Advice of 15th of Sha’ban

A general and brief advice about the virtues related to 15th night of Sha’ban.

All Praise Belongs to Allah (swt), and May the Saláh and Salám of Allah (swt) be upon our beloved Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم

I was asked by some of my beloved brothers about the Authenticity of a Hadeeth that relates the virtue of 15th of Sha’ban. After seeking the assistance of Allah (SWT) I made the intention of answering their request.

The Hadeeth that is in discussion is the following:

Narrated by Mu’adh ibn Jabal, and Abee Tha’labah and others (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (SA) said:

“Allah looks at His creation in the night of mid-Sha’ban and He forgives all His creation except for a Mushrik (The one who associates partners with Allah (SWT) in His Essence, Names or Attributes) or a Mushaahin (one having hatred against his brothers/ or one leaving the true group of Muslims).”

[Related by Ibn Hibban, Tabarani, Ibn Khuzayma and classified Sahih by Shaykh Shu'ayb Arnaut and Shaykh Albani]‘

I will advice you brothers to ask Sincere, Knowledgeable, Muttaqi, and Trustworthy scholars amongst this Ummah. Also read and study some of the writings and articles that are written on this issue.

My brief and general advice on issues like these and similar issues is that:

Firstly, in any issue a Muslim must act according to the Speech of Allah and the Hikmah (Sunnah) of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, and the Ijma’ of the Sahabas without falling into any kind of Bid’ah, whether it is Bid’ah Haqiqiyyah (a innovation that has no base (Asl) in the Deen) or Bid’ah Idáfiyyah (a Bidah that has some base (Asl) in the Deen).

Every kind and every single Bid’ah in the Deen leads a Muslim to falsehood and more worryingly covers and removes a Sunnah.

Therefore a Muslim must be careful of not committing a Bid’ah in worship and be aware that it is one of the greatest sins, rather it is the greatest sin after Kufr and Shirk against Allah, (swt). Bid’ah leads a person to kufr and shirk whilst some are kufr and shirk.

A person who commits a Bid’ah in any kind of worship, instead of receiving rewards from Allah (aw) this person receives the displeasure of Allah (aw) and His Wrath (we take refuge with Him from that all).

As the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (sa) said: “Whosoever innovates anything in our Matter of this (i.e. Islam) which is not part of it, then it is rejected” (rejected back to the person without receiving any rewards from Allah (swt)).

[Agreed upon; Bukhari & Muslim]

Also the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (sa) said: “Whosoever does an action which is not according to our matter (i.e. Islam), then it is rejected” [Muslim]

Also we must be careful of not making something that is from the Deen into Bid’ah. Shaytan comes both ways, he makes Haram Halal and also makes Halal Haram, so take heed of the deceptions of Shaytan.

Secondly, Allah (swt) always from His Sunnah Emphasizes upon the greater evil that is happening in the society before He (swt) Emphasizes on the lesser evils. The Prophets (sa) did the same and their Inheritors (scholars) did and are implementing this Sunnah till today. For example, Allah (swt) Emphasized on kufr and shirk before He (swt) Emphasized on not taking Alcohol.

The Messenger of Allah (sa) also did the same, when three Sahaabah’s came to some of the wives of the Messenger of Allah (SA) and asked about his (sa) worship, after they were told about his worship, Anas bin Malik says “as if they took (sa) worship to be little”…so then one of them said:

“I will pray all night, the other said I will fast continuously, and the last said I will not marry…” when the Messenger of Allah was told of this, he gathered everyone and said:

“…As for me I stand during the night (Pray) and sleep, and I fast and break my fast, and I marry, so the one who dislikes my sunnah then he is not from me…”

[Bukhari, Muslim & others]

The Sháhid (point and evidence) here is that The Messenger of Allah (sa) did not speak of the virtues of voluntary prayer nor voluntary fasting, because the defect was not that they did not take these actions as virtuous, but the defect was in the way they wanted to implement these actions. So the Messenger of Allah (sa) emphasised the way of implementing these actions; He (sa) emphasized more on Sleeping after the prayer and Breaking the Fast than Praying and Fasting itself.

Praying at night and fasting (other than Ramadhán) is voluntary, whereas not sleeping after prayer and not breaking fast is not from the Sunnah of (sa), rather it is Bid’ah; which is a greater evil than leaving the voluntary actions in the first place. Therefore he (sa) emphasized more on the greater evil.

Coming to the subject of Nisf Sha’ban, for the sake of argument say the Hadeeth is Authentic. Is the defect today in the society that they do not virtue this night? Or is it that they virtue it too much, and worship Allah (swt) in ways which are not according to the Sunnah of Muhammad (sa)?

It’s very obvious from the actions of the society that they virtue this night too much. The way they act in that night, is against and contrary to the Sunnah of (sa). Therefore where should our emphasis be? On the virtue of this night or upon the actions which takes place on this night; which are contrary to the Sunnah of Muhammad (sa)?

From the above Hadeeth it is very clear that we should emphasise on the greater evil that takes place rather than the voluntary virtues.

A person who sleeps the whole night of Nisf Sha’ban without any voluntary worship is far better than the one who stays awake for a moment and commits an action that is against the Sunnah of the Messenger of Alláh (sa).

Thirdly, a Muslim should always be on the safe side, especially a lay person. The evidences for this principle can be found in the Quran and the Sunnah. There are many evidences in the Quran, take for example, Surah Hajj verse 11:

And among mankind is He who worships Allâh as it were, upon the very edge (i.e. In doubt); if good befalls him, He is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, He turns back on his face (i.e. reverts back to disbelief after embracing Islâm). He loses both This world and the Hereafter. that is the evident loss.

Allah (swt) speaks about people who worship Allah on the Edge (close to haram and kufr), then eventually a trial comes to them, and they could not be steadfast.

Allah (swt) affirms their worship of Him but the problem was that they were too close to haram and kufr, therefore they could not be steadfast when they were tried. So the further a person is from the Edge the safer he is from falling into haram and kufr when he is tried, and the more likely he will be steadfast in times of trial and difficulty.

From the Sunnah also there are many Ahádeeth on this principle, for example take the Hadeeth where The Messenger (sa) said;

“…whomsoever fears (stays away from) doubtful matters verily he has protected his deen and his dignity, and whomsoever falls into doubtful matters (regularly) falls into haram…and then the Messenger (SA) gave an example in the Hadith just like the verse in Surah Hajj, verse11,…and then he said…”verily in the body there is a flesh, if it is pure then the whole body will be cured, and if it is diseased than the whole body will be diseased, verily (this piece of flesh) is the Heart” .

