abode of the seeker

-Balancing the act for Aakhirah-

2006-04-22T15:50:00.000-04:00

زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاء وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ ذَلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَاللّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ

Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life; but Allah has the excellent return (Paradise with flowing rivers, etc.) with Him.

Man is a creature of impulses, desires, and covetousness. He was sent into this dunya and was bombarded with fitan and tests and paths that appealed to his innate impulsiveness.

As Allah azza wa jall has clearly elucidated in the abovementioned ayah 14 of surah aal-imraan that man loves women, man his progeny, man loves money, man loves what he owns. It is to the extent that man dies hoarding wealth and reaches his grave in such a state.

أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ
The mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you,
حَتَّى زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ
Until you visit the graves (in death).
Man dies fighting for this dunya, he dies wanting it, he dies pilling it and in process pillaging it. However all along many fundamental questions are left unanswered.
First and foremost it is established that man is desirous of this life and that comes to him naturally but is following his desires necessarily the right choice? Is loving and clinging to this life what he should be doing? Are his desires akin to his goals?
In order to answer these questions we firstly need to conceptualize the basis of us being here and what we are here for. Secondly, once we realize that we need to prioritize what then is our goal and aim?
If pleasures of this life and world were our ultimate aims then why have an orderly society, why have a family, why have such intricate life style. One should ask why live in such a cosmos and construction of reality based on higher goals and achievements? Why have moral standards? Why live in the first place?
Nay, Allah has created us in best of forms and indeed there is wisdom behind us being here.
These desires the impulses that he was created along with were to act as forces within him and without him to test him and push him and to determine his resolve. If he gives in he has indeed failed if he overcomes he has indeed succeeded.
In light of this it becomes clear that it is perfectly natural and normal to love all the entities mentioned in ayah 14 of surah aal-imraan, such as women. However the crucial point we need to realize is that this love and covetousness is not our ultimate purpose. Yes this is what we need to realize and this is what we need to develop on.
What is the ultimate purpose of this life? It is worship of Allah as has been mentioned ;
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).
Now to remain steadfast upon this purpose man needs to learn to restrain and control and shape his life such that he is upon fitrah in such a manner which is in line with what Allah demands of him.
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).
Several steps can be taken to develop this mindset. Realization of our purpose and that we know is worship of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.
Man knows and understands his desires so he needs to put them into check. For that the best advice is given by our beloved Prophet Muhammed sall Allahu alayhi wassalam, “ Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer.”
SubhanAllah, we need to contemplate upon these words. This world is only a “fleeting enjoyment.” So, whatever use we make of this dunya and what it holds should only be limited to what suffices us.
Man should be determined as to what our end goal is; salvation in aakhirah. We need to balance the act for aakhirah.
After these steps of realizations he is then equipped with necessary mindset and direction of purpose is achieved. However the diversions of this dunya are mere distractions. Some being halaal and some haraam. He should make use of Allah’s bounties but not indulge in excessive love for our families and wealth as that could lead to replacement of his love for Allah.

قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَلِكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللّهِ وَاللّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
Say: "Shall I inform you of things far better than those?
For the pious, there are Gardens with their Lord,
underneath which rivers flow.
Therein (is their) eternal (home)
and pure spouses.
And Allah will be pleased with them.
And Allah is All-Seer of the slaves.

If ultimate purpose of life is given priority and Allah’s pleasure is sought then indeed the act has been surely balanced.

-Technicality of Fiqh-

2006-04-05T05:50:00.000-04:00

A man looked at his wife as she was climbing stairs and said," You are divorced if you climb a signle step, divorced if you descend a single step, and divorced if you stand still!" She slipped her self down over the railing and remained his wife.
[taken from the book "Gems & Jewels" p.g . 19]

Subhan Allah this anecdotal account perfectly epitomizes the blessing that Allah azza wa jall has bestowed on us in the Science of Fiqh. Linguistically fiqh means to understand or to comprehend. Islamically it means the ahkaam or laws pretaining to actions in islam, derived from its prime sources; Quran and Sunnah, and developed upon by the jurists.

Hence, this example personifies or rather reflects the complexity yet simplicity and flexibility of Fiqh. The man pronounces upon his wife some rather harsh statements and this is akin to a situation that may develop within realm of islam. She finds no way out but does see a loophole in the problem. The action that she carries out is perfectly valid as there's nothing in her husband's words indicating that what she did would nullify her marriage.

