HOW TO INCREASE ONE'S LOVE OF ALLAH:

Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) says:

“The reasons which cause mahabbah of Allâh to develop, are ten:

《♡》 Firstly : Reciting the Qur‘ân, reflecting and understanding its meaning and its intent.

《♡》 Secondly : Drawing closer to Allâh – the Most High – through optional deeds, after fulfilling the obligatory duties.

《♡》 Thirdly : Being continuous in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allâh, with the tongue, the heart and the limbs – under all circumstances. The more constant the dhikr, the more mahabbah develops and intensifies.

《♡》 Fourthly : Giving precedence to what Allâh loves over personal loves, when being overcome by desires.

《♡》 Fifthly : Contemplating and deliberating over the Names and Attributes of Allâh.

《♡》 Sixthly : Recognising and remembering the favours and bounties of Allâh – both manifest and hidden.

《♡》 Seventhly : To be humble and submissive before Allâh – and this is the greatest matter.

《♡》 Eightly : To be in seclusion reciting the Qur‘ân, during that time in which Allâh descends to the lowest heaven (which is the last third of every night), finishing this recitation with seeking Allâh’s forgiveness and repenting to Him.

《♡》 Ninthly: To sit in the gatherings of true and sincere lovers of Allâh, reaping the fruits of their speech, and not to speak except if there is benefit in it and that you know that such talk will increase you in goodness and that it will benefits others as well.

《♡》 Tenthly: To stay clear of all those causes which distances the heart from Allâh – the Mighty and Majestic.

So these are the ten reasons which cause the person to develop true love for Allâh and to reach the rank of al-muhabbah, by which he reaches his Beloved.”

[Madârijus-Sâlikîn, 3/17-18]

“I contemplated qadar and became confused and lost. I again contemplated it and became confused and lost. Then I discovered that the people who understand qadar best are those who refrain from discussing it; and the people most ignorant of qadar are those who talk about it the most.”

— Wahb bin Munabbih [d. 114 AH / 738 CE]

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Boy Friend 😷 Girl Friend
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➨ QURAN 9:38
Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter?
But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter.

➨ QURAN 7:33
Say: "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are immoralities whether committed openly or secretly.

➨ QURAN 35:8
What! is he whose evil deed is made fairseeming to him so much so that he considers it good?

➨ QURAN 58:20
Indeed, the ones who oppose Allah and His Messenger will be among those most humiliated.

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MARRIAGE – The Best Way Out
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➨ QURAN 4:3
Marry of the women, who seem good to you.

► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:
There is nothing like marriage, for two who love one another.

(SUNAN IBN MAJAH Vol #3, Hadith #1847)

➨ QURAN 24:33
But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allah enriches them from His bounty.

► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:
O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, because it helps him lower his gaze and guard his modesty, and whoever is not able to marry, should fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power.

(SAHIH BUKHARI Vol #7, Hadith #5066-5065)

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NOT TO SPEAK WITH NON MAHRAMS IN SOFT VOICE
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➨ QURAN 33:22
O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner.

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NOT TO LOOK AT NON MAHRAMS
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➨ QURAN 24:30
Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty.

➨ QURAN 24:31
And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty;

► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:
Do not give a second look (at non mahram male/female),
(because) while you are not to blame for the first, you have no right to the second.

(SUNAN ABU DAWUD Vol #2, Hadith #2149)

► Jarir said:
I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about an accidental glance (on a woman).
He (ﷺ) said: Turn your eyes away.

(SUNAN ABU DAWUD Vol #2, Hadith #2148)

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NOT TO TOUCH/SHAKE HANDS WITH WOMEN
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► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:
I do not shake hands with women.

(SUNAN IBN MAJAH Vol #4, Hadith #2874)
(SUNAN NASAI Vol #5, Hadith #4186)

► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:
For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than that he should touch a woman who is not permissible for him.

(SAHIH AL JAAMI Hadith #5045)

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NOT BE IN COMPANY ALONE
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► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:
Behold! A man is not alone with a woman but the third of them is Ash-Shaitan.

