O my brother who has fallen into sins

Yahya Ibn Mu’adh

O my brother who has fallen into sins, do not despair from the mercy of your Lord, for indeed the door to repentance is open until the sun rises from the west. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Verily, Allah extends His hand out at night in order to accept the repentance of the sinner by day. And He extends His hand out during the day in order to accept the repentance of the sinner by night, until (the day) when the sun will rise from its west.” [Reported by Muslim]

Umar ibn Al-Khattab

O people who take pleasure in a life that will vanish, falling in love with a fading shadow is sheer stupidity.

Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyyah
O son of Adam, how is your heart ever going to be softened by the recitation of Qur’an when all you read for is to reach the end of the surah.

Al-Hasan Al-Basree
O son of Adam, if Shaytan whispers to you with a sin, or if you yourself are inclined towards it, then remember along with that what Allah bestowed upon you from His Book, that which, if it was bestowed upon an unshakable mountain, it would have been humbled and broken apart. Have you not heard Him saying: “If We had sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and broken apart from fear of Allah.” [Sooratul-Hashr 59:21]

What Allah has forbidden will always hurt you!

Ibn al Qayyimرحمه الله said,
⠀
Forbidden pleasure is combined with ugliness and it will cause pain after the moments has passed. If you feel strongly inclined toward it, you should think about the pain it will leave behind. It is necessary to compare the two matters and discover the difference between them. Suffering pain while worshiping Allah is combined with a good soul that will bear the fruit of pleasure and relief. When the soul finds it heavy and thinks to stop the pain and then compares the end results of the two kinds.
⠀
To make the correct choice, you must know the reasons and consequences of each act and then choose that which is more deserving and useful. Whoever succeeds at doing this, would choose the better and prefer it. Whoever thinks about this Worldly life and the Hereafter, would know that he will never gain either of them except by hardship. He should bear this hardship in order to gain the best and more lasting of them.
⠀
He also said,
⠀
To restrain oneself from fulfilling unlawful desires is easier than to endure that which is the result of doing so, because giving in to one’s desires will either cause pain and punishment or it will prevent a more perfect pleasure than could ever be experienced in this worldly life. Either it kills time to the extent that it causes regret, or it defiles honor, whose preservation is more beneficial and worthy to the servant. Either ittakes away some wealth that would be better to be saved than to be wasted, or derogate a reputation that would be better to be praised.
⠀
Also it will either remove some grace that would be better to be preserved, or itdebases you and makes you subservient to lowly people. Also itcauses worry, grief, sadness and fear that is far more than the pleasure of fulfilling the desire, or it causes you to forget some knowledge that would be better to be remembered than satisfying one’s desire. Either it makes an enemy rejoice and makes a friend sad, or prevents an expected grace from reaching you, or it causes a flaw or characteristic that will remain permanently. Indeed deeds are the means of developing qualities and character.
⠀
Al Fawaid (pg. 319, 236)

The heart and the tongue.

Luqmān was an Ethiopian slave who was a carpenter.

His master said to him: “Slaughter this sheep for us.”

So he slaughtered it.

His master said: “Bring the best two pieces from it.”

So he brought out the tongue and the heart.

Then time passed, as much as Allāh willed, and his master said: “Slaughter this sheep for us.”

So he slaughtered it.

His master said: “Bring the worst two morsels from it.”

So he brought out the tongue and the heart.

His master said to him: “I told you to bring out the best two pieces, and you brought these, then I told you to bring out the worst two pieces, and you brought these!”

Luqmān said: “There is nothing better than these if they are good, and there is nothing worse than these if they are bad.”

● [Tafṣīr Ibn Kathīr (31/12)]

Self Admiration..

Ibn Hazm said:

“Whoever is tested with self-admiration, let him think of his faults; if he admires his virtues, let him think of his bad manners and attitude. If he cannot find any, to the point that he thinks that he has no faults, then he should realise that his problem is chronic and that he is the most imperfect of men, and he has the most faults and least discernment. That is because he is feeble-minded and ignorant, and there is no fault worse than these two, because the wise man is the one who can see faults in himself and tries to overcome them, whereas the foolish man is the one who is ignorant of his own faults.

If you admire your opinions, then think of the number of times you got it wrong; remember them and do not forget them. Think of every time you expressed your opinions and it turned out to be wrong, and someone else got it right and you were mistaken.

If you admire your knowledge, then remember that it is not from yourself; rather it is a pure gift from Allaah (swt) that was given to you by your Lord, so do not respond to it in a way that angers Him, for He may cause you to forget it by means of a problem with which He may test you, which my result in you forgetting what you have learned and memorised.

If you are impressed by your brothers’ praise for you, the think of the criticism of your enemies; then your self-admiration will disperse. If you have no enemies, there is nothing good in you; there is no one whose status is lower than the one who has no enemy.

