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Monday 26 May 2014

ALLAH IS TALKING TO YOU. DO YOU UNDERSTAND HIM?

In The Holy Quran
Allah Is Talking To You!

Do You Understand
What HE’s Telling You?

(By: M. Javed Naseem)



Obey Him, Not The Devil!

ٱتَّبِعُواْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَآءَ قَلِيلاً مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ
وَكَم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَاهَا فَجَآءَهَا بَأْسُنَا بَيَاتاً أَوْ هُمْ قَآئِلُونَ
فَمَا كَانَ دَعْوَاهُمْ إِذْ جَآءَهُمْ بَأْسُنَآ إِلاَّ أَن قَالُوۤاْ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ
“Follow (O men!) the revelation given unto you from
your Lord, and follow not, as friends or protectors, other
than Him. Little it is you remember of admonition.”
(al-Quran 7:3-5)

أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يٰبَنِيۤ آدَمَ أَن لاَّ تَعْبُدُواْ ٱلشَّيطَانَ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
وَأَنِ ٱعْبُدُونِى هَـٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ
وَلَقَدْ أَضَلَّ مِنْكُمْ جِبِلاًّ كَثِيراً أَفَلَمْ تَكُونُواْ تَعْقِلُونَ
"Did I not enjoin on you, O you Children of Adam, that
you should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an
enemy avowed? And that you should worship Me, (for
that) this was the straight way? But he did lead astray
a great multitude of you. Did you not, then, understand?”
(al-Quran 36:60-62)

Is this message not clear enough for you? What is in this command of the Almighty that we don’t understand? Is there anything ambiguous or confusing? No, certainly not. It is a command in a very plain language. No confusion at all! The message is loud and clear – follow the commands of your Creator (not the Devil’s) and reflect upon them.
           
هَـٰذَا بَلاَغٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَلِيُنذَرُواْ بِهِ وَلِيَعْلَمُوۤاْ أَنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ
وَلِيَذَّكَّرَ أُوْلُواْ ٱلأَلْبَابِ
This is a clear message for mankind in order that they
may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is
only One God, and that men of understanding may take heed.
(al-Quran 14:52)

هَـٰذَا بَيَانٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَمَوْعِظَةٌ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
This (Quran) is a declaration for mankind, a guidance
and an admonition unto those who ward off (evil).”
(al-Quran 3:138)

The Holy Quran is the Word of God (Allah) and that means that Allah is talking to you (through its verses). There is a message in it. Allah is not talking to Himself; HE is talking to us – the mankind! But do we understand what Allah says and commands us to do to benefit from His mercy and blessings?

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوۤاْ آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُوْلُو ٱلأَلْبَابِ
(This is) a Scripture that We have Revealed unto you,
full of blessing that they may ponder its revelations,
and that men of understanding may reflect.”
(al-Quran 38:29)

Allah invites us to think and reflect upon His revelations; meditate on them; study the Holy Quran; follow the instructions and apply them to our daily life.
Majority of the Muslims in this world are not Arabs. They don’t speak/understand Arabic and the Quran is revealed in Arabic language. Therefore, their only alternative (solution) is to follow it through translation in their native language. That takes care of the problem up to the maximum of 90%. The remaining 10% can always play mischief. In this space of 10%, there are misinterpretations, wrong translations, wrong sense of the words, use of misappropriate words, misunderstanding idiomatic phrases, choosing the multi-meaning words that create misunderstanding, misleading phrases, etc., etc.
How to overcome this serious problem? The only solution is to learn Arabic language – at least the basic knowledge so that you can recognize the original Arabic word and compare its translations. That will remove all chances of doubtful translation and misinterpretation. You don’t need to be a master of Arabic to achieve that goal. But if you become a ‘master’ in the process, it’ll be great!
The second Caliph of Islam, Umar bin al-Khattab (r.a.a.= razi Allah anh) said: “Learn Arabic! It is part of your Faith (Iman).” And very rightly so! Allah says:

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآناً عَرَبِيّاً لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
“We have made it a Quran in Arabic, that you may
be able to understand (and learn wisdom).”
(al-Quran 43:3)

