Logic! Use your Head!

Is not He (Allah), Who has created the heaven and the earth, sends down rain from the sky and with it brings forth the beautiful gardens not better,  than the false gods that they worship?  IT is not in your ability to cause the growth of trees for those gardens.  Is there another god besides Allah who can do that?  No doubt they are people who have swerved from justice in ascribing equals to Him.

Just think who has made the earth a place for your residence, caused in it rivers to flow, set mountains upon it  and placed a barrier between the two seas?  Is there another god besides Allah?  Nay most of them have no knowledge.

Just think who answers the oppressed  person when he cries out to Him and relieves his affliction and makes you, O mankind, inheritors of the earth?  Is there another God besides Allah?  How little do you reflect.

Just think who guides you in the darkness on the land and the sea, and who sends the winds as heralds of the good news of His mercy?  Is there another god besides Allah?  Exalted be Allah above what they associate with Him! 

Just think who who originates the creation and then repeats it production, and who gives you sustenance from the heavens and the earth?  Is there another god besides Allah?                                                                                                                            Quran: 27 ( An Naml) 60-64

Please, please use your heads and reflect. 

Believers

Blessed is the one who has decked the sky with constellations and placed in it a lamp (sun) and a shining moon. He is the one who has caused the night and the day to succeed  each other, for him who desires to learn a lesson or desires to render thanks.

True servants of the compassionate are those who walk on the earth with humility and when the ignorant people address them, they say, "Peace"; who pass the night prostrating before their Rabb and standing in prayers; who say, "Our Rabb! Ward off the punishment of hell from us, for its punishment is atrocious - certainly it is an evil abode, an evil resting place;  who when they spend are neither extravagant nor stingy, but keep the balance between those two extremes; who do not invoke any other god besides Allah; nor kill any soul that Allah has made sacred, except for a just cause; nor commit fornication - he that does this shall be punished for his sins, and his punishment shall be doubled on the Day of Resurrection and in disgrace, he shall abide forever, except the one who repents, becomes a true believer, and starts doing good deeds, for then Allah will change his evil deeds into good, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

He that repents and does good deeds, has truely turned to Allah in good faith.  Those are the ones who will bear witness to falsehood and, if they ever pass by futility, pass with dignity.  Who when reminded about the revelations of their Rabb, do not turn a blind eye and deaf ear to them.  Who pray, " Our Rabb!  Make our wife and children the comfort of our eyes and make us leaders of the righteous."  Such are the ones who will be rewarded with lofty places in paradise for their patience, wherein they shall be welcomed with greetings and salutations.  They shall live forever in that excellent dwelling and excellent resting place.                                                                                       Quran 25 (Al-Furqan): 61-76

Modesty

"Enjoin the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their modesty; this is chaster for them.  Surely, Allah is well aware of their actions. Likewise, enjoin the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty; not to display their beauty and ornaments except what normally appears thereof; let them draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their adornments except to their husbands, their fathers, their fathers-in-law, their own sons, their step-sons, their own brothers, their nephews on either brother's or sister's sides, their own womenfolk, their own slaves, male attendants, who lack sexual desires or small children, who have no carnal knowledge of women.  Also enjoin them not to strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden trinkets.  And O believers! Turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, about your past mistakes, so that you may attain salvation.

Get the singles among you married as well as those who are fit for marriage among your male slaves and female slaves.                                                              Quran 24 (An-Nur): 30-32

There is no blame on such elderly women who have no interest in getting married, if they lay aside their cloaks wjthout displaying their adornment, but it is better for them if they do not discard.  Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.                                Quran 24 (An-Nur): 60

Prophet Nuh

"We sent Nuh to his people.  He said, " O! My people. worship Allah, you have none worthy of worship but He, are you not afraid of Him for committing shirk?"  The chief of the unbelievers among his people said, " Nuh is but a human like you; he desires to assert his superiority over you.  If Allah wanted to send Rasools He could have sent down angels; we have never heard such a thing as he says from our forefathers." Some of them said, "He is a madman, so bear with him for a while."  Nuh said, " O my Rabb! Help me against their calling me a liar."

So We revealed Our Will to him, saying, "Build an Ark under  Our eyes and under Our inspiration, and when Our judgement comes to pass and water wells out from At-Tannur (oven), take aboard a pair (a male and a female) from every species and take your family, except those of them, against whom judgement has already been passed; and do not plead with Me in favor of the wrongdoers, for they are doomed to be drowned in the flood.  Then when you have embarked on the Ark with your companions say, " Praise be to Allah, Who has delivered us from the nation of wrongdoers," and pray, " O my Rabb!  Bless my landing from this Ark, for You are the best to make my landing safe."  There are many signs in this story, and surely, We do test people."                                         Quran 23 (Al-Muminun): 23-30

Guidance

Allah chooses His messengers from among the angels and from among the human beings for surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.  He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and to Allah all matters return for decision.  

