Tag: Umar RA

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Spirituality

Watch YOUR Words!

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Manner of Advising

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “O Umar! You are a strong person. Do not jostle through the crowds to reach the black stone lest you injure the weak. If you find an opening, then touch it, otherwise, simply face it and utter Tahleel and Takbeer (laa ilaaha illallaah and Allaahu akbar).” [Musnad Ahmad]IMG_9831

On one occasion the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi was a sallam) noticed that Umar (radi Allahu anhu) was making Tawaf around the Kaabah and as he wished to touch the black stone, he jostled through the crowds and kissed it. Umar (radi Allahu anhu) was very muscular and strong and on his way to the black stone he could have harmed someone. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) wanted to advise him in this regard, so in order to mentally prepare him for advice he started by saying, “O Umar, you are a strong person.” Umar (radi Allahu anhu) became pleased upon hearing this. The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) then said, “Do not jostle through the crowds to reach the black stone.”

There was once a king who saw in a dream that all his teeth had fallen out. He called a dream-interpreter, told him what he had seen, and asked him to interpret it.

When the interpreter heard the dream his complexion changed and he began to repeat, “Allah’s refuge is sought! Allah’s refuge is sought!” The king became worried and asked, “What is the interpretation of my dream?” The interpreter said, “After many years pass, your wife and children will die and you will be all alone in your kingdom!”

The king screamed, became furious, and began to hurl abuses and insults. He then ordered that the interpreter is imprisoned and called for another interpreter. He again related to him what he had seen in his dream and asked him for the interpretation.

The dream interpreter smiled and said, “Glad tidings dear king!” The king said, “What is the interpretation of the dream?” The interpreter said, “It means that you will live for very long – so long that you will be the last of your family to die, and you will remain a king your entire life.”

The king became very pleased, showered him with gifts, and remained content with him whilst angry with the first dream-interpreter. In reality, both interpretations were the same, the difference was in the way in which the interpretation was conveyed.

A man’s flesh is not fit for eating nor is his skin fit for clothing – there is nothing in him except the sweetness of his tongue.

 

Anonymous

Rabiul Awwal 1440

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Current Affairs articles

Keeping Warm in Winter

Sulaym ibn Aamir RH narrates that when winter would come, Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (Radhiallahu Anhu) would be extra mindful of them and write to them, advising: “Winter, which is an enemy, has come, so prepare for it with wool, leathers socks, and socks. Use wool as your under-clothing and outer-clothing, because the cold is an enemy that enters quickly but leaves slowly.”
winter
Ibn al-Rajab al-Hanbal (Rahimahullah) comments that Sayyiduna Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) would write this advice to the people of Shaam when it was conquered in his era, as he was worried that the Companions RA and others who had not previously experienced such cold would be harmed by the cold of Shaam. This was out of his complete well-wishing, graceful vigilance, compassion and safeguarding of his subjects. May Allah be pleased with him. (Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif).
Following in the footsteps of Sayyiduna Umar (Radhiallahu Rnhu), the following is some important advice on what we can do to protect ourselves against the cold and stay warm this winter:
Wear warm clothes
The best way to protect against cold and stay warm is to wear warm clothes, especially when going outdoors into the cold.
Allah mentions warm clothing amongst His many favours: “And the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth [i.e., warm clothes] and [numerous] benefits” (Qur’an, 16:5). He also said, “And from their wool, fur and hair is furnishing and enjoyment for a time” (Qur’an, 16:80).
Wearing a number of thin layers, especially clothes made of cotton, wool and fleecy fibre, helps to keep the body warm. Keeping the feet warm and dry is particularly important, not forgetting footwear with good grips during icy/snowy periods.
Even if you are going out into the cold for a few minutes, to put the bins out perhaps or to get something out of the car, wrap up warm; a few moments of being exposed to the cold is enough to make a person ill.
Keeping your head warm with a scarf or hat is important, as a lot of body heat is lost through the head.
Eating Properly
Good nutrition is vital to keep the body warm. Hot meals (soups in particular) and hot drinks will help you stay warm throughout the day. Wholegrain, legumes (lentils, peas, chickpeas, beans) root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, turnips etc.), vegetables in general, citrus fruits, spices (in moderation!) and herbs (especially ginger), almonds, walnuts, pistachio and other nuts, dried fruits (especially dates and figs) are excellent choices to boost our health during winter.
Keep the House Warm
Cold and damp houses negatively affect our health, so keeping the house warm is a must for staying healthy during winter. We sometimes overlook the most obvious things which make our houses cold, such as unnecessarily opening windows and not attending to draughts under doors, so think about ways to minimise heat escaping from the house; this will also help to reduce heating costs.
Taking Care of Others
As Muslims, it is our duty to be concerned about the welfare of others and not just be concerned about ourselves. Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said, “None of you truly believes until he loves for others what he loves for himself.” (Bukhari, Muslim).
We should be checking on relatives, elderly neighbours or anyone who is more vulnerable during the cold, ensuring they have what they need to stay warm and safe, especially during the night. If we can save an elderly person the trouble of going out in the cold and do their shopping for them, or run other errands for them, we should do so and earn immense reward from Allah.
And let us not forgot the spirit of Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (Radhiallahu Anhu) towards the people of Shaam, who are currently enduring extreme hardship and struggle, with many of them battling against the bitterness of winter without ample clothing, food and shelter.
There are a number of reliable charities that are providing much-needed provisions to our brothers and sisters in Shaam, and other parts of the world. Each Muslim home should aim to provide for at least one family this winter and help alleviate the suffering Allah, out of His Mercy, has saved us from.
May Allah keep us all in His protection, and make us all a means of blessings, comfort, guidance and happiness for others.
Ameen Ya Rabb!
29 Safar 1439
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Personalities

