Posted on May 28th, 2014 · Filed under MYF Latest News, MYF News, MYF Projects
1. Know that if you do not live within the scope of today, your thoughts will be scattered, your affairs will become confused, and your worrying will increase these realities explain the hadith:
“When you are in the morning, do not expect to see the evening, and when you are in the evening, do not expect to see the morning.”
2. Forget the past and all that it contained. Being absorbed in things that are gone is sheer lunacy.
3. Do not be preoccupied with the future. Because the future is in the world of the unseen, do not let it bother you until it comes.
4. Do not be shaken by criticism; instead, be firm. And know that, in proportion to your worth, the level of people’s criticism rises.
5. Faith in Allah and good deeds: these are the ingredients that make up a good and happy life.
6. Whoever desires peace, tranquility, and comfort can find it all in the remembrance of Allah.
7. You should know with certainty that everything that happens, occurs in accordance with a divine decree.
8. Do not expect gratitude from anyone.
9. Train yourself to be ready and prepared for the worst eventuality.
10. Perhaps what has happened is in your best interest (though you may not comprehend how that is so).
11. Everything that is decreed for the Muslim is best for him.
12. Enumerate the blessings of Allah and be thankful for them.
13. You are better off than many others.
14. Relief comes from one hour to the next.
15. In both times of hardship and ease, one should turn to supplication and prayer.
16. Calamities should strengthen your heart and reshape your outlook in a positive sense.
17. Indeed, with each difficulty there is relief.
18. Do not let trifles be the cause of your destruction.
19. Indeed, your Lord is Of-Forgiving.
20. Do not be angry… Do not be angry… Do not be angry.
21. Life is bread, water, and shade; so do not be perturbed by a lack of any other material thing.
And in the heaven is your provision, and that which you are promised. (Qur’an 51: 22)
22. Most evil that is supposed to happen never occurs.
23. Look at those who are afflicted and be thankful.
24. When Allah loves a people, He makes them endure trials.
25. You should constantly repeat those supplications that the Prophet (bpuh) taught us to say during times of hardship.
26. Work hard at something that is productive, and cast off idleness.
27. Don’t spread rumors and don’t listen to them. If you hear a rumor inadvertently, then don’t believe it.
28. Your malice and your striving to seek revenge are much more harmful to your health than they are to your antagonist.
29. The hardships that befall you atone for your sins.
Posted on May 24th, 2014 · Filed under MYF Projects
If one wants to know whether one is climbing upwards toward success, there are certain signs and indications that can help him to determine his progress.
1. As one becomes more knowledgeable, one becomes more humble and merciful to others. Think of an expensive pearl: the more heavy and valuable it is, the deeper it is in the ocean. A wise person knows that though knowledge is a gift, Allah tests the one whom He gives it to. When one is thankful for the gift of knowledge, one will be raised in ranking.
Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge. (Qur’an 58: 11)
2. The more one performs good deeds; the more one becomes cautious and fearful, in the sense that he does not feel secure from error, such as a slip of the tongue or a change of heart. He is always in a state of watching over himself and of being wary. He is like a careful bird: each time it lands on a tree, it soon leaves it for another, afraid of the skilled hunter and his bullet.
3. The older one gets the less covetous should one be for this world, for he comes to know with certainty that his time is soon finished.
4. The wealthier one becomes the more generous should one be towards others. The wealthy Muslim must understand that his wealth is a trust given to him, and that Allah is testing him in that wealth.
5. The higher one’s status becomes in society, the closer should he be to ordinary people, showing humility and fulfilling their needs.
But there are also signs that indicate wretchedness:
1. The more knowledge one attains the haughtier and arrogant he becomes. Such a person’s knowledge is not beneficial. His heart is empty and his company is heavy to bear.
2. The more he increases in deeds, the more proud he becomes and the more contemptuous he becomes of others. He doesn’t give the benefit of the doubt to anyone except to his own self. Thus, he deems that he is the only one who achieves salvation while all others are bound for destruction.
3. The older he gets, the more avarice and cupidity become part of his character. He gathers, but he never shares. Calamities and misfortune fail to move him into becoming a benefactor to others.