O' Believers! Bow down, prostrate yourself, worship your Rabb and do good deeds so that you may attain salvation.  Strive in the way of Allah as you ought to strive with sincerity and discipline; He has chosen you and has not laid upon you any hardship in the observance of your faith - the faith of your father Ibraheem.  He named you Muslims before in prior scriptures and in this Quran so that the Rasool, Mohammed, may testify against you and you may testify against the rest of mankind.  Therefore establish Salah, pay Zakat and hold fast to Allah who is your Protector - what an excellent Protector and a splendid Supporter.  Quran 22 (Al-Hajj) 75-78

Best Advise

Allah says, "Glorify your Rabb with His praise before sunrise and before sunset, glorify Him during the hour of the night as well as at both ends of the day, so that you may find satisfaction.  Do not strain your eyes in longing for the worldly benefits We have bestowed on some among them, for with these We seek to test them.  The lawful provisions of your Rabb is better and more lasting.  

Enjoin Salah on your family and be patient in its observance.  We demand nothing from you; indeed We provide you sustenance.  Good shall be the end of the righteous."  Quran: 20 (Ta Ha):  130-132

Inshallah

"Never say of anything, "I will do it tomorrow", unless you add, "If Allah Wills!".  And if you forget to say this, then call your Rabb to mind and say,"I hope that my Rabb shall guide me and bring me even closer than this to the right way".  Al Quran 18 (Al-Kahf): 23-24

True Guidance and a Momin

We can use all the guidance and advise to improve and become better Muslims. There are so many temptations and bad examples around us. May Allah guide us to stay on the right path.  Aameen!

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "Show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant. If Shaitan tempts you, seek refuge with Allah , for He is the One, All Hearing, All Knowing.  Those who fear Allah when they are tempted by Shaitan, they have but to remember Allah and they shall see the light (right course of action)."  Qu'ran 7 Al-Araf 199-201

"This Book contains veritable insight from your Rabb, a guidance and a blessing for the true believer.  When the Qu'ran is recited, listen to it with complete silence so that you may be shown mercy.  Bring your Rabb to remembrance deep in your soul with humility and in reverence , both in the mornings and the evenings and be not of those who are heedless.  Surely, those who are close to your Rabb do not feel too proud to worship Him; they declare His glory and prostrate themselves before Him."  Qu'ran 7 Al-Araf  203-206

"The true believers are those whose hearts tremble with fear, when the name of Allah is mentioned, and whose faith grows stronger as they listen to His revelations and they put their trust in their Rabb, who establish Salah and spend in charity out of the sustenance which We have given them.  They are the ones who are the true believers, they will have exalted ranks with their Rabb, forgiveness for their sins and honorable sustenance.  Qu'ran 8 Al-Anfal 2-4

Musa

Allah has mentioned Prophet Musa and the people of Israel several times in  the Qu'ran as an example for all of us.

In the Qu'ran Allah says, "Then after them, We sent Musa (Moses) with our revelations to Fir'aun (Pharoah) and his chiefs but they too treated our revelations unjustly, so see what was the end of those mischief-makers.  Musa said,   O' Fir'aun, I am a Rasool from the Rabb of the worlds.  It is not befitting for me to say anything about the Allah except the truth.  I have come to you from your Rabb with clear signs of appointment, therefore send the children of Israel with me."  Fir'aun asked, "If you have come with a sign then produce it, if what you say is true."  So Musa through down his staff and all of a sudden it became a real serpent.  Then he drew out his hand from his pocket and it became shining white to all the beholders.

The chief of Fir'aun's  nation said, "He indeed is a skilled sorcerer who intends to drive you out from your land."  Fir'aun asked, "So, what do you propose?"  They said, "Put him and his brother off for a while, and send the collectors to all the cities and summon every skilled sorcerer to you."  The sorcerers came to Fir'aun and said, "We must certaianly have some suitable reward if we prevail!"  "Yes,"  he answered, "Not only reward but more, you will certainly become my favored friends."  Then they asked Musa, "Will you cast or should we be the first ones to cast?"  Musa said, "You cast."  So when they cast they bewitched the eyes of the people and terrified them by a display of mighty sercery.  We inspired Musa to cast his staff.  No sooner did he cast his staff, it became a serpent and began to swallow up the creation of their sorcery!  Thus the truth prevailed and all that they did collapsed. Fir'aun and his people were defeated and they were put to humiliation, and the sorcerer's, (since they were professionals and knew it was not sorcery), fell down in prostration saying, "We believe in the Rabb of the worlds , the Rabb of Musa and Haroon."  Fir'aun said, "How dare you believe in Him without my permission?  In fact, this was a plot you all had planned to drive the people  out of their city, but soon you will know its consequences.  I will have your hands and your feet cut off on opposite sides and then crucify you all."  They answered, "We will surely return to our Rabb.  (Look at your verdict) you want to take revenge simply because we believe in the signs of our Rabb when they came before us!  O' our Rabb!  Give us patience and cause us to die as Muslims."

