Being Thankful to Allah

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Sumayyah Bint Joan

[Very slight change has been made to the wordings]

The other day while watching a network news program, I saw a Muslim woman in Kosova with her six-month-old infant, who was covered in sores and suffered from a malady of illnesses, all because it had not had a bath since its birth.

The mother explained that because of the heavy fighting, she and her family had been on the move constantly, and that luxurious such as decent food and clean water were not available to them. As the mother of a six-month-old infant myself, this struck to the very hart of me. Bath time for my son and I, is a very special time filled with play and laughter. It's a ritual we share everyday, and the fact that I would have clean water with which to bathe him, was something, until then, every time I bath my son, I try to remember to thank Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala (How far from imperfection is He and He is the Most High), for His Mercy to me. It also reminds me to be thankful for all the other "little things," that I take for granted everyday.

From the very beginning of Man's creation, the issue of gratefulness and thankfulness to Allah has been debated. After refusing to bow to Aadam (Adam), Iblees (Satan) said,

"Then I will certainly come to them from before them and from behind them, and from the right-hand side and from the left-hand side, and Thou (Allah) shall not find most of them thankful." [Qur'an 7:17]

This statement from the worst of liars has proven to be true, not only among the disbelievers, but also among the Muslims. Unfortunately, we Muslims have fallen into the trap of Iblees, and have gotten so caught up in our comings and goings, that we very rarely take the time to reflect on the Favors of Allah, and to thank Him with the thanks that is due Him. We are so busy conducting our daily lives that we forget who is really in-charge, and from where our sustenance comes. This is not the way, for Allah says,

"Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, And be thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me." [Qur'an 2:152]

The problem that most of us face is what I call the, "If I only…." Syndrome. If I only had a better wife, I would be grateful. If I only had sons instead of daughters, I would be grateful. If I only had a bigger house, a better car, more money, a better job, and the list goes on and on. We are constantly focused on the things we don't have, instead of being grateful to Allah for the things we do have.

This is a very serious illness, for which the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam (May Allah's peace and blessing be upon him), has given the cure. He, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, admonished us, in terms of worldly things to always look to those beneath us, for this will keep us thankful. Allah says about the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, that in him we have the best of examples. In terms of showing us how to be thankful to Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, he is as Allah says. It is narrated by al-Mughira that the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, used to stand (in the salaah (trans - prayer) or performs salaah until both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable salaah) he said, "Should I not be a thankful slave?" [Bukhari]

As the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, advised us, the best way to stay thankful to Allah is to count His Favors in our lives everyday. For Allah says,

"And He gives you all that you ask for. But if you count the favors of Allah, never will you be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude." [Qur'an 14:34]

This statement of Allah is so true, yet we put so little value on it, and do not take heed.

The very fact that we got up this morning, that we can offer the salaah that we had breakfast, that we have clothes to wear, water to bathe ourselves, that we have homes to shelter us from the elements, that we have our health, our families, etc., etc., etc., are all favors from Allah, subhanahu wa ta'aala. We should take non of it for granted, or become arrogant enough to believe that we attained any of it because of our own efforts alone.

Thankfulness frees the heart from greed, jealousy and envy. When we are thankful to Allah, we remain mindful of Him and His continuous Mercy toward us, and this in return humbles us and improves our characters. The very fact that Allah has guided us to Islam and the sunnah of His Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, in itself should be a source of continual praise. Allah says,

"Surely We have shown him the way: he may be thankful or unthankful." [Qur'an 76:3]

Allah also says that only few of His servants thank Him. Let us then strive to be among these few by keeping our tongues wet with His remembrance and our hearts soft with His praise.

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All for a Palm Tree in Jannah

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In life there will always be those people who are opportunists, or those who take advantage of any opportunity to get what they want no matter what the cost is. Opportunists are usually thought of in a negative, “out for yourself” perspective. In reality this depends on your intention, your acts, how you go about getting what you want, and at what costs. In Islam, being an opportunist is not seen as cut throat, but rather it is encouraged to compete as opportunists, and even considered a praiseworthy act. This is because an opportunist racing towards the pleasure of Allah and towards getting good deeds in this life will have success awaiting for them on Judgment Day and in the Afterlife. This goal is more important to reach “no matter what the cost in this world”. Here is the beautiful story of one opportunist who did not let go of his chance to get guaranteed pleasure in the Hereafter.