(SUNAN TIRMIDHI Vol #4, Hadith #2165)

► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:
No man should be alone with a women without there being a mahram present.

(SAHIH MUSLIM Vol #3, Hadith #3272-3274)
(SAHIH BUKHARI Vol #4, Hadith #3006)
(SAHIH BUKHARI Vo #7, Hadith #5233)

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NOT TO GO NEAR TO ADULTERY
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➨ QURAN 17:32
And come not NEAR to the unlawful sexual intercourse.
Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.

► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:
Learn from me, learn from me, learn from me (the punishment for Zina/Adultery). Allah has ordained a way for them. For an unmarried person with an unmarried person, one hundred lashes and exile for one year. For a married person with a married person, one hundred lashes and stoning (to death).

(SAHIH MUSLIM Vol #4, Hadith #4414-4417)
(SUNAN TIRMIDHI Vol #3, Hadith #1434)
(SUNAN IBN MAJAH Vol #3, Hadith #2550)
(SUNAN ABU DAWUD Vol #5, Hadith #4415-4416)

► PROPHET MUHAMMAD (ﷺ) said:
1) The adultery of the eye is the lustful look and
2) The adultery of the ears is listening to voluptuous (song or talk) and
3) The adultery of the tongue is licentious speech and
4) The adultery of the hand is the lustful grip (embrace) and
5) The adultery of the feet is to walk (to the place) where he intends to commit adultery
And the heart yearns and desires which he may or may not put into effect.

(SAHIH MUSLIM Vol #7, Hadith #6753-6754)
(SAHIH BUKHARI Vol #8, Hadith #6612)
(SUNAN ABU DAWUD Vol #2, Hadith #2152)

NOTE:
In cases of unavoidable circumstances, one can touch other person of opposite sex.
For example a doctor can touch his/her patients.

PROOF?
➨ QURAN 6:119
He (Allah) has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except under compulsion of necessity.

DON'T GIVE FALSE HOPE AND FORGET TO HELP.

One cold night a billionaire met an old poor man outside. He asked him, "don't you feel cold being outside, and not wearing any coat?" The old man replied, "l don't have it but I got used to that." The billionaire replied, "Wait for me. I will enter my house now and bring you one. ' The poor man got so happy and said he will wait for him.The billionaire entered his house and got busy there and forgot the poor man. In the morning he remembered that poor old man and he went out to search for him but he found him dead because of cold, but he left a NOTE, "When I didn't have any warm clothes, I had the power to fight the cold because I was used to that. But when you promised me to help me, I got attached to your promise and that took my power of resisting.

MORAL: Don't promise anything if you can't keep your promise. It might not mean anything to you, But it could mean everything to someone else.

Author Unknown

From The Works Of Ibn 'Uthaymeen
(1347-1421)

CHOOSING COMPANIONS WISELY!!

Aboo Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (saw) said:

“A person follows (imitates) the religion of his friends, therefore let each one of you look at the one he befriends.” [Aboo Daawood, Tirmidhee, Ahmad, amongst others. See As-Saheehah #927]

Also, Aboo Moosaa Al-Ash’aree narrated that the Prophet (saw) said:
“The example of an evil companion is like an ironsmith. Either he burns your clothes or you smell a foul odor from him.” [Bukhaaree & Muslim]

Ibn ‘Uthaymeen comments:

“… The youth has to to choose a good, righteous and intelligent person for his companion. He should evaluate the condition of the people before he befriends them by researching their condition and reputation. If they have good manners, sound religion, and a good reputation, then they are an object of a long-cherishing wish and profitable gain.

Therefore cling to them, otherwise beware! And stay away from people with evil and wicked character. This should be done so that one isn’t deceived by sweet speech and a beautiful outward appearance.

These attributes are a deception and a misguidance that the people of wickedness use in order to attract simple minded people and to increase their members. Also, they hide within these attributes the things that corrupt one’s behavior and manners.

The poet said it best:

Test the men you intend to brethren,�Look at their affairs closely.�If you gain one with piety and intellect,�Then cling to him happily.”

