Habib Ali Al-Jifri

الحبيب علي الجفري خصوصية سيدنا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم

Divine decree/Al-Qadr

We live in a time of great tribulation. Everyone has their own stories of woe and sadness. Global events turn people into wreaks and localised events make people behave in ways that they would not normally. We see earthquakes, tsunamis and all manner of 'natural' disasters on a daily basis. Thousands of sea life disappearing to the bottom of the ocean, as we dine on even more fish.

Events occur in our lives and we are ill-equipped to deal with the repercussions, as well as lacking the mental capacity to rationalise the solutions. Sometimes we bring problems onto ourselves by being unable to recognise our faults.

We lose a loved one and it becomes extremely difficult to get on with our lives as nothing can fill that void. We lose jobs in an unfair manner and because of the lack of backbone we are unable to do anything about it. We all have our problems and no one has lived a life without problems.

We complain, we moan and we lose our temper over the smallest of things. We feel slighted and upset so we lash out with words that we later sorely regret.

What do we do? We try to escape our realities because they are too difficult to comprehend. We live our lives in computer games, movies and other forms of entertainment. The games industry is worth over ten billion dollars a year, the average player is 34 and forty percent of the players are women.

The movie industry plays with the emotions of people across the globe as we cry when watching a film only to turn over when we see real suffering. We live detached from reality. 

We try to hide beneath layers of virtual realities and false bubbles that we have made for ourselves. But sooner or later every bubble bursts.

We work as small units under fire from our peers and do our best to undermine them. So we can push our names forward. Why can't we deal with reality? Is it so hard?

In our own ‘ghettos’ we live with people of the same nationality and the same religion. Yet it’s when we leave these areas do we find out that we are not alone on this planet and there are other people. Sometimes Muslims are ignorant of each other as they fail to recognise those Muslims who are not born in the same village or country that they come from.

The Problem?

Some would say that there is no problem yet others would say that there is. After 9/11 everyone said that the world changed but did it? The anti-Muslim rhetoric has always been bubbling like fat under the surface of the entertainment we consume but we did not notice? Some films added references to terrorists and Muslims even though it was not related to the script or anything to do with the plot!

Our main problem is that we do not understand the beauty of the divine decree and that is why our hearts are like processions of protestors. Simply put we are not unable to understand our place in the world nor are we able to overcome our problems.

Submission

Allah (the Exalted) states in the Quran, “I created the jinn and humankind only that they worship Me.” (Ad-Durryyahat 51:56).

Islam is about realising your place in the world as a servant or realising your potential as a servant of Allah. Converts sometimes describe the peace they achieve when they submit and become Muslims. This is something that many born Muslims have failed to do, submit. 

Realise that if you were born Muslim, Allah (the Exalted) wanted you to enter paradise and it’s now down to you what you do about it. If someone is decreed to go to paradise they will end up there but who likes a bumpy journey when you can have a smooth one?

So is this our way out? To submit to the divine will and do the best in our lives, is that our solution? Well, yes once you have realised the futility of your struggle you can work on submitting yourself and realise the ease that you will find yourself in.

Objecting

Objecting to the divine will is very subtle or blatant at times. An example of blatant one is when we complain about the recently deceased. We go to funerals and complain, why were they taken from us? They should not have died and other verbal objections made in the vicinity of the relatives. The decree of their death and our deaths has already been written, so what are you complaining about and who are you complaining about? Allah (the Exalted) in his unbound wisdom chose our lifespan and when it comes to an end, we cannot do anything about it. So all your complaints cannot bring them back, submit and realise that if they died Muslim are they in a better place. If they did not then they are in a worse place.

We may have been treated unjustly that caused the loss of a someone we love. This is very difficult to deal with but we have to keep going.

From the other minor but still deadly complaints is about the weather. We complain when it is warm and when it is cold. Why don’t we realise that if we complain or if we do not, the weather won’t change! There are some things that cannot change with a complaint unlike some rude shop assistants! Are you complaining about the way Allah (the Exalted) arranges the weather and do you now see how complaining about decree is so bad. The way the things are in the world are exactly how Allah (the Exalted) arranged them.

