˹He is˺ the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between, and the Lord of all points of sunrise.

 

Almighty. Keep reminding us that You can heal us in a moment.

 

Almighty. Keep reminding us that You can heal us in a moment. You can forgive in an instant. You can make the impossible a reality. May we always be grateful for everything

You’ve bestowed on us. Aameen.

“Indeed, Allah and the angels praise the Prophet (ﷺ), O ye who believe, seek Allah’s peace and blessings for him.”

 

“Indeed, Allah and the angels praise the Prophet (ﷺ), O ye who believe, seek Allah’s peace and blessings for him.”

What are the characteristics that he (ﷺ) displayed for which we should ask Allah’s blessings for Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)? First and foremost, it is as we mentioned, the God-conscious character. One who is conscious of God, meaning that when we sit and we talk with this individual no matter what he’s talking about, whether he’s talking about fixing his car, buying a house, changing jobs or as a woman, about the children, the foods that are going to be cooked, perhaps working also, whatever they are talking about Allah is mentioned. Allah’s name, Allah’s power, Allah’s attributes are part and parcel of that conversation. It’s worked in there because we don’t forget Allah. That is one characteristic, and the person who does this is a person, of course when you speak with them, you can hear the difference between that type of a person and a person who is unconscious of Allah. Most of us, unfortunately, are unconscious of Allah. So, when we speak there is no difference between how we speak and how those who don’t even believe in the existence of Allah speak, it’s the same. An external observer would say it’s the same, no difference between this one and that one because that consciousness is not reflected in what we say and what we do.

The second characteristic is that of having a stable personality. Stable personality is one, which is able to handle the ups and the downs of life, one who handles trials with patience and success with gratitude. Not to say that we don’t shake, yes we are human beings, trials will shake us, success will trick us to some degree but we’re not taken all the way away, where we lose our way. We are balanced in times of difficulty, in times of ease, a balanced personality. When you read about those people who don’t have this consciousness of Allah, when trial happen, like some years back in the US, when there was a crash in the stock market, you read articles in the newspapers, so many stock brokers jumping out of windows, suicide. One particular individual they spoke about, this guy had funds of like 5 million dollars. The market dropped so he only ended up with 1 million dollars, he lost 4 million dollars, he was jumping out of the window. This is somebody who hasn’t understood life. No stability in that personality. You blame others, when you can’t find others to blame; you blame yourself and take your life. One who hasn’t understood Allah, character in this regard is weak, lost.

I ask Allah to grant us a character of God consciousness, to make us aware of Allah (سبحانهُ وتعالى) in all of the various acts and thoughts and deeds of our lives. I ask Allah (سبحانهُ وتعالى) to make our hearts connected to Him, to keep us conscious of Him, to make our last words in leaving this life, remembrance of Him. To keep ‘la illaaha ilallaah’ on our tongues and to keep it in our hearts and to keep it in our lives and I ask Allah to give us stability in our individual lives and to help us to handle the difficulties and to help us to be thankful to Him in the times of blessing and ease.

Islam does not issue blanket rulings without distinction.

 

Prayer was given fixed times so it would discipline life, not bend to it.

 Prayer was given fixed times so it would discipline life, not bend to it. When salah is repeatedly delayed without reason, the issue is not time management but priorities. Faith weakens quietly long before it disappears publicly.--Dr.Bilal Philips

"Allah has already instructed Muslims in no uncertain terms not to make unlawful that which He has made lawful.

 

"Allah has already instructed Muslims in no uncertain terms not to make unlawful that which He has made lawful. Thus, it is not fitting that those who choose to follow the Prophet's (ﷺ) Sunnah be condemned for availing themselves of an option given to them by Allah (سبحانهُ وتعالى). Polygyny is not a decadent or indecent relationship but a valid part of the marriage system in Islam. Allah (سبحانهُ وتعالى) has said:

""...marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].""

One must note that man is first told to marry two, three or four women, then he is advised to marry only one if he cannot deal justly with more than one. This does not mean that Islam encourages all men to marry at least two women, but that such an option is undoubtedly permissible for those who can fulfill its conditions. The verse also sets the upper limit of four in a society in which an unlimited amount of simultaneous marriages were allowed. Thus a man must be able and willing to divide his time and wealth in an equitable fashion before he is allowed to have more than one wife. Conversely, if he is unable to feed, clothe and house all his wives justly, then, according to this Qur'anic command, he should not marry more than one. The point is that the permissibility of polygyny has been exemplified in the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) who was allowed by Allah to marry nine women during the same time period. It is true that many of the marriages were for socio-political purposes like encouraging the marriage of widows, breaking certain taboos and linking clans; however, the Prophet (ﷺ) still married those who pleased him and turned down those who did not.