It is no more than the status of the one who has no blessing from Allaah (swt) for which he is to be envied, may Allaah keep us safe and sound. If you think little of your faults, then think of them if people found out about them. Imagine people finding out about them, then you will be embarrassed and will recognise your shortcomings.”

[Al-Akhlaaq Was-Siyar, p. 71]

You cant wake up for fajr ?

When you cant wake up for fajir and you set so many alarms and try everything to get up and pray but it still doesnt help. Dont change your volume or alarm of your phone.

But know that you need to change something you do daily in your live in order to get up for fajir.

When you know you commit a certain sin everyday again; you ask for forgiveness for it. Or you do anything else and you havent done any tawbah. Start doing it, and dont quit doing it. In every salah, every day, every week every month. Ask for His forgiveness and help so you wont do it again.

See how easy fajir will be then.

Keep one thing in mind:

Its not the sleep thats keeping you away from fajir, but your own sins are keeping you away from it. ///And thats one of the many effects of sins.

10 Benefits of Lowering The Gaze [Abridged]:

Ibn al-Qayyim (RH):1 – It is obedience to the command of Allaah, which brings happiness to man in this world and in the next.

2 – It prevents the poisoned arrows (of the shaytaan), which may lead to his doom, from reaching his heart.

3 – It creates a heart that is devoted to and focused on Allaah. Letting the gaze wander distracts the heart and keeps it far from Allaah.

4 – It strengthens the heart and brings it peace, just as letting the gaze wander weakens it and makes it sad.

5 – It brings light to the heart, just as letting the gaze wander brings darkness to it.

6 – It generates true insight which can distinguish between truth and falsehood, sincerity and lies.

7 – It creates a heart that is steadfast, brave and strong.

8 – It blocks the shaytaan from a means of entering his heart

9 – (Not doing so) distracts one away from thinking of what is in one’s best interests, so his affairs become neglected and he follows his whims and desires and neglects to remember his Lord.

10 – Between the eyes and the heart there is a connection which means that the one is affected by the other, and if one of them becomes good, the other will also become good, and if one becomes corrupt the other will become corrupt.

— al-Jawaab al-Kaafi (125)

Ten matters that are not benefited from

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah on the ten matters that are not benefited from:

1. Knowledge that is not acted upon

2. Actions that lack sincerity and any guidance from the Prophet ﷺ

3. Wealth that has no charity given from it, so as a result, its owner does not benefit from it in the dunyā or the hereafter

4. An empty heart that is devoid of the love of Allāh, as well as a desire to meet Him and finding intimacy with Him

5. A body that is inactive in worshipping and serving Him

6. Love (of Allāh) that is not governed by the pleasure of the Beloved and the fulfillment of His commandments

7. Moments of inactivity that are not used to make up for deficiencies or seizing the opportunity to do righteous deeds

8. Thinking of non-beneficial matters

9. Serving those that do not bring you closer to Allāh or benefit you in your dunya

10. Fearing and having hope in those whose forelocks are in the hands of Allāh, thus being a captive in His grasp not being able to possess any benefit, evil, death, life or resurrection.

The greatest of these losses are two, and they are considered to be the source of all losses:

1. The loss of the heart

2. The loss of time.

Wasting the heart is when one prefers this worldly life over the Hereafter, and wasting time is done by having incessant hope. Destruction occurs by following one’s desires and having incessant hope, while all goodness is found in following the right path and preparing oneself to meet Allāh.

How strange it is though, that when a person is faced with a need, he exerts all of his efforts petitioning to Allāh to see to his need. However, he does not implore his Lord to ask Him to give life to his heart from the death of ignorance, shunning as well as from the despair of desires and doubts.

Reference : Al-Fawaid

The Prophet’s Manners

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah summarized the extent of the Prophet’s noble manners by saying:

The Prophet ﷺ used to greet the children when he passed by them. Sometimes, a little girl would take him by the hand and he would allow her to lead him wherever she wanted. He used to lick his fingers after eating. He would be in the service of his family when at home.

Never would he become angry because of something personal. He used to repair his own sandals and mend his own torn clothes. He would milk his goat himself for his own family. He would feed his own camel. He used to eat with his servants, sit in the company of the poor people, and personally take care of the needs of widows and orphans.

He would be the one to initiate the greeting when meeting people. He would respond to the humblest of invitations.

He lived a very modest lifestyle, a man of soft manners, naturally kind, easy to get along with, having a pleasant smile on his face, gracefully humble, extremely generous but not wasteful. Soft-hearted and gentle in his dealings with each and every Muslim, lowering the wings of humility to the believers, bearing their companionship in such a gentle way.

