Closing the Gate of Worry and Anxiety

al-Allāmah Muhammad bin Sālih al-'Uthaymin (rahimahullāh) said:

“A person should not open the gate of worry and anxiety, as this will disturb and upset his life. And perhaps it will corrupt his religion. Thus, the Prophet (ṣallá Allāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) addressed the one who seeks the means of subsistence and is negatively impacted by saying, ‘Do not say ‘if [I had done or not done that, such and such would not have happened],’ as ‘if’ opens the gate for Shaytān.’’’

[Sharh Bulugh al-Marām (11/69), typed by @ibntajc from the image tweeted by Shaykh ibnakhdar (hafidhahullāh) https://twitter.com/IbnAkhdar/status/1419366039910064128/photo/1]

Since Ramadan is around the corner I thought of sharing some tips I have found beneficial to make the best out of Ramadan. These are not fatawas but rather just suggestions from a fellow Muslim brother.

1. More than physical fitness focus on correcting your intentions and purifying your heart through repentance even before Ramadan starts.

2. Scroll through your phone and classify all the apps in two categories. Ones that are pleasing to Allah and ones that are displeasing to Allah. Be honest to yourself in this process and delete all apps that you know will engage you in haram as well as those apps where you are sure of wasting Time without accomplishing anything.

3. Unfollow/unfriend/block every person whose timeline is a distraction from the remembrance of Allah. Don't think twice about what they will think. Remember that on the day of judgment you will be called to account alone.

4. Make a list of sins that you are struggling to give up and work on leaving those sins even before Ramadan approaches. The harder it is to give up the greater the reward when u give it up.

5. Make a list of things that you wished to accomplish but never managed in matters of Deen. This Ramadan is your ideal opportunity to accomplish them so prepare yourself with a plan and lots of dua.

6. Take a short nap during the day to keep the energy level high throughout the night.

7. Memorise the authentic duas from the book "Hisnul Muslim". Duas ranging from what to read when you wake up, remembrance of morning & evening, dua before entering market, dua for breaking fast, dua before sleeping and many more. Dua is one of the best forms of worship you can engage yourself in.

8. Let the Tafseer of the Quran as well as the actual Mushaf be in easy access ie keep one at home, one in car, one in office and one in your phone.

9. Get all your eid shopping completed before Ramadan starts.

10. Don't go hunting for beautiful recitations for taraweeh. Try to stick to the Masjid that has a reasonable length, nice recitation and easy access so that u complete the entire Quran behind that Imam.

11. If you plan to sit for itekaaf get everything ready from now and this included sleeping bags, leave from company, arrangements for family to manage in your absence etc.

12. Read about the Fiqh of fasting in the coming days so that you don't end up with unanswered doubts in the month of Ramadan.

13. Every good deed you do or every sin you give up in Ramadan have the intention of sticking to the same after Ramadan.

May Allah accept our deeds, forgive our sins and grant us the ability to worship him the way he deserves to be worshipped.

Barakallahufeek
Your Brother in Islam
Abdullâh Shetty

(I wrote this in 2016. Just felt like sharing it again)

#ReminderForSelf

The Levels (darajat) of Hell

Allah said:

لَهَا سَبْعَةُ اَبْوَابٍؕ-لِكُلِّ بَابٍ مِّنْهُمْ جُزْءٌ مَّقْسُوْمٌ

“It has seven gates; for every gate is of them [i.e., Satan’s followers] a portion designated.»[ Translation 15:44]

According to a narration of Ali ؓ reported by Imam Ahmad, Ibn Jarir Al-Tabari and Al-Baihaqi, the seven gates of Jahannam (Hell) are in terms of seven levels, one upon the other.

'Ikrimah said: 'It has seven levels and when commenting on the
same verse.’

Some of the scholars divided people into various categories on the basis of these levels. But it is not correct to divide people in Hell into categories on this basis, even though the division of people into categories on the basis of their actions is something that is proven from the texts – just as it is not correct to name the various levels of Hell in the manner in which they mentioned.

