Challenge Yourself to Train Your Inner Modesty

 

What comes to mind when someone talks about modesty? Not wearing that low-cut top when your dad is around? Come on, modesty is about more than what we wear, and it is not just a women’s issue, either. So, guys, pay attention.

Inner vs outer

Modesty, or haya’ in Arabic, comes in two forms: inner and outer. Outer is obvious: cover your body.

Inner modesty is discussed less and harder to identify, it includes how we feel, the thoughts we have, and the decisions we make.

Some people adopt an outer modesty but have an extremely low level of inner modesty.

For example, if a guy wears a thobe every day and has a sunnah beard glorifying his chin but doesn’t stop boasting about his gym routine and posting his weight-lifting snaps every day, then what’s the point of his outer modesty?

A hijabi could be a member of the Islamic society, yet she is constantly cussing and publicly screaming vulgarities – what’s the point of the hijab on her head?

Inner modesty truly is from your heart, and it isn’t something you can suddenly decide to do one day; it takes training.

Build yourself up

Your outer modesty should reflect the modesty you hold inside.

What happens to our skin when we put too much junk food in our bodies or don’t drink enough water? We breakout. Pimples emerge across our face, making us hide behind creams and concealers for weeks on end.

What happens when we hit the gym and pump the weights? Our bodies hopefully tone up with that coveted sculpted look. But it doesn’t happen overnight.

We can’t do one core workout and wake up with abs of steel the next morning, and inner modesty works in the same way. We must constantly perfect, nurture and exercise it from inside, and eventually, it will start to show on the outside as well.

Haya’ is seeing the signs and being aware of one’s shortcomings. Out of these two will arise a state of haya’. In reality, haya is a character trait that encourages a person to avoid shameful things and prevents one from neglecting the rights of the one who deserves them most.” (Narrated by Al-Junayd)

Where to start?

Self-reflection is a big stepping stone towards inner modesty. We don’t need an Islamic Studies degree from Madinah University to know which shameful acts we should stay away from.

However, knowing what to stay away from and actually staying away are two very different things. You don’t want to be seen as childish for not swearing. Being softly spoken? Forget it! No one will take us seriously and think we’re a pushover.  

Everyone might think you’re boring if you don’t post that provocative bathroom selfie. After all, let’s be honest here, if we look good, we want people to see it!

Is this really the reality we want to live in, following what everyone else thinks?

Think of anyone you have ever admired, whether a celebrity, a person from history, or an inspiring blogger on Instagram. No one got to that level by being the same as everyone else. They stood out from the crowd and were confident in what made them special and unique.

So, we should reflect on our behavior and think about how we present ourselves. Is the person we are showing to the world really someone we’ll want to be in the future?

Inspiration from the past

You’ve decided that it’s time to change, and you’re ready to add sincerity and substance to your character, but where do you begin? What does inner modesty even look like?

Take a look at a real-life example: Uthman Ibn Affan (see, I told you modesty was for the guys, too!)

Uthman Ibn Affan was an extremely handsome man, and he was the one companion who resembled the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) the most. As a result of his good looks, naturally, a lot of women wanted him. But Uthman didn’t engage in a promiscuous lifestyle, even before he became Muslim.

Uthman’s voice was extremely soft and gentle. His words were never harsh, in tone or in content. It was said that his voice was so soft that those around him would lean closer just so they could listen to him. Do people lean in when you speak?

One of the key qualities that made Uthman a role model for modesty was his humility and generosity.

He didn’t boast about his achievements or advertise his accomplishments, and even though he was blessed with a lot of wealth, he didn’t squander it on himself. He gave it away. But again, his perfect modesty meant he didn’t showcase the money he gave to charity.

One day, Uthman saw a poor young boy coming into the masjid. He gave the boy a shirt and hid 10,000 dirhams inside. He instructed the boy to go home and show his new shirt to his parents. In this way, Uthman helped someone less fortunate than himself, but he didn’t make a huge public display of it.

