Light Up Your Life With Islam

Archive for July, 2012

A Must Read Post by a friend! It is a much needed reminder, indeed.

iLookiListen

Assalamu`alaykum,
Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 243:

Narrated Abu Huraira

Allah’s Apostle said, “Satan puts three knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and exhales the following words, ‘The night is long, so stay asleep.’ When one wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone; and when one performs ablution, the second knot is undone, and when one prays the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise one gets up lazy and with a mischievous heart.”

Volume 2, Book 21, Number 244:

Narrated Samura bin Jundab:

The Prophet said in his narration of a dream that he saw, “He whose head was being crushed with a stone was one who learnt the Quran but never acted on it, and slept ignoring the compulsory prayers.”

Volume…

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THE Shade!

Assalam u ‘alaikum,
Bismillah.

The hadith that I am sharing in this post is one of my favorites. It is one of those narrations that whenever you read them you get a good taste in your mouth and you want to act upon it somehow, immediately. It tells about seven categories of people who will get shade by Allah on the Day of Judgement.

I wanted to discuss each of the seven points but they are so beautiful and clear and complete that there is no point in explaining them further. The only thing I want to say is, imagine the Day when there will be no shade! Sun would be very very near us. There will be no trees, no shelter, no nothing! The Day would be 50,000 years long! It will be sweltering hot and everyone will be thirsty beyond imagination and so worried and alone. Read a bit about how that Day would be like in the post “Only Imagine” and then read this post further so that you can actually feel what a great blessing and relief it would be to get a shade on that Day! We do want to be from at least one of these seven people, don’t we?

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, The Book of Adhaan, Hadith no. 660:

Narrated Abu Hurairah r.a: The Prophet s.a.w said, “Allah will give shade to seven, on the Day when there will be no shade but His. (These seven persons are:)

1. a just ruler,

2. a youth who has been brought up in the worship of Allah (i.e. worships Allah Alone sincerely from his childhood), 

3. a man whose heart is attached to the mosques [i.e. who offers the five compulsory congregational Salaat (prayers) in the mosques],

4. two persons who love each other only for Allaah’s sake and they meet and part in Allaah’s cause only,

5. a man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for illegal sexual intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allaah,

6. a man who gives charitable gifts so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity), and

7. a person who remembers Allaah in seclusion and his eyes become flooded with tears.”

O Allah, the Merciful and Ever Loving! Please make us one of these and help us act on these points.

Wassalam,
Hajrah. :)

Most Grievous Situation!

Assalam u ‘alaikum,
Bismillah.

I want to share a little experience of mine. It breaks me from inside when I recall it…

A few days ago we were travelling and had to stop for Maghrib prayers in the central masjid of Wah Cantt. It is a very big masjid and is often talked of when the famous masjids of Pakistan are discussed (or so I have heard). Anyway, though we were in a hurry and mentally preoccupied, I couldn’t help feeling a tinge of excitement somewhere inside my heart. After all it was the big ‘pink’ masjid we used to visit with our grandfather (may Allah have mercy on him) when we were little. And now I was going inside it again after years. The sky was just turning pink and the muaddhin (caller toward prayer) could be heard loud and clear. We took of our shoes and stepped inside and………… It was as if someone pricked the balloon inside me. I deflated. You know the feeling when you feel going weak in the limbs? :'(

The Mosque that I mention in my post

‘Pink’ Masjid at night

The biggest masjid in the town and only one and a half row for the Maghrib prayers??? Allah u Akbar! Do you feel the grief? If not, then you should. I wonder why do people wonder that our nation is in the worst decline ever? How can we ever progress with this state of events? Next time, someone talks to you about our nation being down in the dumps or about the corrupt leaders or any such matter, just ask them directly: “Do you offer prayer in congregation?” Seriously, let’s spread this question. Make people think!

(I’m only talking about the congregational prayer right now. Not the fact that when we got out of the masjid there were people busy selling things on carts and busy in their other worldly dealings, right outside the masjid). Know, that at the time of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w there was no concept of not offering prayers in congregation. Even the pure hypocrites could only get away with their claim of being a Muslim by offering prayer in congregation. So it was a sort of distinguishing factor between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Get an idea from the following:

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, The Book of Adhaan, Hadith no. 650:

Narrated Saalim: I heard Umm-Dardaa’ saying, “Abu Dardaa’ entered the house in an angry mood. I said to him, ‘What makes you angry?’ He replied, ‘By Allaah! I do not find the followers of Muhammad s.a.w doing those good things (which they used to do before) except the offering of congregational Salaat (prayer).” (This happened in the last days of Abu Ad-Dardaa’ during the rule of ‘Uthmaan).