Dr. Umar Sulaiman al-Ashqar stated:

''There is no proof for this division of the inhabitants of Hell or the names that have been attributed to the various levels. The truth is that all of these names - Jahanam, Ladhaa, al-Hutamah, etc - are alternative names by which Hell in its entirety is known, and they are not applied to one part or another of it. It is also known that people will be placed in different levels of Hell according to the extent of their kufr and sins.''[al-Jannah wa an-Naar, page 8]

❝ 𝗟𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝘄𝗹𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝘄𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵 ❞

What is the meaning of this great sentence? This great treasure from Paradise. Let's see how a scholar explains this and how a warrior explains this.

Saddam Hussain رحمة الله عليه explains the meaning truly in a warrior style :

He says (video in comments section) :

"With Allah is the Hawl (change) and with Allah is the Quwwah (power).. ie our power comes only from Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala... Actually we aren't weak... Our weakness is nothing but the weakness perceived about us from the eyes of our ememies "

Shaykh Tuwayjiri (rahimahullah) in his
book فتح المعبود في الرد على ابن محمود quotes
Imam ibn Hajar (rahim Allah ta'ala) in fath al baari summarizing some of the statements of the companions about the meaning as :

وقال الحافظ ابن حجر في فتح الباري: معنى لا حول ولا تحويل للعبد عن معصية الله إلا بعصمة الله ولا قوة له على طاعة الله إلا بتوفيق الله

"That there is no turning away from sinning against Allah, except with the redemption of Allah. And there is no strength to worship Allah, except by being given the ability to do so by Allah."

To sum up :

So it's Allah who changes states. Allah changes a person from sin to repentance. Allah takes a person from sickness to health. Allah takes a person from weakness to strength. Power isn't really by resources, its the perception of your enemy. Seek help from Allah to overcome all your weaknesses.

May Allah unite our scholars & rulers into what pleases him.

What is the world to me? What am I to the world? Verily, the parable of myself and this world is that of a rider who seeks shade under a tree, then he moves on and leaves it behind.”


Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radhiAllahu anhu) entered upon the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ when he was lying on a mat of palm fibres that had left marks on his side.
Umar said, “O Messenger of Allaah, why do you not get something more comfortable than this?”
He ﷺ said: “What do I have to do with this world? My relationship with this world is like that of a traveller on a hot summer’s day, who seeks shade under a tree for an hour, then moves on.”

(Reported by Ahmad and al-Haakim. Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5545).

This is a frightening hadith that we should take seriously.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: ❛I certainly know people from my nation who will come on the Day of Resurrection with good deeds like the mountains, but Allah will scatter them like dust.❜

Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) said: ❛O Messenger of Allah, describe them to us and tell us more, so that we will not become like them.❜

The Prophet ﷺ said: ❛They are your brothers and from your race, taking up worship at night as you do, but they will be people who will transgress the sacred limits of Allah while they are alone.❜ 【Sunan Ibn Majah 4245 | Graded Fair】

So do not wipe out your entire good deeds with this sin. Remember that Allah has a clear, full view of what we’re doing even in the darkest night. May Allah make us people of taqwa.

c

From the signs of rudeness are:

🎓Ibn Masood رضي الله عنه said:

❝Four things are from rudeness:

🌟1) that a person urinates while standing;

🌟2) that a person prays while people are passing in front of him, and he does not have a Sutrah in front of him to act as a barrier between him and the people;

🌟3) that a person wipes the dust off his face (or forehead) while he is still in prayer;

🌟4) and that he hears the Muadhdhin (saying the Adhaan) but he does not repeat after him.❞

📚 [Sunan al-Kubraa of al-Baihaqee (3552) and Shaikh al-Albaanee graded it as “Saheeh” as a statement of Ibn Masood رضي الله عنه in “al-Irwaa” (1/97)]

Whenever you encounter Hardships in Life, remember that this is Allah's plan for you. The outcome of His plans will be a great Blessing.



