by Muhammad Abdullah

“It is only after sacrifice that you experience ease. Night shift workers make the sacrifice of working at night for they know that as a result they will be given a wage that will enable them to acquire comfort.

Likewise we also need to sacrifice the desires of our nafs in this world for the ease of the hereafter.”

by Abu Talha

“The days of Dhul Hijjah of which Allah takes oath by; if it wasn’t for His Greatness, how could we ever reap the benefit of fasting.  Bear in mind that the reward of a single fast during these days is equal to the reward of fasting for an entire year! And by making Shukr; thanking Allah, we acknowledge His Magnificence, and this is what is required of us.

Expressing gratitude to Allah is the remedy of Self-Conceit (having an exaggerated sense of self-importance and the high ranks of one’s deeds). When a servant of Allah thanks Allah he cannot be proud of doing that good deed, because in reality it was done due to only Allah’s mercy and grace and its not by one’s own capabilities.

However just as the reward is very great of good deeds in these days, similarly if someone does any sin he is liable for severe punishment.  For example if one commits a sin in Leicester, would it be regarded the same in Makkah al-Mukarramah?  If were to sin in the university would it hold the same weighting as the same in a place of worship?  If one committed a crime against their Lord in the Holy month of Ramadaan would it be considered as if it were done in an normal month?

A sin knowingly committed in blessed times and moments are reprehensible, and certainly have a different grade of punishment.  So be very careful [always, before committing sin], especially in these days and nights which are very blessed”.

“The way to create love for Allāh ta’ala is to worship and obey Him despite not wanting to. The inner self (nafs) needs to be compelled to obey Allāh ta’ala until it becomes a habit.

Once that happens, love for Allāh ta’ala will start being felt and inclination towards the sunan and nawāfil will develop.

Eventually, through the nawāfil (while maintaining absolute observance of the farā’idh and sunan), love for Allāh ta’ala will accelerate.”

“In order for any action to be accepted by Allāh ta’ala it must fulfil two conditions:

1.The action must be in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam.

2.There must be sincerity in the action, i.e. it must be done for the pleasure of Allāh ta’ala.

It is imperative that these two conditions are fulfilled, otherwise the action will not be accepted in the Court of Allāh ta’ala. Often, enough emphasis is not given to the first point: if an action, no matter how sincere it is, does not conform to the teachings of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam, it will not be accepted.

This concept can be further understood through the example of a passport and visa. At immigration control the first thing that is checked is the validity of the passport. If the officer does not accept its authenticity then no matter how valid the visa is, the passport holder will not be able to progress.

Similarly, when it comes to our actions in the Court of Allāh ta’ala they must first be in accordance to the teachings of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam. Only then will their sincerity be checked. If both pass the test then the action will be accepted by Allāh ta’ala.”

“A man who gazes at a non-mahram woman is just like a pauper who stares through a shop window and desires items that he cannot afford. The pauper will get nothing by staring through the window. Likewise, a person involved in lustful glances gets nothing but frustration, for he is unable to acquire what he sees and desires.

So why stare at something that you cannot obtain?

Every time you look at a forbidden thing, your desire will grow, and its thought will haunt you even when it is out of sight. When this is the consequence of the unlawful gaze, is it not better to control the gaze at the very outset?”

Our respected Shaykh hafizahullah will inshallah be speaking at the following events this week. Please try to attend, encourage others to attend also, and pass the message on.

Friday Tazkiyah Programme

Date: Friday 13th November
Time: after Eshaa Salaah (8.15 pm)
Venue: Islamic Da’wah Academy, 120 Melbourne Road, Leicester, LE2 0DS  

Hifz Completion Ceremony

Date: Saturday 14th November
Time: After Isha Salaah (6:30pm)
Venue: Islamic Centre Upton Park 72 – 74 Selwyn Road, Plaistow, London. E13 0PY

Tuesday English Majlis

Date: Tuesday 17th November
Time: after Eshaa Salaah (8.15 pm)
Venue: Islamic Da’wah Academy, 120 Melbourne Road, Leicester, LE2 0DS 

Listen to the programmes at the Academy live at www.idauk.org

“Pride and arrogance come in many forms. One manifestation of pride, which is not easily recognisable, takes the outward form of humility: some people feel the need to outwardly display humility while within they actually think highly of themselves for doing so.

People who are genuinely humble don’t have a high opinion of themselves, but truly believe themselves insignificant and humble. An analogy will help us understand what true humbleness is.

Imagine a sleeping person: while fast asleep he does not know that he is asleep; it is only after waking up that he realises that he had been asleep. Likewise, a person who is humble does not feel that he is being humble; his behaviour is naturally full of humbleness without him knowing it.”

“Our scholars and pious predecessors have noted that every disobedience of Allah ta’ala carries within itself the taint of kufr (disbelief) to some degree. This is why one who is constantly involved in sins is considered to be endangering his imān.

A flagrant sinner will be disinclined to repent, and may eventually land himself in destruction by beginning to question faith, and eventually denounce faith in Allah ta’ala altogether (may Allah ta’ala protect us).”

“Everything is fine as long as it stays within its limits. For a man to love his wife is an act of reward, as long as he does not exceed the limits. If love for his wife leads him to disobey Allah ta’ala, it will be classified as a sin. Similarly, engaging in activities like football etc. beyond the limits is not permissible. Allah ta’ala says”:

The one who exceeds the boundaries of Allah has indeed wronged himself. (65:1)

“When the opportunity arises to spend on worldly items, people normally do not find it burdensome and spend with an open and happy heart. But in a majority of cases they later regret their spending.

However, when you spend for the sake of Allah ta’ala in a virtuous cause, you may find it difficult at the time of spending, but later, when you reflect upon the favour that Allah ta’ala conferred on you by giving you the will to spend in His cause, you will experience extreme happiness for the rest of your life.”