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآناً أعْجَمِيّاً لَّقَالُواْ لَوْلاَ فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ ءَاعْجَمِيٌّ وَعَرَبِيٌّ
قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ هُدًى وَشِفَآءٌ وَٱلَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ فِيۤ آذَانِهِمْ
وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُوْلَـٰئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ
“Had We sent this as a Quran (in the language) other
than Arabic, they would have said: "Why are not its
verses explained in detail? What! (a Book) not in Arabic
and (a Messenger) an Arab?" Say: "It is a Guide and a
Healing to those who believe; and for those who
believe not, there is a deafness in their ears, and it is
blindness in their (eyes). They are (as it were) being
called from a place far distant!"
(al-Quran 41:44)

وَكَذٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآناً عَرَبِيّاً وَصَرَّفْنَا فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلْوَعِيدِ
لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ أَوْ يُحْدِثُ لَهُمْ ذِكْراً
“Thus have We sent this down - an Arabic Quran - and
explained therein in detail some of the warnings, in order
that they may fear Allah, or that it may cause
their remembrance (of Him).”
(al-Quran 20:113)

It was God’s decision to reveal the Quran in Arabic, therefore, we don’t need to look for justification or reasons behind it. It would be a lengthy ‘academic’ discussion. I leave it to those so-called ‘scholars’ (‘ulema’) who have nothing else to do. What is important for me is that Allah sent this message for us and we should implement it – ponder over it, reflect upon it and act upon it. Allah says that He made the Quran easy for us:

فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَاهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
“Verily, We have made this (Qur'an) easy, in your
tongue, in order that they may give heed.”
(al-Quran 44:58)

Allah knows that we are ignorant, arrogant, stubborn and wicked. We always look for excuses to get away without taking any responsibility. And if we do take responsibility, we look for short-cuts (compromising the wisdom of the message). Generally, we are very ungrateful to our Creator and Beneficent. But Allah reminds us on every occasion that we should remember Him:

وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَّاكُمْ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَايِشَ قَلِيلاً مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلاۤئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُواْ لِـآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوۤاْ
“It is We Who have placed you with authority on earth,
and provided you therein with means for the
fulfillment of your life. Small are the thanks
that you give! It is We Who created you
and gave you shape; then We bade the angels
prostrate to Adam, and they prostrate. …”
(al-Quran 7:10-11).

The revelations are clearly explained in the Holy Quran. If we say that we don’t understand them, that would be a lame excuse. Everybody understands them but, somehow, tries to ignore them or avoid them. We, as Muslims, don’t have the courage to say that we don’t want to obey the commands of Allah. We always say that we believe them to be true but still we don’t follow them. This is simple disobedience. At the same time, it amounts to rejection of God’s message. On top of it, we don’t even thank Allah for all the blessings we still enjoy. Allah is not happy with this attitude:

إِن تَكْفُرُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنكُمْ وَلاَ يَرْضَىٰ لِعِبَادِهِ ٱلْكُفْرَ
وَإِن تَشْكُرُواْ يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ وَلاَ تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ
مَّرْجِعُكُـمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُـمْ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
If you reject (Allah), Truly Allah has no need of you;
but He likes not ingratitude from His servants. If you are
grateful, He is pleased with you. No bearer of burdens
can bear the burden of another. In the end, to your Lord
is your return, when He will tell you the truth of all
that you did (in this life); for He knows well
all that is in (men's) hearts.”
(al-Quran 39:7)

We are very cunning and conniving. We ignore the Almighty in almost everything we do to enjoy a comfortable and happy life on this earth. We don’t like discipline, rules and regulations. We want to be ‘free’ of every obligation. In this process we don’t even notice that we are being unjust to ourselves as well as others. Allah commands us:

قُلْ أَمَرَرَبِّى بِٱلْقِسْطِ وَأَقِيمُواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ
وَٱدْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ
“Say: ‘My Lord has commanded justice; and that you set
your whole selves (to Him) at every time and place of prayer,
and call upon Him, making your devotion sincere as 
in His sight; such as He created you in the beginning, 
so shall you return." (al-Quran 7:29)

Allah tells us to be honest in our dealings and treatment to others. We should do what we say; and we should portray what we really are. Hiding the truth and pretending to promote the truth, while in fact we are promoting the falsehood/lies, is strictly forbidden. Those who do that, would be punished. We cannot escape from the wrath of Allah if we do evil and spread (or help to spread) corruption:

