Be patient in times of difficulties

I was engaged in a long conversation with a sister about some sisters I know personally who have left Islaam.

A sister I knew many years ago came to my attention today when I noticed the recurrent status that she posted blaming God for the mishaps that happened to her and seemed to imply that praying to Him causes her more grieve than it does happiness. In a nutshell, her life came to a halt when she was met with a tragic accident some years ago which resulted in lose of memory. It took a year (if I remember correctly) before she regained her memory again. I went to her profile and saw that she had changed to 'agnostic' under her religious views. Allahu'alam.

This is the sister who used to top the class in religious studies. She was respected for her good character and impressed religious teachers for her knowledge of the Deen. I remember her as being a role model to the younger ones to follow and I was one of them who tried to emulate her.

It is sad to learn about our own Muslims leaving Islaam as a result of obstacles that they had to face. I can relate to her on some level so I guess I know how it feels. But still, who am I to judge? Allah has clearly stated in the Qur'an that He chooses whom He wants to be guided. Therefore, if it is not in His will to guide someone, it would be a futile attempt to try convince a person to embrace Islaam.

Indeed it was also mentioned in the following Suraahs:

"Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them.... " (29:2)

"Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the Help of Allâh?" Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allâh is near!" (2:214)

Sisters, this reminder is for ME first before I remind any of you because I fear of being afflicted with hardships and then forgetting the importance of being patient in times of difficulties. We should be closer to Allah when we are being tested because of the immense rewards we get for being patient and constantly seeking Allah's help in rectifying our affairs. I fear that my heart is too attached to this dunya that any loss in property or loved ones becomes the cause for my loss of eemaan.

The sister whom I was discussing about this with said that if we truly understood how it is like in the Hereafter, any afflictions that we face in this dunya suddenly becomes trivial in our eyes. We would not live in this dunya like we would now if we could catch just a glimpse of Jannah.

Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad SAW). And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss in health with calamities so that they might believe with humility. (42) When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not humble themselves (believe with humility)? But their hearts became hardened, and Shaitân (Satan) made fair-seeming to them that which they used to do. (43) So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened for them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them (in punishment), and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows. (6:42)

Innallahamaasobirin; Truly, Allah is with those who are patient.

I came across a blog post today about a known sister who left Islaam and it saddens me to read about her. Allahu'alam on the validity of it. May Allah guide them back to Islaam, aameen.

Sisters, if we do come across another sister who is facing such a situation, please do not be the first to judge and call her a Kafir. I came across a couple of brothers and sisters who are too quick to criticize them without trying to help rectify the problem. Only Allah can be the judge, not us. We can help by understanding their situations and clear up possible misconceptions they may have. Who knows, by Allah's will, they might embrace Islaam again. Allahu'alam.

May Allah keep our hearts firm on this Deen, Aameen.

The bounty that comes from Allah to a believer due to his trial is greater than the bounty that comes from Allah during his times of ease. [Ibn Rajab}

Crying out aloud.

"Our Lord!" (they say), "Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own presence, for Thou art the grantor of bounties without measure"

(Suraah Al-Emran, 8)

When I came to this Deen, I can still remember how I would cry each time I read the Qu'ran. I cried because I was reading the truth, the word of God, and I wondered why it took me so long to finally realise it. Al Qu'ran explained everything simply and it made complete sense as well.

But we are living in this age whereby there are people who are constantly trying to pull you to falsehood. They invent lies against this Deen to create doubts in our hearts. Media is ubiquitious and we cannot run from their constant false potrayal about Islam. To stray from this Deen is easy when our eemaan has shaky foudations and I fear if I am one of those whose Deen is not strongly rooted to the ground.

I fear for myself that if I don't safeguard myself properly, I fall into this trap of shaitan. I fear that someday I would find the life of this duniya more attractive to the life of the akhirah and I forget about this Deen. I don't wish to live like in the times of jahiliyyah where life has no proper purpose except to chase after the glitters in this temporary world.

This is taken from a khutbah:

This problem is more severe now because of the exceptional case that Muslims live in this age and that is living in non-Islamic societies where they are not ruled by the divine rules and where the deen of Allah (S.W.T.) is not prevalent over the lives of people.... To the point that the status of a person is like what the prophet (S.A.W.) described, "Holding onto
his deen is like holding onto ember (a burning piece of coal)."

Also the other reason for a believer not to remain firm on the deen is Building the firmness in the deen of Allah (S.W.T.) on the heart which is not stable and always changing about which the prophet (S.A.W.) said in an authentic hadith reported by Imams Ahmad and Al-Hakim, "The heart of the son of Adam is up to be more unstable than the boiling water in a pot." The prophet also said about it in another authentic hadith reported by Imam Ahmad, "It was called "al’qalb" (meaning the heart) from "Taqalub" because of its changing nature; the example of the heart is like a feather at the trunk of a tree that the wind keeps turning it upside down." For this reason, the prophet (S.A.W.) used to supplicate frequently which was reported in an authentic hadith by Imam At-Trimithi saying, "O’ Allah, The One Who changes hearts, make my heart firm on your deen."

O Allah, always keep us on the straight path
O Allah, don't leave us astray when You have guided us on this right path.
O my Rabb....

Note: No objective in this post. Just to let out my concerns and worries.

Rules rules rules

Everything there are rules. Road rules, football rules, library rules etc. Have you ever wonder if there are rules in life? How should one live their life? How does one differentiate the good and bad? Looking at the society, how some treasure modesty greatly while others sell their modesty. So who knows the good and bad?

"Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter . And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursî extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.(255)" Al Baqara

The rules in life is written clearly in the Holy Qur'an, the words of Allaah The Almighty, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as a guidance to mankind.

"Verily, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad SAW) the Book (this Qur'ân) for mankind in truth. So whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his ownself, and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his (own) loss. And you (O Muhammad SAW) are not a Wakîl (trustee or disposer of affairs, or guardian) over them. (41)" Az Zumar

"There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book, then unto their Lord they (all) shall be gathered.(38)" Al Anaam

The wisdom of the laws (rules) that we are to follow, some have been known and some have yet to reach to an understanding to us. An example is the wisdom behind the prohibition of interest which have been known. The strict prohibition of interest in Islam is a result of its deep concern for the moral, social, and economic welfare of mankind. One of it is it causes the rich to become richer and the poor to become poorer.

Let us not be among the ignorant and the disbelievers. If the Message of Truth has been brought to us, we ought to obey in humbleness and submissiveness.

"And when they (who call themselves Christians) listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognised. They say: "Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses. (83) "And why should we not believe in Allâh and in that which has come to us of the truth (Islâmic Monotheism)? And we wish that our Lord will admit us (in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection) along with the righteous people (Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Companions radhiallahu'anhuã)." (84) So because of what they said, Allâh rewarded them Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), they will abide therein forever. Such is the reward of Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers). (85)" Al Maeda

Islam is not just a faith, it is a way of life based upon Truth. Being a Muslim is not just declaring it by tongue, rather it should be declared fully in our heart, working on righteousness, obeying God's laws. For Muslim means one who submits (to God's will).

"…This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion…(3)" Al Maeda

Prepare now in worship and righteousness for we do not know if tomorrow ever comes to us.

Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 76, Number 425:

"Narrated Mujahid:

'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "Allah's Apostle took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler." The sub-narrator added: Ibn 'Umar used to say, "If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death." "

"So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).(98) And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death).(99)" Al Hijr