Granted!

Bismillah.

You’d often come across people who when they meet you say desperately, “please make dua for me”. Being a Muslim, this is a very common occurrence. Everyone is always in need of something and everyone wants their needs to be fulfilled, their problems to be solved, their supplications to be answered.

Some people are a little more far-sighted, they don’t just ask you to supplicate for them and let it be rather they want to know the ways or means through which supplications are accepted. If you are one of those people who want to know the secret recipe of acceptance of prayers, then go through the following story:

Sahih Bukhari, 3465:

Narrated Ibn `Umar:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Once three persons (from the previous nations) were traveling, and suddenly it started raining and they took shelter in a cave. The entrance of the cave got closed while they were inside. They said to each other, ‘O you! Nothing can save you except the truth, so each of you should ask Allah’s Help by referring to such a deed as he thinks he did sincerely (i.e. just for gaining Allah’s Pleasure).’ So one of them said, ‘O Allah! You know that I had a laborer who worked for me for one Faraq (i.e. three Sas) of rice, but he departed, leaving it (i.e. his wages). I sowed that Faraq of rice and with its yield I bought cows (for him). Later on when he came to me asking for his wages, I said (to him), ‘Go to those cows and drive them away.’ He said to me, ‘But you have to pay me only a Faraq of rice,’ I said to him, ‘Go to those cows and take them, for they are the product of that Faraq (of rice).’ So he drove them. O Allah! If you consider that I did that for fear of You, then please remove the rock.’ The rock shifted a bit from the mouth of the cave. The second one said, ‘O Allah, You know that I had old parents whom I used to provide with the milk of my sheep every night. One night I was delayed and when I came, they had slept, while my wife and children were crying with hunger. I used not to let them (i.e. my family) drink unless my parents had drunk first. So I disliked to wake them up and also disliked that they should sleep without drinking it, I kept on waiting (for them to wake) till it dawned. O Allah! If You consider that I did that for fear of you, then please remove the rock.’ So the rock shifted and they could see the sky through it. The (third) one said, ‘O Allah! You know that I had a cousin (i.e. my paternal uncle’s daughter) who was most beloved to me and I sought to seduce her, but she refused, unless I paid her one-hundred Dinars (i.e. gold pieces). So I collected the amount and brought it to her, and she allowed me to sleep with her. But when I sat between her legs, she said, ‘Be afraid of Allah, and do not deflower me but legally. ‘I got up and left the hundred Dinars (for her). O Allah! If You consider that I did that for fear of you than please remove the rock. So Allah saved them and they came out (of the cave).”

Many of us might have read or heard this story in our childhood but did you ever notice how deep it is? This story tells us that one of the ways through which we can make sure that our dua is accepted is doing good deeds with sincerity. Yes, this is it!

If you do good deeds, Allah will be pleased with you and will answer your prayers. Even when you want something from humans, what do you do? You make them happy. You want a favour from someone, say, you want permission from your mother to go somewhere. What do you do? You clean your room and cupboards because you know it will please her and she just might give you permission. But this is the Creator we’re talking about. Not humans. He has no comparison with His creation. He is extremely merciful and always listening to us. Only we need to take the first step. Do things that please Him instead of just talking about it here and there. Good deeds are a means of earning blessings anyway.

Also, note the sincerity in the actions of these three people. All the things that they did weren’t very big or famous or done for the sake of people. No one applauded them for these deeds. They were everyday situations. And yet it is in everyday situations that we slip. We lose the little opportunities that come our way, thinking we’ll do the big stuff one day inshaAllah. But it is those little things that are actually more difficult to do, they require us to get out of our comfort zones ever so often and to make the right decision so many times a day. It is those little things that carry great khayr (good). Because no one is there to see you doing them, it’s a test if you’d do it or not because that would be really for Allah.

So if you have any problem in life, think, do I have any hidden good deeds in store that I can use in my dua and ask Him to grant me what I need?

May Allah make us of those who are given opportunities to do good, who recognize them and avail them only to seek Allah’s pleasure. Ameen.

The Flip Side

Bismillah.

We grew up hearing, “all that glitters is not gold”. However, we didn’t pay much heed to it. We still think that all that glitters is gold. We persisted in being superficial. It’s just too deep to actually think the real story behind the scenes could be different. Who would put in that much effort?
And thus, the preference for superficiality took root in us and we started judging everything just based on appearance.

