Signs of Weak Imaan and How to improve it

taken from falahi.com 

 

SIGNS OF WEAK IMAAN

1) Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.
2) Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.
3) Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat
4) Neglecting the Sunnah.
5) Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.
6) Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punishments and His promise of glad tidings.
7) Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.
8) Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.
9) Desiring status and wealth.
10) Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.
11) Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.
12) Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.
13) Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.
14) Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.
15) Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.
16) Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.
17) Being unable to deal with calamities, for instance crying and yelling in funerals.
18) Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.
19) Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.
20) Becoming engrossed and obsessive about ourselves.

LISTED BELOW ARE WAYS TO INCREASE OUR IMAAN

 

1) Recite and ponder on the meanings of the Quran. Tranquility then descends and our hearts become soft. To get optimum benefit, remind yourself that Allah is speaking to you. People are described in different categories in the Quran; think of which one you find yourself in.
2) Realise the greatness of Allah. Everything is under His control. There are signs in everything  we see that points us to His greatness. Everything happens according to His permission. Allah keeps track and looks after everything, even a black ant on a black rock on a black moonless night.
3) Make an effort to gain knowledge, for at least the basic things in daily life e.g. how to make wudu properly. Know the meanings behind Allah’s names and attributes. People who have taqwa are those who have knowledge.
4) Attend gatherings where Allah is remembered. In such gatherings we are surrounded by angels.
5) We have to increase our good deeds. One good deed leads to another good deed. Allah will make the way easy for someone who gives charity and also make it easy for him or her to do good deeds. Good deeds must be done continuously, not in spurts.
6) We must fear the miserable end to our lives; the remembrance of death is the destroyer of pleasures.
7) Remember the different levels of akhirah, for instance when we are put in our graves, when we are judged, whether we will be in paradise or hell.
8) Make dua, realise that we need Allah. Be humble. Don’t desire material things in this life.
9) Our love for Allah Subhana Wa Ta’Ala must be shown in actions. We must hope Allah will accept our prayers, and be in constant fear that we do wrong. At night before going to sleep, we must think about what good we did during that day.
10) Realise the effects of sins and disobedience- one’s imaan is increased with good deeds and our imaan is decreased by bad deeds. Everything that happens is because Allah wanted it. When calamity befalls us- it is also from Allah. It is a direct result of our disobedience to Allah.

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF DU’AA

THE IMPORTANCE OF DU’AA
by Shaykh Muhammed Saleem Dhorat

© Islamic Da’wah Academy

Du’ã is asking Allah for help or for the fulfilment of a particular need. It expresses a slave’s helplessness and dependence on Allah, the All-Powerful and Merciful. It is the channel through which one gets directly in touch with one’s Creator.

The purpose of man’s creation is worship and according to a Hadeeth, ‘Du’ã is the essence of worship’. (Tirmizi) And according to another Hadeeth, ‘Du’ã is the worship’. (Tirmizi)

Just as Salãh, Sawm, Zakãh, Hajj etc. are acts of worship, du’ã too is an act of worship. Therefore just as one takes out time to pray Salãh or to recite the Qur’ãn or make zikr, similarly, according equal importance to du’ã, one should also take out sufficient time for the sake of du’ã.

The objective behind every act of worship is the Recognition of Allah as the Creator and the All-Powerful, and that one acts according to His Will and not as one likes. A Servant of Allah accepts his weaknesses and recognises his need for Allah. Out of all devotions, this humbleness and total submission is best expressed in du’ã. Furthermore, other acts of worship can become a source of pride whilst du’ã is an act which is usually free from any trace of pride.

Nowadays, du’ã has become a mere ritual. It has become a routine practice which one is accustomed to perform at certain times of the day. People raise their hands for a few moments at the time of du’ã, uttering a few words, some consciously, and some without even realising what they are asking for.

Today hardly anybody resorts to du’ã for solutions to their problems. For most people du’ã is a devotion which is the most difficult to practise. Even at the blessed places and in the blessed moments, a short while occupied by du’ãs will seem like hours. By and large, we find that the engagement in Salãh or the recitation of the Qur’ãn is relatively easier than making du’ã. This only reflects our distance from the Being of Allah, as du’ã is the only act of worship which provides us with the opportunity to communicate with Allah in the manner we wish. Lack of concentration in this act of worship shows that the performance of other acts of worship are also customary and superficial, and lacking the true essence. If we truly enjoyed the Proximity of Allah, we would inevitably have found enjoyment in confiding in Him and beseeching Him. We would have always felt an eagerness to turn to Him, in open and in solitude.

