Category Archives: MYF News

A just decree

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.

Allah, who is full of Majesty and Honor…’

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)

Be content with that which Allah has given you and you will be the richest of people

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)

 

Extinguish the fire of enmity before it spreads

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

Do not melt into someone else’s personality

Man passes through three stages:
1) Imitation,
2) Selection and choice,
3) Invention and creativeness.

Imitation, the act of copying someone else’s personality and mannerisms, is either resorted to because of a strong liking for, or an extreme attachment to, the person being copied. When practiced in extremes, when an imitator copies someone else even in his tone of voice or bodily gestures, what he is really doing is burying his own personality. Though this might seem absurd to some, one need only look at the younger generation of today: you will find some teens imitating famous people in their walk, talk, and movements. All of their idiosyncrasies are abandoned for the sake of copying their idols. Had they been imitating noble traits and noble personalities, I would commend them, since imitating someone in seeking knowledge, in being generous, or in having good manners, is a truly noble action.

I feel compelled here to reiterate what I have said before: you are a unique entity, and since Allah created Adam (may peace be upon him), no two people are exactly alike in appearance.

…and the difference qt. your languages and colors.   (Qur’an 30: 22)

Why then, do we wish to be exactly alike in other matters, such as characteristics and talents?

The beauty of your voice is in its uniqueness and the beauty of your appearance is in its being specific to you.

…and among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colors and [others] very black.  (Qur ‘an 35: 27)

Jummah Prayer Times

First Jummah 12.15pm – 12.45pm

Second Jummah 1.15pm – 1.45pm

Jammat Prayer Times May 2014

Fajr 4.00.am

Dhur 1.30pm

Asr 6:00pm

Maghrib 5 Mins after adhaan

Isha Combined with Maghrib

Sahih Bukhari Volume 002, Book 013, Hadith Number 006

Narated By Abu Huraira : Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, “Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutba.”

Ramadan Project One

PROJECT ONE: Daily Iftaar during the blessed month of Ramadan to feed between 100 – 200 brothers & sisters.

It’s very important that we prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan. Help support our noble projects and please donate for the sake of Allah!

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Every Muslim has to give in charity.” The people then asked: “(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what should he do?” The Prophet replied: “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked: “If he cannot find even that?” He replied: “He should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked: “If he cannot do (even) that?” The Prophet said finally: “Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds, and that will be regarded as charitable deeds.” – Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 524

Please donate generously either on-line via Paypal or call the office for more details on how to donate to our Ramadan Projects.

MYF Ramadan Project 2014 Fund Raising Has Now Begun…

Asalamu’ Alaikum Brothers & Sisters,

With less than 10 weeks before the blessed month of Ramadan, the MYF has begun its fund raising to ensure our Ramadan Projects are successful & we can cope with the number of people who will in shaa Allah attend the MYF for Iftaar, Suhoor, Taraweeh & Itikaaf etc.

Please donate generously, contact the office to make your donation or donate directly from our website on-line.

“The shade of the believer on the Day of Judgemet will be his charity”

MYF Ramadan 2014

Everything in the universe glorifies Allah

One famous hoopoe (Hudhud), from the world of birds, knew its Lord. Allah says of Sulayman (May peace is upon him):

He inspected the birds, and said: `What is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?’ ‘I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason. ‘But the hoopoe stayed not long, he [came up and] said: `I have grasped [the knowledge of a thing] which you have not grasped and I have come to you f from Saba ‘ [Sheba] with true news. I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a great throne. 1 found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah, and Satan has made their deeds ,fair-seeming to them, and has barred them from [Allah s] Way, so they have no guidance. ‘Al-La [this word has two interpretations] (a) [Satan has barred them from Allah’s Way] so that they do not worship [prostrate before] Allah, or (b) So that they may worship [prostrate before] Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but Him, the Lord of the Supreme Throne! Sulayman said: we shall see whether you speak the truth or you are [one] of the liars. Go you with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them, then draw hack from them, and see what [answer] they return.  (Qur’an 27. 20-28) Read more