A similtude can be drawn here with islamic fiqh. That no matter how complex or confusing a situation maybe, rules can always be devised and ways can always be found out. The science is extremely technical and evidence based. SubhanAllah!

Just a slight look at fiqh of 'ibaadat or acts of worship would make us realize how complex it is yet there always are such intricate rules and exceptions that make a way out and provide an answer to even a seemingly impossible matter!

Wa lilahilhamd for Islam.

"...likeness of a grain; it grows seven ears..."

2006-04-04T05:52:00.000-04:00

Bismillah ar-rahman ar-raheem,

Allah azza wa jall says in surah al-baqarah, ayah 261:

The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.

If we are to ponder upon these beautiful words from our Rabb, we realize, subhanAllah, how generous Allah is. Even one penny given in way of Allah; its reward is multiplied. Indeed in the long run that penny and another penny and so on together materialize into a fruitful endeavour. Hence the person who contributed even a single cent gets the share of reward for he helped towards this end result. It is like a drop of water; each drop one by one turns into a river and that river brings forth vegetation and this vegetation provides sustenance.

Indeed, the simlitude of giving in way of Allah is as such. It is like a grain, a single grain, that grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains. SubhanAllah, it would be a pity if we fail to see how even little of efforts can help towards greater good and positive ramifications. It may take time, however, it will not be futile. For "Allah gives manifold increase to whom he wills".

And also we should not forget the following words of the Most Beneficient whose Mercy has no bounds:

Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follows Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin (good-doer i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allah's sake only without any show off or to gain praise or fame, etc., and in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger Muhammad Peace be upon him ) then his reward is with his Lord (Allah), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [surah al-baqarah, ayah 112].

Yes! If we are good-doers we need not worry how much or how little we give or how shall it help others; those in need. For that is not upto us to decide, Allah is only and mind you only "asking" us to give and we get the reward! Allah ta'ala has not even put end results as a condition! Allah u akbar! How Benevolent indeed is our Lord.

Now let's have a look at what is the essence of the reward that waits those who are muhsin and give in the way of Allah;

(They will be) on thrones woven with gold and precious stones,
Reclining thereon, face to face.
They will be served by immortal boys,
With cups, and jugs, and a glass from the flowing wine,
Wherefrom they will get neither any aching of the head, nor any intoxication.
And fruit; that they may choose.
And the flesh of fowls that they desire.
[surah al-waaqi'ah, ayaat 15-21]

These are the delights that await those who believe and do good! What more could one want who has tasted the sweetness of eman, and faced hardship for its sake and given in its way. His reward multiplies manifold like, a grain of corn multiplies into full-fledged plant with seven ears containing a hundred grains. Furthermore he or she gets the pleasure of aakhirah.

So, what's stopping us my brothers and sisters in islam. Give, give and give in the way of Allah for the reward awaits you!

The Reality of -Kibr- (pride)

2006-04-03T01:49:00.000-04:00

Bismillah ar-rahman ar-raheem. Alhamdulilah wa salatu wa salamu 'ala Muhammed.

And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves before Adam.". And they prostrated except Iblis (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah). [surah al-baqarah, ayah34]

And when it is said unto him: Be careful of thy duty to Allah, pride taketh him to sin. Hell will settle his account, an evil resting-place. [surah al-baqarah, ayah 206]

"...examination and research indicate that more a person is too proud to accede to the worship of Allaah, the greater will be the shirk he commits with Allah. The reason is that the more he disdains to worship Allaah, the greater will be his poverty and need for a beloved pursuit, which culminates as his end desire: the primary desire of the heart. Thus he becomes a mushrik on account of what has enslaved him of such end intents..." [al-'uboodiyah by Ibn Tayimiah]

One of the most important factors that lead to kibr (pride) is a sense of self-sufficiency. It is this attitude, this mindset, this way of thinking that deludes one into believing that they are not in need of their Lord.

Such is the state of the one who pursues this dunya and its vanities and its matters. These are his end desires. If so then this means he is 'abd of these end goals. It is evident that he could only be an 'abd of such superficial and worldly gains because he thinks that this dunya is all that is there.

One of the leading causes of such attitude, as mentioned above, is a sense of self sufficiency and belief and conviction only and only one's self. This ultimately leads to worship of one's nafs. The direct consequence of this is Kibr; pride. This is so because one does what his nafs tells him to do. He is driven and moved into actions solely by his desire and worldly pursuits.