Reference : Madarij-us-Salikeen

Forms of Jihaad

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Once this is understood, then jihaad is of four kinds: jihaad al-nafs (jihaad against one’s self), jihaad al-Shaytaan (jihaad against the Shaytaan), jihaad against the kaafirs and jihaad against the hypocrites.

Jihaad al-nafs (jihaad against one’s self) is of four kinds:

1. Striving to learn the teachings of Islaam without which one cannot attain success and happiness in this world or in the Hereafter; if this is missing then one is doomed to misery in this world and in the Hereafter.

2. Striving to make oneself act in accordance with what one has learned. Simply knowing without acting, even though it may not cause any harm, is not going to bring any benefit.

3. Striving to call others to Islaam, teaching those who do not know about it. Otherwise one will be one of those who conceal that which Allaah has revealed of guidance and teaching, and it will not benefit him or save him from the punishment of Allaah.

4. Striving to bear patiently the difficulties involved in calling people to Allaah and the insults of people; bearing all that for the sake of Allaah.

If a person achieves all these four levels, then he will be one of the rabbaaniyyeen (learned men of religion who practise what they know and also preach to others. Cf. Aal ‘Imraan 3:79). The salaf were agreed that the scholar does not deserve to be called a rabbaanee unless he knows the truth, acts in accordance with it and teaches it to others. Whoever teaches, acts in accordance with his knowledge and has knowledge, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Jihaad against the Shaytaan is of two types:

1. Warding off the doubts that he stirs up to undermine faith.

2. Striving against him to ward off the corrupt desires that he provokes.

The first jihaad is followed by certainty of faith, and the second is followed by patience. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)”

[al-Sajdah 32:24]

Allaah tells us that leadership in religion is attained through patience and certainty of faith. Patience wards off desires and certainty wards off doubts.

Jihaad against the kaafirs and hypocrites is of four kinds: with the heart, the tongue, one’s wealth and oneself. Jihaad against the kaafirs is more along the lines of physical fighting whereas jihaad against the hypocrites is more along the lines of using words and ideas.

Jihaad against the leaders of oppression and innovation is of three kinds:

1. Jihaad with one’s hand(i.e., physical jihaad, fighting) if one is able.

2. If that is not possible then it should be with one’s tongue(i.e., by speaking out).

3. If that is not possible then it should be with one’s heart(i.e., by hating the evil and feeling that it is wrong).

These are the thirteen types of jihaad, and

“Whoever dies without having fought or having resolved to fight has died following one of the branches of hypocrisy.”

(Narrated by Muslim, 1910).

[Zaad al-Ma’aad (3/9-11)]

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“Jihaad is of various kinds, with one’s self, one’s wealth, by making du’aa’, by teaching and guiding, by helping to do good in any way. The greatest form of jihaad is jihaad with one’s self (i.e., going oneself and fighting), followed by jihaad with one’s wealth, jihaad by speaking out and guiding others. Da’wah is also part of jihaad.  But going out oneself to fight in jihaad is the highest form.”

[Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz (7/334, 335)]

Take care of your Souls

Ibn al-Qayyim stated Jihad al Nafs (Jihad against one’s self/desires) was of four kinds:
1: Striving to learn the teachings of Islam (without which one cannot attain success and happiness in this world or in the Hereafter)

2. Striving to make oneself act upon what they have learned, knowing without acting brings no benefit.

3 . Striving to call others to Islam and teaching those who do not know about it. (Otherwise one will be one of those who conceal that which Allah has revealed of guidance and teaching, and it will not benefit him or save him from the punishment of Allah)

4. Striving to bear patiently the difficulties involved in calling people to Allah and the insults of people; bearing all that for the sake of Allah.

