196. Do I “HAVE” To Pray The Sunnah Prayers? Or Can I Skip Them?

By Asma bint Shameem 

The Sunnah prayers associated with the five daily prayers are something “mustahabb” or recommended. 

Reading these “Sunnan ar-Rawaatib” is a beautiful act of ibaadah for which you will be rewarded and it is highly encouraged to read these Sunnan.

If you don’t read these Sunnah prayers, you’re *not sinful* but you’re missing out on a LOT of goodness and rewards. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“There is no Muslim slave who prays twelve rak‘ahs to Allaah each day, voluntarily, apart from the obligatory prayers, but Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” 

(Muslim)

The hadeeth is referring to the  twelve Sunnah associated with the five daily prayers. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam also said:

"Allaah will build a house in Heaven for whoever is diligent in observing 12 Sunnah Rak'aat (They are): 4 Rak'aat before and 2 after the Dhuhr Prayer, 2 after the Maghrib, 2 after the ‘Ishaa Prayer and 2 before the Fajr prayer.”

( at-Tirmidhi - saheeh by al-Albaani)

These Sunnah are actually for our OWN GOOD.

The best deeds after the faraa’idh or obligatory deeds are the voluntary deeds or Nafl ibaadaat. 

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala says in a hadeeth Qudsi:

“My slave does not draw closer to Me by anything more beloved to Me than that which I have made obligatory upon him, and My slave continues to draw closer to Me by doing naafil (supererogatory) deeds until I love him....” (al-Bukhaari )

Also these voluntary prayers act as a ‘buffer’ or ‘cushion’ for our fardh Salaah.

When Allaah will look at our deeds on the Day of Judgment, these Sunnah prayers will fill any ‘gaps’ or shortcomings that we may have in our obligatory duties. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“The first thing among their deeds for which the people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be prayer. 

Our Lord will say to His angels, although He knows best, ‘Look at My slave’s (obligatory) prayer, is it complete or lacking?’ 

If it is complete, it will be recorded as complete, but if it is lacking, He will say, ‘Look and see whether my slave did any VOLUNTARY (naafil) prayers.’ 

*If he had done voluntary prayers, He will say, ‘Complete the obligatory prayers of My slave from his voluntary prayers.’*

Then the rest of his deeds will be examined in a similar manner.” 

(Abu Dawood - saheeh by al-Albaani) 

Shaikh Saleh al-Munajjid said:

“the one who neglects a mustahabb Sunnah will not be punished, but he is missing out on a great reward and the chance to make up any shortfall in his obligations (waajibaat), because on the Day of Resurrection, any shortfall in his obligations will be made up from his Sunnah actions, if he has any to his credit. 

Doing Sunnah actions is also a means of maintaining the practice of waajib actions.”

As for the Sunnah of Fajr, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

‘The two rak’aat Sunnah of Fajr prayer are BETTER than the Dunyaa and everything that is in it.” ( Muslim)

And he said:

“They are *more beloved to me* than the Dunyaa and everything that is in it.” (Muslim)

And for the Sunnah of Dhuhr, the  Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever, observes the practice of offering four rak’ahs before Duhr prayer and four rak’ahs after it. Allaah will shield him against the fire of hell.” (Abu Dawood and At-Tirmithi- saheeh by al-Albaani) 

For the Sunnah before Asr, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"May Allaah have mercy on one who prays 4 raka’aat before the ‘Asr Prayer." (at-Tirmidhi- hasan by al-Albaani)

For the two Sunnah before Maghrib, the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Pray before maghrib, pray before maghrib, pray before maghrib for whoever wills”(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

And the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

“Between each two calls (the adhaan and iqaamah) there should be a prayer, between each two calls there should be a prayer, between each two calls there should be a prayer” – and the third time he said, “for whoever wishes.” (al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

Praying these Sunnah prayers makes such a big difference in our record of good deeds that it’s beyond comprehension. 

Just look at the difference that these prayers make in just one year... 

 the difference between those who pray the Sunnah associated with the five daily prayers and those who do not pray them is 4320 rak’aat!

That’s because each day we pray 12 Sunnah Mu’akkadah. 

Multiply 12 X 365= 4320

And the difference between the one who prays witr daily, even if it’s just one rak’ah.. and those who do not pray it... is (365) rakahs and if they read 3 rak’aat of witr daily, it makes a difference of  1080 rak’aat!

And the difference between the one who prays two rak’aat of Duhaa prayer daily and those who don’t  pray them is 720 rak’aat.

If we add the non Mu’akkadah Sunnah to this number, it comes to 7920 rak’aat!

If you add 3 witr to it, it becomes 9000!

Subhaan Allaah!

What a huge difference!

And just think about this...

 for every rak’ah there are two sajdahs... which means two levels are raised in jannah in ever rak’ah...

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“You should prostrate to Allaah a great deal, for you will not perform one prostration to Allaah but Allaah  will raise you one degree in status thereby and erase one sin for you.”

[Muslim (488)]

And Rabee‘ah ibn Ka‘b radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“I used to stay overnight with the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and bring him water for wudoo’ and whatever he needed. 

He said to me: 

“Ask.” 

I said: 

I ask to be with you in Paradise. He said: “Is there anything else?” 

