The best of women

A Bedouin was asked about women, and being a man who was experienced with them, he said: ‘The best woman is the tallest when she stands, the most prominent when she sits, and the most truthful when she speaks. She is the one whose anger subsides quickly, and whose laugh is a beautiful smile. When she does something, she does it well. She obeys her husband and adheres to her home. She is honored among her people, yet insignificant in her own mind – affectionate and fertile, and everything about her is good.’

Source: Gems & Jewels (pg 174). Published by Darrusalam

The black art of backbiting

Shaikhul-Islam, Ibn Taimiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions some of the ways through which people back bite. In all reality, these tactics are designed to deceive Allah (the Exalted) and please His creation. However, the many that follow these methods are only deceiving their own selves.

1. Under the pretense of being informative.
2. By saying that, so and so is to be pitied, thereby showing superiority over one who is to be rejected.
3. By mentioning the good quality of a person but tainting it by mentioning his evil qualities.
4.  By saying that we should forget so and so and that we should pray for his forgiveness as well as ours, intending only to belittle the one that was mentioned.
5. Upon hearing someone’s error, they (back biter) employ words like ‘had I prayed for so and so last night in my prayer, the news of their sin would not have reached my ears’, In order to superiority to the person.
6. By belittling or being critical to the one who is praised in the company of others.
7. Through humor, playfulness, and lightheartedness.
8. In a manner of story, so that his story telling abilities might be appreciated.
9. By showing amazement or surprise at other’s actions.
10. With the pretense of sympathy for their actions and misfortunes.

 

Smaller signs of the day of judgement (part 1 of 3)

Signs that have already come to pass

1. The coming of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Sahl bin sa’d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he witnessed the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) point to his index and middle finger and say: ‘I and the hour have been been sent like this” (i-e, just as index and middle fingers are right next to each other so is the coming of the prophet and the last day) (Sahih Muslim 726)
2. The splitting of the moon. “The hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder.” (Quran 54:1)
3. The death of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Auf reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said “Enumerate six (occurrences) that will occur just before the hour: 1) my death, 2) the conquering of Jerusalem, 3) Death that spreads among you like Qu’as al-ghanam (a disease that afflicts beasts), 4) the flowing of wealth to the degree that a man will be given 100 dinars (in charity) yet he will remain dissatisfied, 5) a fitnah that will enter into every single arab home, and 6) a true that will be put into effect between you and the banu al-asfar (descendants of the Romans), who will then act treacherously and come to you under 80 banners and under each banner there will be 12,000 soldiers.” (Bukhari 6/277)
4. The emerging of a fire from the land of Hijaz. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The hour will not be established until a fire comes out in the land of Al-Hijaz, a fire that will illuminate the necks of camels in Basrah.” (Bukhari 13/78)
5. Embargoes against Iraq, Ash-Sham & Egypt. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Iraq will be denied its dirham and Qafiz. Ash-Sham (Syria and surrounding regions) will be denied its Mudd and Dinar. And Egypt will be denied its Irdab and Dinar. You will return to where you began. You will return to where you began.” (Muslim 7137) (Only the first part of this sign has occurred until now)

A Profound Saying of Ibn Qayyim

Ibn Qayyim said: ‘When the slave wakes up as the night encloses him and his only concern is Allah and how to please and obey Him, then Allah takes upon Him to fulfill all of his needs and remove from him all that causes him anxiety. Allah also makes his heart free to love Him only, his tongue free to remember Him only, and his body free to serve Him only.

However, when a salve of Allah wakes up when the night encloses him and his main concern is the world, Allah will make him bear the burdens of anxiety, grief, and hardship. Allah will entrust him to his own self and He will make his heart busy, sealing it from His love since it will be preoccupied with love for creation. Allah will keep his tongue from remembrance because it will be engaged with His creation; his body will be kept from obedience since it will be enslaved by its desires and services. And he will toil like a beast of burden toils in the service of another. And all who turn away from the worship, obedience and love of Allah, will be put into trial with the worship, service, and love for creation.’

Allah (the exalted) says:

“And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Gracious (Allah) we appoint for him Shaitan (Devil) to be a Qarin (an intimate companion) to him.” (Quran 43:36)

Ibn Qayyim continues to say:

‘Seek out your heart in three situations; First, when you are listening to the Quran. Second, when you are part of a gathering of remembrance. Third, when you are alone and away from the world and its distractions. If you cannot find your heart in these three situations, then ask Allah to bestow upon you a heart, for indeed you are bereft of one.”

Source: Gems & Jewels. Published by Darrussalam.

Ten things that bring about the love of Allah

Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said that there are ten things that bring about the love of Allah.

1. Recitation of the Quran with reflection and with understanding of its meanings.
2. Seeking closeness to Allah be performing voluntary deeds after having performed obligatory ones, for that leads one to the highest levels of love.
3. Remembering Allah during every situation - with one’s time, heart, and deeds…one’s share of that love is to the degree of ones’s share in that remembrance.
4. Preferring what He loves to what you love when your desires are strong.
5. Allowing your heart to reflect on His names and attributes.
6. Reflecting on His many favors and blessings, both the apparent ones and hidden ones, for that leads to His love.
7. Having your heart softened as it is worshiping Allah.
8. Being alone with Him in worship when He descends during the last third of the night. And this means to invoke Him, to recite His speech, to stand with all sincerity and with good manners and with good submission, and then to end that with repentance and with seeking his forgiveness.
9. Sitting with those who are truthful in their love of Allah.
10. Staying away from all that creates barriers between the heart and Allah.

Source: Gems & Jewels. Published by Darussalam.