The Prayer! The Prayer! As-Salah! As-Salah!

Prayer


We are writing this to improve and remind ourselves of this. We are not singling out anyone but ourselves and we are not accusing anyone but ourselves.


Where are we when we are praying? Off in the distance somewhere? Thinking about lunch or about what I am going to do tomorrow? Where are you? Are you even pondering over what you have recited?


The prayer is something that is obligatory upon every Muslim five times. This cannot be missed and the only action that replaces a fard prayer is another fard prayer like it. One of the tips to attain khushu (being spiritually aware in the prayer) in prayer which is by being aware that you speaking to Allah (the Exalted) by using his words in the prayer. Also be aware that you being watched in the prayer.




Entering the moment


We come to the prayer in a state of distraction not realising the gravity of what we are doing. When we are praying we are distracted by the distractions of the world, unable to focus. We move slowly and are tired after the first unit but it’s the only prayer we perform in the Masjid in the day, week or even year. There are some of us who are less fortunate than that we do not even think about praying , we are far, far away from prayer. Lost in our passions as we dissolve on a sofa set in front an endless barrage of commercials and television programs. Giving the endless set of message: what you are is no good be like us, what you have is no good buy from us, what we are is all good agree with us. Our docile, brainwashed mind cannot disagree and we keep sleeping. As they justify their terms as they massacre of innocent civilians so they can strip them of their natural resources, we turn over and watch a dull sit-com; trying to laugh but we want to cry.


Lost in a world that money talks and everyone is cheap. Their lives are cheap that’s why they can get away with murder and they make you think about justice, yes we can perform justice.


Or we are lost in the world of addictions trying to go one step higher, every time. Trying to outdo the last time, trying to push the boundaries of our existence with only a step away from flat lining. The drunk go to pubs and night clubs like scavengers seeking some prey that they can devour.


Yet, once you realise that all this is false and all of it is there to misguide what do you do now? You come back to religion of your birth because you are tying to find some meaning to your life. The only thing that has meaning is Allah (the Exalted) and he has given you Islam to save you from yourself.


It’s time to come to the prayer, remember the things you were taught as a child. Or it's time for you to learn how to pray, properly not cultural style.



Set things right


Use the prayer as the means to set your affairs right. Use the prayer as the foundational pillar that grounds you. Slowly change your ways, leave the lies and speak the truth.


Prayer disconnects one from the world and its trappings; it connects you to your creator. Are you able to wake up and use this connection well? All day you used to notice gaps in the day, should you be doing something then? Now, you realise that you should’ve been praying but you never knew!


You are awake now, you have taken the television off and rejected the nightly programming/brainwashing. You have opened the Quran now, taken it out of its cloth, dusted it down and began to read it. That’s the whole point of having the Quran to read it!



Words

The word Salah meant supplication, in its original meaning, but now it means prayer. At the same time prayer means one thing in English, either supplicating or making the physical movements of prayer.


In Arabic there is a difference between supplicating/Du’a and praying Salah, this may need to be explained to non-Muslims. The Arabic word starts with a strong letter Saad and ends with a weak letter Alif Maqsura; that how we should all end our prayer in a state of weakness to our Lord, achieving a state or realisation of our weakness.



Time


Being negligent of the prayer time is one of our greatest sins. When the time comes in get ready and get it done because if you do not you may find obstacles in your way which are preventing you from doing your work but once you pray then these are all out of the way.


Purification


Be avid about finding out about the ablution and all its rulings. Look for teachers who can teach you around your locality first, then beyond. Once you find a teacher make sure you ask all the questions because if you are not bothered about purification then you can forget about your prayer because you do not have one without purification.


There are three obligatory places that need to washed and one needs to be wiped in the Hanafi school. The face, ear to ear and hairline to chin, the arms, from fingers to elbows, the feet to prodding bone, and finally the head needs to be wiped, one quarter. Everything else is Sunna to wash but should not be left out. Only when you do not wash or wipe the obligatory places mentioned is your ablution not valid.


Is your heart and body being purified? It is if you remember Allah (the Exalted) before performing ablution. This is by saying bismillah or other additions to this statement. If you are in privy then say it in your heart and not out aloud as it is not permissible to pronounce the blessed name of Allah (the Exalted) in the privy!


The washing of the limbs also signifies the removal of the sins committed by them. The face with the sins of our sight, the mouth with the sins of our words, the hands with the sins of our actions. All this falls from us and the water that we made ablution with is not longer valid for anyone else to use, now that it is polluted with our sins.


Beginning the prayer


The initial magnification or Takbir Tahrimah is the starting place of your prayer. Literally translated Takbir Tahrimah means magnification of prohibition, as once we enter the prayer everything is prohibited for us to do, except the prayer itself. We are putting everything to one side and focusing on Allah (the Exalted).


Also notice the position of the hands as they are up in the air, in a similar way in which people surrender to the police or the way in which one soldier surrenders to another. When we surrender we show that there is nothing in our hands. What we are saying in the prayer is that we have nothing in our hands that has busied us from you O Allah. We have left the world behind and are submitting to the commands of our Lord, we are surrendering, we are submitting to the Lord of all creation.


Looking at our hands for the moment, whatever we use our limbs we use, invariably, our hands. So when we raise them to the level of our ears we are raising them showing Allah (the Exalted) that there is nothing that is keeping us busy from Him.


Thinking


What should you thinking about in the prayer? Remember Allah (the Exalted)! He is watching you and you should remember Him in the prayer! This is the whole point of the prayer! Without it your prayer reduces in reward.


The standing

We stand in a way that displays our humbleness, head down trying to realise the act of prayer is not as simple as movements. What is your heart doing? Is it submitting? In terms of Jurisprudence standing is that position in which you cannot touch your knees. This is the position were the Quran is recited so recite it the best manner with the letters correctly pronounced. Do not be shy in going back to basics and learning the recitation properly.


Bowing

Bowing is when the hands touch the knees, keeping the back straight is Sunna. This is your first display of humbleness that everyone can see. As the bowing the head can be for anything but this is unmistakable. Bowing is a sign of respect if done to a king what about bowing to the One whose power encompasses all created beings.



Prostration


This is when you hands, feet, head, knees are touching the floor. There should be at least one toe facing forward, the Sunna is to have all the toes facing forward. What are you doing in this position? Are you staying for a while or are pecking like chickens do? Staying that position and maybe one day you’ll taste the sweetness of prostration. As there is a sweetness in prostration but may only find it in some places. When on our faces are on the floor we affirm the loftiness of Allah (the Exalted) with the words Subhanullah Al-'Ala/ glory be to Allah, the Most High. At our lowest point facing the floor we affirm Allah's majesty.