In actuality he has submitted to these desires. Hence he has become an 'abd. An 'abd, a slave, a dependent of his nafs 'ammaara. 'Uboodiyah (servitude) to any entity other than Allah is Shirk. Shirk indeed is great dhulm as Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says:
"...Verily Shirk is a great dhulm indeed..." [surah luqmaan, ayah 13]

So my dear ikhwaan wa ikhwaat fiddeen. The matter is clear that Kibr is indeed a form of shirk and shirk is nothing but dhulm.

Nabi sall Allahu alayhi wassalam said: " No one who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall enter paradise."

The best way to avoid Kibr is humility. All it takes to have an ounce of humility is trying our utmost to submit to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and increasing in His love. For the best way to counter Kibr is to increase in 'Uboodiyah (servitude) to Allah!

"...But those of Faith are overflowing in their love for Allah. If only the unrighteous could see, behold, they would see the penalty: that to Allah belongs all power, and Allah will strongly enforce the penalty." [surah al-baqarah, ayah 165]

So, as it has been elucidated in the abovementioned verse, believers are overflowing with their love for Allah subhanahu ta'ala. Only and only this love teaches one humility in face of the majesty of his Lord! The conseqeunce of not having humility is Kibr. Kibr as it is clear leads to Shirk. And the unrighteous who have committed shirk for them is a penalty and a punishment.

Hence, it is fundamental and imperative upon us to suppress this sense and air of pride around us. For on day of judgement we will stand humiliated and naked before our Lord. Perfection of servitude and submission unto our Lord requires this suppression of Kibr for it is a hinderance in the way of perfection. Hopefully the realization of the fact that Kibr is hinderance and leads to shirk will put us into action to change our selves and submit to Allah whole heartedly!

Declaration of Faith (iman)- a brief look.

2006-02-08T00:59:00.000-05:00

bismillah arrahman arraheem,

alhamdulilahi rabbil alimeen was salatu wa salaam ala rasulAllah.

InshaAllah I intend to write and share some material on Iman. Iman in simplest terms (islamically) would stand for faith. However faith is a very comprehensive and all-encompassing word. In order to be properly understood we have to grasp its essence and its reality. The reality of faith stems from conviction in Tawheed. For there is no faith without acknowledgement of Tawheed. And proper understandig of Tawheed is not possible without realizing the necessity and of faith and its proper understanding.

The following work is based on summary of a book named, " al-wala' wal-bara' according to the aqeedah of the salaf" by Mohammed Saeed al-qahtani. The book bidhnillah is available here: www.alhidaayah.net

However I took it upon myself to read and summarize this book. Some words are mine and some I have excerpted from the book. I did so to learn and also to share it so it can be a benefit to others InshaAllah.

PART I

The Declaration of Faith

Declaration of Faith is divided into two parts. First being, " laa ilaha ill Allah" (none has the right to be worshipped except Allah). Second part being, " Muhammedur rasul Allah" ( Muhammed is the messenger of Allah).

First Part

"Laa ilaha ill Allah" is a statement that affirms and rejects;

It rejects all false dieties and their worship. It denies all those who don't have faith.
It affirms that divinity, right of worship and right to legislate belongs to Allah, Lord of th worlds, only.
It affirms allegiance to Allah, His deen (relgion/comprehensive way of life), His righteous servants and Sunnah of His Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right (Path of) Guidance has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.(surah al-baqarah, ayah 256)

The most trustworthy hand-hold without a doubt is true iman and this can only be achieved after grasping the reality of tawheed.

Second Part

It is the Beleif in Muahmmed (alayhi salatu salaam) as Allah's Messenger. We accept him and his words as a source of our deen. We do what he commanded and abstain from what he prohibited, as he never spoke out of his own desire.

What else compromises of true Faith?

* "No one truly believes until he rejects forces of disbelief"- Muhammed Ibn AbdulWahhab. It is a prerequisite of faith that all rule by ignorance and, all false religions must be denounced.
* Since our sole purpose is to worship Allah our Lord; only He deserves glorification. Acts of worship must only be directed towards Him.
* Hope and Fear in Allah are essential ingredients of Faith for Power only belongs to Allah.
* Since Allah is our Lord and our Master and we submit wholly to Him, Love is only for Allah and for His sake.
* Only Allah's pleasure is sought and not his Displeasure for the fear of His wrath.

In order to believe all falsehood is rejected and all ties with it are broken, in order for iman to actually take place in our heart. It is clear from the following example of Ibrahim (alayhi salaam); Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: "Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred for ever, until you believe in Allah Alone," (al-mumtahinah, ayah 4)
The essence of baraa' is embodied in this verse.

