name - almaghrib online...studies for an exam benefits much more than one who does not. the exam is...

i Class Etiquette1. Write your own detailed notes in the class notebook or on separate sheets of paper. Don’t just write notes; interact with what you’ve learned. Note down any GEMs to share with other students.

2. Please do not speak out of turn while the instructor is speaking as this may interrupt the instructor’s train of thought.

3. Please try to keep clear of the instructor’s immediate teaching space. There are cables that may be easily tripped over and notes that may get misplaced.

4. The breaks are usually 10 minutes. Please give the instructor at least 5 minutes to rest at break time. After that, you may come up to him and ask your questions.

5. Classes shall begin on time, insha’Allāh. Students are requested to try their best to be in their seats when class begins so as not to disturb others by walking in late.

6. Only registered and paid students may remain in the classroom during class time. Please remember to wear your AlMaghrib wristband during the seminar.

7. Please turn off any noise making devices during the seminar.

8. In accordance with AlMaghrib policies, private audio recordings are not allowed.

9. Children and babies should not be present in the classroom while the class is in session so as not to disturb the other students.

10. Please try not to eat snacks during the class; keep them for break time.

11. You are welcome to bring snacks to share at the refreshment table – just keep the health of the students in mind!

12. If a family member is coming to pick up a student, please ask them not to enter the classroom until class has been dismissed.

iiExamAll students must take the exam for their personal benefit and to receive three cred-its for the seminar. Undoubtedly, one who studies for an exam benefits much more than one who does not. The exam is not optional, it is FARD.

Final Examination

All exams will be taken online by logging on to www.almaghrib.org

Most of what was said in class is only in the students’ short-term memory. This exam will give you the chance to actively review your notes and make the information part of your conscious knowledge. In sha’ Allah, you will not regret the time you spent to prepare for this exam.

Can’t make the exam? Got a valid excuse? Fill out a Deferral request from your ‘My AlMaghrib’ page.

Make sure you have all the notes. Compare your notes with other students in the class.

Use highlighters and graphs to organize the important information from the notes.

Choose a study partner. Meet with them and discuss back and forth what you learned and what they learned.

Make time to study, however brief. From now till the exam date, casually revisit what you wrote in class so that it becomes familiar.

Sleep and eat well before the exam.

Remember to place your trust in Allah. You are learning this for His sake and you are hoping for the reward with Him.

Realize that the marks on this exam do not matter; it is how much of this knowledge we practice. The exam is only a means to increase the amount of long-term information you retain and give you goals in your continued path of seeking knowledge.

{ How to Prepare for the Exam }

Who What

Where

Why

iii Table of

Contentsmodule 1A Journey of Introspection: The Path to Purification ............................. 1

Chapter 4Understanding Yourself ................... 5> Your Ḥāl vs. Your Maqām

> How far away are you?

> The Three Types of Nufūs

> Baṣar vs. Baṣīrah

> Himmah Never Dies

Chapter 5Experiencing Change........................ 6> A Deep Look at the Tazkiyah of ‘Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb

> The Concept of True Ladhdhah (Pleasure)

> Faqīh’l-Nafs

Chapter 1Understanding Your Role................. 2> What is Tazkiyah?

> What is Fitnah?

> What is Ikhlāṣ?

> What is Tarbiyah?

Chapter 2Understanding Your Enemy ............. 3> The Enemy Within: The Nafs

> al-Shayṭān

Chapter 3Understanding Change ..................... 3> Can I change?

> Guidance is from Allāh

> Excuses for Not Correcting Oneself

> The How’s and When’s of Change

iv

Chapter 1Knowledge........................................ 8> Importance of Seeking Knowledge

> Intention behind Seeking Knowledge

> Effort of Seeking Knowledge

> Being Purified by Knowledge

* Distinction between Banī Isrā’īl and our Ummah

* Choosing the Right Scholar

* Acting upon the Knowledge

* Practice What You Preach

* Don’t Preach What You Don’t Practice

> The Pursuit that Never Ends: What is the Greatest Difficulty of Knowledge?

* Establishing an Environment of Accountability

* Developing the Attitude of a True Student

Table of

Contents

Chapter 2Minding Your Own Business ........... 11

module 2Making the Change ................................................................................... 7

v

Chapter 1Treating Destructive Flaws ............. 13> Curing Bad Character Traits

* Backbiting / al-Ghībah

* Tale-carrying / al-Namīmah

* Two-Faced Speech

* Lying / al-Kadhib

* Impermissible Joking

* Revealing Secrets

* Breaking Promises

* Mockery / al-Sukhriyah

* Pride / al-Kibr

Table of

Contents

* Love of Prestige / Ḥubb’l-Jāh

* Showing-Off / al-Riyā’

* Self-Deceit / al-Ghurūr & al-‘Ujb

* Envy / al-Ḥasad

* Anger / al-Ghaḍab

- Forbearance / al-Ḥulm

* Greed and Miserliness / al-Ṭama‘ & al-Bukhl

> Curbing the Desire for Food and Sex

> The Wandering Gaze

> Breaking the Habit

module 3Consumption and Destructive Flaws .................................................... 12

module 4Best Practices in Spiritual Strength Training ...................................... 26

Chapter 1Istiqāmah ........................................ 27> The Hardest Task

> The Most Praiseworthy

> Consistency

> Discipline in ALL Areas

Chapter 2Moderation .................................... 28> Balance

> Meaning of True Zuhd

viTable of

Contents

Chapter 3Get your WIRD on ........................... 29> The Purpose of the Pillars

> Understand your Complexity!