(Bukhari & Muslim, also in 40 Hadith of Imam An-Nawawi)

In the above Hadith the Messenger of Allah (sa) affirms the person who stays away from the doubtful matters to have saved his Deen and Dignity, and the one who is consistently falling into doubtful matters will eventually fall and commit haram.

Here The Messenger of Allah (sa) is advising us to stay away from the doubtful matters as far as possible, and then he (sa) says something very interesting. He says (sa) …verily in a body there is a flesh…until the end. Why does he (sa) mention the two conditions of the Heart? What is the connection between the doubtful matters and the Heart? The connection is that, the one who stays far away from the doubtful matters, he stays away because he has a pure Heart, and by staying away from the doubtful matters he keeps his Heart clean and purified from all kinds of diseases. The one who falls into doubtful matters, he falls into it because he has diseases in his heart. And by consistently falling into these doubtful matters he increases the diseases in his Heart.

And thus it is essential for a believer to stay far away from doubtful matters and stay on the safe side in any issue, especially where the scholars differed in order to keep his heart clean and purified from all types of diseases.

Also the Messenger of Alláh (sa) said: “leave what is doubtful to what is not doubtful” (Tirmdhi; Hasan Saheeh)

[In the above Hadeeth, as well as the other verses and Ahádeeth which I have mentioned, there are many benefits, which I cannot and could not highlight because of limited time].

Coming back to the issue of 15th night of Sha’ban, in which its virtue the scholars have differed upon.

Ask this question to yourself; what is safer for a lay person; to sleep the whole night without falling into any doubtful matter? Or worshipping the whole night and falling into doubtful matter? Or far worse, falling into something that is not from the Deen?

There is no doubt, it is far better and safer to sleep the whole night knowing that you have not fallen into a doubtful matter, and hence you could not have committed a single Bid’ah.

Also note that all the scholars who have Authenticated the Ahádeeth of 15th of Sh’ban are agreed upon that the virtue which is mentioned in these Ahádeeth are all under the category of Mustahabbáth (recommended), so there is no sin on a person who sleeps the whole night without performing any acts of voluntary worship. This is agreed upon by the scholars.

So for a lay man in any issue where the scholars differed between Mustahab (recommend) & Wajib (Obligatory) it is safer to Implement the Wajib e.g. Niqáb, where they differed between Jaaiz and Haram, its safer to Implement Haram, e.g. instruments in Nasheeds, where they differed between Sunnah and Bid’ah, it is safer to Implement Bid’ah, e.g. Ta’weedth (Amulets) of the Quran.

(I used the word “Implement” as the one who implements e.g. Niqáb, not necessarily she believes or takes it as Wájib).

Fourthly, the Hadeeth that is quoted and other Ahádeeth that are quoted on this issue are differed upon in its Authenticity amongst the Scholars of Hadeeth.

Sheikh Al-Bani and Sheikh Shu’aib Al-Arnaut (May Allah reward them with the best of rewards) are from the most knowledgeable and trustworthy scholars in Hadeeth of this century, and are the light and guide of Ahl As-Sunnah Wal- Jam’ah (followers of the Aqeedah and the Methodology of the Salaf As Salih (Pious Predecessors of first 3 generations)), but as scholars before them, they are not free from making mistakes.

I wanted to speak about the chain of the Hadeeth, and what the scholars of the past and present have said about the Ahádeeth of Nisf Sha’ban, and how we should worship Allah on that night. But because of limited time I could not.

Insha-Allah I may write something in the future with the Assistance and Guide of Allah (swt) and after the permission of our beloved Shaykh Muhammad ‘Amr ‘Abdul Lateef (may Allah preserve him for the benefit of the Ummah).

[This article was written before he (ra) passed away].

But Insha-Allah I will give some basic guidelines on how one should understand the differences that occur amongst the scholars in the Authenticity of a Hadeeth, and how we should implement the Ahádeeth:

1- Know my beloved brothers, not every scholars conditions are the same; for example the conditions of Imam Bukhari in Authenticity are more stronger than Imam Muslim’s; amongst Imam Bukhari’s conditions is that it must be affirmed that the Narrator met the person he is narrating from.

As for Imam Muslim that was not from his condition. His condition was that if they lived in the same era, and it is possible for them to meet then that suffices.

For this reason Imam Bukari’s ‘Saheeh Al-Bukhari’ is given more precedence in terms of Authenticity than Imam Muslim’s ‘Saheeh Muslim’.

[Note: Imam Muslim in general Implemented Imam Bukhari's condition in his ‘Saheeh Muslim'].

2- Also not all scholars of Hadeeth imply the same meaning when they use a terminology in a Hadeeth; for example; some scholars when they used the terminology “Hasan” in the authenticity of a Hadeeth they mean “saheeh” (highest degree of Authenticity), others use the terminology “Hasan” to mean in the level of Acceptance,(meaning; it has not reached the level of highest degree of Authenticity, but the Hadeeth is accepted within the Authentic category), and sometimes they use the terminology “Hasan” on a Hadith that is Weak which has some strength from other Ahádeeth.

Some scholars at times use the terminology “Hasan” on a Hadeeth that is Gareeb, or Hadeeth that is Munkar, or even on a Hadeeth that is Muwdu’, IF THE WORDINGS AND MEANINGS OF THE HADEETH ARE GOOD.

Therefore, one must know and understand exactly what meaning is intended when a scholar is using a specific terminology. The way to know what he is intending is by asking him or studying and researching his works and writings.

3- This knowledge (science of Hadeeth) is undoubtedly the most difficult and amongst the vast knowledge that cannot be grasped so easily. A person, who studies this subject, needs to have a photographic memory, he has to be a Muttaqi (have Taqwa), be trustworthy, and his character has to be at the highest level and so fourth… Those who excel in this field, they excel only by the Mercy of Allah (aw).

This field of knowledge is so extraordinarily vast, for that reason a scholar can easily make a mistake. Therefore other scholars have to check his works in order to verify the Soundness or the Weakness of a Hadith. Just to give you an Idea of how vast this knowledge is, take the example of a book written by our beloved Shaykh Muhammad ‘Amr ‘Abdul Lateef. He only speaks about two Hadeeth and its chains in more than 400 pages, explaining the chains strengths and weaknesses. Can you comprehend how a person can write so much just on two small Hadeeth? Also is it not possible for him to have a single mistake and for him to make a wrong Ijthihád in any of these chains within those 400 pages? Of course it’s possible.

