The Signs of a Hypocrite

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Amr رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said,  

"Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite, and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays (proves dishonest).

2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.

4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner."   


[Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.1, Hadith no. 24]

Invocations

Allahumma aslamtu wajhi 'ilaika, wa fawwadtu amri 'ilaika, wa 'aljatu zahri 'ilaika raghbatan-wa rahbatan 'ilaika. La malja' minka illa 'ilaika. Allahumma amantu bikitabikal-ladhi anzalta wa binabiyikal-ladhi 'arsalta.

O Allâh! I surrender to You and trust You in all my affairs and depend upon You for Your Blessings with hope and fear of You. There is no place of protection and safety except with You. O Allâh! I believe in the Book (the Qur'an) You have revealed and in the Prophet (Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) whom You have sent.

Allahumma ba'id baini baina khatayaya kama ba- 'adt-ta bainal mashriqi wal-maghribi. Allahumma naqqini min khataya kama yunaqqa-ththawbul-abyadu minad-danas. Allahumma-ghsil khatayaya bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad.

O Allâh! Set me apart from the sins as east and west are set apart from each other and cleanse me from sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. O Allâh! Wash off my sins with water, snow and hail.

Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min adhabil-qabri, wa a'udhu bika min fitnatil-masih-id-dajjal, wa a'udhu bika min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamati. Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-ma'thami wal maghrami

O Allâh! I seek Your protection against the punishment of the grave and against the trial and afflictions of the False Messiah (Masih Ad-Dajjal) and the trial and afflictions of life and death. O Allâh, I seek Your protection against sins and debts.

Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiranw-wala yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa anta faghfirli maghfiratam-min 'indika, war-hamni innaka antal-Ghafur-ur-Rahim

O Allâh! I have done great injustice to myself and none except You forgive sins, so please forgive me and be Merciful to me as You are the Oft-Forgiver, the Most Merciful.

Ayatul Kursi (The Verse of The Throne)

Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursî extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

- Qur'an (Surah Al Baqarah 255 [Ayatul Kursî])

Remaining Patient

I shall remain patient until patience itself cannot bear my patience anymore. I shall remain patient until Allah grants permission to my affair. And I shall remain patient until patience knows that I kept patient on a matter which required patience.

- Imam Ash-Shafi’i

Your Lord Will Give You

 

"And verily, your Lord will give you so that you shall be well-pleased."

- Qur'an (Surah Ad Duhaa 5)

Patience and Prayer

"O you who have believed, seek help in patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient."

- Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 153

Fitrah (The Innate Human Nature): A Prelude

Allah has created His slaves in such a way that they are free from false beliefs, and He has created them with the readiness to accept the sound beliefs, but when they are born, the devils from among mankind and the jinn surround them and corrupt their sound nature (fitrah), but Allah protects those whom He wishes to the Truth.

Allah knows those who will remain steadfast and adhere to the sound fitrah and whose fitrah will be changed. He knows that from eternity and it is written. According to the Hadith narrated by Muslim, 'Iyaad ibn Hammar said, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said that Allah the Exalted said,

"I have created My slaves as Haneefs (pure monotheisths), then the Shayateen (devils) mislead them, forbidding them that which I have permitted them, and commanding them to associate others in worship with Me for which I have not revealed any authority."

[Source: Islamic Creed Series: Vol. 8, pp. 86-87, by Dr. Umar S. Al Ashqar]

            

The Prayer of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم When The People of Ta'if Hurt Him

اللهم انى اشكو اليك ضعف قوتى , وقلة حيلتى وهوانى على الناس , يا أرحم الراحمين , انت رب المستضعفين وانت ربي , الى من تكلنى ؟ الى بعيد يتجهمني , ام الى عدو ملكته أمرى ؟ ان لم يكن بك غضب علي فلا أبالى ولكن عافيتك أوسع لى من ذنوبى , اعوذ بنور وجهك الذي أشرقت له الظلمات وصلح عليه حال الدنيا والآخرة من ان ينزل على غضبك او يحل بي سخطك , لك العتبى حتى ترضى , ولا حول ولا قوة الا بك

"Lord! To You I complain of my weakness, lack of means, and my humility among the people. My Gracious Merciful Lord! You are the Lord of the weak people and You are my Lord: whom do you entrust me to? To a stranger frowning at me? Or to an enemy You gave him power over me? Verily if You are not angry with me, then I care not and Your bliss is better to me. I seek refuge in the Light of Your Face, by which all darkness were illuminated, and by which all matters of this world and Hereafter are done with, that no indignance should occur to me. You may blame however You please; I have no power or authority but You."