> Act with a sense of Purpose

> The P90x wird

> The Superstar: Abu Bakr (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu)

Chapter 4The Daily Wird ................................ 30> A share of contemplation & remembrance

> A share of meaningful obligatory prayers

> A share of voluntary prayers

> A share of qiyām

> A share of recitation and memorization of the Qur’ān

> A share of charity

> How much can I accomplish in a day?

Chapter 5The Weekly Wird ............................. 35> A meaningful Jumu‘ah experience

> Sūrat’l-Kahf

> Fasting Mondays and Thursdays

Chapter 6The Monthly Wird ........................... 35> Fasting “the white days”

> Recognize what month you are in!

> How much Qur’ān should I have finished?

Chapter 7The Yearly Wird .............................. 36> Ramaḍān

> The 6 days of Shawwāl

> The fasting of ‘Arafāt, ‘Āshūrā’

> Zakāt

> The first 10 days of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah

Chapter 8Once In A Lifetime (Ḥajj) ................. 39> Before you go

> Inner Meanings of Manāsik

> Qualities of the Ḥajji

> What if you’re not at Ḥajj?

Final Note:Overwhelmed? ................................ 40

AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICES OF THE BEST GENERATIONS

1

Understanding Your Role

Understanding Your Enemy

Understanding Change

Understanding Yourself

Experiencing Change

CHAPTERS

A JOURNEY OF INTROSPECTION:

The Path to Purification

module 1


2

Understanding Your Role

What is Ikhlāṣ?

What is Tazkiyah?

And [by] the soul and He who proportioned itAnd inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness,He has succeeded who purifies it,And he has failed who instills it [with corruption]. (al-Shams: 7 – 10)

What is Fitnah?

Fitnah is the ever companion to mankind.

What is Tarbiyah?

1


3

UnderstandingYour Enemy

The Enemy Within: The Nafs

al-Shayṭān

UnderstandingChange

Can I change?

2

3


4

Photo Credit: Joan Kocur, sxc.hu

Guidance is with Allāh

And [some] among their fathers and their descen-dants and their brothers - and We chose them and We guided them to a straight path. (al-An‘ām: 87)

And Allāh invites to the Home of Peace and guides whom He wills to a straight path . (Yūnus: 25)

And so those who were given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] be-lieve in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allāh the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path. (al-Ḥajj: 54)

By which Allāh guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from dark-nesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path. (al-Mā’idah: 16)

Change


5 Excuses for Not Correcting Oneself

The How’s and When’s of Change

1. Things that cannot be changed

2. Things that have potential but, if not nourished properly, will go to waste

3. Things that are harmful but can be destroyed with effort ranging from very little to great

3. Things that can go both ways

Understanding Yourself

Your Ḥāl vs. Your Maqām

4

Yourself


6 How far away are you?

The Three Types of Nufūs

Experiencing Change

A Deep Look at the Tazkiyah of ‘Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu)

The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “There were people who were muḥadithūn in the nations before me and if there is going to be a muḥadith in my ummah, it would be ‘Umar.”

5

Baṣar vs. Baṣīrah

The Himmah Never Dies

The Concept of True Ladhdhah (Pleasure)

Faqīh’l-Nafs

Knowledge

Minding Your Own Business


CHAPTERS

7

Making the Change

module 2


8Knowledge

Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding. (al-Zumar: 9)

Allāh will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. (al-Mujādilah: 11)

The Importance of Seeking Knowledge

Abu’l-Dardā’ (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allāh will make the path of Jannah easy to him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowl-edge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabit-ants of the heavens and the earth, and even the fish in the depth of the oceans, seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars (i.e., in brightness). The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dīnār nor dirham but only that of knowledge; and he who ac-quires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion.” [Abu Dāwūd & al-Tirmidhi].

1


9 The Intention behind Seeking Knowledge

Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who does not acquire knowledge with the sole intention of seeking the pleasure of Allāh but for worldly gain, will not smell the fragrance of Jannah on the Day of Resurrection.” [Abu Dāwūd].

The Effort of Seeking Knowledge

‘Abdullāh narrated on the authority of his father Yaḥyā: “Knowledge cannot be acquired with sloth.”

Being Purified by Knowledge

The Distinction between Banī Isrā’īl and the Ummah of Muḥammad (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)

Choosing the Right Scholar

Ibn Sīrīn (raḥimahullāh) said: “The knowledge of ḥadīth (in the same manner all other religious subjects) is included in the dīn. Therefore, before acquiring knowledge, be aware from whom knowledge is acquired.”

Acting upon the Knowledge

Al-Imām al-Shāfi‘i said: “Knowledge is not that which is memorized but instead that which benefits.”

Knowledge


10Knowledge Practice What You Preach

Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason? (al-Baqarah: 44)

Don’t Preach What You Don’t Practice

O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? Great is hatred in the sight of Allāh that you say what you do not do. (al-Ṣaff: 2-3)

The Pursuit that Never Ends: What is the greatest difficulty of knowledge?

Establishing an Environment of Accountability

Developing the Attitude of a True Student

1. Understand the role of the people of knowledge.

2. Keep the company of the righteous.

‘Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb said, “May Allāh have mercy on whomever guides us to our faults.”

