Recent Blog Entries

Jun

2012

Du'a Lene Waale Bano

posted by ummi taalib on 20th June 2012 - 0 comments

"Ek to hein Du'a karnaa awr ek hein Du'a karaanaa (Maa/baap se, Ulama/Mashaikh se). Du'a karo awr Du'a karaao. Lekin us se unchaa hein Du'a lenaa. Du'a lene waale bano" "One is to make Du'a and one is to ask others (Parents, Pious Ulama and Mashaikh etc.) to make Du'a. So make Du'a yourselves and ask others too to make Du'a However higher to this is to get the Du'a of others (By being deserving of someone's heartfelt Du'a - and this entails "Dilo ko Raahat pohchaanaa awr kisi tarah ki takleef na pohche - i.e. to be such that no one feels any form heartache or inconvenience and feels nothing but peace and tranquility) So become of those for whom Du'a is made."

Jun

2012

Fear the Words Uttered by the Tongue

posted by ummi taalib on 17th June 2012 - 1 comment

Those familiar with the last lesson of the Bukhari Shareef dars (lesson) will be aware of the discussion which takes place where Imam Bukhari stresses the fact that both the Qawl (words) and Aamaal (actions) of Banu Aadam (Children of Aadam AS) will be weighed in the scales on the Day of Judgement.

In todays final lesson of Bukhari Shareef at Jameaah Riyadul Uloom and Riyadus Saalihaat (Leicester) our respected Shaykh Muhammad Saleem pointed out that in contrast to other organs like the eyes and ears which can tire of hearing and seeing, our tongues can remain busy without getting tired and one is not even aware that those words can become the means of ending in the Fire...

This hit home today as it never has before because I realised how our words can often hurt others, put them down, judge them etc. and were not even aware of the dire consequences. These words, once said can never be retracted. I pray that those whom we have hurt in any way forgive us and we beg forgiveness from Allah the Most forgiving and beg His protection from the fire of Jahannam. May Allah subhaanahu wataala replace the words leading to the fire with words which He becomes pleased with, which are light on the tongue and heavy in the scales (Mentioned in the final Hadith of Bukhari).

Subhaanallaahi wabihamdihi Subhaanallaahil Atheem

Jun

2012

Four Traits Leading to High Ranks

posted by ummi taalib on 12th June 2012 - 0 comments

Imam Ghazali mentions in his Ihya that Imam Junaid said, Four traits lift a person to the highest ranks, even if their works and knowledge are little: (1) Forbearance (hilm) (2) Humility (tawadu`) (3) Generosity (sakha)

Jun

2012

Becoming a Human in the True Sense

posted by ummi taalib on 2nd June 2012 - 0 comments

There are two types of knowledge necessary for one to become a human in the true sense; Thaahiri Uloom (External Knowledge dealing with the rulings of daily life) and Baatini Uloom (Inner knowledge which deals with the inner states of the heart). And for the attainment of these two types of knowledge there are two things which are necessary, Suhbat and Khidmat. Suhbat is spending time with the expert of a particular field as in the case of one who wishes to become a doctor. He will have to attend university where he will attain the knowledge from experts before being issued with qualifications to practice and this is so with every field, be it carpentry, teaching etc. So it is with the attainment of both the external and internal knowledge of Deen. For one to attain the knowledge of the rules of performing the Hajj one will attend courses on this subject or consult an Aalim or Mufti and for one to attain the knowledge of the states of the heart one will spend time with a qualified Shaykh who has been given a certificate of his qualifications by his Shaykh (the chain of which goes right up to the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam). One cannot attain this knowledge from the internet, Islamic TV channels or from books alone. Only a foolish person will trust or consult a doctor who does not have a certificate showing his qualifications. Similarly only a foolish person will trust a Shaykh whose qualifications are dubious. Khidmat is the second necessity and is taken to mean just serving the Ustaadh (Teacher) / Shaykh or giving gifts and invitations to dinners. This is a misconception. In simple terms it is such behaviour which does not cause any inconvenience whatsoever to the Ustaadh or Shaykh. One should not become a thorn by being argumentative and delaying in following instructions. Ones behaviour towards ones Ustaadh / Shaykh should be such that their hearts feel tranquil towards the student because this knowledge comes straight from Allah subhaanahu wataala and enters the hearts of the Ustaadh/Shaykh and is then transferred to the heart of the student. A teacher who inclines towards a student or feels affection will go out of his way to make sure the student achieves high standards just as in the case of a doctor who will indeed do his duty to all his patients but will be extra caring and attentive to a patient who is co-operative and respectful. Many people ask their Shaykh for Tawajjuh (Special attention). This tawajjuh is nothing but heartfelt dua from the depth of the Shaykhs heart!