“A beautiful girl must be my daughter-in-law, who cares about the character”. 

“She always puts these romantic statuses on Facebook, she must be so happy and I’m oh-so-jealous”. 

“My friend from school has such a beautiful house and car, I wish I had a life exactly like his”. 

Yet, often the reality is very different from what we know. A poor person could be way more peaceful at heart than the one who is financially secure. Not only does this include not judging based on appearance but also not judging based on hearsay.

Friend A: “I saw him in the market with a girl in his car and I think she was his girlfriend”. 
Friend B: “Really? And I always thought he was a pious man. How fake!”

What just happened in this situation here? Person B believed person A in a trice without even thinking that his friend could be wrong. The girl in the car could very well be the guy’s sister, niece, aunt etc. We believe whatever anyone tells us and love to spread it around, as long as it highlights something negative. If only we had adopted the opposite course and conveyed what good we know of others, how much love would there be in this world today.

Mother-in-law: “My daughter-in-law does so and so…”
Neighbour: “Oh my! Does she really? Poor you”. 

Who knew what was the other side of the story? We make a judgement after listening to only one side of the story. You can never know the whole unless you know both sides. To be sure, even then you sometimes don’t know the exact reality.

Persist as we do in our unwise attitudes, Allah tells us through various stories, signs and miracles that don’t be quick to judge and don’t say things hastily.

Here’s an interesting story.

Sahih Bukhari, 3436:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “None spoke in cradle but three: …….. (The third was the hero of the following story) A lady from Bani Israel was nursing her child at her breast when a handsome rider passed by her. She said, ‘O Allah ! Make my child like him.’ On that the child left her breast, and facing the rider said, ‘O Allah! Do not make me like him.’ The child then started to suck her breast again. (Abu Huraira further said, “As if I were now looking at the Prophet (ﷺ) sucking his finger (in way of demonstration.”) After a while the people passed by, with a lady slave and she (i.e. the child’s mother) said, ‘O Allah! Do not make my child like this (slave girl)!, On that the child left her breast and said, ‘O Allah! Make me like her.’ When she asked why, the child replied, ‘The rider is one of the tyrants while this slave girl is falsely accused of theft and illegal sexual intercourse.”

This doesn’t mean that no matter what one does, you start wondering what would be the real story behind this. No! Rather don’t be hasty in wishing things that might not be as they seem and avoid being judgemental. Deal with people on the apparent but don’t judge based on their appearance and hearsay.

Make your own life and the life of others easy! :)

P.S. To read about the other child who spoke in his cradle, click here.

Woman of Substance

Bismillah.

Half the human race, if not more or less, consists of women. Their rights and duties, their status in society, their issues, these are some debates that never grow old. Islam has honoured women very highly. It appreciates them for the good they do in whatever situation they are. It does not expect the same results from each one of them in order for them to reach that certain standard of accomplishment. It does not put them through the stress of being ‘equal’ to men and doing a 9-5 job, or else be a failure. Islam is much more vast and accommodating than that.

This point is proven by the various examples of great women given in the authentic Islamic text. It does not want them to be painted with the same paint in order to be successful. It brings to light different women as role models who had different life situations and faced different problems.

Sahih Bukhari, 3411:

Narrated Abu Musa:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Many amongst men reached (the level of) perfection but none amongst the women reached this level except Asia, Pharaoh’s wife, and Mary, the daughter of `Imran. And no doubt, the superiority of `Aisha to other women is like the superiority of Tharid (i.e. a meat and bread dish) to other meals.”

In another hadith, we find:

The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ drew four lines on the ground, then he said, “Do you know what this is?” We said, “Allaah and His Messenger know best.” The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: “The best of the women of Paradise are Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, Faatimah bint Muhammad, Aasiyah bint Mazaahim the wife of Pharaoh, and Maryam bint ‘Imraan.
[Reported in the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad 2663 and it’s Saheeh]

All these women had completely diversified roles and things to cope with.

Asia RA: She had the most tyrannical husband ever, who tortured her like anything. Yet she kept her faith.

Maryam AS: She was slandered even though she was innocent. She had a child to raise without a husband.

Aisha RA: She was widowed in a very young age yet it didn’t stop her from spreading knowledge and educating thousands of people.