3. Consider what your enemies say about you.

4. Learn from the flaws of people around you.

5. Learn from people of all ages.

6. Learn from your family members.

7. Learn from people above you and below you.

Mu‘ādh b. Jabal (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) said, “Seek knowledge, for seeking it for the sake of Allāh is a sign of consciousness of Allāh, acquiring it is an act of worship, studying it is a glorification, and searching for it is jihād.”


11

“Part of someone’s being a good Muslim is his leaving alone that which does not concern him.” (al-Tirmidhi)

For your own good

For the good of your brother

Giving the benefit of a doubt

What it says about your condition

2Minding Your Own Business


12

CHAPTERSTreating Destructive Flaws

Consumption and Destructive Flaws

module 3


13

1 Treating Destructive Flaws

Everything is treated with its opposite.

Prevention vs. Restoration

Consider the disease worse than its expression.

Curing Bad Character

What is the meaning of khuluq?

Why it matters so much

What is the proper measure of it?


14 Backbiting / al-Ghībah

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allāh; indeed, Allāh is accepting of repentance and Merciful. (al-Ḥujurāt: 12)

Four causes of ghībah:

1. Anger

2. Compliance

3. Arrogance

4. Joking

Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet Muḥammad (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do you know what is backbiting?” They (the companions) said: “Allāh and His Messenger know best.” Thereupon he (the Prophet) said: “Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like.” It was said to him: “What if what I say about my brother is true?” He said: “If what you said about him is true then you would have backbitten him, and if it is not true, then he is slandered (buhtān).” (Muslim, Abu Dāwūd, Aḥmad, & al-Tirmidhi)

When “backbiting is permissible”:

1. Complaining about oppression or injustice to someone who can help

2. Seeking the help of someone to correct something wrong

3. Asking for a fatwa

4. Warning a person at risk of harm

5. When someone has a title that has a bad meaning but the person is known by it

6. Speaking about a proud sinner

Destructive


15 Slander / al-Namīmah

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.(al-Ḥujurāt: 6)

Six things to do if someone comes to you saying: “He said this about you!”

1. Don’t believe him.

2. Advise him to stop.

3. Show anger with him.

4. Don’t think ill of the accused.

5. Don’t start spying to find out if what was said was true.

6. Don’t pass the slander.

“A tale-carrier will never enter Paradise.” (al-Bukhāri & Muslim)

The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I tell you about the most evil ones from amongst you?” They said, “Of course.” He said, “Those who go around with namīmah. They make enmity between friends and they seek problems for the innocent.” (Aḥmad and al-Bukhāri, in al-Adab al-Mufrad)

A man told Wahb b. Munabbih that such-and-such a man had insulted him. Wahb said to him, “And you are the only postman that Shayṭān has found (to tell me about it)!”

Two-Faced Speech

Al-Muntaṣir b. Bilāl al-Anṣārī said:

How many a friend displays affection with his tongue,But is deceitful in my absence and is not regretful.

He unwillingly amuses me so I may love him,But his words in my absence strike me like arrows.

Destructive


16

Revealing Secrets

Narrated from Jābir b. ‘Abdullāh that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “If a man tells you something then looks away, it is a trust.” (al-Tirmidhi)

‘Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) said, “I met ‘Uthmān b. ‘Affān (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) and offered Ḥafṣah to him in marriage. I said, ‘If you wish, I will marry Ḥafṣah bint ‘Umar to you.’ He said, ‘I will think about it.’ Several nights were passed, and then he said, ‘I think that I do not want to get married at this time.’” ‘Umar said, “Then I met Abu Bakr and I said, ‘If you wish, I will marry Ḥafṣah bint ‘Umar to you.’ Abu Bakr kept quiet and did not give me any response. I became more upset about him than about ‘Uthmān. Several nights passed, then the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) proposed to her and I married her to him. Then Abu Bakr met me and said, ‘Perhaps you felt upset when you offered Ḥafṣah in marriage to

Lying / al-Kadhib

Narrated ‘Abdullāh (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to al-fajūr (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and al-fajūr leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allāh, a liar.” (al-Bukhāri)

Lying is generally forbidden and “leads to wickedness.”

> Importance of striving for the high station of al-ṣiddīqīn (the consistently truthful)

Ḥafṣ b. ‘Āṣim (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) narrates that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is sufficient lying for a man to speak of everything he hears.” (Muslim)

Conditions under which lying is acceptable

> Ambiguity: Types and conditions under which it can be used

Impermissible Joking

Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) said that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was told, “O Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam), you are joking with us.” He (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “I only say what is true.” (al-Tirmidhi)

“Woe be on one who speaks and lies in order to make people laugh, woe be on him.” (Abu Dāwūd)

Destructive


17

Breaking Promises

And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned. (al-Isrā’: 34)

And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive. (al-Ma‘ārij: 32)

“The signs of the hypocrite are three: when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks his promise, and when he is entrusted he betrays the trust.” (al-Bukhāri and Muslim)

Mockery + Flattery

O you, who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers. (al-Ḥujurāt: 11)

Mockery based on the first sin of pride and arrogance

> Non-verbal mockery

me and I did not reply?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Nothing prevented me from responding to your offer but the fact that I knew that the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had mentioned her, and I did not want to disclose the secret of the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam). If he had decided not to marry her, I would have accepted your offer.’” (al-Bukhāri)