Although our part needs to be explained. We need to do our best in our fields of responsibility but we are not responsible for those things that are outside our control. Sending aid, money, help and prayers are sufficient. For those who are lucky enough to help with rescue operations with aid agencies are blessed. Complaining to international courts hoping for some justice does not mean we lose hope when they turn a deaf ear to the cries of the massacred. As we know we shall have our day on the final day so don’t moan about the lack of justice, it is not what we should be doing. Accepting the divine decree does not make us fatalists rather we try our best in our lives. Be concerned about what you can change and do not weep about what you cannot.

Belief

The divine decree is something that is an intrinsic part of faith. It is mentioned in the hadith of Gibril when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings be upon him) said, “To believe in the good and bad decree.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Muslim has another addition, “The sweet and the bitter.”

It was something so important that is was mentioned with the pillars of the Islam. In one narration it describes divine decree as being bitter or sweet. Not that it has a perceptible taste rather it can be difficult and it can be easy. The bitterness is difficulty and the sweet is ease.

Having good thoughts about Allah

Having a good opinion of Allah (the Exalted) in these times of disaster is something that should be a source of strength. Know that Allah (the Exalted) always does what is best for the Muslims and sometimes a greater evil is removed by a lesser evil. It’s not always easy for us because it can be so difficult. Work might be needed to clear the tongue and the heart from objecting.

In an hadith Al-Qudsi/divine tradition Allah (the Exalted) said, “I affirm my servants opinion of Me.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). So if you think that Allah (the Exalted) is merciful you shall see it and if you think that Allah (the Exalted) is an oppressor then you shall see oppression. So this highlights the importance of thinking that Allah (the Exalted) does what best for us. Have a good opinion of your Lord and you shall see the benefits.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Having good opinion is part of perfect worship.” (Abu Dawood). So there is benefit in purifying those thoughts we have in our hearts as well as our tongues.

Blessings

So when you see someone who has something that you do not, then do not envy him. As Allah (the Exalted) has given him blessings and it is He who has decreed it. So try to take it out of your heart and ignore the envy you have. This is also very subtle so beware. The best way to take it out is to pray for that person, works every time!

Detachment

Emotionally detaching yourself from events that occur in your life can give you a clarity that others lack. You realise that this world is not the only realm that justice occurs. We do not mean that you are emotionless when things happen to you rather we mean you look at them with the believers insight. The men of Allah see everything with long range sight and not in the short term as we do. They know that the promise of Allah (the Exalted) is true and that victory is close.

The saying 'keeping your powder dry' means being prepared for anything. As in an age gone by gunners needed to keep their gunpowder dry because if it got wet then they would not be ready to fire their guns. A Muslim must keep his Imam powder dry and be ready for anything.

Not having something is better than having it

Sometimes we desire things in our lives that are no good for us. Some of us are unmarried and desire a partner more than anything but if we were married then maybe we would not be able to fulfil the rights to our wedded partner. We can sometimes desire something so much that it distracts us from Allah (the Exalted). So turn away from your desire and turn to Allah (the Exalted). As Allah (the Exalted), the creator can fulfil you more than creation. And at times that's when you get something, when you turn away from it.

Also avoid discussions about the decree or delve into its meaning, as you will get confused. Know that you are never forced into sin and it is your responsibility.

Wisdom

Ibn ‘Ata Allah's celebrated work called Al-Hakim contains an amazing aphorism which explains this all very clearly. Number seventeen says, ‘You have not abandoned ignorance if you desire something to manifest in a time; other than what Allah has manifest.’ (P.75 Iqad Al-Himam fi Sharh Al-Hikam by Ibn ‘Ajibah on Ibn ‘Ata Allah’s work) Ignorance being the opposite of knowledge. This really does need to some reflection.

In a hadith al-Qudsi/a divine hadith it gives that following statement made by Allah (the Exalted), “Whoever is not pleased with my decree, is not patient upon my tribulation should leave my skies and find another Lord.” (Al-Tabarani in Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabir.) Of course there is no other Lord and you have no other place to go to, as wherever you travel is within his dominion. You cannot go somewhere that does not belong to him!

Complete contentment

Abu Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘For forty years Allah (the Exalted) has not placed me in a position that I disliked or moved me something that angered me.” (P.76 Iqad Al-Himam fi Sharh Al-Hikam by Ibn ‘Ajibah on Ibn ‘Ata Allah’s work).