I said:

That is all. 

He said: 

“Help me to do that for you by prostrating a great deal.” [Muslim (489)]

So my recommendation would be to pray the Sunnah as much as possible.

We can never really estimate the importance and the impact these Sunnah prayers have on our records of good deeds. 

We’ll never achieve that if we are just lazy or negligent and indifferent in praying them.

May Allaah give us the understanding of the importance of the Sunnah prayers and the LOVE and tawfeeq to perform them regularly. Ameen. 

And Allaah knows best

195. Can I Use Prayer Beads (Mashahah/Tasbeeh) To Do Dhikr Or Should I Count On My Fingers?

By Asma bint Shameem 

Even though it’s permissible to use prayer beads for doing Tasbeeh and dhikr, it’s much BETTER to count on the fingers. 

Why?

Because using the fingers to do Tasbeeh and Dhikr is the SUNNAH. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam only used his fingers to count and do all kinds of dhikr. 

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam encouraged his Ummah to do the same. 

He said:

“Count on your fingers, for they will be questioned and made to speak.”

(Ahmad —hasan by al-Albaani)

So if it’s the Sunnah then why abandon that for something that’s NOT from the Sunnah and use prayer beads?

So is it haraam to use prayer beads or counters etc for dhikr and Tasbeeh?

No it’s not actually ‘haraam’ or ‘bid’ah’ to use counters, prayer beads, etc for dhikr but it’s much BETTER to use the fingers because that’s what the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam did and encouraged. 

Shaikh ibn Uthaymeen said:

“Doing tasbeeh with the masbahah is not haraam or bid’ah, but it is better not to do it, because the one who does tasbeeh with the masbahah has SHUNNED something better.”

 Shaikh al-Albaani said:

“If there is only one bad thing about the masbahah, which is that it takes the place of the Sunnah of counting on the fingers,....then that is bad enough. How rarely I see people counting their tasbeeh on their fingers!” (Al-Silsilat al-Da’eefah (1/117)

So it’s allowed to use the prayer beads if it serves a PURPOSE, like it helps you to stay focused on the dhikr or if it helps you to count, etc. 

But it would be more recommended and closer to the Sunnah to use the fingers. 

But whatever you use to make dhikr and Tasbeeh, make SURE your HEART is ATTACHED to the dhikr and you KNOW what you’re saying. 

That’s because HEEDLESS Dhikr, when there’s no focus of the heart or the tongue on the dhikr, is INVALID  and is of NO USE. 

Think about it. 

If there’s no connection of what’s on the tongue, with the heart, what good would that do?

What rewards would that bring?

That would then just be ‘lip service’, wouldn’t it? 

....irrespective of whether one uses the fingers or prayer beads or anything else. 

I’ve personally seen people holding prayer beads and *religiously* moving one bead after another, literally for hours, while their eyes are glued to the screen, watching Indian movies! 

Subhaan Allaah! 

What kind of ‘Dhikr’ is that?!!

Imaam Al-Mannaawi said: 

“As for what heedless people used to do, of holding a masbahah which is very ornate and costly, and carrying it without any presence of mind or thought, and talking or listening to people, or talking to them whilst moving its beads through his fingers, when his heart and tongue are distracted by worldly matters, this is blameworthy and is makrooh, and it is one of the worst of reprehensible deeds.”

(Fayd al-Qadeer, 4/468)

And Allaah knows best

194. Bad Breath

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 
“When a person tells a lie, the bad smell that comes out of the lie keeps the angels one mile away.” [Tirmidhi]

Keep in mind that you are pushing the angels that protect you away from you when you tell lies. Many are the lies that we are aware of telling. Yet how many more lies do we tell without even considering them as lies, so far away are we from having Islamic morals.

Once a Sahabiah called her son in telling him that she wanted to give him something. The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam then asked her if she had in fact given anything to her son. She replied that she had given him a date. The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam told her that if she had not given him anything she would have been recorded as lying to her child.

We need to be very careful not to say anything that we are not committed on fulfilling, for all lies are written down. 

A small lie is noted down as a small lie and a big lie is written down as a big lie. 

As we are careful to keep our breath pleasant and not offend people with it, shouldn’t we be even more careful not to offend and chase away the angels that protect us?

193. Surah Ash-Shura, Aayat No 40

وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ

And the recompense of evil is punishment like it, but whoever forgives and amends, he shall have his reward from Allah; surely He does not love the unjust.

Heyy, it's okay if you have been wronged by people sometimes. If people have hurted you, Forgive them and move forward.

Don’t live your life with hate in your heart. Know that when you hold up things in your heart, you're the only one suffering.

You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate. Hence, learn to let go in life

Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.” 

It is saying,“I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.”

Forgiveness is the remedy. Forgiveness is letting go for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa taala

It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past, or forgetting what happened.

It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on in your life with strength

Remember, the less time you spend hating the people who hurt you, the more time you’ll have to love the people who love you.

It becomes easy to forgive people when you keep in mind that "In Shaa Allah if I forgive that person for the sake of Allah, Allah Subhanahu wa taala will forgive me"

Cleanse your heart and fill it with loads of love, peace, joy and happiness in this Blessed month of Ramadan

Forgive and Forget the bad people do to you for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa taala. And In Shaa Allah Your Rabb will forgive your shortcomings.