The above narration implies that there was no concept of not offering prayer in congregation even though Muslims of that time had left other good things. But they just had to do this one. Imagine Abu Dardaa’ coming to visit us now… Would he even survive?

Scholars have always talked about the immense importance of prayer in congregation. Some scholars talk about congregational prayer being fard (obligatory) and some talk about its not being obligatory. Whether obligatory or not, in either case its importance is not lessened.

Feel the intensity by the following hadith:

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, The Book of Adhaan, Hadith no. 644:

Narrated Abu Hurairah r.a: Allah’s Messenger s.a.w said,

“By Him, in Whose Hand my soul is, I intended or planned or was about to order for collecting fire-wood (fuel) and then order someone to pronounce the Adhaan for As-Salaat (the prayer) and then order someone to lead the Salaat (prayer), then I would go from behind and burn the houses of men who did not present themselves for the (compulsory congregational) Salaat. By Him, in Whose Hand my soul is, if anyone of them had known that he would get a bone covered with good meat or two (small) pieces of meat present in between two ribs, he would have turned up for the ‘Ishaa prayer.”

The above hadith implies a number of things:

  • Nabi s.a.w was ready to leave his honorable position of Imam in order to punish those who missed congregational prayer.
  • He s.a.w did not talk about those who do not offer prayer at all. Rather they might be men who offered prayer regularly in their homes. They just missed prayer in congregation.
  • The last lines mean that if people could see even benefit as little as getting two small pieces of meat, they would come to the congregational prayer. Which means that people only look for materialistic gains (which do not exist in congregational prayer), they don’t look for the real benefit behind it (though the real benefit is in abundance in the congregational prayer).
  • Last, but not the least, just imagine these words coming out of the mouth of the person who was the most gentle, loving and kind and rarely angry. Imagine burning the houses of those people… It’s almost as if the loss that they’re facing in the hereafter on account of missing prayer in congregation is as if their houses burn down, with everything in them.

O Muslim men! Wake up. Wallahi! Don’t wait anymore. This Ramadan, if only you could develop the habit of offering prayer in congregation, your Ramadan would not be wasted.

Wassalam,
Hajrah.

Ramadan – Right Around the Corner!

Salam,
Bismillah.

I’ve been wanting to write something about pre-Ramadan since so many days but what with this and that, got no chance!

BUT lots of awesome people have been on the go regarding it. I’m sharing some gems here with you.

Also, sharing some written material from last Ramadan which will be of benefit this year again, inshaAllah. If you’re worried about how to not waste even a single moment this Ramadan then this is for you!

Yes, Make Your Own History!

Quran and You: A new beginning!

Ramadan Marathon…

7 Daily Spiritual Productive Habits to Develop

Are your Children ready for Ramadan?

Be sure to go through the following video links, they’re fab!

First one’s just for a treat:

 

Ramadan Prep Series by Quran Weekly:

 

Hisham al Hadi’s Ramadan prep series:

 

Muhammad Al Shareef’s Heart Wheel Journal (yes, it’s not this year’s but it does not mean it’s not beneficial anymore):

 

A Ramadan Changing series I just found:

 

AND here is a note telling you about Ramadan Programs you can join this month:

http://www.facebook.com/notes/hajrah-khawar/ramadan-programs-for-you/402945479764412

Hope you have a beneficial Ramadan, remember me in your duas! :)

Wassalam,
Hajrah.

P.S. Have you gone through Ramadan – 30 days; 30 to-dos already? :P

Ramadan – 30 days; 30 to-dos

Assalamu’alaikum,
Bismillah.

Last Ramadan, Quran on Skype every Sunday arranged Dora-e-Quran on Skype and with that assigned daily tasks from each juzz. I’m compiling them here so that we may benefit from them this Ramadan as well. You might bookmark this post and read one task daily and try to follow it, inshaAllah. :)
Share it with your loved ones.

