DIW Banners

Alhamdulillah, a brother recently took a picture of the Banner used in this years' Discover Islam Week.

Following is the beautiful artwork (click to enlarge):


It has also been somewhat enhanced in the following image:
I hope everyone can appreciate the effort taken to paint this banner.

The Life of this World

Quotes From the Salaf About the Life of This World

Taken from "The Life of This World Is a Transient Shade"

Sufyan ath-Thawri said: "Man's love for the life of this world is shown in the way he greets people."
[Look at a chaste poor man ... nobody talks to him. People greet him so warily as if fearing that he may pass poverty to them. But see how the people welcome a rich man, even if he does not perform prayer. They stand up with smiling faces, and each one hopes to greet him first. Note the difference between a man who is so great as seen by Allah and another who does not even weigh a mosquito's wing - but this is life.]

Narrated Muhammad ibn Abi Imran, "I heard a man asking Hatim al-Asamm: 'On what have you based your dependence on Allah?' He said: 'On four points: I knew that my sustenance cannot be eaten by someone else and I am assured, I knew that my duty cannot be done by anyone else, so I kept myself busy with that. I knew that death will come suddenly to me, so I prepared myself for it. I knew that wherever I go I am under Allah's Eye, so I am always shy of Him.'"

Abu Safwan ar-Ru`wini was asked: "What is that life dispraised by Allah in the Qur'an and that the sensible man should avoid?" He said: "Whatever you love in this life seeking worldly benefits is dispraised, and whatever you love seeking benefits in the Hereafter is praised."

Yahya ibn Mu`adh said, "O how poor is man, if he fears Hell in the same degree of his fearing poverty, then he will enter Paradise."

Ali ibn Al-Fudayl said: "I heard my father saying to Ibn Al-Mubarak: You order us to renounce the worldly pleasures and to be satisfied with the minimum, whereas you are buying goods, so what is that?" He said: "I do that to protect my face and my honour, and this helps me obey my Rabb." My father said: "How good is that if realised."

Yahya ibn Mu`adh said: "The life of this world is a house of deeds and the Hereafter is a house of horrors. Man remains between deeds and horrors until he settles either in Paradise or in Hell."

One of the salaf said: "Beware of the life of this world because its magic is more effective than that of Harut and Marut. The two latter's separate a man from his wife (ta laq) whereas the life of this world separates a man from his Rabb."

Abu Dardaa' said: "Everyone has an imperfection of knowledge and wisdom, if his wealth increases, he becomes so happy though day and night are working hard on destroying his life-span. So what is good of a wealth that increases and a life-span that decreases."

Al-Hasan al-Basri said: "I am astonished about those people who are ordered to prepare their provisions, then the start of the journey is announced, however they remain unmindful in their vain discussions and fruitless deeds."

A man came to Sufyan ath-Thawree seeking his advice, and he said to the man: "Work for the sake of this life within the extent of your stay in it, and for the Hereafter within the extent of your stay therein."

Al-Fudayl ibn `Ayyad said: "Man's fear of Allah is equal to his knowledge of Him and his renunciation of worldly pleasures is equal to his desire in the Hereafter."

Salman ibn Dinar said: "What you love to have with you in the Hereafter you should advance today, and what you hate to have with you, you should abandon today."

"Don't seek anything other than contentment, because therein is the bliss and the comfort of your body. Then consider the case of a person who possesses the whole world, can he take with him in the grave more than cotton and a shroud?"

Excessive laughter

"If you know what i know you would laugh less and cry more" (Bukahri)

The prophet (sallahu Alayhewaslam) was given the knowledge of the unseen by Allah. From amongst this was the visualisation of heaven and hell in addition to its dwellers.

Due to his knowledge and insight our beloved prophet (saw) stated that if we had the knowledge of matters which where not known to us, but were known to him, then we would forget the pleasures, desires and distractions of this world and our laughter and joys would be replaced by sorrow, contemplation and tears for the hereafter.

(Taken from the book 'Beneficial Knowledge' Madrassah Al Zahra)

Giving up Sin

“You will have to give up sin by force using courage, effort and with a sincere intention. It is no use just imagining that it will happen automatically. The intention should be such that I want to achieve this goal, of reaching Allah, no matter what it takes.
When a person makes a firm intention then he becomes capable of even moving mountains.”