أَن لَّعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلظَّالِمِينَ
“The curse of Allah is on evil-doers.”
(al-Quran 7:44)

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لاَ تَفْعَلُونَ
كَبُرَ مَقْتاً عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُواْ مَا لاَ تَفْعَلُونَ
“O you who believe! Why SAY you that which you DO not?  
It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that
you SAY that (something) which you DO not.”
(al-Quran 61:2-3)

The message of God is universal. It is very simple, clear and binding on all of us. It can be summed up in two words: Obey Me! This is the message of the Greatest Creator to the entire Creation, from the beginning till the end. In Arabic language this message is called ‘Islam’. It was the same message delivered by all other messengers or prophets of God in other languages. Islam means unconditional surrender or submission to the Will of God (or Allah). Those who do, they are called ‘Muslims’. Islam is not in the name; it is in the actions. If we believe in Allah, we should show it in every way.


If someone tells you that ‘everybody believes in God but you Muslims do it differently’. Tell him/her that you don’t do it differently than the followers of other prophets or messengers of God. We do it the way it should be done. Allah tells us:

وَمِن قَبْلِهِ كِتَابُ مُوسَىٰ إِمَاماً وَرَحْمَةً وَهَـٰذَا كِتَابٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ
لِّسَاناً عَرَبِيّاً لِّيُنذِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُحْسِنِينَ
“And before this, was the Book of Moses as a guide and a
mercy. And this Book confirms (it) in the Arabic tongue; to
admonish the unjust, and as Glad Tidings to those who do right.”
(al-Quran 46:12)

This means that we are not different as followers of God’s message than the followers of Prophet Moses. Allah even tells us that it was the same message/religion that was followed by the people during the times of Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and his tribes, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets/messengers of God.

قُولُوۤاْ آمَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ
 وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلأَسْبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَا أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ
لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ
“Say: We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us,
and to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and
that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets
from their Lord; we make no difference between one and
another of them. And we bow to Allah in Islam.”
(Quran 2:136)

We are not different from those nations. Only the account of their submission, devotion, prayers and beliefs are not correctly recorded by the ‘men’ who wanted to be different. These false records/narrations created different religions, sects and promoted disunity that resulted in animosity among different groups. The message, as delivered by the prophets or messengers of God, was very clear and was based on truth. But those who did not want to follow it honestly and sincerely, they corrupted it, edited it, changed it and then manipulated it. Allah says:

فَلَنَسْأَلَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَنَسْأَلَنَّ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
“Then shall we question those to whom Our message
was sent and those by whom We sent it.”
(al-Quran 7:6)

That means that Allah, on the Day of Judgment, will question those prophets and messengers about their deliverance of His message in front of their nations. And then Allah will also question us (and all other nations) whether we received His message or not; and if we did (we surely did), what did we do about it? How did we treat it and how did we implement it?

يُولِجُ ٱلْلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلْلَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ
كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ذٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ
وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ مَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِن قِطْمِيرٍ
“He merges night into day, and he merges day into night,
and he has subjected the sun and the moon (to His Law);
each one runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah
your Lord; to Him belongs all dominion. And those whom
you invoke besides Him have not the least power.”
(al-Quran 35:13)

God, the Almighty, has revealed to us His signs and, through His messengers and Scriptures, has explained to us how He created us, this universe and everything in it. If we, as believers, are not honest or sincere, we’ll question those signs and try to rationalize them. You are either a believer or unbeliever. There is no middle ground. A believer should see His signs and believe! Simple as that!