Practice made simple for you

Feeling inspired? Ready to train that inner modesty? Here are some ideas to get you started:

Keep your speech clean

Cussing may seem light-hearted, but it can harden your heart sometimes and block your path to a calm and happy life.

Strengthen your iman

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said. “Haya’ and iman are two companions, so when one increases, the other also increases.” (Narrated by Al-Hakim).

Start with the basics – Allah. You believe He exists, right? So, get to know Him. What is Allah like? What does He want from us? What does Allah love?

Keep your prayer consistent

I know it’s hard and life can get extremely busy sometimes, but prayer is our daily reminder of who we are and why we are here. Not to mention, it’s the perfect time to separate yourself from the chaos and stress of your day.

See prayer time as your time out. Just press pause and take a breather. Soon, you’ll find comfort in those valuable moments.

Start off easily. Remember, this is training. Start with just the obligatory prayers and slowly work your way up to the sunnah and optional prayers.

Be truthful

When we’re telling the truth, it clears our minds and we can relax. Deceit bogs us down and stresses us out, keeping us on edge the whole time. Keeping that mobile phone a secret from your parents is causing some high-level anxiety – ditch it!

Read about the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his companions

They were real people with real problems. If they can achieve inner modesty, so can we!

Avoid negative environments

We all know what a toxic situation feels like – and that goes for both online and offline. Keep your head down, take a social media detox for a bit, and see how much better you feel.

Set yourself a challenge over the next month, trying each of the points above. You will notice a massive difference in the way you interact with people and even the way they interact with you.

Achieving inner modesty is calming and enlightening. It softens your heart and brings a level of tranquility into your life. Try it and be honest with yourself: which way of living do you prefer? - aboutislam.net

What Is Hajj Message?

 

Hajj is full of lessons for Muslims whereby we can affect real changes in the way we practice Islam as well as in the way we behave.

Let me mention just a few lessons of the hajj message:

• Hajj should unite the Muslim Ummah on its common goals and aspirations, for Hajj teaches us to break the barriers that separate people from one another: barriers of race, nationality, ethnicity, color, and language.
• Hajj ought to instill in us the great values of faith, surrender, trust, and sacrifice for the sake of Allah the Almighty and for the truth.
• Hajj ought to develop sound faith in us. It should keep us mindful that we will stand before the Lord for our final reckoning.
• Last but not least, Hajj should make us vigilant against the snares of the Devil who is constantly trying to snatch our faith and lead us astray.

Allah Almighty knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Sheikh Ahmad Kutty

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty is a Senior Lecturer and an Islamic Scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

If God Loves Us, Why So Many Rules in Islam?

Let’s think about it together.

Imagine there are two mothers.

The First Mother: All “Love”, No Rules

The first mother loves her child and gives him no rules or instructions whatsoever.

She sees her child getting dirty, not taking care of his health, eating junk all the time and staying up late, and she gives him no instructions or rules.

She sees him hanging out with the wrong crowd that influence him badly, abuse harmful substances, bully others and fail his exams, and she still gives no instructions.

He becomes the worst version of himself, doesn’t reach his full potential, harms himself and others, and she gives no instructions… because she loves him!

So, the question here: is it really considered ‘love’ if a mother gives no instructions and lets her child harm himself and waste his precious life?

Just think about it: when you see your own child putting his head in the oven, or his finger in the electrical outlet, is your lack of instructions the ultimate manifestation of love, knowing how he/she might harm themselves?

Now, the second mother does things differently.

Second Mother: Showing Love Through Rules

She loves her child immensely, and her love is translated in her desire to help him be the best he can be, live the best life, and reach his full potential as a decent human being.

She puts rules and instructions in his life to help him eat healthy food, be clean, stay out of harm, and avoid bad company.

If and when he fails, she forgives him and helps him again and again and again and it doesn’t decrease her love for him.

Essentially, true love is about wanting to see your loved ones be the best they can be, especially if you know them very well and know their potential.

Allah Glorified and Exalted Loves Us

So, back to your question, a lack of rules and instructions doesn’t necessarily mean love; it could be the absolute opposite.