Khadija RA: She spent all her wealth and energies in supporting and protecting the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his message of truth when no one else was there for him.

Fatima RA: She served her family, her husband and kids and took care of the house so expertly without any sort of help.

All these women had very different lives and their situations pretty much sum up what women today complain about; a bad husband, no support system, being worked to death etc. Yet they all had one thing in common: a very strong and unwavering faith. It kept them going even when they were tested so hard. And eventually it led to their ultimate success.

May Allah make us beneficial in the circumstances that we’re in and make our faith unwavering and lasting as well. Ameen.

Ask For More

Bismillah.

Some of the famous philosophies and thoughts that are prevalent in the world today are very illogical and baseless. One is amazed at the fact that these ideas have been generated by “intellectuals”. How come then they don’t make any sense?

Unfortunately, these senseless ideas are followed by many only to be in league with the fad. Even more amazing is how the advocates of such ideas profess themselves with so much vehemence and become defensive if someone tries to argue or suggest otherwise. It’s as if these people feel that their knowledge is absolute.
And that is where the problem lies!

Arrogance over what little knowledge one has leads to stagnancy. You feel you know best and you don’t need any more. It makes one narrow minded and shallow. Allah, the All-Knowing does not like this attitude. Not even in his most beloved people, the prophets.

Sahih Bukhari, 3401:

Narrated Sa`id bin Jubair:
…(Ibn ‘Abbas said)…: Ubai bin Ka`b told us that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Once Moses stood up and addressed Bani Israel. He was asked who was the most learned man amongst the people. He said, ‘I.’ Allah admonished him as he did not attribute absolute knowledge to Him (Allah). So, Allah said to him, ‘Yes, at the junction of the two seas there is a Slave of Mine who is more learned than you.’ Moses said, ‘O my Lord! How can I meet him?’ Allah said, ‘Take a fish and put it in a large basket and you will find him at the place where you will lose the fish.’

Initially, Musa AS said something that Allah did not like, even though the level of Musa AS’s knowledge must have been the highest in his nation. He was the prophet, after all. But he did not have ultimate knowledge about everything. And, in fact, no one has it.

“…but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing.” [12:76]

That ultimate is with Allah alone!

Musa AS once he learned there’s another more knowledgeable, at once wanted to go learn from him. He didn’t turn his back in a huff that, “why does another know more than me?” It shows his thirst for knowledge and his sincerity.

If you know and acknowledge that your knowledge is no way complete and there are others who know more than you, you’d always keep growing. Then you’d make this supplication: “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” [20:114]

And the perfect knowledge belongs to Allah!

As for those intellectuals, they can get out of their shell if only they realize this and if they strive sincerely and be patient then they will find the most beautiful and and best knowledge ever, which is the Words of our Creator and nothing can be better than that. <3

P.S. Did Musa AS go to find that man who knew more than him? Was he able to find him with the strange sign of the fish? What did he learn? To know the whole story, click here.

A Defining Moment

Bismillah.

Islam is definitely the perfect and most reasonable way of life. It encourages everyone to lead a life that is pure, natural and well-balanced; be it in our food, our houses, our attire, our dealings with others, basically, everything that an individual is concerned with in his life. The man who was sent to teach this beautiful religion to all mankind was as much balanced and admirable himself. He taught by example to those around him how to lead a simple, happy and productive life.

Sahih Bukhari, 3394:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “On the night of my Ascension to Heaven, I saw (the prophet) Moses who was a thin person with lank hair, looking like one of the men of the tribe of Shanua; and I saw Jesus who was of average height with red face as if he had just come out of a bathroom. And I resemble prophet Abraham more than any of his offspring does. Then I was given two cups, one containing milk and the other wine. Gabriel said, ‘Drink whichever you like.’ I took the milk and drank it. Gabriel said, ‘You have accepted what is natural, (True Religion i.e. Islam) and if you had taken the wine, your followers would have gone astray.‘ “

It was a defining moment for the whole Muslim community. A moment when the whole course of our existence, of our lives was being decided. Doubtlessly, he was the prophet and he wouldn’t have taken the wrong cup but think about this, it was a test for him. And his wisdom saved us all. If wine had become permissible, imagine what would have been the consequences? Such is a leader! He thinks far ahead and plans for generations to come.