Destructive


18

Manifestations of Pride:

1. Thinking you’re better than people but trying to “act” humble

2. Degrading others with your actions

3. Constantly bragging about your superiority or accomplishments

Qualities of a Person of Pride:

1. Likes people to stand up for him

2. Wants others to walk behind him

3. Doesn’t visit people because he feels he is only deserving of being visited

Remedy for Pride and Arrogance

1. Know yourself

2. Know your Lord

3. Remember death

4. Doesn’t like others to be on his level

5. Expects others to carry his things

6. Does not engage in chores

Pride / al-Kibr

The seriousness of kibr as a sin:

Indeed, He (Allāh) does not like the arrogant. (al-Naḥl: 23)

The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “The one who possesses an iota of kibr in his heart shall not be granted admission to Jannah.” He was (then asked), “[But] O Messenger of Allāh! A man likes to have fine clothing and footwear. Is this included in kibr?” He responded, “No. Allāh is Beautiful and loves beauty. Kibr is the rejection of truth and condescension of others.” (Muslim)

Destructive


19 Showing off / al-Riyā’

Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) reported that Abu Bakr asked, “O Messenger of Allāh! Teach me some words so that I may recite them in the morning and in the evening.” The Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Recite these words:

Allāhumma fāṭiras-samāwāti wal-arḍi, ‘ālimal-ghaybi wash-shahādati, Rabba kulli shay’in wamālīkahu. Ash- hadu an lā ilāha illā Anta,

a‘ūdhu bika min sharri nafsi, washarrish- Shayṭāni wa shirkihi.

(O Allāh! Creator of the heavens and the earth! Knower of the hidden and the exposed! Rabb of everything and every one! I bear witness that

none has the right to be worshipped but You. I seek Your Protection from the evil of my own self from the evil of Satan and from the evil of shirk

to which he calls.)”

The Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) added: “Recite these words in the morning and the evening and when you go to bed.” (Abu Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhi)

Five Forms of Riyā’:

1. Riyā’ through physical appearance

2. Riyā’ through physical actions

3. Riyā’ through words

4. Riyā’ through deeds

5. Riyā’ through connections

When Riyā’ is a Form of Shirk

The Degrees of Riyā’:

1. Forming the intention originally to only commit a deed for people to see

2. He seeks a reward, but is so absorbed with riyā’ that he wouldn’t do that deed alone

3. Encouraged by people’s praise but does not neglect worship

4. A person is always at the same level but loves that others see his actions

5. A person hides the act but expects people to treat him well and honor him for his goodness

Does riyā’ make my worship completely worthless?

Three Signs of Riyā’:

1. To love the pleasure produced by being praised

2. To flee from the pain caused by being dispraised

3. To look greedily at what other people possess

…They do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allāh; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Knowing. (al-Mā’idah: 54)

Destructive


20 Self-Deceit / al-Ghurūr Say, [O Muḥammad], “Shall we [believers] inform you of the greatest losers as to [their] deeds? [They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work.” (al-Kahf: 103-104)

Al-‘Ujb and al-Ghurūr: Self-Conceit and Self-Deception Satan promises them and arouses desire in them. But Satan does not promise them except delusion. (al-Nisā: 120)

Causes of Self-Deception

> This Worldly Life

> False Wishes and Vain Desires

> The Righteousness of One’s Parents

You may be the son of anyone at all, but acquire integrity,Its virtue will enrich you, leaving no need for a noble

pedigree.The real man is the one who says, “Here I am!”

The one who says, “My father was,” is not the man.~ Well-known lines of Arab poetry

> Delving so deep into study, especially the amazing and unusual of it, no matter how useless, and forgetting about acting upon one’s acquired knowledge

The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Judgment, the most grievous torment will be inflicted upon a scholar whose knowledge was of no avail.” (al-Ṭabarāni)

> Using the shortcomings in the behavior of the seemingly “righteous” as an excuse to not improve oneself???

Categories of those Afflicted by Self-Deception

> The Scholars

> The Worshippers

> The Ascetics

> The Rich

Treatment for Self-Deception

> Realizing the Reality of Matters

> Knowing Oneself and One’s Lord

> Knowing this Worldly Life and the Hereafter

> Knowing the Path to Allāh and How to Overcome Obstacles

Destructive


21 Envy / al-Ḥasad

Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) said that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Beware of envy because envy consumes (destroys) the virtues just as the fire consumes the firewood,” or he said “grass.” (Abu Dāwūd)

Permissible Types of Envy:

Narrated Ibn Mas‘ūd: “I heard the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying, ‘There is no envy except in two: a person whom Allāh has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a person whom Allāh has given wisdom (i.e. religious knowledge) and he gives his decisions accordingly and teaches it to the others.’” (al-Bukhāri)

Main Causes of Envy: And they said, “Why was this Qur’ān not sent down upon a great man from [one of] the two cities?” (al-Zukhruf: 31)

“Is it these whom Allāh has favored among us?” (al-An‘ām: 53)

> Self-pride

> Competition

> Enmity

> Wickedness

How to Remedy Envy:

> Consider your priorities

> Ignore comparisons

> Make du‘ā’ for the person

> Remember that Allāh is the Provider

Destructive


22Destructive

Anger / al-Ghaḍab

Narrated Abu Hurayrah: “Allāh’s Apostle said, ‘The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.’” (al-Bukhāri)