Sitting


When you have finished the prayer you greet the angels on both your shoulders and those present on your right and your left. The prayer is the ascension of the believer and as this ascension finishes the soul returns to its place. You greet those who you have left.


Afterwards

How are you after the prayer? Have you changed? Do you feel the difference? Are you the same? If you are the same then take a look at yourself and try to see if there is anything you need to rectify. The first breath after you have finished praying should be a breath of relief and joy. Then supplicate and make it heartfelt. Really mean what you say and if you wish to learn more about supplication then please read what we have written on that subject.

Now that you have finished your prayer are you waiting in anticipation for the next prayer? Are you preparing yourself for it?



The opportunities


Take the opportunities that you have been given before they are taken. If you are a person who does not pray but wants to pray then start with one prayer a day, maintain it then add another and another until you are praying five times a day. Use these building blocks as a basis for growth.


It can be difficult for one to change their patterns of life but if you are consistent then you shall see your whole live change for the better. Prayer is something that will change you for the better if you are doing it well, even if you are making mistakes, don’t worry keep trying!


The prayer is one of the first things that you will be asked about on the Day of Judgement and if that is good then you have succeeded, if that has failed then the rest is looking shaky.


The words that the blessed Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said before he left us was, “The prayer! The prayer!” When someone is dying they mention what is the most dear things to them but here he did not mention something about himself rather he mentioned something that will remind others.


Displaying his altruistic nature the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) was always thinking of others, he put others first even in this critical situation. He was in so much pain but despite that he was thinking of others. Reminding us of one of the most important pillars of our practise.


The prayer! The prayer!

Imam Ghazali states in the Etiquette of the religion/Adab fi Al-Din gave the following advice about the Etiquette of prayer

"Refrain from excessive movement, display submissiveness, manifest humiliation, presence of heart, repel whisperings, refrain from outward or inward movement, limbs at ease, bow ones head, place his ring hand over his left, contemplate when reciting, increase in awe, bowing with acquiescence, prostrate with humility, magnify with greatness, testify by witnessing, greet with fear, move with dread and seek contentment."

Prayer is one of our most important barometers of our religiosity and neglect of it means neglect of everything. So build upon this and move forward in your life. Seek excellence/Ihsan.

The Disputations

Part nine

1. Loss is something that the living have to learn to deal with.

2. A good teacher is more important than the sound foundations of a masjid...

3. A masjid is an empty building without a good teacher.

4. There are so many empty buildings across the country...

5. As much as you are affected so are they...

6. Persistence is a key to knowledge that most people abandon when the going gets tough...

7. If perfection is beyond you then it’s beyond others.

8. Don’t look for perfection in a partner because you are not perfect.

9. Listening is a lost art...

10. The difference between barakah and knowledge is that barakah helps you for a day or two and beneficial knowledge helps your forever.

11. If you give all your time to knowledge you’ll get something. If you give a little time for knowledge then you’ll get nothing.

12. Arrogance in blessing means you have changed it into a curse.

13. Some things are not meant to work out.

14. Black magic is like sending a invisible gang to fight someone.

15. Seeking knowledge is a cause of felicity and abandoning knowledge is the cause of duplicity.

16. “And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. They think everyone else does too.” Khaled Hosseini, the Kite Runner.

17. Some people like being lost.

18. Knowledge is something strange.

19. Don’t let the darkness fall before you do something.

20. Wasting time is your biggest crime.

Beauty and love

Love has many forms and similarly there are different types of beauty. Someone can love a sibling (still don’t like that word) in a different way that one loves their partner and even their mother or father.

Love towards brethren is also different because sometimes we do not chose brothers; especially those who claim to be adherents of a spiritual path!

Love is not always a pleasant experience as one of the most damaging things that occurs to someone is unrequited love. This can be so difficult for the one in love because the object of their devotion may feel little or nothing of their own feelings. Posing the painful question how can someone I love, not love me back?

Love does not last in a relationship as sooner or later it runs out and what really lasts is friendship. A common adage that some mothers say to their daughters is marry your best friend which is something worth pondering about.

Some men are looking for the untouched beauty that will drop out of the sky into their lap on a sunny day. Some women are waiting for their knight in shining armour to come and rescue them from a life of celibacy. Okay you were both dreaming and this ain’t going to happen you’ll have to accept that your partner has flaws as you yourself have flaws.

It does not work that way, marriage is about hard work it’s not as simple as it seems. People look for different things in marriage; men have desire to copulate and women desire security. So at times both want separate things but the union of the sexes fulfils both needs.

Beauty is something that cannot be defined in people. As some people do not have obvious beauty and others do. You may see someone who looks attractive but they might be repulsive to someone else and yet someone who is not attractive on the outside may be attractive in terms of their character. Some people can become arrogant because of this and see others as lower than themselves. How beautiful am I and how ugly you are!

Some people who are not beautiful at first sight can at times become more beautiful as the days go by. This type of beauty is something very strange and does not happen often. When we look for a partner are we looking beyond the physical but males often do not. If you are female you might be looking his bank balance. These are unfortunate facts of life and just because someone is religious does not mean they look beyond this.

Beauty can make a fool out of you because you are chasing something that is not yours to own and even if you get it, it won’t last. Will you still love them when they are not as beautiful as they once were? You see because of this outward attachment to beauty men look for and women seek to fulfil it. It is not uncommon for a woman to beautify herself. This is part of their natures yet as Muslims there are lines draw for us to follow. Men like to look at foreign women and some women enjoy the attention and many do not. Many of us are attached to outward beauty in this life.

As Muslims we know beauty has different forms as we know that the most beautiful human being was Muhammad (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him). There is no human being described in such detail as he was. His beauty was immense and overwhelming yet it was almost inaccessible to some people as those who described him were mostly children not adults.

To many Muslims loving the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) is the only subject yet this is at the neglect of many other important subjects. So you won’t find it uncommon that men love another, but in this case this is more than just a man, He is the best of creation.

Emotions do not last and sooner or later run out. The beauty of someone goes as ages come to them and the love goes as the sands of time drain away. So be careful what you look for in a partner as making the wrong decision could cost you dearly.

Yet because we are all looking for something to cherish know things that disappear with time are not worth cherishing. Only Allah (the Exalted) is everlasting and that is who we should love. The greatest pleasure of paradise is gazing at Allah (the Exalted) this is greater than anything we could ever experience. Loving what Allah (the Exalted) made obligatory makes your life easy.