[Books Name: Ahádeeth wa Marwiyyáth fi Al-Mizán; vol; 1-2, published by Multhaqá Ahl Al-Hadeeth]

And thus my beloved brothers, know with certainty that no book of the creation is free from mistakes and contradictions. The only Book that is free from any kind of mistakes and contradictions is The Book of The Creator of the creations, The Speech of The Rabb Al ‘Aaalameen, The Light of Allah (Jalla Jaláluhu):

” …And it is an Honourable and Respected Book. Falsehood cannot come to it from front nor from behind; It is Sent Down by The Wise, Worthy of All-Praise.”

(Surah Al-Fussilath; 41-42)

One may ask; what does a lay person do when scholars differ upon the Authenticity of a Hadeeth?

Firstly, if you are a student of Hadith, then you must check and verify what they said, and then follow the strongest view according to the evidences you find and see.

As for a lay person, if the Authenticity is Jumhur (Majority) in Hasan or in Da’eef, then you follow the Jumhur Muhadditheen.

If the Authenticity in not Jumhur (majority) in Hasan or in Da’eef, then you ask the most knowledgeable and trustworthy person in this field, who you believe to be sincere, Muttaqi, trustworthy and reliable, or you go back to the principle of doubtful matter.

As for the Hadeeth the brothers requested it’s Authenticity, it is Narrated by Mu’adh ibn Jabal and Abee Th’labah and others (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (sa) Said:
“Allah looks at His creation in the night of mid-Sha’ban and He forgives all His creation except for a Mushrik (The one who associates partners with Allah (swt) in His Essence, Names and Attributes) or a Mushaahin (one having hatred against his brothers/ or one leaving the true group of Muslims).”

[Related by Ibn Hibban, Tabarani, Ibn Khuzayma and classified Sahih by Shaykh Shu'ayb Al-Arnaut, and Shaykh Al-bani]‘

Know my beloved brothers every Hadeeth that specifically speaks about the virtue of 15th night of Sha’ban, is either fabricated, very weak, weak, or differed upon in its soundness by the Muhadditheen. You will not find one Hadeeth that specifically speaks about the virtue of 15th night of Sha’ban whom the scholars are agreed upon in its soundness.

Rather the Majority of the Muhaddtheen (scholars of Hadeeth) weaken all the Hadeeth related to the 15th night of Sha’ban, as said by Hafiz Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali:

“and about the virtue of night of mid-Sha’ban (15th night of Sha’ban) there are many Ahádeeth, and verily they are differed upon, and the Majority of the scholars have weakened them, and Ibn Hibban Authenticated some of them..”

(Lathaaif Al-Ma’aarif; P: 143)

About the Hadeeth in discussion Imam Ad Daraqutni (ra) spoke lengthily about its chain and then said “both of these (chains) are not protected” he also said “the Hadith is not affirmed” in his book Al ‘Ilal (6/50-51 N0: 970)

Also Imam Ar-Razi (ra) Said: “This Hadith is Munkar with this chain” in ‘Ilal of Ibn Abee Hatim (2012).

And many other scholars have spoken about the severe weaknesses of these chains. Therefore the minimum one can say is that, the Hadeeth is differed upon.

As for why did S. Al-bani and S. Shu’aib Al-Arnaut classify this Hadeeth in the Accepted category, (as I indicated above; not all the scholars conditions are the same), but If Allah Wills, I will concentrate on this question and try to explain with its History in future Insha Allah.

There is nothing wrong for a lay person in following S. Al-bani or S. Shu’aib Al-Arnaut and others on this Hadeeth, if they believe this Hadeeth to be in the accepted category of Authenticity.

And hence if a believer takes this Hadeeth to be from the accepted category of Authenticity, then he should implement the Hadeeth. And the way to implement this Hadith, is that, the person should not to be amongst the Mushrik (the one who associates partners with Allah (swt) in His Essence, Names and Attributes) and Mushaahin (the one who has hatred against his brothers/ or the one who leaves the true group of Muslims) as the Hadeeih states, only then one can achieve the forgiveness of Allah (swt) on that night.

The Hadeeth does not speak about any voluntary prayer or voluntary fasting, and every Hadeeth that speaks about voluntary prayer & fasting specifically on the 15th night or day of Sha’ban, is either weak, very weak or fabricated.

Allahu A’laa Wa A’lam (Allah is The Most High and The Most knowledgeable.) And Allah Knows Best!

After speaking lengthily on the greater evil that takes place in the society, I would like to quote some Authentic Ahádeeth on the virtue of the Month of Sha’ban in general, in order for us to come close to Allah (swt) the correct way:

سألت عائشة رضي الله عنها عن صيام رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقالت :
” كان يصوم حتى نقول : قد صام . ويفطر حتى نقول : قد أفطر .
ولم أره صائما من شهر قط أكثر من صيامه من شعبان .
كان يصوم شعبان كله . كان يصوم شعبان إلا قليلا”

Trans: ‘Aaishah (ra) said when asked about the fasting of the Messenger of Allah (sa): “…and I would not ever see Him (sa) fast more than in the month of Sha’ban” ولم أره صائما من شهر قط أكثر من صيامه من شعبان …

In a narration: “He (SA) used to fast all of Sha’ban” كان يصوم… شعبان كله

And in another narration: “he used to fast in Sha’ban except little” (few days)”… كان يصوم شعبان إلا قليلا

[Bukhari, Muslim and others]

In another Hadith Trans: Narrated by Usamah (RA) The Messenger of Allah (SA) Said:

“That is a month (Sha’ban) people are heedless of, it is between Rajab and Ramadhan and it is a month where in the good deeds ascend to the Rabb of Al ‘Aalameen, and I love my deeds to be raised up while I am fasting.”

[An Nisaaee, Hasan]

Thus it is recommended to prepare for Ramadhan by voluntary fasting during the majority of the days of Sha’ban in general, without specifying any specific day, night or time.

There are other Sound Ahádeeth about the virtue of fasting in the month of Sha’ban in general, please forgive me my beloved brothers and sisters for not quoting them, as I just do not have enough time.

Most importantly I do not want this article to be used as a means of refutation or for the sake of arguments, let this Advice be a reminder to you as an individual; verily reminders benefits the believers. So let this be just a reminder for those who have a heart or give an ear with heedfulness.

