Islam

Patience is active, not passive. What does this mean? It mains patience doesn’t just “happen”. You must strive for it. You have to actively remind yourself and make yourself patient. Also, remember that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) tests you with what you are not patient with. If He (سبحانه وتعالى) tested you with things you already succeed at, how could you ever learn and grow? For a classic example of patience, consult Surah Yusuf.

Continuing our discussion of barakah, you might ask “what times has Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) blessed with barakah?” There are six blessed times: Ramadan: The month of Ramadan, in general, is blessed. Also, the night of Laylatul-Qadr is specifically also very blessed. These are ideal times to worship Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), because the reward is greater. The last ten nights of Ramadan are the most blessed nights of the year–more then the days of Dhul Hijjah.

Continuing our discussion of barakah, you might ask “what places has Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) blessed with barakah?” To start, the three blessed massajid: The Ka’bah: it is the most blessed place on the Earth, more-so then the surrounding holy sites. Medina: The city is blessed with barakah, and also, masjid an-nabawi has been blessed with barakah. Masjid al-Aqsa: the masjid, located in Jerusalem, in blessed, as well as the surrounding area of Sham in general.

In the first hadith in Sahih Bukhari, the messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.”1 The majority scholarly opinion is that this hadith applies to all actions, natural or religious (read more about the distinction here).

Continuing our discussion of barakah, you might ask “so what has barakah in it?” The Qur’an: In many verses, the Qur’an itself is called “mubarak”. There is nothing but good in it–every letter, every verse, every surah, every prohibition, every command. The revelation, the recitation, the understanding, and the memorization, as well, are blessed–because they are the speech of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). The Prophets: All prophets have barakah, especially the last, Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وسلم).

Tabaarak (تَبَارَك) has many meanings. The root word (ba-ra-kaf; like barakah) means: To Remain/Linger. This is why a pool of water is called birkah in Arabic. Same word. To Nurture/Generate. Connotations are that it increases. Under Shari’ah, the divine law of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), tabaarak means: the presence of divine blessings in an object, and an increase of those blessings. It also means: an increase in the amount of good in something.

Question: What is the best way for a person increase his or her eman? Answerer: Shaykh Yasir Qadhi The single greatest way to increase your eman is to gain knowledge. Study what eman is, study tawhid, the pillars of eman, etc. It automatically increases your eman. Good deeds also increase eman–each and every single good deed and act of worship you perform increases your eman. Fast a day. Read Qur’an. Pray Tahajjud.

19) Ease and Light Crossing the Sirat Towards the end of Judgement Day–a day that will last 50 000 years (Surah Al-Maarij, verse 4)1, after the judgement has been decreed, the people will have to cross the Sirat–a bridge sharper then a sword and thinner then a hair2, that runs over Hell–in order to get to Jannah. People will fall off–there will be hooks like thorns of a size known only to Allah, to snag people into the Fire.

Continuing our study of the fruits of eman, here are some additional fruits that spring from the tree of eman: 18) Benefit From Advice In Surah Adh-Dhariyat, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says: وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَى تَنفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ Translation: And continue to remind, for surely the reminder profits the believers. (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, verse 55)1 Notice, here, who benefits from the reminders–not all humankind, but believers. Why? Try this hypothethical situation on for size: there’s a guy who’s sinning–say he’s drinking beer in front of you inside his home.

Continuing our study of the fruits of eman, here are some additional fruits that spring from the tree of eman: 17) Love Here and in the Hereafter In Surah Maryam, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says: إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَنُ وُدًّا Translation: On those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, (Allah) The Most Gracious bestows love. (Surah Maryam, verse 96)1 That is: on those who have eman and perform good deeds, Allah decrees for them love.