Will-Power and Attainment of Perfection

A human being is created with no firm will-power. He has a tendency to sway from this and that, and that is a part of his nature. But he can gain firmness and strength of will and faith by striving to attain the perfection of the purpose of his creation, that is: slavery to Allah. It is said that, 

"When Allah formed Adam in Paradise, He left him for as long as He willed to leave him, and Iblees (Satan / Devil) started to walk around him, looking at him to see what he was. When he saw that he was hollow, he knew that this creature had been created with a disposition such that he has no firm will-power."

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم

[Source: Sahih Muslim 4/2016, no. 2611]

That is why, Shaykh Al Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) further said,

"The  most perfect, the best, the most supreme, the finest, and the most righteous people are those who have most perfect slavery to God. This in fact, is the reality of the Religion of Islam by which God has sent His Messengers, and by which He revealed His Books. This reality is that man should submit to God only, not to others."

- Ibn Taymiyyah

[Source: Al Ubudiyyah]

Protecting Ourselves From Wrong

"Whoever sees an evil deed being performed should change it with his hand. If he is not able to change it with his hand, then (he should change it) with his tongue. And if he is not able to change it with his tongue, then (he should change it) with his heart, and that is the weakest form of Eeman."

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم


"The best way to protect ourselves from wrong is to keep away from anything that could lead to it. One of the favorite tricks of the Shaytân, which deceives everyone except those who are clever enough to see it, is to show a person some goodness in a wrong thing, and call him to go towards it; when the person gets close to it, he falls into the trap."

 

- Ibn al Qayyim

"A man only commits haram actions because of the weakness of his faith and love; if he does makruh actions it is because he does not have enough hatred towards it, or because of the strength of the love for it that overwhelmed his heart. No person does any haram action, such as immoral conduct both obvious and hidden, or sin and transgression, or associates things with Allah for which He has sent down no authority, or speaks about Allah without knowledge, except because of weakness of faith, because of lack of knowledge and belief, or because of the weakness of love and hate. But if his faith is basically sound, which means that he believes in all that Allah sent, then when the believer does these actions, he feels hatred and resentment towards them, and if he does them then it is because his whims and desires overwhelmed him, so when doing them he inevitably hates them and fears Allah’s punishment for them, and he has the hope that he will rid himself of the consequences, either by repenting or by doing good deeds or by being forgiven, and so on. But if he does not hate them and does not fear Allah with regard to them and does not hope for His mercy, then this is not a believer under any circumstances; rather he is a kafir or a hypocrite."

- Ibn Taymiyyah

He Who Treads A Path In Search of Knowledge

Humility in Knowledge

It was asked (to Imām Mālik), A person who has knowledge of the Sunnah, should he argue in order to defend it? He replied, ‘No, he should inform the other of the Sunnah, if he accepts, fine, otherwise he should remain silent.’ He would say, ‘Arguing and disputing about knowledge takes away the light of knowledge,’ and, ‘Disputing about knowledge hardens the heart and breeds cursing.’ Frequently would he say in response to question that he was asked, ‘I do not know.’


[Source: Page 41 - The Excellence of Knowledge (Fadhl Ilm) by al-Hāfiz ibn Rajab al-Hanbalī]

The Pens Have Been Lifted And The Ink Has Dried

Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of Allah; if you seek help, seek help of Allah. Know that if a nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that Allah had already prescribed for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with anything, they would harm you only with something Allah had already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the ink has dried.

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم

Mosque 3

I was able to finish the third installment of the Mosque painting series today. The painting can also be seen on my portfolio along with the video while it was being painted. 

Corruption of the Heart

Every harm that enters upon a servant, is caused by the heart’s corruption. The corruption of the heart in turn brings about the removal of the heart’s right upon Allah, the Exalted, and a diminution of its degree and rank in the sight of Allah. For this reason, some of the shaykhs advised with their saying: Be cautious of (the) mixing with a person which will cause wastage of time and corruption of the heart. For verily, when time is wasted and the heart is corrupted, all of the affairs of the servant will become ruined, and he will be of those about whom Allah, the Exalted, said:

And obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair has been lost and wasted. 

- Qur'an (Surah Al Kahf 28)

[Source:  The Path to Guidance, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah]

Physical Appearance

No matter how beautiful or handsome you are, you will still be the food of worms. So set aside your arrogance, and remember your grave.