4. The wealthier he becomes, the more miserly he becomes with his money.
5. The higher his position in society, the higher his level of arrogance and haughtiness. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:
“The arrogant ones will be gathered on the Day of Judgment in the form of small ants. People will trample on them with their feet.”
In each of the points discussed above, I mentioned some of Allah’s favors, favors by which He tests His slaves: some of those slaves will pass the test while others will fail it.
Posted on May 22nd, 2014 · Filed under MYF Latest News, MYF News
The Event [the Hour or the punishment of disbelievers and polytheists or the Islamic laws or commandments], ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it. (Qur’an 16: 1)
Be not hasty and rushed for things that have yet to come to pass. Do you think it is wise to pick fruits before they become ripe? Tomorrow is non-existent, having no reality today, so why should you busy yourself with it? Why should you have apprehensions about future disasters? Why should you be engrossed by their thoughts, especially since you do not know whether you will even see tomorrow?
The important thing to know is that tomorrow is from the world of the unseen, a bridge that we do not cross until it comes. Who knows, perhaps we might never reach the bridge, or the bridge might collapse before we reach it, or we may actually reach it and cross safely.
For us to be engrossed in expectations about the future is looked down upon in our religion since it leads to our having a long-term attachment to this world, an attachment that the good believer shuns. Many people of this world are unduly fearful of future poverty, hunger, disease, and disaster: such thinking is inspired by the Devil.
Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha [evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.], whereas Allah promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty… (Qur’an 2: 268)
Many are those who cry because they see themselves starving tomorrow, falling sick after a month, or because they fear that the world will come to an end after a year. Someone who has no clue as to when he wil die (which is all of us) should not busy himself with such thoughts.
Since you ire absorbed in the toils of today, leave tomorrow until it comes. Beware of becoming unduly attached to future prospects in this world.
Posted on May 21st, 2014 · Filed under MYF Latest News, MYF News
Allah’s ruling is binding upon His slave: it will come to pass, and it is a just ruling, as mentioned in the hadith:
“Your decree concerning me will be carried out, and you are Just with me in Your Ruling.”
Allah, the Most High, has forbidden Himself from being unjust with his slaves. Indeed it is people themselves who do wrong and are unjust.
The above-mentioned hadith, “And You are Just with Me in Your Ruling” also includes the decree of sinning, in its effect and its punishment. Allah is the Most Just regarding His decree for sinning and for its punishment. He may have ordained a sin for one of His slaves for reasons that are beyond our grasp. There might be a purpose which, due to its being so profound in its ramifications, is known only to Him. And that is the belief of the Muslim.
Posted on May 20th, 2014 · Filed under MYF Latest News, MYF News
In an authentic hadith, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) advised us to repeat this phrase often:
“O’ (Allah) who is full of Majesty and Honor.”
He (bpuh) also advised us to say:
“O’ Ever Living, O’ One Who sustains and protects all that exists.”
Therefore, for one’s own well being, one should invoke Allah and seek His help with these phrases, and the answer will surely then follow.
[Remember] when you sought help of your Lord and He answered vou. (Qur’an 8: 9)
In the life of a Muslim, there are three truly joyful days:
1. The day that he abjures sinning and performs his obligatory prayers in congregation.
Answer Allah [by obeying Him] and [His] Messenger when he calls you…) (Qur ‘an 8: 24)
2. The day that he repents from a sin, forsakes it, and returns to his Lord.
Then, He accepted their repentance that they might repent [unto Him]. (Qur’an 9. 118)
3. The day that he dies to meet his Lord, having performed a final deed that is both good and pure.
“Whosoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him.”
After having studied the life of the Prophet’s Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all), I found in them five characteristics that distinguish them from others:
1. They led simple lives that were free from ostentation and extravagance.
And we shall make easy for you [O’ Muhammad] the easy way Ii. e. the doing of righteous deeds]. (Qur’an 87: 8)
2. Their knowledge of religious matters was as blessed as it was profound. And more importantly, they accompanied that knowledge with practical application.
Are only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah? (Qur’an 35: 28)
3. They gave precedence to deeds of the heart over deeds that others could see. Thus, they had sincerity; they depended upon Allah; they loved Him; they hoped from Him only; and they feared none save Him. Furthermore, they assiduously performed voluntary acts of worship, such as prayer and fasting.