100 Pieces of Advice from Qur’an

✔ 1. Do not mix the truth with falsehood (2:42)
✔ 2. Order righteousness to people only after practicing it yourself(2:44)
✔ 3. Do not commit abuse on the earth (2:60)
✔ 4. Do not prevent people from mosques (2:114)
✔ 5. Do not follow anyone blindly (2:170)
✔ 6. Do not break the promise (2:177)
✔ 7. Do not engage in bribery (2:188)
✔ 8. Fight only with those who fight you (2:190)
✔ 9. Keep the etiquettes of war (2:191)
✔ 10. Protect orphans (2:220)
✔ 11. Do not have sexual intercourse during menstrual period (2:222)
✔ 12. Breast feed your children for two complete years (2:233)
✔ 13. Choose rulers by their merit (2:247)
✔ 14. No compulsion in religion (2:256)
✔ 15. Do not invalidate charity with reminders (2:264)
✔ 16. Help those in need by finding them (2:273)
✔ 17. Don’t consume interest (2:275)
✔ 18. Grant more time to repay if the debtor is in hard time (2:280)
✔ 19. Write down the debt (2:282)
✔ 20. Keep the trust (2:283)
✔ 21. Do not spy and backbite (2:283)
✔ 22. Believe in all prophets (2:285)
✔ 23. Do not burden a person beyond his scope (2:286)
✔ 24. Do not become divided (3:103)
✔ 25. Restrain Anger (3:134)
✔ 26. Do not be rude in speech (3:159)
✔ 27. Think deeply about the wonders and creation of this universe (3:191)
✔ 28. Men and Women have equal rewards for their deeds (3:195)
✔ 29. Wealth of the dead should be distributed among his family members (4:7)
✔ 30. Women also have the right for inheritance (4:7)
✔ 31. Do not devour the property of orphans
(4:10)
✔ 32. Do not marry those in your blood relation (4:23)
✔ 33. Do not consume one another’s wealth
unjustly (4:29)
✔ 34. Family should be led by men (4:34)
✔ 35. Be good to others (4:36)
✔ 36. Do not be miserly (4:37)
✔ 37.Do not keep envy (4:54)
✔ 38. Judge with justice between people (4:58)
✔ 39. Do not kill each other (4:92)
✔ 40. Do not be an advocate for deceit (4:105)
✔ 41. Stand out firmly for justice (4:135)
✔ 42. Cooperate in righteousness (5:2)
✔ 43. Do not cooperate in sin and aggression (5:2)
✔ 44. Dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine are prohibited (5:3)
✔ 45. Be just (5:8)
✔ 46. Punish for crimes in an exemplary way (5:38)
✔ 47. Strive against sinful and unlawful acts (5:63)
✔ 48. Avoid intoxicants and alcohol (5:90)
✔ 49. Do not gamble (5:90)
✔ 50. Do not insult others’ deities (6:108)
✔ 51. ’Having majority’ is not a criterion of truth (6:116)
✔ 52. Don’t reduce weight or measure to cheat people (6:152)
✔ 53. Do not be arrogant (7:13)
✔ 54. Eat and Drink, But Be Not Excessive (7:31)
✔ 55. Wear good cloths during prayer times (7:31)
✔ 56. Forgive others for their mistakes (7:199)
✔ 57. Do not turn back in battle (8:15)
✔ 58. protect and help those who seek protection (9:6)
✔ 59. Keep Purity (9:108)
✔ 60. Never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy (12:87)
✔ 61. Allah will forgive those who have done wrong out of ignorance (16:119)
✔ 62. Invitation to God should be with wisdom and good instruction (16:125)
✔ 63. No one will bear others’ sins (17:15)
✔ 64. Be dutiful to parents(17:23)
✔ 65. Do not say a word of disrespect to parents (17:23)
✔ 66. Do not spend money extravagantly (17:29)
✔ 67. Do not kill your children for fear of poverty (17:31)
✔ 68. Do not even approach unlawful sexual intercourse (17:32)
✔ 69. Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge (17:36)
✔ 70. Speak to people mildly (20:44)
✔ 71. Keep aloof from what is vain (23:3)
✔ 72. Do not enter others’ houses without seeking
permission (24:27)
✔ 73. Allah will provide security for those who
believe only in Allah (24:55)
✔ 74. Do not enter parents’ private room withoutasking permission (24:58)
✔75. Walk on earth in humility (25:63)
✔76. Do not neglect your portion of this world (28:77)
✔77. Invoke not any other god along with Allah (28:88)
✔78. Do not engage in homosexuality (29:29)
✔79. Enjoin right, forbid wrong (31:17)
✔80. Do not walk in insolence through the earth (31:18)
✔81. Lower your voice (31:19)
✔82. Women should not display their finery
(33:33)
✔83. Allah forgives all sins (39:53)
✔84. Do not despair of the mercy of Allah (39:53)
✔85. Repel evil by good (41:34)
✔86. Decide on affairs by consultation (42:38)
✔87. Try for settlement between people (49:9)
✔88. Do not ridicule others (49:11)
✔89. Avoid suspicion (49:12)
✔90. Do not spy or backbite (49:12)
✔91. Most noble of you is the most righteous (49:13)
✔92. Honor guests (51:26)
✔93. Spend wealth in charity (57:7)
✔94. No Monasticism in religion (57:27)
✔95. Those who have knowledge will be given a higher degree by Allah (58:11)
✔96. Treat non-Muslims in a kind and fair manner (60:8)
✔97. Save yourself from covetousness (64:16)
✔98. Seek forgiveness of Allah. He is Forgiving and Merciful (73:20)
✔99. Do not repel one who asks (93:10)
✔100. Encourage feeding poor (107:3)

Please Share …. Surely, Allah Will Grant you The Reward For Spreading Righteousness.