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Today's Reminder

March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445

Living The Quran

Sake of Allah
Al-Baqara (The Cow) - Chapter 2 : Verse 207 (partial)

"And of men is he who would give himself away to seek the pleasure of Allah."

We should strive to become Allah's sincere devotees. There should be no worldly act that is not done as an act of servitude to Allah, not even such acts as sleeping, eating, dressing, speaking and laughing. The Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, engaged in all these acts. But he was God's devote par excellence. As a consequence of that, every aspect of his life, even the most ordinary of chores, was an act of devotion to Allah. It is important that every act of life should be for the sake of Allah, and for His Pleasure alone, as the above verse says.

Without such spirit, even the most religious of acts - prayers, reciting the Quran, martyrdom, and infaq (spending in the way of Allah) - would all be merely worldly acts. Imbued with this spirit of total dedication, even the smallest religious act, and all acts of worldly life, would stand heavy in the scale of Divine Justice. If we are able to achieve this state of sincerity, even a little effort would suffice in imparting the colour of Allah in our lives and souls. All the evils of the world - in men's souls, in their lives, in their mutual relationships - have their roots in lack of sincerity. Lack of sincerity in matters pertaining especially to religious activities leads to very ill effects.

We should designate our niyyah (intent) purely for Allah and strive always to keep it so. This brief and simple prescription is the gist of true religious faith and of the desire to shape our lives completely according to that mould. It is also the most effective formula to remember Allah at all times. This is the perpetual dhikr (remembrance), one that suffices for all occasions.

Compiled From:
"Dying and Living for Allah" - Khurram Murad, p. 37

From Issue: 747 [Read original issue]

Understanding The Prophet's Life

Response to Situations

The main purpose of an act of worship is sincerity and gaining moral and spiritual benefit from it. A ritual devoid of sincerity and moral and spiritual benefit is worthless. The Prophet Muhammad said: "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, God is not in need of his leaving food and drink in fasting" [Bukhari]. This means that God will not accept his fasting, which looks like a good deed while it is not.

An act of worship that produces arrogance in one's heart is an evil deed, not a good one. The Prophet said: "He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance shall not enter Paradise" [Muslim].

These matters depend on our response. The Prophet said: "How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him" [Muslim]. This hadith indicates that we are the ones who bring good or bad outcomes to ourselves. It is all up to us! If we are thankful to God for the good things that happen, this is good for us. If we are patient when bad things happen to us, this is also good for us. However, if we are arrogant when good things happen, this is an evil outcome. If we are impatient when bad things happen, this is also an evil outcome. Thus, based on our reactions, we determine whether what happens to us is a heavenly gift or otherwise.

Compiled From:
"A Journey to God: Reflections on the Hikam of Ibn Ataillah" - Jasser Auda

From Issue: 975 [Read original issue]

Blindspot!

Others' Rights

Any act by which someone is hurt, or his person, possession or dignity are subjected to any loss is absolutely forbidden; it is forbidden in the same way as is pork, alcohol or usury.

Indeed, while some leniency may be shown when unlawful food is consumed in extreme cases of emergency, no such mitigation on account of extraordinary situations is possible in case of violating such prohibitions as not to usurp others' property, nor backbite nor defame nor slander. The punishment for these is only hellfire. Even worse would be the fact that Allah would not talk to such offenders, nor cleanse them of their sins. (Al-Imran 3: 77)

There is no pardon from Allah in cases where personal rights have been violated: forgiveness may only come from the person aggrieved - either directly or when Allah makes it possible for that person to grant such pardon. Just save yourself from such acts. And if you were to violate others' rights, obtain their forgiveness here in this world or else you'll be left absolutely destitute and bankrupt on the Day of Judgment.

Compiled From:
"Dying and Living for Allah" - Khurram Murad, pp. 48,49

From Issue: 582 [Read original issue]