Likewise, the presence of instructions doesn’t mean a lack of love; it could be the most sincere and effective form of love.

Allah is the Most Knowing of us and of this life that He created for us.

In all unaltered Divine revelations and with every Messenger He sent, He has given us knowledge about Him and instructions to help us live a decent, pure life.

Ultimately, He is The Best One to show us how we can succeed in this life and the next for eternity.

The summation and completion of His revelations is in the Qur’an that He revealed to His final messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him).

People Need Guidance. Guidance Comes With Instructions

Now, think about it: why do millions of people follow famous life coaches and motivational speakers? Isn’t it to get guidance and instructions on how to live the best life and be successful?

Well, Allah The Most Knowing has already given us that:

O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, “In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate. (Qur’an 10:57-58)

So, let’s look at what Islam instructs us to do very briefly.

Basics of Islamic Rules

It instructs us to connect with our Creator five times a day to speak to Him, confide to Him, receive His Mercy and Blessings, disconnect from the hustle and bustle of this world and connect with the Healer.

In this way, we thus remember our Source and Destination.

It instructs us to give charity regularly with a set percentage so we benefit those who need us and increase in humbleness and awareness of our responsibility towards others.

It instructs us to fast so we can increase in God-consciousness, discipline our physical being in order to empower the spiritual being that makes us dignified creatures.

It instructs us to go on pilgrimage to the same spot where we all dress the same and connect with fellow human beings from all backgrounds and ethnicities.

In this way, we are reminded that we are all equal before The One Creator of all mankind and that our colors and wealth don’t matter to Him.

What matters to Him is the sincerity of our hearts and our consciousness of Him in every aspect of our life.

It instructs us to stay away from the few things that are harmful (like alcohol) and directs us to enjoy the tens of other things that are pure and beneficial to our body and soul.

It instructs to prioritize Him, the Giver of Life, and be conscious of Him, ask Him, rely on Him and associate no one with Him because no one and nothing in this world that He created can measure up to Him.

Basically, it instructs us to translate belief into daily action, because that’s true love.

Now Let’s Talk About Love

What does love really mean?

Does love mean the refusal to accept any rules from your beloved?

Imagine if you love someone, but you refuse to commit to him/her, or call, or take care of them, or do what they love and avoid what they don’t love.

Is this a sincere relationship? It’s hardly even a relationship. Every relationship has some rules and instructions.

It is very easy to talk the talk, but it takes true, sincere love to walk the walk.

That’s why Allah says:

“Say, [O Muhammad],”If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 3: 31)

Anyone can claim to love God. Talk is easy and cheap, but what matters is who will follow Him and commit to Him and prioritize Him even over their own selves.

Islam is about sincere, not fake love. It is about actions and commitment, not void words.

Why are there instructions?

Every single instruction in Islam is there essentially to benefit us and allow us to enjoy the love of Allah and see His Wisdom.

If you call your friend asking for directions on how to get to her place, for example, imagine she tells you, “There are no directions to get to my place. As long as you love me and I love you, consider yourself here.”

Does this make sense?

Of course not! You still need directions to know how to get there, you need her to tell you which roads to take, which to avoid and how exactly to get there.

Consider this: if you want to lose weight for example and you go to the nutritionist, most probably he will give you instructions on what to eat, what not to eat, how to cut certain bad habits, and how to start doing certain activities.

Is he the one who needs that? No, you’re the one who will benefit. He gives you instructions to help you reach your goal and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Does it make sense for him not to give you instructions at all and instead say, “As long as you love losing weight in your heart, and you love being healthy, consider yourself fit, don’t do anything”?

Of course not; every great goal needs a proper sustainable plan.

And what greater goal than establishing a deep relationship with the Creator and earning the highest place in Paradise near Him?

So, to Allah belongs the Highest Example, when He instructs us, it is out of love because He wants us to live the best life and reach our full potential and enjoy the outcome of that when we enter Paradise.

Hard Work Makes Us Appreciate Reward

If there are no instructions and no work here, and then we enter Paradise in the hereafter without any struggle, then what’s the point?

