Feb 8, 2012

SISTERS ARE YOU A TOILET ?

                                                                       

       In a world were people are bragging about their rights, democracy and freedom of speech we Muslims are being deluded in misleading ideologies of achieving happiness and freedom in this world. The Muslim nations one by one is falling down to the knees of the enemies of Islam  and the satan. Our strong belief and spirituality cultivated by being a Muslim is diluted by beautifying this world to us. Within this it is one of our enemies biggest  ideology to corrupt and mislead our women. A women is considered to be the pillar of a family. They are responsible for producing pious and disciplined children in the societies. It is due to this that Islam had seen pious and upright Muslims who gained knowledge and fought for sake of Islam. So to weaken Islamic societies to gain their wealth and land our enemies is portraying  corrupt ideologies in the name of women's rights to mislead our women.
       We Muslims are obliged to believe in Quran and the Sunnah of our  Prophet Muhammad (saw). If you don't believe in any of these you are not considered as Muslim in Islam. From Quran and  Sunnah  Allah (swa) had instructed us the way to live in this world. So if we Human beings make our own rules and laws which overwrite the divine law of Allah (swa) we will never be successful.


REALITY


         If you look at the most developed, rich and democratic countries in the world, you will be amazed to find out that these countries have the worst records when dealing with women's rights. But they are always pointing finger at Muslims throughout the world claiming that Muslims neglect and belittle the rights of our women. They don't consider immoral and dirty selling of their women's body and soul for prostitution and pornography as immoral. They don't consider showing of immoral videos and nudity of women on Hollywood movies and MTV music videos as immoral. They don't consider immoral  as using half naked and full naked women as a advertising tool on internet and billboards as immoral. They don't consider dressing up women in immoral clothing and cat walking in front of men as immoral. In all these cases women are used and exploited and their body and soul are exploited just to please the sexual fetish of men. Is this the women's right you are claiming ?


PROSTITUTION


        Prostitution is legal and regulated within 22 countries in the world. It is estimated that there are 40 million women working as prostitutes in the world. Countries like USA, Australia, Austria, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Switzerland, Mexico and Columbia prostitution is completely legal. The median price for a prostitute in South Africa is just one dollar. In Chicago a prostitutes earn 25 $ per hour. Some of the higher escorts range from 10,000 $ and more. This demand had boosted the sex trafficking in the world which is estimated to generate a 58 billion $ a year. Countries like Thailand generates 35 billion $ per year and Japan generates about 27 billion $ a year. This is the women's rights these countries  are bragging about ! They sell the modesty of their women and exploit them just to earn money and they point finger at Muslims for mistreating their Women. Its not only normal citizen's but even high ranked government officials in countries like USA have been charged with these unlawful acts.


RAPE 


         A crime victimization survey conducted by US Department of Justice from 2006-2010 shows that there are 207,754 victims of rape each year in US. There are 525,600 minutes in a non-leap year.That makes 31,536,000 seconds per year. This divided by 207,754 comes out to 1sexual assault every 152 seconds,or about 1 every 2 minutes. The sad thing is about 15% of these victims are under 12 years and 44% of the victims are under the age of 18. This is the reality of these countries like US who are enforcing their ideologies through UN and different other organizations claiming that their justice system and culture are the supreme. They can't even protect their women and children and they are bragging about women's rights. 

PORNOGRAPHY
     
          Every second 3,075.64 $ are spent on pornography and every second 28,258 users are watching pornography through internet. Apart from this every 39 minutes a new porn video is being created in US. If you look at the revenue of some countries you will be amazed at how much money this dirty filthy unlawful business generates yearly.
    
Revenue
(Billions)
Per CapitaNotes
China$27.40$27.411
South Korea$25.73$526.76
Japan$19.98$156.75
US$13.33$44.67
Australia$2.00$98.70
UK$1.97$31.84
Italy$1.40$24.08
Canada$1.00$30.21
Philippines$1.00$11.18
Taiwan$1.00$43.411
Germany$.64$7.771
Finland$.60$114.701
Czech Republic$.46$44.941
Russia$.25$1.761
Netherlands$.20$12.13
Brazil$.10$53.171
Other 212Unavailable2
$97.06 Billion
Notes 1=Incomplete, 2=Unavailable data

         The table below shows the industry revenue of pornography generated by US.

2006
(Billions)
2005
(Billions)
Video Sales & Rentals$3.62$4.28
Internet$2.84$2.50
Cable / PPV / In-Room / Mobile / Phone Sex$2.00$2.00
Exotic Dance Clubs$2.19$1.34
Novelties$1.73$1.50
Magazines$.95$1.00
$13.33$12.62


         So how can we implement ideologies and cultures of these countries throwing aside the Quran and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad(saw). The more we drift away from Quran and Sunnah the more we will fall into the abyss of ignorance. 

THE WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN ISLAM

         Prophet Muhammad (swa) the last of the Messengers from Allah (swa) came with a book that gave the full  protection to the women in a time were women were sold on the market, abused, neglected and buried alive as infants.
        There are many false accusation made towards Islam regarding the topic of Women rights in Islam,but these are made on very weak basis without properly investigating the text from Quran and Sunnah. The peace and tranquility experienced by Muslims countries which had implemented Sharia fully are witness to this. Even the reduction of  violence towards women on most of the Islamic countries are witness to this. In Islam a women is considered as a pearl. The pearl is protected by two barriers, that is the shell of the oyster and by the sea. This is the type of protection given in Islam for women, Islam don't want our women to be victimized and exploited to please the sexual urge of men.

NOW


           But the enemies of Islam had corrupted and diluted the beliefs of Muslim women by deceiving them in the wealth and pleasures of this world. The majority of Muslim women had crossed the boundaries stated in Quran and Sunnah. The women in Islamic countries had come to believe that guarding their modesty by wearing a proper Islamic HIjab is against their rights and women being advised to sit at home to take care of children is imprisoning them. Just like the men the women want to leave their houses and mix with the opposite sex.  Due to this divorces and unlawful acts had risen up in the  world.