May

2012

Commodities of the Heart

posted by ummi taalib on 9th May 2012 - 0 comments

When traveling from one place to another, one does not take all of ones belongings. A person takes the required amount of clothes, currency, etc., according to the number of days away from home. There is, however, one commodity that a person does carry with him throughout the duration of his life, wherever he may go; be it the marketplace, business or on travel. Inevitably, he will also carry this to his grave. This commodity is that which he has built up in his heart.

Mar

2012

SHOULD YOU BRAG ABOUT YOURSELF?

posted by ummi taalib on 18th March 2012 - 0 comments

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) said: "Allah has inspired to me that you are all to be humble towards each other such that no one transgresses against or exalts himself above another." Commentary: Unfortunately, the tides have so turned, that we now consider it a mark of confidence to boast about ourselves. Whatever we have, is because Allah Taãla gave it to us or allowed us to have it; whether it is intelligence, looks, wealth, lineage, faith, character or anything else. If someone thinks that they worked hard and achieved by their own merit alone what they got, they should look at all those who also work hard but do not reach their goals. If you studied hard and excelled, who made it possible for you to have the time to study? You could have been born into a family where children have to go to work to make ends meet. If you excel in your business, who allowed you to accumulate the capital to begin it, or gave you the ideas for it, or prevented accidents from befalling it? Who gave you the health to work for your business and kept debilitating illness away from you? If you pride yourself on your Islãm, who put your rooh into a child being born to a Muslim couple? Had you been raised on some other religion would you have come to Islãm on your own? Who has surrounded you with angels and allowed you to resist Shaytãn and not turn to Kufr?

Mar

2012

Create a Barrier Between Yourself & Dhulm

posted by ummi taalib on 12th March 2012 - 0 comments

Make a resolution of abstaining from all Dhulm (oppression) because Dhulm leads to darkness in the Hereafter (and according to another opinion, it leads to hardships in the Hereafter)

What is Dhulm?

Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullaah) explained during the 19th Annual Youth Conference that according to the the Scholars there are three categories of Dhulm the highest stage of it being that of Shirk (Idolatry), Kufr (Disbelief) and Nifaaq (Hypocricy). The second category is the violation of the rights of Allah subhaanahu wataala i.e. non performance of Salaat, Sawm, Zakaat and Hajj and the disobedience of Allah subhaanahu wataala i.e. gazing at non mehram, listening to music, consumption of alcohol/drugs, gambling etc. The third category of Dhulm is that violation of the rights of the creation i.e. backbiting, slander, cheating in matters of monetary dealings and inheritance and harming mentally or physically another human being (be it a Muslim or non-Muslim) or animals.

Fear oppression in all its forms as Allah subhaanahu wataala gives the oppressor respite before finally grabbing hold, a hold from which there is no escape. The punishment which awaits in the Hereafter is a certainty however even in this world the oppressor will suffer hardships.

Therefore repent from all disobedience and do not become despondent at the mercy of our Lord. Shaykh explained that there are three categories of the oppressor, the Dhaalim (Oppressor of a lower category), the Dhaloom (oppressor of a higher category) and the Dhallaam (An oppressor of the highest category who has left out no sin). So Allah subhaanahu wataala has three qualities with which He will meet His regretful slave. He will meet the Dhaalim as Al-Ghaafir (One who is forgiving), He will meet the Dhaloom as Al-Ghafoor (One who forgives more sins) and He will meet the Dhallaam as Al-Ghaffaar (One who is forgiveness is limitless). Why then should we not turn to Him with regret and repentance?