JUZZ 1:

Task for today is “speaking good”.
‘And speak to people good [words]’ (Al-Baqarah 83).
“Good” includes all possible good things/manners related to speaking e.g. using good words, keeping your tone soft and polite, speaking with a nice smile etc.. :)

Ah! And not being angry at little things! :)

JUZZ 2:

Task for today is “sorting out the extras”.
‘And they ask you what they should spend. Say, “The excess [beyond needs].”‘
(Al-Baqarah 219).
Open your cupboard/closet. Take out the things that you have just for ‘keep-sake’ and you don’t need those much. Give them away to the needy during Ramadan.
WHY IN RAMADAN? Read below…

‘Allah’s Apostle was the most generous of all the people, & he used to reach the peak of generosity in the month of Ramadan when Angel Gabriel met him. Allah’s Apostle was the most generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds)’
(Bukhari & Muslim)

JUZZ 3:

Task for today is “making a list out of each juzz”.
You read a commandment by Allah (SWT) in the Quran and you write it down in your list (to act upon really soon or later if you don’t have strength now). And you keep filling up that list with every commandment you come across that has to be acted upon. By the end of Ramadan you’ll know what to do next and how to set your targets, inshaAllah! :)

JUZZ 4:

Task for today is “learn du’aa for taqwa and hang it in your room”.
‘O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].’ (Al-i-‘Imran 102)
Du’aa:

Translation: ‘O Allah! Indeed I ask You for guidance, Allah consciousness, chastity and contentment.’ (Muslim).

JUZZ 5:

Task for today is “do one single good deed (however small it may be) ONLY for Allah”.
Keep it a secret. Don’t share it with ANYONE.
WHY? Intention is acting upon the ayah: ‘Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom’s weight; while if there is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward.’ (An-Nisa 40).
InshaAllah. :)

JUZZ 6:

Task for today is “Share one good thing/ayah that you learned today from juzz 6 with at least one person.”
‘And remember the favor of Allah upon you’ (Al-Ma’ida 7).
We want this for our dear ones: ‘There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book. By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.’ (Al-Ma’ida 15-16).
InshaAllah. :)

JUZZ 7:

Task for today is “examine 2 or 3 fruits closely, note their similarities and differences and praise Allah for them. Think could anyone else have done it?”
‘And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.’ (Al-An’aam 99)
Do you believe? Then PONDER ON THE SIGNS. (And that will surely increase your faith).

JUZZ 8:

Task for today is “eat and drink with the pleasure of acting upon Allah’s words. But do not commit excess because Allah does not like those who commit excess.”
‘O children of Adam…………..and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.’ (Al-A’araaf 31).

This is the beauty of our religion Islam that you’re eating and drinking, getting pleasure and also getting ajar. (If you’re eating within imposed bounds). :)

JUZZ 9:

Task for today is “find your Toor”.
‘And We made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and perfected them by [the addition of] ten; so the term of his Lord was completed as forty nights.’ (Al-A’raaf 142).
Musa A.S was called high up on mount Toor for seclusion so that he be given tablets (Holy writings) by his Lord.
SO WHAT IS THE TASK REALLY ABOUT? Read below…

This ayah gives us the lesson that to do something great we need to fix some time and of course decide some job for the ‘greater good’ (that we think we can be perfect at) and do it regularly in seclusion. So take some time out today, go to a lone spot and decide your Toor and then start working on it with continuity. You will soon achieve success iA. :)

JUZZ 10:

Task for today is “watch your salah”.
It is said about the hypocrites in the Quran: ‘and that they come not to prayer except while they are lazy’ (At-Tawba 54).
(A severe punishment awaits the munafiqeen in the Hereafter).
DO I KEEP DELAYING MY SALAH? DO I FEEL LAZY IN OFFERING IT?
Keep a check.

JUZZ 11:

Task for today is “to make a separate wudhu (perform separate ablution) for every salah and be extra careful about it”.
‘A mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy for you to stand in. Within it are men who love to purify themselves; and Allah loves those who purify themselves.’ (At-Tauba 108).
Take some extra time while making wudhu and make sure every part is cleaned nicely. Then share the feel here. =)
(REMEMBER ALLAH WILL LOVE YOU♥).