He knew what was in their hearts… (Qur’an 48: 18)
4. They did not seek the world and its pleasures. They turned their backs in disdain on material possessions, and they reaped the fruits of this noble stance: happiness, peace of mind, and sincerity.
Arrd whoever desires the Hereafter and strives .for it, with the necessary effort due for it [i.e. do righteous deeds of Allah :s Obedience] while he is a believer… (Qur’an 17: 19)
5. Jihad was a priority for them over other good deeds until it became a banner by which they were recognized. And through Jihad, they annihilated their worries and troubles, because all of the following are a part of Jihad: remembrance, striving, effort, and activity.
As .for those who strive hard in us [Our Cause], we will surely guide them to Our Paths [i.e. Allah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism]. And verily, Allah is with the good doers. (Qur’an 29: 69)
In the Qur’an, truths and realities that are constant and do not change are mentioned concerning this life. Here are the ones that are related to the subject matter of this book.
Whoever works for Allah, He will help him:
If you help [in the cause on Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firma (Qur’an 47: 7)
Whoever asks of Allah, He will answer him:
And your Lord said: `Invoke Me, I will respond to your [invocation]. (Qur’an 40: 60)
When one asks Allah for forgiveness, He will forgive him: He said: `My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, so forgive me’.
Then He forgave him. (Qur’an 28: 16)
{And He it is who accepts repentance from His slaves…. (Qur’an 42: 25)
Whoever places his trust in Allah, He will be sufficient for him: and whosoever puts his trust in Allah, and then He will suffice him. (Qur ‘an 65: 3)
There are three kinds of people whose punishment is certain: those who are rebellious against Allah, those who break their pledges, and those who plot evil deeds:
Your rebellion [disobedience to Allah] is only against your ownsel ves. (Qur ‘an 10: 23)
Then whosoever breaks his pledge breaks only to his own harm… (Qur’an 48: 10)
But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it. (Qur’an 35: 43)
Oppressors will not escape from Allah’s punishment:
These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. (Qur’an 27: 52)
The fruits of righteousness are harvested both in the short and long term:
So Allah gave them the reward of this world, and the excellent reward of the Hereafter :} (Qur’an 3: 148)
Whoever obeys Allah; He will love him and provide sustenance for him:
Verily, Allah is the All-Provider. (Qur ‘an 51: 58)
Allah will punish the enemies of his obedient slaves:
Verily, we will exact retribution. (Qur’an 44: 16)
Shaykh `Abdur-Rehmaan ibn Sa’di wrote a valuable book called Practical Means to a Happy Life. In it he said,
“By enumerating Allah’s blessings, one will realize that he is better off than a great number of people and that he should truly be thankful for Allah’s favors upon him.”
Even in matters of religion, one finds that in spite of the negligence we are all guilty of, some of us are better than others in performing the obligatory congregational prayers regularly, in reading the Qur’an, in remembering Allah, and so on. These are all favors for which we should be thankful. Allah, the Exalted, said: Allah has perfected His Graces upon you, [both] apparent [i.e. Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.] and hidden [i.e. Ones Faith in Allah (of Islamic Monotheism) knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise, etc.]? (Qur’an 31: 20)
Adh-Dhahabi mentioned that the great scholar of hadith, Ibn `Abdul Ba’qi, observed the people as they were leaving the central Mosque of Baghdad. He was looking for someone who in all respects he wished to change places with in life, yet he reported that he found no one:
And we have preferred them above many of those whom we have created with a marked preference. (Qur’an 17: 70)
Posted on May 19th, 2014 · Filed under MYF Latest News, MYF News
Wealth, appearance, children, house, and talents you must be content with your share in these things:
So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful. (Qur’an 7: 144)
Most Islamic scholars and pious Muslims of the early generations of Islam were poor; needless it is to say, then, that they did not have beautiful houses or nice cars. Yet, despite these disadvantages, they led fruitful lives, and they benefited mankind, not by some miracle, but because they used all that they were given, and spent their time in the correct way. Hence they were blessed in their lives, their time, and their talents.