Muharram & Hussain RA

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

“All that glitters isn’t gold.”
 karbala
‘Tis that time of the year again when we remember the martyrdom of Hussain (Allah be pleased with him) and his family who were Shaheed in Muharram, as well as other martyrs including Umar Ibn Khattab (Allah be pleased with him).
We remember Hussain (Allah be pleased with him); His hardship, his suffering and his sacrifice. Even though it was the head of Hussain (Allah be pleased with him) that was cut off, he was not the one who lost. There are many lessons to learn from the Martyrdom of Hussain (Allah be pleased with him).
Just like Hamza (Allah be pleased with him), whose body was mutilated, but where are his enemies today?
The great Umar (Allah be pleased with him), was also martyred by his enemy. But where does Umar (Allah be pleased with him) rest today, more importantly, where is his enemy?
The greatest example, the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) who in Uhud lost His tooth and He (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was pelted with stones in Taif. But nobody would say the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was the one who lost out.
Perspective, understanding and maturity are three important qualities we all need to embrace. We need to learn from our own situation and that of others.
So whatever you are going through in life, don’t always listen to what people have to say. Don’t let people misjudge you.
Always remember, the one who is great in Allah’s eyes is (truly) great.
If your business went down, you lost your only child or you’re going through a divorce. . . Ask yourself did it bring you closer to Allah?
Ismail ibn Nazir Satia (One who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure)
10th Muharram 1438
Categories
Spirituality

Are you Following The Crowd?

SHEEP GETS BUCKET STUCK ON HEAD

When Umar bin al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) was walking in the market, he passed by a man who was supplicating,

اللهم اجعلني من القليل    اللهم اجعلني من القليل
“O Allah, make me from the few! O Allah make me from the few!”

So ‘Umar said to him, “Where did you get this du`a’ (supplication) from?” And the man said, “Allah in His Book says:
و قليل من عبادي الشكور
‘And few of My servants are grateful.’ (Qur’an 34:13)”

So ‘Umar wept and admonished himself, “The people are more knowledgeable than you, O Umar!
O Allah make us from Your ‘few’ servants.”
crowd.jpg

Sometimes when you advise someone to leave a sin, they respond with “But everybody does it, it’s not just me!”

But if you look for the words “most people” in the Qur’an, you will find that most people –

ولكن اكثرهم لا يعلمون
“And however most people do not know” (7:187)

ولكن أكثرهم لا يشكرون
– “and most people do not show gratitude” (2:243)

and
و لكن اكثر الناس لا يؤمنون
– “and most people do not believe” (11:17).

And if you look for “most of them”, you will find that most of them are

و آن أكثرهم فَاسِقُون
– “definitely disobedient” (5:59)

و لكن أكثرهم يجهلون
– “ ignorant” (6:111)

بل أكثرهم لا يعلمون الحق فهم معرضون
– “turning away” (21:24)

So be of the “few”, whom Allah says about them:

و قليل من عبادي الشكور
– “And few of My servants are grateful.” (34:13)

و ما امن معه الا قليل
– “But none had believed with him, except a few.” (11:40)

في جنات النعيم ثلة من الاولين و قليل من الآخرين
– “In the Gardens of Bliss, A [large] company of the former peoples, And a few of the later peoples.” (56:12-14)

Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said, “Go on the path of truth and do not feel lonely because there are few who take that path, and beware of the path of falsehood and do not be deceived by the vastness of the perishers.”
[Found in Kitab al-Zuhd by Ahmad bin Hanbal (رحمه الله), and also in the Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah.] –

May Allah Ta’ala make us of His few servants, Ameen.

Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) : “No servant is struck with a greater punishment than the punishment of a hard heart and distance from Allāh”

● [الفوائد ١٤٢]

1 Rajab 1437

Categories
Muslim men Muslim women Spirituality

Do you talk to yourself?

self-reflection
‘Abdullahi Ibn ‘Abdan RH said:

حدثنا عبد الله أن رجلاً كان يتّبع سفيان الثوري فيجده أبداً يُخرج من لبنة – أي: طوب – رقعة ينظر فيها، فأحب أن يعلم ما فيها، فوقعت الرقعة في يده فإذا مكتوب فيها: سفيان ! اذكر وقوفك بين يدي الله عز وجل

“Abdullah told us that there was a man who used to follow Sufyan Ath-Thawri RH. He noticed that time and time again, Sufyan would take out a piece of paper from a small box which he had and gaze into it. This man became curious as per what was on the paper. It so happened that this paper fell into his hand and on it was written:

“Sufyan! Remember that you shall stand before Allah.”

What you just read was in fact common practice of our predecessors.

Many Muslims validate their lack of Islamic commitment by arguing that ‘my environment is full of haram’ or ‘no one is advising me’ This category of people won’t snap out of their sins till a third party comes along and advises them. The earlier generations didn’t wait for other people’s advice, but they would actively speak to themselves.

The companion, Anas Ibn Malik RA says:

سمعت عمر بن الخطاب يومًا، وخرجت معه، حتى دخل حائطًا، فسمعته يقول، وبيني وبينه حائط، وهو في جوف الحائط: “عمر بن الخطاب.. أمير المؤمنين.. بخ بخ، والله لتتقين الله يا ابن الخطاب، أو ليعذبنك!”

“I was once walking with ‘Umar Ibn Khattab till a walk separated us. I heard him saying to himself from the other side of the wall, “Umar Ibn Khattab?! Leader of the believers?! Well, you will either fear Allah, O ‘Umar or He will punish you!!”

It may be something which you hang up in front of your desk, or it may be Islamic lectures which you keep your ears plugged in with on the way to and back from work/school, or righteous friends whom you regularly ask for advice or it may even be a piece of paper which you keep with you, similar to Sufyan Ath-Thawri’s RH piece of paper.

Also, in recent times Muhammad Ali – the famous boxer used to say, “I don’t smoke but I keep a match box in my pocket. When my heart slips towards a sin, I burn a matchstick and heat my palm. Then I say to myself:‘Ali You can’t bear even this heat, how would you bear the unbearable heat of Hell?’

 

Allah grant us his awareness and consciousness. Ameen Ya Rabb!

Anonymous.
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Personalities

The Gentle Giant


Omar Ibn Khattab Series

30 Episodes on the Life of Umar (Allah be pleased with him)

Quotes of ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu)

Umar bin Al-Khattab, the second caliph and Companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him) once said that if it were not for three pleasures, he would not find any joy in life.

One of these three pleasures was “sitting in the company of men who like to pick good topics for conversation just as people like to pick good dates from a tree.”

“Beware of excessive meat, for it has an addiction similar to that of wine”- (Muwatta Imam Malik, Hadith: 2702)

“Get used to a tough life, for luxury does not last forever.”

“I have never regretted my silence. As for my speech I’ve regretted it many times.”

“Allah loves moderation and hates extravagance and excess.”“I thought of all types of wealth, but couldn’t find a better wealth than contentment in a little.”“Let not your love become attachment, nor your hate become destruction.”“May God bless the man who says less and does more.”“Patience is the healthiest ingredient of our life.”“Doing good for a good done to you is simply repayment, whereas doing good for an evil done to you is a tremendous virtue.”

Umar ibnul Khattab (ra) said: ”Invite people to Islam even without words” They asked ”How?” He replied ”With your manners.”

“I fear the day where disbelievers are proud of their falsehood and Muslims are shy of their faith.”

“The biggest gift after Iman (Faith) is your wives.”

وجدنا خير عيشنا بالصبر “We found the best of our lives through patience.”

Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) wrote to his his governors saying, “In my view, the most important of your affairs is Salah. Whoever protects it and performs it [habitually and timeously], is protecting his Din. Whoever is negligent about it will be even more negligent about other matters…” (Muwatta Imam Malik, Hadith: 6)

‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him)was an excellent judge of character, and he said:“Do not be deceived by a man’s eloquence rather whoever fulfills trusts and refrains from impugning people’s honor is a real man.”

And he used to say: “Don’t look at a man’s prayer or fasting, rather look at his reason and honesty.”

And he said: “There are two types of men I do not fear for you: A believer whose faith is obvious and a kafir whose kufr is obvious. Rather I fear for you the hypocrite who hides behind a show of faith but strives for some other purpose.

“When you see that any scholar loves the world, then his scholarship is in doubt.”