تِلْكَ آيَاتُ ٱللَّهِ نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍ بَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ يُؤْمِنُونَ
وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ يَسْمَعُ آيَاتِ ٱللَّهِ تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ
ثُمَّ يُصِرُّ مُسْتَكْبِراً كَأَن لَّمْ يَسْمَعْهَا فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
“Such are the Signs of Allah, which We recite to you
in Truth; then in what exposition will they believe after
(rejecting) Allah and His Signs? Woe to each sinful dealer
in Falsehoods. He hears the Signs of Allah recited to him,
yet is obstinate and lofty, as if he had not heard them.
Then announce to him a penalty grievous!”
(al-Quran 45:6-8)

هَـٰذَا بَصَائِرُ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
“These are clear evidences to men and a Guidance
and Mercy to those of assured Faith.”
(al-Quran 45:20)

وَيَوْمَ يُعْرَضُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ عَلَىٰ ٱلنَّارِ أَلَيْسَ هَـٰذَا بِٱلْحَقِّ
قَالُواْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّنَا قَالَ فَذُوقُواْ ٱلْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
“And on the Day that the unbelievers will be placed
before the Fire, (they will be asked,) "Is this not the Truth?"
They will say: "Yes, by our Lord!" (One will say:) "Then
taste you the penalty because you disbelieved (Truth)!"
(al-Quran 46:34)

Allah has explained to us that He created this universe (heavens and earth and everything between them) in truth and with a purpose. Our lives here on this earth are part of a trial. It is not a sport, nor a past-time. We need to qualify for the next life (heaven or hell) right here during a fixed period of time (our lifespan). We need to remember (worship) and obey our Lord, the Greatest Creator, and take care of fellow human beings. We need to live our lives the way He told us to. If we fail this test, we are doomed. He warns us in the Holy Quran:
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ وَٱلأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلاً
ذٰلِكَ ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِ
“Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth, and
all what is between them! That is the opinion of unbelievers!
But woe to the unbelievers because of the Fire (of Hell)!”
(al-Quran 38:27)

وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَٱلأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لاَعِبِينَ
مَا خَلَقْنَاهُمَآ إِلاَّ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ
“We created not the heavens, the earth, and all that is
between them, merely in (idle) play. We created 
them not except for just ends (truth), but most 
of them do not understand.” (al-Quran 44:38-39)

Allah tells us to be mindful of His blessings and mercy upon us; even upon those who don’t believe in God! He gives them provision, sustenance, air to breathe, water to drink and food to eat. He is not sending us any ‘bill’ for that to pay. We should not take things for granted. He makes us feel at every step of life that He is there, and should be appreciated. How can we then deny Him?

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ هَلْ مِنْ خَالِقٍ غَيْرُ ٱللَّهِ
يَرْزُقُكُمْ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلأَرْضِ لاَ إِلَـٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤْفَكُونَ
“O men! Call to mind the grace of Allah unto you!
Is there a creator, other than Allah, to give you
sustenance from heaven or earth? There is no god but 
Him. How then are you deluded away from the Truth?”
(al-Quran 35:3)

As Creation, we need the Creator to survive. We are so helpless and dependent that we cannot survive on our own. We depend on Allah but Allah is Independent. We need Allah but Allah does not need us, or in fact anybody. He is above that. And if He wanted, He could wipe us out any time. He does not owe us anything but we owe Him everything. Does that put us in our place?

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ أَنتُمُ ٱلْفُقَرَآءُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ
إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُـمْ وَيَأْتِ بِخَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ
وَمَا ذٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ بِعَزِيزٍ
“O you men! It is you that have need of Allah; but Allah
is the One free of all wants, worthy of all praise. If He so
pleased, He could blot you out and bring in a new creation.
And that is not (at all) difficult for Allah.”
(al-Quran 35:15-17)

وَإِن نَّشَأْ نُغْرِقْهُمْ فَلاَ صَرِيخَ لَهُمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يُنقَذُونَ
“If it were Our Will, We could drown them, then
would there be no helper (to hear their cry),
nor could they be delivered.”
(al-Quran 36:43)

We cannot deny the favors and blessings of Allah. On this earth, we owe everything to Him. He is the sole Provider. When He warns the disobedient of His punishment, they say it is ‘cruel’. No, it is not. Allah does not want any cruelty for His slaves. He just reminds us of His mercy and blessings so that we recognize Him, appreciate Him, don’t disobey Him, worship Him and always remember Him.

وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَطَمَسْنَا عَلَىٰ أَعْيُنِهِمْ فَٱسْتَبَقُواْ ٱلصِّرَاطَ فَأَنَّىٰ يُبْصِرُونَ
وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَمَسَخْنَاهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَكَـانَتِهِمْ فَمَا ٱسْتَطَاعُواْ مُضِيّاً وَلاَ يَرْجِعُونَ
وَمَن نّعَمِّرْهُ نُنَكِّـسْهُ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ أَفَلاَ يَعْقِلُونَ
“If it had been our Will, We could surely have blotted out
their eyes; then should they have run about groping for the
path, but how could they have seen? And if it had been
Our Will, We could have transformed them (to remain) in
their places; then should they have been unable to move
about, nor could they have returned (after error). If We grant
long life to any, We cause him to be reversed in nature.
Will they not then understand?”
(al-Quran 36:66-68)

If we travel in the world, we’ll see the ruins of ancient empires, signs of destruction of the old/earlier kingdoms and towns. These are the signs that have a message for us. The people, more powerful, stronger and more advanced than us, were destroyed when they turned to evil-living; when they revolted and went astray. But most of the times, the Merciful Allah forgives us, giving us time to repent and revert to the right path.

أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُواْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ
وَكَانُوۤاْ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعْجِزَهُ مِن شَيْءٍ
فِى ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَلاَ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَلِيماً قَدِيراً
وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُواْ مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَلَـٰكِن
يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ بَصِيراً
“Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was
the end of those before them, though they were superior
to them in strength? Nor is Allah to be frustrated by
anything whatever in the heavens or on earth, for He is
All-Knowing. All-Powerful. If Allah were to punish men
according to what they deserve. He would not leave on the
back of the (earth) a single living creature. But He gives
them respite for a stated term; when their term expires,
verily Allah has in His sight all His Servants.”
(al-Quran 35:44-45)

ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا ٱلآخَرِينَ وَإِنَّكُمْ لَّتَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهِمْ مُّصْبِحِينَ
وَبِٱلْلَّيْلِ أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ
“Then We destroyed the rest. Verily, you pass by their
(sites), by day and by night; will you not understand?”
(al-Quran 37:136-138)


We see those signs and ruins when we go visiting places, promoting tourism, but do we think beyond that? Do we read the message written on those ruins of ancient empires? It does not challenge our intellect. On the contrary, it is simple and easy to understand. Read the history of mankind and reflect upon it! Then read the above verses of the Quran and see what Allah is talking about!

The earlier nations denied the Sings/Revelations of Allah; disputed, insulted and some times even killed the messengers of God; rejected the Divine Message; and chose the evil ways. God sent to them the warning signs, gave them enough time to repent and revert, and finally punished them. In our time, we are avoiding, ignoring and even disputing God’s message. We are accepting and promoting atheism/secularism. We even give a blind eye to the warning signs (fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, droughts, virus-plagues and other natural disasters). Now, the question is: Are we waiting for the big blast?

كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَعَادٌ وفِرْعَوْنُ ذُو ٱلأَوْتَادِ
وَثَمُودُ وَقَوْمُ لُوطٍ وَأَصْحَابُ الأَيْكَةِ أُوْلَـٰئِكَ ٱلأَحْزَابُ
إِن كُلٌّ إِلاَّ كَذَّبَ ٱلرٌّسُلَ فَحَقَّ عِقَابِ
وَمَا يَنظُرُ هَـٰؤُلآءِ إِلاَّ صَيْحَةً واحِدَةً مَّا لَهَا مِن فَوَاقٍ
“Before them (were many who) rejected messengers – the
people of Noah, and Aad, and Pharaoh, the Lord of Stakes,
and Thamud, and the people of Lot, and the Companions
of the Wood – such were the confederates. Not one (of them)
but rejected the messengers, but My punishment came justly
and inevitably (on them). These (today) only wait for a single
mighty Blast, which (when it comes) will brook no delay.”
(al-Quran 38:12-15)

Allah tells us in many verses of the Holy Quran that life of this world is temporary and is a test for all of us. The real life is in the Hereafter. We should strive for that life during our tenure on this earth by remembering our Creator and by not following the Satan. Satan’s influence can land us in Hell.

