521. Can I Offer Salaatul Khawf, The “Fear Prayer” In Times Such As These When We Fear The Coronavirus?

By Asma bint Shameem 

No we cannot pray Salaatul Khawf for this purpose. 

That is NOT the correct understanding regarding this prayer.

Although Salaatul Khawf or the Fear Prayer is prescribed in Ialaam, this prayer can NOT be offered in times of fear of a disease, epidemics or other such issues. 

Rather Salaatul Khawf is to be read at times of WAR. 

*Proof*:

Allaah says:

“When you (O Messenger Muhammad) are among them, and lead them in As‑Salaah (the fear prayer), let one party of them stand up [in Salaah (prayer)] with you taking their ARMS with them; when they finish their prostrations, let them take their positions in the rear and let the other party come up which have not yet prayed, and let them pray with you taking all the precautions and bearing ARMS.” 

[Surah al-Nisa’ :102]

And Allaah says:

“And if you fear (an enemy), perform Salaah (pray) on foot or riding”

[al-Baqarah 2:239]

Jaabir radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“We went out with the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam to *FIGHT* some people from Juhaynah, and they fought us fiercely. 

When we prayed Dhuhr, the mushrikeen said: 

‘If we had attacked them then, we would have finished them off.’

Jibreel informed the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam about that, and the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam told us about it. 

He said: ‘They (the Mushrikeen) said: 

“There will come to them a prayer that is dearer to them than their children.’ 

When the time for ‘Asr came, we formed two rows, and the mushrikeen were between us and the qiblah … Then he stated that the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam led them in offering the fear prayer.”

(Muslim, 840)

This was the occasion when the Fear prayer was prescribed by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala; 

that is, at the time of WAR. 

And there are other authentic Ahaadeeth regarding that. 

The above proves that Salaatul Khawf is read at times of WAR and NOT at times of fear due to some disease, epidemic or sickness. 

*So if we shouldn’t pray this prayer now, what can we do in such situations where we fear a disease or epidemic*?

1. First of all, a Believer does not fear any disease, person or thing. 

Rather, a Believer fears ALLAAH Alone. 

2. Have Tawakkul in Allaah. 

NOTHING can harm you if Allaah didn’t will that to happen. 

3. Hold on to the Sunnah and follow what the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam has taught us. 

Do NOT innovate NEW ways of worshipping Allaah to ask for protection. 

Actually that will BRING ON the WRATH of Allaah, rather than take it away.

4. Make Taubah. 

Take a hard look at yourself, identify your mistakes, then turn sincerely in repentance to Allaah, resolving NEVER to do that sin again. 

5. Read your five daily prayers regularly. Guard them with your LIFE. 

6. Read the morning and evening adhkaar, bedtime adhkaar and other adhkaar regularly. 

7. Stay away from ALL MAJOR sins especially music. 

8. Make lots of duaa to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala and ask Him to protect you and your family and the rest of the Ummah from all sicknesses and afflictions. 

9. Give sadaqah and help those who’ve been afflicted. 

10. Read Tahajjud prayers and make duaa and Istighfaar in the last third of the night. 

Do other good deeds as much as possible. 

11. Read Qunoot an-Naazilah:

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam led the Sahaabah in prayer and read Qunoot an-Naazilah in the last rak’ah of every Fardh prayer when the Ummah was hit with a calamity. 

May Allaah protect the Ummah, keep us all safe and guide us always. Ameen. 

And Allaah knows best

520. Should I Break My Prayer To Join The Jama’ah Or Continue With My Prayer?

By Asma bint Shameem 

If I’m praying Sunnah and the iqaamah is called, what should I do?

Should I break my prayer to join the Jama’ah or continue with my prayer?

*ANSWER*

If you’re praying Sunnah (or anytime else) and the iqaamah is called, if you’re about to *finish* your prayer, you should do so quickly. Then join the Jama’ah. 

But if you’ve *JUST BEGUN*, then you should stop praying and join the Jama’ah. 

*PROOF:*

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“When the iqaamah for prayer is given, there is no prayer except the prescribed prayer.” (Muslim)

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

“If a person enters the masjid and is praying the sunnah while the iqaamah is called, then the best opinion in this case is that if he is in his second rak‘ah, he should shorten it, and if he is in the first rak‘ah, he should just break his prayer and enter the congregation with the Imaam. 

So, if one has performed the ruku‘ for the second rak‘ah, then he should complete the prayer, and if not, then he should discontinue because what is left from his sujud and tashahhud is not needed any more. 

Moreover, he should break without salaam, and it is enough to have the intention in the heart, contrary to common misconception.“

(Fatawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 1/345)

*HOW” to stop your rak’ah*

There’s no “special way” to stop your rak’ah. 

And there’s no need to say salaam or sit for tashahhud etc. 

Simply stop where ever you are in your prayer and join the Jama’ah. 

Abd don’t worry. 

There’s no sin in doing so because you’re actually following the instructions of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

And Allaah knows best

519. What To Do If I Don’t Have ‘Time’ To Pray At My Job?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Salaah is *“THE absolute, most important”* part of a Muslim’s life.

It’s the very first thing we’ll be asked about when we stand in front of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

If the Salaah is good, everything else will be good. 

If the Salaah is lacking, then everything else is of no use. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

*"The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer.* 

*If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound.*

*And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad."* 

(al-Tabarani; saheeh by al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jami, vol.1, p. 503)

After all, what distinguishes us from all the non Muslims out there?

*It’s the Salaah*, of course. 

So we *MUST do our BEST* to pray on time. 

And *exert every effort* that we can to make it possible. 

I’m sure it’s busy at work. 

But I’m *also* sure you would have a break, even if it’s for just ‘five’ minutes. 

It could be a bathroom break. 

Or a lunch break. 

Or any thing else.

So ask them for a coffee break but don’t drink coffee. 

Use that time to pray instead. 

Or tell them you want a lunch break. 