192. Surah Ya Seen, Aayat No 82

إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ شَيْئًا أَن يَقُولَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ

His command, when He intends anything, is only to say to it: Be, so it is.

Allah Subhanahu wa taala's love for you is higher than the sky & deeper than the ocean.

Allah Subhanahu wa taala's timing is PERFECT in every matter.

When Allah withdraws something from you, it's only to gift you back with something good. Way better than you can imagine In Shaa Allah

We never understand the wisdom behind it, but we have to learn to Trust it. We need to be patient at the turns of our trials

Know and understand that whatever your Rabb does and wherever your Rabb is taking you is just going to lead you to beautiful destinations In Shaa Allah. Destinations far better than you've imagined.

Have Faith, Trust His Plan for you, do not lose Hope and wait Patiently.

He indeed will create a beautiful way to deliver you from your hardships. An unseen path way towards all your dreams In Shaa Allah

Persevere, have Faith in His benevolence. He is Ar-Rahmaan & Ar-Raheem. Know and understand His virtues.

Through afflictions Allah Subhanahu wa taala only tests your Faith; He is completely aware of your condition. He is closer to you than your jugular vein.

Indeed my Rabb does not burden a soul beyond it can bear. If Allah has afflicted you with a trial, Alhamdulillah, He has also blessed you with the strength to pass through it.

Have Patience and wait for the divine decree. Indeeed it will unfold beautifully.

In Shaa Allah He's kept beautiful rewards in store for you & when it's the right time, He'll grant them to you at the soonest.

Till then cling on to your Faith & don't lose Hope, In Shaa Allah, This darkness that you are in today, will make you shine brighter and in a beautiful manner in future

191. Surah Al-Baqara, Aayat No 25

وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ كُلَّمَا رُزِقُوا مِنْهَا مِن ثَمَرَةٍ رِّزْقًا قَالُوا هَٰذَا الَّذِي رُزِقْنَا مِن قَبْلُ وَأُتُوا بِهِ مُتَشَابِهًا وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

And convey good news to those who believe and do good deeds, that they shall have gardens in which rivers flow; whenever they shall be given a portion of the fruit thereof, they shall say: This is what was given to us before; and they shall be given the like of it, and they shall have pure mates in them, and in them, they shall abide.

Allah Subhanahu wa taala, The Lord Of The Worlds, Has sent a good news for the doers of Good. So no good deed that you do ever goes in vain.

Allah Subhanahu wa taala doesn't forget the good you do nor does He forget the good you did to others and the pain you relieved them from.

Nor will He forget the eye which was about to cry but you made it laugh.

Nor will He forget the efforts you took to make others happy

Nor will He forget the hardships that you faced to come closer towards him

Nor will He forget the help you offered to an oppressed soul

Live your life with this principle. Be good even when you don't receive good not because of others sake but because Allah Subhanahu wa taala loves those who do good.

Allah’s timing is perfect in every way for every matter.

We never understand the wisdom behind it, but we have to learn to Trust it.

Sometimes Sabr and Silence is better than expressing how you really feel.

Cause Allah knows everything & Allah sees everything!

Pray until your situation changes. Miracles happen every day, so never stop believing.

Allah Subhanahu wa taala can change things very quickly in your life.

Have Trust that Allah has a plan for you. You are exactly where He wants you right now!

Worrying will not change your situation. But Dua, Sadaqah, Salah and Astaghfaar can!

So don't be Sad, Smile, Pray to Allah & Turn back to him. In Shaa Allah He has only written the BEST for those who do Good

190. Surah Al-Mulk, Aayat No 29

قُلْ هُوَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ آمَنَّا بِهِ وَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

Say: He is the Beneficent Allah, we believe in Him and on Him do we rely, so you shall come to know who it is that is in clear error.

Sometimes when things don’t happen on our timetable, it can be tempting to get discouraged.

But in the season of waiting, that’s when you have to dig your heels in and refuse to give up!

You have to know that Allah is doing something IN you at the same time that He is doing something FOR you.

Sadness weakens the heart of a believer, diminishes confidence and harms willpower.

And there is nothing more beloved to the Shaytaan than the sadness of a believer.

So for this reason rejoice and be optimistic, Think well of Allah, Trust that which is with Allah and Rely only upon Him.

And In Shaa Allah you will find Happiness and Contentment in both the worlds.

May Allah Subhanahu wa taala rejoice our souls, help us move forward on this journey of life with complete Tawakkul in Him and grant all our duas..

Aameeen Ya Rabbul Aalameen

189. Surah Al-Asr, Aayat No 3

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ

Except those who believe and do good, and enjoin on each other truth, and enjoin on each other patience.

THE ULTIMATE KEYS TO SUCCESS

In this life and the Hereafter.

1. SABR: patience, steadfastness, endurance and accepting what Allah Subhanahu wa taala has destined for you.
This will make you strong to face more hardships and will earn you rewards in this life by lifting your troubles for lots of goodness in this life and the next life.

2. SHUKR: gratefulness, being thankful to Allah Subhanahu wa taala for everything, feeling content with what Allah Subhanahu wa taala has given you.