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ فَلاَ تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ ٱلْحَيَاةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلاَ يَغُرَّنَّكُمْ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْغَرُورُ
إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَٱتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوّاً إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُواْ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّالِحَاتِ
لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ
“O men! Certainly the promise of Allah is true. Let not
then this present life deceive you, nor let the Chief Deceiver
deceive you about Allah. Verily Satan is an enemy to you,
so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherents,
that they may become companions of the Blazing Fire.
For those who reject Allah, is a terrible penalty; but for
those who believe and work righteous deeds,
is forgiveness, and a magnificent reward.”
(al-Quran 35:5-7)

Allah has used the term ‘Chief Deceiver’ for Satan because he always deceives men and betrays them. He is out there to prove that we are not worthy of Paradise. It is up to us now to prove it otherwise, and please our Lord at the same time.

قُلْ يٰعِبَادِ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُواْ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا
حَسَنَةٌ وَأَرْضُ ٱللَّهِ وَاسِعَةٌ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
“Say: O you my servants who believe! Fear your Lord,
good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world!
Spacious is Allah's earth! Those who patiently persevere
will truly receive a reward without measure!"
(al-Quran 39:10)

And here is the last warning from our Lord, to Whom belongs everything in the heavens and on earth. This is not only a command but also an excellent piece of advice to all human beings. We better pay attention to it!

وَٱتَّبِعُـوۤاْ أَحْسَنَ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُـمْ مِّن قَبْلِ
أَن يَأْتِيَكُـمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَشْعُرُونَ
"And follow the best of (the courses) revealed to you
from your Lord, before the penalty comes on you
suddenly while you perceive not!”
(al-Quran 39:55)

And what is that “best of courses” that has been revealed to us? It’s the Holy Quran, of course – a Book without a doubt! So, pay attention!

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوۤاْ آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُوْلُو ٱلأَلْبَابِ
“Here is a Book which We have sent down unto you,
full of blessings, that they may ponder over its revelations,
and that men of understanding may receive admonition.”
(al-Quran 38:29)

إِنْ هُوَ إِلاَّ ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِين وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ نَبَأَهُ بَعْدَ حِينِ َ
"This is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds. And
you shall certainly know the truth of it (all) after a while."
(al-Quran 38:87-88)

وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْآنِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
قُرْآناً عَرَبِيّاً غَيْرَ ذِى عِوَجٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
“We have put forth for men, in this Quran every kind
of parable, in order that they may receive admonition.
(It is) a Quran in Arabic, without any crookedness
(therein); in order that they may guard against evil.”
(al-Quran 39:27-28)


*******


Wednesday 14 May 2014

FAVORITE DUAS OF THE PROPHET (S.A.W.)

Some Favorite 'Duas' of
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

(Excerpts from: "The Way (Sunnah) of The Prophet, s.a.w.", Chapter: Whispering With God)

(M. Javed Naseem)

                                 

Man cannot see his Creator, Allah, nor can he talk to Him face to face (until the Judgment Day). The closest he can get is during the prayer (‘Salaat’) when he whispers to Him. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: ‘When you pray (offer Salaat) do it as if you are in front of Allah. And if you cannot achieve that level, then imagine that He is watching you’.

Allah is the Supreme Creator and the Controller of the heavens and the earth (and whatever is between them). Every living thing in the universe glorifies Allah’s name.

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَاوَاتِ
وَٱلأَرْضِ وَٱلطَّيْرُ صَآفَّاتٍ كُلٌّ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلاَتَهُ
وَتَسْبِيحَهُ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ
“See you not that it is Allah Whose praises all beings
in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the
birds (in the air) with wings outspread? Each one
knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise.
And Allah knows well all that they do”.
(al-Quran 24:41)

In another Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said: ‘When a man  prays (offers Salaat), he whispers with God’. Prayer and supplication (‘Dua’) is the only way a person can communicate with God in private and in person.