Many of us make du’ã half-heartedly, not convinced whether our demands will be answered or not. We should know that Allah always answers the du’ãs of people. However, it may not always seem so and many people, failing to experience the effects immediately, begin to feel dejected and put off. This, however, should not be the case, as Allah, the All-Hearing, undoubtedly hears and accepts the supplications of people, only that the du’ãs of some are answered immediately, whilst those of others are deferred for their own benefit.

One should keep in mind that the acceptance of du’ãs also depends on the expectations of a person. Allah deals with people in accordance with what they expect of Him. In one Hadeeth, the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam has related the following Statement of Allah: ‘I treat my servant as he expects of me…’ (Bukhãri, Muslim)

The Ahãdeeth also tell us that du’ãs (provided that their requisites have been fulfilled) are accepted invariably, but their acceptance is manifested in either of the three below-mentioned ways: Sometimes, Allah immediately answers them and blesses the seekers with what they have asked for; sometimes He substitutes what they have asked for with something that in His Knowledge was better for them; or alternatively, through the blessings of the du’ã, He removes an impending calamity that was to befall them. At times, neither of the above may transpire, but on such occasions, the du’ã is treasured for the Hereafter. These unanswered du’ãs will bear so much reward that a person, on the Day of Qiyãmah, will wish that none of his du’ãs were accepted in the world. (Kanzul ‘Ummãl)
Abstaining from harãm (clothing, food, income, etc.) is another essential requisite for the acceptance of du’ã. The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam once
made mention of a person who travels widely, his hair dishevelled and covered with dust. He lifts his hands towards the sky (and thus makes the supplication): “O Lord, O Lord,” then the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, “But his diet is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothes are unlawful and his nourishment is unlawful. How then can his supplication be accepted?” (Muslim)

By keeping the following few points in mind concerning du’ã, inshã’allah, one will benefit greatly. Firstly one should remember that du’ã is an act of worship and should be given an independent status of its own. It should not remain a mere ritual.

Secondly, one should make du’ã after performing all good deeds such as Salãh, recitation of Qur’ãn, zikr etc., and also fix a specific time especially for du’ã. In du’ã, one should adopt humility and ensure that one understands what is being asked. The time spent in du’ã should be gradually lengthened. In the initial stages, the same du’ãs can be repeated over and over, and in the meantime more and more du’ãs should be memorised. An effort should be made to learn those du’ãs in particular which encompass the general need of all the Muslims.

Thirdly, when making du’ã, a person should have a firm faith that he is asking from Allah the All-Powerful, and He is able to fulfil every need of ours. The chances of being cured from a fatal illness, for instance, may seem remote but it should be believed from the depths of the heart that Allah is able to cure any illness if He so wished. Dr. ‘Abdul Hay ‘Ãrifi rahmatullahi alayh (a renowned saint) used to say, ‘Does there exist any problem that cannot be solved through du’ã?’, and then he would say ‘How can there, when du’ã is a request made to Allah for the removal of problems and there is no problem on earth whose removal is beyond His ability.’

One should ask Allah for both worldly needs and those of the Hereafter. Rasoolullah sallalahu alayhi wasallam has instructed us to ask Allah for all our needs, however petty they may seem to be. He sallalahu alayhi wasallam mentioned that even if a person’s shoelaces break, he should ask Allah before embarking to obtain new ones.

Finally, one should not ask for anything unlawful. Many young people do not realise this and by asking for impermissible things incur the displeasure of Allah.

May Allah give us all the tawfeeq to turn to Him for all our needs and may He fulfil all our lawful needs of this world and the Hereafter. Ãmeen.

 

Actions are According to Intentions

Assalamu Alaikum Wa rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,

I have always made it a practise to write ‘Actions are According to Intentions’ in my signature on various forums. Although now I have slowly drifted away from that practise, whilst thinking of what Hadeeth to include in our first Hadeeth post, I remembered my signature on forums, which reminded me of the fact that this hadeeth is usually the very first hadeeth found in most of the hadeeth kutub. Also, it reminded me of whan I first joined the Breathe Islam blog, wherein my first post clearly indicated my intentions of joining the blog.

I decided that it was time time I set my intentions staright here too, for many a time, Shaytaan intervenes and tries to distort our intentions so insha Allaah, by reposting my intentions posts, I have full hope that Allaah accepts my efforts and that He keeps my intentions sincere throughout the course of the existence of this blog.

