Today's Reminder
-
Living The Quran
Wrath
Al-Baqara (The Cow) Sura 2: Verse 90 (partial)
"Thus they have drawn on themselves Wrath upon Wrath, and a humiliating chastisement is the punishment of those who reject Faith."
One of the literal meanings of al-Ghadab is hardness. Hence a hard rock is called ghadabah and a deadly poisonous snake is called Ghadub. The other meaning is to be angry or enraged, thus, anger is called Ghadab and an angry person is referred to as Ghadban. Ghadab is a relative state and varies, for example, the hardness of a rock, the poison of a snake and the anger of a human being differ in their manifestations, but all possess a sinister quality. Allah is above the feelings and sensations that we experience; thus, we cannot really comprehend the quality of His Anger.
The word Ghadab signifies anger, displeasure and wrath. Those who incur Allah's Wrath are those who are deprived of His Favours and receive punishment. The causes that incur Allah's Wrath are deviations from the Path of Righteousness, after receiving Divine Guidance and favours, and people following their own base desires. It is important to know why this disease afflicts and prevents people from following the Way of Truth. One factor is their own inclinations, desires and self-interest and the other is the corrupt environment that surrounds them. These disrupt their relation with Divine Guidance, and thus they follow their own whims and desires. All corruption and deviation in din start from these diseases.
Compiled From:
"Treasures of the Qur'an: Surah al-Fatihah to Surah al-Mai'dah" - Abdur Rashid Siddiqui
From Issue: 987 [Read original issue]
Understanding The Prophet's Life
Neighbours
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbour.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
In another hadith the Prophet said, “By Allah, he is not a believer. By Allah, he is not a believer. By Allah, he is not a believer.” It was said to him, “Who is that, O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)?” He said, “The one from whose affairs his neighbour is not safe.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
One time the Prophet was asked about a woman who performed lots of prayers, fasted and gave charity but she used to harm her neighbour by her speech. The Prophet said that she is in the Hell-fire. Then the Prophet was asked about a woman who did not fast, pray or give in charity much [more than what was obligatory upon her] but she would not harm her neighbours. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that she is in Paradise. [Ahmad]
The Prophet also demonstrated specific ways by which one can begenerous or courteous to his neighbour. The Messenger of Allah once said to Abu Dharr, “O Abu Dharr, when you prepare stew, increase its water and deliver it to some of your neighbours." [Muslim]
A Muslim can know if he is fulfilling the condition of true faith mentioned in these hadiths. When the Prophet was asked about how one could tell if he was treating his neighbours well, he said, “If you hear them saying, ‘You have done well,’ then you have done well. If you hear them saying, ‘You have done evil,’ then you have done evil.” [Ahmad]
Compiled From:
"Commentary on the Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi" - Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo, Vol. 2, pp. 646, 647
From Issue: 898 [Read original issue]
Cool Tips!
A Quick Checklist Of Ramadan
- Make a resolve to win the maximum favour of Allah: perform extra voluntary prayers (Nawaafil), make frequent Du'a and increase remembrance (Dhikr).
- Try to recite some Quran after every Prayer. In fact if you read 3-4 pages after every Prayer you can easily finish the entire Quran in Ramadan! Study theQuranic Tafseer (commentary) every morning.
- Invite a person you are not very close with to your home for Iftar, at least once a week. You will notice the blessings in your relationships!
- Bring life to your family! Everyday, try to conclude the fast with your family and spend some quality time together to understand each other better.
- Give gifts on 'Eid to at least 5 people: 2 to your family members, 2 to your good friends, and 1 to a person whom you love purely for the sake of Allah.
- Commit to an Islamic study circles to enhance your Islamic knowledge and practice. Plan to complete reading a book on Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) life in these 30 days.
- Donate generously to the masajid, Islamic organizations, and any where people are in need. "This is a month of sharing!"
- Share Ramadan and its teachings of love & patience with your neighbours. Learn how at http://www.soundvision.com/info/ramadan/
- Initiate a project to promote or revive a ‘forgotten’ social cause in the Muslim and non-Muslim community: fight against racism, AIDS, drugs, cancer, smoking…etc.
- Did you know, our society, which constitutes only 20% of world’s population, actually consumes 80% of world’s resources! Volunteer at food bank or Anti-Poverty campaign, while fasting!
- Seek the rare and oft-neglected rewards of 'the night better than a 1000 months', Laylatul-Qadr.
- Weep in private for the forgiveness of your sins: It is the month of forgiveness and Allah's Mercy! It's never too late.
- Learn to control your tongue and lower your gaze. Remember the Prophet's warning that lying, backbiting, and a lustful gaze all violate the fast! Abandon foul language forever.
- Encourage others to enjoin and love goodness, and to abandon everything evil. Play the role of a Da'ee (one who invites to Allah) with passion and sympathy.
- Experience the joy of Tahajjud prayers late at night and devote yourself purely and fully to Allah in the I'tikaf retreat during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
Compiled From:
"Ramadan: A Time for Revival or Survival?" - Young Muslims Publication [Download and distribute]
From Issue: 543 [Read original issue]