But before eating, go pray. 

*You MUST strive hard* to find a way, *somehow*, to offer your prayers at work and take the few minutes they give you and pray. 

*Some suggestions*

1. Pray JUST the fardh. 

This way it would take less than five minutes for you to pray the four rak’aat of Dhuhr. 

Or four rak’aat of Asr.

2. Make wudhu *before* you leave home for work then put on *socks*.

This way you wouldn’t have to wash your feet when making wudhu. 

All you would do is simply wipe over the socks. 

And you can even wipe over your hijaab, as well. 

This will save you time. 

3.If there’s absolutely *nothing* you can do, and your taking a break would jeopardize the safety of others or is harmful to you or others in some way, you ‘may’ *combine* the Dhuhr and Asr prayers. 

So for example, if you’re a surgeon or someone who works in the operating room and you can’t leave your patient in the middle of surgery, or you’re a soldier that guards the borders, or you’re a security officer, or you’re in some other serious situations, you may combine the prayers and Dhuhr with Asr. 

But that’s a *last resort*. 

4. If *none* of these things will work, and you don’t have even five minutes for coffee, lunch, bathroom etc, and there’s no way for you to even combine your prayers, then *you must leave this job*. 

Start ACTIVELY looking for another job ASAP that allows you a few minutes to pray. 

You ‘may’ stay in this job until you find another appropriate job in the meantime. 

But hate it in your heart. 

*Remember there’s no good in a job that keeps you away from the remembrance of your Rabb and your obligatory duties.*

*There will be no Khair in it.*

*There will be NO Barakah.*

*NOTHING is worth losing your Salaah over.*

Shaikh Salah as-Sawy said to a man who couldn’t go for Jumu’ah prayers because of his job:

“It is not befitting for you to take a job that consistently distracts you from performing Friday Prayer. 

So, either you manage the situation with the administration so that you are allowed to perform it, or you consider this job a temporary one and exert great effort in searching for a lawful alternative that enables you to perform this obligation. 

When you find that alternative, you should go for it at the first opportunity.”

*Another point to keep in mind*.

A Muslim should NEVER by “shy” or “embarrassed” to offer prayers in front of the non Muslims. 

Alhamdulillaah *everyone* knows about our Deen, our Salaah and Islaam. 

So instead of being ‘embarrassed’ or ‘shy’, we should be PROUD to be Muslim. 

After all, you’re *obeying* Allaah. 

Show them with your good work ethics, honesty and hard work what Islaam is all about. 

Talk to them about our five daily prayers and how important they are in a Muslim’s life. 

Tell them THAT’S what keeps you connected to your Rabb. 

And THAT’S the source of your inspiration. 

If we’re proud of our Deen, that reflects in our talk, our attitude and our dealings. 

It gives us *confidence* and gives us *integrity*. 

This comes off as something very *positive* for our jobs and careers and *establishes us as a person of virtue and principles*. 

So hold you head up high and pray when it’s time. 

It’s the *least* we can do, if we are Muslim. 

As they say in English:

“When there’s a will, there’s a way.”

And Allaah knows best

518. Du’aas At Times Of Calamity And Tribulations

By Asma bint Shameem

 The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) used to seek refuge with Allaah a great deal from trials and tribulations, and would say:

“Seek refuge with Allaah from trials and tribulations, both visible and hidden.” (Muslim). 

 

We should know these duaas and use them to seek refuge in Allaah when we are tested. Some of these are:

1) Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu 

said that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said: 

“My Lord came to me tonight in the most beautiful form…” and in this hadeeth he said that Allaah said, 

“O Muhammad, when you pray, then say: 

 

اللهم إني أسألك فعل الخيرات ، وترك المنكرات ، وحب المساكين ، وأن تغفر لي وترحمني وتتوب علي ، وإن أردت بعبادك فتنة فاقبضني 

إليك غير مفتون

 

‘Allaahumma inni as’aluka fi’l al-khayraat wa tark al-munkaraat, wa hubb al-masaakeen, wa an taghfira li wa tarhamani wa tatooba ‘alayya. Wa in aradta bi ‘ibaadika fitnatan, faqbidni ilayka ghayra maftoon’

 

“O Allaah, I ask You (to enable me) to do good deeds and avoid evil deeds, and to love the poor, and (I ask You) to forgive me, have mercy on me and accept my repentance. If You will that some trial should befall Your slaves, then take me to You [i.e., cause me to die] without having subjected to that trial).”

(Tirmidhi- saheeh by al-Albaani)

 Additionally, at the end of the hadith, the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said, 

“Verily it is true so learn it and teach it.”“

2) Umm Salama radhi Allaahu anhaa said that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said: 

إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ اللَّهُمَّ أْجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيبَتِي وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْرًا مِنْهَا

“There is no Muslim who is afflicted with a calamity and says that which Allaah has enjoined...

“Innaa lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon. Allaahumma ajurni fi museebati wakhluf li khayran minha”

“Verily to Allaah we belong and unto Him is our return. O Allaah, reward me for my calamity and compensate me with something better than it”

*but Allaah will COMPENSATE him with something BETTER than it.”*(Muslim)

3) Ibn ‘Abbaas radhi Allaahu anhu said that the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) used to say at times of distress:

 

لا إله إلا الله العظيم الحليم ، لا إله إلا الله رب العرش العظيم ، لا إله إلا الله رب السموات ورب الأرض ورب العرش الكريم 

 

“Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah al-‘Azeem al-Haleem, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb al-‘Arsh al-‘azeem, la ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb ul-samawaati wa Rabb ul-ard wa Rabb ul-‘Arsh il-kareem”

 

“There is no god but Allaah, the All-Powerful, the Forbearing; there is no god but Allaah, Lord of the mighty Throne; there is no god but Allaah, Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, and Lord of the noble Throne.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim). 