Oppression

Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) transmits from his Lord (Mighty and Exalted) said, “O my servants; I have declared oppression impermissible for myself and made it amongst you unlawful so do not oppress each other.” (Muslim).

Allah (the Exalted) does not oppress us so please try to understand. We all belong to Allah (the Exalted) and do the possessions have the right to complain? He gave us life and told us that one day it would be taken from us then we would move us to eternity. So should it come as a surprise when someone dies?

“Do you expect to enter Paradise without being tested like those before you? “ (Quran: the Heffer 2:214].

This is a clear indication that we are going to be tested so do not be surprised. Does it come as a shock? You should expect things to run smoothly sometimes and other times to not. Expect to lose what you love. This is life after all but do not lose hope because if things are bad now know that they can change in a moment. Be hopeful and anticipate relief, “O’ believers, seek assistance with patience and prayer and Allah is with the patient.” (Quran: the Heffer 2:153).

Patience and prayer is our way out and if we do that then Allah (the Exalted) is with us and if Allah (the Exalted) is with us do we need anyone else?

Umar ibn 'Abdulaziz (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked, "What do you desire?" He said, "Whatever Allah decrees." (p.161 The Darqawi Way Letters of Mawlay Al-'Arabi Ad-Darqawi)

These examples are easy to relate but the true test is when someone actually experiences the events that shake them. Its is easy for me to say but hard to do because there is a distinct difference between utterance and action. I used to think that I was strong but realised, when an event occurred, that I was actually quite weak and its taking time for me to repair myself.

So if you are in a big storm now, keep walking because sooner or later you will be free of it. And maybe you will realise that things that did not work for you, were all for the best. Remember just because one thing did not work out for does not mean that we forget the rest of the blessings that we have. The least blessing we have is the greatest, our faith.

I pray that Allah (the Exalted) gives us the understanding of divine decree and allows us to make the best of our remaining time on this earth. Ameen.

Please click here for seventeen benefits of tribulation text and here for the audio lecture.

Please click here for forty hadiths about tribulation. 

Sayyid Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki

Creator and creation

Habib Ali Al-Jifri

الحبيب علي الجفري -تواضع النبي مع المؤمنين

Sheikh Muhammad Alawi Al-Makki

Bidah

Sheikh Abdul Hakim Murad

Muslims, Christians and Jews: Sibling Rivalry?' Part one and two

Imam Zaid Shakir

Can we talk about God?

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Honoring the Houses of God

Imam Zaid Shakir

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah

Etiquettes of Disagreements parts one to four Offical video

The Disputations

The Disputations
Part two

1.There is nothing worse than reaching your goal then realising that it was not want you wanted. Nor did it make you happy.

2.There is a wealth of good for he who is unhappy with himself.

3.Joy is only known by suffering.

4.Just because your naafs says yes does not mean that you have to obey it and say yes as well. Say no and ride out the bitterness.

5.How strange is the human condition that makes the best things become normal, after a while and the worst things routine, after a while.

6.Try your best and wait patiently.

7.Tassawwuf is to learn how to train the self to control itself!

8.Lower your gaze in the world so you can raise it afterlife.

9.Going against the naafs opens doors of understanding.

10.Give up fantasy and embrace reality.

11.When you finish sleeping; finish dreaming.

12.Speak up for yourself because no one is going to speak up for you.

13.Sometimes you are shown how good you are when you see how bad others
are; even then hide their sins and do not uncover them and remember not to trust them.

14.Being truthful is like finding gold. So if you find a truthful person stick with them.

15.Try not to allow your emotions to run away with you control your emotions and keep them in check.

16.The past is never coming back so assign it a box then throw those bad memories away.

17.Be truthful.

18.A leader must do the greater good.

19.Nothing, in the world, is ever perfect.

20.You can only teach people what they want to learn.

21.Power is a burden.

Imam Zaid Shakir

Seek the Protection of Allah

Tajweed - Get it Right!

Importance of Tajweed

One of the most problematic issues that some are aware of, and some are unaware, is the need for correct Tajweed. We have a real problem in the indo-pak communities with Tajweed or more specifically the lack of it! What we are really talking about is the correct sound being made from the articulation points of the letters.


Urdu-bic?

When we read the Arabic Quran in Urdu which is a major problem because it was not revealed in Urdu. As that is a language that was ‘made up’ some time ago so that different speakers of Muslims could communicate. Arabic is a language far greater than that, far greater.