Trust Allaah ﷻ Planning.
Every thing happens for a Reason.
Show Gratitude n Be Greatful in Every Situations...😊✨

وتوكل على الله وكفى بالله وكيلا🖤

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

‎“Whoever is created for Jannah, will forever be afflicted with calamities.”

‎[al-Fawa’īd | 36]

Our Prophet (ﷺ) called Ramadan “the month of patience” ((شهر الصبر)).

Staying away from disobedience = patience; staying consistent with habitual good deeds = patience; holding back from incorrectly reacting to other’s mistreatment = patience; enduring hunger & thirst = patience.

If we don’t learn patience in this month, when will we?

https://twitter.com/AbooSuhailah/status/1762215064755478964?s=19

(The Messenger ﷺ said): “The son of Ādam grows old but remains young in two matters: al-ḥirṣ ʿalá ʿl-māl (ie: greed for wealth),
«يهرم ابن آدم ويشب فيه اثنتان: الحرص على المال

and greed for long life.”
والحرص على العمر».

Ṣaḥīḥ; On the authority of Anas. al-Ṣaḥīḥah #1906.
(صحيح) [م ت هـ] عن أنس. الصحيحة 1906: حم، ع.

Muḥammad Nāṣir ʾl-Dīn al-Albānī, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ al-Ṣaġīr 2/1358 #8174
محمد ناصر الدين الألباني، صحيح الجامع الصغير وزيادته ٢/١٣٥٨ #٨١٧٤

During your life you will meet someone who loves you more than yourself but you won't see it you will reject it or ignore it maybe you will love him but you can't keep him because you are tired and exhausted from your past experiences .. That person only comes once and we often choose to lose him and then he is lost he is lost forever and we shall not find him nor anyone like him ..

*Hadith of the Day* 📚

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Such a person as recites the Quran and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes in Heaven. And such a person exerts himself to learn the Quran by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward."

*Sahih Bukhari, 4937*
*Book Reference: Book 65, Hadith 458*

⏳8 DAYS TO GO إن شاء الله:

‎Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله:

‎“Whoever’s Ramadan was correct and safe (from evil), the rest of his year
‎will be safe (from evil Insha'Allāh).”

‎[Zaad al-Ma’ad | 11/398]

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:

أتَدرونَ ما المُفلِسُ؟

إِنَّ الْمُفْلِسَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِصَلَاةٍ وَصِيَامٍ وَزَكَاةٍ وَيَأْتِي قَدْ شَتَمَ هَذَا وَقَذَفَ هَذَا وَأَكَلَ مَالَ هَذَا وَسَفَكَ دَمَ هَذَا وَضَرَبَ هَذَا فَيُعْطَى هَذَا مِنْ حَسَنَاتِهِ وَهَذَا مِنْ حَسَنَاتِهِ فَإِنْ فَنِيَتْ حَسَنَاتُهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُقْضَى مَا عَلَيْهِ أُخِذَ مِنْ خَطَايَاهُمْ فَطُرِحَتْ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ طُرِحَ فِي النَّارِ

صحيح مسلم ٢٥٨١ | صحيح

صحيح الجامع ٨٧ | الشيخ الألباني رحمه الله | صحيح

The Messenger of Allāh صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said:

“Do you know who the bankrupt one is?’

‘Indeed, the bankrupt one from amongst my Nation will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting and Zakāh [alms], but he comes along having abused this one, slandered that one, unlawfully taken the wealth of this one, shed the blood of that one, and beaten that one. Therefore this one will be given from his good deeds, and that one will be given from his good deeds. His good deeds will finish before the judgment is imposed upon him, some of their sins [i.e. the people he has wronged] will be taken and placed onto him [his account], then he will be casted into the Fire!’”

Saheeh Muslim 2581 | Saheeh

Saheeh al-Jāmi’ 87 | Shaykh al-Albāni رحمه الله | Saheeh

Translation: Authentic Quotes

How to Complete Quran in 29 days.