Your invocation (Dua) means your Faith (Iman). And Allah said:

قُلْ مَا يَعْبَأُ بِكُمْ رَبِّى لَوْلاَ دُعَآؤُكُمْ
فَقَدْ كَذَّبْتُمْ فَسَوْفَ يَكُونُ لِزَاماً
"Say (O Muhammad to the disbelievers):
My Lord pays attention to you only
because of your invocation to Him."
(al-Quran.25:77)

                           

The most beautiful names belong to Allah and He should be invoked by those names so that we are blessed and have mercy on us all. Allah has commanded us in the Quran:

وَللَّهِ ٱلأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا وَذَرُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ
يُلْحِدُونَ فِيۤ أَسْمَآئِهِ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ
“Allah's are the fairest names. Invoke Him
by them. And leave the company of those
who blaspheme His names. They will be
requited what they do”.
(al-Quran 7:180)

We are Allah’s creation and we should pray Him alone; beg Him alone for guidance, help and Mercy. It is ONLY Allah’s right on us and we are obligated to fulfill it. We CANNOT give this right to any human being - whether a prophet, a saint, a sheikh, a wali-Allah, a peer/murshid, a sa’een-baba or anybody else. In every Salaat, when we recite Surah al-Fatihah, we pledge to Allah (take oath) by declaring:

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
“You alone we worship;
you alone we ask for help”.
(al-Quran 1:5)

                          


How can we then go to other sources (saints or Mazars) to seek help? That’s ‘Munafiqat’ (hypocrisy) and ‘shirq’. Soon after the Salaat we start disobeying Allah as if our oath or declaration of faith means nothing!

فَلاَ تَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهاً آخَرَ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُعَذَّبِينَ
“Therefore, invoke not with Allah another
god, lest you be one of the doomed”.
(al-Quran 26:213)


وَأَنَّ ٱلْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلاَ تَدْعُواْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَداً
"And the places of worship are for Allah (alone);
so invoke not any one along with Allah”.
(al-Quran 72:18)

Respecting a saint is another thing but praying at his feet is Shirk and it is not allowed. For praying to Allah and invoking Him for Mercy, we don’t need to go anywhere, any shrine, any tomb or grave, or to any ‘Sa’een-Baba’. In the privacy of our home, we can talk to Allah and pray to him for help and mercy, any time. It is more convenient and free of Shirk.
Paradise is the property of Allah and He alone grants it to His faithful slaves. He has told us in the Quran, at many places, that it is our ‘good deeds’ coupled with His mercy that will earn us the Paradise, nothing else. Any man-made promise of ‘Paradise Gate’ or ‘Jannati/Bahishti Darwazah’ is a LIE with no guarantee. Don’t let the ignorance (‘Jahalat’) fool you!



Allah is the most Merciful. Every time we repent and ask for His forgiveness, He forgives us. At that time we should invoke Him with Dua.

There are certain times when Dua (supplication) is more likely to be accepted by Allah as mentioned by The Prophet (s.a.w.). (Please read chapter: ‘Whispering With God’ of my latest book, “The Way – Sunnah – of The Prophet, s.a.w.” on this blog.) The best of those times is the one mentioned by Allah in the Holy Quran and practiced by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) – before Fajr: 

The Last Third of The Night:
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said: 'In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer – Allah) descends to the lowest heaven and says: "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that I may  grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?."' (al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi).

Amr Ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: ‘The closest any worshipper can be to his Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.” (Tirmidhi, Nasa’ee, Hakim).

Dua and Darood:
Another popular time for supplication (Dua) is at the end of prayer (Salat), after Tashahud (or At-tahiyyat…) before Salam.

Narrated Faddalah ibn Ubayd: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: “When anyone of you makes Dua, let him start by glorifying his Lord and praising Him (Allah); then let him send blessings upon the Prophet, s.a.w. (Darood); then let him pray for whatever he wants.” (Abu Dawood, No:1481, Tirmidhi, No:3477).

Dua Without Darood:
In another Hadith, Baqiy ibn Mukhallid narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: “Every Dua is not responded to until one sends blessings upon the Prophet (s.a.w.)”. (Bayhaqi).

No Darood, No Acceptance:
In another Hadith, Umar bin Khattab (r.a.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Dua is detained between the heavens and the earth and no part of it is taken up until you send blessings upon
your Prophet (s.a.w.)”. (Tirmidhi, No. 486).

Darood (Blessings):
(Darood: Allahuma salli ala Seyyidina Muhammadin wa ala …)
Ibn Masud narrated: “I was once praying, and the Prophet (s.a.w.), Abu Bakr (r.a.a.) and Umar (r.a.a.) were all present. When I sat down (in the final Tashahhud, I praised Allah, then sent Salams on the Prophet, s.a.w. (Darood), then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: Ask and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!” (Tirmidhi, No.593, Mishkat al-Misbah, No. 931).