In case you’re wondering does it really matter, you should know that “nutritional psychiatry” is an emerging popular concept today. Your food affects your physical, mental and emotional health. You can browse some of the studies on the subject and be amazed what science has to say about it today. Take fast food, for example. The youth today lives on fast food. It usually comes from artificially produced plants or animals.

Bring a fat juicy burger to your mind, the one you see commonly in ads and consider the habits that it would generate in its devourer. It’s quick food, today you can see the restlessness in the people around you. We want quick results. A relationship almost broke, well just throw it away and get a new one. We have a deluge of information in this age, everything is stored on the internet yet we can’t stay on it long enough to learn and implement anything, we’d rather watch videos of a few seconds, keep sharing images with short texts and only go through the headings of an article. Also, the meat used in fast food comes from animals and birds that do not move around and do not eat fresh food, rather they are born, made fat and stay pretty much in the same spot till they’re slaughtered. Eating this food has made us lazy and obese. We’d rather talk, argue and debate than do something. As for the diseases that come with obesity, you all know about them.

The list of habits that we’ve adopted by eating fast food is never ending. Plus the other kinds of food that we eat today and their consequences are uncountable as well. The long and short of it is that what kind of generations would we raise when we prefer soft drinks to milk and pure water? The future looks bleak from this end. We need to change this by a mass campaign to change the direction of the whole society. Our media is full of trashy food made to look appetizing, we need to come up with better marketing for the real pure and healthy food. We need to rewire the perspectives and cognition. Not just because science tells us this today, but because this is what Allah conveyed to us many centuries ago in His Book, because He is our Creator, He knows! All we need to do is to trust Him and accept what He tells us and we can live happily.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. [2:168]

Don’t just eat halal (lawful) but also what is tayyab (good, pure and healthy). And don’t follow in the footsteps of Satan because step by step he will take you away from the good food and eventually towards destruction.

P.S. Together we can make a difference bit by bit inshaAllah, the first step being eating lawful and good ourselves and being a role model. :)

 

The Man Who Lost Everything

Bismillah.

There once lived a man who was very handsome. He had a loving wife and many wonderful children. He was blessed with a blooming business and so wealth in his household was plenty. They all lived a healthy and happy life together. Alas! The merry times did not last. One day calamity struck his household. His business was destroyed and all his family died except his wife. He contracted a terrible disease and his health started deteriorating. The people of his town considered his disease contagious and a bad omen so they turned him out of the village. He started living in the outskirts where he could neither work nor move. Day by day, his health and money reduced. His wife had to go and serve people to earn an honest bite. But the people did not like his wife to be near them either in case she was infected. In this sorrowful situation, eighteen years passed. And people started to talk. They said the way all his blessings were taken away shows that he did some wrong in his life that is not being forgiven. He is reaping the fruit of his actions.

This story is not very strange or out of place. Happy people’s lives are often turned upside down. And usually it is thought that it is the result of their own wrongdoings. But are we too quick to judge? Yes, we are! The above story is the story of Prophet Ayyub AS (Job). He was a prophet and so the best of people. Prophets don’t commit sins like normal people. His sufferings were a test in reality. And tests happen to, well, test a person. Prophets happen to pass those tests with flying colours because they are awesome. Prophet Ayyub AS never complained or become hopeless or stopped trusting Allah. He always remembered Allah and prayed to Him.

Similarly, we don’t know why a person has been put into difficulties. How do you know if it was a result of his actions or he is being elevated in his rank by this test in his life? You don’t really know. So give them a break. Make dua for the people who suffer, empathize and help them. Help them not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually. And if a person is actually not very good, then who knows how good your kind and sincere words can prove to be to an already broken heart? Stop interfering into the lives of others just to spread gossip and discuss their sufferings. We are no one to judge, seriously.

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Part of the perfection of one’s Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him.” A hasan (good) hadeeth which was related by at-Tirmidhi and others in this fashion.

Here’s the end of the story:
Imagine how hurt you would be if you were ill and then people talked bad about you. Prophet Ayyub AS made dua to Allah about his suffering. Allah accepted his dua and cured him. His wealth and family was returned to him with a great increase. His health was restored. He once again became the handsome man he once was.

