Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) undertook his farewell pilgrimage in the year 10 A.H. His farewell pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the most significant historical events in the minds of Muslims, for it was the first and last pilgrimage made by Prophet Muhammad, as well as being the model for performing the fifth pillar of Islam, the Hajj. Read more ›
“Our handicaps help us to an extent that we never expected. If Dostoyevski and Tolstoy had not lived painful lives, they would not have been capable of writing their ageless journals. So being an orphan, blind, poor, or away from home and comfort are all conditions that may lead you to accomplishment and distinction, to advancement and contribution.” Read more ›
Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish [i.e. don’t punish them]. (Qur ‘an 7: 199)
It is not right for you to forsake your brother because of one or two faults that you find in him, especially if the rest of his character is honorable. As we know, perfection for any one of us is unattainable. Al-Kindi said:
“How is it that you want your friend to possess a specific pattern of characteristics when your soul____________ which is the closest of souls to you – does not always obey your commands? What right do you then have to expect another person’s soul to follow your orders?”
Even as he is now, so were you yourselves before till Allah conferred on you His Favors [i.e. guided you to Islam]… (Qur’an 4: 94)
So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him. (Qur’an: 53: 32)
It is enough for you that you are satisfied with the main part of your brother’s character. Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“To reproach your brother for something is better than to lose him altogether.”
Some of the wise said:
“We are still not satisfied with ourselves, so how then can we expect ourselves to be satisfied with others.”
It has also been said:
“Don’t remain aloof from someone who impresses you with a good character and sound judgment because of some minor fault that is surrounded by an ocean of virtues. You will not find, as long as you live, a person so cultivated that he is free from blemish and sin. Contemplate your own self and how it often errs and strays. This kind of introspection makes your demand on others more balanced and makes you more sympathetic to the sinner.” An Arab poet said:
“Who is the one whose character is untainted,
Sufficient worthiness for someone is that his defects can be counted.”
It has been said that one’s suspicions concerning one’s brother should not ruin a good mutual trust that has been tested over time. Ja’far ibn Muhammad said to his son. “O’ my son, whoever among your brothers becomes angry with you three times, and on each occasion speaks only the truth about you, take him as a close friend.” Al-Hasan ibn Wahb said,
“From the rights of mutual love is to forgive and overlook shortcomings.”
So overlook their faults with gracious forgiveness. (Qur ‘an 15: 85)
Ibn Roomi said:
“These are people and the world, and there is no doing away with dust
That irritates the eyes or spoils the drink.
From the lack of fairness is to expect refinement
In the world, while you yourself are unrefined.”
And had it not been for the Grace of Allah and His Mercy on you, not one of you would ever have been pure from sins. (Qur ‘an 24: 21)
A poet said:
“You seek a cultivated person who is free from defects, but does the aloe exude a pleasant odor without smoke.”
He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him. (Qur’an 53: 32)
Posted on February 26th, 2015 · Filed under MYF News
1. How blessed are we to have hot food all the time? Today at lunchtime I thought to myself we are never short of food for us or our children. We are so lucky. We should be thankful to Allah for the small things we take for granted. Look at people all over the world who don’t have these luxuries which we take for granted every single day. May Allah give us humility to never forget how lucky we truly are. Ameen Read more ›
Being of service to others leads to happiness. In an authentic hadith, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:
Verily, Allah will say to His slave as He is taking account of him on the Day of Judgment, `O’ son of Adam, I was hungry and you did not feed me. He will answer, how can I feed you and you are the Lord of the worlds! He will say, did you not know that my slave so and so who is the son of so and so felt hunger, and you did not feed him. Alas! Had you fed him you would have found that (i.e. reward) with Me. O’ son of Adam, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. He will say, How can I give you drink, and you are the Lord of the worlds! He will say, did you not know that my slave so and so, the son of so and so felt thirsty and you did not give him drink. Alas! If you had given him, you would have found that (i.e. reward) with Me. O’ son of Adam, I became sick and you did not visit Me. He will say, How can I visit you and you are the Lord of the worlds! He will say, did you not know that my slave so and so, the son of so and so became sick and you did not visit him. Alas! Had you visited him, you would have found me with him.” Read more ›
Posted on February 22nd, 2015 · Filed under MYF News
Among the many ways in which they were blessed, the Companions were informed of their ranking through revelation. This verse was revealed about Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him):
And Al-Muttaqoon [the pious and righteous] will be far removed from it [Hell]. He who spends his wealth for increase in self purification. (Qur’an 92: 17-18) Read more ›
You should feel reassured in that you have a Lord who is just.
Allah, the Exalted, admitted a woman into Paradise because of a dog and another into the Hellfire because of a cat. The first was a prostitute from the children of Israel; because she once gave drink to a thirsty dog, Allah forgave her and admitted her into Paradise. This was a just recompense for her sincerity in doing a good deed, for her sincerity to Allah. The second was a woman who confined a cat to a room. She neither fed it nor gave it drink; by confining the cat, she prevented it from eating insects in the fields, and so Allah made her enter the Hellfire.
The story of the first woman is one that brings coolness to the heart, because it makes one know that Allah gives great rewards for small deeds.
So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom for a small ant] shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom for a small ant] shall see it. (Qur ‘an 99: 7-8)
Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds [i.e. small sins]. (Qur ‘an 11: 114)
So help the grief-stricken, give to the poor, aid the oppressed, visit the sick, pray over the dead, guide the blind, give comfort to the afflicted, guide the misguided, and be generous to both guest and neighbor. All of these are deeds of charity, deeds that not only help the receiver of your kind acts, but that also help you by giving you comfort and peace.
Posted on February 17th, 2015 · Filed under MYF News
Dr. Wajid Akhter, an MD by profession, is also a passionate historian of Islam. He talks to us about the state of Islamic History and why it is so important.
Al-Hasan said, “People never seek advice without being guided to the best possibility available to them.” Then he recited, “and manage their affairs by mutual consultation.” (42:38)