The chiefs of Fir'aun's nation asked him, "Will you leave Musa and his nation free to commit mischief in the land and to forsake you and you gods?"  He said, "We will put their sons to death and spare their daughters.  We have irresistible power over them."  Musa said to his people, "Seek help from Allah and be patient.  The land belongs to Allah.  He gives it as a heritage to those of His devotees as He pleases. You should know that final success is for the righteous."  They said, "We were oppressed before you came to us and since you have come to us."  He replied, "It is quite possible that your Rabb may destroy your enemy and make you vicegerent in the land; then He will see how you act."  Qu'ran 7 Al-Araf:  103-129

Allah

Allah has created us.  He is also the creator of everything in this world and everything in all the other worlds!

In the Qu'ran, Allah reminds us, "Surely, your Rabb is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Yome (days or stages) and then He established Himself on the Throne in a manner that suits His Majesty.  He makes the night cover the day and the day to follow the night automatically.  He created the sun, the moon and the stars, and made them subservient to His will.  His is the creation and His is the command!  Blessed is Allah, the Rabb of the worlds!  Call on your Rabb with humility and in private, for He does not love the transgressor.  Do not create mischief in the lands after it has been set in order.  Pray to Him in fear and hope.  Surely the mercy of Allah is always close to those who 

 

do good to others.  He is the one who sends the winds bearing good news of His blessings, so when they lift up the heavy clouds, We drive them along to a dead countryside and make the rain fall upon it and bring forth all kinds of fruit from the same dead land.  Likewise, We raise the dead to life; this example is given so that you may learn a lesson (from this observation).  The good soil produces rich produce by the permission of Allah and barren soil yields nothing but poor produce. Thus do We explain our revelations over and over again for those who pay thanks.  Qu'ran 7 Al-Araf : 54-58

Story of Prophet Ibraheem

My grandmother, Hajjira used to tell us stories about the prophets when we were small.  I never realized what a favor she us doing to us.  They have had a lasting impression. My brothers and I recall many of the stories she used to tell us.  What is amazing is the fact that she recalled them so accurately, just as they are written in the Qu'ran.

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "Tell them about Ibraheem (Abraham), who said to Azar, his father, "Are you taking idols for gods? Surely, I see you and your people in manifest error."  We showed Ibraheem the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, (as We show you with examples from nature), so he became one of the firm believers.  When the night drew its shadow over him, he saw a star and said, "This is my Rabb."  But when it set, he said, "I do not love (to worship such a god) that fades away."  Afterwords, when he saw the moon shining, he said, "This is my Rabb."  But when it also set, he said, "If my Rabb does not guide me. I shall certainly become one of those who go astray."  Then when he saw the sun with its bright shine, he said, " This must be my Rabb, it is (larger than the other two)."  But when it also set, he exclaimed,  "O' my people! I am done with your shirk (associating partners with Allah.  As far as I am concerned) I will turn my face, being upright, to Him, Who has created the heaven and the earth, and I am not on of the mushrikeen.

When his people started arguing with him, he told them, "Will you argue with me about Allah, whereas, He, Himself has guided me?  I do not fear those whom you take for gods besides Him, none can harm me unless my Rabb so wills, the knowledge of my Rabb encompasses everything, why don't you get admonition? Why should I fear your idols, when you are not afraid of your actions of making them partners with Allah, for which He has not given you any sanction?  Which one from the two parties of us deserves to feel secure?  Tell me if you know the truth.  As a matter of fact those who believe and do not taint their faith with wrongdoings will fell more secure and will be better guided."

This is the argument which We furnished Ibrameem against his people.  we exalt in ranks whom We please, surely your Rabb is Wise, aware.  Quran 6 Al-Anam 74-83

Lawful, Halal Food - 2

This is a continuation of an earlier blog, 'Lawful Foods'.  Allah has further clarified what is lawful for a Muslim to eat and what is unlawful.  In His infinite Mercy, Allah however, allows everything can be eaten, if one is compelled by hunger and nothing lawful is available.