Sahih Bukhari, 3391:
 
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “While Job was naked, taking a bath, a swarm of gold locusts fell on him and he started collecting them in his garment. His Lord called him, ‘O Job! Have I not made you rich enough to need what you see? He said, ‘Yes, O Lord! But I cannot dispense with your Blessing.”‘

It is said that he had two fields, one of wheat and one of barley. The wheat field was rained with gold and the barley field was rained with silver. Think of that!

This shows the attitude of a true believer. He is not greedy or materialistic. Yet he uses Allah’s blessings and enjoys them to the full. He thanks Allah for them and remembers Him always. His blessings do not make him heedless of the One who bestowed him with these pleasures. What a balanced life we can lead if we follow this simple principle. :)

Discovering Mines

Bismillah.

In this era of media and communication, a lot of importance is given to trainers, life coaches and mentors. Workshops on leadership skills, communication skills, basically people skills are getting very famous. Today there are hundreds of books out there on “How to Keep Ties”, “How to Deal with Your Boss”, or your colleagues, your employees, your family etc. There are some popular names who get paid millions of dollars just for telling people how to deal with others. And rightly so! What else would our life be about if not for the interaction with our own kind? That is how we survive!

And yet sadly, some really only survive. They don’t know why their same treatment of people works so well on some and not so well on others. The manager feels perplexed why the same motivational talk made one employee so excited and the other even more dull. The mother feels confused why the same method that worked every time on her eldest, doesn’t work on the youngest. The girl doesn’t know why the same beautiful apology doesn’t impress her friend when it was accepted wonderfully by the other friend a few weeks ago.

Why do these things happen? They happen because we fail to realize that everyone is different. It sounds very simple and basic, but trust me many fail at it when the situation arises. You might be very knowledgeable and smart otherwise but chances are you might be rubbing someone up the wrong way. Yes, every single person is different, has different potential, different IQ & EQ etc. How can we expect the same results from them by the same treatment?

The Companions asked their life coach various questions as well. And he in return would guide them and give them answers to make their lives and relationships better. After all, he was the best life coach to have ever walked on the face of this earth. ﷺ

Sahih Bukhari, 3383:

Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was asked, “Who is the most honourable amongst the people?” He replied, “The one who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him”. The people said, “We do not want to ask you about this.” He said, “The most honourable person is Joseph (Yusuf), Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s Khalil (intimate friend)” The people said, ‘We do not want to ask you about this.” He said,”Then you want to ask me about the metal (origins) of the Arabs? People are like metals (of various natures and origins). The best in the pre-lslamic period are the best in Islam, provided they comprehend (the religious knowledge).”

He ﷺ said people are like metals or minerals. What a deep word. Metals and minerals are of so many different kinds. Some are very valuable, some are worthless. Some are cherished yet have no real benefit. Some are cheap and not prized yet are very useful. Some are not even recognized unless they are cleaned and cut, then they reveal their many facets. Some need high temperature to melt, some have to be always handled carefully.

Similarly, some humans are diamonds, some are gold, some silver and others are like copper, platinum etc. If you notice, none of the metals or minerals are completely useless. Humans if only dealt in the correct manner and according to their type, yield amazing results. We just need to remember that. You can’t make beautiful gold jewellery out of copper but then you can’t make electric copper wires out of gold either.

Parents and teachers sometimes unknowingly make horrible mistakes when they make unjust comparisons between children. This actually makes or breaks the child forever. I’m sure each one of you would know some such person whose life was ruined because of how wrongly he was dealt with in his childhood. People get hopeless, they give up on their dreams, they stop exploring the opportunities. And this is not just about children. Adults have to be treated according to their characteristics as well.

So where then do we learn the art of treating everyone according to their own unique self? We can learn that wisdom from none other than our beloved Prophet ﷺ who was the most wisest of us all. All his words and actions are based on wisdom and luckily we have all of it saved in authentic books which we can read and benefit from and thus learn to rub people up the right way. What a beautiful society it would create. It would also make us a lot more patient and tolerant with others.

Notice that in the hadith it is said the best of people are those who comprehend the religious knowledge. So at the end of the day, no level of smartness or intelligence or worldly success makes you the best person. It is only the comprehension i.e. knowledge, understanding and implementation of the religious knowledge that would make you a cut above the rest. :)

The Shield

Bismillah. 

One of the purest love that exists in this world is that of parents for their children. They love their kids selflessly and would go to any length to protect and benefit them. They’d even sacrifice their life for them. What could be greater than that?