JUZZ 12:

Task for today is “to do istighfaar (ask for forgiveness) with an attentive heart for at least 10 minutes, thinking about nothing else.”
In Surah Hud we read that every Prophet enjoined His nation to do istighfaar, to repent. And it has unimaginable benefits (in both worlds).
FOR REFERENCES, READ BELOW…

‎'”Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, [and] He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favor his favor.’ (Hud 3)

‘And O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in strength [added] to your strength.’ (Hud 52)

‘He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is near and responsive.”‘ (Hud 61)

‘And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate.”‘ (Hud 90)

JUZZ 13:

Task for today is “think over what your own ‘unique’ talent is and reflect on how you can use it for the service of Allah”.
‘[Yusuf] said, “Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian.”‘ (Yusuf 55).
‘He said……… Do not you see that I give full measure and that I am the best of accommodators?’ (Yusuf 59).
So Yusuf A.S knew his skills. And he knew how to use them productively.
Find out yours and share here so that others can benefit too. :)

BONUS (JUZZ 13): Share at least one thing from the story of Yusuf A.S with at least one person that really touched your heart.♥

Extra: We did Surah Yusuf today! Read a little about it here.

JUZZ 14:

Task for today is “to eat a spoonful of honey believing absolutely that it has healing for whatever ailment/complaint you may have and observe the said sign in it”.
‘There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.’ (An-Nahl 69).
Folks! This is honey we’re talking about, all golden and glittery and sweet. Be sure to enjoy it! :p

JUZZ 15:

Task for today is “to ‘lower yourself out of humility’ in front of your parents”.
READ REFERENCE AYAH BELOW*
We have been decreed by Allah to to be good to our parents, we’ve been given no choice. If we do all of the things mentioned in the ayaah it’d be exceptional but for starters we could do at least one. Make yourself physically limp in front of them. (And that would bring out the humbleness from inside as well inshaAllah).

*‎’And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], “uff,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. AND LOWER TO THEM THE WING OF HUMILITY OUT OF MERCY and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.”‘ (Al-Israa 23-24).

JUZZ 16:

Task for today is “to make du’aa with utmost faith and conviction that Allah WILL accept it”. (InshaAllah).
‘and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy.’ (Maryam 4).
Zakariyya A.S made du’aa with the faith that it WILL be accepted and KNOWING that he had no possible means or material resources that he could depend on. But he was still positive that He SWT listens and answers.
Can I make du’aa with that much faith?
‘your Lord says, ‘It is easy for Me,’ (Maryam 9).

JUZZ 17:

Task for today is “to listen to the adhaan with full attention, feel it, answer it and make dua after it”. (Don’t do this task where people are sitting and talking, go some place where you can actually focus).
Allah says: ‘And whoever honors the symbols of Allah – indeed, it is from the piety (taqwa) of hearts.’ (Al-Hajj 32).
Adhaan is definitely a symbol of Allah. How?
READ BELOW…

When you listen to it, does it remind you of Allah? I bear witness that there is no God except the One God, right? Yes, it does.
So you need to honor it next. And that’s today’s task.
What’s the significance? It signifies your heart has taqwa. And isn’t taqwa the thing that we’re trying to achieve from Ramadan day 1? :)

JUZZ 18:

Task for today is “to avoid laghw (vain talk)”.
Allah says: ‘Successful indeed are the believers………… And they who turn away from laghw……….. These are the heirs. Who will inherit paradise. There they will abide.’ (Al-Mu’minun 1, 3, 10, 11).
KEY WORDS: Successful, believers, heirs (of) Paradise.
Want to fall in all these categories? Yes?
Then turn away from laghw. What exactly is laghw?
READ BELOW…

Different people (who translated Quran) used different terms while translating laghw. Some of them are: Idle talk, vain talk, indecent matters, ill speech, impious talks, all sorts of frivolities, dirty talk, false talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden).

So laghw can be defined as any conversation or action that is pointless/useless in terms of Akhirah. Which will not benefit us at all at the end of the day.

It includes lies, falsehood, evil talk, abusive language, bragging, claiming superiority, excessive joking (yes), mocking, backbiting, gossiping, belittling someone, slandering, immoral and immodest talk.

Get an idea?

NOTE: Laghw destroys our life, we’re not able to do anything productive and it is one of the major reasons of not being able to focus in salah.

