Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum.
Ramadan is approaching, and so I would like to remind my brothers and sisters in Islam of the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad pbuh where he says: "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of Jannah (Paradise) are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." So let us seize the chance where no Satan is around, and be mindful of committing sins before Ramadan, because this is what Satan is trying to do right now, to let you enter Ramadan with bad deeds so that you don’t have the energy of worshipping Allah as she should be worshipped.
So what is the reward of Ramadan?
The prophet Muhammad pbuh said: "… whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
Please read the Hadith one more time… there are two conditions that would make your sins to be forgiven, no matter what they are. First, to fast out of sincere faith, which means that you are fasting not out of a habit, but rather out of your love for Allah, AND to fast out of hope for the reward of Allah.
However, if someone thought that it is difficult for him to be sincere during the whole month of Ramadan (30 days), please don’t worry, because Muhammad pbuh said: "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
I agree that some may not be able to pray at night for 30 whole days, how about those people?? The prophet pbuh said: "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.".
Can you imagine how Allah wants us to be forgiven? Doesn’t He deserve to be worshipped with all our souls during this blessed month? (and all the way as well)
The Prophet Muhammad pbuh used to recite the following Du’a whenever the month of Rajab and Sha’ban enters:
ALLAHUMA BARIK LANA FE RAJAB WA SHA’BAN, WA BALEGHNA RAMADAN.
It means: O Allah, make the month of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan.
For the first time we see the prophet pbuh asking Allah (in plural form) to make his and our lives longer until we observe Ramadan, to get the benefits and reward of this great month. CAN WE NOW SENSE THE IMPORTANCE OF RAMADA?
Let us see what the Prophet Muhammad pbuh said addressing his companions (AND US AS WELL) regarding Ramadan:
"Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]
Points of the Hadith:-
-Ramadan has got a night better than a thousand month (1000month = 83.3years).
It means that if you worshipped Allah on that night as He is supposed to be worshipped, its going to be as though you have worshipped Him for 83+ years.
- If you performed any act of Sunnah, Allah will reward you as though you have performed an obligatory act.- If you performed any obligatory act, Allah will reward you as though you have performed 70 obligatory acts.
- It is the month of patience (SABR) and SABR reward is JANNAH/Paradise, so let us be learn patience during this blessed month.
- If you break the fast of a person during Ramadan, all your sins will be forgiven, and Salvation from Hellfire will be yours.Are you now getting the beauty and benefits of Ramadan?
Are we getting charged with full energy hoping to attain the reward of fasting in Ramadan? Insha Allah.
As for the reward of fasting itself, nobody knows what it is but Allah. Prophet Muhammad pbuh said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it." so, you will know the reward of your fasting only on the Day of Judgment insh a Allah.
Allah says: "And when My bondmen ask you concerning Me, then, surely I am near; I answer the invocation of the invoker when he invokes Me; so let them respond (to) Me, and let them believe in Me, so that possibly they would respond right-mindedly. (Qur’an 2:186). Please note that this verse demonstrate the relation between fasting and answering supplication.
And so, let us keep on supplicating to Allah, especially during Ramadan, let us choose 4 or 5 Du’a in which we keep and insist on reciting them repeatedly in Ramadan. The companions of the Prophet pbuh used to do so. They said," We used to supplicate to Allah in Ramadan, and we never reached the next Ramadan without our supplications being answered."
Let us all supplicate repeatedly to Allah in this Ramadan that we would bring about the revival of our Ummah (the Muslim nation). Ameen.
Let us also remember, that the rewards of Ramadan are not available for those who fast only with their stomach, please be aware of the fasting of food and drink alone, let us perform organs fasting this year, it means that every limb of our body will be fasting this year, my hands are fasting, it cannot touch anything prohibited, or touch a boy that is not my husband, my legs are fasting too, cannot walk towards any HARAM place, my hair is fasting, it should be covered properly, my face is fasting, we will avoid wearing make up when outside, my tounge is fasting, we will stay away from backbiting and slandering each other, let us fast for real this year.
Prophet Muhammad said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)
”Six things to be observed during this Ramadan insh a Allah, let us not miss any of them.
1- Praying all the five daily prayer on time: for men they should perform them in the mosque, if they can’t, then let them at least perform them on time in congregation.
2- Daily act of charity: let us prepare a specific amount of money to be given away every day during Ramadan, our prophet was so generous, and he was more generous during Ramadan, if no one can give money in charity during Ramadan, then let us smile to each other everyday, YES, the prophet Muhammad pbuh said: “smiling in the face of your brother, is an act of charity”
3- Reading the entire Qur’an: you may finish it once, twice or even more, the more you read it, the more you get the rewards and benefits of reading it.