- Anonymous

Reflections on Existence

What sense does life make if we will all end up in annihilation? If we all end up dying and be turned to dirt and dust? What sense are all the ideals and values and morals that we are fighting for and living for? What sense is ugliness and beauty when everything is doomed to destruction? What sense is there for living and breathing the air of life when that air will one day cease to flow through our bodies? This reminds me of a poem of Alexander Pope, Essay on Man. The lines read,

EPISTLE II.

Know, then, thyself, presume not God to scan;
The proper study of mankind is man.
Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,
A being darkly wise, and rudely great:
With too much knowledge for the sceptic side,
With too much weakness for the stoic’s pride,
He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest;
In doubt to deem himself a god, or beast;
In doubt his mind or body to prefer;
Born but to die, and reasoning but to err;
Alike in ignorance, his reason such,
Whether he thinks too little, or too much:
Chaos of thought and passion, all confused;
Still by himself abused, or disabused;
Created half to rise, and half to fall;
Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all;
Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled:
The glory, jest, and riddle of the world!

It was in those younger years when I used to be very obsessed and fearful of the idea of death. Of a life that is going to end, of efforts and hard work which are going to end and one day, completely erased and forgotten. The idea of being put on a very deep and dark place, where this body that I always take care of, will be disintegrated into the earth, with worms and organisms which will eat my flesh, blood and bones, was truly horrifying. I spent sleepless nights filled with the fear of anticipation of death and what is yet to come...while people around me are fast asleep, my mind is racing with thoughts of fear and confusion.

Aye, but to die, and go we know not where,
To lie in sensible obstruction and to rot,
This sensible warm motion to become
A kneaded clod...
To be imprisoned in the viewless winds,
And blown with restless violence ruined about
The pendent world...
... 'tis too horrible!
The weariest and most loathed worldly life
That age, ache, penury, and imprisonment 
Can lay on nature is a paradise
To what we fear of death

- Claudio, from Measure to Measure, Act III, Scene I


Imperious Caesar , dead and turned to clay,
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away.
Oh, that that earth which kept the world in awe
Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flow.

- Hamlet, Act V, Scene I

I cannot understand and comprehend what lies beyond, what meaning there is in this life, since I had always given my very best in everything I did, especially when I was younger, as a student. I will copy pages of books into my notebooks like vain attempt to document everything that I learned and read, my notebooks filled boxes and boxes, and I refused to throw a single piece of them. And then I would compose poems at the dusty library of my old school, with recurrent themes about pain and confusion, of a life that hereafter or is going to end. That kind of preoccupation, I channeled by documenting my life in journals and diaries hoping that perhaps, they may serve some sort of purpose, a memento mori, that will outlive me long after I leave this world. That trace of existence that will remind that I once lived in this world. 

***

Countless books, essays, and ideals had been written throughout the history of mankind. God had created many great minds who had contributed a lot to our humanity, to the civilizations of man, in the fields of knowledge and inquiry. Their ideals and their writings, their revolutionary and revivalist attitudes and remarkable talents and abilities had paved way for beautiful changes, those who made their marks and left behind something. And when you read their writings, you can't help but be amazed by what they were able to contribute. When you read their words, it's like, they are just in front of you, you can feel the pulse of life, the soul through their words. But they are all only written sentences and paragraphs on paper. They are all gone. Their bodies had mixed with the earth. Their ashes are flying with the wind. Their remains are kept on jars or on mausoleums, graveyards, or even in unknown places. None can ever catch a glimpse of them anymore. But their words go on and one who will read them can still savor the existence and their thoughts that were put onto concrete form when life is still throbbing on them... that is the beauty of the written word... more so, when those knowledge that they imparted on to the next generations of humanity can still be seen and can generate changes.

If we get amazed by the brilliance and intelligence of these people long gone away, how much more inspiration and awe can we feel if all that knowledge is only a tiny drop in the ocean compared to Knowledge of the One Who created everything? That what they were given is nothing comparable to the Knowledge of God? The Almighty Creator of the universe and all that exists?