This will make you feel rich even if you don't have a thing and it will get you rewarded here by increasing your blessings here and in the hereafter.

3. TAQWA: piousness, righteousness, good character, doing what is prescribed and keeping away from forbidden deeds.

This will make you loved by Allah Subhanahu wa taala, His angels and mankind and you will be rewarded in this life by always having a way out in this life and In Shaa Allah will be blessed by Jannah.

4. TAWAKKUL: putting your total trust in Allah Subhanahu wa taala , leaving your affairs in His hands, realizing that everything goes as He has planned.

This will give you peace of mind and heart. This will lessen your worries and increase your faith. It will help you to withstand the downfall with ease knowing; that your life is in the control of Allah Subhanahu wa taala

May Allah Subhanahu wa taala imbibe all these precious qualities in all of us with loads of Aafiyat and Barakat..

Aameeen Ya Rabbul Aalameen

188. Surah Aal-e-Imran, Aayat No 148

فَـَٔاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَحُسْنَ ثَوَابِ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 

So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the good reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves the doers of good.

Hey you, yes you! Allah loves you. Allah loves you a lot for all the good you do. SubhanAllah, just Imagine, The Lord of the worlds loves you abundantly

This, what your going through is gonna pass In Shaa Allah. Don't worry. Just think about the magnificent honour of being loved by your Rabb

Don't lose hope. Cling on strongly to that Faith in Him. He the lord of the world's promises you a reward in this world and the hereafter. SubhanAllah!

Few years down the lane you are going to turn back and do two things:

1. Thank Allah Subhanahu wa taala for whatever you are going through

2. And laugh at how worked up you got about this test/trial.

Allah Subhanahu wa taala is Al Wali - The Protecting Friend. He's always there for you 

Remember, Allah Subhanahu wa taala does not burden a soul more than it can bear

Cheer up. This is temporary - In Shaa Allah good times are so near by, like seriously you have no idea; just hang in there for some more time!

Allah Subhanahu wa taala is working out everything in your favour. A perfect plan for you with loads of Khair and Aafiyat

You may not see it now but eventually you'll soon know how beautiful things enter into your lives amazingly

Dear Precious Soul, don't forget, ALLAH LOVES YOU! Turn back to Him and feel His love for you.

He is not angry and He is not punishing you. He's just testing you. Testing your Patience, Your Faith and your Tawakkul

If anything, it's just that He is making this test a means of giving you better things in Dunya and Akhirah and is increasing the levels of Jannah for you In Shaa Allah.

So don't lose Hope my friend & Have Faith. InShaAllah all of it will pass with Aafiyat and you'll soon be rewarded in abundance.

So please Smile for now, Be Happy and Do Good. Indeed Allah Subhanahu wa taala loves those who do good and are patient.

187. 17 Types Of Charity Every One Should Know

The meaning of the word charity is, Preciousness/Dearness. Therefore it is said to give to charity, and not as charity to give.

It is not only linked with money. We often think that taking out money from our earnings are Sadaqah, but there are many ways we can do it.

These are the 17 types.

1. DUA/Supplication

If you are just praying for the person who you care about or any person who has asked for you dua.

2. KNOWLEDGE.

Spreading knowledge among the people who can’t afford it.

3. ADVICE.

Giving wise advice to your younger siblings or people who are younger than you.

4. TO SMILE AT YOUR MUSLIM BROTHER.

Talking, meeting and greeting the people you meet.

5. HELP.

Help the poor and help the people who can not help themselves. Solving people problems can also be the thing you can do.

6. TIME.

Taking time out for the parents and your wife/husband is also a sadaqah

7. TARBIYYAH/ NUTURE

Nurture (Tarbiyyah), growing up your kids well mannered is also a sadaqah.

8. PATIENCE OVER DIFFICULT TIMES.

Be very patient, do not yell about your problems to anyone. Allah will solve them for you.

9. TO ADVISE FOR GOOD.

Advice your misguided friends to be on the Path of Allah.

10. TO STOP FROM EVIL.

Do not plan the bad thing, do not hurt or kill any living thing.

11. TO TALK SOFTLY.

Do not be harsh and Rude, Allah does not like Arrogant people.

12. TO FORGIVE.

Forgive the people who ask for your forgiveness.

13. TO GIVE RESPECT.

Giving respect to elders and youngsters as well as giving credit to the people who deserve it.

14. TO BE A PART OF SOMEONE'S HAPPINESS.

Being happy in someone else’s happiness, DO NOT BE JEALOUS!

15. TO VISIT THE SICK.

Visiting the sick is also the sunnah of our beloved Prophet Sal allahu wa alayhi wa sallam

16. TO REMOVE HARMFUL THINGS FROM THE PATH.

Such as removing the stone that comes to your way.

17. TO GUIDE SOMEONE ON THE RIGHT WAY.

Guiding means, if someone you see is misguided, then guiding that person to right path. 