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَي اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلم

انما الاعمال بالنيات و انما لامرئ ما نوي فمن كانت هجرته الي الله و رسوله فهجرته الي الله و رسوله، ومن كانت هجرته الي دنيا يصيبها أو إمرأة يتزوجها فهجرته الي ما هاجر اليه

رواه بخاري و مسلم

The Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم said:

“Deeds are only by intentions, for each man is only for which he has intended, and so whoevers hijrah is for Allah and his messenger صلي الله عليه وسلم, then indeed his hijrah is only to Allah and his messenger صلي الله عليه وسلم. But whoevers hijrah is to the world he wishes to acquire or a woman he seeks to marry, then his hijrah is only to that which he has actually immigrated.”

[Bukhari and Muslim]

Arabic and translation taken from here (Jazaakallah).

Following this hadeeth, I hold the intention of spreading the word of Islam, and not just giving my views but the words of the ‘Ulamaa (May Allah Ta’aala shower His blssings upon them. Ameen)

Please make dua for me that my work may be accepted in the eyes of Allah Ta’aala.

Jazakumullah.

Wassalam

 

Hadhrat Shaykhul Islam Maulana Husayn Ahmad Madni (May Allah be pleased with him) in Hadhrat Shaykh Zakariyya’s (May Allah be pleased with him) words

As Salaamu Alaikum, 

Masha’Allah there are some great Scholars in the history of Islam, but many have not read or heard about Moulana Madni, Alhamdulillah I was reading Aap Beti the autobiography of Hazrat Shaykh and read some amazing things one such being on this great man. Then I saw Abu Unaysa had posted it in ‘Pearls of the Elders’ so I have copied it and pasted it (LOL). 

 I hope this is of some benefit to Allah

Remember me in your duas

Was Salaam 

Hadhrat Shaykhul Islam Maulana Husayn Ahmad Madni (May Allah be pleased with him) probably needs no introduction. He is among the senior khulafa (successors) of Hadhrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (May Allah be pleased with him) He was appointed as Head Teacher and Shaykh al-Hadith of Darul ‘Uloom Deoband after ‘Allamah Anwar Shah Kashmiri (May Allah be pleased with him) had left the post. He filled this position for approximately 28 years. Prior to this, he had spent 18 years teaching various Islamic sciences including Hadith in Madinah al-Munawwarah. Hadhrat Maulana (May Allah be pleased with him) was also very active politically. He was imprisoned for approximately three years in the Island of Malta (by the British) with his beloved teacher Hadhrat Shaykh al-Hind Maulana Mahmud al-Hasan Deobandi (May Allah be pleased with him) He was well known for his tireless efforts in the liberation struggle of which he was at the forefront after the Death of Hadhrat Shaykh al-Hind (May Allah be pleased with him)

By reading Hadhrat Shaykh al-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya’s (May Allah be pleased with him) autobiography (Aap Beti), it is apparent that he was very close to Hadhrat Maulana Madni (May Allah be pleased with him) and held him in very high regard.. In this book (Aap Beti) and also in his Al-E’tidaal, Hadhrat Shaykh (May Allah be pleased with him) praised Maulana Madni in various places. I had already posted a few of these paragraphs (of praise) elsewhere but I thought that I should also make them a part of the blog. The quotes are not exlusive and there are many, many more. However, they give us a glimpse into his exceptional character and the sacrifices that he made in the Field of teaching and the service of Islam and Muslims.

I pray that Allah give us all the ability to walk in the footsteps of such great men which is in essence the way shown to us by the Messenger of Allah sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam and his successors.

Hadhrat Shaykh Zakariyya (May Allah be pleased with him) says:

Maulana Madni (May Allah be pleased with him)was an exceptional personality and for me to even try and emulate him would be an impossible task and foolishness on my part. How can I possibly emulate him whose life on journeys and at home was the same, whose hard work by night was the same by day – a man who felt no need for rest nor ever seemed to tire (after his continuous struggles and hard work.) Such a man was he that he would return from Hijaz and disembark at Karachi. From there, he would immediately board a train and travel for two days and nights arriving at Deoband at 5 a.m in the morning. And then at 6 a.m he would take his place in front of a class to teach Bukhari. This is what heppened on his last journey from Haj. How can anyone emulate him?

Last year, he often travelled hundreds of miles daily for periods of fifteen days on end giving daily lectures in various places. A few years ago he promised to deliver a weekly lecture on the life of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) here in Saharanpur. And true to his promise, for several months he came every week to Saharanpur by the night train to deliver the lecture from ‘Esha prayers till 1 a.m. Thereafter, he would go to sleep and without anyones assistance he would wake up at 3 a.m. From here, he used to proceed to the station to return to Deoband and after arriving there, teach for a period of three to four hours without a break in-between

One should also bear in mind that Maulana Madni (May Allah be pleased with him) commenced his lectureship (teaching Islamic sciences) in Madinah Munawwarah (he taught in Al-Masjid al-Nabawi.) For many years, he lived such a life of dedication and devotion, that at times, he lectured twelve or thirteen classes daily, sleeping for only two or three hours per day. The rest of his time, he spent in studying or preparing lectures for the following days classes. This man had been trained in this hard manner till he became so exceptionally proficient. Now, will it not be foolish of me to endeavour to emulate (let alone surpass) a man like that?