Each of us is taxed according to their ability to learn, so if someone has a chance to learn the correct pronunciation of words then they should. They will see an improvement in their prayer when they learn and they may have thought it was not possible. I would personally recommend trying to find someone who know Quranic Arabic correctly and correcting ones recitation. You may have individuals in your community who can help you and even if it is one lesson a week do and you’ll see the difference.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon peace and blessings) said, “The reciter who makes errors has two rewards, one for the recitation and one for his difficulty.” (Bukhari 4937).

“We have sent to him the Arabic Quran that perhaps you understand.” (Yunis 12.2).

Note the Quranic passage says Arabic Quran and not Urdu Quran or anything language.


Obligations

Learning the correct recitation is obligatory for all Muslims and to not do this puts your Quranic recitation in danger of being invalid. Meaning that you prayer may also be invalid as well. The Hanafi’s are not as strict as the Shafi’s because two words (or three words indo-pak) in correct Tajweed makes the prayer valid. As for the Shafi’s if it is not all correctly recited then it is not a valid prayer. Qadi Khan said if someone is trying to correct their Tajweed then their prayer is valid as they have an excuse.

I really do not excuse those people who have a chance to learn the correct Tajweed and choose not to. It is true that some letters take practice but we have to at least try. You need to know where each sound comes from and then practice it until you get it right, this make take several weeks to even this far but it is worth it.

There are two types of mistake in recitation Lahn Al-Jalali/manifest error and Lahn Al-Hafi/hidden error. The difference between the two is that Lahn Al-Jalali is when a letter is pronounced incorrectly and this can break the prayer if it occurs. Lahn Al-Hafi is a mistake with Tajweed and if it occurs it will not break the prayer.


Ramadan massacre

Ramadan is one of the most happiest months of the year and it is the month of the Quran. But sadly now it is the month that we massacre the Quran by not pronouncing anything comprehensible during the extra night prayers. This is one the saddest things that someone can hear the book of Allah (the Exalted) being massacred and we say nothing.

There is a way of reciting quickly but getting it right but no one does that now they just read it quickly trying to get to the end. We try to follow one Sunna of finishing the Quran but how many fard actions have we demolished? It’s like destroying a house but placing a big vase of yellow flowers on top. Yes, the flowers look nice but what have we done!


Are we people who mock the Quran?

“My people have renounced the Qur'an.” (25:30)

Is this us? Or are we people who recite it correctly?

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "Perhaps someone recites the Quran and it curses him." (Muslim).

I seek refuge with Allah from this.


How did the Messenger recite?

The Prophet (May Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) used to recite the Qur’an in slow, measured, rhythmic tones as Allah had instructed him, not hurriedly, but rather he would recite a surah in such slow rhythmic tones that it would be longer than it would seem possible. (Muslim, Muwatta).


How should we recite?

That’s simple recite how the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) if you don’t know what to do in any matter then look at the Sunna and you’ll know what to do. It’s that simple we don’t need to theorise or philosophise we just need to open your ears and listen to a Qari who recites correctly. Please click here for forty hadith on the Quran complied by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Nabahani (may Allah show him mercy).

Hudhyafah (may Allah pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "Recite the Quran in the tone of the Arabs, and their sounds." (Bayhaqi in Sha'b al-Iman 2/540).

Please click here for common misprounced letters of the Quran.


Don’t sing please

As almost a complete contrast to the Ramadan massacre many people recite the Quran like they would a nasheed or Qasida. This is really not the correct manners with the Quran as its the book of Allah not the book of a person. People who have this concept that the Quran needs to be sung have misunderstood the Quranic passage.

“Recite the Qur’an distinctly.” (73:4)

Meaning correctly and clearly but not singing okay? NO singing!

Yes, we should beatify the Quran but we should not overly embellish our recitations by elongating certain letters over above the correct amount just so we excite the gathering into throwing Scottish notes at us!

The Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “The one who has the finest voices among the people for reciting the Qur’an is the one whom you think fears Allah when you hear him recite.” (Daarimi, Tabaraani).

“Those unto whom We have given the Scripture, who read it with the right reading.” (2.121)

Quran proof against you or for you

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, "The Quran is a proof for you or against you." (Muslim 1/203, Imam Ahmed 5/342).