If you look at the Masjids across the Islamic world there is one common denominator, beauty. From the shores of Morocco to the heart land of Medina; beauty is something that is part of the aesthetic of every masjid in the world. We love beauty because it’s part of our being, whoever we are. Yet in these modern times we have been brainwashed into thinking there is one type of beauty and anything else is ugliness. It does not work like this and beauty can be found in many people and in so many things.

All you have to do is look and you’ll surprise yourself...

The danger of self obedience

The story of the first man is something that has caused much reflection over many centuries. This is of course referring to the exchange that occurred when Adam (upon him peace) was created. And then Allah (Almighty and Majestic) ordered the angels to prostrate to him. This was not a prostration of worship, as some claim, rather it was a prostration of respect.

They all prostrated except one individual who was with them but was not of them. Satan was with the angels because of his obedience and righteousness yet he was from the Jinn and like man he had the option of whether to obey or not. Unlike the angels, who were created for obedience; so it was something they did instinctively. As for the Jinn they could disobey or they could obey like mankind. Satan refused to obey the command then Allah (the Exalted) asked why. Know that Allah (the Exalted) did not need to ask for Himself but this was done in order to manifest what was in the being of Jinn. His response was something that was not according to his previous behavior. He said that he was better than Adam (upon him peace) as he was created from fire and Adam (upon him peace) was created from clay. He saw his being as more important than the being of Adam (upon him peace) yet he had failed to grasp the most important point which was to obey Allah (Almighty and Majestic). 

Disobedience in the court of the king is not that the same as disobedience out of the kings court. Thus he was cursed and he promised to mislead all of mankind except those who are made sincere as they are the elite of the servants of Allah (Almighty and Majestic).

Going back to his disobedience we can see that he refused because he saw his self as better than Adam (upon him peace). Yet, this was not about the substances that they were created from, this was about the command of Allah (Almighty and Majestic). Satan had to obey when he heard the order yet he refused and in this refusal he rejected Allah (the Exalted) because Adam (upon him peace) was a representative of Prophethood. Prophets were sent to man to be obeyed by the permission of Allah (the Exalted).

In another story, during the life of the Prophet Musa (upon him peace) satan came to him and asked him to pray to Allah (Almighty and Majestic), when Musa did, the response was for him to prostrate at the grave of Adam when satan heard this he said, “I did not prostrate to him when he was alive I shall not now he is dead.” (Imam Al-Ghazali – Ihya Ulum Ad-din)

Here, satan asked for assistance from Prophethood but disobeyed once again. He was the first to disobey and he continued to rebel since. Envy/hasad was the first sin and then disobedience to Allah (the Exalted) because he thought he knew better than to follow a prophet. All of mankind is like this when they refuse to follow the prophets of their time.

The Pharaoh

One of the most repeated stories in the Quran is the story of Musa (upon him peace) going to the Pharaoh to admonish him in an excellent manner. One of the responses of arrogance towards the mighty Prophet was that the Pharaoh himself was a Lord and he attested himself to this!

So here, once again, Allah commanded a prophet to go to a tyrant and speak gently. Giving even a tyrant chance to repent. Despite this, he openly rebelled against Prophethood and this was something that would cause his greatest downfall. As he even refused miracles and claimed that it was magic.

Here again, we see the Pharaoh follows his self and rejected the guidance that came from Prophethood. Yet, this story comes up frequently in the Quran as a reminder to Qurayesh that their position was not about wealth rather was about their position with Allah (the Exalted). As they were rejecting the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) because they thought he was lower than them, they even claimed that a king should receive the message. They were like Pharaoh rejecting the message whilst being afraid of losing position and power. The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) is the greatest creation and what great loss it is for those who do not see this.

If we look clearly at this story we can see that the rejection of Prophethood is rejection of Allah (the Exalted). Nothing hurls oneself into the fire unlike the rejection of Prophethood. In terms of doctrine, a Muslim is he who believes in all what the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) came with, with the condition that it is definite/qati. (ref: Jawharah Al-Kalamiyyah) This should clarify why is so important to accept Prophethood.

Yasin

The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings be upon him) described this Surah as the heart of the Quran. And its primary message is accepting Prophethood as it describes some of the followers of the Prophet Jesus (upon him peace) preaching in Antioch then being killed. 

The heart is the place of belief so when the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings be upon him) described the surah as the heart of the Quran; he was describing this as place that faith dwells. The Quran is memorised by heart, ponder over this.

How does this apply to us?

Important note, a Muslim who does not pray is still Muslim but is sinful for not fulfilling the commands of Allah (the Exalted). A person who prays should not think he is better than someone who does not pray. Often, people who do not pray have no pride just repentance when they supplicate to Allah. Often, the people who pray have arrogance in their hearts. When Allah (the Exalted) looks at peoples hearts, He is pleased with the heart that turns to Him in repentance. So outwardly and inwardly are two different matters, that can mislead one, beware!

Simple, ask yourself the easy question how do you find your heart when the command of Allah (the Exalted) comes? Do you hasten to fulfill it as soon as you can or do you delay it or you reject it or do you just sit and wait? When the time of Fajr comes in are you too lazy to get out of bed or do you jump out of bed? Or do you crawl out of your bed? Or do you ignore it and obey yourself? Are you listening to your laziness? Is that better than listening to Allah? That extra ten minutes of sleep often means that you will miss the prayer. 

When you obey yourself you are rebelling against Allah (the Exalted) in your heart. This is also done by lack of action of the limbs, external or internal rejection. Often the limbs reciprocate the heart. Whether knowingly or unknowingly you are rejecting God given guidance and preferring misguidance. As for those who delay their actions they still have a station that shall be envied but true envy is for those who hasten to pray when the time comes in. Sins of the heart are as bad as sins of the limbs, see this link for effect of sins post. Also see sins of the heart in Imam Al-Ghazali's beginning of guidance.

Yet this is not just about prayer, how do you find your heart when your partner makes demands of you? Do you ignore them or do you attack them with the ferocity of a loin, for disturbing your evening’s viewing? Looking in the mirror of your self is one of the darkest things that you can do but from this bitterness can fruit of sincerity grow. If you look at it and decide to make a change.

How is your heart when you hear Quran and when you hear hadith? Does your heart say I am the Lord most high or I am better than him? Look, think ponder, reflect and be honest with yourself because when we meet our Lord we hope to give an honest answer on that day because if we do not we may be punished. People often argue about religion with teachers and this is a bad sign for them. Question them yes but do not argue.

When you see someone possess what you do not, do you look down on them? Because you are better? You deserve it and they do not? You are rebelling against the decree of Allah (the Exalted) that gave him that thing. Envy consumes good actions like fire consumes wood so it is not something that you should let yourself to delve into.