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "You are forbidden to eat to meat of any animal that dies by itself  (dead body), blood, the flesh of swine (pig meat) and that on which any name other than Allah's has been invoked.  Also that which is strangled to death, killed by a violent blow, killed by a headlong fall and those beaten or gored to death and that which has been partially eaten by a wild animal unless you are able to slaughter it before its death.  Also that which is sacrificed on alters or is divided by raffling of arrows. All these are sinful acts."  Qu'ran 5: 3

"They ask you (Mohammed, praise be on him) what food is lawful for them say, "All good and clean thing are lawful for you, as well as what you have taught your hunting birds and beasts to catch, trained by you with the knowledge given to you by Allah. Eat what they catch and hold for you, however pronounce the name of Allah over it.  Have fear of Allah.  Allah is swift in settling accounts.  Today all good things have been made lawful for you, and the food of the People of the Book is also made lawful for you and your food is made lawful for them."  Qu'ran 5: 4  

People Of the Book / Jesus

The people of the book are those people who's prophet was blessed with a Book from Allah like the Jews and the Christians.  In the Qu'ran, they and their behaviour are mentioned many times as an example for the Muslims under numerous situations.

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "The People of the Book ask you (Mohammed) to bring down for them a book from Heaven.  From Musa (Moses), they demanded an even harder miracle than that.  They asked him, " Make us see Allah with our own eyes."  As a result of their wickedness, the thunderbolt overtook them.  Then they took the calf for worship ........

They went on in their unbelief to such an extent  that they uttered terrible slander about Maryam (Mary).  They said, "We have killed the Messiah, Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam, the Rasool of Allah."  Whereas in fact, neither did they kill him nor did they crucify him but they thought they did (because the matter was made dubious for them).  Those who differ therein are in doubt.  They have no real knowledge, they follow nothing but mere conjecture, certainly, they did not kill him (Jesus).  Nay!  The fact is that Allah took him (Jesus) up to Himself, Allah is Mighty, Wise.

There  is none of the People of the Book but will believe in this fact before their death; and on the Day of Resurrection Isa (Jesus) will bear witness against them.  Quran 4: 153-159

Obey Allah

We must obey Allah.  In the Qu'ran there are explicit commands and directives that we, as muslims have to obey. 

In the Qu'ran, Allah says,  "Serve Allah and do not commit shirk (associate any partner with Him), and be good to your parents, relatives, orphans, the helpless, near and far neighbors who keep company with you, the traveller's in  need and the slaves you own.  Allah does not love those who are arrogant and boastful, who are themselves stingy and enjoy others to be stingy , who hide the bounties that Allah has bestowed on them.  For such unbelievers, We have prepared a disgraceful punishment. Similarly, Allah does not like those who spend their wealth to show off to the people, believing neither in Allah nor in the Last Day.  In fact those who choose Shaitan as their companion have chosen a very evil companion."  Qu'ran 4: 36-38

Whosoever obeys Allah and the Rasool will be in the company of those whom Allah has blessed - the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous - what excellent companions they will be! This is the real grace from Allah and sufficient is Allah's infinite knowledge.  Qu'ran 4: 69-70

Anyone who intercedes for a good cause shall have a share in it, and anyone who intercedes for an evil cause shall also get a share in its burden.  Allah has control over everything.  When anyone greets you in a courteous manner, let your greeting be better than it - or at least return the same.  Allah keeps account of every thing.  Qu'ran 4: 85-86

Dua (Prayer)

Who better to ask for help, than the One who created you and loves you the most - Allah.  When we look around us we see many miracles.

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, " Surely, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alteration of the night and the day, there are signs for men of understanding.  Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting and laying on their sides, and meditate on the creation of the heavens and the earth, then say, "Our Rabb, you have not created this in vain, Glory to You! save us from the punishment of the Fire.  Our Rabb! those You cast into the fire will be in eternal shame and there will be no helper for such wrongdoers.  Our Rabb! we have heard someone calling to the faith saying, "Believe in your Rabb," so we have believed.  Our Rabb! forgive us our sins, remove from from us our evil deeds, and make us die with the righteous.  Our Rabb! grant us, what You have promised us through Your Rasools and save us from the shame on the Day of Resurrection, surely, You never break Your  Promise."

So, their Rabb answered their prayers saying, "I will not let the good deeds of any worker, whether a male or a female, be wasted.  You are the offspring's of one another. Those who have to leave their homes or were expelled therefrom, and those, who suffered persecution for My sake and fought or were killed, I will forgive them their sins and will admit them into gardens beneath which rivers flow, a Prize from Allah, and Allah holds the finest prize!" Qu'ran 3: 190-195

Lawful Food

There are such delicious foods available to us, but we must be careful to only eat food, that is lawful and good for us.