Nevertheless, many Muslims today find the subject of polygyny distasteful and insist on considering plural marriage demeaning to women. This is primarily because the roles of men and women in western society, at least, have become severely distorted. Women openly compete with men for the same jobs; men sue their wives for support payments; women's clothing styles include suits and ties; men's clothing styles include bracelets, necklaces, ear rings and long hair, and both sexes wear interchangeable clothing under the title ""unisex"". The female has lost her natural position of protection in western society and is thus obliged to fight for equality with the male. Under such circumstances, it is not surprising to find western women and their eastern counterparts vehemently opposed to polygyny. Very few women in liberated western society consider obedience to their men a necessity for smooth married life. In fact, obedience to one's husband is not even considered a positive characteristic worthy of development in a woman. Even fewer modern women are willing to admit that differences exist between men and women; that God made allowances for man's role as leader, provider and protector. Western women deny these things in spire of the fact that the same differences are communicated in insidious ways in western society, itself. Women are sexually harassed when at work to keep their positions of power (there has yet to be a female president of the United States) and most of the lower paid menial occupations which involve service (waitresses, cashiers, etc.) continue to be filled by women in spite of new roles which women are said to be assuming in the West. However, Islam teaches us that Allah created everything in pairs, the male and the female, and assigned for them roles accordingly. Allah (سبحانهُ وتعالى) tells us in the Qur'an:

""Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard (of their chastity and honour)...""

""And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.""

Islam has defined the male role as that of provider and protector; whereas, the female has been given a supportive and dependent role which naturally involves a certain amount of submission and obedience to the male. The outlook of Islam towards the roles of males and females is thus in complete contrast to that of twentieth century western society. The position of women in the West today may appear progressive from the standpoint of voting rights, property rights and educational opportunities, but from the standpoint of the family, their position has degenerated alarmingly. The expulsion of women from their natural roles within the family is part of the symptoms of a declining culture. The fact that western culture and society is dying has been proclaimed on the covers of Newsweek and Time magazines. The incidence of illegitimate birth has risen rapidly in the West during the last few years and teenage pregnancies have become a norm. Stories of wife swapping, child abuse and various sexual diseases like herpes and A.I.D.S linked to sexual promiscuity should lead any sane person to question the sexual mores of western society and the problems of enforced monogamy."

Sincerity changes the value, not the size.

 

A small deed done sincerely for Allah outweighs massive actions done for attention.

Sincerity changes the value, not the size.

When the heart feels heavy, it is not more dunya you need — it is a moment alone with Allah, asking Him to lift what no one else sees.

Allah says, “O you who believe, fulfill your contracts.” (Qur’an 5:1)

 

Allah says, “O you who believe, fulfill your contracts.”

 (Qur’an 5:1)

Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 891

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Your putting some of the water from your bucket in your brother's bucket is sadaqa. Your removing stones, thorns, and bones from people's path is sadaqa. Your guiding a man in a place where there are no guides is sadaqa.” - Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 891

you have everything.

 

If you’re hurting, the Almighty will heal you. If you’re lost, only He can guide you. If you see darkness in your life, only He can be that beacon of light. If you’re contented, only He can give you more happiness & goodness. If you have Him in your life, you have everything.

 

“Indeed, Allah does not wrong the people at all, but it is the people who are wronging themselves.” Surah Yunus 10:44

 

Islam is not just about praying & fasting, or following some rituals; it is a complete way of life that affects your worldview and is designed to help you navigate all the challenges of this world and succeed in the afterlife.

 

Is your home alive with the words of Allah?

 

A house where the Qur'an is not recited becomes like a grave. Is your home alive with the words of Allah?

Then do it now.

 

He’s the only One who can turn your life around.

 

Don’t stress over things you can’t control. Hand it over to the Almighty. There’s no need to spend sleepless nights thinking about your problems. It’ll get you nowhere. He can easily take care of things if only you’d trust Him. He’s the only One who can turn your life around.

Try it. You’ll feel good.

‪Search your own heart. Could it be that your suspicion of the ulterior motives of others is because you’re prone to doing the same? Increase the habit of praising others & let thankfulness overflow to the Almighty when someone does something good to you. Try it. You’ll feel good.

 

Like Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), we must seek Allah's acceptance for every act of worship that we do for His sake.

 

"It is a month between Rajab and Ramadan that people neglect.

 

The month of Shaban is a special time when our deeds are presented to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "It is a month between Rajab and Ramadan that people neglect. It is a month in which deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up while I am fasting." 

Dr.Bilal Philips