On the contrary, there are many people who have been bestowed with wealth, children, and all forms of blessings, yet these blessings have been the very reason for their misery and ruin. They deviated from what their inborn instincts were telling them, namely, that material things are not everything. Look at those that have obtained degrees from world-renowned universities, and yet they are paragons of obscurity. Their talents and abilities remain unused. Meanwhile, others who are limited in the scope of their knowledge have managed to make mountains out of what they have been given, benefiting both themselves and society.
If you are a seeker of happiness, be satisfied with the looks Allah has favored you with, with your family situation, with the sound of your voice, with the level of your understanding, and with the amount of your salary. Certain educators go further than this by saying that you should imagine being contented with even less than you actually have now.
Here for you is a list of those who have shone from our Islamic heritage despite each being challenged by various disadvantages:
Ataa ibn Rabah was a world-renowned scholar of his time. He was not only a freed slave and snub-nosed, but he was also paralyzed.
Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays was famous among the Arabs for his singular level of patience. He achieved that fame despite being emaciated, humpbacked, with crooked legs and a fragile frame.
Al-A`mash was among the most famous scholars of hadith in his time. He was a freed slave, he had bad eyesight, and he was poor. His clothes were ripped, his appearance was disheveled, and he lived in straitened circumstances.
In fact, every Prophet was at one time or another shepherd. Dawood (David) was a blacksmith, Zakariah (Zacharia) a carpenter, and Idrees (Enoch) a tailor; and yet they were the best of mankind.
Therefore your value is in your abilities, good deeds, manners, and contributions to society. Do not feel grief, then, over that which has passed you by in life in terms of good looks, wealth, or family; and be content with what Allah has allotted for you.
It is we who portion out between them their livelihood in this world. (Qur’an 43: 32)
Remind yourself of Paradise, which is as wide as are the Heavens and the Earth.
If you are hungry in this world, if you are sad, ill or oppressed, remember the eternal bliss of Paradise. If you do this, then your losses are really profits and the hardships you face are really gifts. The most wise of people are those that work for the Hereafter, because it is better and everlasting. And the most foolish of mankind are those that see this world as their eternal abode – in it reside all of their hopes. You will find such people to be the most grief-stricken of all when faced with calamity. They will be the most affected by worldly loss simply because they see nothing beyond the insignificant lives that they lead. They see and think only of this impermanent life. They wish for nothing to spoil them in their state of felicity. Were they to remove the veil of ignorance from their eyes, they would commune with themselves about the eternal abode – its bliss, pleasures, and castles. They would listen attentively when they are informed through the Qur’an and the Sunnah about its description. Indeed, that is the abode that deserves our attention and merits our striving and our toiling, so that we may achieve the best of it.
Have we reflected at length about the description of the inhabitants of Paradise? Illness does not befall them, grief does not come near them, they die not, they remain young, and their attire remains both perfect and clean. They are in a beautiful home. In Paradise is found that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has imagined. The rider travels under a tree in Paradise for one hundred years and yet he still does not reach its end. The length of a tent in Paradise is sixty miles. Its rivers are constant, its castles are lofty, and its fruits are not only close-by, but are also easily picked.
Therein will be a running spring. Therein will be thrones raised high, and cups set at hand, and cushions set in rows, and rich carpets [all] spread out. (Qur’an 88: 12-16)
The happiness of Paradise will be absolute. So why do we not contemplate this fact?
If Paradise is our final destination and we ask Allah for Paradise – then the hardships of this world are less heavy than they may seem, so let the hearts of the afflicted ones find solace.
You who live in poverty, or are afflicted with calamity, work righteous deeds so that you shall live in Allah’s Paradise. Peace is upon you, because you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the. Final hornet (Qur’an 13: 24)
Posted on May 16th, 2014 · Filed under MYF Latest News, MYF News, MYF Projects
Throughout my life, I found that whenever I defended myself against defamatory comments, loss and regret were the main results. At first I would think it wise that I should set things straight when some person criticized me, regardless of whether the criticism was verbal or written. In the end, however, I found the opposite to be true. By defending myself, more enmity resulted, and instead of the restoration of good ties between my critic and me, he would attempt to malign me even further. Eventually I would wish that I had never confronted him in the first place. It would have been better to forgive, forbear, show patience, turn away, and ignore the defamatory remarks. After all, this is what the Qur’an teaches us: Read more…
Posted on May 15th, 2014 · Filed under MYF Latest News, MYF News, MYF Projects
Thus we have made you [true believers], a just [and the best] nation. (Qur’an 2: 143) Read more…
Posted on May 14th, 2014 · Filed under MYF Projects
I’m sure your all well aware our Ramadan fund raising is in full swing and last but by no means least we’d like to take this opportunity to inform you of Project 4 ‘The last 10 nights’.
