A Beautiful

Thursday 25th June 2009

Zikr lesson for the week

 
A Beautiful Fellowship
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We are in the month of Rajab and Prophet Muhammad (saw) has indicated that this month is one of the four (4) blessed months’.

“The year consists of twelve months, of which four are sacred; the three consecutive months of Dhu’l-Qi’dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab, which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.”
(Bukhari)

It is advisable that we recite lots of darood and pray as much optional salaat as possible.

Allah (swt) says in Surah Nisa;

           •        
“All who obey Allah and the Apostle are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah, - of the Prophets (Who teach), the sincere (lovers of Truth), the witnesses (Who testify), and the righteous (Who do good): Ah! What a beautiful fellowship!”
(Chapter 4, verse 69)

Allah (swt) has made 7 levels of heaven and, according to the scholars, on the Day of Judgement He will categorized the inhabitants of Paradise into these levels. For example those who give their all in the path of Allah (swt) will not be equal to those who are not serious about their salaat, fasting, zakaat, etc. Those who are prepared to utilize all their assets for Allah (swt) will be placed in a ‘higher level’ than those who are careless. On that Day when Allah (swt) will categorize us some believers will be in the companionship of the Messengers of Allah (swt) as Prophet Muhammad (saw) is reported to have said;

Amongst my followers some will have the status of the Messengers of the Bani Israel.

The ayat mention above was revealed because of a particular incident. One day a companion of Prophet (saw) came to him and said “O Prophet (saw) we love you so much, when we die and you die we will be separate”. Another companion said “O Prophet (saw) if I don’t see you for one day I begin to feel anxious, what will happen in the hereafter when we will not meet you anymore”. Thereafter the ayat was revealed.

It implies that in the hereafter it is possible to be in the companionship of the Messengers, including Prophet Muhammad (saw). Ka'ab al Aslami (ra) narrated that he used to carry water for Prophet Muhammad (saw) for ablution and for his need and one day Prophet (saw) told him to ask of him for whatever he wanted. Ka'ab al Aslami (ra) asked to be Prophet’s (saw) companion in Paradise. Prophet (saw) asked if he wished for anything else to which he replied only that. Prophet (saw) then told Ka'ab “help me fulfil this wish for you by performing many prostrations”.

On another occasion Prophet (saw) was asked what will happen on the Day of Judgement to a person who loved the people but is of a higher status from them. Prophet (saw) replied “One is with those he loves.”

What kind of status do you want to have in the next life? Make sincere dua to Allah (swt) because He hears and accepts our duas. When Prophet Muhammad (saw) was departing this physical world he supplicated to Allah (swt) by reciting “Ilah Rafeek il a'ala” – “Join me with the exalted ones”.

We should incorporate this is our supplication to Allah (swt). Keep in mind what kind of preparation you are making for the hereafter and what level of Paradise you wish to attain. If you sincerely strive in the way of your Lord it is possible to be elevated to the status of the Messengers in Paradise. Beg Allah (swt) for strength to strive to earn a place alongside the Messengers and may He forgive us and have mercy on us, and take care of our affairs in this life and the next, insha Allah.

The Hereafter

Thursday 18th June 2009

Zikr lesson for the week


Preparing for the Hereafter
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Allah (swt) says in Al Qur’an;

                                          
“Know ye (all), that the life of this world is but play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting and multiplying, (in rivalry) among yourselves, riches and children. Here is a similitude: How rain and the growth which it brings forth, delight (the hearts of) the tillers; soon it withers; thou wilt see it grow yellow; then it becomes dry and crumbles away. But in the Hereafter is a Penalty severe (for the devotees of wrong). And Forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the devotees of Allah) And what is the life of this world, but goods and chattels of deception?”
(Chapter 57, verse 20)

Life in this world is only for a short period of time. Unfortunately, there are some who forget this and they focus all their energy and resources in attaining the ‘pleasures’ of this world. Allah (swt) says that it soon becomes a contest between some men to see who has more and the best worldly assets. They take pride from their accumulation of wealth, the success of their children and their physical assets. They pay no heed in preparing for the eternal life in the hereafter.

Allah (swt) goes on to compare the life of this world to a flower. A flower starts its life as an insignificant tiny seed. Through the necessary nutrients the seed slowly starts growing until it blooms into a beautiful flower. After some time the once beautiful, sweet smelling flower begins to slowly wilt and it crumbles away. So too man starts out his life in a helpless state, and through the Grace of Allah (swt) he begins to mature and gains strength and intelligence in the process. Thereafter he begins to deteriorate. He slowly loses the strength and intelligence he once had and his physical features starts diminishing.

Never forget that this moment can be your last and everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve will all be left behind. That is why, as Muslims we must do things that will be of benefit to us in the hereafter. Some people will do anything to acquire wealth and power. Concerning this Prophet Muhammad (saw) is reported to have said;

two hungry wolves, if let loose among a flock of sheep, will not do more damage than that which is caused by a man's avarice for wealth and status to his religion, (Tirmidhi).

Some people work their whole life acquiring wealth and soon after they die and leave behind everything they worked so hard to achieve. Others reach a stage of understanding where too much wealth doesn’t bring benefit, e.g. you can have all the wealth in the world but it cannot compensate you for poor health. The danger is that some people believe that because they are wealthy they can do whatever pleases them and they fail to realize that it is out of the Graciousness of Allah (swt) that they have and can benefit from it.

Prophet Muhammad (saw) said

A servant says: My wealth, my wealth, but out of his wealth three things are only his: whatever he eats and makes use of, or by means of which he dresses himself and it wears out or he gives as charity, and this is what he stored for himself (as a reward for the Hereafter), and what is beyond this (it is of no use to you) because you are to depart and leave it for other people. (Sahih Muslim).

It is reported by Abdullah Ibn Umar (ra) that Prophet Muhammad (saw) once took him by his shoulder and said;

“Be in this world as though you are a stranger or a traveller. When the evening come do not expect (to live till) morning and at morning do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health for your illness and from your life for your death”.

Logically we cannot isolate ourselves from this world. We need it in order to gain sustenance, comfort, etc. Allah (swt) is the One who provides these things however it is through the process of working and striving that we are able to access them. We also need to strive for the eternal life that awaits us in the hereafter. It can either be a life of bliss or a life of misery. We need to have the right balance of living in this world and working for the next. Take time out of your daily schedule to worship your Lord so that when you depart this world you would have sent things that would be of benefit to you in the next. Concerning this Allah (swt) say;

   •           •     
“And whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with Allah; for Allah sees Well all that ye do.”
(Chapter 2, verse 110)