If you simply get handed a Ph.D. degree, does it feel the same as working hard and going through a rigorous journey until you earn the degree?

No, we appreciate and enjoy the reward more when we work hard for it.

Last but not least, it is worth mentioning that Allah gives us much more than we work for and He grants us too many opportunities for forgiveness and getting everything right no matter how many times we fail.

The human being lives on average around 70- 80 years. If we worship God for 70-80 years, then fairly, we should get around 80 years’ worth of Paradise. But this isn’t the case.

Allah is actually offering eternal Paradise in which one will get absolutely anything he/she wants and will never be asked to do anything anymore.

This is a much more generous exchange for the few requirements we had in our short life on earth.

And actually, we do not even spend 70- 80 years in worship. We take the time to sleep, eat, commute, engage with our friends and families, have fun and practice our hobbies….etc.

If you actually count how much of the 24 hours we use to engage with Allah, it will be a rather insignificant time.

So, the reality is, Allah is requiring fairly little and giving much more in exchange.

Evidence from Quran and Sunnah

Here are a few examples of how much rewards one could get for small acts and how many opportunities Allah opens for us.

Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

Allah says, ‘If My slave intends to do a bad deed then (O Angels) do not write it unless he does it; if he does it, then write it as it is, but if he refrains from doing it for My Sake, then write it as a good deed (in his account). (On the other hand) if he intends to do a good deed, but does not do it, then write a good deed (in his account), and if he does it, then write it for him (in his account) as ten good deeds up to seven-hundred times.’ ” [Sahih Al Bukhari]

So One good deed= 10 to 700 times the reward.

Also, Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said:

The five (daily) Salat (prayers), and from one Jumu’ah prayer to the (next) Jumu’ah prayer, and from Ramadan to Ramadan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals); provided the major sins are not committed.” [Muslim]

And He (peace and blessings upon him) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (the 9th of the month of Dhul Hijjah). He replied:

 Fasting on the day of Arafah is expiation for the preceding year and the following year.”  He was also asked about fasting on the day of Ashura (the 10th of the month of Muharram). He replied, “Fasting on the day of Ashura is expiation for the preceding year.”

Add to that the rewards of The Night of Decree/Power (Laylatul Qadr), Allah Almighty says:

The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (Qur’an 97: 3)

So, we get in one night the equivalent reward and blessings of worshiping for more than 83 years.

This generosity could also be beautifully observed in this Hadith Qudsi where Allah Almighty says:

 O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it. [AtTirmidh]

This is Allah and this is Islam; it is a way of life where Allah calls us to action to benefit us, purify us and reward us far greater than we deserve.

The point is to sincerely know, worship and commit to Him, not to live a life devoid of Him/in negligence of Him and then claim that this is love.

- aboutislam.net

About Dina Mohamed Basiony

Dina Mohamed Basiony is a writer based in Cairo, Egypt. She specializes in Islam and spirituality. Dina holds an MA and BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo.

How the Prophet (PBUH) Beat Difficult Times

 

Difficult times are part of Allah’s laws in this universe; they are part of the tests that people go through.

They are not necessarily something evil, however. A difficulty we go through, on the contrary, could be a learning experience, a reminder, purification from sins and mistakes, a test of patience and perseverance, or all of these together.

We can emerge from difficult times closer to Allah, stronger, united, more skilled, and more guided, but only if we know how to live through them and respond to them.

Prophet Muhammad: The Best Example

There is no one to learn from who better responded to difficult times other than our beloved Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Not only was he a great man with noble character, he was also guided by revelations from Allah Almighty.

Following his footsteps is essential to live a successful life and is part of us being Muslims. By definition, Muslims are the ones who bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. Therefore, following his example is an integral part of Islam.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went through a lot of difficult times both on a personal and a community level. His life was extremely successful, yet it was the most challenging. By the will and the guidance of Allah, he was able to meet all the challenges he faced and come out of difficult times much stronger than ever before.

In this article, we will learn from our prophet some of the guidance to help us through difficult times we are going through and to enable us to use these challenges to our advantage.