If a child becomes ill, the father and mother would do whatever is humanly possible for them to do. Everyone gives their own opinion and advice regarding the child’s illness and they listen to each one hungrily, because who knows what will work? And same goes for all the matters of life. They want the best for their offspring. 

Well, here’s the good news! 

  

I’m about to share a formula which is 100% tried and tested by the prophets themselves. Imagine that! 

Sahih Bukhari, 3371:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to seek Refuge with Allah for Al-Hasan and Al-Husain and say: “Your forefather (i.e. Abraham) used to seek Refuge with Allah for Ishmael and Isaac by reciting the following: ‘O Allah! I seek Refuge with Your Perfect Words from every devil and from poisonous pests and from every evil, harmful, envious eye.’ “

The dua in Arabic: 

‎أَعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّةِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ وَهَامَّةٍ، وَمِنْ كُلِّ عَيْنٍ لاَمَّةٍ ‏”‏‏.‏

Let’s add this dua in our routinely supplications for protection of our beloved ones. You can make this dua for them whether they’re with you or live far away. It will benefit inshaAllah. :)

Neglected

Bismillah.

The other day I came across an interesting piece of news that caught my attention. It said that it has been found that plants grow faster and thrive if you talk to them. I said to myself, whoa! This sounds humanistic. :D

I’m not sure of the credibility of this research but I do remember my childhood experiences and observations when my mother used to tend to her plants and say, “they grow so much better if they just feel cared for”. And it is indeed true. Anyone of you who has any familiarity with shrubs and flowers would vouch for this.

But this is not just about plants, the same holds true not only for animals but also for human beings. Ever seen a baby cry at the top of his voice resulting in the whole house freaking out, rushing to his side and picking him up, only to find that he needed nothing but attention? As soon as you pick him up, he smiles innocently, oblivious of the trouble he put you through.

Adults are no different, only they’re more subtle and complicated in their actions. Kids are, after all, the windows of human psyche. Adults crave attention. We often behave very weirdly just so people notice us. Many times, it is seen that relationships are at an end because “he/she ignores me”. And just like plants, we thrive and flourish when we feel cared for. In short, this is our shortcoming and we are scared of our weaknesses lest they overcome us and we feel defeated at a time when we need our strength the most.

Someone ignores you for a few hours, you start going mad. Imagine being ignored for years and years. Imagine no one else being with you at that time to whom you can turn to. Imagine being in pain and suffering as well in addition to that loneliness. Even our imagination has its limits!

We find in Sahih Bukhari, 3266:

Narrated Yali:

That he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) on the pulpit reciting:– “They will cry: “O Malik!’ (43.77) (Malik is the gate-keeper (angel) of the (Hell) Fire.)

What is this being talked about?

We find in Az-Zukhraf 77:

And they will call, “O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!” He will say, “Indeed, you will remain.”

This has been explained in more detail in Sahih At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb 3691:

 

عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنهما قال إن أهل النار يدعون مالكا فلا يجيبهم أربعين عاما ثم يقول إنكم ماكثون ثم يدعون ربهم فيقولون ربنا أخرجنا منها فإن عدنا فإنا ظالمون فلا يجيبهم مثل الدنيا ثم يقول اخسؤوا فيها ولا تكلمون ثم ييأس القوم

Narrated Abdullah ibn ‘Umar RA, he said: the people of the fire will call upon Malik (the gatekeeper angel of hell-fire) but he will not respond to them for forty years, then he will say that indeed you will remain. Then they will call upon their Lord, and they will say, O our Lord! Take us out of this, if we turn back to what we did then indeed we are the wrongful. He will not respond to them like in this world, then He will say, remain despised therein and do not speak to Me. Then the people will lose hope. 

Imagine being ignored for 40 whole years! Being in torment, begging for mercy and getting no answer. Imagine being shunned even when responded to after 40 years. Imagine being in the dark and torturous fire forever, imagine being hopeless! Oh, the agony!

Hopeless! What a sad and depressing word. What do we live for in this life if not for our dreams and hopes? Hopelessness in this world leads us to depression which has led many to commit suicide. The worst form of punishment for criminals is solitary confinement. Take away someone’s hope and ignore them absolutely, and you have a dead person already! But there they won’t be able to die even! They have to live in that torment forever and ever!