AFFAIRS IN THE OFFICE


           Women claim that they have the right to go out and earn money as men do. But throughout the world surveys conducted on affairs in the offices are showing that this creates huge social problems increasing divorces and breakups of families.Infidelity expert Ruth Houston the author of the book " Is he cheating on you " says that "Experts say that over 70% of single employees will become romantically involved with someone on the job at some point in their career. Research shows that people are more likely to date a coworker than anyone else. Today's workplace has become the new "single bar". The workplace has also become the number one place for married men and women to meet affair partners and conduct extramarital affairs. 


          There are so many disadvantages in women working at modern day work place and it is due to this the women are advised to avoid the mixing of sexes in Islam. Even behavioral studies conducted by experts says that children who are nurtured by nanny's, grandparents or other family members tend to be more disobedient compared to the children nurtured by their own mothers. Islam is a religion which fills all the loose gaps in the Human society if implied according to Islamic Sharia. It is leaving this Islamic Sharia that had lead to fall of many societies of today.


FINAL WORDS

          Dear sisters obey the divine laws of Allah (swa) and guide your modesty. Don't display your beauty to men. Don't be like a toilet which everyone uses and leave. Your body and soul is more precious than being sold on the market. Your beauty is more precious than being advertised on posters to please all the men. Dear brothers protect your women and cover them. Do you want men being attracted to your women like flies being attracted to sweets. For sure no decent man would like their women to be looked in a indecent  manner. Dear women obey your husbands and guide your modesty. Don't be a victim of satan and indecent men who uses you by deceiving you to commit unlawful acts. They give you nothing but false hopes and desires. In the end you loose the love of Allah (swa) and Muhammad (saw), your dignity, your modesty, and your life. How many women had fallen to the victims of satan and men who mislead them and destroyed their life. They did this for a pleasure of this world or to achieve their desires. But this life is short passing and you will oneday face Allah (swa). For women who turn their head away from the guidance of Allah (swa) they will be faced with harsh punishment in this world and in the hereafter.
          May Allah (swa) guide our women and may Allah (swa) protect them from evil men and satan, may Allah (swa) save our women from the punishment of grave and hell. May Allah (swa) reward them with everlasting blessings of Paradise. 

Jan 11, 2012

PATIENCE

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          Allah (swa) will weigh all our good deeds except for being patient in this transient life due to trials, for being patient due to trials is something that which Allah (swa) will give the reward to that person. It is said that the people of the Paradise will see the rewards given to the people who were patient in this world and they will ask why they are given superior rewards than them. Then they will be told that they are given superior rewards because they were patient to the different trials they faced in this world. Then these people will feel sad because they didn’t go through similar trials in the world of those who were given superior rewards in the Paradise due to their patience. If you read the Quran you will come across different verses that spoke about being patient and its benefits.

QURAN

            In the Mohsin Khan's Quran translation the word patience appears 33 times in 33 verses. These verses shows us that patience is quality a pious person should possess and also these verses indicates that in this worldly life we will face trials  and the cure for this is having strong faith in Allah (swa), performing prayers and bearing the trials with patience.

            And seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer) and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khashi'un [i.e. the true believers in Allah - those who obey Allah with full submission, fear much from His Punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise) and in His Warnings (Hell)]. 
(  سورة البقرة  , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #45)

         Verily I have rewarded them this Day for their patience: they are indeed the ones that are successful. 
(  سورة المؤمنون  , Al-Mumenoon, Chapter #23, Verse #111

           Those will be rewarded with the highest place (in Paradise) because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect. 
(  سورة الفرقان  , Al-Furqan, Chapter #25, Verse #75)

            "O my son! Aqim-As-Salat (perform As-Salat), enjoin (on people) Al-Ma'ruf - (Islamic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allah, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allah with no exemption). 
(  سورة لقمان  , Luqman, Chapter #31, Verse #17)

            And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah. 
(  سورة الشورى  , Ash-Shura, Chapter #42, Verse #43)
 

 FROM SUNNAH

         Then the Prophet (PBUH) said "Whatever wealth I have, I will not withhold from you. Whosoever would be chaste and modest; Allah will keep him chaste and modest and whosoever would seek self-sufficiency, Allah will make him self-sufficient; and whosoever would be patient, Allah will give him patience, and no one is granted a gift better and more comprehensive than patience".
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

          The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said "How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him".
[Muslim].

        The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said "Allah, the Exalted, says: 'I have no reward other than Jannah for a believing slave of Mine who remains patient for My sake when I take away his beloved one from among the inhabitants of the world".
[Al-Bukhari].

       

STORY OF AYOUB (AS)