4) The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said: 

“Shall I not tell you of something that, if any worldly calamity or disaster befalls any man among you and he says these words, he will be relieved of it. (It is) the du’aa’ of Dhu’l-Noon:

 

لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين

 

“Laa ilaaha illa anta subhaanaka inni kuntu min al-zaalimeen 

 

“None has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allaah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]! Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers.” 

 

According to another report: 

“No Muslim man says this du’aa’ concerning anything but Allaah will answer his prayer.” 

(Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer wa Ziyaadatuhu) 

 

5) The Messenger of Allaah sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

“The du’aa’ of the person who is in distress is:

 

اللَّهُمَّ رَحْمَتَكَ أَرْجُو فَلا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ

 

‘Allaahumma rahmataka arjoo fa laa takilni ilaa nafsi tarfat ‘ayn wa aslih li sha’ni kullahu laa ilaaha illa anta 

 

“O Allaah, for Your mercy I hope, so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for the blink of an eye; rectify all my affairs. There is no god except You” (Abu Dawood - Hasan by al-Albaani)

 

6) If some matter was troubling him, he (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) would say, 

 

يا حي يا قيوم برحمتك أستغيث

 

Yaa Hayyu yaa Qayyoom bi rahmatika astagheeth 

 

“O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek Your help.” 

(Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer). 

7) The Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said to Asma’ bint ‘Umays radhi Allaahu anhaa:

“Shall I not teach you some words which you can say at times of distress and hardship? 

اللهُ اللهُ رَبِّي لَا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا

 

‘Allaahu Allaahu rabbee laa ushriku bihi shay’an 

(Allaah, Allaah is my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him).’”

(Abu Dawood -saheeh by al-Albaani)

 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said: 

“There is no-one who is afflicted by distress and grief, and says:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ ، وَابْنُ عَبْدِكَ ، وَابْنُ أَمَتِكَ ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ ، أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ ، أَوْ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي ، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي ، وَجِلاءَ حُزْنِي ، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي

 

‘Allaahumma inni ‘abduka ibn ‘abdika ibn amatija naasyati bi yadika, maada fiyya hukmuka, ‘adlun fiyya qadaa’uka. As’aluka bi kulli ismin huwa laka sammayta bihi nafsaka aw anzaltahu fi kitaabika aw ‘allamtahu ahadan min khalqika aw ista’tharta bihi fi ‘ilm il-ghayb ‘indaka an taj’al al-Qur’aana rabee’ qalbi wa noor sadri wa jalaa’ huzni wa dhihaab hammi’

 

“O Allaah, I am Your slave, son of Your slave, son of Your maidservant; my forelock is in Your hand, Your command over me is forever executed and Your decree over me is just. I ask You by every name belonging to You which You have named Yourself with, or revealed in Your Book, or You taught to any of Your creation, or You have preserved in the knowledge of the Unseen with You, that You make the Qur’aan the life of my heart and the light of my breast, and a departure for my sorrow and a release for my anxiety),’ 

 

*but Allaah will take away his distress and grief, and replace it with joy.”* 

He was asked: 

“O Messenger of Allaah, should we learn this?” 

He said: 

“Of course; everyone who hears it should learn it.” 

(Ahmad- saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah) 

 

May Allaah protect us all. Ameen 

And Allaah knows best.

517. Always Assume The Best

By Asma bint Shameem

Abu Qilaabah said:

“If some information reaches you about your brother which you dislike, then search for an excuse for him. 

And if you do not find an excuse for him, then say: 

“Maybe he has an excuse which I have no knowledge of.”  

And Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab said:

“Do not think about a word that exits from a Muslim’s mouth except that you interpret it in the *BEST manner.*”

Ja‘far ibn Muhammad said: 

“If you hear something about your brother that you dislike, then look for *excuses* for him, *from one to seventy excuses*; 

if you find an excuse for him (all well and good), otherwise say: 

Perhaps he has an excuse that I do not know of.”

[Al-Bayhaqi- ash-Shu‘ab (8344)]

Shaikh Ibn Baz said: 

“What is legislated for the believer is to respect his brother if he offers an excuse to him, to accept his apology if possible, and to think positively of him as much as possible, striving to keep hearts free of resentment and aiming to bring about unity and co-operation in doing good. It was narrated from ‘Umar radhi Allaahu anhu that he said: Do not think badly of any word uttered by your brother when you can find a good interpretation for it.”

 (Majmoo‘ Fatawa Ibn Baz, 26/365)

 *Points to hold on to:*

▪️Think POSITIVE of others. 

▪️Let go of GRUDGES. 

▪️SMILE and MOVE ON. 

▪️Anger only imprisons “YOU”.

516. I Didn’t Pray My Salaah When I Was Younger. Can I Make Them Up Now?

By Asma bint Shameem 

If someone has missed a lot of fardh Salaah for no valid reason and it’s been a while, then there’s *no making up for it*. 

It’s *too late* and what’s gone is *gone*. 

That’s because Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala has prescribed *specific times* for specific Salaah and once the time is gone, that Salaah is also gone. 

Allaah says:

“Verily, As‑Salaah is enjoined on the believers at *fixed hours*” 

(Surah al-Nisaa :103)

*Just think about it.*

Allaah and His Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam have told us SPECIFIC times when a particular Salah will *start* and and when it will *END*. 

*So how can any prayer that’s done after the times ends be valid?* 

Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen said: 

“If a person misses a Salah without any Shar’ee excuse, then *even if he prays that Salah a THOUSAND times, he won’t be able to pray it.”*

Subhaan Allaah!

And he said:

“Prayer is an act of worship that is to performed at specific times, and whoever does not do an act of worship that is tied to a specific time – such as prayer and fasting – until that time is over, with no excuse, then repents, does not have to make up what he omitted, because this act of worship has been limited by the Lawgiver to the beginning and ending of that time.” 

(Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 1/322)

*SO NOW WHAT TO DO*?

1.Make sincere, heartfelt Taubah to Allaah. 