All such useless and meaningless activities which waste one’s time and does not provide one any good or benefit in return. In the referred verse, the Qur’an has mentioned refraining from all such useless activities as an inseparable quality of true believers.
A true believer, who knows that he shall have to face the Almighty and be held answerable for the use of all the privileges and resources, which he enjoys during the life of this world cannot be unmindful towards the wastage of these privileges and resources. Time, indeed, is one of our most precious resources during the life of this world. It is only the time that we have utilized for our benefit that is properly utilized. The remaining hours and minutes stand wasted. After having realized this fact, no true believer can even like to spend a minute in any such activities which are neither beneficial to him in the life of this world, nor in the hereafter.

JUZZ 19:

Task for today is “check your company acutely”.
Allah says: ‘And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, “Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way. OH, WOE TO ME! I WISH I HAD NOT TAKEN THAT ONE AS A FRIEND. He led me away from the remembrance after it had come to me. And ever is Satan, to man, a deserter.”‘(Al-Furqaan 27-29)
This is something we often ignore but it is really really important.
Why is it SO important?
READ BELOW

Friends do have a very strong influence upon us. Do your friends ‘somehow’ steer you away from the remembrance (Quran) of Allah?
Think about it. Write down the names of your close friends or the ones with whom you spend your time most and write an analysis in front of each name. And then ask yourself is this you who’s being spoken about in these above verses? You’d never want to regret on that day, would you?

Extra: Here is a video about our task of juzz 19. It’s even less than 20 minutes. Do watch! Click here for the video.

Extra: In Juzz 19, Al-Furqan 63-77 we read about the ‘slaves of Ar-Rahmaan’.
Listen to this beautiful recitation (it’s with translation) and give yourself marks on each quality they possess.
You ARE a slave of Ar-Rahman, right? :) Click here for the recitation.

JUZZ 20:

Task for today is “share your biggest-to-your-teeniest issue with Allah immediately”
Why? That’s what Musa A.S did. He hits a little snag, tells Allah at once. His life is in danger, he tells Allah at once. He wants something, he tells Allah at once.
READ THE REFERENCES BELOW*
And Musa A.S was helped in every instance because his reliance on his Rabb was very strong. We do come across some problem (big/small) every single day. This would be an effective way out.

*Musa A.S killed a man by mistake. What was the first thing he did?
‘He said, “My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, so forgive me,” and He forgave him. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’
(Al-Qasas 16).

Musa A.S’s life was at stake, he had to leave his city immediately. What did he do? He called out to Allah.
‘So he left it, fearful and anticipating [apprehension]. He said, “My Lord, save me from the wrongdoing people.”‘
(Al-Qasas 21).

As he entered a totally foreign land (Madyan), what did he do?
‘And when he directed himself toward Madyan, he said, “Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the sound way.”‘
(Al-Qasas 22).

Musa A.S was all alone with no possessions at all in an unfamiliar territory with no place to go. (He must be tired too, didn’t have a car). What did he do?
‘then he went back to the shade and said, “My Lord, indeed I am, for whatever good You would send down to me, in need.”‘
(Al-Qasas 24).

Allah is talking to Musa A.S directly and telling him to go to Pharaoh. But Musa A.S has something weighing on his heart. What does he do? He A.S shares his burden with Allah.
‘He said, “My Lord, indeed, I killed from among them someone, and I fear they will kill me.’
(Al-Qasas 33).

Then Musa A.S is worried that his speech is not clear, maybe he should have a support. What does he do? He tells Allah.
‘And my brother Haroon is more fluent than me in tongue, so send him with me as support, verifying me. Indeed, I fear that they will deny me.”‘
(Al-Qasas 34).

So that is Allah’s beloved! What next?
SHARE IT WITH ALLAH! :)

Extra: Read a short interesting piece about it here.

Last 10 blessed nights are here. This short article might be all you need this Ramadan! Do read up! Click here.

Dua for Layl atul Qadr. It’s very beautiful, please don’t miss this! Click here.

JUZZ 21:

Task for today is “watch your step and make it moderate + watch your voice and lower it”.
Luqman directed his son: ‘And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys.”‘ (Luqman 19).
‘and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful.’ (Luqman 18).
Voice of donkeys + Allah does not like them; enough said.

BONUS (JUZZ 21): Do ‘ihsaan’ (more than just good) with your mother. She did a lot, a lot for you. Will you?

‘And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.’ (Luqman 14).