[Mushkilaat Ash-Shabaab, Pp. 31-32]

Photos of pizza, steaks, burgers and desserts on Snapchat before we even eat. Announcing engagements before things are certain, our best nikah photos, latest baby scans, and our kids looking really cute on insta and Facebook. New job, better body, newer car, more exciting holidays updated on What’s App every few hours. If Prophet Yusuf was advised not to share his dream - what do you think about sharing too much of your dunya? Take precautions, seek Allāh’s protection, and be sensible. It just takes one eye for everything to be destroyed.

Imaam Muḥammad b. Bashār Raḥimahullāh said: “I intended to travel in order to seek knowledge but my mother forbade me so I obeyed her and my knowledge was blessed for me and blessing is from Allāh (only).”

● [Tāreekh Baghdād 2/102]

Ibn Khuzaymah said: Ibn Bashār was the IMĀM of his time.

Affliction

Abu Huraira (RA) reported God’s Messenger (SAW) as saying, “Anyone for whom God intends good is made to suffer some affliction from Him.” Bukhari transmitted it.

(Mishkat al-Masabih 1536, Book 5, Hadith 14)

Life is not meant to be easy. When you are going through a tough time and feel really low, call on God and know that He hears you. Everyone who suffers will receive the reward of their affliction. If something inconveniences you, there is a reward, if a calamity befalls you, there is a reward. Have faith in God, He loves you and you will never, ever forsake you. Tragedy and hardship is a part of life, but don't feel sad. Have faith and trust in God.

Whatever your going through, wherever in the world you are, I genuinely pray that God makes things easy for you. Remember, the tougher you are, the stronger your battles xxx

It is better for whoever passes by a graveyard wall to greet the deceased

Q: If a Muslim passes by the fence of a graveyard or sees graves, should he greet the deceased?

A: It is better to salute the dead even if one is passing by them, but visiting them intentionally is better.

[Majmoo ’al-Fataawa Ibn Baaz, Vol.:13 pg. 333]

Blame yourself!

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله):

*When you see the servant talking about the people when they’ve hurt him whilst he doesn’t return the blame back to himself and seek forgiveness (from Allaah), then know that his calamity is a true calamity.*

*However when he repents, seeks forgiveness and says “this is due to my sins” then this matter (of being hurt by people) will become a blessing for him!*

Source: Jam’i al-Masaa’il (p. 169)

Reciting the Qur'ān like a Song

It is reported that a person recited in a melodious [1] way in front of Al-A’mash. He said:

A man once recited in front of Anas [ibn Mālik – Allāh be pleased with him] in this manner and he detested it.

Abū Bakr Al-Khallāl, Al-Amr bil-Ma’rūf wa Al-Nahī ‘an Al-Munkar, p110.

It is reported that Sālim [b. ‘Abdillāh b. ‘Umar b. Al-Khattāb] – Allāh have mercy on him – was asked to listen to someone leading the prayer. When he heard the recitation he turned back exclaiming:

Singing! Singing!

Ibn Al-Jawzī, Al-Qussāṣ wa Al-Mudhakkirīn article 183.

It is reported that there was a man who used to lead the prayer in Al-Madīnah. One night, he became euphoric (got carried away by emotion). [2] Al-Qāsim b. Muḥammad recited:

وَإِنَّهُ لَكِتَابٌ عَزِيزٌ (41) لَّا يَأْتِيهِ الْبَاطِلُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ ۖ تَنزِيلٌ مِّنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ (42)

Qur'ān Sūrah Fuṣṣilat: 41,42

Verily it is a mighty and noble Book. Falsehood does not approach it, neither before it nor behind. It is a revelation from the Most Wise, Most Praiseworthy. [Al-Quran, Fussilat: 41, 42]

And he detested [the behavior of the reciter].

Ibid. article 184.

It is reported that Al-Fuḍayl b. ‘Ayyāḍ – Allāh have mercy on him – was asked about reciting the Qurān with melodies, [1] to which he replied:

This is something they took from singing.

