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