But why? One asks why would this happen to them? Because they were given chances in this world again and again to reform themselves, to turn over a new leaf but they did not. They disobeyed Allah, their Creator and landed themselves in this mess. Remember, He is not unjust to anyone. We have been given time in this world. This is our chance! Let’s avail that and save ourselves from being ignored forever, not to mention other forms of torture in the hell-fire. We just can’t bear to be neglected, really!

Accursed!

Bismillah.

There are some universally accepted principles and morals in this world, the adherence to which is considered good and nonconformity to them is considered bad. We know that according to a universal principle, being angry or hating someone is detestable. However, there are exceptions! Sometimes it is good to be angry and very good to hate someone. That is, if the subject really  requires it. And there is no entity that requires our hate and anger as much as Satan, the accursed.

Once you get to know about him, you wish you could skin him alive. Fortunately, there are ways in which you can torture him for real. But the issue is we don’t hate him that much, because we don’t know about him. Understandably, we can’t see him in our physical world and so it seems like a thing of faraway. However, he does not feel like that. He feels very much close to us and is always plotting against us, and by ‘always’ I mean 24/7 literally.

Whether you hate him or not, he definitely hates you. And he wishes nothing but destruction upon you. He despises us so much that he’s prepared to mislead us from the day we come into this world. Actually he prepares the ground even before that. By misleading our parents. Imagine the worst enemy you can, and think what he would wish upon you. That nothing goes right in your life, you acheive nothing good and that you be tortured to death by being burnt or something. But guess what? Satan hates us even more, he doesn’t want you to die but to live in the worst torture ever imaginable, the hell-fire! The Fire which is 69 times more severe than the fire of this world. And he wants you to remain there forever! Sadly ever after!

If by this time, you’ve started feeling hatred in your heart for him, then read on! Allah is our Creator and the Creator of Satan as well. He knows us best. So He has told us precautionary measures which can save us from his plots and tricks. Of those is saving your children from his malice even before they’re born, or to make it exact, even before they start existing (inside the womb).

We find in Sahih Bukhari, 3271:

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If anyone of you, when having sexual relation with his wife, say: ‘In the name of Allah. O Allah! Protect us from Satan and prevent Satan from approaching our offspring you are going to give us,’ and if he begets a child (as a result of that relation) Satan will not harm it.”

Not only will this protect your kids from Satan, but will also make the act a good deed, because you’re remembering Allah and therefore it shows you’re conscious of Him even while being intimate.

There was one woman who was so wise that not only her own kid but her grandchild was also saved from Satan. It was the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus.

We find in Sahih Bukhari, 4548 (Arabic reference):

Narrated Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab:
Abu Huraira said, “The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘No child is born but that, Satan touches it when it is born whereupon it starts crying loudly because of being touched by Satan, except Mary and her son.” Abu Huraira then said, “Recite, if you wish: “And I seek Refuge with You (Allah) for her and her offspring from Satan, the outcast.” (3.36)

Be insightful and secure the future of your children. Remember, knowing your enemy gives you advantage over him. Get to know about him. You’ll be amazed how much he interferes in your life. He tries to share your food by making you forget taking Allah’s Name over it, He distracts you during your prayer, He brings evil thoughts in your mind, He makes you forget things. The list is very long. Do your own research and know his traps because his traps are no joke. He promised to lead us astray in whatever way he can.

He said: Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You].” (7:17)

Save yourself before it’s too late! Hating him is not enough, you have to fight him with the right weapons. The weapons given to us by Allah and His Prophet ﷺ.

The good news is there are ways in which you can make him cry and writhe in misery. Allah has taught us those ways in His Book and in the hadith of His Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Do you know of any? Share in the comments section below (with reference).

[Iblees] said, “Do You see this one whom You have honored above me? If You delay me until the Day of Resurrection, I will surely destroy his descendants, except for a few.” [Allah] said, “Go, for whoever of them follows you, indeed Hell will be the recompense of you – an ample recompense. And incite [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your horses and foot soldiers and become a partner in their wealth and their children and promise them.” But Satan does not promise them except delusion. Indeed, over My [believing] servants there is for you no authority. And sufficient is your Lord as Disposer of affairs. (17:62-65)

Here’s an interesting take on the subject:
https://knowinghearts.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/know-thy-enemy/

P.S. Always read your duas of protection. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has taught us those extensively.