And to think that the source of all that knowledge and humanly achievement all comes from One ultimate source, then we as human beings, appointed as vicegerents of God to this world, to turn to that knowledge and inspiration, as the guiding light and fountainhead in all the endeavors of life. To harness our minds and abilities towards a common and noble goal. But how can we find it? Knowing that throughout our lives, we are influenced with many kinds of ideologies and great ideas that come from many sources? Consider a name who made a mark in the field of psychology, Carl Gustav Jung:

"We all say that this is the century of the common man, that he is the lord of the earth, the air and the water, and that on his decision hangs the historical fate of the nations. This proud picture of human grandeur is unfortunately an illusion only and is counterbalanced by a reality which is very different. In this reality man is the slave and victim of the machines that have conquered space and time for him; he is intimidated and endangered by the might of the war technique which is supposed to safeguard his physical existence; his spiritual and moral freedom, though guaranteed within limits in one half of his world, is threatened with chaotic disorientation, and in the other half it is abolished altogether. Finally, to add comedy to tragedy, this lord of the elements, this universal arbiter, hugs to his bosom notions which stamp his dignity as worthless and turn his autonomy into an absurdity. All his achievements and possessions do not make him bigger; on the contrary, they diminish him, as the fate of the factory worker under the rule of a ‘just’ distribution of goods clearly demonstrates." 

- C. G. Jung, The Undiscovered Self

According to him, people who suffer psychological disorders and anxieties, particularly those in their middle-age of life, are in constant need of God and His guidance. The lack of religion and sense of guidance and purpose in life is what leads people to all kinds of confusion and suffering in life. He helped them discover and acknowledge that need of his patients, and naturally, he also studied major religions both in the East and West, and their significance throughout people's lives, their symbolisms and meaning of the teachings of religion and its impact onto the human psyche.

Notice that he wrote on the book which is quoted above: man is the slave and victim. For him to understand and formulate that idea of 'slavery of man' is a very remarkable observation for his part as an observer of the human condition. The concept of 'slavery of man' is a concept to be found in Islam, and it is strongly intertwined in the belief of Tawheed (Oneness of God). Man comes as a slave / servant to God. He was created to worship God. When he deviates from this nature, he becomes a slave to others, or with what his both hands had made, to himself, or to others besides God. Eventually those become a source of his misery, confusion and even destruction. When man deviates from this purpose, the consequences of that deviation will cause damage to himself. Indeed, my father was right when he gave me this analogy: Look at this glass plate. This plate was designed and made to be used as a plate, to hold food and to eat from. What will happen to this plate if I used it as a hammer to pound hard rocks or nails? Of course, the plate is going to be broken into pieces, for it was not made to pound on hard things, but to be used to hold food and to eat from. The same also applies to man.

I could not say I believe— I know! I have had the experience of being gripped by something that is stronger than myself, something that people call God. (In a film, when asked if he believed that God exists.)

- C.G. Jung, an interview

Carl Gustav Jung, was able to detect the great need of his patients to the guidance of God, how in spite of his knowledge of religions, he died 'without 'believing' in God'? How can a doctor heal his patients with a medicine with which he does not have faith or belief in? These are the questions that had baffled me for so long. Knowledge can be a double-edged sword. How it is used and for what it is used, its means and ends determine its value. Of what value are the brilliance of these minds who made history, if they did not believe in the Creator? They may have made their mark. But of what use are their contributions if those are only served for the interests of their fellow human beings, without any regard to the Creator of the universe?

 "When a person dies, all action is cut off for him with the exception of three things: charity which continues, knowledge which benefits, or a righteous child who makes supplication for him."

- Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم

From what the blessed Prophet (peace be upon him) said, there are four things that will continue long after a person leaves this world. That continued existence gives meaning and an extended purpose in this life: a charity which continues, like in the form of a foundation, a fruit-bearing tree planted, knowledge which benefits which can take the form of a book, a written article, a lesson taught to a student, or a school, or a righteous child who spends a lot of time in worship and prays for his parents. These are noble causes, strong enough to drive one to accomplish something, and regard the remaining days of his life in this world with meaning and purpose.

To the one who chooses to look past the misery and confusion that starts to beset when he thinks about what is to happen, or about the universe as a whole. He peels away the fancy wrapping paper and chooses to live life with a purpose. He ignores the corruption that he sees around himself, and chooses to start the change and then takes action to effect the changes that he started and impart them onto others. He reasons, but is not afraid to err. And if he errs, he strives to correct his mistakes and learn lessons from them. He is not born only but to 'die'. He is born to live a life of mission, with a goal. He starts to ask questions, and then he finds them. He is not consumed with the questions that he seeks answers for. He believes that this life is meant to be spent with hard work, struggle, and perfection of worship.