Do you want the Quran to come on the day of judgement to curse you because you are reading something incorrectly? He did not read me correctly or do you want to come and help you? It’s a simple choice.


Reward for correct recitation

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 Hassan Sahih)

The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “The reciter of the Quran, on the day of judgement, will stop at the first level of Paradise. He will be asked to recite then he recites as he did in the world and his abode is the last Quranic passage in which he stops.” (Abu Dawood).

This should be sufficient for you to try to correct your Tajweed and get reading to ascend great levels because of your correct Tajweed but if you don’t have the correct Tajweed and your recitation is not valid then where will you go? Also note what if someone does not read the Quran where will they go? Does this not scare you? It terrifies me just to think about it!

“The Messenger states, “O my Lord, my people ignore the Qur’an.” (25.30).

I pray to Allah (mighty and Majestic) that we are not from these people.

“An Arabic Quran without crookedness that perhaps you will become fearful.” (39:28)

We do not claim to Abdulbasit in terms of Quranic recitation nor do we claim to be the worst but we are advising people to look into this matter and try to correct themselves because it will benefit them in two worlds not just one. As with anything that I write; I accuse myself first.

Free Palestine?

Free Palestine?

We have heard this, read this and seen this phrase a lot over the last few days due to obvious events but who are we referring to and who are we ordering to do this? I was thinking about this phrase and I wondered if it meant more in Arabic. We roughly translated it as حرية لفلسطين changing it a little to freedom for Palestine. In Arabic this would be called a جملة الإسمية nominal sentence which is a sentence without a subject. So this is just a statement without a telling us who is going to do anything. This can be defined as speech قول as it has a complete meaning.

In a sentence with a verb is a verbal sentence جملة الفعلية once we have a sentence with a verb in it we know that a certain action is going to be carried out, because of the verb. Now there can be a verb which subject is known if there is a name mentioned but if there is no name mentioned then it is unknown. So only when the name is mentioned do we know who is going to do what because there is no verb or subject.

So what does this mean? Who are we speaking to? The state of Israel is a country that was founded after the brutal occupation of the British in Palestine after the division of the Ottoman empire.

So we are protesting and arguing for Palestine to be freed from those people who actually made that state! It’s like telling murders that they should not have killed anyone! It’s too late they have already done it!

Are we telling the Western governments to free Palestine? Have any of them spoken out about it? Even if they have spoken up that is a something big but very little has been said. As usual the impotence of some leaders of countries reaches further depths of decadence.

People who are silent when injustice is being committed are as bad as those committing the actions!


Protesting

We see very little point in protesting. All you are doing is wearing yourself out and when you finish the day you’ll realise that you have achieved very little and if you think that the protesting will solve this situation then you need to think again.

Just look at the protests over the Iraq war just about every country and city, in the western world, had protests but they still went ahead. Is this not proof that the democratic system does not listen to the people it actually claims to represent!
So don’t text me, email me or tell me to protest because I see it as a waste of time. It just makes the Muslims look like more of a nuisance in the media.


Awareness

We do need to spread awareness but using media that reaches people. This is most effective way of reaching a wider audience. Many people do not realise the true extent of the problems there and they need to be informed in a good manner.

This is the best way to spread information. I wonder why Muslims do not buy broadsheet newspaper and then use this to spread facts about this. Is this such a difficult thing to do? Or shall we instead buy a Ferrari and drive that around the desert! Is that better; we are totally oblivious.


Historical proof

If you look at any oppressive force or country then you’ll realise one thing that these regimes do not last. They sow their own destruction and fall spectacularly. This current regime is nothing new in terms of oppressive states and like those states they will not last nor will they prosper.

One of my teachers predicted that the fall of Israel will come within fifty years that was over four years ago. And we can see now that the more injustice is shown to innocent civilians the more opinions are changing. I can see the fall of the state within the next few years. I do think its fall is linked to the fall of the capitalism in the West which is a system that is on its knees.


Conclusion

We wish to conclude that there is much suffering on this world but there is also much hope and this hope can help us through. We should keep supplicating and keep our pens busy or whatever way is open for us to speak out in a constructive manner. If you cannot that do this, then remain silent.