4- Taraweeh: it is one of the acts that the prophet never leave during the Ramadan, remember his Hadith? "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
5- Daily Du’a: don’t you know that when you break your fast, there is a Du’a in which Allah will never reject? So let us focus this year on 2 main supplications, we will ask Allah for the revival of the Muslim Ummah on our hands insha Allah, and we will ask Him to save from hellfire. Ameen.
6- Contacting our families: if we are far away from them, and its difficult for us to call them, then let us send them text messages, telling them “we love you for Allah’s sake”. We ask Allah badly for the blessing and the reward of Ramadan, Allahuma Baleghna Ramadan, Ameen Ameen Ameen.
Assalamo Alikum.
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The topic was based on the work of Brother Amr Khaeld, may Allah reward him much. Ameen.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
How can we abandon sins?
Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Today is indeed a lovely day,well spirited and full of blessings from Allah SWT.
Below is brief verbatim of our last topic delivered at Ammar Mosque/Hong Kong on Sunday 27, 2008 today. By: brother Wael Ibrahim[lecturer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bismillah: Assalamu alaikum.
Yes we are good people Alhamdullilah, however, we got also our shortcomings and mistakes,we still do sin although we have repented to Allah several times, but yet we still committing sins, so shall we give up and surrender to Satan? Shall we declare that he is the winner of this battle? No, we will not insha Allah.Here are the methods on how to leave sins and simultaneously win the battle with our enemy, Satan.
Several ways on how to abandon sins:
1- DU`A ( suplications ): The greatest medicine, and the best way to get rid of the sickness of our hearts. " O you who seek repentance, raise up your hands and put down your head in humility to the One who listens to the supplications and ask Him to help you to leave sins!! He said: " Your Lord said: call upon Me, and I will respond you..." Qur`an 40:60. So just ask Him repeatedly to help you to abandon sins, and He will insha Allah assist you if you are really sincere.
2- Jihad (struggle ): Dont think that leaving sins will be something easy that might happen overnight. No, leaving sins needs Jihad, patience and insistence of one`s inner self, and be sure that your Jihad is clear evidence that you are sincere in your willingness to abandon sins. Allah said, " And those who strive in Our ( cause ),-We will cretainly guide them to our Paths: For verily Allah is with those who do right. " Qur`an 29:69.
3- Remembering the consequences of committing sins: The more you remember Allah`s punishments for certains sins, the more you will be mindful not to approach sins. Also we should recognize the reasons why we are committing such sins, like " sadness, being lonely, depression, etc...
4- Staying away from bad companions/friends: There are many people who are willing to leave sins, but their friends are encouraging them and pulling them toward sins, and so the Prophet Muhammad [ pbuh] said: " A Person is on the DEEN/Religion of his friend, so be careful of who you friend with."
5- Remembering the sudden death and the grave: Every soul shall have taste death..." Qu`ran 29:57. Have you imagined yourself dying while watching Haram movies/internet website? Have you thought that death might approach you while neglecting your Salah because you prefered to sleep over your Salah? On this moment, what you will wish for? Allah gives the answer: " when death comes to one of them , he says, " O my Lord send me back [to life] in order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected... ." Qur`an 23:99-100.
6- Remember the day when you will meet Allah[SWT]: " And fear the Day when ye shall be brought back to Allah. Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly, " Qur`an 2:281. That was the last verse revealed in the Qur`an, the Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] died 9 days after revelation of this verse. So are you ready to go back yet? Are you prepared for this great meeting with Allah? Why do you insist on commiting sins? Do you think that Allah will not keep account of your deeds? He said: " That Day shall ye be brought to Judgement: not on act of yours that ye hide will be hidden." Qur`an 69:18. Then how can you not fear that Day?
7- Remember the straight path: That bridge that will be built above Jahanam/Hellfire, but it is going towards Jannah/Heavens; it is sharper than the edge of a sword,and thinner than a piece of hair. Do you think you can pass safely towards Jannah or you will fall down in Jahanam? Remember that Allah will help those who obeyed Him.
8- Remember the HAWD/river in paradise: which is sweeter than honey,whiter than milk and better than musk, he who drinks from that river,will never feel thirsty again. Your sins could prevent you from drinking from that river!! So , are you awake yet?
9- Realize that DUNYA: This life is nothing compared to the Hereafter. Allah says:..." For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception." Qur`an 3:185. So, are you still attached to this world? How can you commit sins that might prevent you from being in Jannah which its width alone is as the entire heavens and the whole earth? Are you ready to leave sins?