Ibid. article 182

Ibn Dāwūd [‘Abdullāh b. Dāwūd b. ‘Āmir Al-Khuraybī] – Allāh have mercy on him – was once asked by Bishr b. Al-Ḥārith:

If I pass by a man reciting, should I sit and listen? He asked, “Does he become euphoric [2] (because of emotional recitation)?” Bishr replied, “Yes.” Ibn Dāwūd said, “He has shown his bid’ah, do not sit with him.”

Ibid article 186.

Ḥanbal reports:

Abū ‘Abdillāh (Imām Aḥmad) used to detest this innovated recitation which is called Al-Alḥān (melodious, musical recitation).

Ibid. article 187.

And it is reported that Imām Aḥmad said:

“This innovated recitation which is called Al-Alḥān, I detest it.” He was very strict against it. He said, “I believe it resembles singing, and the Qur'ān is to be preserved from this.”

Ibid. article 188.

There are numerous narrations from Imām Aḥmad about this, amongst them:

When asked about it once he said:

It is something innovated. But [to recite in a beautiful voice is fine] if it is naturally his voice, as was Abū Mūsā [Al-Ash’arī – Allāh be pleased with him].

When asked about reciting with alḥān another time, he replied:

No. [It is allowed] if that is his natural voice, like the voice of Abū Mūsā. As for learning how to recite like this, then no.

He was asked about recitation with melodies and harmonies, to which he replied:

“It is a bid’ah.” It was said to him, ‘They gather to listen to it.” He said, “Allāhul-musta’ān (‘Allāh is the one whose aid is sought’; a statement of sorrow and disapproval.)”

Also, he said:

It is a bid’ah, not to be listened to.

‘Abdullāh b. Yazīd Al-‘Anbarī reports:

A man once asked Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal:

“What do you say about reciting with alḥān?” Abu ‘Abdillāh said, “What is your name?” The man replied, “Muḥammad.” Imām Aḥmad said, “So would you like to be called Mooḥammad?”

Al-Khallāl, op. cit., p99+.

Imām Mālik – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

I do not like reciting in melodies, neither in Ramaḍān nor at other times, because it resembles singing, and it causes the Qur'ān to be laughed at. It is said ‘this person is a better reciter than that person (the Qur'ān becomes the subject of rivalry and entertainment).

It has reached me that the slave-girls are taught to recite like this as they are taught how to sing. Do you think this was the way Allāh’s Messenger – peace and blessings be upon him – used to recite?

Al-Qayrawānī, Kitāb Al-Jāmi’ p166.

[1] Arabic: Alḥān. This refers to reciting in a melodious, song-like tone. See notes.

[2] Arabic: Al-ṭarb. This refers to a state of emotional intensity which may bring about physical expression. See notes.

Notes

After relating some of these traditions, Ibn Al-Jawzī states:

The Messenger of Allāh صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said:

“They [cats] are not nājis, they are among those who go around among you [i.e. they are like children, servants who are with people in their homes].”

TN: Tawwāfeen wat-Tawwāfāt refers to children, servants, etc.

Saheeh al-Jāmi’ 2437 | Shaykh al-Albāni رحمه الله | Saheeh

Translation: Authentic Quotes
Translation: Authentic Quotes

The correct meaning of pure true love is explained by Al-Allāmah Ash-Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله)

He said: Any type of love in any relationship, especially for marriage, in a marital relationship, if the love is not for (the sake of Allāh) then it's falsehood. It is falsehood.

The habit of a person is not love. Instant physical attraction or infatuation is not love. Love at first sight is not true love. True love is only for the sake of Allāh and it takes time to build, years to build. If you don't hate a person for his shirk, innovations, major sins, major transgressions, and involvement in witchcraft, then you don't really love Allāh, this is not eemān. If the heart loves Allāh alone and is sincerely devoted to Him, it will not even think of loving anyone who rebels against the laws of Allāh. This is only because of lack of love for Allāh and lack of eemān. Thus, Prophet Yoosuf عليه السلام loved Allāh and was sincerely devoted to Him, and he did not fall into the trap of worldly love of falsehood.