186. If You’re Feeling Inadequate In Ramadhaan In Final Days Try These

If you’re feeling inadequate because you’re not able to pray (or not pray much) in these final days of Ramadan,  try these:

1. Get a treasure in Jannah.

Say: لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ

The Prophet (s) said, 
“Be frequent in saying ‘There is no might or power except by Allah, (Lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh)’ For verily, it is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise.’” [سنن الترمذی :3601]

2. Get a palace in Jannah.

Say: Surah al-Ikhlas (10 times)

The Prophet (s) said, 
“Whoever recites Surah al-Ikhlas ten times, Allah will build a palace for him in paradise.” Umar (r) said, “Then we will have many palaces in Jannah?” The Prophet (s) replied, “Allah has even more and better than that.” [السلسلة الصحيحة:589]

3. Landscape Jannah.

Say: سُبْحَانَ الله وَالْحَمْدُ لله وَلاَ إله إِلاَّ الله وَالله أَكْبَرُ

The Prophet (s) said, 
“I met Ibrahim on the Night of Ascension (Al-Isra), and he said to me, ‘O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Ummah, and tell them that Jannah has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain levelled land. The plants grow there by uttering: Subhan-Allah, Al-hamdu lillah, La ilaha illallah, and Allahu Akbar.” [السلسلة الصحيحة : 105]

Or say: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ

The Prophet (s) said, 
“Whoever says ‘SubhanAllahil ‘adheemi wa bihamdihi’ a tree is planted for him in Paradise.” [سنن الترمذی:3465]

4. Get all your sins forgiven.

Say: SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi (100 times)

The Prophet (s) said,
 “Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,' one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they w

ere as much as the foam of the sea.” [صحیح البخاری: 6405]  

Or say: Astaghfirullahal ladhee laa ilaha illaa huwal Hayyul Qayyoomu wa atoobu ilayh

The Prophet (s) said, 
"Whoever says أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَىُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ (I seek forgiveness from Allah, the One besides whom there is none worthy of worship, the Living, the Sustainer of all, and I repent to him), all his sins will be forgiven, even if he had fled from battle." 

[Sunan Abi Dawud 1517]

5. Earn a thousand good deeds.

Say: SubhanAllah (100 times)

The Prophet (s) said, 
“Is anyone amongst you powerless to earn one thousand good deeds every day? …. Say tasbeeh one hundred times and one thousand good deeds are recorded and one thousand sins are erased.” [صحیح مسلم:7027]

6. Fill the Scales.

Say: Alhamdulillah  

The Prophet (s) said, 
“Cleanliness is half of faith and al-Hamdu Lillah (Praise be to Allah) fills the scale.” [صحیح مسلم:223]

7.Fill the space between the sky and the earth.

Say: Allahu Akbar

The Prophet (s) said, 
“Allahu Akbar fills what is between the sky and the earth.” [مسند احمد:22908]

8. Earn the reward of worshiping the entire night.

Recite: The last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah.

The Prophet (s) said, 
"Whoever recites the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, that will be sufficient for him.” 

[صحیح البخاری: 5051]

Ibn Hajar said, أَيْ أَجْزَأَتَا عَنْهُ مِنْ قِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ بِالْقُرْآنِ  “Meaning, they will suffice him for qiyamul layl” [Fathul Bari]

9. Earn the reward of giving charity.

Say: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Laa ilaha illAllah, Allahu Akbar.

The Prophet (s) said, 
“In the morning, charity is due from every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of glorification (i.e., saying SubhanAllah) is an act of charity. Every utterance of praise (i.e., saying Alhamdulillah) is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Oneness (i.e., saying Laa ilaha illAllah) is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Greatness (i.e., saying Allahu Akbar) is an act of charity, enjoining good is an act of charity, forbidding what is disreputable is an act of charity, and two rak'ahs which one prays in the forenoon will suffice.”

[صحیح مسلم:720]

10. Earn a mountain of reward.

Give a date.

The Prophet (s) said,
“If anyone gives as Sadaqa the equivalent of a date from honestly (earning) earned - because Allah accepts only what is pure - the Lord would accept it with His Right Hand, and even if it is a date, it would grow in the Hand of the lord, as one of you fosters his colt, till it becomes bigger than a mountain.” 

[صحیح مسلم: 1014]

11. Want to be called from the gates of Jannah?

Give a pair.

The Prophet (s) said, 
“The one who spends a pair in the way of Allah will be summoned from the gates of the Garden and told, 'O slave of Allah, this is good.” 

[صحیح البخاری]

12. Share this khayr 

The Prophet (s) said, 
"Whoever introduces a good practice that is followed after him, will have a reward for that and the equivalent of their reward, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest." 

[صحیح مسلم: 1017]

 By Sister Taimiyyah Zubair 

185. Surah Az-Zumar, Aayat No 49

فَإِذَا مَسَّ الْإِنسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلْنَاهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ بَلْ هِيَ فِتْنَةٌ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

So when harm afflicts a man he calls upon Us; then, when We give him a favor from Us, he says: I have been given it only by means of knowledge. Nay, it is a trial, but most of them do not know.

Let us not be amongst those who call upon Allah Subhanahu wa taala only in the times of distress and trials but also in the times of ease and joy, and call upon Him always.

Had Allah lifted the veil for His slave and shown him how He handles his affairs for him, and how Allah is more keen for the benefit of the slave than his own self, his heart would have melted out of the love for Allah and would have been torn to pieces out of thankfulness to Allah.

Therefore if the pains of this world tires you, do not grieve. It Indeed is a trial sent by your Rabb.