10- Remember that Allah is always watching over you: and tell yourself, ' if I can`t commit sins in front of the people ( openly) then how can I do the same sins while I am sure that Allah is over watching me? Aren`t you ashamed? ".... and Allah doth watch over things" Qur`an 33:52, Allah is watching you so stay away from sins now.
11- Remember that your organs are going to be witness over you: we should remember before committing any sin, that our organs in which we will use them for committing those sins, are to be witness over us and will expose our sins on the Day of Judgement , Allah says: " That Day shall We set a seal on their mouths. But thier hands will speak to us,their feet bear witness,to all that they did. " Qur`an 36:65. So dont ever think that you going to lie to Allah on that Day, because your body parts will be against you and expose your lies what you used to do.
12- Remember that Satan wants you to go astray: and he will do his best to let you go back and commit those sins again, and so whenever he try and whisper to you to commit any sin, remember to say " I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the accursed." " And if ( any time) an incitement to discord is made to thee by the Evil One , seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things." Qur`an 41: 36.
I ask Allah the Almighty God to help us to stay away from committing sins. Ameen.
Assalamu alaikum .
Serving Islam Team
Today is indeed a lovely day,well spirited and full of blessings from Allah SWT.
Below is brief verbatim of our last topic delivered at Ammar Mosque/Hong Kong on Sunday 27, 2008 today. By: brother Wael Ibrahim[lecturer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bismillah: Assalamu alaikum.
Yes we are good people Alhamdullilah, however, we got also our shortcomings and mistakes,we still do sin although we have repented to Allah several times, but yet we still committing sins, so shall we give up and surrender to Satan? Shall we declare that he is the winner of this battle? No, we will not insha Allah.Here are the methods on how to leave sins and simultaneously win the battle with our enemy, Satan.
Several ways on how to abandon sins:
1- DU`A ( suplications ): The greatest medicine, and the best way to get rid of the sickness of our hearts. " O you who seek repentance, raise up your hands and put down your head in humility to the One who listens to the supplications and ask Him to help you to leave sins!! He said: " Your Lord said: call upon Me, and I will respond you..." Qur`an 40:60. So just ask Him repeatedly to help you to abandon sins, and He will insha Allah assist you if you are really sincere.
2- Jihad (struggle ): Dont think that leaving sins will be something easy that might happen overnight. No, leaving sins needs Jihad, patience and insistence of one`s inner self, and be sure that your Jihad is clear evidence that you are sincere in your willingness to abandon sins. Allah said, " And those who strive in Our ( cause ),-We will cretainly guide them to our Paths: For verily Allah is with those who do right. " Qur`an 29:69.
3- Remembering the consequences of committing sins: The more you remember Allah`s punishments for certains sins, the more you will be mindful not to approach sins. Also we should recognize the reasons why we are committing such sins, like " sadness, being lonely, depression, etc...
4- Staying away from bad companions/friends: There are many people who are willing to leave sins, but their friends are encouraging them and pulling them toward sins, and so the Prophet Muhammad [ pbuh] said: " A Person is on the DEEN/Religion of his friend, so be careful of who you friend with."
5- Remembering the sudden death and the grave: Every soul shall have taste death..." Qu`ran 29:57. Have you imagined yourself dying while watching Haram movies/internet website? Have you thought that death might approach you while neglecting your Salah because you prefered to sleep over your Salah? On this moment, what you will wish for? Allah gives the answer: " when death comes to one of them , he says, " O my Lord send me back [to life] in order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected... ." Qur`an 23:99-100.
6- Remember the day when you will meet Allah[SWT]: " And fear the Day when ye shall be brought back to Allah. Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly, " Qur`an 2:281. That was the last verse revealed in the Qur`an, the Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] died 9 days after revelation of this verse. So are you ready to go back yet? Are you prepared for this great meeting with Allah? Why do you insist on commiting sins? Do you think that Allah will not keep account of your deeds? He said: " That Day shall ye be brought to Judgement: not on act of yours that ye hide will be hidden." Qur`an 69:18. Then how can you not fear that Day?
7- Remember the straight path: That bridge that will be built above Jahanam/Hellfire, but it is going towards Jannah/Heavens; it is sharper than the edge of a sword,and thinner than a piece of hair. Do you think you can pass safely towards Jannah or you will fall down in Jahanam? Remember that Allah will help those who obeyed Him.
8- Remember the HAWD/river in paradise: which is sweeter than honey,whiter than milk and better than musk, he who drinks from that river,will never feel thirsty again. Your sins could prevent you from drinking from that river!! So , are you awake yet?