In short "La ilaha ill Allah" is the rejection of shirk and falsehood. It is the affirmation of Allah as our Lord. Hence, automatically affirming all laws, rules and acts ordained by Him or by the one most beloved to Him.

Etiquettes of Knowledge

2006-01-28T04:38:00.000-05:00

Bismillah arrahman arraheem.

Before a person embarks upon seeking knowledge he or she needs to have proper etiquettes and intentions. Only with the appropriate mindsets and reasons can we attain the knowledge and benefit from it. So the second step for some one on the path of knowledge is to have the correct manners.

Ibn al-Qayyim - rahimahullaah- said:

There are six stages to knowledge

Firstly: Asking questions in a good manner.
Secondly: Remaining quiet and listening attentively.
Thirdly: Understanding well.
Fourthly: Memorising.
Fifthly: Teaching.
Sixthly - and it is its fruit: Acting upon the knowledge and keeping to its limits.

InshaAllah subhanahu wa ta'ala if we act upon these simple yet concisely comprehensive guidlines, our pursuit of knowledge shall be fruitful and in best of spirits.

Prerequisites of seeking Knowledge

2006-01-27T01:57:00.000-05:00

Bismillah arrahman arraheem

InshaAllah this list is intended to serve as a reminder for me and others sincerely trying to gain some ilm. It is a list of points that we should keep in our minds whilst seeking Knowledge.

Our intentions should be pure and we must have ikhlaas. For without ikhlaas our pursuit of knowledge is futile. " Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter; to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do."(hud ayaat 15-16). So, make sure that the intentions are pure and for the sake of Allah azza wa jall and not this dunya.
Knowledge should be gained to uplift ones' self and the ummah out of igonrance. So, we are aware of why we are worshipping our Lord Most High.
The knowledge being gained should be acted upon. Abdullah bin Mas'ud said: " We used to learn ten verses from the Quran an we would not go beyond them (to learn more verses) until we had comprehended them and acted upon them."
Avoid blind following, for it restricts thinking and acquiring knowledge without bias and with pure intentions.
Beware of falling into riyaa and pride.
The first 'ilm to be learnt is pretaining to Tawheed. It should be accomapnied with application and propagation of Tawheed.
Be role models to others for the sake of this deen.
Be ready to strive fee sabil Allah.
Be courageous and always speak and propagate the Haqq and, do not conceal it. " Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers." (al-baqarah ayah 159).
Do not support opression and falsehood under the garb of knowledge.
Levels of tests and hardships are proportional to level of iman (faith). So, if a taalib-al-'ilm is steadfast upon truth then he/she should be ready to face tests. "Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test)." (al-ankabut ayat 2-3)
Discuss what you know with others. For this helps solidify understanding of matters.
Remember that the only source of knowledge are Quran and Sunnah and their understanding according to manhaj of salaf-as-saliheen.
Lastly but not least, pray to Allah ta'ala and always be humble in front of him. Pray especially for baseerah (clear/far sightedness) in deen.

May Allah accept our efforts in gaining 'ilm and may He keep our intentions pure. Ameen.

abode of the seeker

2006-01-24T17:44:00.000-05:00

Bismillah ar-rahman ar-raheem,

salamun alaykum wa rahmatallhi wa barakatuhu...

alhmadulilahi rabbil 'alimin wa salat u wa salamu a'la ashraf al-anbiyah Muhammed sall Allahu alayhi wassalam.

To proceed:

I decided to launch this blog for only one yet significantly noble reason. I felt I needed an outlet where I can explore, write and share my thoughts and the little 'ilm that I may learn. So, it could be of a benefit to me and to the reader.

InshaAllah ta'ala this blog is only for strictly islamic purposes. Hopefully only useful and fruitful material, which is reminsicent of knowledge, will be posted here.

"Seeking Knowledge is an obligation upon every male and female muslim" (adapted from Hadith).

And it should also be realized and ingrained in our minds that the first condition of knowledge is knowing ;"laa ilahal ill Allah".

"faa'lam annahu laa ilaha ill Allah..."
"So know (O Muhammad SAW) that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah),.." (surah muhammed, ayah 19)

"allahuma inn audhubikka min 'ilmin laa yanfa'u..."
"allahuma faqhini fiddeen..."
"rabbi shrahli sadri wa yassirli amri wahlul 'uqdata min lissani yafqahu qawlee..."

(ameen).

al-faqir ill Allah:
H.A.K