Categories
Muslim men Muslim women

12 Levels of Friendship

Did you know that in Arabic, there are 12 levels of friendship? 

For every level of friendship, there is an Arabic word to describe it. From Siddique to Khaleel, it is rare to find all 12 levels of friendship in one person.

1. Siddique (صديق) – a true friend; someone who doesn’t befriend you for an ulterior motive. The word “Siddique” is commonly translated as truth, so honesty and loyalty is at the core of this friendship.

2. 𝘼𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨 (أنيس) – someone with whom you’re really comfortable and familiar with.

3. 𝙕𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙡 (زميل) – someone you have a nodding acquaintance with.

4. 𝙅𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙨 (جليس) – someone you’re comfortable sitting with for a period of time.

5. 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙧 (سمير) – someone you have good conversation with them.

6. 𝙎𝙖𝙝𝙞𝙗 (صاحب) – someone who’s concerned for your well-being.

7. 𝙍𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙦 (رفيق) – someone you can depend upon.

8. 𝙆𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙡 (خليل) – an intimate friend; someone whose presence makes you happy.

9. 𝙉𝙖𝙟𝙞 (نجي) – a confidant; someone you trust deeply.

10. 𝙉𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙢 (نديم) – a drinking companion (just tea) that you might call when you’re free.

11. 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙞 (صفي) – your best friend; someone you’ve chosen over other friends.

12. 𝙌𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣 (قرين) – someone who’s inseparable from you; you know how they think (and vice versa).

Which ones do you have?

Categories
Muslim women

Fireproof!

fire

Ibnul Jawzi (Rahimahullah) narrates that a pious person once mentioned:

I once entered Egypt where I found a blacksmith who would extract iron from his furnace using nothing but his bare hands! He would then place the iron on his anvil and turn it with his hands without apparently experiencing any pain whatsoever.

On witnessing this extraordinary spectacle, I thought to myself, “This must most definitely be a very pious man if the fire does not harm him!” With this in mind, I drew close to him and greeted him with salaam to which he replied. I thereafter addressed him in the following words, “O my master! I beseech you in the name of that Being who favoured you with this miracle to please make du‘aa for me!” On hearing my request, the blacksmith began to cry and exclaimed, “My brother! By Allah! I am not the pious person that you think me to be!” To this exclamation, I replied, “O my brother! This miracle which I witnessed from you is something which only the pious people are able to carry out.” The blacksmith answered, “There is a strange incident behind the miracle you speak of.” At my request, the blacksmith thereafter recounted the following incident:

I was once sitting in this business of mine, in a state of intense preoccupation, when I suddenly realized that there was a woman before me. On glancing at her, I beheld a face which possessed beauty the like of which I had never seen before. The woman addressed me and pleaded saying, “O my brother! Do you have anything to give us for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala?” I was, by this point, captivated by her sight and infatuated by her beauty. I therefore replied, “Why don’t you accompany me to my home where I will give you something that will see to your needs?” On hearing my suggestion, she looked at me in silence for some time and eventually turned and departed from my business. After some time had passed, however, she returned and submitted, “Dire necessity has forced me to accept your offer.” I therefore locked my business and proceeded home with her.

When we reached my residence, she begged me saying, “I have children whom I have left in extreme starvation. Please give me something that I can take to them! I will return to you thereafter.” After making her promise and vow that she would return, I gave her some dirhams and watched as she left to see to her children. When she returned, I ushered her into my home and turned to lock the door. “Why are you locking the door?” she asked. “I fear the people.” I replied. “And why do you not fear the Lord of all the people?” she enquired. “He is Forgiving and Merciful.” I retorted. I then advanced towards her and found that tears were streaming down her cheeks in torrents and she was trembling, just as palm leaves tremble beneath the force of a gale. “Why are you trembling and crying?” I asked. “Out of the fear of Allah Ta‘ala.” she answered.

The woman then turned to me and pleaded saying, “If you leave me for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala, I will stand guarantee that Allah Ta‘ala will neither punish you with fire in this world nor in the next.” When I heard her say this, I was shaken and instantly stood and gave her all that I owned saying, “I have left you out of the fear of Allah Ta‘ala!”

A while after she had left, I fell asleep and had a dream in which I saw a woman wearing a crown of red rubies who had the most beautiful face that I had ever seen. She said to me, “May Allah Ta‘ala reward you well on our behalf.” Who are you?” I asked. “I am the mother of the girl whom you left out of the fear of Allah Ta‘ala. May Alah Ta‘ala never punish you with fire, neither in this world nor the next.” I next said to her, “Please tell me who she is and which family she is from.” To this the woman replied, “She is from the family of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).” It was then that I remembered the verse of the Qur’aan in which Allah Ta‘ala mentions: “Allah only intends to keep (all sorts of) filth away from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to make you pure through a perfect purification.”