9- Realize that DUNYA: This life is nothing compared to the Hereafter. Allah says:..." For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception." Qur`an 3:185. So, are you still attached to this world? How can you commit sins that might prevent you from being in Jannah which its width alone is as the entire heavens and the whole earth? Are you ready to leave sins?
10- Remember that Allah is always watching over you: and tell yourself, ' if I can`t commit sins in front of the people ( openly) then how can I do the same sins while I am sure that Allah is over watching me? Aren`t you ashamed? ".... and Allah doth watch over things" Qur`an 33:52, Allah is watching you so stay away from sins now.
11- Remember that your organs are going to be witness over you: we should remember before committing any sin, that our organs in which we will use them for committing those sins, are to be witness over us and will expose our sins on the Day of Judgement , Allah says: " That Day shall We set a seal on their mouths. But thier hands will speak to us,their feet bear witness,to all that they did. " Qur`an 36:65. So dont ever think that you going to lie to Allah on that Day, because your body parts will be against you and expose your lies what you used to do.
12- Remember that Satan wants you to go astray: and he will do his best to let you go back and commit those sins again, and so whenever he try and whisper to you to commit any sin, remember to say " I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the accursed." " And if ( any time) an incitement to discord is made to thee by the Evil One , seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things." Qur`an 41: 36.
I ask Allah the Almighty God to help us to stay away from committing sins. Ameen.
Assalamu alaikum .
Serving Islam Team
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Faithfulness/Loyalty
Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum.
Below is brief verbatim of our last topic delivered at Ammar Mosque/Hong Kong on Sunday 20, 2008
.------------ --------- ----------------- --------- ----------------- -
Our topic today is about faithfulness, Loyalty. Let us ask ourselves a question!! Are we really loyal? The common answer that we might get is, of course we are, but after that comes more questions!! Like, are we loyal to Allah? And how can we be loyal to Him? Sadly the majority of us don't know how to be loyal to Allah. Are we loyal to Prophet Muhammad pbuh? And how can we be loyal to him when he died hundreds of years ago? Are we loyal to the people around us?
Whether Muslims or Non Muslims? Are we loyal to people who have done favors to us? Etc…
ARE WE LOYAL???
So are we loyal to Allah? And how can we be?Being loyal to Allah is to follow His commandments, so if He asked you to wake up from your sleep at Fajr to offer your Salah, then `come on' Muslims, get up and do your Salah… if you counted Allah's blessing upon you, you will never be able to count them, so doesn't Allah deserve your obedience? How many Muslims are loyal to Allah today?... look at your beloved Prophet Muhammad pbuh who used to pray all night until his feet is swollen, and when Aisha `RA' told him, "doesn't Allah forgave your all previous sins and the ones to come'?" in other words, you don't need to worship Him that much, you are granted paradise, so what did he pbuh say??? "Shouldn't I be a thankful servant to Allah then?" let us learn from our beloved Prophet pbuh who was given the honor by Allah to be His agent/Messenger to all people, and yet he was so humble and eager to worship Allah all night, but sadly today we still have got some difficulties to wake up for Fajr.
Another example on how to be loyal to Allah is the story of Anas ibnul Nadr, who did not witness the battle of Badr because he was on a journey, but when he comes back he said: "By Allah, if Allah made me a witness to another battle, I will show Him my best." Days have passed, and comes the battle of Uhud, and the Muslims started to retreat and run away for their lives, except Anas, who still remember his commitment with Allah to show Him his best and bravely he went towards the enemies to fight them, on his way he met another companion who asked him "where are you going"? he said, TO PARADISE, "I swear by Allah, I smell the fragrance of paradise from the back of this mountain". And later on they found him dead at the back of mount Uhud, and no one could recognize his body except his sister.
Can we be that loyal to Allah? Can we respect our words as Anas did? I am not asking people to go and fight if there are no requirements for that, I am only asking our Muslim brothers and sisters (and the entire people) to stick to their words when they make commitments. Like our new Muslim brothers and sisters who took Shahadah (became Muslims) recently, are they ready to follow Allah's commandments and respect the meaning of the Shahadah?? Please ask yourselves.
How can we be loyal to Prophet Muhammad pbuh?