The Enjoyment Of The Salaf Compared To The Enjoyment Of Our Time

Al-Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him:

"The early generations found enjoyment in matters pertaining to Allaah, Exalted be He, such as praying, reciting the Quraan, contemplating on the Words of Allaah, and listening to them, attending the assemblies of scholars and the gatherings of knowledge, fighting in battles for the sake of Allaah, enjoining the good and forbidding wrongdoing, loving and despising people for the sake of Allaah, etc.

However, the preferences of the later generations, except those whom Allaah saved, became distorted and they sought enjoyment in musical instruments, songs, dancing, noise, and clamour, while desisting from doing deeds that Allaah loves. Indeed, the experience and enjoyment attained from melodies is nothing like the experience and enjoyment attained from the Quraan."

[Asraar As-Salaah, Pgs. 87-88]

The Enjoyment Of The Salaf Compared To The Enjoyment Of Our Time

Al-Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him:

"The early generations found enjoyment in matters pertaining to Allaah, Exalted be He, such as praying, reciting the Quraan, contemplating on the Words of Allaah, and listening to them, attending the assemblies of scholars and the gatherings of knowledge, fighting in battles for the sake of Allaah, enjoining the good and forbidding wrongdoing, loving and despising people for the sake of Allaah, etc.

However, the preferences of the later generations, except those whom Allaah saved, became distorted and they sought enjoyment in musical instruments, songs, dancing, noise, and clamour, while desisting from doing deeds that Allaah loves. Indeed, the experience and enjoyment attained from melodies is nothing like the experience and enjoyment attained from the Quraan."

[Asraar As-Salaah, Pgs. 87-88]

◽Extravagance in food and drink during Ramadan

◽What is your opinion on those who make many kinds of foods and sweets during Ramadan?.

Praise be to Allah.

◽Extravagance in all things is something that is blameworthy and is not allowed, especially in food and drink. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance)”

[al-A’raaf 7:31]

◽And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi,1381; Ibn Maajah, 3349. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1939).

Extravagance in food and drink includes many evils:

◽The more a person enjoys the good things of this world, the less will be he share in the Hereafter.

Al-Haakim narrated that Abu Juhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The more people eat their fill in this world, the more hungry they will be on the Day of Resurrection.”

◽Narrated by Ibn Abi’l-Dunya, who added that Abu Juhayfah never filled his stomach until he departed this life.

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al_Saheehah 342

◽He used to eat enough to keep him going, but no so much as to make him fat. Ibn ‘Umar narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The believer eats in one stomach whilst the kaafir eats in seven.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5081) and Muslim (2060).

◽‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: By Allah, if I wanted I could wear the finest clothes among you, and eat the best food, and have the most luxurious life. But I heard that Allah will condemned people for someo f their actions and said (interpretation of the meaning):

◽“You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein. Now this Day you shall be recompensed with a torment of humiliation, because you were arrogant in the land without a right, and because you used to rebel against Allah’s Command (disobey Allah)”

[al-Ahqaaf 46:20]

◽That distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, such as reading Qur’aan, which is what the Muslim should focus on during this blessed month, as was the practice of the Salaf.

◽But women end up spending a large part of the day on preparing food, and a large part of the night on preparing sweets and drinks.

◽If a person eats too much he becomes lazy and sleeps a great deal, so he wastes a lot of his time.

Sufyaan al-Thawri (may Allah have mercy on his) said: If you want your body to be healthy and to sleep less, then eat less.

◽Eating too much also makes the heart heedless.

◽It was said to Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him): Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

And Allah knows best.

Fudayl ibn ‘Iyad, [may Allah have mercy on him], said:

“How will you be if you reach a time when you will see people who do not distinguish between truth and falsehood, a believer and disbeliever, trustworthy and treacherous, ignorant and knowledgeable and fail to acknowledge what is right or condemn what is wrong?”

Al-Ibānah al-Kubra, 1/188 | Al-Imām ibn Battah, [may Allāh have mercy on him].