Some Causes of Anger:

> Self-admiration

> Inappropriate joking

> Argumentation

> Betrayal

Remedying a Bad Temper Problem:

1. Learn about the virtues of forgiveness and forbearance

Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant. (al-A‘rāf: 199)

2. Remember the Anger of Allāh

3. Think about the consequences of your temper in this world

4. Always carry an invisible mirror with you to see how you look when you are angry

5. Try to identify the causes of your anger

6. Remember that everything that happens is by the Will of Allāh

… and who restrain anger and who pardon the people. (Āle-‘Imrān: 134)]Abu Hurayrah relates that a man said to the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “Counsel me.” The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not get angry.” The man repeated his request many times, but the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) kept saying: “Do not get angry.” (al-Bukhāri)

It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world… (al-Zukhruf: 32)

Ibn Sīrīn said, “I have never envied anyone for anything related to this worldly life, because if he is to be one of the residents of Paradise, how can I envy him for something pertaining to worldly life while he is going to Paradise? And if he is to be one of the residents of the Fire, how can I envy him for something pertaining to worldly life while he is going to the Fire!”


23

Photo Credit: Ozan U

zel, sxc.hu

Learning Forbearance

The Prophet said to al-Ashajj ibn ‘Abd’l-Qays: “You have two qualities that Allāh the Almighty loves: forbearance and patience.” (Muslim)

> Allāh is Al-Ḥalīm

> How do I acquire ḥulm?

> How am I able to gain the attribute of ḥulm?

> The example of Prophet Muḥammad (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)

Anas b. Mālik narrated: “I was walking with the Messenger of Allāh and he was wearing a mantle of Najrān with a thick border. A rude bedouin met him and pulled the mantle so violently that I saw this violent pulling had left marks from its border on the skin of the neck of the Messenger of Allāh. And he (the bedouin) said: ‘Muḥammad! Command that I should be given out of the wealth of Allāh which is at your disposal.’ The Messenger of Allāh turned to him and smiled, and then he ordered for him a provision.” (al-Bukhāri)

> The Example of Ibrāhīm (‘alayhi’l-salām)

Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, grieving and [frequently] returning [to Allāh]. (Hūd: 75)

> The True Meaning of Forgiving Others and Not Holding Grudges

…but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation - his reward is [due] from Allāh. (al-Shūra: 40)

The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “… and Allāh does not increase a servant (of His), as a result of his forgiveness, except in glory.” (al-Tirmidhi)

Destructive


24Destructive Greed and Miserliness

Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire - of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allāh has with Him the best return. (Āle-‘Imrān: 14)

The Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “The likeness of this worldly life in the Hereafter is as the likeness of what any of you (gets when he) puts his finger into the sea; so let him see that which he gets!” (al-Bukhāri & Muslim)

Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) reported: “The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘May he be miserable, the worshipper of the dīnār and dirham, and the worshipper of the striped silk cloak. If he is given anything, he is satisfied; but if not, he is unsatisfied.’” (Al-Bukhāri)

“By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, no servant (of Allāh) truly believes unless he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (al-Bukhāri & Muslim)

Curbing the Desire for Food and Sex

Ibn ‘Umar reported Allāh’s Messenger (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as saying that a non-Muslim eats in seven intestines whereas a Muslim eats in one intestine. (Muslim)

Ibn Mas‘ūd reported that The Messenger of Allāh said, “Whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, and whoever cannot afford it should fast, for it will be a restraint (wija) for him.” (Nisā’i)

The Wandering Gaze

Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allāh is acquainted with what they do. (al-Nūr: 30)

> Imagine being watched

Allāh knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal (Ghāfir: 19)

> Keep your eyes on the prize


25

Game Plan:

1. Imagine having to stand in front of Allāh and watch the sin being committed in front me and then having to explain it.

2. Imagine having to be burned by a fire for every time I commit the sin.

3. Pray two rak‘ahs and sincerely seek forgiveness from Allāh.

4. Ask Allāh to grant me the strength to deal with the withdrawal symptoms of the sin.

5. Make a commitment to never return to that sin again.

6. Seek forgiveness from the people I hurt with this sin (if applicable).

7. Designate a self enforced “punishment” for myself if I do it again to act as a deterrent. (i.e. soap in mouth for cursing)

8. Give an act of charity or perform extra prayers to make up for the sin.

9. Eliminate all mediums that could be used to pull me back into the sin. (i.e. delete phone numbers, deactivate Facebook account, change email address, put up internet firewalls, break CDs, take TV out of my room, etc.)

10. Look for a permissible alternative to my sin (nicotine gum for smokers, sports, nashīds / na‘ts)

11. Disassociate either gradually or immediately from the people who either commit the same sin or encourage me to do so.

12. Surround myself with people who abhor the sin and will help me refocus.

13. Make a pact with someone in a similar situation to leave that sin for good.

14. Keep my eye on the prize! Realize if Allāh doesn’t replace what I’ve lost with something in this dunya, then He will do so in Jannah, or even both, inshā’Allāh.