Abu Muhammad Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-‘Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Not one of you believes until his passion is in fellowship of what I have come with.” (Ibn Abi ‘Asim in As-Sunnah 15, Al-Khattab in History of Baghdad 4/369.)

Following the Sunnah is way that you can escape the mud trenches of your own ego. So warn and admonish yourself when you see it wander over to the pits of disobedience. As the fall in these is great and leads one to greater difficulty. What we want to hear is welcome words of being admitted into paradise because we are pleased with whatever Allah (the Exalted) is pleased with. That is the true sanctified soul that returns to Allah (the Exalted) and is given paradise as its eternal reward. This is only done by following the path of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) by the permission of Allah (the Exalted). 

And do not slip on the slope of our egos as they descend into the pits of disobedience. The danger of self obedience is leaving prophetic guidance and that is the greatest loss.

Please read effect of sins

What is the sunnah click here

The Disputations

Part eight

1. If you do not put work in, how are you going to get anything out?

2. Partisanship is destroying Islam from the inside causing roars of laughter in the corridors of power.

3. Allah gave you a disease so he could bless you with a cure. Then give you a reward for both!

4. Do not wish to change your circumstances because whatever position you are in, you’ll have problems.

5. Opening your mouth is one the mistakes that you cannot take back.

6. You haven’t connected with Allah until you enjoy acts of worship.

7. Is it not strange how we do things differently when we know we are being watched? So then is it not strange that we should have more taqwa if we realised this fact?

8. Its not the words you use it’s the feeling that’s behind them, that’s important.

9. Allah puts up with all your bad character that people cannot bear. So to whom are your loyalties?

10. There is a pleasure in delighting the hearts of a fellow Muslim.

11. People are dying all the time, so why do you think that your time is not due?

12. Death is as close to you as your clothes.

13. Reminders that the end is close are surrounding you like blanket

14. Once trust is lost it can never be regained, ever.

15. Whatever you do, do not expect an easy ride. The captain has declared that its not going to be plain sailing all the way, it’s going to be rough in some parts. So do not surprised when a storm comes.

16. Do not ruin your present by digging up something from the past...

17. Sometimes you cannot mend what should not have been broken.

18. Giving someone another chance is sometimes like giving yourself a kick in the face.

19. It never ceases to amaze me how people stand on legs of fresh air!

20. When you are given clear signs, go for it and do not hesitate as your loss maybe too difficult to bear.

Murder and War

Murder and War

Its part of our society isn’t it? Take a cursory glance at media and you will see millions of imagines depicting violence. Have you ever seen a cover of a movie without someone holding a gun on it? Take a look at all the popular games on the consoles that your children are playing. Many involve killing vast array of opponents until you reach the end of a level and where a big boss awaiting. And what do you have to do to win? Kill it. Some games even involve the unconscious justification of killing Muslims.

What is this teaching them? They have to be ruthless and they have to smart to kill or remove all their obstacles that are in their lives. We watch movies with people fighting others and sometimes killing each other but the one who survives has to be ruthless.

Is it any wonder that we see so much violence in our societies now? Is it any wonder that life is cheap now? People are killed by the thousand and we close our eyes pretending that if we keep them shut tight enough we won’t see it actually occur.

We live in times when leaders blame others for violence but who are training their commando’s? Who are those countries of free thinking nations who are teaching torture techniques to brown people? Who are those people who secretly fund two parties against each other whilst they steal all the oil? Yes it’s being stolen because those people get nothing from what they own.

In big gatherings of pretense they claim to do all this good yet that aid that was promised, that made us all look so good, was actually loans with crippling interest. Does it look good now?

Why is it that buying products here is like stealing? Who is making the money? Another fruit revolution keeps the prices down but how many poor people had to pay with their lives for my banana? For that jewel on that ring? For the gold on her hand?

Why has modern life become such a drag? All those things we rely on could be taken away because the earth’s resources are not going to last forever.

J.F. K. Said, ‘Man must put an end to war or war will put an end to man.’ We look like we are on our way out now as wars are being fought over resources as they put the smoke screen of terrorism in front of you to fool you.

‎"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." Martin Luther King, Jr. "Beyond Vietnam" Speech--April 4, 1967..

In G. Orwell’s 1984 there is a department that re-writes history to make its country look like a force for good and others as forces of evil. Sound familiar?

We still have a chance to change things but we need people of vision to change our societies for the better. Even though changing the government is impossible because politicians are just puppets and the real people in charge are unknown. How is that democracy when all we have is choice of puppets!

We are in real need of peace makers who negotiate and not peace makers who negotiate behind nuclear bombs.

Written in August 2010.

The Benefits of reciting Surah Al-Mulk/The Dominion 67

It was revealed in Mecca, it is thirty passages long, consisting of three hundred and thirty words and one thousand three hundred letters. (Tafsir Al-Khateeb Al-Sharabini Vol .3 P.367.)

Ibn Shihab said that is it known as 'the disputer' as it disputes with those of the grave! (Ibid) Those of the grave meaning the two angels Munkar and Nakir who question the servant after they are buried and their relatives have gone.

All of the Quran is blessed and parts of the Quran we have been informed about their specific blessing and others we have not. One such Surah that we have been informed about its blessing is Surah Mulk.

The second line reads, “He who created death and life to test you; which of you have the best actions.” Life and death are part of our lives whether we are aware of it or not. Someone has died whilst you are reading this and somewhere a child has been born.

Notice that death comes first as this is much harder to deal with its consequences than life. When death comes it takes us out of our comfort zones as it scares us into considering our mortality. Life can be a trail for parents who do not wish to have children. They worry about provision and other unnecessary concerns.

When you ponder these meanings then you begin to think about the ephemeral nature of life and then you begin to contemplate the afterlife.

There are many hadith explaining its qualities and its benefits we shall go through some.


In the heart of every believer


Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “I wish that “Blessed is the Dominion” would be in the heart of every believer.” (Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak 1/253 and Qurtabi in his commentary 17/205.)

This does not just mean that we memorize it verbatim but are heedless of its meanings. Learn the meanings as well, then when you recite it you go over the meanings thus increasing your attendance in the prayer.

The following will clarify why he wanted in the heart of every believer.


Protection in the grave


Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “When the deceased are placed in their grave; it comes in front of his legs and says, “There is no way for you here as he used to perform the Surah Al-Mulk.” Then it would stand before his head and say to his tongue, “There is no way for you because he used to recite Surah Al-Mulk.” Then he said, “It is protector from the punishment of Allah. It is in the Torah that whoever recites the Surah Al-Mulk has increased and become more fragrant.” (Al-Qurtabi 18/205.)