Abu Darda (may Allah have mercy on him) was one of those people who found an opportunity to win what is greater than the heavens and the earth. There was a companion of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) who cultivated his garden next to the property of an orphan. The orphan claimed that a specific palm tree was on his property and therefore belonged to him. The companion rejected the claim, so the orphan boy went to the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) to complain. The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) measured the two gardens and found that the palm tree did indeed belong to the companion. The orphan erupted crying. Seeing this, the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) asked the companion,“Would you give him the palm tree and for you is a palm tree in Jannah?” However, the companion in his disbelief that an orphan would complain to the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam), missed the opportunity and went away angry.

But someone else saw the opportunity – Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu). He went to the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) and asked, “Ya RasulAllah, if I buy the tree from him and give it to the orphan shall I have that tree in Jannah?”

The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) replied, “Yes.”

Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) had chased after the companion and asked, “Would you sell that tree to me for my entire garden?” (Abu Darda had a garden of 600 trees)

The companion answered, “Take it, for there is no good in a tree that was complained to the Prophet about.”

Immediately, Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) went home and found his wife and children playing in the garden. “Leave the garden!” shouted Abu Darda. “We’ve sold it to Allah! We’ve sold it to Allah!” Some of his children had dates in their hand and he snatched the dates from them and threw them back into the garden. “We’ve sold it to Allah!”

When Abu Darda was later martyred in the battle of Uhud, RasulAllah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) stood over his slain body and remarked, “How many shady palm trees does Abu Darda now have in Paradise?”

What did Abu Darda lose? Dates? Bushes? Dirt? What did he gain? He gained a Jannah whose expanse is the heavens and the earth.

Subhan’Allah, how beautiful is this story, of one Sahabi who gave up everything he had, just to have one palm tree in Jannah. Allahu Akbar.

Pay Zakaat Al-Fitr – The Personal Obligatory Charity

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The Ramadaan is almost end. It is the time for us to pay Zakaat-Al Fitr for every single muslim.

Following are mostly similar question regarding paying this Zakaat Al-Fitr:

1. Is the zakaat al-fitr that his father paid on his behalf in cash acceptable?

“My father pays zakaat al-fitr on behalf of me and my siblings every year in cash, based on the fatwas of some of the scholars. I have tried repeatedly on many occasions to convince him that this view is not the most correct one, because according to the the majority of scholars, zakaat al-fitr must be paid in the form of the things mentioned in the hadeeths, but he is not convinced. Should I pay zakaat al-fitr on behalf of myself as it is stated in the hadeeth?

Please note that I am still a student at University and my wealth is what I have saved from the money that my father gives me for my needs”.

Praise be to Allaah.

Paying zakaat al-fitr in cash is not acceptable according to the majority of scholars, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) enjoined that it be given in the form of the local staple food, and it is not known that he or any of his Companions gave it in the form of money.
Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo’ (6/113):

It is not acceptable to pay the cash value of zakaat al-fitr in our view. This was also the view of Maalik, Ahmad and Ibn al-Mundhir.

Abu Haneefah said: It is permissible. This was narrated by Ibn al-Mundhir from al-Hasan al-Basri, ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez and al-Thawri.

He said: And Ishaaq and Abu Thawr said that it is not acceptable except in case of necessity. End quote.
See: al-Mawsoo'ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 23/343-344.

If a person follows the view of the Hanafis, ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez and al-Hasan al-Basri, that it is permissible to give the value of zakaat al-fitr in cash, based on the evidence that he regards as more correct, or following the scholars who said that, it is acceptable in sha Allah.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked:
If a person pays zakaat al-fitr in cash, following the opinion of the scholars of his country, then comes to learn the more correct view, what should he do with regard to his charity??