Breaking the Habit of Sin

The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “All children of Ādam are sinners, and the best sinners are those who repent.” (al-Tirmidhi)

The Source:

1. Where was I when I first committed this sin?

2. When did I first do it?

3. Did anyone encourage me to commit this sin directly or indirectly?

4. What was the primary intended goal of committing the sin?

5. Was that goal achieved?

6. What are some of the possible secondary factors?

The Action:1. Was this sin committed using any tool or medium? (i.e. Facebook, CD Player, Phone, Business Location)

2. If so, is this tool a necessity in my life?

3. Did I feel any guilt after committing this sin the first time?

4. Did any of my friends praise this sin or encourage me to repeat it?

Post-Sin Feelings:

1. How many times did I repeat this action?

2. How often do I put myself in unnecessary contact with an environment conducive to committing it?

3. Did anything bad happen to me after the sin (even if unrelated to the act itself)?

4. Did anyone I was trying to hide the sin from catch me in the act? If so, how did it make me feel?

5. Did I sacrifice any acts of worship as a result of the sin? (i.e. Listening to music instead of Qur’ān, going to a party instead of the masjid)

Photo Credit: rubenshito, sxc.hu

Destructive


26

CHAPTERSIstiqāmah

Moderation

Get your WIRD on

The Daily Wird

The Monthly Wird

The Weekly Wird

The Yearly Wird

Once In A Lifetime (Ḥajj)

Overwhelmed?

Best Practices in Spiritual Strength Training

module 4


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1 Istiqāmah

Consistency:

‘Ā’ishah reported Allāh’s Messenger (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as saying, “The acts most pleasing to Allāh are those which are done contin-uously, even if they are small.” And when ‘Ā’ishah did any act, she did it continuously.” (Muslim)

Discipline in ALL aspects of:

Religion

Life

Character

Abdullāh b. ‘Umar (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) used to say, “When the evening comes, do not wait for the morning; and when the morning comes, do not wait for the evening.” (al-Bukhāri)

So remain on a right course as you have been com-manded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allāh], and do not transgress. Indeed, He is Seeing of what you do. (Hūd: 112)

“Say: ‘I believe in Allāh’, and then set your affairs straight!” (Muslim)

The Hardest Task

1. In regards to hardship

2. In regards to maintaining strength

“The likeness of the heart is as the likeness of a feather that the wind is turning over in the desert.” (Aḥmad)

The Most Praiseworthy Task

Have you not considered how Allāh presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky? It produces its fruit all the time, by permis-sion of its Lord. And Allāh presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded. (Ibrahīm: 24-25)


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O children of Ādam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess. (al-A‘rāf: 31)

And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate (al-Furqān: 67)

The Prophet Muḥammad (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sal-lam) said, “Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allāh in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course, whereby you will reach your target (of Paradise).” (al-Bukhāri)

Balance

Narrated Abu Juḥayfah: The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) established a bond of brother-hood between Salmān and Abu’l-Dardā’. Salmān paid a visit to Abu’l-Dardā’ and found Umm’l-Dardā’ dressed in shabby clothes, and he asked her why she was in that state. She replied, “Your brother, Abu’l-Dardā’, is not interested in the luxuries of this world.” In the meantime Abu’l-Dardā’ came and prepared a meal for him (Salmān), and said to him, “(Please) eat, for I am fasting.” Salmān said, “I am not going to eat, unless you eat.” So Abu’l-Dardā’ ate. When it was night, Abu’l-Dardā’ got up (for the night prayer). Salmān said (to him), “Sleep,” and he slept. Again Abu’l-Dardā’ got up (for the prayer), and Salmān said (to him), “Sleep.” When it was the last part of the night, Salmān said to him, “Get up now (for the prayer).” So both of them offered their prayers and Salmān said to Abu’l-Dardā’, “Your Lord has a right upon you, and your own self has a right on you, and your family has a right on you, so you should give the rights of all those who have a right upon you).” Later, Abu’l-Dardā’ visited the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and mentioned that to him. The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Salmān has spoken the truth.” (al-Bukhāri)

What is True Zuhd (Asceticism)?

He said, “My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” (Ṣād: 35)

2 Moderation: Don’t Go to Extremes (Ifrāṭ and Tafrīṭ)


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And mention the name of your Lord [in prayer] morning and evening. And during the night prostrate to Him and exalt Him a long [part of the] night. (al-Insān: 25-26)

The Purpose of the PillarsDid you know that every pillar is meant to curb a destructive flaw? Fill in the blanks below:

Shahādah curbs

Ṣalāh curbs

Zakāh curbs

Ṣiyām curbs

Ḥajj curbs

3 Get Your WIRD On

Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the be-lieving men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truth-ful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allāh often and the women who do so - for them Allāh has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.

Understand Your Complexity!

Wird


30

The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb - [those] from which men and livestock eat - until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people sup-pose that they have capability over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought. (Yūnus: 24)

Narrated ‘Ā’ishah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anha): The com-mencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allāh’s Apostle (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hirā’ where he used to worship (Allāh alone) con-tinuously for many days before his desire to see his family… (al-Bukhāri)

‘Umar b. al-Khaṭṭāb (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) said, “You should have some proportion of solitude.”

Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣri said: “Contemplation is a mir-ror that shows you your good and bad deeds.”

4The Daily WirdA Share of Contemplation & Remembrance

Act with a Sense of PurposeFood for thought: Imagine sitting on a beach and a Muslim on his boat sneezed…

The P90x Wird

‘Abdullāh b. ‘Amr narrated that the messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Ev-ery servant of Allāh possesses some inclination (shirra), and every inclination has its course (fatra). If one’s inclination is for the Sunnah, he has succeed-ed. If otherwise, he has perished.” (Bayhaqi)

The superstar: Abu Bakr (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu)

Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:“Whoever spends two things in the way of Allāh will be called from the gates of Jannah and will be addressed, ‘O slave of Allāh, here is prosperity!’ So whoever was among the people who used to offer their prayers will be called from the gate of prayer; and whoever was among the people who used to participate in jihād will be called from the gates of jihād; and whoever was among those who used to ob-serve fasts will be called from the gate of al-Rayyān; and whoever was among those who used to give in charity will be called from the gate of charity.” Abu Bakr said, “Let my parents be sacrificed for you, Oh Allāh’s Messenger! No distress or need will befall him one will be called from those gates. Will there by anyone who will be called from all these gates?” The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes. And I hope you will be one of them.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhāri)

Wird


31 Which is preferable: seclusion or keeping company?

Benefits of Seclusion:

1. Dedication to ritual worship

2. Staying away from sins like backbiting, greed, or hypocrisy

3. Avoiding being affected by others’ bad behavior

4. Escaping temptation and dissention

5. Saving oneself from others’ harm

6. Avoiding wasting time

Benefits of Keeping Company:

1. Opportunity to learn from and teach others

2. Exchanging benefits

3. Improving one’s manners through experience

4. Enjoying the company of others

5. Performing righteous deeds that require interaction

6. Developing modesty and humility through dealing with others

A share of meaningful obligatory prayers

Recite, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allāh is greater. And Allāh knows that which you do. (al-‘Ankabūt: 45)

‘Uthmān b. ‘Affān reports that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “If the time for a prescribed ṣalāh comes, and a Muslim performs ablution properly, (and then offers his ṣalāh) with humility and bowing, it will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he has not committed a major sin, and this is applicable to all times.” (Muslim)

Daily Wird


32 Meaningful Prayer

Consciousness

Reflection on the words

Glorification of the words

Contemplating each action

Pre and Post Ṣalāh

Defining Khushū‘

Pray your ṣalāh on time and plan around it

A share of voluntary prayers

1. Sunan Rātibah

2. Mustaḥabbāt

3. Taṭawwu‘āt

A share of qiyām

Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣri was asked, “How is it that those who observe qiyām’l-layl are among the people with the most beautiful faces?” To this he replied, “Be-cause they commune with the Most Merciful, and He clothes them in light from His light.”

How can I start praying qiyām?

1. Intention

2. Determination

3. Repentance

4. Kick the bad habits

5. Sleep early

6. Take a nap sometime in the day

7. Go easy on the Biryani!

8. Understand only Allāh wakes you up

9. Read about the merits

10. Set your alarm in a place far away in the room and kill the Shayṭān button (common sense)

11. Get your family involved

Daily Wird


33 A share of recitation and memorization of the Qur’ān

Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’ān, or are there locks upon [their] hearts? (Muḥammad: 24)

‘Uthmān b. ‘Affān reports that the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best of you is the one who learns the Qur’ān and teaches it.” (al-Bukhāri)

Anas (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) reports that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Surely, Allāh, Most High, has chosen some people (to be His favorite servants),” It was said, “Who are those people, O Messenger of Allāh?” “The People of the Qur’ān,” said the Messenger of Allāh, and he added, “They are the (favorite) people of Allāh.” (al-Nasā’i)

When reciting the Glorious Qur’ān, reflect upon the Glory of the Speaker!

Why doesn’t it affect me?

What can I do to benefit from it?

What if I don’t understand it?

Zayd b. Thābit said, “We ate suḥūr with the Mes-senger of Allāh, then we stood for the ṣalāh.” I (Anas) said, “How long was that?” He said, “About the lengthy of fifty āyahs.” (Tirmidhi)

Daily Wird


34 A share of charity

Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allāh] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allāh is Knowing of it. (Āle-‘Imrān: 92)

Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Charity is obligatory ev-eryday on every joint of a human being. If one helps a person in matters concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, all this will be regarded charity. A good word, and every step one takes to offer the compulsory congre-gational prayer, is regarded as charity; and guiding somebody on the road is regarded as charity.”

What if my charity was given to one undeserving? Don’t be sad because the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has some news for you. (Muslim)

How much can I accomplish in a day?

Imagine the reward of:

Praying fajr and ‘ishā’ in the masjid

Praying ḍuḥa

Doing tasbīḥ after ṣalāh

Praying just 2 rak‘ahs of qiyām

Saying the du‘ā’ after wuḍū’

Saying the du‘ā’ of the marketplace

Daily Wird


35

Components of a Fruitful Jumu‘ah Experience

1. Starting on Thursday night with Sūrat’l-Kahf, cleaning, ṣalawāt

2. Ghusl

3. Beautifying yourself and using the miswāk

4. Walking to the masjid

5. Going as early as possible

6. Avoiding stepping over people

7. Avoiding walking in front of the worshippers

8. Praying in the first row

9. Repeat the ādhān

10. Listen attentively

11. Pray sunnah afterwards

12. Stay in the mosque until ‘aṣr

13. Look for “the hour”

Sūrat’l-Kahf

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever reads Sūrat’l-Kahf on the day of Jumu‘ah, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiv-en (his sins) between the two Fridays.’” (Mundhiri)

Fasting Mondays and ThursdaysAbu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sal-lam) said: “The deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday, so I love that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.” (Tirmidhi)

The Weekly Wird 5


36

Fasting “the white days”Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) took a covenant from him for three: To not sleep except after performing witr, to fast three days of every month, and to perform the ḍuḥa prayer. (Tirmidhi)

Recognize what month you are in!