I ask Allah with His Beautiful Names and Highest Attributes to accept this work as khaalis for Him (swt). I ask Him with His Beautiful Names and Perfect HiHHHjhhfa;Attributes to guide me and all the Muslims to the straight path and make us steadfast upon it till Yaqeen comes to us. Allahumma Ameen!

And may the Saláh and Salám of Allah (swt) be Upon our beloved Messenger of Allah Muhammad (sa), his Family, his Companions and those who follow them exactly in faith and worship.

And my last words are: “All Praise Belongs to Allah The Rabb Al ‘Aalameen”.

Jazákumullahu Khayran!

Wassalaamu ‘Alaikum warahmathullahi wabarakaathuhu.

Abu Hasan, written on Thursday the 17th of Sha’ban 1428 Hijri, Nasar city, Egypt.

Why doesn’t the Qur’an affect me?

Why doesn’t the Qur’an affect me?

Why don’t I fear the punishment of hell-fire?

Why don’t I get scared after listening to the stories of the perished nations?

Why don’t I feel dismay at disobeying Allah?

Why does the Qur’an sound so distant, irrelevant and unpalatable to me?

“Nay, but their hearts were covered over by what (sins) they earned.” [Al-Mutaffifeen: 14]

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “It is because of doing one sin after another, until the heart becomes blind and dies.”

Qataadah also said, “It is because of doing one sin after another, one sin after another, until the heart dies and becomes black.”

Ibn Zayd said, “Their sins overcome their hearts until no good can get through to them.”

Mujaahid explained, “They used to consider the heart like a hand: when a person sins, his heart starts to scrunch up,” and he folded his little finger, “and when he does another sin,” he folded the next finger and continued until he had his fist clenched. “Then a seal is placed over it, and they used to say that this is the ‘covering’.”

If sins rust the hurt, corrupt it, slowly corrode it and eventually overcome it, then what is the counter-balancing force that heals the heart and opens it up?

“And establish the Prayer, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory prayers]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds. That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).” [Al Hud: 114]

The prayer! The prayer! What else?

The Stranger

A few years after I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on.

As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors: Mum taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey. But the stranger … he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries, and comedies. If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed able to predict the future!

He took my family to the football and cricket. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking, but Dad didn’t seem to mind.

Sometimes, Mum would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for peace and quiet. (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to leave.)

Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was not allowed in our home … not from us, our friends or any visitors. Our longtime visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush.

My dad didn’t permit the liberal use of alcohol. But the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes look cool, cigars manly, and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (much too freely) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.

I now know that my early concepts about relationships were influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked … And NEVER asked to leave.

More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family. He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. If you could walk into my parents’ den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures.

His name?

We just call him ‘TV.’

He has a wife now …

We call her ‘Computer’.

Training Oneself

http://islamqa.com/en/cat/424

Remember…

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

This was an email sent out last year that is indeed beneficial, especially with the summer days rollin’ in, May Allah protect us and hold us steadfast *ameen*

- Remember that with the rise in temperatures there will be an evident rise in fahisha/shamelessness and all types of immodesty that will surround you and I.

- Remember to guard your eyes and guard your faith for these are the times where fitnah/trials will approach us from all corners.

- Remember that no matter how difficult it becomes to maintain your modesty, Allah Subhanhu wa ta’Ala knows of every single sweat, tear and struggle along the way. He, Subhanhu wa ta’Ala is closer to us and knows us better than we know our own selves: “And when My servants ask you concerning me, I am indeed close (to them): I respond to the du’a (prayer) of every suppliant when they call on Me.” [2:186]

- Remember that the blazing heat of the sun can no where be put into comparison with the heat of the blazing fire: “The fire of Hell is more intense in heat.” [9:81] Remain firm on modesty and Allah will further strengthen your firmness on His Deen.

- Remember , it may be that you strive to cover yourself and lower your gaze during these heat-filled days; whether it be with loose garments, hijab, jilbabs, etc… but just imagine the heat you feel with the hijab or thobe is not even an atom’s worth of heat that fills the Hell-Fire:”Surely, those who disbelieved in Our Ayat, We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment.” [4:56] and “By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell. Taking away (burning completely) the scalp!” [70:15-16].

- Remember that this life is nothing but a split moment and very soon we will stand in front of our Creator and be held accountable for every single sin: major, minor; known, unknown; evident, hidden! Likewise, if you and I strive towards the good then we will be rewarded with Allah’s mercy, His forgiveness and His pleasure: Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri said that the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted and Ever High, will say to the people of Paradise, ‘O residents of Paradise!’ They will say, ‘Labbayka (here we are!), our Lord, and Sa’dayk (we are happy at your service!) and all the good is in Your Hand.’ He (Allah) will ask them, ‘Are you pleased?’ They will say, ‘Why would not we be pleased, O Lord, while You have given us what You have not given any other of your creation?’ He (Allah) will say, ‘Should I give you what is better than all this?’ They will say, ‘O Lord! What is better than all this!’ He (Allah) will say, ‘I will grant you My pleasure and will never afterwards be angry with you.’” [Ahmad]

- Remember that if you ever doubt yourselves or when you waver in your faith, remind yourselves that this religion is the best there is and there is no better place to be than on the path of Guidance: “It is He Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, to make it superior over all religions even though the idolators hate (it).” [9:33]

- Remember that even the fish in the sea and the birds that fly in the sky testify to the Oneness of Allah and are obedient and submissive to Him. Moreover, even if our shadow prostrates to the Majesty of Allah! Why then should you and I, a fashioned creation of Allah, not be subservient to Him?

- Remember that there is nothing better that you can fill your hearts, your tongues, your ears and your thoughts with than the recitation, the understanding and the implementation of the Glorious Qur’an. “So be not in doubt about it. Verily, it is the truth from your Lord.” [11:17] Ask Allah Subhanhu wa ta’Ala, to make the Qur’an, the spring of your heart, the light of your chest, the banisher of your sadness and the reliever of your distress, just as Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) used to supplicate [Ahmad]

- Remember that there is not a thing nor a person that can bring any harm or good to you except if Allah wills for it to happen. And remind yourself, anything that Allah wills is good for you whether you see the immediate good in it or not.