He replied:
He does not have to do anything. If a person does something on the basis of a fatwa from a scholar or following the scholars of his country, he does not have to do anything. An example of that is if a woman does not pay zakaah on her jewellery and remains for several years not knowing that zakaah is due on jewellery, or on the basis that her scholars have advised her that no zakaah is due on it, then she learns the ruling; she has to pay zakaah after she learns the ruling, but before that she does not have to. End quote.

Liqaa’aat al-Baab al-Maftooh, no. 191, question no. 19
Thus it is clear that if your father pays zakaat al-fitr on your behalf in cash -- based on his following the scholars whose opinion that is -- it is acceptable and valid, and you do not have to do it again in the form of food so long as your father is responsible for spending on you and you are not yet spending on yourself independently.

2. The rate of zakaat al-fitr

“What is the rate of zakaat al-fitr? Is it permissible to give it after the Eid prayer? Is it permissible to give zakaat al-fitr in cash?”

Praise be to Allaah.

It was narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined zakaat al-fitr upon the Muslims at a rate of one saa’ of dates or one saa’ of barley, and he commanded that it should be given before the people went out to pray – i.e., the Eid prayers. In al-Saheehayn it is narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
“At the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) we used to give it at a rate of one saa’ of food, or one saa’ of dates, or one saa’ of barley, or one saa’ of cheese, or one saa’ of raisins…”

A number of scholars interpreted the word ta’aam (food) in this hadeeth as referring to wheat, and others explained it as referring to the staple food of the local people, no matter what it is, whether it is wheat, corn or something else. This is the correct view, because the zakaah is a kind of help given by the rich to the poor, and the Muslim should not offer help with anything other than the staple food of his country. What must be given is a saa’ of all kinds of food, which is four times the amount scooped up with two hands, which is approximately three kilograms. If the Muslim gives a saa’ of rice or some other staple food of his country, that is fine.

It first becomes due on the night of the twenty-eighth of Ramadaan, because the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to give it one or two days before Eid, and the month lasts twenty-nine or thirty days.

The latest it may be given is at the Eid prayer, but it is not permissible to delay it until after the prayer, because of the report narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is accepted zakaah, and whoever gives it after the prayer, it is a kind of charity.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood).

It is not permissible to pay the value in money, according to the majority of scholars, and the evidence for this view is more sound. Rather it should be given in the form of food, as was done by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) and the majority of the ummah. We ask Allaah to help us and all the Muslims to understand His religion and adhere steadfastly to it. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.

3. Where to pay zakaat al-fitr

“I am a young man living in Kuwait, but I have taken my daughter to America for medical treatment and I fasted Ramadaan in America. Do I have to pay zakaat al-fitr in America or can I delegate my family in Kuwait to pay it on my behalf? What is the ruling on paying zakaat al-fitr in cash? Please note that in America they pay it in cash instead of giving staple food”.

Praise be to Allaah.

The scholars (may Allaah be pleased with them) stated that zakaat al-fitr is connected to numbers of people, not money, and it is to be paid in the place where a person is on the night before Eid.
Ibn Qudaamah said in al-Mughni (4/134):

As for zakaat al-fitr, it is to be paid in the land where the person from whom it is due is present, whether his wealth is there or not. End quote.

As for paying zakaat al-fitr in cash, we have explained in the answer to question no. 22888that it must be given in the form of food, and that paying it in cash is not acceptable.

So you must try to give it in the form of food. If the poor person refuses the food and asks for cash, then there is nothing wrong with your giving it as cash in that case, because of need or necessity.

4. To whom should zakaat al-fitr be given?

“To whom should zakaat al-fitr be given? Is it permissible to send it to the mujaahideen in Afghanistan, for example? Or to donate it to charitable funds for building a mosque, for example?”

Praise be to Allaah.

Zakaat al-fitr should be given to the poor Muslims in the land or city where it is given, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawood from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined zakaat al-fitr, to be paid in Ramadaan to feed the poor…” It is permissible to send it to the poor of another land whose people are in greater need. It is not permissible to spend it on building a mosque or other charitable projects.