When I awoke from my sleep, I found that the fire of this world could not harm me. I have hope that the fire of the Hereafter will not harm me as well. (Al-Mawaa‘iz wal Majaalis libnil Jawzi RH pg. 219)

blacksmith

Lessons:

1. The way to extinguish the fire of Jahannum is for us to extinguish the fire of our nafs and desires.

2. If we introduce a person to an evil habit or sin, we will have a share of the burden to bear every time he commits it. On the other hand, if we are instrumental in assisting someone to abstain from sin or change their lives for the better, we will continue to receive reward so long as that person is benefiting from our advice and encouragement.

3. We do not know which action or which person’s du‘aa will be the means of drawing the special mercy of Allah Ta‘ala. As such, we should never consider any good action to be insignificant or risk losing the du‘aa of any person. 

4. A person who wishes to commit a sin should fear the punishment of Allah Ta‘ala as His forgiveness is for those who sincerely repent and wish to change their lives.

5. A believer should meditate, for a few minutes daily, over the reality that Allah Ta‘ala is watching him at all times.

6. The family of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is the greatest of all Royal Families. Hence they should be shown the absolute greatest level of respect and honour that should be shown to people.

13 Dhul Qa’dah 1437

Categories
Du'aas

D-Anger

See link for reference:

What is the best way to deal with Anger and Waswasas?

Answer

In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalāmu ῾alaykum wa Rahmatullāhi Wabarakātuh

ANGER

ANSWER TO THE FIRST QUERY: Anger is natural to man. There is no man without the instinct of anger. Allah has placed this quality in man for some reason. It is given to man for the purpose of protecting himself, his possessions, his family and his relatives. If he is bereft of the quality of anger then he will never be angry and never defend himself when attacked by an enemy or an animal. So, man is allowed to show anger to protect himself and, the Shariah has not placed any restriction on that. However, what is required s that man keeps it under control, which if he does so, he will save himself from many difficulties. Conversely, if man does not control his anger he is prone to commit innumerable sins. It is anger that gives rise to arrogance; it gives root to jealousy; an angry man bears malice and is also hostile. Hence, man needs to learn how to use this innate tool of anger for his advantage and protect himself from its abuse and nasty consequences.

A FEW ANTIDOTES

Hereunder follow a few prescriptions and antidotes to ‘diffuse’ one in the rage of anger. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Divine ability to implement these when we are placed in such situations, Āmin.

  1. A) RECITE TA’WWUZ – When faced with a situation of anger and excitement, the first thing one should do is act on the directive that Allah Ta’ala has given in the Qurān:

وَإِمَّا يَنْزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ

“(O Rasulullah) If a provocation from Shaytan provokes you, then seek refuge in Allah.”

(Surah Fussilat – S.41, V.36)

That is, recite,

أَعُوْذُ باِللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْمْ

“I seek refuge in Allah from the dejected devil.”

The devil has provoked you, but you have sought the refuge of Allah, so Allah will preserve you from its evil consequences.

  1. B) SIT DOWN OR LIE DOWN – The next thing to be done when angry is to follow the advice of Rasulullah r. It is an unusual but psychological procedure. Rasulullah u advised,

“If you feel the rage of anger in you then, if you are standing, sit down. If the feeling persists in that posture, then lie down.” (Abu Dāwud, Vol.2, Pg.316, Maktabah Ramāniyyah)

  1. C) THINK OF THE POWER OF ALLAH – Yet another method to counter anger is to say to oneself,

“Suppose Allah was to be angry at me in the same way I am angry at this man, then what will become of me?”

We are told in a hadith that Rasulullah r came across Abu Bakr t scolding his slave. He was blaming him harshly. According to a version, Rasilullah r said,

“Remember, Allah has more power and authority over you than you have over him. You use your authority to hurt him but Allah has more authority over you.”

  1. D) GET ALLAH’S HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST – It is recorded in one of the previous Divine books that Allah Ta’ala has mentioned regarding an angry person,

“Remember me in the time of your anger and I (Allah) will consider you at time when I am in full fury.”

(Ihyā Ulumiddīn Vol.2, Pg.219; Dāru Misr Littibā’ah)

  1. E) KEEP SILENT – Sayyiduna Ibn Abbās t has reported Rasulullah r to have said,

“When you become angry, remain silent.”

(Ihyā Ulumiddīn Vol.2, Pg.219; Dāru Misr Littibā’ah)

By remaining silent, calm and sedate, one will be in complete control of one’s mind and senses thus allowing one to act in correct measure.

  1. F) REMEMBER THESE PHRASES – Next time, before getting angry or while one is in a fit of anger, one may well consider the following wise sayings-

“Anger Is A Very Valuable Thing So Don’t Lose It!”

“For Every Minute You Are Angry, You Lose 60 Seconds Of Happiness!”

May Allah Ta’ālā protect us from the snares of Shaytan and nafs, and may He allow us to attain His Divine pleasure through our anger, Āmīn.