         The Prophets who delivered the revelations of the Almighty Allah (swa) to the mankind are the perfect examples of the people who were patient in the face of calamities. If you look at the story of Ayoub  (as) you will see that Ayoub (as) was among most patient Prophets of Allah (swa).
         It is said that Ayoub (as) had everything that a Human being wants in this worldly life. Ayoub (as) had an obedient wife, children, gardens, slaves, health and wealth. But Allah (swa) took everything from Ayoub (as) within a short period. It was said that Satan heard the Angels talk about the piety of Ayoub (as) and the Angels proclaimed Ayoub (as) as the most pious person in the world at that time. Due to jealousy the Satan invoked Allah (swa) saying that if Allah (swa) removed all the wealth of Ayoub (as) that he will not be loyal to Allah (swa). So Allah (swa) wanted the Satan to see the piousness of Ayoub (as). So Ayoub (as) wealth was taken form him within no time. Then Satan came in a form of a man and tried to mislead Ayoub (as) and said; 
"All your wealth is lost, some people say that it is because you gave too much charity and that you are wasting your time with your continuous prayers to Allah (swa). Others say that Allah (swa) has brought this upon you in order to please your enemies. If Allah (swa) had the capacity to prevent harm, then He would have protected your wealth." To this Ayoub (as) said "What Allah has taken away from me belongs to Him. I was only its trustee for awhile. He gives to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills." Next Ayoub (as) prostrated to Allah (swa). The Satan didn't give up and invoked again to Allah (swa) by saying that if Allah (swa) take Ayoub (as) children he will disobey Allah (swa). So all fourteen children of Ayoub (as) died within one day due to an accident. Again the Satan came to Ayoub (as) in a form of a man and gave condolence to Ayoub (as) and said "The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not rewarding you properly for all your prayers." Ayoub (as) again told Satan  "Allah (swa) sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator." Then again Ayoub (as) prostrated to Allah (swa).
          The Satan was very irritated, but the Satan didn't give up yet. This time Satan invoked Allah (swa) to take away Ayoub (as) health. So Ayoub (as) was afflicted with a skin disease which disfigured Ayoub (as) and was bedridden. All his family members, friends and slaves deserted Ayoub (as ) except for Ayoub (as ) wife. But it didn't stop there ! Ayoub (as ) was exiled from the town too. But yet Ayoub (as) persevered and was firm on the path of Allah (swa). Ayoub (as) who lived a prosperous life for eighty years went through this hardship for eight years.
            It is said that Ayoub (as) wife  labored to feed Ayoub (as) after all their wealth was lost. But the people of the town stopped giving her work. In this desperate moment the Satan  tried to mislead Ayoub (as) wife by reminding of her the prosperous times she had when they were not afflicted by these trials. This made her depressed and the wife of Ayoub (as) complained to Ayoub (as) by saying "How long are you going to bear this torture from our Lord? Are we to remain without wealth, children or friends forever? Why don't you call upon Allah (swa) to remove this suffering? Ayoub (as) was very angry with her and said "In that case I am ashamed to call on my Lord to remove the hardship, for I have not suffered longer than the years of good health and plenty. If I ever regain health, I swear I will punish you with a hundred strokes! From this day onward, I forbid myself to eat or drink anything by your hand.Leave me alone and let my Lord do with me as He pleases."  These words hit her very hard and she left Ayoub (as). In this bitter moment Ayoub (as) invoked to seek Allah (swa) mercy but not to complain.The words which came out of Ayoub (as) mouth were  " Verily ! distress has seized me and You are the most merciful of those who show mercy."  Then Allah (swa) removed all his afflictions. It is said that Ayoub (as) got his health back, his wife came back, he got wealthier than before and Ayoub (as) wife bore fourteen children after the trials were lifted. So my Brothers and Sisters if we are inflicted by trials try to remember the trials Ayoub (as) went through and the rewards he achieved by being patient.

 NOW 

     Statistics says that every 40 second  a person commits suicide in the world. If you look at the statistics of number of suicides for the countries and the statistics of atheists living in that countries you will be amazed to find out that most of the suicide are occurring in countries were there are dense populations of atheists. Since the  atheist doesn't believe in the Hereafter they tend to get depressed easily when their dreams and ambitions die in this world.So they are more likely to commit suicide. That is the reason why Islam pays a huge importance for spirituality. If a Muslim is afflicted with hardship he believes that it is a test from Allah (swa) and that this world is a temporary resident. He believes that there is a better life after death and if he was patient in the path of Allah (swa) he will be rewarded with everlasting blessings with all his dreams full filled. So improve your spirituality by constantly  remembering Allah (swa).

LAST WORDS

      My brothers and sisters be firm in the path of  Allah (swa). Hold on to the Quran and the Sunnah. That is the only cure for satisfying your soul. If you choose a path other than this, you will fail miserably. Be mindful that Paradise comes with a cost. That cost is being afflicted by trials and hardship in this world. Allah (swa) tests those who Allah (swa) loves. This is to check their firm belief in Allah (swa) and how thankful they are when they are deprived of their worldly blessings. When these people are afflicted by hardship and deprived of their worldly blessings they will praise Allah (swa) and be patient. If they are given any blessings they will thank Allah (swa). These are the qualities of a true believers ! For a pious person this world is a prison, he will be freed from this prison when Allah (swa) takes his soul away from his body and pass it on to the world of the unseen. So brothers and sisters be patient and praise and thank Allah (swa) when faced with hardships. May Allah (swa) shower all of you with patience and steadfastness ! Ameen !   

Jan 8, 2012

RIGHTS OF OUR PARENTS

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       Being dutiful and kind to our parents is a religious obligation upon every Muslim. Hence Allah (swa) had revealed several verses in Quran  relating this matter.

FROM QURAN

       And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.
(  سورة الإسراء  , Al-Isra, Chapter #17, Verse #23)

       And  We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents; but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return and I shall tell you what you used to do.
(  سورة العنكبوت  , Al-Ankaboot, Chapter #29, Verse #8)
 
       And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship. And she brings him forth with hardship, and the bearing of him, and the weaning of him is thirty months, till when he attains full strength and reaches forty years, he says: "My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds, such as please You, and make my offspring good. Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, I am one of the Muslims (submitting to Your Will)."
(  سورة الأحقاف  , Al-Ahqaf, Chapter #46, Verse #15)

         If you look at these verses you will see that after worshiping Allah (swa) the next thing Allah (swa) commands us is to be dutiful and good to our Parents. This shows us that disobeying our parents and hurting them is the second biggest sin after disobeying Allah (swa) and His Messenger Muhammad (saw).

FROM SUNNAH

          Bahz ibn Hakim's grandfather said, "I asked, 'Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be dutiful?' 'Your mother,' he replied. I asked, 'Then whom?' 'Your mother,' he replied. I asked, 'Then whom?' 'Your mother,' he replied. I asked, 'Then to whom should I be dutiful?' 'Your father,' he replied, 'and then the next closest relative and then the next.'"
 
           Abu Bakra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Shall I tell you which is the worst of the major wrong actions?" "Yes, Messenger of Allah," they replied. He said, "Associating something else with Allah and disobeying parents." he had been reclining, but then he said up and said, "And false witness." Abu Bakr said, "He continued to repeat it until I said, 'Is he never going to stop?'"

          Abdullah ibn 'Amr said, "A man came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'I have come to make you a pledge that will do hijra although I have left my parents in tears." The Prophet said, 'Go back to them and make them laugh as you made them cry.'"