5. They gave him zakaat al-fitr but he delayed giving it until after the day of Eid because he could not find any poor people

A man lives in Italy. He is in charge of the masjid in his area, like gathering charities. He gathered/ Zakat Al-Fitr in the last Ramadaan from the Muslims to give it out to who deserves it. But he did not find needy people so he did not give it out until this day.
Should he add this money to the expenses of the masjid he is in charge of, knowing that it does not need? Or give it out to an Islamic school in his home country, knowing that this school depends on money of charity; he also has a son in this school? Does this delaying by the imam decreases the reward of the Muslims who gave that Zakat?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

Zakaat al-fitr must be paid before the Eid prayer, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawood (1609) and Ibn Majaah (1827) from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined zakaat al-fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle and obscene talk, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the (Eid) prayer, it is accepted zakaah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is (ordinary) charity.

Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

It says in ‘Awn al-Ma’bood Sharh Abi Dawood: It seems that the one who pays zakaat al-fitr after the Eid prayer is like one who did not pay it, because they both failed to pay this obligatory charity. Most of the scholars are of the view that paying it before the Eid prayer is only mustahabb, and they stated that it may be paid until the end of the day of al-Fitr, but the hadeeth refutes that.

As for delaying it until after the day of Eid, Ibn Raslaan said: That is haraam according to scholarly consensus, because it is zakaah, so there must be sin involved in delaying it, as is the case with delaying prayer until the time for it is over. End quote.

Based on this, the imam was wrong to delay the zakaah, and he should have looked for people who are entitled to it, or sent the zakaah to a country where there are people who are entitled to it.

Secondly:

If a person delays giving zakaat al-fitr until after the day of Eid for no valid reason, he has sinned and he has to make it up. The people of the mosque are not to blame, because they appointed someone to give it on their behalf. The imam now has to give it to people who are entitled to it. It is not permissible to spend it on mosque expenses. As for the Islamic school, if there are poor people there who are entitled to the zakaah, it is permissible to give it to them, otherwise it is not.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Mughni (2/485): If he delays it (zakaat al-fitr) until after the day of Eid, he is sinning and he has to make it up. End quote.

In al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (43/41) it says: The Maalikis, Shaafa’is and Hanbalis are of the view that the one who delays zakaat al-fitr until after the day of Eid when he is able to pay it is sinning and he has to make it up. End quote.

The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas was asked: Is the time for paying zakaat al-fitr from after the Eid prayer until the end of that day?

They replied: The time for paying zakaat al-fitr does not start after the Eid prayer, rather it starts at sunset on the last day of Ramadaan, which is the first night of the month of Shawwaal, and it ends with the Eid prayer, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined that it should be paid before the prayer, and because of the report of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever pays it before the (Eid) prayer, it is accepted zakaah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is (ordinary) charity.” It is permissible to pay it one or two days before that because of the report of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined zakaat al-fitr at the end of Ramadaan … at the end of which he said: And they used to give it one or two days before that. But the one who delays it until after the proper time is sinning, and he has to repent from delaying it and give it to the poor. End quote.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: I did not pay zakaat al-fitr because Eid came suddenly, and after Eid al-Fitr I kept asking about what I should do with regard to this matter. Is it waived for me or do I have to pay it? What is the reason behind it?

He replied: Zakaat al-fitr is obligatory. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined zakaat al-fitr. It is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female, young and old, free and slave. If it so happens that Eid comes suddenly, before you can pay it, then you should pay it on the day of Eid, even if that is after the prayer, because if one misses the time of an obligatory act of worship for a reason, it must be made up when the reason ceases to apply, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said concerning prayer; “Whoever forgets a prayer or sleeps and misses it, let him pray it when he remembers it, for there is no expiation for it other than that.” And he recited the verse (interpretation of the meaning): “and perform As‑Salaah (Iqaamat‑as‑Salaah) for My remembrance” [Ta-ha 20:14]. End quote from Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (18/271).

He also said: But if he delays it for a reason, such as forgetting or because there were no poor people to be found on the night before Eid, then it will be accepted from him, whether he puts it back with his own wealth or leaves it until he finds a poor person comes.