In the Qu'ran Allah says,  "O' Mankind! Eat of what is lawful and clean on the earth and do not follow the footsteps of Shaitan, surely he is your open enemy.  He enjoins you to commit evil and indecency, and to say certain things against Allah about which you have no knowledge."  Qu'ran 2 :  168-169

Allah says, "O' Believers!  Eat the clean things which We have provided you and give thanks to Allah, if you worship only Him.  He has forbidden you to eat dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which any name other than Allah has been invoked; but, if someone is compelled by absolute necessity, intending neither to sin nor to transgress, they shall incur no sin.  Surely, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.  Qu'ran 2: 172-173

Allah's Directive

Allah loves us more than any one.  His guidance to us is vital, and we must follow it faithfully.

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "Let there arise from among you a band of people who should invite to righteousness, enjoin good and forbid evil; such are the ones who shall be successful.  Be not like those, who become divided into sects and who started to argue against each other after clear revelations had come to them.  Those (responsible for division or arguments) will be sternly punished on the Day, when some faces will be brightened with joy and others darkened with gloom.  To the dark-faced sinners it will be said, "Did you adopt the way to disbelief after embracing the true faith?  Then taste the punishment of having adopted the way of disbelief."  As for the bright-faced ones, they will be in Allah's Mercy and abide therein forever.  

These are the revelations of Allah, We recite to you in truth, Allah intends no injustice to the worlds.  All that is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah and all matters return to Allah for decision.  You are the best nation which has ever been raised for the guidance of mankind.  You enjoin good, forbid evil and believe in Allah.  Qu'ran 3: 104-110

Maryam

Maryam is one of the most beloved and revered ladies (by Allah and muslims) that ever lived.  She is an example for all women who face unexpected trials and tribulations.  And what a trial she faced!  To find herself pregnant when she had committed no immorality and no man had ever touched her!

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "Indeed Allah exalted Adam, Nuh, the family of Ibraheem and the family of Imran above all the worlds.  They were the offspring's of one another.  Allah hears all and knows all."

Allah heard when the wife of Imran said, "O' my Rabb!  I dedicate to your service what is in my womb.  Please accept it from me.  You, Alone hear all and know all."  When she gave birth (to a girl instead of a boy), she said, "My Rabb! I have given birth to a girl," - Allah knew very well what she had delivered - and that the male is not like the female.  "I have named her Maryam and I seek your protection for her and her children from (the mischief of ) of Shaitan, the accursed.  Her Rabb graciously accepted her.  He made her grow up as a good person and entrusted her to the care of Zakariyya.  Whenever Zakariyya entered the sanctuary to see her, he found her with food.  He asked, O' Maryam! From where did you get it?  She replied, "It came from Allah.  In fact, Allah gives to whom He wants without measure."  Qu'ran 3 : 33-37

There came a time when the angels said, "O' Maryam! Surely, Allah has exalted you, purified you and preferred you for His service over all the women of the worlds.  O' Mayam!  Be obedient to your Rabb, prostrate and bow down in worship with other worshippers."  (O' Mohammad), this is news from the Unseen which we are revealing to you. You were not present with them when (the priests of the temple) cast their pens to decide which of them should be the guardian of Maryam, nor were you with them when they argued about it.  

When the angels said, "O' Maryam!  Allah give you the good news with a Word from Him (that you will be given a son), his name will be Messiah, Isa,(Jesus Christ), the son of Maryam.  He will be noble in this world and the hereafter, and he will be of those who are very close to Allah.  He will speak to the people in the cradle and in his old age and he will be of the righteous.

(Hearing this, Maryam) said, " O' my Rabb!  How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me?" He replied, "Even so, Allah creates, however He wants, whenever He decides to do anything, He only says to it 'Be,' and it is!  (Allah) will teach (your son) the Book, the Wisdom, the Taurat (Torah)  and the Injeel (Gospel) and send him forth as a Rasool to the Children of Israel (with this message), "I have brought you signs (of my appointment) from your Rabb.  I will make you the likeness of a bird from clay, I will breath into it and, with Allah's leave, it will become a living bird.  I will heal the blind and the lepers, and raise the dead to life, by Allah's leave.  (Furthermore), I will tell you what you have eaten and what you have stored in your houses.  Surely, these are the signs (to convince) you, if you are believers.  (I am appointed to confirm that which is before me from the Taurat and to make lawful to you some of the things forbidden to you.  I have brought to you the signs from your Rabb, therefore fear Allah and obey me.  In fact, Allah is your Rabb as well as your Rabb, therefore worship Him; this is the Right Way."  Quran 3:  42-51

Belief

Muslims believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Rasools (Prophets).  We also believe in life after death and that all good and bad is from Allah.