2. Have deep, DEEP regret in your heart for missing Salaah. 

3. Make firm resolve never EVER to miss your Salaah again.

4. Be EXTREMELY VIGILANT about your Salaah. 

Guard it with your LIFE. 

5. Do as many good deeds as possible in the hope that the good deeds will outweigh the bad deeds and cancel them out with the Mercy of Allaah. 

“Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds” (Surah Hood :114)

BUT if you genuinely forgot, or overslept and missed the Salaah *unintentionally*, or you’re a doctor saving someone’s life or something like that, and you missed your Salaah, then in that situation you should make it up as soon as possible. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever forgets a prayer or sleeps and misses it, let him pray it when he remembers, and there is no other expiation for it but that.” 

(Al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

Also notice that this “missing” of the Salaah would be something RARE, here and there, in certain specific situations ONLY. 

it’s not something ROUTINE. 

May Allaah enable us to be regular in our Salaah and enable us to guard it with our lives. Ameen. 

And Allaah knows best

515. The Most DANGEROUS Body Part

By Asma bint Shameem 

One of the biggest blessings of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala is the *tongue*. 

It is also one of the most DANGEROUS. 

That's because whatever the tongue utters, affects the heart. 

And whatever affects the heart, the rest of the body follows. 

For this reason, every morning when we wake up, each part of our body rebukes the tongue, admonishes it and reminds it to fear Allaah and have taqwa of Him. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“When the son of Adam awakens in the morning, all of his body parts defer to the tongue and they say: 

FEAR Allaah concerning us, for we are (dependent) upon you. If you are straight then we are straight, and if you are corrupt then we are corrupt.” 

(at-Tirmidhi -hasan by al-Albaani)

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam also said:

"A person utters a word THOUGHTLESSLY (i.e., without thinking about its being good or not) and, as a result of this, he will fall down into the fire of Hell deeper than the distance between the east and the west."

(al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

What a SCARY hadeeth!

And what a DANGEROUS body part!

So keep that tongue under checks and bounds. 

WATCH what you say. 

It could mean the DIFFERENCE between PARADISE and HELL.

And Allaah knows best

514. A Forgotten Way To Honor Your Parents

By Asma bint Shameem 

Of course we all know that honoring our parents is one of the *BEST* deeds in Islaam and one of the *’most beloved’* to Allaah. 

It’s a *direct Order* from Him and is something that earns great rewards. 

Allaah says:

*“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents”*

(Surah al-Israa:23)

However, one of the *easiest* ways to honor the parents, yet quite overlooked and even ‘forgotten’ is to keep in touch with the parents’ friends and loved ones. 

And this can be done while the parents are still *alive* and even if they’ve *passed away. *

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:  

*“Part of honoring (one’s parents) is to keep in touch with your father’s friend.”* (al-Silsilah al-Saheehah- saheeh by al-Albaani)

Keeping in touch with your parents’ friends and loved ones is so important that the Sahaabah went _out of their way_ to do so in order just to honor their parents and fulfill their obligations towards them. 

Once a Bedouin met Abd-Allaah ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhumaa on the road to Makkah. 

Abd-Allaah ibn Umar greeted him with salaam, made him ride on the donkey that he was riding and gave him the turban that he had been wearing on his head. 

Ibn Dinar said: 

“We said to him: May Allaah guide you, they are just Bedouin and they are content with something simple.”

Ibn Umar radhi Allaahu anhumaa said: 

“The father of this man was a close friend of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (meaning his father) and I heard the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam say, “The best way of honoring one’s parents is for the son to keep in touch with his father’s friends.” (Muslim)

Keeping in touch with your parents’ friends is so important that some of our Pious Predecessors would even travel far distances just to keep in touch with them. 

Yoosuf ibn Abd-Allaah ibn Salaam said: 

“I came to Abu’l-Dardaa radhi Allaahu anhu when he was sick with the illness that would be his last, and he said to me:

“O son of my brother, what has brought you to this land?” 

I said, 

“Nothing except to maintain the tie (of friendship) that existed between you and my father ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Salaam.” 

Subhaan Allaah!

How conscious they were to obey the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam at _every walk_ of their lives and how _concerned_ to honor the parents at all times!

So try and keep up with your father’s and mother’s friends and those that they held close and dear. 

Call them. 

Go visit them. 

Send them gifts.

Do it *just because* they’re someone your parents cared about...keeping in mind the intention to honor your parents. 

And earn the *pleasure* of your Rabb in return 

May Allaah enable us to honor our parents in every way we can. Ameen.

513. Whatever Allaah Does......It's For Our Best

By Asma bint Shameem 

 When my daughter was 2 years old, she loved to play with the water in the toilet bowl. Yes, that's right....the toilet bowl!!. 

Yuck!! 

That's nasty...you would say!! 

But to *her*, that was the delight of the day! 

Splish...splash! 

To her innocent mind, there was nothing like it! 

And so when I would prevent her from playing with it, she would scream and cry and wouldn't want to stop. 

She didn't understand how harmful that was for her. 

In her little brain, I took away something that she really enjoyed.

 

And when I would take her to the doctor to have her immunization shots, she wouldn't understand that either. 

She would *howl* at the top of her lungs at the first sight of the needle and would run the other way. 

It would take two of us just to hold her down! 

To her, frankly, it was plain torture! 

Her innocent little mind simply could not even begin to understand how, on earth, could being tortured by a needle, be good for you?!! 

She didn't realize that through this 'needle', Allaah will Insha Allaah protect her from certain illnesses and harm that is much more severe than the prick of this little needle.

 

*So what's the point here?*

The point I am trying to make is that we, as parents sometimes do things for our kids, out of our great love and concern for them, which they may not understand. 

They do not see the wisdom behind it, although *we DO*, and so we carry out those things because we KNOW it will be better for them.