The imam of the mosque should give this zakaah to the poor and needy. If there are no poor people in his city then he should send it to another city.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about transferring zakaat al-fitr, and he replied: There is nothing wrong with transferring zakaat al-fitr to a city other than the city of the man who gave it, if that is done for a need because there are no poor people in his city. But if it is done unnecessarily, because there are people in his city who could accept it, then it is not permissible according to what some scholars have said.

And Allaah knows best.

By - Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him). Majallat al-Buhooth al-Islamiyyah, issue no. 17, pp. 79-80.
- The Standing Committee for Research and Issuing Fatwas.
- End quote from Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (18/318).

Source : Islamqa

Jazaak Allah Khair for reading.

How to Develop Your Family Ties With the Quran

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By Tasnim Nazeer

Giving your children motivation and creating incentives can help build confidence and also make them feel special.

One of the greatest gifts of Allâh to mankind is the revelation of the Quran and it is a Muslim’s source of guidance in his life.

By reading, listening, learning and reciting, we can truly benefit in this life and the next.

Therefore it is important for every Muslim to utilize his time and make reading the Quran a daily activity, for indeed The Quran will testify for or against us on the Day of Judgment.

But how can we practically integrate the Quran into our daily life and especially with our families?

Quran and the Family

Make the Quran a family event, and a cherished part of the day – not a chore. Build excitement and enjoyment around the time you and your family spend with Quran. Days get so busy and fly by so set a time of a day that you will spend with your family and the Quran, even if it is just reading 2 pages after Fajr prayer at first and then you can increase once you’ve established a routine.

Reading, Reciting, Memorizing, Understanding, Implementing the Quran

Reading the Quran improves our intelligence as for many of us we will be reading in a script not familiar to us, and thus this challenges and pushes our mind. It is also an enjoyable activity to gather as a family to recite the Quran and test each other’s memorization.  One can supplement this activity by reading a good translation or tafsir to understand the verses; and moreover, one can pick up a lesson or two from what was read and come up with a list of how to implement the verses in his daily life (For example spreading the salaams, feeding the poor, etc.).  After all, the Quran was meant to be recited and acted upon and lived; Prophet Muhammad (sallAllâhu 'alaihi wa salam) was like a walking and living Quran.

Some children and adults struggle to read the Quran, but the reward is abundant even if we are struggling – and the reward is even greater when we are patient and persevere in sha’ Allâh.

The solution is simply to read more and practice, even though it might be difficult at the beginning. The more you read, the more familiar you will become with Arabic and the vocabulary, and over time the reading will improve tremendously.

Prophet Muhammad (sallAllâhu 'alaihi wa salam) said: 

“Verily the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

He (sallAllâhu 'alaihi wa salam) also said:

“The Quran is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.” (Al-Albani)

This hadith emphasizes the importance placed on the Quran in our lives as it will act as a guide for us in this world and an intercessor on the Day of Judgment when we will all be accountable for our deeds. If you neglect the Quran and do not acknowledge its importance then you have been warned about the consequences.

Teach the Noble Quran in the Community

  The Giving your child knowledge of Islam and the Quran is truly one of the best (if not the best) gifts you

           could give your child. 

Caliph Uthman (radiyAllâhu anhu) said that the Prophet (sallAllâhu 'alaihi wa salam) said:

"The best of you are the ones who learn the Quran and teach it to others”. (Al-Bukhari)

If you are qualified, you can teach the Quran – for example you can volunteer at an Islamic school or a mosque to teach the Arabic letters, or tajweed, or memorization. The rewards are many.

Give Your Children Islamic Knowledge from An Early Age

Enrolling your children in Quranic classes and Islamic studies can help them acquire the knowledge they need for success in this life and the hereafter, and perhaps give them the chance to teach it to others when they get older. Have high aims for your children and set them on the path to full memorization.

From an early age my parents sent me to the mosque to attend Quran classes and this has helped me today as a mother when I have to teach my children the Quran. Giving your child knowledge of Islam and the Quran is truly one of the best (if not the best) gifts you could give your child.