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “It is a protector; a rescuer; saving from the chastisement of the grave.” (At-Tirmidhi and Al-Hakim.)

Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Surah Tabaruk protects from the punishment of the grave.” (Ibn Mardawaya.)

The grave is one of the most daunting abodes that someone will enter as it will be as you were, in the world. There is no hiding or pretending in the grave and here, in this place of maggots and worms, it comes to save you. As its recitation will protect us against being punished in the grave as the time in the grave will be longer than the time on earth, it is without comparison.


It intercedes for you


Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “There is a Surah in the book of Allah it is but thirty passages which intercedes for a man on the day of judgement so that he taken out of the fire and entered into paradise; it is Surah the Blessed.” (Abu Dawud 1400, At-Tirmidhi 2891 and Ibn Majah 3876.)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “There is a Surah from the Book of Allah; it is only thirty passages; it intercedes for its reader until he is forgiven. Tabarak alldhi biyadihi l-Mulku." (Sura Mulk). (Narrated by Imam Ahmed, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nisai, Ibn Majah, Ibn Daris and Al-Hakim, authenticated by Ibn Mardaway and Al-Bayhaqi in Sha’ub Al-Iman.)

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Recite the Quran as it will intercede on the day of judgement for its companions.” (Muslim)

The Blessed being the word “Tabarak” which is the first word of Surah Al-Mulk. As in the early years of Islam Surah’s were known by their first words.

Do you see now its importance? It intercedes in the grave and on the day of judgement for you, when everything else has left you, it comes to help you.

Anis (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “A Surah in the Quran disputes until its reader is enters Paradise." {Tabarak alldhi biyadihi l-Mulku}. (Surah Mulk). (At-Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Ibn Mardaway and Al-Diyya.)

Do you see now why the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) wanted us to memorise this Surah? It not only intercedes, it argues, it disputes, it litigates on your behalf. Do we not want this?


Recitation before sleeping


Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “I have found in the book of Allah a Surah thirty passages long; whoever reads it when he sleeps thirty good deeds are written for him; thirty wrong actions are omitted and he is raised thirty degrees. Allah sends an angel to spread his wings over him and protect him from everything until he wakes up. It is the disputer who argues for it reader in the grave and it is Tabarak alldhi biyadihi l-Mulku.” (Sura Mulk) (Ad-Daylami).

It protects you whilst you sleep which is very important as you are unable to defend yourself at that time but because you read it an angel comes to protect you. Also look at the ninety other blessings that you receive for reading it.


Multitude of blessings


There are a multitude of blessings that you can attain for just a few minutes of recitation. Really, it will only take you a few minutes from beginning to end. Look again and then ponder this narration.

Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “Allah, the Exalted, raises people up by this book and debases others by it.” (Muslim, Ad-Darqutni and Ibn Majah.)

Even if you cannot read it all then read some of this Surah or another one. The last two quls are recommended to be read before sleeping.

Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Whoever recites a letter of the book of Allah has one good deed and one good deed is worth ten similar to it. I do not say Alif, Lam Meem is a letter rather Alif is letter; Lam is letter and Meem is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhi)

It has one thousand and three hundred letters which times ten is thirteen thousand rewards for its recitation. Not bad for five minutes work!

Please click here to read 40 hadith on the Quran complied by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Nabahani (may Allah show him mercy).

The Effect Of Sins

  

The hundred and first line of the popular work of Islamic belief Jawhar At-Tawheed by Imam Laqqani (may Allah show him mercy) states, “A wrong action is with its like and good actions are multiplied by virtue.” 


An evil deed is recorded as a single evil deed in contrast to good deeds which are multiplied, depending on the manner in which they were performed. So the first part of this line made me ponder is there an effect of sins? There must be because it’s stated here that the punishment of a wrong an action is another similar sin.

This made me want to explore this matter because it was something that I had not previously looked at. We commit sins without realising that there might be recompense beyond the sin itself.

The Quran states, “The recompense of evil is a like evil.” (Sura As-Shura 42:40).

So the person who is committing sins can fall into repetition because he is being punished. This could also be about those who do evil to others are repaid evil. Sometimes things happen in our lives to us that we cannot understand but do we ask ourselves, have we done something like this to someone else? It’s a hard question to answer and it’s not easy to be honest with oneself. Mutail states that this about the Islamic penalties. (Tafsir Al-Tabarani) 

Who is to blame?

Why does evil come with a like of it and who is to blame?

“Whatever good comes to you is from God; whatever evil visits you is from yourself.” Women 4:79.

Good is reward for goodness and evil is the punishment of evil. Evil deeds are what you have earned yourself as you cannot be punished for the sins of others. We have the choice whether to do an evil action or to do a good deed. Yet, we are encouraged to abandon evil deeds and we are encouraged to perform good deeds. Because of this choice we are given more for something good than something evil. Yet ponder for a moment Allah could have evened these scales and make evil and good deeds the same. But Allah did something for us that we are not able to be grateful for. 

“Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten the like of it; and whoever commits an evil deed shall only be recompensed the like of it and they shall not be wronged.” (The Cattle 6:160).

We are not wronged for the sins that we have committed because we just get one but ponder the blessing of a good action because we are given a minimum of ten. Don’t you think that that is beyond the understanding of equality of good actions? If things were equal then you would only get one! Hooray for inequality!

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) narrates that his Lord (Blessed and Exalted) said, “Allah has legislated good and evil actions.” Then he clarified, “Whoever aspires to a good action and does not perform it, Allah records one complete good deed for him. If he aspires to it then does it Allah records for him ten to seven hundred fold or an additional number. If he aspires to do an evil action and does not perform it Allah records it as one complete good action. If he aspires to perform and evil action and does it, Allah records it as one evil action.”

Al-Bukhari and Muslim. (Al-Bukhari 6126, 6491, Muslim 131, Imam Ahmed 1/130, Ibn Munda in Al-Iman 380).

Other effects

Sins also stay within you soul and cause you discomfort. Your heart is not tranquil and you endeavour to do well to the person you hurt. If you see an image or you eye catches something or you hear something; you may need to struggle with yourself to free yourself from the effects of that sin.

The sin keeps repeating in your head and slowly you desire to see or hear that thing again, even though you know you should not. Some things, you hear or see, bounce around in your head and it takes some work to get rid of them. O Allah, prevent us from committing sins and if we commit sins please forgive us.