The Prophet Facing Tough Times

We read the Prophet’s story hundreds of years after it was over. It is a successful story that contains one victory after another with a very positive final outcome. This positive experience masked all the difficult times in his life and we tend to overlook them when reading or relating the story, especially in the absence of deep analysis.

The fact of the matter is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went through a lot of challenges and difficult times throughout his whole life. In one year, his uncle and his wife, who both supported him emotionally and physically, died. In the very same year, he was subjected to physical abuse from the people of Makkah.

Gross Insults

The following story, as narrated by one of the Prophet’s companions, Abdullah Ibn Mas`ud, tells you how he was treated during this very tough year:

Seven from the leaders of Makkah were gathering next to Al-Ka`bah while the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was praying. He elongated his prostration. Abu Jahl, one of those leaders, said,

“Who would bring the innards of the camel so-and-so family just slaughtered? We can put it on top of Muhammad while prostrating!”

`Uqbah Ibn Abi Mu`ait, the most idiot amongst them, brought it and put it on the back of the Prophet while prostrating. The Prophet did not move and I (`Abdullah is talking) could not dare to do anything, for I have no clan to protect me.

Fatimah, the Prophet’s young daughter, came and removed the dirt and insulted all of them. The Prophet then raised his head and started supplicating to Allah against them all.

He was also challenged as a messenger tasked by Allah to convey His message. He was called a liar, a sorcerer, a poet, and a fortuneteller, and people started calling him Mudthamam (dispraise worthy) while his name is Muhammad (praise worthy).

His reputation was attacked, and his companions were tortured to the extent that people stopped listening to him. For two consecutive years before he migrated to Medina, only four people believed in him, two of whom died shortly after.

The Ta’if Trip

His trip to the neighboring city of Ta’if was just another example of those tough times. He traveled, walking, for over fifty miles to deliver his message to the people of Ta’if and ask for their support. Not only did they mock him, disbelieve in him, and let him down, but also asked their slaves and youngsters to throw stones at him for a few miles until his sandals turned red from his bleeding.

Even after migration to Madinah, his life wasn’t easy. He suffered the curses and the disrespect of the hypocrites in Madina. His noble wife `Aishah was subject to an ugly rumor spread in the society for days.

Madinah under his leadership was challenged by war from almost every single tribe in Arabia. He witnessed the killing of seventy of his companions among whom was his dear uncle Hamzah.

Moreover, he faced a siege of ten thousand soldiers, an attack on which his whole city, where all the believers lived, was about to be destroyed.

He faced treason from Jewish tribes in Madinah: some plotted to kill him and others betrayed him to side with an attacking army.

Many of the messengers he sent to teach people Islam were killed in cold blood and he grieved for them for months, seventy of them in one incident and twelve in another.

Learning from our Messenger (PBUH)

How did the Prophet manage to face all these challenges?

How was he able to come out of them stronger and with even more influence?

And how did he develop such a community that was able to be steadfast in the face of difficult times during his life and after he died?

Below are a few simple, yet very effective, concepts that the Prophet embraced and taught his Companions.

These concepts are extremely important for us to understand and embrace. While going through the ideas below, you will realize that they are a mix of:

– Personal qualities the Prophet and his Companions displayed

– Ideas taught by the Qur’an and the words of the Prophet

– Practical actions taken by the Prophet to face difficult times

1. Know! Difficulties are inevitable tests

This is the first and the most important concept one should believe in: going through difficult times is almost inevitable.

{Do people think they will be left alone and they will not be tried? …} ( Al-`Ankbut  29:3)

When you claim to believe in Allah, stand for what is right, oppose what is wrong, support justice, or fight oppression, these claims will all be tested. Allah will show who is truthful and who is lying.

This is the tradition of those on the straight path at all times. The Prophet and his companions were asked in the Qur’an, a question that is also asked to all of us,

{Do you suppose that you will enter Paradise untouched by the suffering endured by the people who passed before you?