                                               

“And for Allaah is the Highest example.” (Surah Nahl:60)

Similarly, when Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala , in His Infinite Wisdom, tests us with a situation that we think is difficult or takes away something that *in our mind* was good for us, we need to remember that perhaps it may not be so. 

Perhaps if we had continued in our way, it might have been harmful for us 

So KNOW and BELIEVE that whatever Allaah decreed for us is actually BETTER for us, for He is All-Wise and All-Knowing. 

 

Allaah says:

"...and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allaah knows but you do not know." (Surah Baqarah: 216)

 

Al-Hasan al-Basri said: 

"Do not resent the calamities that come and the disasters that occur, for perhaps in something that you dislike will be your salvation, and perhaps in something that you prefer will be your doom." 

The moment we realize that everything happens by the will of Allaah, all our worries begin to fade away.  

 

Remember that we are dealing with the One who is Arham ar-Raahimeen, the Most Merciful of all that show mercy. 

All the mercy that we have in this world from Adam (Alaiyhi Salaam) to the Day of Judgment is only *one hundredth* of the Mercy of the Most Merciful. And He is Most Wise. 

He knows and we don't know.

 

So have faith in Him and trust in Him and although, sometimes we may not understand the reason behind certain things, KNOW that as long as you obey Him, whatever He will do for you is, in fact for your betterment.

 

So if Allaah didn't give you that big house, or that nice car you wanted or that big raise you were hoping for, know in your mind and believe in your heart that it is actually better for you. 

Who knows.....maybe that big house, that car or that money would have become a source of 'fitnah' for you....

Perhaps you would have become arrogant and conceited because of it, and Allaah saved you from it. 

 Because, you know that the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

 "Any one in whose heart is even a mustard seed's worth of pride will not enter Paradise." (Muslim)

 

And if you have been sick and suffering, surely it is not easy. 

But again, know in your mind and believe in your heart that it is indeed better for you. 

For, if you bear patiently, it will be a means of expiation for your sins and a source of great reward. 

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

 "There is nothing that befalls a believer, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allaah will record one good deed for him and will remove one bad deed from him." (Muslim)

 

Andhevsaid: 

"On the Day of Resurrection, when people who had suffered affliction are given their reward, those who were healthy will wish their skins had been cut to pieces with scissors when they were in the world (when they see the immense rewards for the afflictions they suffered)." 

(at-Tirmidhi-Saheeh by al-Albaani)

 

If Allaah took away a dear, loved one, believe, from the bottom of your heart, that surely this was for the better. 

For, you never know, had the one who passed away lived longer, may be his life would have been one of sins and disobedience and Allaah, out of His Mercy, took him before that....in a state of Imaan.

 

And if life has been difficult, worries surround you and calamities after calamities befall you, hear the good news from the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam):

 

He said:

"Trials will continue to befall the believing man and woman, with regard to themselves, their children and their wealth, until they meet Allaah with no sin on them." (Tirmidhi-- saheeh by al-Albaani)

 

Subhaan Allaah! 

No sin?! 

And what is it from this world that we wouldn't give up, just to meet Allaah with no sin??!! 

 

Remember that the One Who is testing you is the Most Wise, the Most Merciful and the Most Loving.....and that He did not send this calamity in order to destroy you....or cause you pain or finish you off. 

Rather, He is *checking* on you, testing your patience, acceptance and faith; it is so that He may hear your duaas and supplication, so that He may see you standing before Him....seeking His protection....filled with humility and complaining to Him, alone. 

The difficulties you face is a REMINDER for you to return to Allaah and ask for forgiveness from Him. 

 

Ibn Taymiyah said: 

“A *calamity* that makes you *turn to Allaah* is *BETTER* for you than a *blessing* which makes you *forget* the remembrance of Allaah." 

Thus in our times of trouble, when we go through pain and suffering and in our times of loss, we need to trust Allaah. 

We need to keep in mind that as long as we fear Him and try our best to obey Him, He will never do us wrong.

He will protect us and guide us and do the best for us, no matter what the situation *_apparently_* looks like. 

You must convince your heart that whatever Allaah has decreed is Most appropriate and most beneficial for you. 

As I look back on my life, I realize that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better. 

All I have seen teaches me to TRUST my Creator for all that I have NOT seen. 

Allaah says in a hadeeth Qudsi:

 "I am as my slave thinks of me and I am with him whenever he remembers me."(Agreed Upon).

 

When problems are so big and your strength is no longer enough to carry them, don’t give up!

Because where your strength ends, the Mercy and Grace of Allaah begins. 

Yes, Allaah knows you’re tired. 

Allaah knows it’s difficult for you. 

But you must also know that Allaah would NEVER place you in a situation that you can’t handle. 

 

It is actually a sign of *our* weakness and shortsightedness, that we tend to focus on the calamities themselves, without paying much attention to the benefits that they may bring. 

We also forget to look at all other innumerable blessings that we enjoy and see around us.

Our minds, our logic and our senses cannot even begin to fathom the Wisdom, the Knowledge and the Hikmah behind Allaah's decisions and verdicts. 

It is HE who is the Wise....it is HE who is the Just and it is HE who is the Most Loving, the Knower of the Unseen. 

If we trust in Allaah, He will suffice and it is He who will grant us goodness in any situation and under any circumstances.

 

Allaah says:

"And when someone puts all his trust in Allah, He will be enough for him." (Surah at-Talaaq:3)

 

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"If you put your trust completely in Allah, He will arrange for your sustenance in the same way as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning with their stomachs empty and return filled in the evening." (Tirmidhi-saheeh).

 

Imaam ash-Shafi’i said:

“My heart is at ease knowing that what was meant for me will never miss me, and that what misses me was never meant for me.”

So trust Him....for, there is much reward in trusting Him.....it is Jannah. 

And there is SIN in distrusting Him.

 

Calamities and disasters are a test, and they are a sign of Allaah's love for a person. 

So don't despair if you're going through tough times...Allaah wants to test your sincerity. 

