Loving our parents

Islam has greatly emphasized the issue of loving and respecting the parents, the father and the mother. In our infancy and childhood, we needed the protection, love and nurturing of the parents; but when they become old, they need us to protect them and take care of them.


"Your Lord has commanded that you shall not worship (anyone) but Him and to be good to the parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) 'Ugh' nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word. And lower for them 'the wings of humility' out of mercy; and pray; 'O my Lord! Have mercy on them as they brought me up (when I was) little.'" [Al-Isra'(17):23-24]


However, out of the two, the mother has been given greater priority as far as kindness is concerned. Once Hakim bin Hizam came to the Prophet of Islam and asked: "To whom should I be kind?" The Prophet replied, "Your mother." Hakim asked, "Then to whom?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." Hakim asked, "Then to whom?" The Prophet replied, "Your mother." Only when Hakim asked the fourth time that, "Then to whom?" the Prophet replied, "Your father." This shows that the right of mother upon the children is three times more than the rights of father as far as kindness is concerned.

And the paradise is under the feet of your mothers. - Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)


[Ibne `Abbas states:] “I questioned the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family): Which deed is the most beloved in the eyes of Allah, the Mighty, the Glorious?” He (peace be upon him and his family) replied: “(Offering) prayers at their stipulated times.” I then asked: “Which is the next most beloved deed?” He (peace be upon him and his family) answered: “Goodness towards (one’s) parents.” I asked him again: “After this which is the most beloved act?” He (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Jihad in the way of Allah.” [1]


The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Every righteous child who casts a look of mercy and affection upon his parents shall be granted, for every look of his, rewards equivalent to that of an accepted Hajj.” Those around the Prophet questioned: “O’ Prophet of Allah! Even if he were to look at them a hundred times a day?” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) replied: “Indeed! Allah is the Greatest and Most Kind.” [2]

NOTE :

{1] and [2] - http://www.al-islam.org/FortyParents/

Nasheed : "O Allah"

Video from the youtube by: Shaykha

Excerpts from the book "Don't be Sad" by 'Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni

Wealth, Deeds

Ibrahim bin `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf reported: Food was brought to `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was observing Saum (fast) and he said: "Mus`ab bin `Umair (May Allah be pleased with him) was martyred and he was better than me, but only one sheet was available to shroud him. It was so small that when his head was covered; his feet remained uncovered and if his feet were covered, his head remained uncovered. Then the bounties of this world have been bestowed upon us generously. I am afraid that the reward of our good deeds have been awarded to us in this world.''

On this he began to sob and left the food untouched.

This tells us about the hospitality of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him ~ PBUH) and the respect they had for each other.

Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf (May Allah be pleased with him) was one of the figures of `Al-Ashratul-Mubash-sharun bil Jannah (the ten Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) who were given the glad tidings of entering Jannah during their lifetime).

For this reason, he is superior to Mus`ab bin `Umair (May Allah be pleased with him), but he acknowledged him superior on the consideration of his martyrdom and poverty through which he had passed. He holds Mus`ab bin `Umair (May Allah be pleased with him) better on the grounds that he had confronted the infidels in extremely difficult circumstances and sacrificed his life for the sake of Allah.

The second point which this brings out is the fear which Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf (May Allah be pleased with him) felt at the abundance of wealth and property, although he used to spend his wealth and riches in the way of Allah and Jihad.

Today, the only purpose of our wealth is that we waste it either on foolish customs and ceremonies of marriage or construction of buildings and their decoration.

It was this abundance of wealth of which the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) were afraid. The Prophet (PBUH) had himself expressed great anxiety over it.


(www.islambasics.com)

1 Rejab 1430H

Tazkirah yang diterima dari sahabat :

Pada 24 Jun 2009 (Rabu) kita memasuki bulan Rejab. Bulan Rejab adalah
bulan Allah SWT. Let’s overview ada apa di sebalik bulan Rejab itu.

Diriwayatkan bahwa Rasulullah saw telah bersabda, "Ketahuilah bahwa bulan
Rejab itu adalah bulan ALLAH SWT, maka:

1. Barang siapa yang berpuasa 1 hari dalam bulan ini dengan ikhlas, maka
pasti ia mendapat keredhaan yang besar dari ALLAH SWT.


2. Dan barang siapa berpuasa pada tanggal 27 Rejab /Isra Mi'raj (Isnin, 20
Julai 2009) akan mendapat pahala seperti 5 tahun berpuasa.