Know that thanks to the deal between Saudi and the US the money that they pay to them for oil is kept in banks so they can feed off the interest. Why have they not said anything about the injustices that their paymasters have done is nothing but shocking. Those who have not spoken out fear their flimsy position in the world will lose their positions one day. So why not speak up and be remembered for courage rather than be remembered for cowardice?

Hasan Le Gai Eaton

His life and works parts one and two

Habib Ali Al-Jifri

Mahabbah

Sheikh Yahya Rhodus

Contentment

Is there a problem with the youth?

So many times have I heard this ‘question’ pop up like a sharp thorn that has been found in ones shoe. The youth are running away from Islam. What do we do? The answer is plain is simple and it does not need to be persistently asked by people.

Once a person reaches maturity we see them turning away from religion then we know one thing has occurred, for definite, we have failed. At this point a child who has grown up going to the masjid is now old enough to leave and how ceremoniously they do. They run from the religion into the arms of the world and they remain there until they get some sort of problem or shock. That's if they are lucky to get that reminder so many do not.

Now, doesn’t anyone think that there is something wrong here? A child has had six or more years of teaching in the masjid or madrasa but once they leave they do not pick up the Quran for many years and involve themselves in the world. Is it just me that thinks that we had the chance to teach them something and  failed?


We blame the youth for being naive and for falling into many traps of the world but shouldn’t we have prepared them for life before they left us? So what is the cause of the problem? Where has the system failed? It cannot be with the religion so where is the problem?


The answer is that we have failed to teach them. We have failed to give them the tools to see through the traps of this world and we have driven them out of the masjid. We are the problem not them. But now leaders look at the youth and think its them who are the problem. No its not them it's us! We had a great opportunity to make balanced human beings who are a credit to their societies  but instead we taught the children how harsh we can be.


What did we teach them in all those years? Did they ever see us practice Islam correctly? They see people like us as scourges and not people who they want to be like. We have failed to implant the prophetic model in ourselves then how can we implant it in the children? Your child learns from your behavior so whether you teach them or not they are learning. We do not teach them about the beauty of Islam. We teach them that being religious is about being a harsh hearted hypocrite!


We have to wake up and that is not going to be easy because some are perfectly happy being asleep. We have to teach with firmness but not harshness and most of those who teach but not understand Urdu. We need to teach them in a language they understand. You will not get anywhere teaching people something in a language they do not understand.


We need to engage their minds by bringing their hearts to life with the Sirah. Then teaching them stories and making them enjoy their religion. Classes should be no longer than an hour, any more than then it will cause damage to the children. We have learned this the hard way and we really need to be sure that children enjoy learning and we try to make things fun for them.


We need to encourage them and not criticise them as this will hurt them. Encouragement is a great key to help people reach heights quickly.


We try to help them by doing as much we can and supporting them as much as possible. Most of all we must practice what we preach because if we do not then our words are like rocks fallen onto seeds. Don’t be surprised if nothing good grows because children are like gardens if you plant something good in them then good will grow and if you leave then weeds will grow. The weeds are our fault because we missed our opportunity to grow something good.


We need smaller, shorter classes with teachers qualified to teach not an uncle who does not know how to perform Wudu!


I do not think there is a problem with the youth rather the problem is with the elders because they do not know how to reach them except by a clip around the ear. It's another wasted opportunity to build human beings instead we ruin them first before the world gets them. What else would they do in their lives but turn to drink and drugs because we sent them there.

The inhertance of the Prophets (upon them peace) is knowledge and this knowledge is being lost in our time. Great scholars are dying and there is no one is taking their place. We are losing knowledge from all over the place.

Yet, if someone hears about the relics of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) they will travel for miles to see it but who will sit in a class of fiqh or tajweed? This is the real knowledge and this is being lost, as we live in a time in which people follow their passions and they have long since left imiatating the only one worthy of imitation.


While you are on this planet you still have time to change your communites. Read this about the Importance of knowledge.
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/06/importance-and-search-for-knowledge.html

If you are on masjid committe read this.
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2010/04/role-that-masjidsmosques-committees.html

If this still does not make sense then read this.
http://sheikhynotes.blogspot.com/2009/11/do-we-know-how-to-live-in-west.html
May Allah forgive us all.

Sheikh Abdul Hakim Murad

Welcome to Mercy

AbdulHakimMurad-WelcomeToMercy from MR on Vimeo.