For it may be that through this trial, Allah Subhanahu wa taala wishes to hear your voice by the way of Du’aa or its just to redirect you to the right path.

So pour out your heart in prostration, ask Allah Subhanahu wa taala, Have Tawakkul in Him and don't let it bother you anymore and know, that verily Allah does not forget. He knows everything that's in your heart.

Allah Subhanahu wa taala does not forget the Good you do.. Allah does not forget the Pains you've suffered with.. Allah doesn't forget the Dua'a you've made.. 

Have complete Hope & Faith in Allah Subhanahu wa taala. And learn that Indeed He is sufficient for you and is the BEST disposer of all affairs.

He is the one who has bought you to it, and He alone is the one who will bring you through it.

Expect only from your Rabb. And you'll witness beautiful rewards and surprises In Shaa Allah

Indeed Allah loves those are righteous and steadfast. Face each trial with a smile and complete Tawakkul in Allah Subhanahu wa taala who is The Lord Of The Worlds

184. Surah Al-Qasas, Aayat No 54

أُولَٰئِكَ يُؤْتَوْنَ أَجْرَهُم مَّرَّتَيْنِ بِمَا صَبَرُوا وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

These shall be granted their reward twice, because they are steadfast and they repel evil with good and spend out of what We have given them.

The only way to stop any pain in your life is to accept the fact that nothing is yours, nothing was yours, and nothing will ever be yours.

They are worldly attachments; given by Allah Subhanahu wa taala, belonging to Allah Subhanahu wa taala and returning back to Allah Subhanahu wa taala..!!

Don't be sad. Pain in this dunya is temporary, handle it with Sabr and In Shaa Allah a greater reward awaits you. Indeed, Allah Subhanahu wa taala is with the patient.

Be kind to your heart and stop worrying about the things which are out of your control.

Let Allah Subhanahu wa taala handle them. He's your Creator & He loves you.

He is the knower of the seen as well as the unseen and is the one who protects and grants without measure

Trust Him. Tawakkul is the key to happiness, peace, success and joy.

Having trust in Allah's plan, for you, will make you appreciate your trials.

It will make you grateful for your blessings.

Stay strong for yourself, stay strong for the one who created you, because Allah Subhanahu wa taala will never burden a soul beyond it can bear.

183. Surah As-Saff, Aayat No 11

تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتُجَاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

You shall believe in Allah and His Apostle, and struggle hard in Allah's way with your property and your lives; that is better for you, did you but know!

Know that this life is not a place of absolute happiness or joy.

There are highs & lows but Allah Subhanahu wa taala will never Test you with more than you can handle.

In His wisdom & justice He tries people according to their levels, so know that your trial is according to your level.

Also know that the brightness of day follows the darkness of night.

So in your moment of darkness have glad tidings of the light which will follow & bear patiently whatever comes your way.

Some days it will seem like your back is against the wall & you just can't go on..

But don't you see how the bird flies for miles until it eventually reaches it's food?

The towering tree doesn't grow tall overnight - it sends its roots far & wide & then begins the slow, painful climb skywards.

Likewise, your rise to the heights of jannah won't be easy but keep going until you reach your goal.

️Yes, the road is long.

Yes, the nights are dark & lonely but know that whoever has Allah Subhanahu wa taala ,then he has the ultimate protector & to Allah Subhanahu wa taala Belong the treasures of the heavens & the earth - He gives them to whoever He wills.

So I advise my own soul & then yours - keep your eye on the goal & keep moving towards it.

The seas of life will get rocky & there will be storms, but in the morning perhaps there will be perfect stillness with no waves at all In Shaa Allah

With hardship comes ease, with trials come rewards & with patience comes Jannah In Shaa Allah

Do SABR in bad times & SHUKR in good times & always

182. Surah Al-Furqan, Aayat No 70

إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

Except him who repents and believes and does a good deed; so these are they of whom Allah changes the evil deeds to good ones; and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

"What is destined will reach you, even if it be underneath two mountains. What is not destined, will not reach you, even if it be between your two lips!"

What ever is meant for you will be coming your way, while you are led and directed towards it.

As for that which is not meant for you, you will be deflected from it as it is turned aside from you.

All you need to do is, Repent sincerely and have complete Tawakkul in your Rabb and continue doing the good that you do, Cause Allah Subhanahu wa taala loves those who do good and never let's their reward go in vain.

Go easy on yourself, for the outcome of all affairs is determined by Allah Subhanahu wa taala’s decree.

If something is meant to go elsewhere, it will never come your way, but if it is yours by destiny, from you it cannot flee.

Have your Trust & Faith in Allah Subhanahu wa taala so strong, that no matter what happens; you're Rabb is always with you and is guiding you towards the BEST In Shaa Allah

181. Ceremonies During Wedding

By Asma Bint Shameem

There nothing much to do as far as a wedding is concerned in our Deen. 

There’s no proof of “ubtan” or “mayyun” 

That’s Hindu culture. 

The mehndi ceremony the way we have in our customs is also not allowed. 

There’s a lot of haraam that goes on in these ceremonies. 

There’s music, dancing, mixing of men and women, women dressed inappropriately, going around without hijaab, and some even have alcohol Astaghfirullaah. 