 SHORT STORIES

          Being unkind to your parents is the only sin that you will face its consequences in this world and the hereafter. There are many true stories which is a witness to this.
          There once was a son who spent his entire youth in serving his old Father. As time passed this youth became tired of taking care of his father and decided to kill him finally. One night he lifted his father and took him on top of a Mountain to throw him of the cliff. The Father in a sad voice said to the son" Son I know that you are trying to kill me by throwing me off the cliff,but don't throw me off this Mountain ! Throw me off that Mountain ! That is the Mountain I threw off your Grandfather !
          In another story a man once traveling saw in a town an old women being chased by her children. The children were scolding her with vulgar language and throwing sand at her. Behind them there was another man shouting out " Don't stop them ! don't stop them ! I saw with my own eyes this old lady doing the same to her old Mother !
          A Family consisting of five members gathered to dine. The family consist of a Grandfather ( from Fathers side), Father, Mother and two Boys.The Grandfather being very old and due to his weakness dropped a plate and broke it. The Son of this old man (the Father of two Boys) scolded his Father angrily in front of the boys and humiliated his Father.The next day the Son of this old man brought a big coconut shell instead of a plate for the old man to dine. The Boys puzzled asked their Father " Why is Grandpa dinning on a Coconut shell". The Father of the Boys said "How can we buy plates everyday for your Grandfather, you have seen what he did yesterday". The boys said  "Alright ! Once Grandpa passed away we will keep the coconut shell to feed you when you grow old !". These words spoken by the Boys penetrated the heart of their Father which made him realize that old age will set upon himself too. From that day onwards he stopped treating his Father like that.
           These stories tells us that we will face the consequences of treating our parents unjustly in this world. Also the reality is that we might be young and strong now but one day our body will be covered with wrinkles and our head will be covered with grey hair. That day your children will be left to take care of you. If you were kind to your Parents and Children they will take good care of you. If you were unkind to them you will despair in both worlds.

NOW

           The Mother and Father who worked so hard to raise you, who nourished you, who clothed you, who fed you, who educated you and who gave you shelter are thrown out of their houses once they reach old age. In the West the children abandon their Parents once they grow up and get employed because the state have arranged retirement scheme's and all shorts of benefits which are given to old people. Due to this the children most of the time doesn't have to financially support them or be around to help them. So the children leave and seek their dreams abandoning their Parents. But will these retirement schemes and benefits replace the touching care and love of a Son or a Daughter? Or do you think you don't need love and care of your children ? Because of this unethical behaviors the Western countries mark and celebrate days like "Mother's day" and "Father's day" just to please these old abandoned Parents. But even then some children just send a card to greet them on this occasion. What they don't realize is that the same fate awaits them. Even we have seen and heard stories of Parents being taken to old age homes or nursing homes because they don't have time to take care of their Parents. These children will face the same fate and they will face the harsh punishments in the hell fire.
            The children are so busy deluded in the worldly desires they forget the commands of Allah (swa) and the Parents who made them who they are in this world. Another very sad thing happening is that after our Parents die most of us think that our obligations to our Parents are over. But reality is that they need our supplications to give them steadfastness in the grave. Apart from this its a pity that we don't find time to visit the graves of our Parents and that we appoint foreigners to keep their graves clean. Also it is common among us that we raise our voice and speak rudely to our Parents. Arguing our Parents and raising our voice is a very serious sin we commit and we should repent to all of these unlawful acts we commit. For once ask your self if you would like your children to do the same thing to you when you grow old and need their care !

BENEFITS OF KINDNESS TO PARENTS

           Moosa (as) once made dua to Allah (swa) to show Moosa (as) the closest companion who will accompany him in the Paradise. Allah (swa) revealed Moosa (as) the whereabouts of this companion. So Moosa (as) traveled and  found the house of this person and went there and called out the Salaam to enter the house of this companion. This companion didn't reply Moosa (as) and went on serving two pigs he had with him. One of these pig was a female and the other was a male. He showered and fed both of the Pigs and then replied the Salaam to Moosa (as). Because of this rude behavior Moosa (as) was puzzled and thought how can such rude person who doesn't reply the Salaam and who doesn't take care of travelers be the closest companion in Paradise of him. So to clear everything Moosa (as) asked about the actions of the companion. The companion told Moosa (as) that the two Pigs are his Parents. Allah (swa) cursed them due to their transgression. But even then he is obliged to pay the rights of their Parents,so he is full filling his rights upon his parents. Then only Moosa (as ) realized the virtue  of this companion. So brothers and sisters strive hard to be dutiful to your Parents.

  LAST WORDS

            Our Parents are our path to eternal bliss. If our Parents are alive and living with us it is a great opportunity for us to attain the love of Allah (swa) by being kind and dutiful to them. Unlike the Western world for us Muslim's everyday is a Mother's day and a Father's day. We are obliged to treat them well, greet them well, take care of them well and pray for them everyday.
           May Allah (swa) bless our Parents who labored their whole life to raise us. May Allah (swa) save our Parents eyes from hell fire which were kept open on long nights without sleep to take care of us.May Allah (swa) save our Parents hands from hell fire which worked tirelessly serving us. May Allah (swa) save our Parents faces from hell fire which smiled and cheered us, May Allah (swa) save our parents feet from hell fire which walked miles to get us what we needed and May Allah (swa) save our Parents bodies from hell fire which sheltered us from harm and cuddled us with warmth. 
                                    
                                        DEDICATED TO MY MOM AND DAD

 



       

   

Dec 29, 2011

ONE DAY.....

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   One day you will wake up not knowing that you will have your last day in this worldly life. For some people that day will come suddenly and for some it will come through a long sickness. For some people it will come when they are infants. For some it will come when they are youthful and for some it will come when the old age had eaten up their youth. That day you will eat your last meal in this world or probably you won’t.

   That day you will utter your last words or probably you won’t. That day you will inhale the last gasp of air from this worldly life. That day you will have your last glance of your family or probably you won’t. That day you will come to know the reality of this transient life. A day that you will come to know that the words of Allah (swa) is the truth. A day that you will meet the Angel s of death with wrath. That day the Angels of death will take your soul like a branch full of thorns being pulled through wet wool. That day you will leave the care of your family. That day the beautiful wives and handsome husbands you adored will leave you. That day the children you raised with so much effort will leave you. That day the wealth you accumulated will not avail what is about to fall on you. That day your whole life will flash in front of your eyes like a second.