They were afflicted by the misery and hardship and they were so convulsed that the Messenger and the believers with him cried out: “When will Allah’s help arrive?”} (Al-Baqarah 2: 214)

2. Know! Difficulties happen by the Will of Allah

It is very important to know and believe that nothing will happen to you except what Allah has decreed for you. The Prophet was asked to say, {Nothing will befall us except what Allah has decreed for us } (At-Tawbah 9:51)

He taught one of his young cousins, `Abdullah Ibn `Abbas, “Know that what hits you would not have missed you“

This belief gives you comfort and prevents fear from future difficulty, but more importantly, helps you overcome any difficulty you are already going through. Allah said,

{No misfortune ever befalls unless it be by Allah. And whosoever has faith in Allah, Allah guides his heart …} (At-Taghabun 64:11)

3. Flee to Allah

“O Allah I display before you my weakness …” This phrase was part of the prayer of the Prophet while coming back from his trip to Al Ta’if. Taking refuge in Allah and asking for His help and support is a very important action we should do during the time of difficulty. This is a trial by Allah, it happened with His permission, and it is only He who can alleviate it.

4. Examine your actions

“If you are not angry with me, I do not care …” was also part of the Prophet’s prayer returning from Al Ta’if. During times of difficulty, we should examine our actions. This difficulty may very well be a warning from Allah that we are doing something wrong. It may be because of our sins and mistakes:

{Whatever misfortune befalls you is a consequence of your own deeds …}  (Ash-Shura 42:30).

It may be because we strayed and Allah sent this difficulty to us as a reminder to bring us back. Malek Ibn Deenar, one of the great scholars of Islam, transformed from being an alcoholic person to the great person we know as a result of the death of his own two-year old daughter.

5. Be optimistic

Having hope and being optimistic were two important attitudes the Prophet embraced when facing difficulty.

“By Allah, Allah will perfect this matter until the traveler can travel from Sana’a to Hadhramaut fearing no one but Allah and the wolf that may eat his sheep“, The Prophet told Khabbab when he complained to him about the severity of torture he and other Muslims in Makkah were going through. (Al-Bukhari)

It was this hope in Allah, and confidence that there will be ease after difficulty, that kept them going.

This hope was not only kept in the hearts but was also spread through words and attitude. The Prophet mastered optimism and looked for optimism: “Evil omen is false! And I likes Al-fa’l (good omen)” the prophet told his companions. They asked, “What is Al-Fa’l?” He responded, “A good word.” (Muslim)

6. Do not get distracted

One of the very bad consequences of going through difficult times is the amount of distraction the difficulty creates. Ibn Al-Qayim says,

“It is a complete fiasco to be distracted by the blessing away from the One who blesses, and by the trial away from the One who tries.”

Sometimes the difficulty itself scares us away from the good we are doing. Allah says,

{And let it never happen that they might turn you away from the revelations of Allah after they have been revealed to you…} (Al-Qasas 28-87)

The prophet never stopped delivering his message because of a personal difficulty he went through or because of a threat or torture he received from his enemies.

7. Expect reward

This was one of the teachings the Qur’an instilled in the hearts of Muslims. Whether the calamity happens naturally, or whether it is due to the harm of others, being patient and perseverant results in a lot of reward. The calamity will eventually be over,

{Indeed with the difficulty there is an ease. Indeed with the difficulty there is an ease.} (Ash-Sharh 94:5-6) 

And when the ease comes, the pain will go away and will be forgotten. What remains and will never go away is the tremendous reward one would get,

{We shall certainly test you by afflicting you with fear, hunger, loss of properties and lives and fruits. Give glad tidings, then, to those who remain patient.

Those, who when any affliction smites them, they say: “Verily, we belong to Allah, and it is to Him we shall return.”

Upon them will be the blessings of their Lord, and it is they who are rightly guided.} (Al-Baqarah 2:155-157)

- aboutislam.net

About Dr. Wael Hamza

Wael Hamza is a Muslim writer, thinker and an active figure in MAS (Muslim American Society ), U.S.A.

What is the Significance of 5 Daily Prayers Postures?