All these things are completely prohibited in our Deen. 

However if just the girls get together and apply mehndi on their hands and sing on Daff only and among themselves without any men there, then that’s allowed. 

Also there’s no need for the extravagant weddings that we usually have after borrowing money and spending thousands and thousands. 

And of course there no need for “jahaaiz” or the money and stuff that the parents are forced to give their daughters for their wedding. 

Rather it’s the GROOM that is supposed to bring the dowry and the gifts for his new bride. 

All the groom needs is a nikaah then a waleemah that’s it. 

Please see the following links for more information 

https://youtu.be/B43AL2_Y6cE

https://youtu.be/94WylAqp168

And Allaah knows best

180. Nose Piercing

By Asma Bint Shameem

No you don’t “have” to get your nose pierced at all. 

In fact some of the scholars say that it’s not allowed to get the nose pierced because it’s ‘adornment’ that can be seen by non mahrams and it’s also a way of ‘changing my the creation of Allaah. 

But the stronger scholarly opinion is that it’s something ‘permissible’. 

If you want to do it, you can. 

If you don’t want to do it, that’s fine too. 

Someone asked the scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fataawaa about nose piercing. 

They said:

“The ruling on putting a ring in a woman’s nose is that it is permissible, because the nose is pierced for the purpose of adornment and not for the purpose of harming or changing the creation of Allaah.”

(Standing Committee on Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, 24/36) 

And the scholars also said:

“If it – meaning the ring in the nose – is something with which women adorn themselves, as is the case in some countries, then it is like piercing the ears – i.e., in terms of it being permissible.”

[Radd al-Muhtaar (6/420)]

And Allaah knows best

179. Are Dogs Haraam

By Asma Bint Shameem

Before I answer the post, let me clarify that dogs are not haraam in and of themselves. 

Touching dogs is permissible as long as one does not come into contact with their saliva. 

In that case, the person should simply purify oneself before performing Salaah.

As Muslims we are supposed to believe in the Qur’aan AND the authentic ahaadeeth of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

That’s PART of being a Muslim. 

That’s PART of saying “La ilaaha ilallaah Muhammadur Rasoolullaah”

How can this man ignore the authentic ahaadeeth of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam that CLEARLY prohibit keeping dogs as pets?

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

"Whoever keeps a dog, his good deeds will decrease every day by one qeeraat (meaning a very large portion), unless it is a dog for herding sheep, farming or hunting." (al-Bukhaari)

In another hadeeth he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Whoever keeps a dog, except a dog for herding livestock or a dog that is trained for hunting, TWO qiraats will be deducted from his reward each day.” (Muslim)

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam also said:

“The angels do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.” (Ibn Maajah -- saheeh by al-Albaani)

Islaam is not just what’s in the Qur’aan.

Islaam is ALSO following the Sunnah. 

The Qur’aan is the basic commands of Allaah. 

The Sunnah is the IMPLEMENTATION of those Orders. 

  

Allaah said:

“He who obeys the Messenger, has indeed *obeyed Allaah*; but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad SAW) as a watcher over them.” 

(Surah an-Nisaa:80)

And Allaah said:

“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, *ABSTAIN* (from it) , *and FEAR Allaah. *

*Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment.” *

(Surah al-Hashr :7)

So we’re supposed to ACCEPT whatever the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam tells us to do and SUBMIT to that. 

That’s why I’m this Aayah, Allaah is WARNING those people who want to OPPOSE the instructions of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and *only follow the Qur’aan*. 

Just look at the words.

Allaah is saying...

*”FEAR Allaah. “*

*”Verily, Allaah is SEVERE in punishment.” *

In fact the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam already warned us 1400 years ago about such people who will ONLY want to follow the Qur’aan so that they can follow their desires instead of submitting to Allaah and His Messenger Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

He Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

“Verily I have been given the Qur’aan and *something similar to it along with it.* *(the Sunnah).*

But soon there will be a time when a man will be reclining on his couch with a full stomach, and he will say, ‘You should adhere to this Qur’aan: what you find that it says is permissible, take it as permissible, and what you find it says is forbidden, take it as forbidden.’

But indeed, *whatever the Messenger of Allaah forbids is like what Allaah forbids.”*

[al-Tirmidhi (2664); hasan by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah(2870)]

So as Muslims we’re supposed to follow the Qur’aan “AND” the Sunnah. 

Muslims are not “blindly following their sects and Ulama”, as the author of the post alleges. 

We’re following the *Prophet* sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam and his instructions!

And it is HE that is “blindly following” “his desires” and conveniently “misinterpreting” the Aayaat of the Qur’aan and “ignoring” the clear instructions of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam, just to fulfill HIS OWN WHIMS. 

I’ll go over each Aayah and explain Bi idhnillaahi Ta’aala. 

1.  Surah Kahf: 18

”And you would think them awake, while they were asleep. And WE turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance". 

My answer:

The fact that the dog was with the people of the cave does NOT mean that it’s allowed to keep dogs as PETS. 

Allaah is mentioning a “circumstance” where a dog accompanied the youth and he was GUARDING the youth

“their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance"

And guard dogs are ALLOWED, as per the authentic hadeeth of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam. 