3. Barang siapa yang berpuasa 2 hari di bulan Rejab akan mendapat
kemuliaan di sisi ALLAH SWT.


4. Barang siapa yang berpuasa 3 hari yaitu pada tanggal 1, 2, dan 3 Rejab
(24, 25, 26 Jun 2009) maka ALLAH SWT akan memberikan pahala seperti 900
tahun berpuasa dan menyelamatkannya dari bahaya dunia dan seksa akhirat.

5. Barang siapa berpuasa 5 hari dalam bulan ini, insyaallah permintaannya
akan dimakbulkan Allah swt..InsyaAllah


6. Barang siapa berpuasa 7 hari dalam bulan ini, maka ditutupkan 7 pintu
neraka Jahanam dan barang siapa berpuasa delapan hari maka akan dibukakan
8 pintu syurga


7. Barang siapa berpuasa 15 hari dalam bulan ini, maka ALLAH SWT akan
mengampuni dosa-dosanya yang telah lalu dan menggantikan kesemua
kejahatannya dengan kebaikan, dan barang siapa yang menambah (hari-hari
puasa) maka ALLAH SWT akan menambahkan pahalanya."



Sabda Rasulullah saw lagi :"Pada malam Mi'raj, saya melihat sebuah sungai
yang airnya lebih manis dari madu, lebih sejuk dari air batu dan lebih
harum dari minyak wan gi, lalu saya bertanya pada Jibril as "Wahai Jibril
untuk siapakah sungai ini?"


Maka berkata Jibrail as "Ya Muhammad sungai ini adalah untuk orang yang
membaca selawat untuk engkau di bulan Rejab ini."


Dalam sebuah riwayat Tsauban bercerita :"Ketika kami berjalan bersama-sama
Rasulullah saw ke sebuah kubur, lalu Rasulullah saw berhenti dan beliau
menangis dengan amat sedih, kemudian beliau berdoa kepada ALLAH SWT. Lalu
saya bertanya kepada beliau "Ya Rasulullah, mengapakah engkau menangis?"
Lalu beliau bersabda "Wahai Tsauban, mereka itu sedang diseksa dalam
kuburnya dan saya berdoa kepada ALLAH SWT, lalu ALLAH SWT meringankan atas
mereka."

Sabda beliau lagi "Wahai Tsauban, kalaulah sekiranya mereka ini mahu
berpuasa satu hari dan beribadah satu malam saja di bulan Rejab nescaya
mereka tidak akan disiksa di dalam kubur." Tsauban bertanya "Ya
Rasulullah, apakah hanya berpuasa satu hari dan beribadah satu malam dalam
bulan Rejab sudah dapat mengelakkan dari seksa kubur?"


Sabda beliau "Wahai Tsauban, demi ALLAH Zat yang telah mengutus saya
sebagai nabi, tiada seorang muslim lelaki dan perempuan yang berpuasa satu
hari dan mengerjakan solat malam sekali dalam bulan Rejab dengan niat
karena ALLAH SWT, kecuali ALLAH SWT mencatatkan baginya seperti berpuasa
satu tahun dan mengerjakan solat malam satu tahun."

***************

Allahu'alam.

OUR GUIDE IS THE QURAN-YUSUF ISLAM

(Video from youtube ~ by alinumber9)





Our guide is the Quran
Our Religion is Islam
Five Noble Pillars upholding what is virtuous
To make the Testimony is the base of the Faith,
and the Fast, and the Prayer,
the Pilgrimage and Charity.

Dusturuna-al Quran
Wa Deenuna-al Islam
Arkanuhu Jaleelah daaimun Fadheelah
Wa hiya ash-Shahadatani, qaaidatul Iman,
wa-as Sawmu, Wa-as Salatu,
Wa-al Hajju, Wa-az Zakatu

Acquiring Knowledge.

Knowledge is the noblest thing that one can ask for, and the best thing a seeker can strive to attain. According to the scholars of Islam: “What is meant by knowledge in the absolute sense is Islamic Knowledge.” i.e. knowledge in the Book of Allaah (Subhanahu waa Ta'ala) and the Sunnah of His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam).

It is the knowledge regarding Allah, His names and attributes, knowledge of His rights over His creation, and what He the Most High has prescribed for them.

It is the detailed knowledge of the path that leads to Allah, knowledge of the purpose of our creation, and the end in which the slave will result.