Taken from (http://shaykh.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/giving-up-sin-2/)

Allah Resides In Broken Hearts

Our Dr. Hadhrat Muhammad Abdul Hayy Sahib (Rahmatullah Alayh), used to recite a couplet of poetry. He used to say that when Almighty Allah breaks the heart of any of His servants He desires to lift him to greater heights. These shocks, anxieties and sorrows which come to men are forced exertions in the path of Deen (faith) by which men progress by leaps and bounds to higher degrees and this is not possible in normal circumstances. He frequently recited this couplet:
-یہ کھہ کے کسہ ساز پیالہ پنگ دیا-اب اور کچھ بنائن گے اس کو بگاڑ کے
“The potter threw down the pot to break it saying that after breaking it he would re-shape it (in a better form).”
Thus, when this heart is broken, it becomes the receptacle of Allah’s mercies and divine reflections. He also used to recite another couplet:
-بتان ماہ وش اجڑی ہوئی منزل میں رہتے ہیں-جسے برباد کرتے ہیں اسی کے دل میں رہتے ہیں
“The moon-like beloved ones take up their residence in deserted houses.They reside in the heart of those whom they ruin.”
[”Discourses of Islamic Way of Life” by Mufti Taqi Usmani (damat barkatuhum), Vol. 1: pages 179-180]

Taken from:
http://truelife200vi.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/allah-resides-in-broken-hearts/

Quick Hadith

Importance of Salaat.

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallaho anhu) narrates that once prophet (sallallahu alaihe wasallam) ashed his companions;

'Do you believe that dirt can remain on a person bathing five times a day in a brook in front of his door?'

'No' replied the companions 'No dirt can remain on his body'

The prophet (sallallahu alaihe wasallam) remarked:

'So exactly similar is the effect of sallat offered five times a day, With the grace of Allah it washes away all the sins.'

SubhanalAllah my brothers and sisters, This is a great benefit of performing sallat. In this world we live in today where we sin left, right and centre. Sallat cleanses the soul of all our sins.

Trying too hard

“Some people try too hard to be polite. Even when they have not done anything wrong, they will still ask for forgiveness.
This is also a deception from the nafs as it will make one think to himself that I am so good that even on small misdemeanours I have great remorse and sorrow.”

(Taken from Shaykh.org)

A Scholarly Effect

“An Alim (religious scholar) is not he who is affected by the environment around him, but in fact he that affects the environment around him”.

Taken from (http://shaykh.wordpress.com/2007/06/20/a-scholarly-effect/)

Success is best attained through silence.

مَنْ صَمَتَ نَجَا

'One who remained silenced achieves success' (Tirmidhi)

The message given in this hadith is short yet vital; silence leads to success. The reason behind this is apparent as people often engage in useless conversations and talk. At times these talks involve such content that result in sin or revealing matters that would be best kept secret.

Silence can save a person from back-biting, falsehood, lying and other diseases of the tongue.

Instead of wasting time talking and possibly receiving sins, we should keep our tongues moist with the remembrance of our Lord the Almighty.

One day Abu Jahl came to the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم and said, "You have the most ugly face in Bani Hashim." Abu Jahl as we all know was a chief from the Quraysh tribe who showed the most hatred towards Islam.
The Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم said, "You speak the truth."
Soon afterwards, Sayyiduna 'Umar (RA) came in and remarked, "O Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم of Allah, your face shines like the brilliant sun." The Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم replied, "You speak the truth."
A companion of the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم who was sitting nearby asked, "How can it be possible that both the opposite remarks are true?"
The Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم replied, "I am like a clean shining mirror. Everyone sees his own face in me"

(Was found at http://www.muftisays.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=907)

Seeking Knowledge

When it has been said that the angels spread out their wings in the path of the one seeking sacred knowledge, then just imagine what Allah has in store for such a person. [Abu Ali Daqaq]

May Allah help us all on the path of knowledge and may Allah make it easy for us aswell.

Intentions...

Intention is the measure for rendering actions true, so that, where intention is sound, action is sound, and where it is corrupt, then action is corrupt.- Imam an-Nawawi

Advices

"Decrease in one's speech brings wisdom, decrease in one's food brings health, decrease in one's sleep brings worship, and decrease in one's meeting with common folk brings safety. [Umar radi Allah anhu]"

An Interesting Point

There is a prevalent misconception among Muslim communities these days. The attitude that less practising Muslims have adopted in order to justify their wrong is that they look for faults in those who are more practising than themselves. If a man who resembles a non-Muslim from head to toe goes to the cinema, it is normal and accpetable; infact he is even seen as cool. But if a man with a beard does the same, he will be talked about. If a girl immitating the West in every way, listens to music, it is cool and acceptable. But if a woman who veils herself does the same, it is hypocritical. However we must understand, that each sin has its own place. Doing one sin, does not mean it is fine to do another. Every person who recites the Kalimah, takes a covenant with Allaah, that he/she will live a life entirely in accordance with Sharee'ah and Sunnah. Each time he/she engages in an act that is contrary to this, he/she is being hypocritical and breaking this pledge. People often seem to think that once a woman veils herself she is declaring her piety, and thus should be living the life of a saint. However they do not realise that the necessity of observing the commandments of Allaah is equal under any circumstances; whether or not the person is donning the veil. Infact, sometimes, the more righteous a person is, the higher the possibility of him/her being forgiven quickly. Because the closer you are to Allaah, the deeper your regret will be upon commiting a sin. Whereas one more sin will not make any difference to a person who is accustomed to always sinning.

(Taken from Muftisays, http://www.muftisays.com/qa.php?viewpage=viewQA&question=3585)

The Two Horses

In the life of a muslim there are Two Horses that a person should ride in
his life:

1) The Horse of Sabr
2) The Horse of Shukr

When a muslim is inflicted with any harm or trials he should immediatley
ride the Horse of Sabr by keeping patient.
When a muslim is relieved from any harm or trials he should immediatley
ride the Horse of Shukr by praising Allah.


(Taken from Molana Muhammed Patel of Masjid-E-Umer, Dars of Quran)

Something to think about...

Hazrat Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (rahimahullah) said: True intelligence is that person should remain ever suspicious about his own self rather than of others. One should never be contented with one’s spiritual state at any moment in time. One should always be in doubt about oneself. This is why the Arifeen say: Always have good opinion of others and always be suspicious of yourself.

Virtues of Zikr (taken from Faza'il-e-A'maal shekih Zakariyya)

The sacred name of almighty Allah carries the blessings, sweetness, thrill and peace of mind that is invariably experienced by one who has practiced and remained absorbed in the rememberence of Allah for a considerable time. This zikr of Allah brings joy to the heart and peace of mind.

Alimighty Allah has said himself:

"Lo! the zikr of Allah provides satisfaction for the hearts" (surah: 13, verse: 28)

Today there is a wave of discontentment in the whole world. Despite people owning the best of houses, cars and having money which reaches the mountain level (i.e. holywood stars) they lack peace of mind and that bit of satisfaction in the heart. Why is this?
This is because people have forgotten their creator, their maker, their one and only lord Allah whos blessings and favours are on us all the time.

I will InshaAllah finish on this quran verse:

"O ye who believe! Remember Allah with much rememberance. And glorify him morning and evening." (Surah: 33 verse: 41)

So we must aim to remember our lord everyday whether it is by reciting Quran, uttering tasbeeh or even just remembering and fearing Allah in out hearts. Only then we will find that bit of happiness and satisfaction in our mind and hearts.

Good Character (Taken from shaykh.org)

Beauty is only for a few days...

Good character is everlasting.

Beauty captures the eyes...

Good character captures the heart.

How Much Does A Prayer Weigh?

Only Allah knows how much a prayer weighs. In the Holy Qur'an Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says: Allah is gracious and kind to his slaves. He gives provisions to whom he wills. And He is the All-Strong, the All-Mighty (42:19). In another verse it states: And He answers those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and gives them increase of His Bounty... (42:26). To the prayers of the righteous, Allah Subhanahu was Ta'ala listens, and He gives them His Bounty. Every time they do a little good, they are increased in their goodness. Every right impulse or aspiration is strengthened and leads to progressive advancement with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. The source of all gifts is Allah 'Azza wa Jall. His Bounty is inexhaustible and He gives to all but He does not give to all in the same measure. Out of the fullness of His knowledge and wisdom, He can judge best what is best for any of His creatures. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala gives sustenance to whom He pleases i.e. provisions for all needs, physical, moral and spiritual etc., but His provisions are according to His wise Will and Plan and not according to people's extravagant demands. He can provide for all in any amount, because He has complete Power and can carry out His Will.