Mar

2012

Message from IDA�s 19th Annual Youth Conference

posted by ummi taalib on 11th March 2012 - 0 comments

If we had understood correctly the true message of Islam the enemies of Islam would never have succeeded in their quest to present Islam in a distorted manner. Today there is a dire need for presenting Islam in its true form at workplaces, colleges and universities. We should be able to give answers with correct understanding. To this end study the message of mercy in the teachings of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, the mercy which was shown even to animals. Study the statements, character and conduct of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, his Companions and those who followed in their footsteps. Adorn yourselves with that conduct and become the Daaee (inviter) of that conduct practically and verbally. Learn Deen from authentic, reliable sources because if the knowledge of Deen is incorrect, the practice of it will be incorrect and if practice is incorrect then one will be deprived of the pleasure of Allah subhaanahu wataala. When one realises the message of mercy in the teachings of Islam one will not feel burdened by the commands of Allah subhaanahu wataala and His Rasool sallallaahu alayhi wasallam because mercy is hidden behind every command and one is enshrouded with it. How can any command be void of mercy when Prophet Muhammad is Rahmatullil aalameen sent by Ar Rahmaan Ar-Raheem? Repent from all disobedience while there is time as death does not discriminate nor does it give warning. Walking past graves one can read the ages of the deceased people, 65, 40, 25, 15, 50...

Feb

2012

If It Was In Our Hands?

posted by ummi taalib on 6th February 2012 - 0 comments

One of the arguments of the disbelievers of Makkah was that Prophethood should have been conferred on one of the wealthy individuals from the towns of Makkah and Taif. In reply Allah Taala says that even the distribution of sustenance has not been left up to the human beings then how will He place in their hands the authority of choosing a Prophet? On this Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullaah) explains that if the distribution of wealth was left in the hands of any human, then apart from his family everyone else would starve to death. Everything is as it is with the will of Allah Taala. Take the example of a great Shaykh whose son is misguided. People from far and wide come to him and return with abundant spiritual wealth. If it was left to the father, he would make sure his son reaches the zenith of spirituality even if it means the rest of the people remain deprived. Forget a Wali, what about in the case of a Nabi? In the companionship of Rasulullaah sallallaahu alayhi wasallam came Bilaal from Habsh, Salmaan from Persia, Suhayb from Rome and Abu Musa from Yemen. Each went away with his share from the ocean of spirituality that was Rasulullaah sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, yet he was unable to guide his own beloved uncle. It is Allah Taala alone who guides whom He wills and He alone who misguides whom He wills. He alone bestows whatever He wills on whomsoever He wills. .

Dec

2011

Caged Birds

posted by ummi taalib on 18th December 2011 - 0 comments

Inda Malikin Muqtadir
From FususAlHikam's blog (very beneficial read)

We are like caged birds trapped in the cage of our senses. It is when we break these chains, break free from this prison, then we can truly be free. In order to break these chains you have to change your perspective. You have to leave behind what you think, hear, see etc. and you have to accept what Allah swt and His messenger salallahu alayhi wa sallam say without any doubt and with full certainty as if you heard it and as if you saw it. I would go to the extent to say that suppose it was the middle of the day and the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam were to tell you that it is night time then you should respond by saying, "Yes it is a beautiful night, I can see the stars."

Whatever Allah swt and His messenger salallahu alayhi wa sallam tell us is absolute truth regardless if it makes sense to us or not, regardless if we can see it or not, regardless if we can hear it or not, none of that matters - Allah swt and His messenger tell us something and thats it, its certainly true. So when we are in salaah and we recite the first ayah of Surah Fatiha, with certainty, from the Unseen a reply comes, "My servant has praised Me." In every rakaat in every salaah you have recited Surah Fatiha, but how many times have you heard this reply coming back to you? Every time. This should be our level of faith, our certainty in the words of the Messenger of Allah salallahu alayhi wa sallam. Our ears lie to us but Allah swt and His messenger salallahu alayhi wa sallam are truthful.

Many times in the discourses of Ulama we hear the various descriptions of heaven and hell that are found in the Quran and Hadith, the description of the grave and the trials of the grave and the description of the various stages of the hereafter, how should we approach them? All of those descriptions of heaven and hell, our faith should be as if we have seen them with the certainty of our eyes, as if we have smelled the fires of hell, as if we have smelled the fragrance of heaven. All of the descriptions of the grave and the various stages of the hereafter, our faith should be as if we have already seen them with the certainty of our eyesight, almost as if we can feel the touch of dirt on our body just from hearing and reading about the descriptions of the grave.

If you are going to leave from this world with anything, at least leave with this much - that Allah swt and His messenger salallahu alayhi wa sallam are truthful beyond our comprehension and understanding, beyond our hearing, beyond our seeing, they are truthful beyond our senses. My understanding is deficient, my hearing is flawed, my eyesight is wrong, but what Allah swt and His messenger salallahu alayhi wa sallam have told me is absolute truth - they have become my eyesight, they have become my hearing, they have become my understanding. What they told me is before me I am seeing. What they told me I am hearing. What they told me is what I understand.

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