Tazkiyyah

Can you re-use water used for purification–wudoo or ghusl? This issue doesn’t apply to most people unless they’re stuck somewhere without much water–like Cambodia, where they get water once a year, during flood season, and keep it for nine months.

(Before you read this, read about the three-fold categorization of water; in summary, water can either be purifying (tuhoor), pure (taahir), or impure (najas), and we can only use purifying water for wudoo and ghusl.)

Hajj is an amazing act of ibadah–one that requires everything: mind, body, and wealth. People invest so much time, so much energy, and so much money into Hajj–and for what? What do they get out of it?

For a properly-intentioned, well-planned and correctly-executed Hajj–one free of, for example, arguing, pushing, and harming other Muslims, full of patience–there are five jackpots you cash out on when you perform Hajj:

1. Deeds: The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever performs Hajj to this house–the Ka’bah–and does not commit any obscenity and wrongdoing, he, or she, will come out as the day he or she was born,pure and free from sins.” [Saheeh Muslim, 7/3129]
2. Salaah: When you pray in Masjid al-Harram in Mecca, your salaah is multiplied by 100,000 times [Tabarani]. If you’re there a brief span of two weeks (14 days), and you pray all five prayers in the masjid, that’s equivalent in reward to praying more then 3800 years!
3. Wealth: The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “Keep on doing Hajj and Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin just as the bellows eliminate impurities from iron and gold and silver.” [Tirmidhi and Nasa’i] [1] While we may not understand how, surely, the words of the Messenger of Allah are true. And, if you realize that everything you spend for Hajj is multiplied by 700 times, then that means a $5000 package is equivalent in reward to spending $3.5 million in the way of Allah. [Imam Anwar al-Awlaki]
4. Sabr: In Hajj, the unimaginable happens. Buses show up eight hours late. An eight kilometer ride becomes a twelve-hour imprisonment–stuck in a hot metal cabin with no air-conditioning in the desert. People push you, shove you, jab you with their elbows, steal your shoes, your phone, and your fruit juice. Your fellow Hujjaj will wrong you, the government will wrong you, your Hajj group will wrong you. Nothing teaches sabr like Hajj–and if you carry the lessons back into your life, you can reap the rewards of super sabr for your whole life.
5. Du’a: Of the biggest jackpots is du’a. Because the Messenger of Allah said: “The best du’a you can make is on the day of Arafaat.” [Tirmidhi] [2] If you plan properly–and bring your 16-page du’a list–you can make du’a for yourself, your family, your friends, your co-workers and fellow students, your community, the Muslim ummah, the planet. The whole course of lives can change. If you remember Allah, He remembers you in a better gathering–and what gathering is better then one of millions of hujjaj? The angels will say “ameen, and for you something similar,” when you make du’a for your brother or sister in their absence. So go for it! You may never get another chance. (On top of that, the du’a of a traveler is also accepted, guaranteed.)

So if you’ve made Hajj, rejoice! You’ve hit not one, not two, but five different and amazing jackpots. And if you’re planning to go for Hajj, plan it properly–prepare your du’a list ahead of time, make the intention to pray in Masjid Al-Harram as much as possible, and above all, be patient–because Hajj takes every drop of patience you have.

SubhanAllah, we all know the story about the accusations that were forged against ‘Aishah (رضالله عنها), but in addition to that story, the tafsir for Surat An-Nur (Surah 24), ayah 22, reveals another story–a story of forgiveness, a story of compassion, a story demonstrating the superiority of those who act for the sake of Allah (may Allah make us of them).

Mistah was the cousin of As-Siddiq (رضالله عنه). He was the son of Abu Bakr’s maternal aunt, and a poor man with no wealth except whatever Abu Bakr spent on him. He was one of those who had migrated for the sake of Allah, and he invented the lies and the slander against ‘Aishah (رضالله عنها).

Bismillah.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in Surah Al-Baqarah:

Translation: And We shall surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient. Those who when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed to Him we will return. [Surah Al-Baqarah, verses 155-156]

Bismillah

There are many words in Arabic that translate as “love” in English; two of them are hubb and wudd. What is the difference between hubb (حَبَّ) and wudd (وَدَّ)? Hubb, which is from ح ب ب ، means to love. It is a love that you have for someone or something that you keep inside of you–inner feelings of admiration and fondness. While wudd, from و د د، is a more intense form of hubb, a whole-hearted and deep love. Wudd is the purest form of love, an intimate love, and this love–affection that is more stronger than hubb–turns into actions. Wudd is to express those feelings of love in your conduct, in your actions,in your demeanor, and wudd maintains consistency and persists even if obstacles are in the way.

