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From Issue: 404 [Read full issue]

Living the Quran

Al-Qasas (The Narration)
Chapter 28: Verse 77 (Partial)

The home of the Hereafter
 "But seek, with that which God has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of the present world ..."

PROPHETS ESTABLISHED THE BALANCE BETWEEN THIS WORLD AND THE NEXT

All of the Prophets, peace be upon them all, came to establish this balance – the balance between material and spiritual life, between reason and soul, between this world and the next and between indulgence and abstinence. While we should, on the one hand, declare all that Allah has bestowed on us in order to indicate our gratitude and due praise for Him, as commanded in the Quran, we should not forget, on the other hand, that we will be asked to account for every good we enjoy.

PROPHET'S COMPANIONS & THEIR SENSE OF ACCOUNTABILITY TOWARDS BLESSINGS

This principle, like the others, was so deeply inculcated by the Prophet in the hearts of his Companions that it could be seen in every aspect of their lives. To cite an example: it was the time to break the fast on a day of Ramadan when Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, was offered a glass of cold water. He had just taken a sip when he suddenly burst into tears and stopped drinking. When asked why, he replied:

I was once with God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings. He did something as if he was pushing something away with his hand and saying to it, ‘Stay away from me!’
I said to him: "O God’s Messenger! You are pushing something away, but I cannot see anything."
He answered: "The world appeared to me in an ideal form and presented itself to me with all its pomp and luxury. I pushed it, saying: 'Leave me. You will not be able to seduce me into accepting you.' It (the world) withdrew itself and said: 'I am not able to conquer you, but I swear by God that I will captivate those who come after you.'"

After narrating the Tradition, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, concluded: "At this time of breaking fast, I thought that the world allured me with a glass of cold water, and I wept." Abu Bakr and most of the other Companions lived a balanced life despite the fact that they had every possibility to live in comfort.

Compiled From:
"Prophet Muhammad- The Infinite Light" - Fethullah Gulen
Understanding the Prophet's Life

Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

Do Dhikr in the First Ten Days of the Month of Dhul Hijjah

Reciting Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar), and Dhikr (remembrance) in these days is significant, as Allah said: "And mention the name of Allah in certain days" [Al-Baqarah 2:203]. These certain days are said to be the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The best day is the Day of Arafah. There are no days during which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allah than these ten days. So recite more often the Tahleel (Laa Ilaaha Illallah) , Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah)." It is said that Ibn Umar and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them) used to go out to the marketplaces during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and recited out loud the Takbeer and people would repeat it after them.

Can't Miss the Fast on the Day of Arafah!

Observe fasting on all or some of these days, particularly on the Day of Arafah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever Observes fast on the Day of Arafah, I expect Allah to forgive his (her) sins that were committed during the preceding year, and the sins that will be committed in the year after." (Muslim)

Sacrifice on the Day of Eid

Offering the sacrificial animal during the day of sacrifice and the Days of Tashreeq. It is the practice of our father Ibrahim, may Allah exalt him, in commemoration of the occasion when Allah ransomed Ibrahim's son, Ismael, with a large ram. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "He who has the capacity but chooses not to sacrifice may not approach our prayer place (on Eid)." (Ibn Maajah, Ahmad)

Arrange a gift exchange with friends!

Eid is a great occasion to do this. A gift exchange can be with just a couple of friends or even acquaintances. Giving and getting gifts is a great way to increase in brotherhood or sisterhood, and love on this occasion. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Exchange presents with one another, for they remove ill feelings from the heart." (Collected by at-Tirmidhi) Remember though, that gifts should not burn a hole in your wallet. They should be affordable and well thought out, and of course Halal!

Compiled From:
Islamic Information & Support Centre of Australia Mailing List
Blindspot

Time is Life, and it is limited!

Time is not money or gold; it is life and it is limited. You must begin to appreciate every moment of your life and always strive to make the best use of it. With all the demands of worldly life on your time, you will yet need to find time for self-development and maximise its potential. The better route towards self-development is, of course, to integrate all your efforts into a structured daily life. Imam al-Ghazali, may God have mercy on him, in his great work, Ihya Ulum ad-Din, gives the following advice:

"You should structure your time, arrange your regular devotions and assign to each function a set period of time during which it is given first priority but which it does not overstep. For if you abandon yourself to neglect and purposelessness, as cattle do, and just do anything that may occur to you at any time it happens to occur to you, most of your time will be wasted. Your time is your life, and your life is your capital; it is the basis of your transactions [with God], and the means to attain to everlasting felicity, in the proximity of God, the Exalted. Each of your breaths is a priceless jewel, and when it passes away it never returns."

Compiled From:
"In the Early Hours" – Khurram Murad

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