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "The Rasool has believed in the Guidance which has been revealed to him from his Rabb and so do the believers.  They all believe in Allah, His angels, His books and His rasools.  They say, "We do not discriminate between any of His Rasools,"  and they say, "We hear and we obey.  Grant us your forgiveness, O' our Rabb, to You we shall all return."

Allah does not burden any human being with more than he can bear.  Every one will enjoy the credits of his deeds and suffer the debits of his wrongdoings.  The believers say, "Our Rabb, do not  punish us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Rabb, do not place on us a burden as You placed on those before us.  Our Rabb, lay not on us the kind of burden that we have no strength to bear.  Pardon us, forgive us, Have mercy on us.  You are our Protector, help us against the unbelievers."  Qu'ran 2: 285-286

What a lovely and comprehensive prayer.  May Allah accept it from me and all others who will pray this dua, Aameen!  

Allah has No Son!

Many people believe that Allah had a son! What a bad thought and disrespect to Allah's Magnificence!  To suggest that Allah, Almighty needs a son!

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "They say, "Allah has taken to Himself  a son."   Allah is above such things!  Rather to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth, all are obedient to Him.  He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth!  When he decrees a thing, He needs only to say, "Be" and there it becomes.

   

Those who have no knowledge ask, "Why does Allah not speak to us face to face or send us a sign?"  The same demand was made by those before them, they all have the same mentality.  We have already shown clear signs to those whose faith is firm.  (What clearer signs can there be than this book?)  We have sent you (O' Muhammad) with the knowledge of the Truth and made you the bearer of good news and warning; now you will not be called upon to answer for the actions of the companions of the blazing fire.  Qu'ran 2: 116-119

Magic

People are always fascinated with magic.  However, magic is something we shoul avoid at all cost.

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "Whenever there came to them (non believers) a Rasool from Allah, confirming their own Holy Book, a group from those to whom the Holy Book was given, cast off the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they knew nothing about it, accepted what the shaitans falsely  attributed to the kingdom of Sulaiman, not that Sulaiman was an unbeliever, it was shaitans who were the unbelievers; they taught witchcraft to the people and that which was revealed to the two angels, Haroot and Maroot in the city of Babylon.  yet these two angels never taught magic to anyone without saying, " We have been sent to tempt you, do not renounce your faith."  In spite of this warning, these people kept out learning from both of them, the magic of which could cause discord between husband and wife, although they could harm none with it except with Allah's permission.

They learned indeed what harmed them and did not profit them even thought hey knew fully well  that the buyers of magic would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter.  Surely, they sold their souls for a bad price, if they could understand it.  If they would have believed (accepted Islam) and kept themselves away from evil, there would have been a better reward from Allah, if they could understand it.  Qu'ran 2:101-103

Story of Prophets Ibraheem and Isma'il

In the Quran, Allah says, "Remember, when Ibraheem (Abraham) was tested by his Rabb with certain commands, he fulfilled them.  Allah said, "Surely, I will make you the leader of mankind.  "What about my offsprings?" Asked Ibraheem.  "My pledge," said Allah, "will not apply to the evil doers."

Remember when We made the House (Ka'bah) a center and sanctuary for mankind saying, " Take the station of Ibraheem as a place of prayer."  We entrusted Ibraheem and Isma'il to cleanse our house for those who walk around it, who meditate in it and who kneel and prostrate in prayers.  Ibraheem said, "My Rabb, make this (Mecca) a secure town and provide its people with plenty of food from fruits, those of them who believe in Allah and the Last Day."  He answered, "As for those who do not, I shall also provide for them in this life, though in the Hereafter, I shall drag them to the torture of Hellfire and it is an evil destination indeed!"

Remember, when Ibraheem and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House and prayed. "Accept this from us. O' our Rabb, You are the one who hears all and knows all.  O' our Rabb, make us both Muslims (submissive to You), and make our descendants,  a nation that will be Muslims.  Show us our rites of worship and accept our repentance, surely You are the Acceptor of repentance, the Merciful.  O' our Rabb appoint from them a Rasool who shall recite to them Your revelations and teach them the Book and the Wisdom and purify them, surely You are the Almighty, the Wise."

Who, but a foolish man, would renounce the faith of Ibraheem?  We choose him in this worldly life, and in the Hereafter, he will be among the righteous.  Qu'ran 2:130

Story of Prophet Adam

Today I will narrate the story of Prophet Adam, the first human being Allah created.

The Qu'ran says, " Note that occasion, when your Rabb said to the angels,"I am going to place a vicegerent on earth." They said, "will you place here one who will create mischief and shed blood while we sing Your praises and glorify Your name.  Allah said, " I know what you know not."  He taught Adam the names of all things; and then He presented these things to the angels and said, " Tell Me the names of these, if what you say is true." (Allah did this to show Adam's special qualities of learning and memory).  "Glory to You", they replied, "We have no knowledge except what You have taught us; in fact, You are the One who is perfect in knowledge and wisdom."  Allah said, "Did I not tell you I know the secrets of the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal."