Extra: In juzz 21, Surah Ar-Rum we read about nature and how Allah works it. And how we can learn things from our natural world. Read a little about it here. :)

JUZZ 22:

Task for today is “do a lot of dhikr with an attentive heart”.
Allah says to the believers (to us): ‘O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance. And exalt Him morning and afternoon.’ (Al-Ahzaab 41-42).
Doing dhikr requires no extra time at all. Whether you’re working in the kitchen, driving or shopping you can keep your tongue wet with it.
Plus recite special invocations for morning and evening (verse 42).
READ DETAILS ABOUT IT BELOW…

Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The similitude of one who remembers his Rubb and one who does not remember Him, is like that of the living and the dead.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions which are the purest to your Rubb, which exalt you to the high ranks, which are more efficacious than spending gold and silver (in charity), and better for you than you should encounter your enemies whom you will smite their necks and they will smite your necks?” They said, “Certainly.” He (PBUH) said, “Remembrance of Allah the Exalted.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

Dhikr could be any, the easiest being SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allah u Akbar, Astaghfirullah, la ilaaha illa Allah.

As per doing special dhikr in the morning and evening…
Again and again Allah mentions in the Quran that remember me in the morning and evening. We also get references from the ahadith.

The duas that Nabi S.A.W used to recite in the morning and evening are of utmost importance and can be found here:
http://dua.farhathashmi.com/

Extra: Regarding task of juzz 22: Click here.
This is the most beautiful dhikr! :)
Read translation below…

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, ‘Subhan Allah Al-‘Azim and ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi.'” (Sahih Bukhari) (Book #75, Hadith #415).

Kalimatan: Two phrases
Habibatan: Very dear/loved
ila-Ar-Rahman: to Ar-Rahman
Khafifatan: Light/very easy
‘alal lisaan: On the tongue
Saqilataan: Very heavy
fil meezaan: in the balance/scales.

Subhan Allah i wa bihamdihi: Glory be to Allah and His is the praise,
Subhan Allah hil azeem: (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection.
GET STARTED! :)

JUZZ 23:

Task for today is “thank Allah for each and every thing that He has blessed you with”.
Sulaiman A.S was grateful for all that Allah had provided him. (Saad 30-40).
And Sulaiman A.S was given a lot of things to be sure. :)
Therefore Allah says: ‘And indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.’ (Saad 40).
Think about your blessings. Offer two rak’at nafal salah and express gratitude after it in prostration, feel yourself minor!
WHY? READ BELOW…

In juzz 23, Allah SWT reminds us of the things He has given us and says: ‘so will they not be grateful?’ (Yasin 73). Will you not be?

Likewise, Allah says in the same juzz: ‘If you disbelieve – indeed, Allah is Free from need of you. And He does not approve for His servants disbelief. And if you are grateful, He approves it for you;’ (Az-Zumar 7).

Remember: ‘And whoever is grateful is grateful for [the benefit of] himself.’ (Luqman 12).

‘And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’ “‘ (Ibrahim 7).

Not left with much choice after this, are we?
Be grateful out of love for Allah SWT. Yes, out of love!♥

JUZZ 24:

Task for today is “repent and cry in prostration for each one of your past sin”.
Allah says: ‘Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”‘ (Az-Zumar 53).
A lot of times we don’t repent thinking that Allah might not consider it since I’m so sinful. No! Do it! Why?
READ BELOW

We need to repent because:
‘And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.’ (Az-Zumar 54).

Furthermore: ‘And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive,’ (Az-Zumar 55).

Extra: Read: http://www.suhaibwebb.com/personaldvlpt/worship/fasting-ramadan/how-does-one-soften-their-heart/
And don’t leave it for later. Read it NOW!

Extra: Plus there is a touching story that you might know but want a reminder of,

TRUE STORY: Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Prophet of Allah (PBUH) said: “There was a man from among a nation before you who killed ninety-nine people and then made an inquiry about the most learned person on the earth. He was directed to a monk.