These tough times are like medicine: even though it is bitter, yet, in spite of its bitterness you still give it to the one whom you love....

 

As a final note....read the hadeeth below. 

And REFLECT....

"The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. 

When Allaah loves a people He tests them. 

Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath." (at-Tirmidhi -saheeh by al-Albaani)

And Allaah knows best

512. The Two Most Frequent Duaas Of The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam

By Asma bint Shameem 

There are many many duaas and adhkaar that that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam frequently said during the day and night. 

All of them are beautiful, yet very deep and rich in meaning. 

Of these, the duaas most frequently said by the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam were:

a) Anas radhi Allaahu anhu  said that the most frequent Dua'a of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam 

was:

اللهم ربَّنا آتِنا في الدنيا حسنةً، وفي الآخِرةِ حسنةً، وقِنا عذابَ النارِ

"Allahumma atina fid-dunya hasanatan, wa fil-akhirati hasanatan, wa qina 'adhab-annar”

“O our Lord, grants us the best in this life and the best in the next life, and protects us from the punishment of the Fire.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

b) Umm Salamah radhi Allaahu anhaa said: 

‘The supplication he said most frequently was: 

”‏ يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ ‏”‏

“O Changer of the hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion 

Yaa Muqallibal-quloob, thabbit qalbī `alaa deenik.

She said: 

‘So I said: “O Messenger of Allaah, why do you supplicate so frequently: ‘O Changer of the hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion.’ 

He said: ‘O Umm Salamah! Verily, there is no human being except that his heart is between Two Fingers of the Fingers of Allaah, so whomsoever He wills He makes steadfast, and whomever He wills He causes to deviate.’”

(At-Tirmithi- saheeh by al-Albaani)

Subhaan Allaah so easy but SO Deep and SO comprehensive! 

Let’s memorize these beautiful duaas and let’s make them a FREQUENT part of OUR lives too, just as they were a part the life of our Beloved; Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

May Allaah forgive us and accept from us. Ameen

511. Is It Okay To Buy Extra Groceries And Other Items, More Than What I Need, In times Of Epidemics, War Or Other Extenuating Circumstances?

By Asma bint Shameem 

It is not allowed to hoard stuff and stockpile on things in *ordinary circumstances*, 

That’s the basic rule.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“No one hoards but one who is a sinner.” (Saheeh Muslim)

However, the scholars say that it’s “permissible” to buy some extra stuff in emergency situations such as these days.

So for example if you usually buy one bag of potatoes, you may buy one or two more for your family.

Or if you usually pick up one dozen eggs, you may pick up a couple dozen or so in extraordinary situations.  

But if you buy twenty bags of potatoes or 15 dozen eggs, or grab all the bread on the shelves, or “*panic-buy*” all the hand sanitizer available in the store, and not leave any for anyone else, then that’s definitely not allowed. 

Buying supplies that would last you a week or two is NOT the same as buying supplies for 5 months! 

A Muslim MUST be considerate of others and always want for his brother or sister what he wants for himself.

Think about it this way:

Would WE like it if people bought everything in the store and didn’t leave anything for us?

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” 

(al-Bukhaari, Muslim) 

Ans the  Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said, 

“None of you will have faith until he loves for his NEIGHBOR what he loves for himself.” 

(al-Bukhaari 13, Muslim 45) 

So if we want to be counted among those who have faith, we MUST want for others what we want for ourselves  

ALWAYS put yourself in the other person’s shoes when doing ANYTHING.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The most BELOVED of the people to Allaah are the most *beneficial* for the people.The MOST BELOVED of ACTIONS to Allaah –Azza wa Jal- are to cause *happiness* to reach a Muslim, to *relieve* him from a hardship, to settle a debt for a Muslim or to repel hunger from him. For me to walk with a brother in order to *assist* him is *more beloved to me than to make ‘I’tekaaf in this Masjid (Masjid al-Madeenah) for a month.*Whoever walks with his brother to *assist* him with a need until he has helped him completely, then Allaah plants his feet firmly on the day people will not stand firmly.”

(Silsilah Ahadeeth As-Saheehah -by Shaikh al-Albaani)

What a beautiful hadeeth!

And what great motivation for us to think of our brothers and sisters in this time of tribulations, and be *considerate* of them. 

Instead of grabbing and hoarding, the true Believer actually sacrifices his own needs and PREFERS his brother OVER his own self. 

Abu Huraira radhi Allaahu anhu reported:

“A man from the Ansaar was hosting a guest and he had nothing with him but just enough food for himself and his children. 

The man said to his wife, 

“Put the children to sleep, put out the lamp, and serve our guest with what we have.” 

Then, Allah revealed the Aayah, 

*“They prefer others over their own selves, despite themselves being in need.”* (59:9)

(al-Bukhaari 3587, Muslim 2054) 

THAT is true Imaan.

THAT is true brotherhood.

But if we can’t reach such level of piety, the least we can do is not panic-buy anything and everything or stockpile it. 

 

So let go of those extra boxes of supplies and drop those unnecessary bags of groceries. 

Leave them for your brother or sister. 

You never know who might need it more than you. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Do not envy one another, do not artificially inflate prices, do not hate one another, do not turn away from one another, do not undercut one another. Be, O slaves of Allah, brothers. The Muslim is the brother of his fellow-Muslim. He does not wrong him, let him down or despise him. Piety (taqwa) is here” – and he pointed to his chest three times. “It is sufficient evil for a man to despise his Muslim brother. The whole of a Muslim is sacred to another Muslim, his blood, his wealth and his honour.” [Muslim (2564)]

And Allaah knows best

510. The Relationship Of Sha’baan With Ramadhaan

By Asma bint Shameem 

Sha’baan is the PRECURSOR, the FORERUNNER to Ramadhaan. 

It is said that the relationship of Sha’baan with Ramadhaan is like that of the *Sunnah ar-Rawaatib to the Fardh prayers*. 