Umar RA series Click above or try this

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Justice of Caliph Umar RAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwNa2vn4UicMawlana Tariq Jamil Sahebhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n37MLZbJBvM

The famous Tabi’i; Sayyiduna Sa’id ibn Musayyab (rahimahullah) reports that Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) laid eighteen sterling advices for the people, each one filled with wisdom:

1. When someone disobeys Allah in matters that impacts on you, you can retaliate in no better way than obeying Allah in matters that impact on him.

2. Always assume the best about your brother unless you learn something about him that you cannot reconcile.

3. Never assume the worst about any statement that a Muslim makes as long as you are able to make a good interpretation.

4. One who exposes himself to suspicion must never blame anyone who holds a bad opinion of him.

5. Whoever guards his secrets will retain the choice [and control of it] in his hands.

6. Ensure that you keep true friends to stay under their wings because they are a source of beauty during times of prosperity and a means of protection during times of hardship.

7. Ensure that you speak the truth even if it leads to your death.

8. Never delve into matters that do not concern you.

9. Do not ask about matters that have not occurred because that which has already taken place is enough to keep you occupied from that which has not.

10. Never seek your needs from one who does not love to see your success.

11. Never keep the company of a sinner, as you will learn his sinful ways.

12. Keep away from your enemy.

13 & 14. Beware even of your friends, except for the trustworthy one and none can be trustworthy unless he fears Allah.

15. To be humble in speech.

16. Lower yourself in obedience of Allah.

17. Stand firm against His disobedience.

18. Consult in your matters those who fear Allah, indeed Allah says:

انما يخشى الله من عباده العلمؤا

It is those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah. (Surah Fatir, Verse: 28)

(Rawdatul ‘Uqala of Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah), pg.82-83 with a chain of reliable narrators)

Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (One who is in dire need of Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and pleasure)30 Sha’ban 1436

Categories
Shaykh Saleem Dhorat

The New Year


 The New Year
by Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh

Having just completed the year, the ‘New Year’ is seen and heard all around us. However, the question remains as to what should be a Muslim’s take on these events.

Upon the passing of a year, the common trend is to celebrate; people have birthday parties, wedding anniversaries etc. However, in certain spheres this is not the case; take the example of a businessman who at the end of the (financial) year will first take stock of the past year. He will meticulously go through the accounts of the past year taking into account every single penny. He will check to see if he made a profit, and if so then how can he make more in the coming year. He will check his expenses: where did he spend his money? Can he make further savings? All of this is done so that he can make the coming year more profitable than the one that has passed.
This should be the case at the end of the year in every Muslim’s life for we too have been sent to this world as businessmen with the commodity of time; which is life. We will have to one day give account for every second in the Court of Allāh ta‘ālā, when our books of deeds shall be presented.

We will bring forth a book for him that he will find wide open, (and We will say to him) ‘Read your book. Enough are you today to take your own account.’ (17:13-14)

‘Umar radhiyallāhu ‘anhu, emphasising the same, says:

Take stock of your own lives before Allāh ta‘ālā reckons you. And assess yourself before you are assessed by Allāh. And prepare yourselves for the great summoning.

It is our belief that on the Day of Judgement Allāh ta‘ālā will reckon us for everything that we did in the world.

On the day when everybody shall find present before him whatever good he did and whatever evil he did, he will wish there would have been a wide space between him and that (day). (3:30)

No matter how minute or trivial an act we did, we will find that it is present in our book of deeds.

So, whoever does any good act (even) to the weight of a particle will see it. And whoever does evil (even) to the weight of a particle will see it. (99:7-8)

This will be to the extent that in awe people will say:

‘Woe to us! What a book is this! It has missed nothing, minor or major, but has taken it into account.’ Thus they will find whatever they did present before them, and your Lord will not wrong anyone. (18:49)

We need to keep this reality in mind and spend our lives with regular reflection on our actions with Murāqabah and Muhāsabah. Murāqabah means to supervise and oversee oneself to ensure that he/she stays away from disobediences of Allāh ta‘ālā and spends every moment seeking the Pleasure of Allāh ta‘ālā. Muhāsabah means taking account of one’s activities at the end of the day, week and year; and thanking Allāh ta‘ālā for the ability to have performed any good actions and seeking forgiveness for any sins one may have committed. Inshā’allāh, if this is adhered to, then we will see a great change in our lives. We will find ourselves spending every second of our lives with great care.

The end of a year is a time to reflect and say to yourself, ‘Another year from my precious life has passed. Who knows how many more years, if any, I have remaining?’ Let us spend them in those avenues that bring the pleasure of Allāh ta‘ālā and stay away from those things that bring His displeasure, so that we can meet Allāh ta‘ālā in a state that He is pleased with us.

© Riyādul Jannah