Let us sit down and believe for a while…

`Abdullah ibn Rawahah (RAA), whenever he met one of the Companions of the Prophet (salallahu ‘alayhi wasallam), used to say, “Come, let us believe in our Lord for a while.” When the Prophet (salallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) heard about this, he said, “May Allah have mercy on Ibn Rawahah, for he loves the gatherings that the angels feel proud to attend.”

Let us sit down and believe for a while…

In the dappled sunlight of this June afternoon

Amongst the swaying leaves and the violet bloom

I promise not to ramble on about economic pacts

I will not bore you with depressing trade facts

And partake neither in vain babble nor pretension-

But instead marvel at the exquisite surface tension,

Of a single drop of tender dew

Serenely dripping into view.

.

Sunlight plays delicately on the Noor and grace

That illuminate your gentle face

Oh my friend, let us sit down and believe for a while

Lest we stray towards the less worthwhile

Pursuits and pleasures and lofty attitudes

And conceits and egos of great altitudes-

I would rather be inspired by this beleaguered ant,

Resolutely forging towards the garden plants!

(A noble ant, whether it can make it or it can’t).

.

My friend, let us sit down and believe for a while-

Let us pray Asr and then directly after

Deeply contemplate the nearing Hereafter

And pray and pray and sometimes ruminate

And ask for forgiveness in this humble state.

The trees will securely shade our prostrate forms

Swathed and billowing in cotton storms!

And I hope and hope, and I pray and pray

To be as securely shaded on Judgement Day.

.

My friend, let us sit down and believe for a while

Lest we get caught up in some erring lifestyle

And so do not reflect upon His creation or ponder

And idle away the afternoons in petty squander

No, let us sit down and believe for a while-

No matter what the task or worldly trial.

And may we never come to sorrow at this day’s end

That we spent in prayer with a believing friend-

For we sat down with a smile, we sat down and believed awhile.

Advice From Umar Al Khattab…

Adorn Yourselves for the Greater Display

Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiAllahu `anhu) said,

“Take account of your own selves (i.e., of your deeds),

before you will be taken to account (on the Day of Resurrection).

Weigh yourselves (i.e., your deeds) before you will be weighed

(i.e., before your deeds will be put on the balances on the Day of Resurrection).

Verily, if you hold yourselves accountable today,

the accountability tomorrow (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) will be easier upon you.

And adorn yourselves for the greater display

(i.e., for when you will be brought to Judgment):

“That Day shall you be brought to Judgment, not a secret of you will be hidden.”

( Quran 69:18 )

[Sifatus-Safwah 1/149]

¿Why do we Speak?

From Abdullaah Ibn al-Mubaarak who said:

“It was said to Hamdoon bin Ahmad: ‘Why is it that the speech of the Salaf was more beneficial than ours?’

He said:

‘Because they spoke for the honor of Islaam, and for the deliverance of their own souls, and for the pleasure of ar-Rahman, and we speak for the honor of our souls, for seeking the world, and for the pleasure of the creation.”

Source: “Imaan Builder 4: The Observance of Sincerity In One’s Speech and Action”

Deprived and Shackled

Al-Fudayl (1) said:

If you are unable to perform Qiyaam al-Layl (pray during the night), and fast during the day, then know that you are deprived, shackled by your sin(s). (2)

:قال الفضيل

إذا لم تقدر على قيام الليل، وصيام النهار، فاعلم أنك محروم، كبلتك خطيئتك

(1) He is al-Fudayl ‘ibn ‘Iyaad at-Tameemee - passed away in Makkah 187 A.H.

(2) Mawaa’ith lil-Imaam al-Fudayl ‘ibn ‘Iyaad. Compiled by Saalih Ahmad ash-Shaamee. al-Maktab al-Islaamee; First Edition 1998/1419 A.H. Reference of quote: Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa’ (8/435)

I Sit with the Salaf…

It is reported from Nu’aym b. Hammâd:

‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak used to often stay at home, so he was asked, “Don’t you get lonely?” He replied, “How could I get lonely when I am with the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him (i.e. I read his hadîth)?”

Also on the authority of Nu’aym b. Hammâd:

It was once said to ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak, “O Abû ‘Abd Al-Rahmân, you often sit alone at home.” He said, “I am alone? I am with the Prophet - Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – and his Companions.” Meaning: reading hadîth.

Ibn ‘Asâkir, Târîkh Dimishq Vol. 32 p458.

Shaqîq b. Ibrâhîm reports:

It was once said to ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak, “After you have prayed with us you don’t sit with us?” He replied, “I go and sit with the Sahâbah and the Tâbi’în.” We said, “And how can you sit with the Sahâbah and Tâbi’în (when they have all passed away)?” He replied, “I go and read the knowledge I have collected, I find their narrations and deeds. What would I do with you? You sit around backbiting people.”

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak.