Gems

Bismillah. As Muslims, the phrase “alhamdulillah” الحمد لله (all praise and thanks is for Allah) is an integral part of our deen; we are taught to say it from both the Qur’an and Sunnah. Linguistically, Hamd is from ha-meem-daal ( حمد or ح م د) and it is to mention the good attribute of a person, such an attribute that is the at the level of perfection. Hamd is based on mahabbah (love) and ta’dheem (greatness).

Bismillah. We are constantly bombarded in this society with diet after diet, new ways to loose weight or supposedly be ‘healthy’. As Muslims, we know that Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) sent the Qur’an to us as a huda, a guide. Not only is the Qur’an a guidance for us in our beliefs, our worship and character, but we learn basic lessons on how to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Allah.

Bismillah walhamdolilah wasalatu wasalam ‘ala Rasool Allah Asalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu, Truly, patience is a characteristic of the Muslim that is required on many levels: Patience in worshiping Allah Patience in abstaining from wrong actions Patience at times of trials These are the three levels we should constantly be monitoring, for verily it is these levels of patience that will bring us success. My dear brothers and sisters, Ramadan is only days away.

Bismillah walhamdolilah wasalatu wasalam ‘ala Rasool Allah Asalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu, My dear brothers and sisters in this beautiful religion of Islam, sometimes we have to sit back and ponder about life and ponder about the purpose of it. Sometimes we know the purpose, yet we fall of track due to the play and amusement of this world. Nonetheless, we should never despair of the mercy of our Lord, for verily He is the Most Merciful and Most Forgiving.

Bismillah Sitting in a halaqah–in a khutbah–in an AlMaghrib class, learning about the deen of Allah– the emanrush, your heart just flutters with tranquility. With satisfaction. With humility. With peace. Why do we only feel this way in these gatherings? Allah azza wa jal provides the answer: He says in Surah Ra’d ayah 28:الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ أَلاَ بِذِكْرِ اللّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوب Those who have believed and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah.

Bismillah walhamdolilah wasalatu wasalam ‘ala Rasool Allah Asalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu, I start by asking a very simple question: Where does patience stand within our lives today? SubhanAllah, what a beautiful trait it is yet we rarely see the implementation of it. Such a beautiful tree by which the sweetest of fruits cultivate and bless our lives, yet we just let it slip away as a “thing of the past”.

Bismillah Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:إِذَا رَأَتْهُمْ مِنْ مَكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ سَمِعُوا لَهَا تَغَيُّظًا وَزَفِير When it sees them from a far place, they will hear its raging and its roaring. Suratul Furqan, verse 12 What is the “it” and “them” in this verse referring too? When the hell fire sees the disbelievers. Hell fire will see them from a far place, and they will hear it تَغَيُّظًا وَزَفِيرًا , raging with fury and roaring.

Asalamu ‘alaikum, Time comes and goes; some people grow, some people remain exactly same throughout time. وَالْعَصْرِ By the Time! إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ**_ _** Indeed! Mankind is in loss__ Thus, Allah makes clear that by the passing time man is in complete loss. Why? Because they don’t take heed, they don’t learn, they don’t listen, they go on doing what their hearts desire without thinking twice. They (in general) don’t ponder about the real purpose of their life; they (in general) cover reality with their false notions and desires.

Bismillah Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur’an, كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُوْلُوا الْأَلْبَابِ “(This is) a Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, so that they may ponder over its verses, and that men of understanding may remember.” Surah Saad: verse 29. (linguistic explanation of the word yaddabaroo is in the comments) It is the science of tafseer which is the fruit of ‘pondering over its verses’.

Bismillah Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in Suratul Anbiya: لَوْ يَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا حِينَ لَا يَكُفُّونَ عَن وُجُوهِهِمُ النَّارَ وَلَا عَن ظُهُورِهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ Translation: If only those who disbelieved knew when they will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs; and they will not be helped. [Surah Suratul Anbiya, verse 39] The word for ward off is “yakuffoona”, “يَكُفُّونَ” and this is from the root word “ka-fa-fa” or “kaff” which means palm/hand.