When We ordered the angels, "Prostrate before Adam in respect," they all prostrated except Iblees (Shaitan), who refused in his arrogance and became a disbeliever.  To Adam, We said, "Dwell with your wife in Paradise and eat anything you want from its bountiful food from wherever you wish, but do not approach this tree, or you shall both become transgressors."

But Shaitan tempted them with the tree to disobey Allah commandment and caused them to slip therefrom (paradise) and get them expelled from where they were. We said, "Get down from here, some of you being enemies of others, and there is for you in the earth an abode and provisions for a specified period."

Them Adam received appropriate words from his Rabb and repented, and Allah accepted his repentance.  Surely, He is the Acceptor of Repentance, the Merciful."

"Get down from here all of you.''  We said at the time of Adam's departure from Paradise. "Henceforth there shall come to you guidance from Me, those who accept and follow that guidance shall have nothing to fear or to grieve.  But those who reject and  defy our revelations will be inmates of Hellfire, wherein they shall live forever."

A Prayer

Today I read a dua (prayer) after completing the Qu'ran, which is such a beautiful dua that I would like to share it with you. I would, also humble pray this dua first for Prophet Mohammad ( peace be on him); then my parents; grand parents and myself.

" O Allah! In my grave change my fear into love!  O Allah! Have mercy on me in the name of this great Qu'ran; and make it for me a guide and light and a source of Your Guidance and Mercy; O Allah! Make me remember of it that, which I have forgotten; make me know of it which, I have become ignorant of; and make me recite it  in the hours of the night and the day; and make it an argument in my favor, O Sustainer of all the worlds!

I photographed this beautiful tulip in Connecticut when we were visiting Seema.

Best Friends

Best friends are those who love each other dearly and sincerely.  Who are looking out for the welfare of each other and guide each other.  The best guidance they can provide is to remind each other of Surah Al-Asr.

In Surah Al-Asr, Allah says, " By the time through the ages! Surely mankind is in loss, except those who believe and do good deeds, exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to patience." Qu'ran  103 1-3

I photographed this Zinnia, (Zinna elegans of the family Asteraceae)  in my garden a couple of summers back.  What you see is a magnification of the center of  the flower.

The Earth as a Witness

The earth that we walk on, play on, build on, that we ignore completely as a guaranteed inert base that supports us, will play a vital role on the Day of Judgement.

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "When the earth shall be shaken to her utmost convulsion, and the earth shall bring out all her inner burdens, man shall say, "What is happening to her?"  On that day she shall report whatever has happened on her, for your Rabb shall have commanded her to do so.  On that day, man shall proceed in sorted out groups to be shown their Book of Deeds. Then, whoever has done an atom's weight of good shall see it there, and whoever has done an atom's weight of evil shall see it there."  Qu'ran 99 1-8

I photographed this Tiger Lily at my garden.  I am bewildered and amazed by the beauty of this flower!  Subhanallah! 

Night of Qadr

The Night of Qadr or Laila-tul-Qadr is the night which is worth a thousand months!  This means that all  the  blessings of Allah are multiplied by 30000 or more!  Wow! This night, also has the honor of being the night when Allah started the revelations of the Qu'ran through Angel Gabriel on Prophet Mohammad (peace be on him), and Allah decides the destinies of all human beings!

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "Surely We have revealed this Qu'ran in the night of Qadr.  And what will make you understand what the night of Qadr is?  The night of Qadr is better than one thousand months.  The angels and the spirit (Gabriel) come down, by the leave of their Rabb, with all Decrees.  That night is the night of peace till the break of dawn."  Quran 97 1-5

I photographed this lovely flower in Florida.  Amazingly, it grows on a mid-sized tree.  Another wonder of Allah's creation!   

Man's Choice

Allah has given man the choice to follow either the moral path or go the wrong way.

In the Qu'ran Allah says about man, "Does he think that no one observes him?  Have We not given him two eyes to observe?  One tongue and two lips to control it?  Then shown him the two highways (good, leading towards paradise and evil, leading towards hell)?  Yet he does not attempt to tackle the Aqabah (steep path).  And what will explain to you what Aqabah is?  It is the freeing of a neck (slave) from bondage; or the giving of food in a day of famine to an orphan relative, or to a needy in distress;  besides this, he should be of those who believe, enjoin fortitude, encourage kindness and compassion.  such are the people of the right hand (going towards paradise).  But those who disbelieve our revalations, they are the people of the left hand (going towards hell), having fire all around them."  Qu'ran 90 7-20 

The flower:  This is one of the varieties of Iris that I have in my garden.  That year my older son visited us and we had a lovely few days enjoying his family.  My two grandsons loved playing on the Slip-and-Slide!