Narrated Abu Bakr (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said. “The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allāh created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhu’l-Qa‘dah, Dhu’l-Ḥijjah and Muḥarram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumāda‘l-Thāniyah and Sha‘bān.” (Bukhāri)

How much Qur’ān should I have finished?

Once a month? Twice a month? Once a week?

6The Monthly Wird

7The Yearly Wird

Ramaḍān

Narrated Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu): The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allāh said, ‘The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from Hell) and there are two pleasures for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allāh’s Sight than the smell of musk.’” (Bukhāri)

Narrated Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) that Allāh’s Apostle (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the month of Ramaḍān comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” (Bukhāri)

Components of a

Fruitful Fast:

1. Suḥūr

2. Break it as soon as the sun has set with dates

3. Generosity

4. More good deeds

5. More charity

6. More Qur’ān

7. I‘tikāf the last 10 nights


37 Degrees of Fasting

1. Ordinary Fasting

2. Special Fasting

3. Extra-Special Fasting

a. Lower your gaze

b. Guard your tongue

c. Guard your ears

d. Keep your limbs pure

e. Once again: Easy on the Biryani!

So how do we achieve taqwa?

The 6 days of Shawwāl

Abu Ayyūb (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever fasts Ramaḍān, then follows it with six from Shawwāl, then that is (equal in reward) to fasting everyday.” (Tirmidhi)

The fasting of ‘Arafāt, ‘Āshūrā’

Abu Qatādah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Fast the Day of ‘Arafāt, for indeed I anticipate that Allāh will forgive (the sins) of the year after it, and the year before it.” (Tirmidhi)

Abu Qatādah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Fast the Day of ‘Āshūrā’, for indeed I anticipate that Allāh will forgive (the sins of) the year before it.”(Tirmidhi)

Yearly Wird


38

Its Effect on the Individual

and on Society

It was narrated from ‘Abd’l-Raḥmān b. Ghanm that Abu Mālik al-Ash‘ari told him that the Messenger of Allāh said, “Iṣbāgh’l-wudū’ is half of faith; al-ḥamdu lillāh (praise be to Allāh) fills the balance; the tasbīḥ and the takbīr fill the heavens and Earth; the ṣalāh is light; the zakāh is a sign (of sincerity); patience is an illuminating torch; and the Qur’ān is proof, either for you or against you.” (al-Nasā’i)

Enhancing your Zakāh

Experience

1. Understand its significance

2. Give it in secret

3. Avoid taunting or harming people

4. Show humbleness

5. Pay it from what is good

6. Look for the best recipient

a. Righteousness

b. People of knowledge

c. People of pure tawhīd

d. People who don’t ask

e. Large families or handicap

f. The closest of kin come first

It was narrated from Salmān b. ‘Āmir that the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Giving charity to a poor person is charity, and (giving) to a relative is two things, charity and upholding the ties of kinship.” (al-Nasā’i)

Zakāh

The 10 Days of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah

Ibn ‘Abbās (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allāh than those ten days.” They said, “O Messenger of Allāh! Not even jihād in Allāh Cause?” The Messenger of Allāh said, “Not even jihād in Allāh’s Cause, unless a man were to out with his self and his wealth and not return from that with anything.” (Tirmidhi)

Yearly Wird


39 Once In A Lifetime (Ḥajj)

Before You Go1. Tawbah

2. Repay debts

3. Don’t leave your family struggling

4. Make amends

5. Know your stuff

6. Choose good company

Inner Meanings of the Manāsik

1. Departure

2. Iḥrām

a. For the ḥajji

b. For the non-ḥajji in the first 10 days of Dhu’l-Ḥijjah

3. Talbiyah

4. Entering the Ḥaram

5. The Lord of the House

6. The Black Stone

7. al-Multazam

8. Ṭawāf

9. Sa‘y

10. ‘Arafah

11. Ramy

12. Madīnah

Qualities of the Ḥajji

1. Slave not master

2. Guest not host

3. Ḥajji not tourist

How badly do you want to go to Ḥajj?

How badly do you want it to be accepted?

What if you’re not at Ḥajj?

8

Photo Credit: ccarlstead, flickr.com


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Photo Credit: Moham

med A

l Mobarak, flickr.com

Abu Hurayrah (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “One who weeps out of fear of Allāh, will not enter the Hell until milk returns back in the udder; and the dust raised on account of fighting in the path of Allāh and the smoke of Hell will never exist together.” (Tirmidhi)

Do not stand [for prayer] within it - ever. A mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in. Within it are men who love to purify themselves; and Allāh loves those who purify themselves. (al-Tawbah: 108)

Final Note: Overwhelmed?

41 My Mini Gemboard

* To get you started:

“The cause of pain is rarelythe source of pain. Although Allah ta’ala may

punish a nation, Allah ta’ala is NOT the source ofthe pain. Their actions are the source. So insteadof whining about God, they should look into their

hearts and deeds and wipe out the source.”

- cool quotes by ustadh

My ClassmatesName Email Phone

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name - almaghrib online...studies for an exam benefits much more than one who does not. the exam is...

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