One who possesses this knowledge knows what Allah has made lawful for him and what He has prohibited him from, what pleases Him and what evokes His anger.

Amongst those who have taken upon themselves to observe the precepts of the religion will result in Paradise and bliss, and the rest will result in a place of disgrace, humiliation and misery.

Seeking knowledge of the religion helps to achieve Taqwa (fear) from Allah and increases Iman. Allah said:

“It is only those who have knowledge amongst His slaves that fear Allah.” [Soorah Al-Fatir (35): 28]

And Allah reminds us the main purpose of the creation of mankind saying: "And I created not the jinn and men except that they should worship Me." [Soorah Az-Zariyat (51): 56]

Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "Whoever treads on a path in search of Islamic knowledge, Allah will ease the way to Paradise for him. The angels will lower their wings, pleased with this seeker of knowledge, and everyone in the heavens and on earth will ask forgiveness for the knowledgeable person, even the fish in the deepest of waters will ask for his forgiveness” [Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi # 2835-sahih hadith]

Allah has honored and extolled those who posses knowledge, and raised their status high, He made them bear witness to His Oneness with sincerity and devotion.

“Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge.” [Soorah Mujadilah (58): 11]

Knowledge is a sign of goodness, happiness and success. As the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) is reported to have said:"If Allah wants to favor someone, He grants him comprehension (understanding) of this religion." [Sahih Bukhari vol.1 # 71, Tirmidhi and Musnad Ahmad]

(AbdurRahman.org)

Du'a ~ Supplications

"If you make intense supplication
and the timing of the answer is delayed,
do not despair of it.

Allah's reply to you is guaranteed;
but in the way He chooses,
not the way you choose,

and at the moment He desires,
not the moment you desire."

"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way. (Al-Baqarah : 186)

Abu Hurairah reported, "The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Nothing is more dear to Allah than one's supplication to Him.'' (Tirmizhi and Ibn Majah)

Some manners when making the du'a (supplication) :

~ Facing the Qiblah.

~ Starting the Supplication with Allah's Praise
and Blessings on His Prophet.

~ Be certain that Allah (SWT) will answer your supplication,

~ Show submissiveness during supplication,

~ Be patient for the answer,

~ Repeating a supplication three times.

~ Gaining lawful means of living.

******************************




A man came to the Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him) and said, "O Messenger of Allah, which is the best supplication?" The Prophet(peace be upon him) said, "Supplicate to your Lord for forgiveness and security in this world and in the Hereafter." He came again the next day, and then again on the following (third) day and asked him the same thing. The Prophet(peace be upon him) gave him the same answer, and then said, "If you are given forgiveness and security in this world and in the Hereafter you have attained success."

*******************************

Tawbah (Repentance) ~ Istighfar Zikr

Literally means 'to return' and in an Islamic context, it refers to the act of leaving what Allah SWT has prohibited and returning to what He has commanded.

Asking for forgiveness for our sins is something that must be sought sincerely and with consciousness. We should remember that it is only through Allah's Mercy that anyone will ever enter Paradise.

In Surah Az-Zumar (39:53) Allah SWT says : "Say, O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah. for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

We should never lose hope or stop asking for Allah's forgiveness. The Prophet Muhammad, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "O people! Turn to Allah in repentance and seek His forgiveness, for surely I make repentance a hundred times every day." (reported by Sahih Muslim)

The Prophet Muhammad, Sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam advised: "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and rejoice, for no one's good deeds will put him in Paradise." The Companions asked, "Not even you O Messenger of Allah?" He replied. "Not even me unless Allah bestows His pardon and mercy on me." (reported by Abu Hurairah & 'Aa'ishah & collected by Al-Bukhari.)

Never despair of Allah's Mercy - no sin is too great to repent for or too little for that matter.

(excerpt from : http://islamworld.net/docs/repent.html)

ALLAH KNOWS BEST

ALLAH knows what is best for us
So why should we complain
We always want the sunshine
But He knows there must be rain.



We always want laughter
and the merriment of cheer
but our heart will lose
their tenderness
If we never shed a tear.



ALLAH tests us often
with suffering and sorrow
He tests us not to punish us
but to help us meet tomorrow.



For growing trees are strenghtened
if they can withstand the storm
and the sharpness of the chisel
gave the marble its grace and form.



ALLAH tests us often
and for every pain
He gives us
provided we are patient
Is followed by rich gain
So whenever we feel that
everything is going wrong
It is just ALLAH'S way to make our spirit strong.



Author Unknown