   That day you will cry because you didn’t believe in Allah (swa).  That day you will cry because you didn’t believe in the last Messenger Muhammad (saw). That day you will cry because you mistreated your Mother and Father. That day you will cry over the obligatory prayers that you omitted purposely. That day you will cry over the obligatory fasts that you thought were useless and tiring. That day you will cry over the wealth you hoarded without paying alms. That day when you will cry at the countless sins you committed. That day you will cry over the lies you spoke. That day you will cry over the time that you wasted uselessly. That day you will cry over being unfaithful to your husbands and wives. That day you will cry for the fact that you used your status and power to oppress the laws of Allah (swa). That day you will cry over all the unlawful sexual acts you committed.

   That day you will be shrouded in a white cloth. That day all your relatives and friends will cry over your passing by not knowing how much you cry. That day your relatives and friends will pray for you before you have performed a single prayer for your own self. That day they will place you in your coffin or probably won’t. That day they will place you in your grave or probably won’t. That day you will be buried in your grave with darkness upon darkness. That day you will hear the footsteps of your friends and relatives leaving you. That day the Earth will squeeze you till your ribs get crushed. That day the Angels will descend upon you to question about how you spent your life. That day you won’t be able to answer these questions. That day you will face the severe punishment from Allah (swa). That day poisonous snakes and scorpions will sting you so severely that the pain cannot be explained. That day the beautiful body you adored will start to rot and decay.

    Soon you will be forgotten by your friends and relatives. Soon maggots will eat your sinful body. Soon your wives and husbands will merry other men or women. Soon your wealth will be distributed among your family. Soon you will be dust.

   This is the life we hoard transgressing the laws of Allah (swa). This life is only a dream with delusions. So be mindful of this day because it might be setting its direction towards you now. So believe and repent to Allah (swa) before its too late !