The Heart/ Qalb

The heart is much more that a muscle that pumps the blood around the body.
The heart is something that can affect the whole body, if it is pure then the whole body is pure and if it is sick then the whole body is sick. The heart is the hidden secret between man and God and what happens there is only accessible to God. Although those with trained eyes can see quite clearly. The body can illustrate what the heart feels but heart can never illustrate what the body feels.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “Allah does not look to your forms nor your wealth but He looks to your hearts and your deeds.” (Muslim 6221)

The heart in Arabic is Qalb, the root of this name means to turn over (Hans Wehr p.784). The heart is the muscle that moves the most, even if we are motionless the heart is in motion.


Hearts together

When your heart is with someone then you experience the same things and you feel the same feelings. So even though you may be apart you may say the exactly the same thing as someone else is saying or even thinking. Sometimes someone will say exactly what you are thinking. And if you are lucky your spiritual leader will answer the questions that are in your heart, without you even asking.

Sometimes the heart knows what is about to occur but the mind overrides this ‘emotion’ and keeps going. Sometimes we can feel something that someone else does not; this leads to rejection. How strange it is when someone feels something about someone and the other person does not. Rejection is not registered in the heart sometimes; it can make a person keep coming back to the one who rejected them. They have all these unrequited emotions that are being suppressed but the other person feels nothing. Unrequited love can do so much damage and many times the object of that affection is totally unaware.


Sins of the heart

We are punished for bodily sins in the world and we are punished for sins of the heart and body, in the next. Someone can hide their disbelief in this world but in the next world this hidden internal state will manifest itself.

Actions done with the heart in tune to the limbs have so much more effect that those empty actions of the limbs. The Maliki scholars consider it highly disliked for someone to encourage people to do something that they have not done themselves but only their hearts know.


Whisperings

Sometimes we get inclinations or whisperings that occur in the heart that if we spoke about them then we would be seen as persona non grata.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Allah forgave my nation the evil whispering which arise within their hearts as long as they did not speak about them or do not act upon.” (Muslim 230).

If you have a evil whispering then don’t speak about it and turn your heart away from it and it will die away but if you let it grow then it will cause you harm.


Heart attacks

Ibn Al-Nafis was the first to find out about the pulmonary circulation of the blood, then he was plagiarised by many who refused to divulge where they obtained this information from.

Heart disease remains America’s leading cause of death, killing one American every 34 seconds, or more than 2,500 people per day. But it also remains a highly preventable disease.

The grim statistics come from the American Heart Association’s new report, “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics — 2005 Update.” The report shows that in 2002, more than 927,000 Americans died from heart disease-related conditions, such as heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, and congenital heart defects. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,142436,00.html)

One in five deaths are caused by heart disease in the UK and if you are on a lower wage you are more likely to have heart problems. The statistics show that people who have money problems are sure to be in more in danger of having heart problems that those better off.

Worrying about provision and family can lead a person to have a perturbed or disturbed heart; this added to other factors can lead a person to problems.


Light and darkness

Both these things can affect a person in different ways. You can be affected by the light that someone has and by the light they contain. If someone has a lot of light greater than your light or your darkness then their light can affect you. Similarly, someone with more darkness than you can affect you as well.

Sometimes people with darkness and falsehood can affect your heart in the most despicable ways and you may even find yourself agreeing with their poison. Because your heart has been so affected by their darkness there is no room for light!

As can someone with truth and light can transform you if you are receptive to it. This is the point are we receptive to it or not? If we are then we can attain greater levels and if we are not because of the darkness we carry we will reject it.

The Prophets (upon them peace) came with light and the truth; some accepted and some rejected. The eyes and ears are channels to the heart and if we are not careful then we will have hearts that are not pure and open to the truth.


The heart of the Quran

Surah Yasin has been described in hadith as the ‘Qalb Al-Quran,’ (At-Tirmidhi 2887) literally the heart of the Quran. If you take a good look at the Quranic chapter then you can see that it continually refers to accepting the messenger or prophet. This has special reference to the heart because that is the seat of belief because someone can have belief in the heart and be believer with Allah but not according to the world.


Types of heart

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “Hearts are four; a pure heart with a shining lamp; that is the heart of the believer; a black heart covered which is the heart of the disbeliever; a covered heart, linked to its cover that is the heart of the hypocrite and the heart with layers faith and hypocrisy.” (Imam Ahmed).