When you love someone for the sake of Allāh, it is Allāh who you truly love. So whenever you remember that person in your heart and soul, you are reminded of your true love (Allāh) and this automatically increases your love for that person. Every son of Adam عليه السلام commits sins, and the best of those who commit sins are those who sincerely repent. In another place Ibn Taymiyyah explains that when you love someone for a specific reason, (what they do for you, what they give you in materialism, how they make you feel, etc) you don't really love them, you love that thing they offer, and once that thing is gone, so is your love. How can this be true love? Love and hate should only be for the sake of Allāh. True love for Allāh is only when you marry a person for the sake of Allāh or hate and divorce a person for the sake of Allāh. The seven groups of people who will be shaded on the Day of Judgement, one group will consist of people who loved one another purely for the sake of Allāh. [Majmū' Al-Fatāwā 10/213]

Imaam Ahmad (رحمه الله) was asked: "What does it mean to love for the sake of Allāh سبحانه وتعالى?

He replied: “It is when you do not love someone for any worldly gains.”

[Tabaqāt Al-Hanābaliah 57/1]

How to respond to insults?

The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) said to Jaabir Al-Juhani: "Fear Allaah, and if someone insults you and blames you for a bad quality which you do not possess, then do not respond by blaming him for a bad quality which he possesses; simply leave him and the evil consequence will be on him."
(Saheeh Al-Jaami')

narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “O Allah, bless for us our Shaam; O Allah, bless for us our Yemen.”

They said: O Messenger of Allah, and our Najd?

He said: “O Allah, bless for us our Shaam; O Allah, bless for us our Yemen.”

They said: O Messenger of Allah, and our Najd?

I think he said the third time: “That is the place of earthquakes and tribulations, and from it the side of the Shaytaan’s head rises.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (7094).

Seven Martyrs

Jābir Ibn. ‘Atīk reported Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ as saying, “There are seven martyrs besides one who is killed in the way of Allāh:

1. The victim of plague is a martyr
2. The one who drowns is a martyr
3. The one who dies of chest pain (pleurisy) is a martyr
4. The one who dies of stomach infection is a martyr
5. The one who burns to death is a martyr
6. The one who dies under rubble is a martyr
7. And the pregnant woman who dies in labor is a martyr

Mālik, Abū Dāwūd and an-Nasā’ī transmitted it.

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله:

“There is nothing more beneficial to the heart than treating others with goodness and wanting good for them.

Were you to treat a stranger with gentleness, you would have gained his love, and if you dealt with your companion in this manner, then, this would be the reason for a continuous companionship & consistent love for him.”

[Madaarij us-Salikeen 2/511]

Know that melodious musical recitation (Al-Alḥān) is detested for a number of reasons, amongst others: [its reciters] merge letters that are not supposed to be merged, they extend vowels (madd) where there should be no extension, and they omit the hamzah and the doubling of consonants (tashdīd) just in order to preserve the melody. Also, this kind of recitation causes people to get emotionally carried away (al-ṭarb) and it distracts people from pondering the Quran. [3]

Explaining the type of recitation that is praiseworthy and the type that is detestable, Ibn Kathīr states:

What is sought in the Sharī’ah (teachings of Islām) is the type of beautification of the voice that leads to pondering the Qur'ān and seeking to understand it, to submission, humility and compliance with the obedience [of Allāh].

As for using voices with novel melodies, composed on distracting and entertaining rhythms and musical rules, then the Qur'ān is far removed from this and is too respected and esteemed to have this approach taken in its delivery.[4]

[3] Ibn Al-Jawzī, Al-Qussāṣ wa Al-Mudhakkirīn p335.

[4] Ibn Kathīr, Faḍā`il Al-Qurān p198.

Luqman said:

“My son, if you do good, hope for good, and if you commit evil, don’t [have any] doubt that you’ll suffer evil [consequences].”

●[az-Zuhd al-Kabeer (v. 2, p. 249)]

“I contemplated qadar and became confused and lost. I again contemplated it and became confused and lost. Then I discovered that the people who understand qadar best are those who refrain from discussing it; and the people most ignorant of qadar are those who talk about it the most.”

— Wahb bin Munabbih [d. 114 AH / 738 CE]