Rejection of a prophet

Rejecting a prophet is a grave sin that casts one into everlasting punishment. But before they taste that they taste it in this world or in the grave. Look at the people who rejected the prophet of their time and their punishment was to taste grievous punishment in this world and well as everlasting punishment in the next. All those people who rejected prophets were wiped off the face of the earth.

Difference of punishment for sins of the heart and the body

The sins of the heart are not punishable in this world as they are invisible to a large extent. Although the sins of the heart manifest themselves on the day of judgement that is when they are visible. The sins are disobedience, polytheism and disbelief for which the punishment is eternal.

Sinful Muslims are punished in hell for their sins but they will not be there eternally as they shall be freed eventually. These sins are grievous and their effect was not removed in the world.

Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (may Allah be pleased with him) says, “There is nothing more destructive to the heart than sin. Sin affects the heart and eventually overwhelms it.”

I cannot affirm the source of the above quote but it seems to fit into this subject matter.

"Mischief has appeared on the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have earned; that He may give them a taste of some of (the actions) they have done, in order that they may
return." [Ar-Rum 30:41]

Imam Qushayri says, “الإشارة من البرّ إلى النَّفْسِ، ومن البحر إلى القلب./the land indicates to the soul and the sea is the heart.”

http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=3&tTafsirNo=31&tSoraNo=30&tAyahNo=41&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1

Thus sins have encompassed the being of a man and now he is deserving of punishment.

Do sins have an effect?

Good actions have a lasting effect long after they have been done. The story of Khidr and Musa in Surah Al-Kahf/The Cave shows us how good actions of a great grandfather helped the orphans who benefited from treasure he had buried.

One of punishments for a sin is to perform another like it. This is punishment, as people get caught in modes and patterns of behaviour. Repentance is a key out of this pattern but the effect of the sin lingers for a time. Illegal fornication causes great loss in many separate areas of a person’s life. Loss of provision is one of many.

“No, their hearts have been sealed by the sins they have accumulated.” (Al-Mutaffifeen: 14).

Even worse than that the heart can become encrusted by sins and worse still is that it can become blind.

“Whoever kills a believer intentionally is recompensed with Hell.” Women 4:93

Again here showing the effect of the worldly sin to its recompense in the other world.

A consequence of sinning and hiding disbelief is:

“God has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing.” The Heffer 2:7.

“In their hearts is a sickness, and God has increased their sickness.” The Heffer 2:10.

The sickness of their sins caused their hearts to be sealed. And the reason why their sickness was increased was because they refused to turn back and repent. So the punishment for this was to increase their illness which caused them justify their sins. This is a pitiful state to be in, may Allah save us from this state.

Public and private sins

Penalties for sins outward by hudud

Outward sins that are performed in the public eye are punishable by the sacred law to maintain the fear of Allah in the hearts of the believers and to prevent widespread indecency. These sins are testified to by trustworthy witnesses and credible testimonies, and of course by a Qadi. This is not the mockery that we often see portrayed and perpetrated by the media.

Sins performed in private cannot be punished by sacred law unless there are sufficient witnesses to make a case. So the sins in which no case can be brought are to be repented for in private. These sins are between one and Allah (The Exalted). Repentance for them is the only way out.

“Whatever misfortune afflicts you then it is due to what your hands have earned and He pardons much.” [Ash-Shura 42:30]

Consumption of the unlawful

The consumption of the unlawful causes the believers prayer to be unanswered. If ones profession is unlawful, he feeds and clothes himself from this unlawful wealth then he cannot expect a response to his supplication. How can we accept Allah (The Exalted) to answer our prayer when we are in a state of manifest disobedience?!

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Allah is pure and He does not except anything except that which is pure. Allah has commanded the believers with what he commanded the Messengers. He (the Exalted) states, “O Messengers, partake in the pure and perform righteous acts.” (Quran: the Believers 23:51.) He (the Exalted) states, “O those who believe consume the pure things of what we have provided.” (Quran: the Heffer 2:168.) Then mentioned was a man who travelled far, dishevelled and dusty. He extends his hands out to the sky, ‘O Lord; O’ Lord.’ His food is prohibited, his drink is prohibited, his clothes are prohibited and his nourishment is prohibited; how can he (expect to) be responded to?”

(Muslim 1015, At-Tirmidhi 2979 and Imam Ahmed 2/327.)

Avoiding sins

Sidi Ahmed Zarruq (may Allah show him mercy) said to put a hand ones heart and repeat these words when one inclines to a sin:

سبحان مالك الخّلق الفعّال ان يشاء يذنبكم و ياتى بالخلقِ جديد

سبع مررا مع استغفارو صلاة على النبي

أو

اللهم لا حول و لا قوة إلا بحولك وقوتك فاهب لي حولا وقوة أستعينك بهما على طاعتك

Do this frequently and it was given to Imam As-Shadhali (may Allah be pleased with him) from Sheikh Hamza Yusuf’s commentary on Poor man’s abstinence. This also removes bad whisperings.

The best way to avoid sins is to know that there are witnesses to the act you are about to do.

The Way out

The way out is to turn to Allah with complete devotion and repent. Then leave the sin, the place, and the people who you do the sin around.

“Good deeds wipe out bad deeds.” (Hud: 114).

Your repentance also has an effect in this world by cleaning the heart just as water cleanses the body from filth; repentance cleans the heart from rust.  Then you can be like the one mentioned in this passage:

“Save him who repents, and believes, and does righteous work , Allah shall change their evil deeds into good deeds.”  Furqan 25: 70

Repenting from the effect of sins can also assist you. As it is sufficient that someone’s title be changed from worshipper to sinner.

Al-Kahf (18) has many stories embedded into the Surah one such story is that of Musa and Khidr (upon them peace). The separation of these great figures occurred when Musa questioned Khidr (upon them peace) upon rebuilding a wall of some orphans who refused to show them any hospitality. Khidr informed Musa that the orphans had righteous grandfather and because of this he rebuilt a wall that covered some treasure. Some say it was the seventh forefather who was righteous. In any case the orphans benefited from the treasure of their righteous forefather. It is something worth pondering on how such an act benefited those who were not even born yet. Helping an orphan is something highly encouraged in Islam, as that child you support will help others when they grow up. As well as that others are safe from his harm because he could have turned to crime.

So do not see your evil deeds as minor nor see your good deeds as major because if you see your evil deeds as minor then you won’t stop doing them and if you see your good deeds as major then you may become arrogant. The correct balance is to be hopeful and not to lose hope if you commit sins. Turn back, know that you can always turn back; Allah’s door of mercy is open for penitent hearts.