- Remember that you and I should not look to complain about our grieves and sorrows to created beings. Instead we should only complain to Allah and He is the Only One we should turn to. Just as Ya’qub (alayhi Salaam) said, “I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah.” [12:86] You may be at a point where you are pouring your heart out to your friend and just a minor distraction such as a cellphone call will end it all. Likewise, a therapist needs to be available at the office hours or an appointment needs to be made to let out your feelings and emotions. Similarly, just as you are pouring your thoughts and feelings out, the therapy session comes to an end! In direct contrast, the complaining or “session” with Allah does not require any appointments, no distractions and no time limit! You and I will gain so much more if we speak to our Rabb for He knows you better than you know your own self!

- Remember that with every difficulty comes ease: “So, verily, with every difficulty there is relief. Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.” [94:5-6] Allah will never burden you and I beyond what we can handle. And Who can possibly know us better than our Creator!

- Remember that during times of prosperity and happiness, turn to Allah in gratitude and thank Him for what He has blessed you with. And when hardships and adversities come about, turn to Allah with patience and remind yourselves of the patience of Ya’qub (alayhi Salaam) when he lost his beloved son and immediately uttered the words: “So (for me) patience is most fitting.” [12:18] Let you and I choose patience and gratitude over all other alternatives.

- Remember that time is very limited and every moment of ours counts and will be questioned of on the Day of Resurrection. On that day we will search our pockets for any good deeds that can make our scales heavy so as to save us from the blazing heat and entire us into eternal bliss.

- Remember that the greatest deprivation for mankind is not the lack or shortage of food, nor shelter. Rather, the greatest deprivation is the inability to see the One Who created you and fashioned you. The One Who provided for you, bestowed His continuous blessings upon you. The greatest deprivation is not being able to see your Rabb! ‘Abdullah bin Qays Al-Ash’ari said that the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Two gardens, their pots and whatever is in them are made of gold, and two gardens, their pots and whatever is in them are made of silver. Only the Veil of Pride of Allah’s Face separates the people from gazing at Him, in the garden of Eden.”

- Remember …For Allah says that only a few actually remember Allah: “Little do you remember!” [7:3]

-Reflect for Allah did not create everything that surrounds you out of vain. Rather He, the Most High created everything to serve a purpose. Strive to be of the people who reflect: “Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): ‘Our Lord! You have not created this without purpose, glory to You!” [3:190-191]

- Remember to be thankful for there is nothing that you have except that Allah has blessed you with it yet still we busy our lives and never stop to thank Him Who is deserving of all thanks and praise: “Little thanks do you give!” [7:10]

- Remember to remember…and remind so that you may not forget!

Ten Things We Waste

Lessons from Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

1. Our Knowledge: Wasted by not taking action with it

2. Our Actions: Wasted by committing them without sincerity.

3. Our Wealth: Wasted by using on things that will not bring us ajr (reward from Allah). We waste our money, our status, our authority, on things which have no benefit in this life or in akhirah (hereafter).

4. Our Hearts: Wasted because they are empty from the love of Allah, and the feeling of longing to go to Him, and a feeling of peace and contentment. In it’s place, our hearts are filled with something or someone else.

5. Our Bodies: Wasted because we don’t use them in ibadah (worship) and service of Allah.

6. Our Love: Our emotional love is misdirected, not towards Allah, but towards something/someone else.

7. Our Time: Wasted, not used properly, to compensate for that which has passed, by doing what is righteous to make up for past deeds.

8. Our Intellect: Wasted on things that are not beneficial, that are detrimental to society and the individual, not in contemplation or reflection.

9. Our Service: Wasted in service of someone who will not bring us closer to Allah, or benefit in dunyaa.

10. Our Dhikr (Remembrence of Allah): Wasted, because it does not effect us or our hearts.

|| Reflection on Finals Week ||

Asalamu Alaikum waRahmatullahi waBarakatu

I got this from a friend last year, Jazaaha Allahu Khairun & thought I’d pass it along, May it be of benefit *ameen*

I think time is valued the most during finals week. You hear people from every corner of the room talking about how they have 10 minutes to eat, 3 hours to sleep, and then two papers to write and an exam to study for.

Something happened today in the library and it made me think. A girl sat in the SINC site for three hours doing a project. For some reason, it didn’t save on the computer she was working on, although she said she did hit “Save”, and then she exited out. Three hours of hard work…down the drain. And not just during any week, no, during finals week–where every minute is important. Not only would she now not be able to hand her work in on time, it would slow down all of the other things she had to do. She freaked.

So then I thought: what if this week were the final week of the dunya? Or just of our lives? Why do we not freak out when we waste three hours doing something that will in no way help our final grade in the dunya?

We embrace distractions from friends all throughout the year but when finals week comes– “Stay away from me! No, I can’t go to the mall with you. No time to waste! No, I can’t eat with you either, I already ate a twinkie.”  And it does make sense for the dunya. I mean, we know when finals week is.

But that’s the sad part. We don’t know when the final week of the dunya is. Or of our lives. So how can we go on and let ourselves be distracted and heedless all year long? The most successful students are those that are eating those quick lunches and refusing to go to the mall with you all year long, because they have high goals they have to meet. Then there are those who are just rolling with the ball the whole semester and wake up during finals week. But at least they wake up and at least pass their classes. But how could someone be distracted all semester, and continue to be distracted during finals week and do well? In other words, the only way we can pass this grand test of the dunya…the only way we can get any success in the Hereafter is if we constantly keep ourselves awake. We don’t know when the last week will be…so if we’re acting like it’s not the last week, every week….we’re doomed for failure. One of those weeks will be the final week.

And I thought about how Allah swt says in the Qur’an that on the Day of Judgement, there will be people, who when they are asked  how many years they spent on this earth, they will reply, “probably a day or less than a day”. And they won’t be lying…they’ll really believe this was the truth. Because they will have wasted all of their time on earth. They will be shown their deeds and they will not be able to fathom how they could have spent so many years on earth and done such few good deeds.

Allah swt gave us so much time to beautify our hearts, to do good deeds. And on the day of judgment, when we present our hearts to Him ‘azza wa jall, it is us who will look at them and our book of deeds and be mortified at how it could take so many years to make something so ugly and worthless. It is us who will look at the empty pages where good deeds were supposed to be and say, “I must have lived only a day then…how else could this be possible?” (but insha Allah it won’t be us. May Allah swt protect us and save us from being amongst these people. May He swt give us the tawfiq to properly avail the time we are given in this dunya. Ameen)

Let us all insha Allah (myself first before anyone else) take this time management lesson from finals. If we can get so much done for the dunya in this week, why can we not do at least half of this for the akhira during other weeks? Let us race for good deeds not only in Ramadan, but year-round, so that we don’t have to look at our book of deeds on the Day of judgment and think we only lived one Ramadan. There are so many simple things to do that don’t occupy much time or effort, like dhikr. Let it occupy your tongue constantly.