The Muslim scholar, Hasan Al-Basri said:  “Seeking knowledge at a young age is like engraving on a stone.”

But it’s never too late. I have heard of seniors embarking on memorization; so regardless of your age, seek out memorization, tafsir (interpretation) or other Islamic studies classes.

Encourage Participation in Quran Recitation Competitions

Submerge your child in a fun Islamic environment where they are encouraged to excel in their faith, let them compete for good deeds. Some children who are confident may like to focus their time on competitions, but instead of focusing all their time on meaningless ones (eating contests, for example) you could encourage your child to participate in Quran Recitation competition. This will not only help them to learn new chapters but it will also encourage them to read out aloud and build their confidence in reciting Quran beautifully with eloquence. This will increase the child’s excitement.

(Notes: If your child is shy, don’t force him into a stressful situation for him/her where they will be uncomfortable and put off. Also make sure this isn’t a source of showing off or upset – every reciter of Quran at the event should be honored).

Provide Motivation and Incentives for Your Children

Giving your children motivation and creating incentives can help build confidence and also make them feel special. If they have memorized a chapter to the best of their ability then ensure that you give them the praise they deserve and encourage them with their achievements and learning. If children feel that they are being encouraged, they will be more likely to want to learn more and further their Quranic knowledge within the community. Why not show your approval and the pleasure that is attached to faith by planning a family outing or cooking their favorite meal for their good efforts?

The Quran is our healing, our mercy, and our guide – how can we truly be successful if we turn away from the very fountain of wisdom, guidance, and success? We should all strive to engage our family in beneficial activities to work towards the mercy of Allâh.

Source: Productive Muslim

A dialogue between a Flower and a Pearl

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In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful  بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

One day, a brilliantly beautiful and fragrant flower with attractive colors met a pearl that lives far in the bottom of the sea and has none of these characteristics. Both got acquainted with each other.

The flower said : "Our family is large; roses and daisies are members of the family. And there are many other species that are various and countless, each has a distinctive scent, appearance .etc."

Suddenly, a tinge of distress appeared on the  flower.

"Nothing accounts for sorrow in your talk; so why are depressed?" The pearl asked.

"Human beings deal with us carelessly; they slight us. They don't grow us for our sake but to get pleasure from our fragrance and beautiful appearance. They throw us on the street or in the garbage can after we are dispossessed of the most valuable properties; brilliance and fragrance" The flower sighed.

And then the flower said to the pearl : "Speak to me about your life! How do you live? How do you feel it? You are buried in the bottom of the sea. "

The pearl answered: "Although I have none of your distinctive colors and sweet scents, humans think I am precious. They do the impossible to procure me. They go on long journeys, dive deep in the seas searching for me. You might be astounded to know that the further I lay, the more beautiful and brilliant I become. That's what upraises my value in their thought. I live in a thick shell isolated in the dark seas. However, I'm happy and proud to be in a safe zone far from wanton and mischievous hands and still the humans consider me highly valuable"

Do you know what the flower and the pearl symbolize?

The Flower is the unveiled woman (who shows her charms) and the Pearl is the veiled woman (who conceals her beauties)

Courtesy:  Straight Path

Will you change with me?

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Ramadan

Are you as excited as I am? Words can’t describe how happy I get at the sheer mention of this month, honestly.

Ramadan

The Prophet sallAllaahu 'alaihi wassalam was once climbing his three-step minbar.  As he was climbing, he’d say “Amin” each time he climbs a step. When asked about this, he said that the angel Gabriel came to him and made three supplications and asked him to say “Amin” to join him in the supplications. One of these was, “May Allah humiliate he who reaches Ramadan and does not get his sins forgiven.” This duaa says that this month is so blessed, so stacked with chances to gain reward, that you DESERVE the humiliation if you do not take advantage of it.

Ramadan

The month in which all good deeds are multiplied. The month in which the shayateen are locked up. The month that contains lailat el qadr, the night that is greater than a thousand months.