Also do not forget that one good action is worth ten for a Muslim. Do not ever lose hope, ever.

 “Do not despair Allah forgives all sins.” 

Quran (Az-Zumar 39:53).

Hate and ignorance preaching

It seems strange to be talking about this but as usual my pretty bonnet has a bee in it. So it’s time to do something and get to the root of the problem.



Increasingly, we are witnessing a more radical style of preacher who is almost devoid of actual knowledge. Instead they are people who want to enforce cultural norms. Thus vindicating the bad aspects of the culture. 

We were bemused when we first saw this and were slightly confused because what they were saying seemed plausible.

Yet, the more we thought about their words the more holes we found and the cheese started to smell. So let’s be clear to what they were trying to say; they negated the need to seek knowledge and informed the Muslims that their culture was fine.

Now there are positive aspects of culture and there are negative aspects. When culture backs up religion then it is positive when it goes against the religion that's when it is negative. We began to realise that even though he was not preaching hate he was preaching ignorance. It made me wonder if he was a scholar and how he could now negate the point of seeking knowledge. As knowledge is what makes someone a scholar. Was he threatened that someone would take his place or was it because he did not understand the situation that he was in? Islam is a religion of spreading knowledge so how could he sit in the seat of the minbar and be so comfortable preaching ignorance?


Hate 

This is something that happens a lot and it is really causing a lot of damage to those serious students of knowledge who want to learn their religion.

As they cannot study with a teacher who continually attacks groups for their beliefs. I do think there are times when things need to be said but do we need to have bbc style repeats every time we switch on? It is really abhorrent and disgusting.

As the one preaching this, is wasting time as the student needs to study not be indoctrinated. Because that is what the teacher is doing. Students are fed up of this approach to studying because it implies that the student does not know what he is talking about.

This is another way that the village mentality lives on. Do you think that I do not have a brain so you have to keep repeating the same refutation against the same group more than once a lesson? That’s what it sounds like and that is what it feels like. In reality the teacher or whoever is preaching hate. Whether he is right or wrong is another matter. The teacher is preaching hate not religion or knowledge. This seems to be an old plague that is running amok in our time.


Who loses? 

Everyone who hears the speaker loses, as the method of hate preaching means exclusivity. In other words only him and those who follow him are the true bastions of Islam and everyone else are lairs or cheats. He is the real loser and will be accountable for sins that he is unaware that he is committing.

Those people who are blindly following out of misplaced religious zeal are zealots who have lost control, as they sprout racist comments because that’s what exclusive Islam brings.

It’s only you and your tribe who are right and everyone else are wrong. Racism is against so many Islamic principles but despite this, hate preachers propagate this ignorance. You see they act like Islam is their property and that only they belong to Islam. Instead of serving they are the served, instead of belonging to Islam they say Islam belongs to them, as it is only them who are the true Muslims. Is it because they feel threatened as the opposite group are spreading at increasing rate? Something that their group is not! So in order to check this they are attacking with the only way they know how by refutation.


The cure is balance 

The correct balance is seen by the majority of the scholars that I have placed on this blog. The reason being that they are balanced and fair in their approach which is something we do not always see in other people.

We instead see a type siege mentality in which only those who agree with their scholar are correct Muslims and all the rest are not true Muslims. The Islam that attracts me is the Islam that is inclusive and not the Islam that is exclusive. It is only exclusive because of their definitions.

We are not saying that all groups are correct some are clearly incorrect and need to be avoided. We do not accept those who go against the sound opinions of the four Sunni schools of Islam and those who correct Sunni beliefs. We do reject those who try to add things to the deen that are not part of it as well propagating the incorrect beliefs of their deceased ‘scholars.’

Now we disagree with certain groups and we refute them but we do not make it our lives work to incite people to attack and fight them, in some sort of misconstrued act of defence of Islam, instead it comes out as something ugly and disgusting. I would really like to see a balanced Islam emerge from the remnants of the religion that has been passed down to us. There are many sunnahs that our parents practice that have been left by other communities. So it behoves us to take the flag from them and hold it high or else we could fall where they did not.


This is meant to make people think about their actions because I do not hate anything more than a hate or ignorance preacher. The Muslims in the UK really have a lot to do if we are to be successful and you cannot preach Islam to people you hate and that’s why dawah, in this country, has not even begun.

Consideration

Hey, which hadith talks about consideration?

Is it mentioned in Quran?

Where is your proof brother?

Well, brother there are things that you do not need to ask the proof for like the heat of sun. Just go outside on a sunny day and experience it.

This was something that was bothering me of late, consideration. It seems that I am frequently accused of lacking consideration in my interactions with other people. I rail road over the feelings of others without stopping to ask the question, do my actions affect them?

We are not talking about positive ways we are talking about negative ones. How many times have we seen people put shop assistants into uncomfortable positions by making absurd demands? Why is it that some people are so bad that we prepare ourselves for the worst? Why is it that so few of us are polite? Why do we push past others to get what we want? Why do we take what we want and not stop to consider our fellow man? Why do we make it difficult for others by putting family members into positions that cause problems?

The time has come for us to mature and consider our fellow human being. Have we considered that if we mock a brother he might go home and take it out on his family? Or if we are good then he might spread that goodness to others? There are many proofs for consideration that need to be considered but I am not going to do all the work for you, think deeply and you'll see them.

We really have to wonder if that frown or tinge or sadness is our fault and if it is then we must do something about it. How is it that someone will not think twice about cheating you but will not miss praying in the first line?

Don’t feel ashamed to speak in a language that others do not understand? Just so you can swear at them?

When someone is ill do you visit them?

When people are in tribulations do you ring them to see how they are? Do we allow others to struggle when we could help them? Why is it we do not say sorry when we bump into each other? Why is it that we do not see it as a problem when we strike our neighbour when we are sat listening to a religious lecture? One such person struck me in the face when we sat in a lecture once. Another time someone scratched my foot when I was sat next to him. Yet, did he see this as rude or inconsiderate? Nope to him it did not matter!

There are so many questions that we have to ask ourselves and really take a hard look at ourselves and try to think about one important question.

How does what I do effect others in a negative or positive way?

قرب الحبيب/ In the proximity of the Beloved

قرب الحبيب

نزف دم من القلب

بسيف الحُب

نزع الدماء

بسيف الحزن

نزل جسدا

بسيف الألم

قد جرى الغم

كان الدنيا شجنا

بلا حدود

لو كنتُ مع الحبيب

ذهب كل شيء

خرجتُ من كل شجن

هذة مدينة وطني

إمام الحجرة الشريفة

انا سَلِم من كل كرب

قرب الحبيب

In the proximity of the Beloved

Blood poured from the heart

By the sword of love

Tears flowed

By the sword of sadness

Body fell

By the sword of pain

Grief flows

The world is a prison

Without boundaries

If only I was with the Beloved

All of it would go

I would leave the prison

This is Medinah my homeland

Before the noble grave

I am free from all anxiety

In the proximity of the Beloved

Are you doing your bit?