And the next time we get frustrated because something really important that shouldn’t have got deleted, got deleted…..maybe we should focus our energy on thinking about if we get that frustrated when some of our greatest deeds get deleted (because of insincerity to Allah swt, or some other reason), and if we would work as hard to retrieve those good deeds as we would to retrieve our deleted project.

Laysal Ghareeb (The Stranger is Not…)

A poem that serves as a reminder by Zaynul ‘Aabideen ‘Alee bin Husayn bin ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (radhiyallaahu ‘anhum ajma’een):

The stranger is not the stranger to Yemen or Shaam
But the stranger is the stranger to the grave and the coffin

Verily the stranger has rights for his absence
Over the residents of the dwellings & homelands.

Don’t chase away the outlander in his state of unfamiliarity
For time is also chasing him with hardship & distress

My travels are far and my provisions will not suffice me
My strength has weakened and death is calling unto me.

I still have sins which I know not of
Allah knows of them; those made in secret & in manifest

How merciful has Allah been to me by giving me respite
And I have increased in sins but Allah has always shielded me

The hours of my days pass by without regret
No crying, no fear, no sadness

I am the one who closes the doors with fatigue
on disobedience, & The Eye of Allah watches over me..

O’ that which was written in a moment of heedlessness
O’ the sorrow which remains in my heart is burning me.

Leave me to bewail myself and weep
and pass the time in sadness and remembrance.

Leave off your Blaming of me O’ Ye who do so..
If you were but to know my situation you would have excused me..

Let me cry out tears that have no ending to them
for there will be no lesson that will set me free

It is As though I am with that family, laying..
Upon the mattress with their hands turning me over.

And they came to me with a doctor that he may cure me..
But of today I think not that medicine will benefit me..

My sufferings increased and death began to pull at me ..
From every vein, without ease or comfort..

My soul was then removed from me with a gurgle..
And my saliva became bitter at that point..

They then shut my eyes and left me…
after a long moment of despair,…. they hurried to the purchase of the shroud

And he who was dearest to me got up in a hurry..
To summon the person who was to wash me..

He said: O’ my people we have attained a Washer who is skillful, clever, bright & intelligent..

So then one of the men came and removed my clothing..
He undressed me and denuded me…

They then placed me on top of a board
And the sound of water above me began to clean me

He poured the water on top of me and washed me..
Three times, before calling out to the people for the Shroud..

They shrouded me in a sleeveless garment..
And my provisions became the embalmment in which they embalmed me

They Bore me towards my journey Out of this World, Oh How Sorrowful!!
Will be this journey for which I have no provisions to take along with me.

Upon their shoulders, they carried me, Four….
Men, and behind me are those who come to bid me farewell

They set me before the mihraab then turned away from me
Behind the Imaam they went and he prayed on me then bade me farewell

They prayed over me a prayer consisting of neither Rukoo’ nor Sujood
Asking that Allah may have Mercy upon me.

They lowered me into my grave slowly
And one of them came forward to place me in the Lahd

He raised the garment from my face to gaze upon me
And the tears spilt from his eyes awashing me

Then he stood, honoring me, firm and resolute
And lined the bricks on my body then left me

And he said “Throw the dirt upon him and reap
The great rewards from Ar-Rahmaan, The Most Gracious”

In the darkness of the grave, no mother is there nor,
Is there an affectionate father, or a brother to comfort me

Alone….The only inhabitant of the Grave Oh how Sorrowful!!
Am I on parting the world bearing no Deeds to provision me.

And a sight which beheld my eye struck terror into me.
From a place of terror it came and startled me..”

Munkar and Nakeer, what shall I say to them?
The thought of them strikes terror into me, it causes me fear

And they made me to sit and put forth their questions
I have none other Than You now O Lord to deliver me!!.

So bestow upon me from your Mercy O Lord, How I hope in You!!
For verily I am fettered in my sins, I am confined by them

The relatives have divided my wealth amongst them after leaving me.
And my sins are now upon my back, burdening me

My wife has taken another husband in my place
And she has appointed him as overseer over my wealth and my home

She has made my children into servants to bid unto her needs
And my wealth has become to them a worthless means of enjoyment

So let not this World and its adornments deceive you.
And look at its (evil) effects in your family and homeland

And look at the one who collects the wealth of this Dunya in abundance
Will he depart from this world bearing other than the death shroud and embalmment?

Take from the dunya that which suffices you and be contented with that
Even if you were to have naught but good health

O ye who sow good, you will reap the fruit of your efforts.
O ye who sow evil you will find yourselves overcome with grief

O soul of mine, abstain from sinning and attain instead
Deeds which are Beautiful, for which Allah may be merciful towards me

O soul of mine, Woe upon you! Turn towards your lord in Repentance, and do that which is good
So that you will be recompensed after your death with that which is delightful

Lastly sending prayers upon the Chosen one, Our Sayyid (leader)

All praise is unto Allah, May he fill our days and nights with that which is Good, with forgiveness
With Ihsaan and Grace.

لَيْسَ الغَريبُ غَريبَ الشَّأمِ واليَمَنِ *إِنَّ الغَريبَ غَريبُ اللَّحدِ والكَفَنِ

إِنَّ الغَريِبَ لَهُ حَقٌّ لِغُرْبَتـِهِ * على الْمُقيمينَ في الأَوطــانِ والسَّكَنِ

سَفَري بَعيدٌ وَزادي لَنْ يُبَلِّغَنـي * وَقُوَّتي ضَعُفَتْ والمـوتُ يَطلُبُنـي

وَلي بَقايــا ذُنوبٍ لَسْتُ أَعْلَمُها * الله يَعْلَمُهــا في السِّرِ والعَلَنِ

مـَا أَحْلَمَ اللهَ عَني حَيْثُ أَمْهَلَني * وقَدْ تَمـادَيْتُ في ذَنْبي ويَسْتُرُنِي

تَمُرُّ سـاعـاتُ أَيّـَامي بِلا نَدَمٍ * ولا بُكاءٍ وَلاخَـوْفٍ ولا حـَزَنِ

أَنَـا الَّذِي أُغْلِقُ الأَبْوابَ مُجْتَهِداً * عَلى المعاصِي وَعَيْنُ اللهِ تَنْظُرُنـي