Nov 29, 2011

PASSIONATE LOVE IN ISLAM

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       Passionate love is a psychological sickness, and when its effects become noticeable on the body, it becomes a sickness that afflicts the mind also. Either by afflicting the mind by the likes of melancholy, or afflicting the body through weakness and emaciation. But the purpose here is to discuss its effect on the heart, for passionate love is the fundamental that makes the soul covet that which would harm it, similar is the one weak of body who covets that which harms it, and if he is not satiated by that then he is grieved, and if he is satiated then his sickness increases. The same applies to the heart afflicted with this love; for it is harmed by its connection to the loved, either by seeing, touching, hearing, even think about it. And if he were to curb the love then the heart is hurt and grieved by this, and if he given is to the desire then the sickness becomes stronger and becomes a means through which the grievance is increased.
In the hadith there occurs, "Indeed Allah shelters His believing servant from the world just as one of you shelter your sick ones from food and drink (that would harm them)." 1
In the hadith concerning the saving of Musa reported by Wahb2, which is recorded by Imam Ahmad in az-Zuhd, "Allah says: 'Indeed I drive away My friends from the delights of this world and its opulence and comfort just as the compassionate shepherd drives away his camel from the dangerous grazing lands. And indeed I make them avoid its tranquility and livelihood, just as the compassionate shepherd makes his camel to avoid the resting-places wherein it would be easy prey. This is not because I consider them to be insignificant, but so that they may complete their portion of My Kindness in safety and abundance, the delights of the world will not attract him and neither would desires overcome him.' "
Therefore the only cure for the sick lies in his removing the sickness by removing this blameworthy love from his heart.
People are divided into two opinions concerning passionate love: One group says that if falls into the category of intentions and wishes, this being the famous opinion. Another group says that it falls into the category of imagination and fantasies and that it is a corruption of the imagination since it causes one to depict the one who is loved in other than his true reality. This group went on to say: "And this is why Allah has not been described with passionate love (ishk) and neither that He passionately loves (ya'shik) because He is far removed from this, and one cannot be praised who has these corrupt thoughts."
As for the first group, then from them are those who said: "He is described with passionate love (ishk) because it is a complete and perfect love and Allah loves (yuhib)." And it is reported in the narration of 'Abdul-Wahid bin Zayd that He said, "The servant will always continue to draw closer to me, loving Me and I loving him (a'shiquhu)." This is the saying of some of the Sufis but the majority does not apply this word to Allah, because passionate love is a love exceeding the proper bounds, as for the Love of Allah then it has no end and cannot exceed the proper bounds. Passionate love is to be considered blameworthy without any exceptions, it is not to be praised when it is directed towards the Creator or created because it is a love that exceeds the proper bounds.
This is also true because the word 'passionate love' is only employed with regards to a man loving a woman or child (or vice versa), it is not employed in things such as the love of one's family, property or status, just as it is not employed with regards to the love of the Prophets and the righteous. Commonly, you will find this word being mentioned alongside a forbidden action, such as loving the woman who is not lawful for him, or loving a child joined with the unlawful glance and touch and other such unlawful actions.
As for the love of a man for his wife or slave-girl which leads him out of the folds of justice such that he does unlawful things for her and leaves what is obligatory – as commonly happens – even to the extent that he may oppress his son born of his old wife due to this love of his new wife, or to the extent that he will do things to keep her happy that would harm his religion and worldly life. For example his singling her out for inheritance that she does not deserve, or that he gives her family authority and property that exceeds the limits set by Allah, or he goes to excesses in spending on her, or he makes unlawful things possible for her which harms his religion and worldly life. This passionate love is forbidden with regards to one who is permissible for him, so how would it be with regards for one who has passionate love for someone who is unlawful or with regards to two men? For this contains a corruption the extent of which none can assess except the Lord of the servants; it is a sickness that corrupts the religion and objectives of the one who possesses it, then it corrupts his intelligence and then his body. Allah, the Most High, says:
"Then do not be soft in speech, lest in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable  manner." [Al-Qur'an 33:32]
There are some whose hearts contain the disease of desire and whose perceptions are only skin deep. When the object of the desire submits, the sickness is satiated, and this satiation strengthens the desire and pursuit of the object and hence strengthens the sickness. This is in contrast to the one whose objective is not met, for this failure results in removing the satiation that would strengthen the sickness and thereby the desire is weakened as is the love. This is because the person definitely intends that there be action accompanying his desire, for otherwise all his desire would be is just whisperings of the soul, unless there is some speech or looking accompanying this.
As for the one who is afflicted with this passionate love but holds back and is patient, then indeed Allah will reward him for his taqwa as occurs in the hadith: "That the one who passionately loves someone yet holds back, conceals this and is patient, then dies you this, will be a martyr." 3 This hadith is known to be the report of Yahya al-Qatat from Mujahid from Ibn 'Abbas from the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam but it is problematic and such a hadith is not to be depended upon.
But it is known from the evidences of the Shari'ah that if one were to hold back from performing that which is unlawful, be it looking, speaking or acting, and he conceals this and does not articulate it so as not to fall into that which is prohibited and he is patient in his obedience to Allah and keeping away from disobedience to Allah, despite the pain that his heart feels due to passionate love, (similar to the case of the one who is patient through a calamity), then indeed this person would gain the same reward as those who have feared Allah and been patient.
"Verily, he who fears Allah and is patient, then surely Allah makes not the reward of the doers of good to be lost." [Al-Qur'an 12:90]
This holds true for the disease of envy and all other sicknesses that afflict the heart. So when the soul pursues that which would anger Allah, and the person prevents himself from this, fearing Allah, then he is included in His saying:
"But as for him who feared the standing before His Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode." [Al-Qur'an 79:40-41]
When the soul loves something, it will do all that it can to attain it, so the one who does this out of having a blameworthy love or hatred then this action of his would be sinful. For example his hating a person due to envying him and thereby harming whosoever is linked to that person – either by preventing his rights or by showing them enmity, or his doing something that is commanded by Allah but he does it due to his desires and not for the sake of Allah.
These types of sicknesses are commonly found in the heart. The person can hate something and due to this hate, love a great many things due to mere whims and fancies. As one poet affected by this said:
"For the sake of a Sudanese girl he loved Sudan to the point that he loved the black dogs due to his love of her."
So he loved a black girl, and therefore loved all types of black even the blackness of dogs! All of this is a sickness in the heart with regards to its imagination, fantasies and desires. We ask Allah that He eliminate all of the illnesses from our hearts, and we seek refuge with Allah from evil manners, desires and sicknesses.
The heart has only been created for the worship of Allah, and this is the natural disposition (fitrah) upon which Allah created His servants as the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Every new-born child is born upon the natural disposition and it is his parents that make him a Jew, Christian or a Magian, as an animal produces a perfect young animal, do you see any part of its body amputated?" Then Abu Hurayrah, radiallahu 'anhu, said, recite if you wish the saying of Allah:
"The fitrah of Allah with which He has created mankind. No change is there in the creation of Allah." [Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim. The ayat is Al-Qur'an 30:30].
So Allah has made the natural disposition of His servants to love Him and worship Him Alone, so if the natural disposition was to be left as it is without corrupting it, then it would be cognizant of Allah, loving Him Alone; but the natural disposition does become corrupted due to the sickness of the heart – such as the parents making it a Jew or a Christian – even though this be by the Will and Pr-decree of Allah, just like the body is altered by amputation. But even after this it is possible for the heart to return to the natural disposition if Allah makes this easy for the one who does his utmost to return it to the natural disposition.
The Messengers were sent to affirm and re-establish the natural disposition and to perfect it, not to alter it. So when the heart loves Allah Alone, making the religion sincerely for Him, it will not be tried with this passionate love (directed to him) his love of Allah Alone, making the religion sincerely for him, did not allow him to be overcome by this, rather Allah said:
"Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves." [Al-Qur'an 12:24]
As for the wife of al-'Aziz, it was because she was and her nation were polytheists that she was afflicted with passionate love. No one and no one are afflicted with passionate love except that this diminishes his singling out Allah Alone for worship and his faith. The heart that repents to Allah, fearing Him, has two routes by which it can remove this passionate love:
  1. Repenting to Allah and loving Him, for indeed this is more satisfying and purer than anything else, and nothing will be left to love along side Allah; and
  2. Fearing Allah, for indeed fear is the opposite of passionate love and removes it.
So everyone who loves something, with passion or otherwise, then this love can be removed by loving that which is more beloved to compete with it.4 This love can also be removed by fearing the occurrence of a harm that is more hateful to one than leaving this love. So when Allah is more beloved to the servant than anything else, and more feared by him than anything else, then he will not fall into passionate love or find any love that would compete with his love of Allah, except in the case of negligence or at a time when this love and fear has become weak by his leaving some of the obligatory duties and by performing some of the prohibited actions. For indeed faith increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience, so each time a servant obeys Allah out of love and fear, and leaves a prohibited action out of love and fear, his love and fear becomes stronger, and any love or fear of anything else besides Allah will disappear from his heart.
The same is true for the sickness of the body; for the health of the body is preserved by the same, and the sickness is repressed by the opposite. The correctness of the faith in the heart is preserved by its like, meaning that which would breed faith in the heart from the beneficial knowledge and righteous action for these are its nourishment as occurs in the hadith of Ibn Mas'ud, reported as his saying and as a hadith of the Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, "Indeed every host loves that people come to his table spread, and indeed the table spread of Allah is the Qur'an."
So the Qur'an is the table spread of Allah.
From those things that nourish the heart are supplication at the end of the night, the times of adhan and iqamah, in his prostration, at the ends of the prayers5 – add to this repentance. For indeed the one who repents to Allah and then in turn Allah forgives him, He will then give him enjoyment for an appointed time. That he takes to reciting the reported adhkar for the day and at the time he sleeps. That he bears with patience what he is enticed with that would divert him from all of this, than Allah will immediately aid him with a spirit from Him and write faith in his heart. That he be eager to complete the obligatory duties such as the five prayers inwardly and outwardly for they are the pillars of the religion. That his words of recourse be 'la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi' 6 for by them the heavy burdens can be born, horrors can be overcome, and the servant be gifted up the supplication and seeking help from Allah, for the servant will be answered as long as he is not hasty, saying: "I have supplicated and supplicated but I have not been answered." 7 That he should know that help comes with patience, that relief comes after anxiety and distress, that after every period of difficulty there follows a period a period of ease.8 That he knows that no prophet or one less than him was rewarded with a good end except as a result of his being patient.
And all praise and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of Creation. To Him belongs praise and grace for guiding us to Islam and the Sunnah, a praise that would suffice His favours to us outwardly and inwardly, as in required for the nobility of His Face and might of His Magnificence. Abundant peace and blessings be upon our master, Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and upon his family, Companions, his wives – the mothers of the believers, and all those that follow them in good until the Day of Judgement.