And even if keeping a dog was allowed in the Sharee’ah of that time, ALL the legislation of previous Prophets was ABROGATED by the Sharee’ah that the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam brought. 

Just because Allaah mentions a dog in that story does not mean that it’s allowed for ALL time to come till eternity!

2. Surah Kahf: 54

“And indeed We have put forth every kind of example in this Quran, for mankind. But, man is ever more quarrelsome than anything.“

My answer:

The Aayah #54 of Surah al-Kahf is NOT referring specifically to the DOG!

Rather, if we read the Aayaat before and after this Aayah #54, we will see that Allaah is talking about Iblees and the criminals and disbelievers who set up partners with Allaah and commit SHIRK!

It has NOTHING to do with the dog. 

The Aayaat that mentioned the dog are done and over with. 

3.Surah Kahf Aayah 22 

“ (Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth, guessing at the unseen; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say (O Muhammad SAW): "My Lord knows best their number; none knows them but a few." So debate not (about their number, etc.) except with the clear proof (which We have revealed to you). And consult not any of them (people of the Scripture, Jews and Christians) about (the affair of) the people of the Cave.”

My answer:

Just because Surah Kahf Aayah 22 counts the dog among the people does not mean that allowing a dog as a pet. 

No one is denying that the dog was there.

We believe in the Qur’aan and so we all know the dog was there. 

But we ALSO believe in the authentic ahaadeeth and we know that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam FORBADE keeping a dog unnecessarily. 

4. Surah al-Maa’idah:4

”They ask you what (is) made lawful for them. Say, "Are made lawful for you the good things and what you have taught (your) hunting animals, ones who train animals to hunt you teach them of what Allah has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, but mention (the) name (of) Allah on it” 

My answer:

Yes the Aayah tells us to train dogs to HUNT. 

And what they catch is allowed for us 

No one doubts that. 

But the same Rabb that has allowed us to use dogs as hunting tools, is the SAME Rabb who has said NOT to keep dogs as pets. 

So it’s all about SUBMISSION to Allaah’s orders. 

5. Surah al-Aa’raaf:176 

“And had We willed, We would surely have elevated him therewith but he clung to the earth and followed his own vain desire.

 So his description is the description of a dog: if you drive him away, he lolls his tongue out, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls his tongue out. Such is the description of the people who reject Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). So relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect.“

Allaah is giving an example of a stubborn evil man called Bal’am, who did NOT SUBMIT to Allaah or His Messenger Musa Alaiyhis-Salaam. 

Ibn `Abbas said, 

"When Musa and those with him went to the city of the tyrants (Jerusalem), the cousins of Bal`am and his people came to him and said, `Musa is a strong man, and he has many soldiers. If he gains the upper hand over us, we will be destroyed. 

Therefore, supplicate to Allah that He prevents Musa and those with him from prevailing over us.' Bal`am said, `If I supplicate to Allah that He turns back Musa and those with him, I will lose in this life and the Hereafter.' They kept luring him until he supplicated against Musa and his people, and Allah took away what he bestowed on him (of knowledge).“ (Tafseer Ibn Katheer) 

Allaah talks about this man in a very derogatory manner and likens him to a dog that pants no matter what he does. 

Similarly such a man will never be guided no matter what. 

Ibn Katheer says:

“Scholars of Tafsir have conflicting opinions regarding the meaning of this Ayah. 

Some scholars said that it refers to the end of Bal`am's tongue which flickered out of his mouth, as in the story narrated from Ibn Ishaq, from Salim, from Abu An-Nadr. 

Therefore, his example is the example of the dog, its tongue pants regardless of whether it is driven away or not. 

It was also said that the meaning here is a parable of this man -- and his like -- concerning their misguidance, persisting the wrong path and not being able to benefit from faith or comprehend what they are being called to. 

So his example is that of a dog which pants whether it was driven away or left alone. The person described here does not benefit from the advice or the call to faith, just as if the advice and call never occurred. 

It was also said that the meaning here, is that the heart of the disbeliever, the hypocrite and the wicked is weak and devoid of guidance. Therefore, it keeps faltering. Similar was narrated from Al-Hasan Al-Basri.“

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer ; Surah al-Aayaat:176)

So the dog is NOT mentioned in a positive way or in a way that supports the author of the post’s arguments about dogs. 

“If God did not curse the dog, it is because God wants us to know that He created that beautiful creature He expects us to make all use and companionship with that animal that accompanied these righteous people of the cave.”

My answer:

That’s a lie. 

No one says that Allaah has cursed the dog. 

Rather Allaah tells us to be KIND to ALL animals, including dogs, cats, lions, horses, fish etc. 

Muslims are not forbidden to be around dogs.

Muslims are not allowed to keep dogs as PETS in OBEDIENCE to the orders of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

But Muslims ARE allowed to USE dogs as guard dogs, hunt dogs, cow dogs, guide dogs etc. 

May Allaah guide this man and enable him to see beyond his limited vision of his desires. 

And enable him to submit to the orders of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam. 

As Allaah said:

“But no, by your Lord, *they can have no Faith*, until they make you (O Muhammad SAW) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves *no resistance* against your decisions, and ACCEPT (them) with *full submission*.” 

(Surah an-Nisaa:65)

And Allaah knows best