يَـا زَلَّةً كُتِبَتْ في غَفْلَةٍ ذَهَبَتْ * يَـا حَسْرَةً بَقِيَتْ في القَلبِ تُحْرِقُني

دَعْني أَنُوحُ عَلى نَفْسي وَأَنْدِبُـهـا * وَأَقْطَعُ الدَّهْرَ بِالتَّذْكِيـرِ وَالحَزَنِ

كَأَنَّني بَينَ تلك الأَهلِ مُنطَرِحــَاً * عَلى الفِراشِ وَأَيْديهِمْ تُقَلِّبُنــي

وَقد أَتَوْا بِطَبيبٍ كَـيْ يُعالِجَنـي * وَلَمْ أَرَ الطِّبَّ هـذا اليـومَ يَنْفَعُني

واشَتد نَزْعِي وَصَار المَوتُ يَجْذِبُـها * مِن كُلِّ عِرْقٍ بِلا رِفقٍ ولا هَوَنِ

واستَخْرَجَ الرُّوحَ مِني في تَغَرْغُرِها * وصـَارَ رِيقي مَريراً حِينَ غَرْغَرَني

وَغَمَّضُوني وَراحَ الكُلُّ وانْصَرَفوا * بَعْدَ الإِياسِ وَجَدُّوا في شِرَا الكَفَنِ

وَقـامَ مَنْ كانَ حِبَّ لنّاسِ في عَجَلٍ * نَحْوَ المُغَسِّلِ يَأْتينـي يُغَسِّلُنــي

وَقــالَ يـا قَوْمِ نَبْغِي غاسِلاً حَذِقاً * حُراً أَرِيباً لَبِيبـاً عَارِفـاً فَطِنِ

فَجــاءَني رَجُلٌ مِنْهُمْ فَجَرَّدَني * مِنَ الثِّيــابِ وَأَعْرَاني وأَفْرَدَني

وَأَوْدَعوني عَلى الأَلْواحِ مُنْطَرِحـاً * وَصـَارَ فَوْقي خَرِيرُ الماءِ يَنْظِفُني

وَأَسْكَبَ الماءَ مِنْ فَوقي وَغَسَّلَني * غُسْلاً ثَلاثاً وَنَادَى القَوْمَ بِالكَفَنِ

وَأَلْبَسُوني ثِيابـاً لا كِمامَ لهـا * وَصارَ زَادي حَنُوطِي حيـنَ حَنَّطَني

وأَخْرَجوني مِنَ الدُّنيـا فَوا أَسَفاً * عَلى رَحِيـلٍ بِلا زادٍ يُبَلِّغُنـي

وَحَمَّلوني على الأْكتـافِ أَربَعَةٌ * مِنَ الرِّجـالِ وَخَلْفِي مَنْ يُشَيِّعُني

وَقَدَّموني إِلى المحرابِ وانصَرَفوا * خَلْفَ الإِمـَامِ فَصَلَّى ثـمّ وَدَّعَني

صَلَّوْا عَلَيَّ صَلاةً لا رُكوعَ لهـا * ولا سُجـودَ لَعَلَّ اللـهَ يَرْحَمُني

وَأَنْزَلوني إلـى قَبري على مَهَلٍ * وَقَدَّمُوا واحِداً مِنهـم يُلَحِّدُنـي

وَكَشَّفَ الثّوْبَ عَن وَجْهي لِيَنْظُرَني * وَأَسْكَبَ الدَّمْعَ مِنْ عَيْنيهِ أَغْرَقَني

فَقامَ مُحتَرِمــاً بِالعَزمِ مُشْتَمِلاً * وَصَفَّفَ اللَّبِنَ مِنْ فَوْقِي وفـارَقَني

وقَالَ هُلُّوا عليه التُّرْبَ واغْتَنِموا * حُسْنَ الثَّوابِ مِنَ الرَّحمنِ ذِي المِنَنِ

في ظُلْمَةِ القبرِ لا أُمٌّ هنــاك ولا * أَبٌ شَفـيقٌ ولا أَخٌ يُؤَنِّسُنــي

فَرِيدٌ وَحِيدُ القبرِ، يــا أَسَفـاً * عَلى الفِراقِ بِلا عَمَلٍ يُزَوِّدُنـي

وَهالَني صُورَةً في العينِ إِذْ نَظَرَتْ * مِنْ هَوْلِ مَطْلَعِ ما قَدْ كان أَدهَشَني

مِنْ مُنكَرٍ ونكيرٍ مـا أَقولُ لهم * قَدْ هــَالَني أَمْرُهُمْ جِداً فَأَفْزَعَني

وَأَقْعَدوني وَجَدُّوا في سُؤالِهـِمُ * مَـالِي سِوَاكَ إِلهـي مَنْ يُخَلِّصُنِي

فَامْنُنْ عَلَيَّ بِعَفْوٍ مِنك يــا أَمَلي * فَإِنَّني مُوثَقٌ بِالذَّنْبِ مُرْتَهــَنِ

تَقاسمَ الأهْلُ مالي بعدما انْصَرَفُوا * وَصَارَ وِزْرِي عَلى ظَهْرِي فَأَثْقَلَني

واستَبْدَلَتْ زَوجَتي بَعْلاً لهـا بَدَلي * وَحَكَّمَتْهُ فِي الأَمْوَالِ والسَّكَـنِ

وَصَيَّرَتْ وَلَدي عَبْداً لِيَخْدُمَهــا * وَصَارَ مَـالي لهم حـِلاً بِلا ثَمَنِ

فَلا تَغُرَّنَّكَ الدُّنْيــا وَزِينَتُها * وانْظُرْ إلى فِعْلِهــا في الأَهْلِ والوَطَنِ

وانْظُرْ إِلى مَنْ حَوَى الدُّنْيا بِأَجْمَعِها * هَلْ رَاحَ مِنْها بِغَيْرِ الحَنْطِ والكَفَنِ

خُذِ القَنـَاعَةَ مِنْ دُنْيَاك وارْضَ بِها * لَوْ لم يَكُنْ لَكَ إِلا رَاحَةُ البَدَنِ

يَـا زَارِعَ الخَيْرِ تحصُدْ بَعْدَهُ ثَمَراً * يَا زَارِعَ الشَّرِّ مَوْقُوفٌ عَلَى الوَهَنِ

يـَا نَفْسُ كُفِّي عَنِ العِصْيانِ واكْتَسِبِي * فِعْلاً جميلاً لَعَلَّ اللهَ يَرحَمُني

يَا نَفْسُ وَيْحَكِ تُوبي واعمَلِي حَسَناً * عَسى تُجازَيْنَ بَعْدَ الموتِ بِالحَسَنِ

ثمَّ الصلاةُ على الْمُختـارِ سَيِّدِنـا * مَا وَصَّـا البَرْقَ في شَّامٍ وفي يَمَنِ

والحمدُ لله مُمْسِينَـا وَمُصْبِحِنَا * بِالخَيْرِ والعَفْوْ والإِحْســانِ وَالمِنَنِ

Translated by Sister Amirah & Sister Mawadah

Download Audio from Kalamullah.com - right click, save as….