One of my trusted friends once asked me, “Are you doing you bit?”

I replied, “Bit of what?”

“Your bit; are you doing your bit?”

“Bit of what?”

“Your bit for Islam.”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you spreading Islam?”

“I need to learn.”

“You don’t need knowledge to talk. Sometimes I ring up a radio show and talk to people clarify a few things.”

“I need to study.”

“Study and do your bit.”

In whatever capacity you are in you can spread Islam which does not mean forcing people into Islam or talking over them or demeaning them. It means doing what you are able to do within the situation that you are in. Trying to do the best you can to break down barriers in your communities, to help people, to spread knowledge; to basically do something positive. We can all do this and if we all do our bit then it’ll add to a lot.


So now I am asking you, “Are you doing your bit?”

Religion is ease not extremism

Being born a Muslim does not always give you a better insight into being Muslim than outsiders think. Only if you are blessed with religious parents do you realise what a benefit it is to be a Muslim. Then again even being born Muslim into an irreligious family is an unfathomable blessing. How can you understand that Allah (the Exalted) wants you to enter paradise and thus he made you Muslim without any effort on your part?

Many or most people who become Muslim suffer for a period once they become Muslim. They can be affected by all the different groups bashing each other and look on in bemusement about the slogans people chant. It takes time to get the prayer right and it also takes time to get your head around things. In addition to that a person’s family also needs time to get used to it; some families may never be able to accept it all. Others will grow to accept that their child has chosen another religion. To be without the support of the family that supported all your life is not something easy.

When one of the companions led a prayer and made the recitation long. Some of the congregation complained to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) whose face was seen to go red. He admonished the companion who lead the prayer advising him that people have needs and he should make the prayer light.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Whoever among you leads the people in prayer should shorten it, for amongst them are the weak, the old, and the one who has business to attend to. And if anyone among you prays alone, he may then prolong it as much as he likes.” (Bukhari).

If the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) heard a child cry when he was leading the prayer, he would shorten the prayer so the child could be attended to. Religion is ease and with ease comes mercy because you can be as hard as like on yourself but you have to be easy with others. Yet at the same time you cannot be so hard on yourself that you take things to extremes. You should be balanced and be in tune to the society that are living amongst.

So when you need to pray during the day you do not get up from your workspace and proclaim the call to prayer then start. You ask for a quiet room, make your ablution without making a mess of the toilet area and pray (in the room!). You do not come back from Jummah walking like you have make a conquest of a country that nobody has heard of. You come in with humility letting people experience the difference in your being. You do not let your beard grow so long that you could trip over it, if you did not pay attention. Nor are you extremely slack that you do not pray or fast and let your days pass by without taking advantage of the blessings of time that you are given.

Imam At-Tahawi in the Tahawiyyan Doctrine point number 104 states, “Islam lies between going to excess and falling short.” These are two extremes, those who are extremely slack and those who are extremely uptight. Why? Because this is the nature of the Nafs/ego it is either very lazy or extremely active and both these are destructive. If you are lazy then you do not do anything that is obvious but being extremely active means that you'll wear yourself out. So by being balanced only then do you get what you want from the deen and dunya.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Religion is ease and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that manner. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by offering the prayers in the mornings, afternoons and during the last hours of the nights.” (Bukhari 1/38)

We have people who look at Islam through cultural standpoints causing them to misunderstand Islam then transmit these misunderstandings to non-Muslims. Do we correct them? We do not, instead we defend issues of culture that allows others to attack our religion even though it is not a religious issue!

Islam is not about overburdening people it’s about giving them what they need and allowing them space to grow and make mistakes. It’s not about being harsh and breaking their hearts when they do not what you told them to. We assume that what we are doing is perfect and what everyone else is doing is flawed. One thing that I am learning that different methods need to be used with different people and no one method works with everyone. We realised the flawed method of our teaching when we saw how high the standard we set others and when the could not reach it we scolded them. This type of arrogance must be looked at in the cold light of day. Weren't you once a student and did you not make mistakes? We have learnt the hard way that people need encouragement not debasement, as it is only through encouragement do people grow. Know your audience.


Misunderstanding belief

One of the ways that leads people to extremism in belief is when they take the Quran and Hadith literally which leads to countless misunderstandings. As the Quran uses metaphors and if you translate those literally then you actually leave the meaning of the text and misinterpret the text thus you betray the text you are tying to teach! If you translated the phrase the door is ajar literally is would mean that the door is a like glass jar! But it does not mean that, it means that the door is not closed and open.

So that is why we have passages that we do not take literally and this is a whole science of sound Islamic doctrine. As some have clear meanings other do not, some need to be explained, some need clarification, some are doubtful, some are specific to certain people and others are general. This is the science known as Usul Al-Fiqh and you cannot pluck out a verse and translate it without understanding it correctly. Go to the scholars of Islamic doctrine who say that we believe in all of the Quran and those verses that we do not know the meaning of then we submit the meaning to Allah and we do not interpret, that’s the middle way!

We should be concerned about calling people to Islam and not be concerned with fighting them. As this is the first time in history that people want to kill innocent people and not invite them to Islam. And just because they have had the message does not mean that they can be killed. This has never happened before except in extremist groups. Allah (the Exalted) has given them chance, after chance, after chance to become Muslim what about you? Can’t you give them just one chance?

People who live in the West realise the goodness that they receive from many people here. Yet are we grateful? Suicide is a desperate act and we are not people in desperation we know that the promise of Allah (the Exalted) is true.

Extremist is a term that denotes they are taking something that belongs to the religion to an unacceptable level. This is not true they are leaving the understand of the religious precepts that they are trying to convey.

Being religious is about taking a balanced middle course thus avoiding harshness to others or by making things difficult for others. We invite people to Islam with mercy and ease but we cannot force people into Islam. We encourage those brothers and sisters who are not praying to the beauty of practice by encouraging them even though they may often fall short we do not give up on them. Many religious people do not realise the harm they do to others with their "my way or the highway" Islam. Islam is Allah's way and he commanded us with mercy and compassion. Any other way is not the ethical standard that is Prophetic way and raising his banner means raising the banner of hope not the banner that my group is the saved sect and yours is not.