothes would become dirty if he touched them?"

"No, O Messenger of Allah."

"Then why did you draw yourself and your clothes away from him?"

The rich man said:

"I admit that was the most undesirable thing to do. It was an error and I confess my guilt. Now to make amends for it I will give away half of my wealth to this Muslim brother so that I may be forgiven."

Just as he said this, the poor man rose and said,

"O Messenger of Allah, I do not accept this offer."

People present were taken by surprise, they thought that the poor man was a fool, but then he explained:

"O Messenger of Allah, I refuse to accept this offer because I fear that I might then become arrogant and ill-treat my Muslim brothers the way he did to me."

Simple words...

Some Islamic manners/sayings that are simple to use.