There are four types of heart mentioned here:
1. Pure heart
2. Black heart
3. Covered heart
4. Layered heart.

The pure heart is the healthy one and the ideal one in this list. The pure heart is to aim for and to work for but how do we work to get this type of heart? Some of us are blessed to be born with pure hearts and some of us have to work on ourselves.


Remembrance

“In the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!” (Quran: Thunder 13:28)
By performing remembrance does the heart find rest and then it can become pure. How do we know this?

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “Is there not a morsel of flesh; if it is sound then the whole body is sound; if it is corrupt then the whole body is corrupt; it is not the heart?” (Bukhari 25 and Muslim 1599).

This hadith is a miracle because the Arabic word used is Mudghah which is something similar to a morsol. Almost like a piece of partially chewed meat and this accurately described the shape of the heart. It is nothing like the fantasy picture that we see everywhere especially on valentine cards and the like. It’s like a piece of flesh but it has a life beyond what people can measure with their medical equipment.
Bringing it to a state of purification is something that benefits us beyond this world.

“The day when wealth and sons avail not (any man); except him who comes to Allah with a sound heart.” (Quran: the poets 26:88-89)

We are not busy purifying our hearts for no benefit rather we are doing something that has infinite benefits. So this is not some new matter that has been ‘invented’ or ‘innovated’ this is part of the Quranic narrative and if adhered to brings a wealth of benefits.

Remembrance or dhikr is a way to purify the heart but hearts have to be emptied from other things.


Three stages

The spiritual masters mention three stages in spiritual development:
1. Ridding oneself of bad characteristics تخلى
2. Adorning oneself with good character تحلى
3. Manifesting the good character تجلى


The Arabic words used above have very small differences but these differences are massive in reality. If you want to decorate a room in your house properly you have to remove everything out of it that is the first level. The second level is about adding and the final level is the manifestation when the room is finally finished but this can take time, it’s not an easy process by anyone’s standards.

You see the heart can be sick and if it is starved from the remembrance of Allah then it will die. Especially, if it is allowed to follow its passions.

Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir said, “The heart dies from passions of the soul; the more you refuse the passions you attain from life its shares; so listen to the living and not to the dead.” Allah, the exalted, states, “You cannot listen to the dead.” (The Ant 16:80). (Awarif Al-Mararif Imam Sarawardi p.17).


Weak heart

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “A strong believer is better than a weak believer; and in each is goodness.” (Muslim, Ahmed and Ibn Majah). Ibn Ata Allah says that the strong believer is he whose heart is illuminated by the light of certainty. (Taj Al-Aroos p.96-7).


Black spot

Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman(may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, "Temptations are presented to the heart, one by one. Any heart that accepts them will be left with a black stain, but any heart that rejects them will be left with a mark of purity." (Muslim Book of faith 2/170).

When a white cloth has a black stain on it, it can be seen clearly and most people will notice the black spot more than they will notice the rest of the cloth being white! Similarly, the dark heart recognises darkness and is attached by it.


A reminder placed into the heart

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “If Allah wishes goodness to his servant then he places admonition in his heart.” (Abu Mansor Ad-Dalami with a good chain).

This is something that can happen when they are about to do something that they shouldn’t the heart is reminded. Then at that moment it can chose to follow it or not.


The place of knowledge

Imam Ghazali said, “The place of knowledge is the heart.” (Ihya Ulum Ud-Deen Vol 3 p.17).

This is where knowledge is kept and if there is light in there it will be displayed for all to see and if it is not present then the knowledge will be darkened and won’t shine through.


Conclusion

The heart is something amazing if it is worked upon with remembrance of Allah or it can something sick if someone gives in to its whims. In one sense it has to be trained to love the divine and love and follow the sacred law. This can only be done by following the Messenger (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him).

Following a spiritual path allows one to make progress by the means of admonition and obedience to a spiritual master. We are talking about those who follow the sacred law correctly. A spiritual master can take you further than you can go on your own so bear that in mind.

Hearts are attracted to things that are similar and they will go for what is similar so be careful because that untrained morsel of flesh needs to be cleaned. Only then will it give its true benefits.


Interesting quote about the heart

There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get your heart's desire. The other is to get it.
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950), "Man and Superman" (1903), act 4