Our Qiyam project has been very successful over the years and as it’s become even more popular. Due to the high volume of brothers & sisters who attend our Qyam project we need to ensure we have the capacity to deal with the huge numbers that attend.
Here’s a quick breakdown of our fund raising targets for this particular project.
The blessed ‘Last 10 Nights’ of Ramadan Qiyam program.
Amount required for each night £250 Approx.
Amount required for the 27th night £1000 Approx.
You can pay for the whole event or part of it.
This is an opportunity to increase your reward and help others! Please donate generously and remember the benefit will help you more than you can imagine!
| Cause and effect, are from the wisdom of Allah (SWT). He has connected the cause and effect of things. For example, the person who uses good methods in planting his crops will get a good harvest. Just the same way a person who eats and drinks healthily will have good health.Allah (SWT) too has linked spiritual and metaphysical causes to spiritual results. Allah (SWT) states that the one who is beneficial to his relatives will have an increase in his life span. Also Allah (SWT) states that giving charity removes evil. We human beings wonder how the cause and effect is connected, and what is the wisdom behind the incidences in life? Some cause and effects are easy to explain and the wisdom behind them is clear. On the other hand some of these phenomena’s are hard to explain. However Islam stresses that giving charity increases sustenance. Following are a few traditions that stress on this fact.
Prophet Muhammad (S) says that: “Attract sustenance by giving charity.”
Abu Abdillah (AS) says that: “Allah (SWT) gives help to person equal in quantity to the charity a person gives.”
Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: “Everything has a key, and the key to sustenance is charity.”
Prophet Muhammad (S) says that: “An act of charity shields seventy dead people from ill fate.”
Prophet Muhammad (S) says that: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”
Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: “An act of charity given openly prevents seventy types of mishaps, and a secretly given charity cools the anger of our Lord Allah (SWT).”
Prophet Muhammad (S) has also said that: “The angel of death is told to remove the soul of a person, but if during that time charity is given then the order to remove the soul is cancelled.”
It has been related in Al-Bihar that Prophet Muhammad (S) said that: “Allah (SWT) says that when the angel of death is asked to remove the soul of a person, and if he or she gives Sadaqa, Allah (SWT) orders the angel of death to stop.”
Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: “An act of charity shields us of seventy evils of this world including an ill fated death. The one who gives charity never dies ill fatedly.”
According to Islamic beliefs, when we give charity, Allah (SWT) due to his mercy changes our fate. Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur’an that: “Allah removes what He wishes and establishes what He wishes, for He has the Mother of Books.” (13:39) |
Posted on May 13th, 2014 · Filed under International News, MYF Latest News
It has rightly been said that traveling drives away worries. Ramhumuzi enumerated in his book, The Noble Scholar of Hadeeth,the various benefits of traveling for the purpose of seeking knowledge. He was refuting those who think that no tangible benefit can be derived by traveling through the lands. He said:
“There is much profit to be derived from seeing new lands and new houses, in seeing beautiful gardens and fields, in seeing different faces and coming across different languages and colors, and in witnessing the wonders of different countries. The peace that one finds under the shades of large trees is unparalleled. Eating in the mosques, drinking from streams, and sleeping wherever one finds a place when night comes these all instill affability and humbleness in a person. The traveler befriends all those whom he loves for Allah’s sake and he has no reason to flatter or to be artificial. Add to these benefits all of the happiness that the traveler’s heart feels when he reaches his destination, and the thrill he experiences after having overcome all of the obstacles that were on his way. If those who are averse to leaving their homelands knew all of this, they would learn that all of the individual pleasures of the world are combined in the noble pursuit of traveling. There is nothing more enjoyable to a traveler than the beautiful sights and the wonderful activities that are part of traveling through Allah’s wide earth. And the non-traveler is deprived of all of this.”
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