As Salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,
As we are approaching the last ten days of Ramadan 1434, we are all thinking about Laylat-Al-Qadr and its many benefits. As Allah says in the Quran:
Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. (97:1-5)
Besides what is mentioned here, there are many hadiths related to the blessings of this night. Some people may focus primarily on the point that the night is better than a thousands months. With this we try to do as many good deeds on this night in the hope that Allah will accept them and multiple them to this degree. This 1000 months (and the fact that today is friday) reminds me of an amazing hadith.
I heard the apostle of Allah (ﷺ) say: If anyone makes (his wife) wash and he washes himself on Friday, goes out early (for Friday prayer), attends the sermon from the beginning, walking, not riding, takes his seat near the imam, listens attentively, and does not indulge in idle talk, he will get the reward of a year's fasting and praying at night for every step he takes. [Abu Dawud - Sahih (Albani)]
Imagine this, one step is one year of fasting and praying at night. In the past, I have done land navigation compass courses, so we needed to measure out our steps to count distance. For me, it came out to 120 steps per 100 meters. Imagine if you lived 2km from the nearest masjid. 120 x 20 = 2400 years = 28800 months. Subhannallah, look at the generosity of Allah. If we can do this every week of the year (est 52 fridays), then we can get the reward 1,497,600 months worth of fasting and praying at night. Truly amazing. Additionally, we can increase our benefit on this day by getting the reward of being the first to the masjid (sacrifice of a camel), sitting in the front reward in congregational prayer, time to recite surah al-kahf (a light from one friday to the next), dhikr, etc. Let us make the most of this day, and when the opportunity comes, walk to the masjid. For women who are not able to go, support your husbands, male relatives, and encourage others towards this practice.
Reference:
http://sunnah.com/abudawud/1#345
Hajj and Umrah every day?
As Salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,
Many muslims around the world only dream of being able to perform Hajj and Umrah. For some, financial ability holds them back, while for others issues of visas or quotas make things difficult. While hajj is an obligation on all who have the ability to perform it, for those who cannot there is still hope for the reward. For those who are able to go frequently, they may be focusing on the larger rewards:
Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "(The performance of) `Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise." (Bukhairi)
While a Hajj or Umrah has far more benefits than this, for the main reward, why wait for the opportunity to make the journey. Let us do it every day:
Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The Messenger of Allah, ﷺ, said: 'Whoever prays the morning prayer in congregation then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two units of prayer (Duha) has the reward like that of Hajj and `Umrah.'" He said, "Allah's Messenger, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said: 'Complete, complete, complete (i.e. reward).'" (Tirmidhi 2/586)
While in today's society, we may have some stumbling blocks in the performance of this act (masjid's closing too quickly, sun rise time conflicting with other responsibilities, etc), we can at least try to find some time during our week to do this. Regardless of our ability to perform the full text of this hadith, trying to make Duha every day is of great benefit. Abu Huraira and Abu Al-Darda were both commanded by the Prophet (ﷺ) to perform Duha, Witr, and fast 3 days per month. Additionally there are several narrations related to charity required every day for every joint in our body. These narrations mention that 2 rakat of Duha prayer is sufficient for this.
Let us increase in good and make our scales heavy with good deeds while removing the bad.
For further reference, you can read:
http://www.kalamullah.com/worship23.html
http://islamqa.info/en/95782
http://sunnah.com/abudawud/2/168
http://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/6/43
Many muslims around the world only dream of being able to perform Hajj and Umrah. For some, financial ability holds them back, while for others issues of visas or quotas make things difficult. While hajj is an obligation on all who have the ability to perform it, for those who cannot there is still hope for the reward. For those who are able to go frequently, they may be focusing on the larger rewards:
Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "(The performance of) `Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous one). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the one accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise." (Bukhairi)
While a Hajj or Umrah has far more benefits than this, for the main reward, why wait for the opportunity to make the journey. Let us do it every day:
Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The Messenger of Allah, ﷺ, said: 'Whoever prays the morning prayer in congregation then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two units of prayer (Duha) has the reward like that of Hajj and `Umrah.'" He said, "Allah's Messenger, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said: 'Complete, complete, complete (i.e. reward).'" (Tirmidhi 2/586)
While in today's society, we may have some stumbling blocks in the performance of this act (masjid's closing too quickly, sun rise time conflicting with other responsibilities, etc), we can at least try to find some time during our week to do this. Regardless of our ability to perform the full text of this hadith, trying to make Duha every day is of great benefit. Abu Huraira and Abu Al-Darda were both commanded by the Prophet (ﷺ) to perform Duha, Witr, and fast 3 days per month. Additionally there are several narrations related to charity required every day for every joint in our body. These narrations mention that 2 rakat of Duha prayer is sufficient for this.