 

Submission and Peace

Since we just celebrated Eid, I’m reminded with the story of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty ordered Ibrahim to slaughter his son.

Imagine if Ibrahim started asking Allah, “But what’s the wisdom behind slaughtering my son? Okay, I’ll do it, I don’t mean anything, but if I know the wisdom, I’ll be able to follow this command more happily and slaughter my son in good conscience”.

Ibrahim (peace be upon him) could have said so, and these questions “make sense”. But he didn’t.

He submitted to the instruction of Allah out of complete trust in Him.

What happened as a result?

• Allah saved him and his son from this test.
• Allah ransomed his son with a great sacrifice, “A ram which had grazed in Paradise for forty years” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir).
• Allah not only protected his son, but He gifted him with yet another son!
• Allah made him a role model for all believers until the end of time.

And Allah said something very powerful and beautiful; He said:

“peace upon Ibrahim”. (Qur’an 37: 109)

We all seek and desire peace. The Creator showed us that peace from Him –the Ultimate Source of Peace- showered Ibrahim internally and externally when his heart was in true submission to Allah.

We needed to mention this to correct the idea that we will get peace in prayer if we know the exact wisdom behind the number of raka’as…etc. This isn’t correct; we get peace when our hearts, minds, and bodies submit lovingly and humbly to Allah. This is the feeling we need to capture, and this is the missing link.

Brief answers

Having said that, we can discuss some wisdom regarding the questions you proposed. But this isn’t to say that the Prophet told us that these are the exact answers. Even though the Prophet spoke at length about almost everything, but matters of worship are Divinely instructed and should be practiced as they are instructed.

• In any case, you asked, “why do we recite the Quran in prayer?”

I want to ask you, if we don’t do so, then what do we do, do we just speak in prayer? So it becomes a monologue? We just talk talk talk… And is it a loving relationship if we just talk and don’t listen?

Of course not.

So, in prayer, we do both. We listen to the words of Allah. We recite His words because there are no better, more powerful, more wise, more soothing words than the Words of Allah. So we recite His words that remind us of our purpose and our destination. Then, we speak to Him. We are encouraged to speak to Allah and ask for all we want in sujood and before tasleem.

So, first we listen to the Master, and then we speak to Him and ask of Him. It’s a communication that involves listening and speaking.

• You asked, “why sajdah?”

In sajdah (prostration) as we put our forehead on the ground, we are in the most submissive state to Allah Almighty. We humble our ego and put our highest point (our forehead) at the lowest point in the ground. In this state of submission, the slave is the nearest to His Creator. As the Prophet said:

“A slave becomes nearest to his Lord when he is in prostration. So increase supplications while prostrating.” [Muslim]

And some of the scholars say about the wisdom in repeating sujood twice is that sujood is the peak of submission, and that after the worshipper has fulfilled the command of His Master by standing up in prayer, then bowing down, then prostrating, then sitting down from prostration the first time, he/she goes back again in prostration out of gratitude and humbleness before the Master for allowing them to complete the rites of worship and for empowering them against their ego and Shaitan by completing their servitude to Him. Other scholars mentioned how prostration twice reminds us that we came from the earth, and we will go back to it again. And other scholars say that it is an affirmation of our humble servitude to Allah that we prostrate to Him twice.

And from experience, truly the most wonderful, most peaceful most pleasing experience is in the humble sujood to Allah and speaking to Him in this state.

• You asked: “Why do we say “sami’ Allahu  li man hamdia”?”

Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said:

“When the Imam says: (Sami Allahu liman hamidah) ‘Allah listens to those who praise Him. Then (all of you) say: (Rabbana wa lakal-hamd) ‘O our Lord! And to You is the praise for whoever’s saying concurs with the saying of the angels, then his past sins will be forgiven.” [Jami at-Tirmidhi]

In short, why we pray the way we pray? Because Allah instructed us to do so, and we submit to Him. If it was in any other form, some people would have still questioned why it was in that form not the other. If it wasn’t the prescribed units of prayer, you would have also asked “why one prayer instead of units? Why do we just speak not listen to Allah…etc.” If we open room for questioning the prescribed acts of worship, we will not reach the satisfaction we want. Just like the people who kept asking Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) about the shape and color of the cow (Quran 2: 67- 74) until their hearts hardened, instead of softening.