He came to him and told him that he had killed ninety-nine people and asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. He replied in the negative and the man killed him also completing one hundred. He then asked about the most learned man in the earth. He was directed to a scholar. He told him that he had killed one hundred people and asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. He replied in the affirmative and asked, `Who stands between you and repentance? Go to such and such land; there (you will find) people devoted to prayer and worship of Allah, join them in worship, and do not come back to your land because it is an evil place.’ So he went away and hardly had he covered half the distance when death overtook him; and there was a dispute between the angels of mercy and the angels of torment. The angels of mercy pleaded, ‘This man has come with a repenting heart to Allah,’ and the angels of punishment argued, ‘He never did a virtuous deed in his life.’ Then there appeared another angel in the form of a human being and the contending angels agreed to make him arbiter between them. He said, `Measure the distance between the two lands. He will be considered belonging to the land to which he is nearer.’ They measured and found him closer to the land (land of piety) where he intended to go, and so the angels of mercy collected his soul”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In another version: “He was found to be nearer to the locality of the pious by a cubit and was thus included among them”. Another version says: “Allah commanded (the land which he wanted to leave) to move away and commanded the other land (his destination) to draw nearer and then He said: “Now measure the distance between them.’ It was found that he was nearer to his goal by a hand’s span and was thus forgiven”. It is also narrated that he drew closer by a slight movement on his chest.

What’s better than today being an odd night of Ramadan and thus a night of supplications already? :)

JUZZ 25:

Task for today is “protect your gaze”.
READ REFERENCE BELOW*
An Islamic idiom says: “Anything that leads to haram is haram in itself.”
What’s the first step that leads to lewdness? That first look! So the foremost thing is to protect your eyes from seeing anything that is inappropriate, let alone haram.
Protect your eyes especially when you’re ALONE watching the TV, using the internet, in a public place etc.

*Allah says: ‘Better and more enduring is that which Allah has for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. And those who avoid the major sins and indecencies..’ (Ash-Shura 36-37).
The word used here is those who avoid ‘fawahish’. One meaning of fahisha is lewdness.

JUZZ 26:

Task for today is “avoid negative thoughts about others in your mind + do not backbite others”.
Allah says: ‘O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.’ (Al-Hujurat 12).
READ DEFINITION OF BACKBITING BELOW*

*DEFINITION OF BACKBITING: Abu Huraira reported Nabi s.a.w as saying: Do you know what is backbiting? They (the Companions) said: Allah and His Messenger know best. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like. It was said to him: What is your opinion about this that if I actually find (that failing) in my brother which I made a mention of? He said: If (that failing) is actually found (in him) what you assert, you in fact have backbitten him, and if that is not in him it is a slander. [Sahih Muslim Book 32, #6265]

EXAMPLE: The Prophet s.a.w vigorously opposed all aspects of backbiting even when it occurred in his own family. For example, once a woman visited Hadrat Aishah R.A and when the woman got up to leave, Hadrat Aishah Siddiqua R.A made a sign with her hand indicating to the Prophet s.a.w that the woman was short of stature. The Prophet s.a.w immediately chastised her, saying, “You have backbitten!” (Tirmidhi)

Often negative thoughts lead to backbiting so avoid them in the first place.

JUZZ 27:

Task for today is “plan systematically how you will obtain knowledge of the Quran after Ramadan”

Allah says: ‘So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life. THAT IS THEIR SUM OF KNOWLEDGE. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who strays from His way’ (An-Najm 29-30)
Commit with a person who knows Quran/fix time, day, week/be very very firm that you have to follow the plan.
You do not want your source of knowledge to be this world, surely?

JUZZ 28:

Task for today is “Form a plan and then call your family (parents, siblings, husband, kids) to Allah’s commands so that they’re saved from the BIG fire”.
Allah says: ‘O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.’ (At-Tahrim 6).

Isn’t this scary? And Allah is addressing the believers here (their families are at risk from the fire too).

Extra: Read a very short story about it here.

JUZZ 29:

Task for today is “whatever situation befalls you (even slightly troublesome) remember that it is a test”.
Allah says: ‘[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving -‘ (Al-Mulk 2).
Our life and death is a TEST, did you know?
Even that one look that hurts you is a test. Don’t fail the test. Ask Allah’s help.

JUZZ 30:

Task for today is “praise Allah + ask for forgiveness + resolve that from now I’ll spend my life according to Allah’s wishes and demands”.
READ REFERENCE BELOW*
Surah An-Nasr was the last revealed surah of the Quran. After 23 years of tough struggle of Nabi s.a.w finally Islam was dominant. And Allah says to Him praise + ask forgiveness. Means submit to Him even after such a long awaited success.
That’s what we’re supposed to do. Submit to Him, again!

*Allah SWT says: ‘When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest, And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes, Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.’ (An-Nasr 1-3).

Wassalam,
Hajrah. :)