Humility and Striving

"Allah may open up for you the gates of obedience, but He may not open up for you the gates of acceptance. He may ordain you a state of disobedience which may happen to lead you to the right path. The disobedience which teaches you humility is better than the piety which vests you with vanity and arrogance!"

- Ibn 'Ata

"Ruin is caused by two traits - pride and despair. Happiness cannot be obtained without effort and struggle. A vain person does not make any effort because he believes that he is perfect, a despairing person does not make any effort because he believes it is useless."

- Ibn Mas'ud

Destruction of Nations

"If you want to destroy any nation without war, create adultery or nudity common in the young generation."

- Salahuddin Ayyubi

A New Work-In-Progress: Minarets

I'm working a little bit on my art every weekend. The media I used is a mixture of true watercolor and watercolor pencils.

Criteria of Respect

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم was with his Sahabah (Companions) رضي الله عنه, when one of the rich Ansar passed by. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked his Sahabah رضي الله عنه, "What do you think of this man?"

The Sahabah رضي الله عنه said, "He is an affluent and respected Ansari. He belongs to a very respected family. If he proposes to someone, his offer should be accepted. If he recommends someone his recommendation must be taken seriously."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم heard this and became silent. After a short while, a poor Muhajir passed by. Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم asked the Sahabah رضي الله عنه, "What do you think of this person?"

The Sahabah رضي الله عنه replied, "He is one of the poorest immigrants. He does not come from a respectable family. If he proposes to someone, he should be turned down. His recommendations would not be acceptable to people." 

Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم looked at his Sahabah رضي الله عنه and then said, "If the world was full of men from affluent and respectable families like the one who came earlier, it would be better if there was one poor person like this Muhajir whom you despise."

[Source: Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]  

Thankfulness in Hunger

When the Muhajirun (Emigrants) arrived in Madinah, they did not have enough money to support themselves so they were divided into groups of ten or twelve and were welcomed as guests of the families of the Ansar (Supporters). The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم‎  stayed with Abu Ayyub al-Ansari رضي الله عنه. Abu Ayyub رضي الله عنه was not a rich man, but he did everything he could for the comfort of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم and his party.  Rasulullah's صلى الله عليه وسلم party had a few sheep. At night, they milked the sheep and drank it, saving some for those who were not present at the time.

One night, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم arrived late at night and found no milk left for him. The Sahabah had not realized that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم had not had any. They felt bad for forgetting to save his share. Though Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم never ate very much, that day he was especially hungry. He said, "O Allah, feed well the man who feeds me today."

Miqdad رضي الله عنه an Ansari heard this, and immediately spoke up, "O Rasulullah. I will slaughter my goat for you."

But Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "O Miqdad, please don't do that. Our need for milk each day is greater than our need for meat today."

When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم tried to milk the sheep, just a little bit came out. He drank that, thanked Allah and went to sleep.

The Sahabah رضي الله عنه who were with Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم that night felt sorry to see the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم go to sleep without food. They reported that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said nothing and showed no anger about their inconsiderate behavior.

[Source: Musnad ibn Hanbal, Vol. VI]    

Raise Me With The Poor

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم used to pray, "O Allah, keep me in the company of the poor. Let me die in poverty, raise me with the poor on the Day of Judgment."

'A'isha رضي الله عنه once asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم, "O Messenger of Allah, why do you ask Allah to keep you in the company of the poor, let you die in poverty and raise you with the poor on the Day of Judgment?"

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم replied, "The poor will enter Paradise before the rich."

Then he paused for a short while. He then advised 'A'isha رضي الله عنه, "O 'A'isha never turn a needy person away from your door. Give him something, though it be only a piece of a date. O 'A'isha, respect the poor and love them in spite of their poverty. If you bring the poor and needy closer to you, Allah will bring you closer to Himself."  

[Source: Fadl al-Fuqara in al Mishkat]

Hungry Stomachs

Whatever the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم received, he distributed to others. He did not keep any provisions for meals. When there was no food to eat, he would tie a stone around his stomach. This was a common Arab custom which helped ease the pain of hunger.

Once, some Sahabah (The Prophet's companions) went to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم. They had not eaten for several days. They lifted their shirts and showed the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم that they had tied stones around their waists. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم lifted his shirt and showed them that he tied not one, but two stones.

The Sahabah understood that their Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم deserved to eat even more than themselves. So long as he had provisions available, he would always entertain his guests and share what he had with them. 

[Source: Sahih Muslim]