So, to achieve peace, one needs to submit his/her will to the Will of Allah, do what He instructed and ask Him for peace. It is in this state of submission that Allah will envelop and shower the person in His peace.

And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Dina Mohamed Basiony

Dina Mohamed Basiony is a writer based in Cairo, Egypt. She specializes in Islam and spirituality. Dina holds an MA and BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo.

Getting to Heaven: Who Is Eligible?

 

In fact, the idea of Heaven and who is going to dwell in it has fallen between two extremes. One is similar to Christianity which says that as long as you have belief in God in your heart, then you are destined to enter Paradise.

The second extreme is that whatever you do in this life you are never sure of where you will be going.

Analysing the Two Extremes

I think the first attitude is problematic in that it takes for granted that one is rewarded regardless of what one does. The second is rather frustrating and may deter many believers from the straight path under the pressure that whatever good they do, they are uncertain of their end.

The first attitude is based on a superficial understanding of some of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings,

“Whoever says: there is no god but Allah enters Paradise.” (At-Tabarani)

“Whoever witnesses that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger, Allah forbids the Fire from touching him.” (Al-Bukhari)

Some understand from these statements that the concept of faith is only verbal, that is, through the utterance of the Testimony of Faith.

Faith has a meaning of such magnitude that covers feelings of the heart besides all virtuous acts of the body. Accordingly, faith is not only this cognitive act of the mind through which humans recognize the existence of God, but it is also the interpretation of such belief in terms of deeds.

I think with this interpretation the Islamic concept of Paradise may be at variance with the Christian one which grants “belief” to be the only criterion for entering Heaven.

Thank God that He did not let His servants feel in the dark for as what sort of deeds will lead them to Heaven.

Allah the Almighty, in His wisdom, explained to us the deeds which lead believers to be promised Paradise and those which threaten them to be temporarily deprived from this blessing.

God also informs us of who are doomed to eternity in Hellfire so that each human knows where he stands and does not blame but himself in case he is deprived of Heaven.

The following verses from the Noble Quran are but one example of the deeds the doers of which are blessed eternity in Paradise:

{The believers must (eventually) win through. Those who humble themselves in their prayers; Who avoid vain talk; Who are active in deeds of charity; And who guard their modesty, Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (in their case) they are free from blame, But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors;- Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants; And who (strictly) guard their prayers;- These will be the heirs, Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever).} (Al-Mu’minun 23:1-11)

Finding the Balance

Again, the following of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings are but a few examples in which promises of Paradise are given to the believers in case they observe the indicated prerequisites.

You can notice that such prerequisites, beside the belief in the heart, contain a mixture of social and individual ethics that help to build up a strong network of relationships among individuals, family members, neighbors, subjects with their rulers, and so on.

They also warn doers of certain acts from being temporarily excluded from Heaven.

“The severer of the tie of kinship would not get into Paradise.” (Muslim)

“I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this, putting his index and middle fingers together.” (Al-Bukhari)

“Allah admitted a man into Paradise because he was lenient in his buying, selling, paying back and in demanding his money back.” (Al-Bukhari)

“Allah says: ‘If I take away the eyesight of a Muslim, and he then shows endurance and seeks reward from Me, I shall be pleased with no lesser reward than Paradise for him.'” (At-Tirmidhi)

“Allah makes the way to Paradise easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.” (Muslim)

“One will not enter Paradise, if one has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his/her heart.” a man then asked, “One may love his clothes to look good and his shoes to look good?!” The Prophet replied, “Allah is beautiful and loves beauty, arrogance is: rejecting the truth and looking down on people.” (Muslim)

On the other hand God has decreed the Hellfire on those who do bad deeds and do not repent and seek His forgiveness. If they repent and do good deeds, the sins will be forgiven and the bad deeds will be exchanged to be counted as good deeds.

And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net