WASWASA (EVIL WHISPERS & DOUBTS)

ANSWER TO THE SECOND QUERY: From the outset we should understand that Allah Ta’ala has given Shaytan the power of whispering into the heart of a person. It is for this reason that we implore Allah’s protection against such whisperings in Surah Nās,

“I seek protection… from the mischief of the whisperer (of evil), who withdraws (after his whisper). He who whispers into the heart of mankind…”

(Surah Nās – S. 114, V. 4-6)

Whilst the evil whispers of Shaytan cannot be heard, its message can be perceived and comprehended by the heart. A golden rule to remember is that, as long as one does not subscribe to these whisperings, (into ones heart), there is no need to become worried and perturbed about them; the whisperings should merely be ignored. In the same note, whilst these whisperings pose a test to mans will-power of restraint, Allah Ta’ālā has provided man with antidotes to secure ourselves from the evil of these injected whispers taking effect.

A FEW ANTIDOTES

  1. A) OCCUPY YOURSELF – Among the numerous divine prescriptions of shielding oneself from waswasas (whisperings), one such technique is to busy oneself in some task when one gets them. One cannot get rid of them by simply desiring them to go away, hence one should occupy himself in some activity. Along with that, one should constantly recite the undermentioned supplication recommended by Rasulullah r for removing these whisperings. The supplication (dua) is as follows:

اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ وَسَاوِسَ قَلْبِىْ خَشْيَتَكَ وَ ذِكْرَكَ وَ اجْعَلْ هِمَّتِىْ وَ هَوَايَ فِيْمَا تُحِبُّ وَ تَرْضَى

“O Allah! Make Your fear and remembrance the obsession of my mind and divert my will and courage to the performance of deeds that please You.”

(Al Hizbul A’zam)

It is the disposition of man that his mind is always occupied and never without thoughts. His hands may be doing something but his mind is thinking of something else and continuously receives diverse thoughts. Therefore, we must implore Allah Ta’ālā via this Dua that the idle thoughts we receive be replaced by Allah’s remembrance and fear.

  1. B) DOUBTING ALLAH AND ISLAM – Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas t has stated that if the Shaytan casts an evil scruple in anyone’s heart, and thus causes skepticism about Allah Ta’ala and as to which is the religion of truth, he should in a soft tone recite the following verse:

هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآَخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

“He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden and He is All-Knowing about everything.”

(Surah Al Hadīd, S.57, V.3)

(Ma’āriful Qurān, English, Vol.8, Pg.305; Maktaba-e-Dārul-Uloom Karāchi.14 )

  1. C) DIFFERENCES AMONGST THE SAHABAH t Someone asked Rabi Ibnul Khaitham about the shahādah (martyrdom) of Sayyidunā Husein t. He sighed and recited the verse:

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِي مَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ

“O Allah! Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You will judge between Your servants in that which they used to differ.”

(Surah Zumar – S.39, V.46)

And thereafter said, “Whenever you have a doubt about the mutual differences of the noble Sahabah t, do recite this verse.”

Additionally, Tafsir Ruhul Ma’ani reports this statement and then says,

“This incident serves to teach us the best etiquette with regard to this issue, and this is something one should always bear in mind.”

(Ma’āriful Qurān, Vol.7, Pg.570)

  1. D) SAFETY AGAINST THE CLUTCHES OF SHAYTAN – In the undermentioned verse, Allah Ta’ālā commands His Nabi r and the the Ummah to seek protection from the evil insinuation and instigation of the Shaytan, to commit sin, to confuse one and to enrage his temper where he loses control over himself.

وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ . وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ

“Say O Muhammad r, ‘O Allah! I seek your protection from the whisperings of the Shaytān, and, O my Rabb, I seek Your protection that they (the Shaytāns) approach me (because they always approach with evil).’”

(Surah Mu’minun – S. 23, V. 98)

(Al Jāmiu Li Ahkāmil Qurān – Qurtubī, Vol.12, Pg.154; Dārul Hadīth, Egypt)

May Allah Ta’ālā allow us to recite these supplications constantly, and may He occupy our minds with His fear and remembrance, Āmīn.

And Allāh Ta῾āla Knows Best
Wassalāmu ῾alaykum 

 

Ml. Zeyad Danka,
Student Dārul Iftā

Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Dārul Iftā, Madrasah In῾āmiyyah

 

 

 

 

http://www.zamzamacademy.com/2012/12/3460/

Do you want to cure your anger problem?

This is a beautiful du’a for those of us who get angry quickly:

اللّهُمَ اغْفِرْ لِيْ ذَنْبِيْ ، وَأَذْهِبْ غَيْظَ قَلْبِيْ، وَأَجِرْنِيْ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ

Allahummaghfirli dhanbi, wa adh-hib ghayza qalbi, wa ajirni min al-shaytan.

O Allah, forgive my sins, remove the rage in my heart and protect me from the Shaytan. (Ibn al-Sunni, 622)