Now, hear about his spiritual training. He was trained by that man who is the ocean of love and divine knowledge, Hadhrat Shaykh al-Arab wa al-Ajam Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (May Allah be pleased with him), in the blessed and Holy city of Madina, in such a blesed place as Masjid-e-Ijaabat. And under the supervision of his Shaykh he devoted himself to Thikrullah for a very long time for the sake of purifying himself spiritually. Thereafter, the completion and polishing of his training was done under the guidance of Hadhrat Rashid Ahmad Gangohi (May Allah be pleased with him) [from whom he received khilafat.] Therafter, for many years his spiritual training reached its pinnacle and maturity under the sympathetic and benign shadow of Hadhrat Shaykh al-Hind [Maulana Mahmood Hasan (May Allah be pleased with him)] in the seclusion of their exile on the Island of Malta. (1)

During my life, I have heard no-one else weeping so much in Du’a before Allah in the latter part of the night as I have heard Maulana Madni (May Allah be pleased with him) and my father Very often, in spite of my deep sleep I used to be woken up by his crying. Hadhrat Madni (May Allah be pleased with him) would recite Hindi lamentations with so much pain and sorrow. I was unacquainted with Hindi and could not understand, but the wailing and crying still echoes in my ears. It was almost like a child who was receiving a hiding and is crying. As much courage as Hadhrat had, as brave as he was and as much as he encountered ordeals, I have not seen this (type of crying) in any of my elders. (2)

(1) Al-E’tidaal Fi Maraatib ar-Rijaal (English Translation), Islamic Book Service, Pages 34-35
(2) Aap Beti (English Translation), Darul Isha’at, Pages 375-376

 

The Aadaab of Jumu’ah

The Aadaab of Jumu’ah

1. Every Muslim should make preparations for jumu’ah from Thursday. After the asr salaat of Thursday, he should make a lot of istighfaar. He should clean his clothes and keep them ready. If he does not have any perfume in his house, then if it is possible he should try and obtain some and keep it ready so that he will not get distracted with these things on jumu’ah. The pious people of the past have stated that the person to receive the most benefit on Friday will be that person who waits for it and who makes preparations for it from Thursday. The most unfortunate person will be he who does not even know as to when Friday will fall, so much so that he will ask the people in the morning as to which day this is. Some pious people used to go and stay in the jaame musjid from the night of jumu’ah in order to make full preparations for the following day. (Ihyaa ul-Uloom, vol. 1, page 161)

2. On the day of jumu’ah, ghusl should be made and the hair of the head and the rest of the body should be thoroughly washed. It is also very virtuous to use the miswaak on this day.

3. After making ghusl, a person should wear the best clothing that he possesses, and if possible he should also apply some perfume. He should also clip his nails.

4. He should try and go very early to the jaame musjid. The earlier a person goes, the more reward he will receive. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said : “On the day of jumu’ah, the angels stand at the entrance of that musjid in which jumu’ah salaat is to be offered. They write down the name of the person who enters the musjid first, and thereafter the name of the person who follows, and they continue doing this. The person who entered first will receive the reward of sacrificing a camel in the path of Allah, the one who followed him will get the reward of sacrificing a cow, thereafter a chicken, thereafter the reward of giving an egg as charity in the path of Allah. Once the khutbah commences, the angels close the register and begin listening to the khutbah.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

In olden times, the roads and alleys used to be extremely busy in the mornings and at fajr time. All the people used to go so early to the jaame musjid and there used to be such a large crowd that it used to look like the days of eid. Later, when this habit was given up, people began saying that this is the first innovation in Islam. After writing this, Imam Ghazali rahmatullahi alayh says : “Aren’t the Muslims ashamed of themselves that the Jews and Christians go so early in the morning to their synagogues and churches on Saturdays and Sundays. Those who are businessmen go so early to the bazaars in order to do their buying and selling. Why don’t the Muslims do the same?” The reality of the situation is that the Muslims have totally reduced the value of this blessed day. They do not even know what day this is, and what a high status it has. How sad it is that the day which was more valuable than eid in the eyes of Muslims of the past, which Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was proud of and the day which was not granted to the previous nations has become so dishonoured at the hands of Muslims today and it is such a great ingratitude to the favour of Allah Ta’ala that the consequence of all this can be seen with our very eyes.”

