There are many times throughout our daily activities that we do things without clarifying the intention to ourselves. We may buy a new car but end up doing it to raise our status in society or for pride. At the same time though, we may buy a car and do it solely for Allah’s cause, and in this there is good.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur’an:
“So whomsoever does good equal to the wieght of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it.”
– Surah Az-Zalzalah V.7
To continue our series of ways to purify our salaah, a very important aspect is to take some time and to actually reflect and think about the ayaat being recited.
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur’an:
(This is) a Book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.”
– Surah Saad 38:29
“Be not like those who forgot Allah, as a result Allah caused them to forget themselves, it is they who are the transgressors”
– Surah Hashr V.19
A very powerful ayah in the Qur’an, very powerful indeed for those who ponder and reflect upon the words of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). This one ayah speaks to many amongst our ummah in this day and age at the same time shows us the results of their doings.
Once, a women came to Abu Hanifa (رحمالله) to sell a silk garment. Abu Hanifa asked ” How much is it?” She replied, “one hundred.” He said, “It is worth more than a hundred. How much?”
So the woman increased the price by hundred, and again, and when it reached four hundred, Abu Hanifa said, “It should be more than that.” The woman said, ” you are mocking me.”
So, Abu Hanifa said, “bring a man to value it.” She brought a man, and he valued it at five hundred.
How do we attain money, power, and respect?
The path is easy, you follow the way of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) and the commands of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), then inshallah you will attain the money, the power, and the respect. Now it is up to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) whether He blesses you with such things. However, with sincerity in your actions, the chances are high.
The overlying goal is to keep Islam in your heart; thrive for it, live to please Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), do all your actions in accordance to the sunnah, and follow the commands of The Al-Mighty, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). Do not keep these dreams and aspirations in your heart, because surely this is a disease and a footstep towards Shaytan. You may get the wealth and maybe even the power, but the true respect will be lacking, as only Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) has the ability to grant someone with respect.
Are you a student, or working? Are you depressed or frustrated that you could not take the advantage of the last ten nights of Ramadan? There were midterms, assignments, and projects for all the working folk, all those cliched reasons, or maybe you did take advantage. Here is another chance. Its on our doorsteps, the most beloved days to Allah, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah.
It was reported by Ibn ‘Abbas (رضي الله عنه) that the Rasoolullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (al-Bukhari)
How does it feel after reading Qur’an? Does it make a difference in us? How much do we implement it regularly, or even within the same day of reading an ayah?
When learning from the Qur’an and the seerah of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), Allah mentions a believers qualities in the Qur’an. The believers hearts become fearful and their eyes tear. This is a sign of the true believers, as Allah describes them in the Qur’an:
Remember that the outcome of our actions are in the Will of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) and nothing else. Our efforts do not convey a certainty towards the outcome whatsoever.
There are times where you study, study, study for a test and only score a 60. Then there are times you may just briefly glance over your notes the night before and score an 80.
Is it by luck?
No.
This shows that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) is The One in control. We should put our efforts in, but know that the result is in the Will of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). It’s miraculous, because there will be times (and I know many of my classmates have seen this) that we write a test, expect a 60, but actually score an 80. Thats Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) at work, and know that it is Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), and nothing else.
Continuing in our series of ways to attain purification in salaah: Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur’an:
“… and recite the Qur’an in slow, measured rhythmic tones” (Surah al-Muzammil 73:4)
From this alone, we see the importance of reciting the Qur’an in a proper manner–slowly and with a rythmic tone–and not just whizzing through it as if we were reading a magazine of some sort. Also, our beloved Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) had a recitation which was clear, with each letter proncounced distinctly (Ahmad, 6/294, saheeh). You can easily begin to comprehend the likliness of gaining khusoo’ while reciting in a slow, calm voice rather than fast, abrubt voice. To list a few reasons:
After years of dawah the people of Nuh (عليه سلام), Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) revealed to Nuh (عليه سلام) (interpretation of the meaning) “None of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.” (Surah Hud, verse 35)
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) instructed Nuh (عليه سلام) to build an ark, and that the sinners will drown in a flood. As Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) states in Qur’an (to the interpretation of the meaning): “But construct an Ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration, and address Me no (further) on behalf of those who are in sin: for they are about to be overwhelmed (in the Flood).” Allah later stated (to the interpretation of the meaning): “At length behold! There came Our Command, and the fountains of the earth gushed forth! We said: ‘Embark therein of each kind two, male and female, and your family, except those against whom the Word has already gone forth and the Believers.’ But only a few believed with him.” (Surah Hud, verse 37)