Did you know:

1. The literal meaning of hajj is ‘desire’?
   1. Hajj is one of the main five pillars and all muslims desire to go for hajj.
   2. We should hasten to do it/plan for it as early as possible. [1]
   3. Hajj is expensive, but ALHAMDULILAH we have been given glad tidings: by the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), who said, it eliminates poverty and sin! [2]

   <li>
     <span class="gem">Those not going for hajj can earn a lot of reward and forgiveness during the hajj days</span>, as they are <strong>the best days of the year</strong>. [3] We should benefit by:
   </li>
   <ol>
     <li>
       <strong>Fasting these 10 days,</strong> especially on the 9th of dhullhijjah. [4]
     </li>
     <li>
       <strong>Sacrificing a lamb/sheep</strong> (distribute portion or all of it to needy, family members)
     </li>
     <li>
       Growing our nail/hair during these 10 days and cut them afterwards. (This also ‘unites’ us with what rest of the hajees are doing in mecca) [5]
     </li>
     <li>
       Saying Takbeer (&#8220;Allaahu akbar&#8221;), Tahmeed (&#8220;Al-hamdu Lillaah&#8221;), Tahleel (&#8220;La ilaha ill-Allaah&#8221;) and Tasbeeh (&#8220;Subhaan Allaah&#8221;) during these days. [6]
     </li>
   </ol>
   
   <li>
     This is the only pillar that involves, all aspects of worship: i.e. Money/charity, physical aspects of worship, spiritual aspects of worship, etc.
   </li>
   <li>
     Freakily enough, a hajjee without good intentions or the one who shows off, <em>may have <strong>NO HAJJ</strong></em>.
   </li></ol> 
   <p>
     May Allah forgive us and grant us an accepted hajj and highest level of paradise (Ameen wa ajma&#8217;een). Please keep us in dua’s … May Allah forgive us too (Ameen)! Please do read the relevant proofs for them, as referenced below.
   </p>
   
   <p>
     Also, here are other amazing articles with good ayats/ahadith on hajj. Please read and benefit: [<a href="http://www.islamicawakening.com/articles.php?subcatID=43&#038;">Articles</a>]
   </p>
   
   <hr />
   
   <p>
     <strong>Hadith to the above points:</strong>
   </p>
   
   <p>
     [1]: Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever wants to go for Hajj, let him hasten to do it, because he may fall ill or some other problems may arise.”
   </p>
   
   <p>
     [2]: Also, hajj and umrah actually increases our blessings and wealth. The Messenger of Allaah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “Keep on doing Hajj and ‘Umrah, for they eliminate poverty and sin just as the bellows eliminate impurities from iron and gold and silver.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 810; al-Nasaa’i, 2631. The hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani – may Allaah have mercy on him – in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1200).
   </p>
   
   <p>
     [3]: Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: &#8220;There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.&#8221; The people asked, &#8220;Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?&#8221; He said, &#8220;Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, 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.&#8221; (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457).
   </p>
   
   <p>
     [4]: &#8220;The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) used to fast on the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, on the day of ‘Aashooraa’, on three days of each month, and on the first two Mondays and Thursdays of each month.&#8221; (Reported by al-Nisaa’i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawud; classified by al-Albaani as saheeh in Saheeh Abi Dawud, 2/462).
   </p>
   
   <p>
     [5]:The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: &#8220;When you see the new moon of Dhu’l-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice.&#8221;
   </p>
   
   <p>
     [6]: Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): &#8220;That they might witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e., reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)&#8230;&#8221; [al-Hajj 22:28]
   </p>
   

The purpose of life is to worship Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), and dua is the crux of worship.

Dua: The Weapon of the Believer Video

Dua: Goes hand-in-hand with tawakkul (trust and hope in Allah (سبحانه وتعالى))

Dua is the essence of worship: calling to The One, the Only One who can actually help you and Who actually deserves to be called upon. The One who is As-Samad, The Satisfier of every need; upon Whom everything depends but He depends on no one and nothing. Dua is calling upon the Creator, the Sustainer, the Supreme Answerer. [Calling out to other than Allah is the essence of shirk]

What is the second most important pillar of faith? Did you ever think that it was angels? Well it is … come learn why! What are angels? Who are they? Why should we study the creation of angels? Listen and find out … because surely securing knowledge of this creation of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) lights up the hearts with eman.

Listen to this podcast to find out the reality of eman, in Ilm Fruits’ exclusive Light of Eman series!

Bismillah.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

Translation: Every time he entered Al-Mihrab to her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: “O Maryam (Mary)! From where have you got this?” She said, “This is from Allah. Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without measure.” At that time, Zakariya invoked his Lord, saying: “O my Lord! Grant me from You, a good offspring. You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocations.” [Surah Al-e-Imran, verse 37-38]

Eman. So simple…yet we have failed to understood its true place in our deen.

And the man asked, “What is Eman?” The Prophet replied, “It is to believe in Allah and…”

What did the Prophet say about Eman? How does it relate to us? Listen to this podcast to find out the reality of eman, in Ilm Fruits’ exclusive Light of Eman series!

Don’t miss out! Check the Light of Eman page for the schedule!