Allah Almighty

"Glorify the name of your Rabb, the Most High.  Who has created all things and perfected them.  Who has set their destinies and guided them.  Who brings forth green pastures, then reduces it to black rubbish."  Quran 87 1-5

Please look around you and see the wonders and blessings of Allah and pray to Him.

This lovely Begonia was grown By Salmi, who loves to garden.  May Allah bless him and his family.

Stages of Life

On a lake in Florida

Every human beings life consists of three stages.  The first is spent in the womb of the mother.  The second is spent in this world.  The third, final and ever lasting stage is the life of the hereafter. Where,  one spends the final stage, depends on how one spends life in this world.

In the Qu'ran, Allah says, "O' mankind, surely you strive towards your Rabb, a hard striving, then you shall meet Him.  Then, he who is given his Book of deeds in his right hand, shall have a quick and easy reckoning and shall return to his people rejoicing.  But he, who is given his Book of deeds from behind his back, shall soon be calling for death, and shall be made to enter a blazing fire; for he used to live happily with his family and thought that he would never return to Allah for accountability.  O yes! Surely, his Rabb was ever watching over his misdeeds.  I swear by the glow of the sunset; by the night and all that it gathers together; by the moon, when she glows full; that you shall gradually pass from one stage to another."  Qu'ran 84 6-19

 

Passage of Life

Life of this world is transitory.  Our life starts and even our mothers do not know when we are conceived.  Only Allah is aware of the time of our conception.  We spend our life in this world according to Allah's commands or disobey His commands and then we shall all die.  After death is the start of the eternal life and the quality of that eternal life is based on how we spent our time in this world.  Please be good so that we can all go to Jannat and enjoy Allah's blessings.

In the Qu'ran Allah says, "Has there not passed over man, a period of time when he was nothing - not even mentioned?  Indeed We have created men from the sperm drop containing both sexes, so that We may test him.  Therefore, We gave him the faculties of hearing and sight.  Then We guided Him to the right way.  Now, it is his choice either to be grateful, or to be a disbeliever.  For the disbeliever, We have prepared chains, fetters and a blazing fire.  The righteous shall be in paradise drinking from a cup of wine mixed with Kafoor (camphor-water), from a gushing spring at which the servants of Allah will refresh themselves, and shall be able to take out it channels at their will.  They are the ones who kept their vow and dreaded the Day of widespread terror, who fed the poor, the orphan and the captive for the love of Allah, saying, "We feed you for the sake of Allah alone, we seek from you neither reward nor thanks, for we dread our Rabb's torment on a very distressful day."  So Allah will deliver them from the evil of that day and bestow on them brightness and joy, and reward them for their steadfastness with paradise and garments of silk."  Qu'ran 76 1-12    

Allah's Warning

Allah has warned mankind several times in the Qu'ran to follow the recommended way or suffer the consequences.  

In the Qu'ran Allah emphatically says; "Nay! By the moon, by the departing night and by the coming of the dawn, surely this hellfire is one of mighty scourge, a warning to mankind, to any of you who chooses to go forward or to lag behind.  Every soul is held in pledge for its deeds, except the people of the right hand, who shall be in paradise.  They will ask from the criminals, "What brought you into hell?" They will answer, "We did not use to offer the Salah, we did not use to feed the poor, we used to join those who wasted their time in vain talk, and we used to deny the Day of Judgement, until  death overtook us".  On that day no intercession of any interercessor shall

Photo by SS at Disney's Magic Kingdom

profit them.  Then what is the matter with them that they turn away from this admonition?"

"Nay! Surely this Qu"ran is an admonition.  Let him who will take heed.  But none takes heed except by the Will of Allah.  He, Alone, is worthy to be feared and He, alone, is Worthy of forgiving those who fear Him".  Qu'ran 74: 32-56

Allah Knows All

When we are away from other people we think we are alone.  Allah, however is always with us and is aware of all that we do.  Some people commit robbery or other bad things, thinking they are alone and no one is watching them.  Allah, however, is watching them and all that they do is being recorded in their book of records.  This realization alone should prevent them from committing such wrong things for they will have to answer to Allah on the Day of Judgement.



Photo by SS at Farheen's in Florida

The Quran says, "Whether you speak in secret or aloud, He (Allah) is aware of all that is in the breasts.  Would He, who has created them, not Know?  He is the Knower of finest mysteries, and aware of everything."  Quran 67: 13-14