Ramadan

How old are you? I’m 17.  I have lived through 16 Ramadans, Alhamdulillah.

How many Ramadans have you lived through? Now, how many have you actually taken advantage of?

How many nights have you stayed up praying? How many days have you fasted - not just from food and drink, but from sins and desires as well? How many prayers have you prayed with true sincerity and focus? I hope to God it’s more than I have.

We, I, go through the motions. I fast. I pray. I read Qur’an. But sometimes, you have to stop and reflect.

Am I thinking about what I’m doing? Am I learning from it? Or am I a robot, going through the motions?

I won’t lie. I’ve been that robot before. I still am, frequently. My mind is somewhere else when I’m in prayer. I fast from food and drink, but don’t change anything else that I do. And I want to change that. This Ramadan, ya Rabb, I pray that I have the strength to change that.

The long term is so hard to see. When making sacrifices, all we see is now. But what we should be thinking about is later. Is the pleasure now worth the pain later? It seems like we have so much time. I fall for this, frequently.  “I’m 17. WHAT could happen? I’ve got years and years to get closer to Allah. Right now I don’t have to worry about it.”

But then I come face to face with death. I almost get run over by a bus. I see a burning car. I witness the death of a child my age. I meet a child cancer patient. And I think, “Is it really all as guaranteed as I think it is?”

The truth is, it’s not. I live in America. It is still the night before Ramadan right now. I don’t know if I will make it to tomorrow to fast. I pray that I do insha Allah. But the truth is, even after that…I’m not sure if I will make it until next Ramadan.

I have a friend, her name is Rana. Her family was over a couple weeks ago, and we were talking about Ramadan. Our goals, plans, etc. She looked at us, and she started crying. I couldn’t understand. Why? Why is she crying? She said, “I just get really affected, because you know, it has to end.”

“Rana, girl, Ramadan hasn’t even STARTED. You’re already thinking about it ending?”

“Nadia… just as Ramadan will start, it will end. And when it ends, we have no idea whether we will make it to the next Ramadan or not. No idea. Anything could be happened. We might not make it until next Ramadan. Nadia, this Ramadan will end. Will we be any different? Will we have changed? Because if we don’t, we may not get another chance. There may not be a next Ramadan.”

That hit me, so hard. Here I am, excited and happy. But am I blindly excited, or actually thinking about what’s coming up?

If your teacher gives you an extra credit assignment and says, “Whoever does this has an A for the year. Guaranteed.” Would you do it?

The most important days of the year are coming up. Our chance. Our extra credit. What you do in Ramadan prepares you for the ENTIRE year. You miss one Ramadan, you miss a whole year. You miss several Ramadans…you miss a whole chunk of your life.

With the help of Allah, I want to make this Ramadan different. I want to not only read the Qur’an, I want to understand the meaning - not the translation, the true meaning. I want to not only pray, but feel the closeness to Allah in my heart. I want to not only fast from food and drink, but from all bad. I want to fight my nafs even harder than I fight shaytan. I want to truly feel the pain of the poor and needy as I fast. I want to spend the day pondering them rather than banking on iftar in the evening. I want to change.

I pray to Allah that He helps me achieve this and helps you achieve your goals as well. I pray to Allah that I am a different person by Eid, insha Allah.

Everything we do, should be for Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'alaa. Everything we do, from getting up in the morning for school or work, to praying, to dealing with people kindly, to taking care of our parents, on and on and on. When you do things for Allaah (Your Creator), you have this feeling, like no one can bring you down. Like what you’re doing is so beautiful, so pure, because it’s only for Him, no ne else. It’s not to please your family, or friends, or even necessarily yourself, but solely to please Allah. When you think about that, and you think about what that means, and where it’s taking you… well, I think it’s a beautiful thing. I think it’s so easy to forget that, to forget that we’re here for a purpose and when that purpose is fulfilled, we’re gone. Enjoy your life, enjoy your time here, but enjoy it for the sake of Allah.

I don’t want to be the same person at the end of this Ramadan. I want to change. I want to be better.

"Will you change with me?"

....... Insha'Allah!