An Abid and an Arif Monday, August 31, 2009
Posted by Administrator 2 in Tazkiyah.add a comment
by Dhaakir
“There is a difference between an abid (one who does ibadah) and an arif (one who has achieved recognition of Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa); an abid worships according to his own programme, whilst an arif worships according to Allah’s programme.”
Seeing the Good and the Bad Saturday, August 29, 2009
Posted by Administrator 2 in Ramadhan, Self -Asessment.add a comment
by Dhaakir
“Shaytan adorns our good deeds for us. He places our good deeds, e.g. performance of Fajr Salah, Ishraq and Chaasht, at the forefront of our minds, but sweeps our sins under the carpet. We are aware, and pleased, that we went to the masjid for salah, but are we aware of how many sins we did on the way, e.g. casting lustful glances.
That is why we need to assess ourselves daily – a practice known as muhasabah. If we do not assess ourselves, we will not realise our faults.”
Real Taqwaa Thursday, August 27, 2009
Posted by Administrator 2 in Ramadhan, Taqwaa.1 comment so far
by Dhaakir
“The common definition of taqwaa is to abstain from the disobedience of Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa. When a person tries to do this it is a struggle, known as mujahadah. After months and years of struggle, real taqwa is achieved, wherein Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa puts the light of taqwa in the heart. When this happens, you will no longer have to struggle to avoid sins as before, but you will be repelled by them.
It is like the prospect of walking through a narrow gully with damp and filthy walls. You will be repelled from the very thought, but even if you do and some filth touches your clothing, you will not rest until it is washed off. When you have real taqwa you are repelled by sins, and if you do ever slip up and commit a sin, you will not wait about but make tawbah immediately.
There is no better time to acquire real taqwa and become muttaqi. If you value Ramadhan, it will make you muttaqi.
Half-hearted Du’as Wednesday, August 26, 2009
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by Dhaakir
“We do not try to attract the mercy and help of Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa in our du’as in the way we should. We discuss the state of the ummah and its problems and politics for hours on end, yet we cannot take out five minutes to beseech Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa – the One who is fully able to improve our condition – for help.”
Abundant Istighfar Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Posted by Administrator 2 in Ramadhan, Repentence.add a comment
by Dhaakir
“From our pious predecessors are those who would spend all night in salah and then pray to Allah, expressing their shortcomings and begging forgiveness. They would say: ‘O Allah, we are not worthy of asking You for Jannah, nor are we worthy of asking You for deliverance from the Fire, but we have no choice but to do so.’
Their condition was as mentioned in the Qur’an: ‘They used to sleep little in the night. And in the hours before dawn they used to pray for forgiveness.’ (51:17-18)
Despite not having a burden of sin on their shoulders, they would do istighfar abundantly. Our condition is the reverse: even after committing sins we do not ask for forgiveness.”
Pious Thoughts! Monday, August 24, 2009
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by Dhaakir
“The reward and significance of tilawah of the Qur’an during Ramadhan is indeed great. Realising this, someone who is currently reading three juz per day may entertain the noble intention of reading six juz a day – not from tomorrow, but next Ramadhan! It would be no sin if he were to start reading six juz instead of three this very Ramadhan!
It is also noticed that before the advent of Ramadhan, many people realise that indeed they should engage in tilawah during the blessed month. However, with this noble thought in mind, they fail to do any tilawah during the remaining days of Sha’ban and wait for the first of Ramadhan. Just imagine how much reward they deprive themselves of!”
Training the Nafs Sunday, August 23, 2009
Posted by Administrator 2 in Ma’moolaat (Daily Practices), Ramadhan, Self -Asessment.add a comment
by Dhaakir
“In order to be regular with tilawah we need to fix a time for it daily, just like we have fixed times for other things, e.g. breakfast. I remember as a child back in India, how the entire household would complete their tilawah before breakfast, i.e. we had a fixed time for tilawah.
In those days it was not unusual for people to do tilawah even before Fajr. I remember walking to the masjid for Fajr Salah and hearing the sound of tilawah coming from the houses we passed.
The Right Programme for Ibadah Saturday, August 22, 2009
Posted by Administrator 2 in Ramadhan, Shaykh.add a comment
by Dhaakir
“Ibadah is one thing, trying to reach Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa is another. People do lots of ibadah in Ramadan, but they tend to do it as they please, without any objective or guidance.
Their condition can be likened to someone who wants to get fit, and so enthusiastically starts to diet and exercise, but only lasts a few days before giving up. If they were to consult a dietician, they would be given a diet and exercise programme that would enable them to achieve their goal.
Similarly, those who try to worship Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa according to their own programme of ibadah will not reach their objective. The task of a shaykh is to ensure that the mureed reaches his objective – the pleasure and ma’rifah of Allah subhanahu wata‘alaa – and so instructs and guides him in his ibadah.”
How much Qur’aan should be recited Daily Thursday, August 20, 2009
Posted by Administrator 3 in Qur’aan.add a comment
by Abu Abdullah Ibn Ismail
“Throughout the year a Hafiz (one who has memorised the Qur’aan) should endeavour to recite three Juz (chapters) daily.
A recommend method is the recite the Juz once whilst looking in the Qur’aan and twice in Salaah throughout the day.
Those who are not Huffaz, should aim to recite at least one chapter daily.”
Setting Targets Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Posted by Administrator 3 in Ramadhan.add a comment
by Abu Abdullah Ibn Ismail
“By setting targets in Ramadhan one is able to remain busy and thus protect himself from sin. For example one should set a target for the number of Qur’aan’s he wishes to complete in recitation in this month.
One should also aim to perform optional worship such as the Tahajjud, Ishraq, Chast and Awabeen Salaah.”