       (s) Diseases of the Hearts & their Cures, compiled by Ibrahim bin 'Abdullah al-Hazim



1. A similar hadith to this reported by al-Bayhaqi and it is a da'if hadith. Refer to Fayd al-Qadir. [back]
2. Wahb ibn Munabbih is a noble tabi'i, but this hadith is reported from him directly to the Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam and is not authentic. [back]
3. A da'if hadith. Refer to the discussion concerning its inauthenticity in al-Jawab al-Kafi and Rawdah al-Muhibbin of Ibn al-Qayyim and Silsilah ad-Da'ifah of al-Albani. [back]
4. Refer to Rawdah al-Muhibbin of Ibn al-Qayyim for he has a beautiful discussion concerning this. [back]
5. These are the times in which Allah answers the supplications, there are authentic ahadith concerning these. [back]
6. The Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, "Indeed it is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise." Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim from the hadith of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari. [back]
7. Reported by Muslim [back]
8. A hasan hadith reported by Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi from the hadith of Ibn 'Abbas. [back]
        
                                This article is taken from www.sunnahonline.com

   
          
  


                   

Nov 28, 2011

Desires and Soul

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         We Muslims we are obliged to fulfill two very important aspects of our religion which will help us completes our faith. That is firstly purifying our soul with piety and secondly the outward look of a true believer. It is very easy to dress up like a true believer for someone, but when it comes to following the ethics of our religion and disciplining our soul that is where most of us fail. It is not actually the outward look of a fruit that is important! But its taste! Just like that we Muslims can portray our image as Muslims from outward looks, but if our soul is not beautified with strong faith in Allah (swa) and watered with piety we will fail in achieving the tranquility that we should achieve in believing in Allah (swa).

WHAT IS NAF’S OR SOUL ?

        Nafs (pl. Anfus or Nufus) lexically means soul, the psyche, the ego, self, life, person, heart or mind.
        Although some scholars have classified the Nafs up to 7 stages, there is agreement among Ulama' that in the Qur'an, Allah (swa) has described at least 3 main types of the Nafs. And these are in rank from the worse to better: Nafs al-Ammara Bissu' (the Nafs that urges evil), Nafs al-Lawwama (the Nafs that Blames) and Nafs al-Mutma`inna (the Nafs at Peace). 

TYPES OF NAF'S OR SOUL 

1. Nafs al-Ammara Bissu' (The Soul which Commands):

         This is the Nafs that brings punishment itself. By its very nature it directs its owner towards every wrong action. No one can get rid of its evil without the help from Allah (swa). As Allah (swa) refers to this Nafs in the story of the wife of al-Aziz (Zulaikha) and Prophet Yusuf (s):
"The (human) soul is certainly prone to evil" (12:53).

2. Nafs al-Lawwama (the Soul that Blames):
         Allah (swa) refers to this Nafs,
"And I do call to witness the Nafs that blames" (75:2).
         This Nafs is conscious of its own imperfections.
Hasan al-Basri said, "You always see the believer blaming himself and saying things like 'Did I want this? Why did I do that? Was this better than that?"….

3. Nafs al-Mutma`inna (the Soul at Peace):
         Allah (swa) refers to this Nafs,
"O Self, in complete rest and satisfaction!" (89:27).
        This Nafs is tranquil as it rests on the certitude of Allah (swa).
Ibn Abbas (r) said, "It is the tranquil and believing soul".
Al-Qatadah (r) said, "It is the soul of the believer, made calm by what Allah (swa) has promised. Its owner is at rest and content with his knowledge of Allah's (swa) Names and Attributes, and with what He has said about Himself and His Messenger (saw) and with what He has said about what awaits the soul after death: about the departure of the soul, the life in the Barzakh, and the events of the Day of Qiyamah which will follow. So much so that a believer such as this can almost see them with his own eyes. So he submits to the will of Allah ((swa) and surrenders to Him contentedly, never dissatisfied or complaining, and with his faith never wavering. He does not rejoice at his gains, nor do his afflictions make him despair - for he knows that they were decreed long before they happened to him, even before he was created…."….

         We Human beings are created in way that we bend towards our desires which most of the time controls our soul. It is these desires that we Human beings should curb to control our soul.  Allah (swa) had given us guidance through the noble Quran and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (saw) to cure the problems of soul’s desires and dangers of following it.

QURAN
     
In the Quran translation of Mohsin Khan the word desires comes 42 times in 39 verses. If you look at these verses Allah (swa) had warned the Human race repeatedly not to follow your desires.

         "And no person can ever die except by Allah's Leave and at an appointed term. And whoever desires a reward in (this) world, We shall give him of it; and whoever desires a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give him thereof. And We shall reward the grateful".
(
Chapter #3, Verse #145)

         " Verily, I will mislead them, and surely, I will arouse in them false desires; and certainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah." And whoever takes Shaitan (Satan) as a Wali (protector or helper) instead of Allah, has surely suffered a manifest loss".
(
Chapter #4, Verse #119)

           "He [Shaitan (Satan)] makes promises to them, and arouses in them false desires; and Shaitan's (Satan) promises are nothing but deceptions".
(Chapter #4, Verse #120)

            "Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter, to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein". 
(Chapter #11, Verse #15)

          "Whoever desires the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then, afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell; he will burn therein disgraced and rejected (- far away from Allah's Mercy)".(Chapter #17, Verse #18)

              "And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it (i.e. does righteous deeds of Allah's Obedience) while he is a believer (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) - then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated, (thanked and rewarded by Allah)".
(
Chapter #17, Verse #19)