*What are ar-Rawaatib?* 

These are the Sunnah prayers associated with the five daily prayers. 

So just as these Sunnah prayers help PREPARE us for the daily Fardh prayers, similarly the month of Sha’baan helps us *_prepare_* for the upcoming month of Ramadhaan. 

That’s why we’re encouraged SO MUCH to fast in the month of Sha’baan ....to PREPARE us for the fasting of Ramadhaan. 

And that’s one of the reasons why the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam fasted MOST of Sha’baan.  

Usama ibn Zayd radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“Oh Messenger of Allaah, why don't I see you fast in other months like you do in Sha'baan? 

He said: 

“That is a month that people neglect between Rajab and Ramadhaan, and it is a month that people's deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, so I love that my deeds are raised while I'm fasting.”

(Hasan by Al-Albaani)

And just as we’re encouraged to FAST in the month of Sha’baan, we’re ALSO encouraged to *READ the Qur’aan* in the month of Sha’baan... to *prepare* ourselves for the recitation of the Qur’aan in the month of Ramadhaan. 

Salamah ibn Kuhail said:

“It is said that the month of Sha’baan is the month of the *reciters of the Qur’aan.”*

Whenever Sha’baan would begin, Habeeb ibn Abi Thaabit used to say:

*“This is the month of the reciters.”*

’Amr ibn Qais al-Malaa’ee used to *close his shop* when Sha’baan began and fill his time with recitation of the Qur’aan.

Brothers and sisters,

Ramadhaan is just around the corner. 

Let’s all get ready for this upcoming amazing month by preparing for it NOW with FASTING and RECITATION in this month of Sha’baan. 

Prepare your HEART. 

Prepare your MIND. 

Prepare your SOUL.

Then prepare for the Mercy of ar-Rahmaan 

And Allaah knows best

509. Four Ways To Piety

By Asma bint Shameem 

Want to be counted among the pious?

Then read on...

There are FOUR ways to achieve that. 

Someone asked Hasan al-Basari: 

*“What is the secret of your piety?”* 

Hasan al-Basari said:

*“I understood 4 things:*

 

1. *I understood my rizq cannot be taken by anyone so my heart is CONTENT*

 

2. *I understood no one can do my actions (worship) so I started doing them MYSELF*

 

3.  *I understood Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala is WATCHING me, so I felt SHAME to do wrong*

 

4.  *I understood DEATH is waiting for me so I started to PREPARE for my meeting with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala*

What a beautiful advice!

Let’s put it into ACTION. 

*ACTION POINTS*

1. Be CONTENT with WHATEVER Allaah gives you and be THANKFUL 

2. Strive HARD to OBEY Allaah and do your BEST

3. FEAR Allaah and STAY AWAY from SIN. . 

4.  Be READY for DEATH 

 

May Allaah enable us to implement these four points in our lives so that we may be successful in this Dunya and Aakhirah. Ameen.

And Allaah knows best

508. Foul Language In A Muslim"s Life?

By Asma Bint Shameem

"What the *#8@*#!" 

"Hey you, @**#*%, how are you?" 

"Where in the **@*#**have you been?"

 

If you listen to the conversation of the average Muslim youth talking to each other, unfortunately this is what you will hear....expletives, bad words and cusses. 

In fact, foul language is often heard as part of their everyday life at school, universities and work place. 

 

What's worse is that they use these words without thinking.....without remorse and without even realizing that these words are obscene, filthy or repulsive....using 'four letter words' in every sentence and in every conversation.

Using the words 'hell' and calling each other 'dog' and 'gay' like it's nothing. 

And these are some of the more 'decent' words. 

There are other, much worse words that are totally unmentionable. 

May Allaah protect us. 

 

These people, like their non-Muslim peers, seem to be completely desensitized to the use of such foul and offensive words, including many that make others cringe with shame, disgust and embarrassment. 

 

Yet, when you reprimand them for using such language, what do they say? 

"O come on! Lighten up! This is how everyone talks!" or 

"This is how I 'express' myself. or 

"We don't mean it in a bad way, we're just joking around with each other!" 

Subhaan Allaah! 

Calling each other bad names and using foul language! 

Since when did that become a 'joke'? 

Since when did cussing become part of a Muslim's vocabulary?

 

And those who have 'some sense of morality' will use short forms and abbreviations of these bad words and expressions completely 

GUILT-FREE, thinking it's ok to use them since they are only 'short forms' and not the actual phrase or cuss word. 

But whether you say 'WTF' or 'LMAO', or you actually say the whole evil phrase, IT'S ALL THE SAME.

That's because actions depend on the niyyah and Allaah knows very well the niyyah behind those words. 

 

And, sad to say, not only the youth, but even some who are older-but should know better, are guilty of the same. 

 

And, then there are some, who may speak very decently under 'normal' circumstances, but when they are provoked or angry or when things don't go quite the way they wanted, nothing comes out of their mouths except profanity, bad words and filth. 

 

What a stark contrast between this and what the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. 

1. *The Behavior of the Prophe*t sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam

Anas bin Malik radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

"The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) was not one who would abuse (others) or say obscene words, or curse (others)..." (al-Bukhaari)

 

 And Abdullah bin 'Amr radhi Allaahu anhumaa said: 

"The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) never used bad language neither a 'Faahish nor a Mutafaahish. He used to say 'The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character." (al-Bukhaari)

 

Very clear words, indeed.

2. *The Believer does NOT use foul language.*

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"The believer is not a slanderer, one who curses a great deal, one who indulges in obscenity or who in engages in foul talk."

(at-Tirmidhi-- saheeh by 

al-Albaani)

So if you are a TRUE believer, you would NOT use ANY foul language AT ALL. EVER.

