Do not carry the weight of the globe on your shoulders

Posted on April 15th, 2012 · Filed under MYF News

In a certain class of people there rages an internal war, one that doesn’t take place on the battlefield, but in one’s bedroom, one’s office, one’s own home. It is a war that results in ulcers or an increase in blood pressure. Everything frustrates these people: they become angry at inflation, furious because the rains came late and exasperated when the value of their currency falls. They are forever perturbed and vexed, no matter what the reason.

They think that every cry is against them. (Qur ‘an 63: 4)

My advice to you is this: do not carry the weight of the globe on your shoulders. Let the ground carry the burden of those things that happen. Some people have a heart that is like a sponge, absorbing all kinds of fallacies and misconceptions. It is troubled by the most insignificant of matters; it is the kind of heart that is sure to destroy its possessor.

Those who are principled and are upon the true path are not shaken by hardship; instead, hardship helps to strengthen their resolve and faith. But the reverse is true for the weak-hearted: when they face adversity or trouble, it is only their level of fear that increases. At a time of calamity, there is nothing more beneficial to you than having a brave heart. The one who has such a heart is self-possessed ______ he has firm faith and cool nerves. On the other hand, during the course of any given day, the coward slaughters himself many times with apprehensions and presentiments of impending doom. Therefore, if you desire for yourself a stable life, face all situations with bravery and perseverance.

And let not those who have no certainty of faith discourage you…  (Qur’an 30: 60)

Be more resolute than your circumstances and more ferocious than the winds of calamity. May mercy descend upon the weak-hearted, for how often it is that they are shaken by the smallest of tremors?

And verily, you will find them the greediest of mankind for life…  (Qur’an 2: 96)

As for those who are resolute, they receive help from their Lord and are confident of His promise.

He sent down calmness and tranquility upon them.  (Qur’an 48: 18)

Doing good to others gives comfort to the heart

Posted on April 10th, 2012 · Filed under MYF News

The first person who benefits from an act of charity is the benefactor himself, by seeing changes in himself and in his manners, by finding peace, by watching a smile form on the lips of another person.

If you find yourself to be in difficulty or distress, show kindness to others, and you will be the first to find solace and comfort. Give to the needy, defend the oppressed, help those in distress, and visit the sick: you will find that happiness surrounds you from all directions.

An act of charity is like perfume it benefits the user, the seller, and the buyer. Furthermore, the psychological benefits that one receives from helping others are indeed great. If you suffer from depression, an act of charity will have a more potent effect on your sickness than will the best available medicine.

Even when you smile upon meeting others, you are giving charity. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:

“Do not dismiss certain acts of kindness by deeming them to be insignificant, even if (such an act) is to meet your brother with a smiling face (for that is a deed which might weigh heavily in your scale of deeds).”

On the other hand, when you frown upon meeting others, you are displaying a sign of enmity, an act that is so detrimental to brotherhood that only Allah knows the full extent of its evil effects.

The Prophet (pbuh) informed us that the prostitute who once gave a handful of water to a dog was rewarded for that deed with Paradise, which is as wide as the heavens and the earth. This is because the Giver of rewards is Forgiving, Rich, and Worthy of Praise.

O’ you, who are threatened by misery, fear and grief, occupy yourself in the betterment of others. Help others in different way through charity, hospitality, sympathy, and support. And in doing so, you will find all of the happiness that you desire.

We who spends his wealth for increase in self-purification, and has in his mind no.favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return; except only the desire to seek the Countenance of his Lord, the Most High. He surely will be pleased [when he enters Paradise]. (Qur’an 92: 18-21)

Tajweed Class Every Sunday For Adults After Maghrib

Posted on March 7th, 2012 · Filed under MYF News

Assalamu Alaikum,

Just a quick reminder for all the brothers that we have Tajweed Classes every sunday after Maghrib with brother Majid. This is a blessed opportunity to learn how to recite the Quran in the correct manner.

What is Tajweed?

Tajweed is the science of reciting the Qur’an in accordance with the established rules and regulations of pronunciation so that every letter is recited with all its qualities from its correct place of pronunciation.

Recitation of the Holy Qur’an is a science which needs to be studied so that every letter of the Qur’an can be recited with the correct pronunciation. Due to the vastness of the Arabic language, a small mistake in the pronunciation of a letter or word can change the meaning of that word. For example, the word ‘qalb’ (with a qāf), which means heart, if read ‘kalb’ (with a kāf), will mean ‘dog.’ Hence, reciting the Qur’an incorrectly will mean that, on occasions, you may unknowingly distort the meaning of the Qur’an.

The Tajweed lessons will give brothers a chance to learn how to recite the Qur’an properly, to improve and perfect their recitation and fulfill an important obligation of Islam.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Holy Qur’an: “And recite the Qur’an with Tarteel (in a slow pleasant tone and style).” [73/4].

When asked about the meaning of tarteel, Sayyiduna Ali رضى الله عنه replied, “It means that the Qur’an should be recited with tajweed and with due observance to the rules of waqf (pausing or stopping at the end of a verse)”.

The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم has said, “Indeed Allah desires that the Qur’an be recited in the manner in which it was revealed.”

Benefits & Virtues of Tajweed

The benefit of learning and reciting the Qur’an in the correct manner is that a person will be able to fulfil his obligation as a Muslim towards the Qur’an. It will also become a means of him/her being honoured in this world and in the hereafter. Most importantly he/she will be able to read the Qur’an in the manner in which it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم . In one hadeeth the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has said,

“The best of all worship is the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.”

What we need to know

In order to recite the Holy Qur’an in the correct manner as it was revealed and recited by the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمwe need to familiarise ourselves with the knowledge of two things:

1. The correct pronunciation of the letters of the Arabic alphabet.

2. The rules related to perfecting the recitation of the Qur’an.

Valuable advice

• One should not attend with a high expectation of learning the Qur’an quickly. The more time and effort one dedicates in learning the Qur’an, the more precise and correct one’s recitation will become. Practice leads to perfection. Every minute taken out to learn the Qur’an is rewarded. Please note that since every individual has different abilities and therefore there is no specific time scale to complete this course. Everyone will work at their own pace.
• Extra time (other than the allocated class time) should be spent to revise the Qur’an.
• With regard to the rules of Tajweed, one should always remember to learn, identify and then implement them.
• Necessary etiquettes should be adopted before proceeding to recite the Qur’an. This will help towards making the reciting of the Qur’an easier.