               "And if the truth had been in accordance with their desires, verily, the heavens and the earth, and whosoever is therein would have been corrupted! Nay, We have brought them their reminder, but they turn away from their reminder".
(
Chapter #23, Verse #71)

WORDS FROM PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAW),COMPANIONS AND SALAF

                "A wise person is one who keeps a watch over his bodily desires and passions, and checks himself from that which is harmful and strives for that which will benefit him after death; and a foolish person is one who subordinates himself to his cravings and desires and expects from Allah the fulfillment of his futile desires". (Tirmidhi) 

                 One time, ‘Umar (ra) had some food placed in front of him, and he began to weep. It was asked of him: “Why are you weeping, O Commander of the Believers?” He said: “I am afraid that it would be said to me on the Day of Judgement: {“On the Day when those who disbelieve will be exposed to the Fire, it will be said: ‘You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein. Now, this Day, you shall be recompensed with a torment of humiliation because you were arrogant in the land without a right, and because you used to rebel and disobey.’”} [al-Ahqaf; 20]

                 "The Mu'min are a people who have been prevented through the Qur'an from indulging in the pleasures of this world; it comes between them and what might destroy them. The Mu'min is like a prisoner in this world, who tries to free himself from its shackles and chains, placing his trust in nothing in it, until the day he meets his Creator. He knows full well that he is accountable for everything that he hears, sees and says, and for everything that he does with his body."

( Ibn Kathir / Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, vol. 9 pg. 276, Cairo 1352)


                   Sahl bin Abdullah Tustari [died in 283 Hijri at Basra], may Allahu ta'ala be pleased with him, says, "The best of all worships is not to follow the desires of the soul." 


               Abu Bakr Tamistani, may Allahu ta'ala be pleased with him, says, "The fortune of not following desires of the soul is the biggest treasure of this world. Because, soul is the greatest of all veils between Allahu ta'ala and His slave". 


CURE


                    There are so many cures for purifying your nafs but I will go through few since I don't want to make this article longer.


1- Remembering Allah (swa)


                     Allah (swa) says in Quran "Lo! In the creation of the Heavens and the earth and in the night and day are tokens (of His sovereignty) for men of understanding, such as remember Allah, in standing, sitting, and reclining".  [Qur'an 3:190-191] 
 
                     In another verse of the Quran Allah (swa) says "Truly Allah leaves to stray whom He will, but He guides to Himself those who turn to Him in penitence -- Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remebrance of Allah, for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.  [Qur'an 13:27-28]
                      These few verses from Quran are enough to show you  the virtues of remembering Allah (swa). Abu Musa related that Prophet (saw) said "The difference between the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like the difference between the living and the dead". (Bukhari)  
                        There are several types of remembrance. The remembrance of the Names of Allah, Mighty and Glorious is He, the remembrance of His Attributes, and praising Him and thanking Him. All of these can take the form of saying, for example, 'Glory be to Allah', 'Praise be to Allah', 'There is no god but Allah'. A servant can also remember Allah by referring to His Names and Attributes, such as by saying, for example, "Allah, Mighty and Glorious is He, Hears all that his servants say and do"; or by mentioning what He has commanded and what He has forbidden, such as saying, "Allah, the Mighty and Glorious, commands such and such, or forbids such and such."
                      
 2- Remembering death


                   Remembering death is something that our Prophet  Muhammad (saw), his companions and the salaf practiced to control their worldly desires and soul. All the people on this face of the earth knows that sooner or later they will meet their fate. But we are deluded by worldly desires that we fail to recognize our final abode. It is common sense that for the one who thinks about his death will prepare it the best way. So for anyone who knows the trials of death and the punishment of grave will not indulge in worldly desires and commit sin. 


3- Reciting Quran 


                    Allah (swa) says in Quran "We send down in the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy for those who believe ". (17:82) All the illnesses of the heart result from desires and doubt, and the Qur'an is a cure for both. It has enough clear signs and proofs to distinguish between truth and falsehood, and thus it cures the diseases of doubt which ruin knowledge, understanding and perception, by enabling a person to see things as they really are.

4- By stopping committing sins     

                   The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "When a Muslim, or a believer, washes his face (in the course of Wudu'), every sin which he committed with his eyes, will be washed away from his face with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin which is committed by his hands will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin his feet committed will be washed away with the water, or with the last drop of water; until he finally emerges cleansed of all his sins.'' (Muslim). So dear Muslim brothers and sisters perform ablution as much as possible and try to stay in the state of this purity as long as you can. Try to make ablution before going to bed. This will indeed purify you from sins and purify your nafs.


FINAL WORD


                      Abu Hurairah [ra] narrated that the Messenger of Allah [saw] said:  "When Allah created Jannah and Hellfire, He sent Gabriel to Jannah, saying, ‘look at it and at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants.’ So Gabriel went to it and looked at it and at what Allah had prepared therein for its inhabitants. Then Gabriel returned to Allah and said, ‘By Your glory, no one hears of it without entering it.’ So Allah ordered that it be encompassed by forms of hardship, and He said, ‘Return to it and look at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants! So, Gabriel returned to it and found that it was surrounded by forms of hardship. Then he returned to Allah and said, ‘By Your glory, I fear that no one will enter it, Allah said, ‘Go to Hellfire and look at it and at what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants.’ Gabriel found that it was in layers, one above the other. Then Gabriel returned to Allah and said, ‘By Your glory, no one who hears of it will enter it.’ So Allah ordered that it be surrounded by lusts. Then He said, ‘Return to it and Gabriel returned to it and said, ‘By Your glory, I am frightened that no one will escape from entering it.’ (at-Tirmidhi, abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i) From this words from our Prophet Muhammad (saw) we know that attaining the blessings of this world is sacrificing all the worldly desires and being obedient to Allah (swa). Even if it means to sacrifice all your worldly pleasures and desires the Paradise is worth it my dear brother and sisters. A place with all your desires full filled and everlasting without any decreasing in its pleasures. So why not we sacrifice all this temporary  pleasures and desires to achieve the glade tiding of Allah (swa). May Allah (swa) purify our souls and give us strength over our disobedient souls.