Such is the Bounty of your Lord, Most High

In Syria, in one week 40 000 people were killed in Hama, that was in 1982, or the early ’80’s. Alot of people were arrested. Amongst them was a family by the name Az -Za`tar, who were from a village close to Damascus.

Now that son, he was a very righteous Muslim alhamdulillah. He was one of the brothers who would memorize Qur’an and would go to the masjid often. He was known to never miss any lecture and any good deed that could be done. One day, the Intelligence came to the village and they arrested lots of these brothers and he was amongst them. But that brother, from Az-Za`tar, he was in the masjid at the time he was arrested. He was in the masjid reading the Qur’an.

Allah subhana wa ta`ala had blessed him with a wife, a very righteous wife. When he was arrested, it was only six months after his first baby boy was born. He had named him, `Abdullah.

Now when that brother got arrested, nobody knew he had been arrested . So people started to say that maybe he had died or ‘Allahu`alam’ what happened to him.

But then, after twelve years, they released him, and they put him in a place in Syria, in Damascus called, Sahatal Marjah. They dropped him in that place, and his eyes were so bloody that he couldn’t even see his surroundings. They left him like a dog or even worse. So what happened, SubhanAllah, one taxi driver was passing by and he saw that man and he felt a lot of mercy and sympathy towards him and he said, “Let me give you a ride, where do you live?”
He said, “I want to go to such a village, it’s called At-Til.”
So he took him to At-Til and he refused to take any money.
Even if he were to ask for any money, he didn’t have anything.

Now that brother, wallah you will be amazed, he remembered the sunnah. He did not go immediately to his home, he started by going to the masjid of that village. He went to the masjid where he was arrested and he prayed two rak`ah.

After he prayed two rak`ah, he was just looking around him when he saw a couple of children reading the Qur`an as they were having a halaqah. He was just watching them and seeing how nice they were. After the halaqah was over, he saw one of them that (he) really liked in particular. He saw that he looked very bright and very intelligent and so on.

So he (said), “O boy come here, what is your name?”

He said, “My name is `Abdullah Az-Za`tar.”

He didn’t’ believe him.

He said, “Who is your father?”

He said: “I don’t know my father. My mum told me that my father went away in struggle and that he is coming back. But he never appeared after that.”

This really took place, a few years ago and he found him in the same masjid he was arrested in and he found him doing the same thing he was doing when he was arrested - reading the Qur`an, trying to memorize the Qur`an.

Effects of sins :: Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah

Impact & Effect of Sin

When Allah commands us to give up sins and to avoid them it is not because our sins will harm Him. It is only us who will benefit by avoiding sins. Likewise, we alone will be affected by the sins we commit. It was the habit of the righteous ancestors to think about their sins whenever they were faced with hardship in anything. In fact, sins have many bad effects on the lives of the sinners.

How can sins change our lives? What are the effects of sins on our well-being? Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyah explains to us these effects in his well-known book Al-Jawab Al-Kafi:

• Prevention of knowledge: Knowledge is a light which Allah throws into the heart and disobedience extinguishes this light.

Imam Ash-Shafi`i said: “I complained to Wakee` about the weakness of my memory, so he ordered me to abandon disobedience and informed me that knowledge is light. He said that the light of Allah is not given to the disobedient.”

• Prevention of sustenance: Just as righteousness brings about sustenance, the abandonment of righteousness causes poverty. There is nothing which can bring about sustenance like the abandonment of sins.

• Prevention of obedience (to Allah): If there was no other punishment for sin except that it prevents one from obeying Allah then this would be sufficient.

• Disobedience weakens the heart and the body: The fact that it weakens the heart is clear. Disobedience continues to weaken the heart until its life ceases completely.

• Disobedience reduces one’s lifespan and destroys any blessings: Just as righteousness increases one’s lifespan, sinning reduces it.

• Legacy of the cursed: Every type of disobedience is the legacy of a nation from among those which Allah destroyed. Sodomy is a legacy of the people of Lot, taking more than one’s due right and giving what is less is a legacy of the people of Shu`aib, spreading mischief and corruption is a legacy of the people of Pharaoh and pride, including arrogance and tyranny, is a legacy of the people of Hud. So the disobedient one is somehow a part of those nations who were the enemies of Allah.

• Disobedience is a cause of the servant being held in contempt by his Lord: Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: “They became contemptible in (His sight) so they disobeyed Him. If they were honorable (in His sight) He would have protected them.”

• Effect of sins on others: The ill-effects of the sinner fall upon those around him as well as the animals as a result of which they are touched by harm.

• Living in sin: The servant continues to commit sins until they become very easy for him and seem insignificant in his heart and this is a sure sign of destruction. Every time a sin becomes insignificant in the sight of the servant it becomes great in the sight of Allah.

• Disobedience brings humiliation and lowliness: Every aspect of honor lies in the obedience of Allah. Ibn Al-Mubarak said: “I have seen sins kill the hearts. And humiliation is inherited by their continuity. The abandonment of sins gives life to the hearts. And the prevention of your soul is better for it.”

• Disobedience corrupts the intellect: The intellect has light and disobedience extinguishes this light. When the light of the intellect is extinguished it becomes weak and deficient.

• Sealing of the heart: When disobedience increases, the servant’s heart becomes sealed so that he becomes of those who are heedless. The Exalted said: [But no! A stain has been left on their hearts on account of what they used to earn (that is, their actions)] (Al-Mutaffifin 83: 14).

• Sins cause various types of corruption to occur in the land: Corruption of the water, the air, the plants, the fruit, and the dwelling places. The Exalted said: [