Popular ‘Duas’ of the Prophet (s.a.w.)

There are many supplications (Duas) Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) used to recite during his night prayer. There are books written on this subject and many websites offer ‘Prophetic Duas’. Those Duas are countless. Here’s just a few of them:

Hadith No.1:
The most frequent invocation of the Prophet (s.a.w.) was: ‘O Allah! Give to us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire’. (al-Quran 2:201), (Bukhari, Book 80, No.84).
 
اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Hadith No.2:
Narrated Abu Huraira: “Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said: Whoever says: ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi’, one hundred times a day, all of his sins will be forgiven, even if they were as much as the foam of the sea.” (Bukhari, Book 80, No.100).

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ

Hadith No.3:
(Bukhari, Book 80, No.101)
Narrated Abu Huraira: “The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: There are two expressions which are very easy for the tongue to say, but they are very heavy in the balance and are very dear to the Beneficent (Allah), and they are:

 سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ 

Hadith No.4:
(Bukhari, Book 80, No.98)
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said: “Whoever recites the following Dua one hundred times, will get the same reward as given for freeing ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his account, and one hundred sins will be remitted from him; and it will be a shield for him from Shaitan on that day till night; and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he”.

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهْوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Hadith No.5:
(Bukhari, Book 80, No.94)
Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari: The Prophet (s.a.w.) used to invoke Allah by reciting the following Dua:

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي وَجَهْلِي وَإِسْرَافِي فِي أَمْرِي، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي،
 اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي هَزْلِي وَجِدِّي وَخَطَاىَ وَعَمْدِي، وَكُلُّ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِي

Hadith No.6:
(Bukhari, Book 80, No.73)
Narrated Aayesha (r.a.a.): “The Prophet (s.a.w.) used to seek refuge with Allah (by saying): "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the affliction of the Fire and from the punishment in the Fire, and seek refuge with You from the affliction of the grave, and I seek refuge with You from the affliction of wealth, and I seek refuge with You from the affliction of poverty, and seek refuge with You from the affliction of Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal."

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ النَّارِ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ
 مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ
 فِتْنَةِ الْغِنَى، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْفَقْرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ

Hadith No.7:
Narrated Ibn Abbas: “The Prophet (s.a.w.) used to invoke Allah at the time of distress with this Dua: (Bukhari, Book 80, No.42).

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ
 رَبُّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ

Hadith No.8:
(Bukhari, Book 80, No.4)
Narrated Abu Huraira: “I heard Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.) saying: “By Allah! I ask for forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance (‘Astaghfir-uh Allah’) more than seventy times a day."

استغفر اللہ

Hadith No.9:
Narrated Shaddad bin Aus: “The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: This Dua is the most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ
 وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ
 بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ

The Prophet (s.a.w.) added. "If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise." (Bukhari, Book 80, No.3).

Hadith No. 10:
Narrated Abu Huraira: “Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.) said, "For every prophet there is one special invocation (that will not be rejected) with which he appeals (to Allah), and I want to keep such an invocation for interceding for my followers in the Hereafter". (Bukhari, Book 80, No.1).
                                  
Hadith No. 11:
Narrated Anas: “The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: For every prophet there is an invocation that surely will be responded by Allah," (or said), "For every prophet there was an invocation with which he appealed to Allah, and his invocation was accepted (in his lifetime), but I kept my (this special) invocation to intercede for my followers on the Day of Resurrection". (Bukhari, Book 80, No.2).

Here’s what Rumi says about the night-prayer:

THE VIGIL

Don’t go to sleep one night.
What you most want will come to you then.
Warmed by a sun inside, you’ll see wonders.
Tonight, don’t put your head down.

Be tough, and strength will come.
That which adoration adores, appears at night.
Those asleep may miss it.

One night Moses stayed awake
And asked, and saw a light in a tree.
Then he walked at night for ten years,
Until finally he saw the whole tree illuminated.

Muhammad rode his horse through the night-sky.
The day is for work. The night for love.
Don’t let someone bewitch you.

Some people sleep at night. But not lovers.
They sit in the dark and talk to God, who told David:
‘Those who sleep all night every night
And claim to be connected to us, they lie.’


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