5. By going walking for the jumu’ah salaat, one gets the reward of fasting for one year for every step that he takes. (Tirmidhi)

6. On Fridays, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to recite Surah Alif Laam Meem Sajdah and Surah Hal Ataa, in the fajr salaat. These Surahs should therefore be occassionally recited in the fajr salaat on Fridays. Occassionally they should be left out so that people do not regard their recitation as wajib.

7. For the jumu’ah salaat, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to recite the following Surahs : al-Jumu’ah and al-Munaafiqun, or al-A’la and al-Ghaashiyah.

8. There is a lot of reward in reciting Surah Kahf either before the jumu’ah salaat or after it. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said : “The person who recites Surah Kahf on Fridays, a nur will appear for him from below the arsh as high as the skies. This light will help him in the darkness of the day of resurrection. And all the sins which he may have committed from the last Friday till this Friday will be forgiven.” (Sharh Sifrus-Sa’aadah) The ulama have written that this Hadith refers to minor sins because major sins are not forgiven without making taubah.

9. There is more reward in reciting durood on Fridays than on other days. It has been mentioned in the Hadith that durood should be recited abundantly on Fridays.

 

Preface to Adab Al Mufrad by Mufti Muhammad Shafi (May Allah have mercy on Him)

A very great part of the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (Sal Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) concerns man’s social life, his day to day living, his conduct and his dealing with other men. In some ways, this department is more important and excellent than other affairs becuase it is instrumental in makin man human or, in other words, shaping him into a true human being. Without achieving perfection in this department, the other fields are meaningless even is anyone gains excellence in them. It is the policy of narrators of Hadith to collect the Ahadith on this subject in the Book of Adab (Babb al Adab) and in every authentic book of Hadith this chapter is included under the heading Book of adab. Imaam Bukhari (May Allah have mercy on him) is correctly known as Ameer al-Mu’mineen fi al-Hadith. His position and rank is confirmed and well known among the high ranking Ulema and Scholars of Hadith, and the layman among muslims too are not unaware of his high standing. He recognised the importance of this section of the Hadith of the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and composed a seperable book on social manners quite apart from the Saheeh Bukhari. Thereby he bestowed a great favour on the muslim community and he gave the book the title al-Adab al-Mufrad. This book was always well known to the Ulemaa and it has been translated into other languages too….

Some of the peculiarities of this book as described by the exegete of Bukhari, al-Hafiz ibn Hajar al-Asqalani are:

1. About half the number of Ahadith in al-adab al-Mufrad match the standard of soundness set for Saheeh Bukhari and the remaining match the standard of Saheeh Muslim. They are stronger than the remaining books of Sihah Sittah
2. Those Ahadith that were narrated in Bukhari without sanad have been narrated in this book with proper sanad
3. Some words or phrases in many of the Ahadith cause great scholars to ponder over their correct interpretation. In this book, they have been very clearly defined
4. There are many narratives in this book that are not found elsewhere

…Let no Muslim family go without reading it. It should be enough in schools and Madrasahs to use this book to impart the teachings of the Messenger (Sal Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)

 

“And Allah is the One who reconciles and the One Who helps”

 

Masterfoods Change their minds!

Statement on Current Vegetarian Status

As Salaamu Alaikum, as many are aware and worried that Masterfoods the makers of many chocolate that many muslims eat around the world had decided to source their products from non-halaal sources. However due to many complaints (and off course the companies worry for its sales) Masterfoods the makers have changed their mind (well slightly). 

At Mars UK we recently changed the source of some of the whey which is used in some of our chocolate products. We have received lots of feedback that this decision has made it difficult for some of you, especially those of you who are vegetarians, to continue to enjoy our products.

We made a mistake. We apologise.

The consumer is our boss. Therefore we listen to you and your feedback.

As a company we value openness, honesty and diversity and we believe that anybody should be able to choose freely from our range of chocolate brands.

But being sorry isn’t enough. Therefore we commit to you today, that we at Mars UK will ensure that a selection of your favourite brands – Mars bars, Snickers bars, Galaxy and Maltesers, will be suitable for vegetarians in the near future. To this effect we are starting to change our manufacturing process today.

We will keep you informed of our progress against this commitment through regular updates on this website.

Please accept our apology

Added by datruth: Masterfoods will still be using the whey products in a few of their chocolates:
Q3.You make lots of other brands – what about the suitability of them?

A3.Other products will also be suitable for vegetarians including Minstrels, Revels, and Ripple. However, Twix, Bounty and Celebrations will continue not to be suitable for vegetarians.