Let us increase in good and make our scales heavy with good deeds while removing the bad.
For further reference, you can read:
http://www.kalamullah.com/worship23.html
http://islamqa.info/en/95782
http://sunnah.com/abudawud/2/168
http://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/6/43
Filling the scales
As Salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,
In Islam, throughout the Quran and Hadith, there are many references to the scales that measure our deeds on the Day of Judgement. In one such reference, it is said:
Then as for one whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], He will be in a pleasant life. But as for one whose scales are light, His refuge will be an abyss. (Surat Al-Qāri`ah : 6-9)
So when the Horn is blown, no relationship will there be among them that Day, nor will they ask about one another. And those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds] - it is they who are the successful. But those whose scales are light - those are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally. The Fire will sear their faces, and they therein will have taut smiles. (Surat Al-Mu'minūn : 101-104)
Then We will surely question those to whom [a message] was sent, and We will surely question the messengers. Then We will surely relate [their deeds] to them with knowledge, and We were not [at all] absent. And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy - it is they who will be the successful. And those whose scales are light - they are the ones who will lose themselves for what injustice they were doing toward Our verses. And We have certainly established you upon the earth and made for you therein ways of livelihood. Little are you grateful. (Surat Al-'A`rāf : 6-10)
We find mention of certain actions that are heavy on the scale of good, and others that have a large reward mentioned for their performance. With this blog, insha-Allah, I would like to share some of the verses and narrations that can bring a large benefit to those who are striving for success in the hereafter.
In Islam, throughout the Quran and Hadith, there are many references to the scales that measure our deeds on the Day of Judgement. In one such reference, it is said:
And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant. (Surat Al-'Anbyā' : 47)
And in a hadith
“The balance will be set up on the Day of Judgment. If the heavens and earth were weighed in it, it would be large enough for them. The angels will say: ‘O Lord! What is this to weigh?’ Allah Most High will reply: ‘For whomever I wish of my creatures.’ The Angels will say: ‘Glory be to You, we have not worshiped You as You deserve to be worshiped!’” (Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah)
And in a hadith
“The balance will be set up on the Day of Judgment. If the heavens and earth were weighed in it, it would be large enough for them. The angels will say: ‘O Lord! What is this to weigh?’ Allah Most High will reply: ‘For whomever I wish of my creatures.’ The Angels will say: ‘Glory be to You, we have not worshiped You as You deserve to be worshiped!’” (Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah)
As we can see, nothing large or small escapes the knowledge of Allah, and everything that we do will be accounted. Throughout the Quran, we find several places where we are warned about the balance of good versus evil deeds.
Then as for one whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], He will be in a pleasant life. But as for one whose scales are light, His refuge will be an abyss. (Surat Al-Qāri`ah : 6-9)
So when the Horn is blown, no relationship will there be among them that Day, nor will they ask about one another. And those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds] - it is they who are the successful. But those whose scales are light - those are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally. The Fire will sear their faces, and they therein will have taut smiles. (Surat Al-Mu'minūn : 101-104)
Then We will surely question those to whom [a message] was sent, and We will surely question the messengers. Then We will surely relate [their deeds] to them with knowledge, and We were not [at all] absent. And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy - it is they who will be the successful. And those whose scales are light - they are the ones who will lose themselves for what injustice they were doing toward Our verses. And We have certainly established you upon the earth and made for you therein ways of livelihood. Little are you grateful. (Surat Al-'A`rāf : 6-10)
We find mention of certain actions that are heavy on the scale of good, and others that have a large reward mentioned for their performance. With this blog, insha-Allah, I would like to share some of the verses and narrations that can bring a large benefit to those who are striving for success in the hereafter.
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