3. *Allaah calls the one who cusses, a ZAALIM (a wrongdoer, sinner)*

 

".....nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith [i.e. to call your Muslim brother evil names as: "O sinner", or "O wicked", etc.]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zaalimoon (wrong-doers)." (Surah Hujaraat:11)

 

4. *Cussing and using profanity is a characteristic of the people of HELLFIRE*

 

Realize, dear brother/sister, that using foul language and cussing is A SIN, even in joke and this is a characteristic of the people of Hellfire. 

 

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"The inmates of Hell are of five types...." And among them he mentioned "...the miser, the liar and those who are in the habit of abusing people and using obscene and foul language." (Muslim)

 

And while advising Mu'aadh radhi Allaahu anhu, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"Restrain this," i.e., your tongue. 

I (Mu'aadh) said: 

O Messenger of Allaah, will we be called to account for what we say? 

He said: 

"May your mother be bereft of you, O Mu'aadh! Will people be thrown in Hell on their faces or their noses for anything other than the harvest of their tongues?"

(al-Tirmidhi-- Saheeh by al-Albaani)

5. *People of Jannah will be relieved from hearing cuss words and obscenities*

Have you ever thought that when you use cuss words and foul language, it hurts the believers? 

Yes, it actually hurts them! 

Their ears cringe and hearts are sickened, out of disgust for these nasty words.

That's why Allaah is comforting the believers and telling them that He will relieve them of this pain once they enter into Jannah.

Allaah said :

"Where they shall neither hear harmful speech nor falsehood." (Surah al-Ghaashiya:11)

And He said:

"There they shall hear no Laghw (dirty, false, evil, vain talk), nor any sinful speech." Waqia:25)

6. *The one who cusses is one of the worst people on the Day of Judgment*

 

Know that people who use bad words and have dirty mouths will be one of the worst people on the Day of Judgment. 

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"O 'Aaishah! Have you ever seen me speaking a bad and dirty language? 

(Remember that) the worst people in Allah's sight on the Day of Resurrection will be those whom the people abandon or leave in order to save themselves from their dirty language or from their transgression." (al-Bukhaari)

 

Just imagine! One of the worst people in the sight of Allaah??!!

How can one then even think of these evil words, let alone use them!

 

7. *Angels RUN AWAY from the one using foul language*

 

Cussing and swearing is so bad that even the angels cannot tolerate it.

 

Ibn 'Abbas said, 

"Two men defamed one another in the time of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. 

One of them reviled the other who remained silent. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, remained seated. Then the other man answered him back and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, got up. 

He was asked, "You got up?" 

He said, "The angels left, so I left with them. 

While this man was silent, the angels were answering the one who cursed him. 

When he answered, the angels left." (Adab al-Mufrad)

 

8. *Cussing and foul language deserves punishment in the dunya as well*

 

Someone asked Imaam an-Nawawi...

"What should be done with a person who calls a Muslim a dog, pig, or other offensive word? 

Is it a sin?" 

Imaam an-Nawawi said: 

"It is a SIN and he should be PUNISHED (ta'zeer - punishment to be specified by the qaadi/Muslim judge). 

He also has to repent." 

(Fataawa al-Imaam al-Nawawi)

Subhaan Allaah! Being punished for calling your Muslim brother 'dog'! 

And yet, how many times have we said that?! 

How many times have we used foul language?!

And how many times do our youth call each other 'pimp' and 'nigga' and MUCH WORSE, in every sentence, while they think nothing, absolutely nothing of it! 

How many times do we use the ‘B’ word and the ‘F’ word in our every day lives, so casually, without even thinking for a second about we have said?!! Astaghfirullaah!

What would Imaam an-Nawawi say if he heard some of the Muslims talking today?

What would the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) say?!

What would ALLAAH SAY???!!!

Have we ever thought about that??!!

*What to do and How to STOP?*

1. Keep in mind that every word and every letter you utter from your mouth is RECORDED and will be presented to Allaah on the Day of Judgment. 

Allaah says:

"Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)" (Surah Qaaf:18) 

So be CAREFUL what you say.

2. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 

"Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day must speak good or keep silent." 

(al-Bukhaari)

 

Remember these beautiful words of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam). 

Keep them close to your heart and either speak good or keep quiet.

3. Stay away from foul language, cussing and evil words, because YOU are a Mu'min and a Mu'min does NOT utter filthy words or cuss at anyone. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"Do not curse with the curse of Allaah, with His Anger nor with the Fire." (Silsilah as-Saheehah)

4. Realize the evil consequences of using filthy language, that is Allaah's Wrath! 

And being one of the worst people on the Day of Judgment! Hellfire!!  

Aa’oodhu billaah.

What more could there be, before a person stays away??!!

5. Equally important is to STAY AWAY from PEOPLE who speak such bad language, or the PLACES where these bad words are used carelessly, or SITUATIONS where you would hear such filth, such as bad places, bad TV shows, bad company.

You see, the more you hear filthy language, the more you will use it. 

That's because you slowly become desensitized to it and its evil, until a time comes when its not bad anymore.

6.  Make dua: 

On the authority of Abu Huraira that the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said: 

'O Allaah, indeed I make a pledge to You which I won't break. Indeed I am a human being; so any believer who I harmed, reviled, cursed or punished; make that as prayer for him, Zakat and a means of being close to You on the Day of Judgement.”

(Silsilah as-Saheehah)

In the end 

Bad words not only show disrespect to those being spoken to, but it's also a clear indication of ignominy, dishonor and total lack of self-respect for one's own self.

The one who stays away from filthy language is not being a prude or old-fashioned; rather he/she is a *Mu'min* and a follower of the one with the best manners ever...that is, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam). 

Use of evil words and foul language is bad-mannered, impertinent and impolite, plain and simple. 

It is a very serious SIN and is not something light or to be tolerated nor is it an acceptable behavior in Islaam.

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"Truly a man utters words to which he attaches no importance, and by them he falls into the Fire of Jahannam, and truly a man utters words to which he attaches no importance, and by them Allaah raises him into the Garden." (al-Bukhaari)

 

And Allaah knows best