The companions of Muhammad pbuh were the most loyal people to him, they believed him in every word he uttered, even if it was sounds impossible, like for example, during the migration from Mecca to Madinah, Abu Sufyan announced, that the person who will be able to bring Muhammad pbuh and his friend Abu Bakr back to Mecca, will be given a 100 she camel as a reward, and so a man by the name Suraka went in the desert to find Muhammad pbuh and his friend, and every time he get closer to them, the Prophet pbuh would pray to Allah to protect him, and so Suraka would fell off from his horse, this happens several times until Suraka realized that Muhammad pbuh was protected and so the 100 she camels are not going to be his, so Suraka told Muhammad "keep me safe", and he asked Muhammad pbuh to give him some money, but Prophet Muhammad pbuh promised him something greater, he told him "I will give you the treasure of Khesrah"
Later on Suraka embraced Islam, Prophet Muhammad pbuh died, followed by Abu Bakr, then came Omar Ibn Al Khatab to be the leader/caliph of the Muslim nation, and during his time the Khesra or the city of Al Madain was conquered and the treasure of Khesra was brought to Omar, standing on the pulpit, Omar start crying, and shouting "where is suraka ibn Malek?" then he held the bracelets of the King of Khesra and said to him "here are the bracelets you were promised to take long time ago by Muhammad pbuh the truthful the honest", then all people in the mosque start crying.
Can you see how Omar was truthful and loyal to Muhammad pbuh to fulfill his promise to Suraka that took place more than 25 years ago? Can we be that loyal by following Prophet Muhammad pbuh way of life??
How can you be loyal to people? Whether they are Muslims or not.
Is to speak the truth, and fulfill your promises, and to be honest with them in everything that you do or say.
The Prophet Muhammad pbuh said: "the sign of a hypocrite person is three, if he speaks, he tells lies, if he promised, he breaks his promises, and if he entrusted with something, he betrays that trust"
So be aware of telling lies, "whether it is WHITE lie or BLACK lie", lie is lie (except in three cases). Also you should stick to your words when you promise someone, and we must be honest and trustworthy following the behavior of our beloved Prophet pbuh who was called by his enemies the truthful and honest, we don't want to be hypocrite right? So be aware of lies, breaking promises and dishonesty, because the hypocrites will be thrown in the lowest part of hellfire.We ask Allah the Almighty to keep us honest. Ameen.
How can we be loyal to people who have done favors to us?
Do you remember who was the first person to support the Prophet pbuh on his mission? Who was the first one to believe in him without a slight of doubt that he was sent by Allah? Who was the first person to spend her wealth for the sake of Islam? It is Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her… long time after her death the Prophet Muhammad pbuh never forget her favors upon the entire message of Islam. On one occasion, after the peaceful conquest of Mecca, and in the middle of the Muslims celebration and greetings to the Prophet pbuh, he left everyone and went to sit with an old lady, he spread his coat on the ground for her to sit on, and spent about one hour talking to her.
Later on at home, Aisha may Allah be pleased with her, asked the prophet pbuh, "Who was this lady?" he pbuh said, "she's Khadija's friend, she used to visit us at home during her life and we were remembering those past days of Khadija", So Aisha `RA' replied, "do you still remember that old lady until now when Allah has given you a better wife?" the Prophet immediately answered, "No by Allah, I was never given a wife better than her, she stood by my side when everyone left me aside, she believed in me when everyone else did not"
Just see how he was loyal to his first wife even after her death, and I wonder how many of us are loyal to their wives today while they are still alive!!!
I hope that everyone today insh a Allah will promise Allah to be loyal with Him by following His commandments as much as he can, to be loyal and faithful to our Prophet pbuh by following his sunnah, to be loyal to people by being honest and truthful whether they are Muslims or not, to be loyal to those who have done favor to us even if they were Non Muslims.
May Allah keep us honest and keep us on the straight path, may He shower us with His mercy and blessings and prolong out lives till we observe Ramadan,. Ameen Ameen Ameen.
Assalamo Alikum.
Below is brief verbatim of our last topic delivered at Ammar Mosque/Hong Kong on Sunday 20, 2008
.------------ --------- ----------------- --------- ----------------- -
Our topic today is about faithfulness, Loyalty. Let us ask ourselves a question!! Are we really loyal? The common answer that we might get is, of course we are, but after that comes more questions!! Like, are we loyal to Allah? And how can we be loyal to Him? Sadly the majority of us don't know how to be loyal to Allah. Are we loyal to Prophet Muhammad pbuh? And how can we be loyal to him when he died hundreds of years ago? Are we loyal to the people around us?
Whether Muslims or Non Muslims? Are we loyal to people who have done favors to us? Etc…
ARE WE LOYAL???
So are we loyal to Allah? And how can we be?Being loyal to Allah is to follow His commandments, so if He asked you to wake up from your sleep at Fajr to offer your Salah, then `come on' Muslims, get up and do your Salah… if you counted Allah's blessing upon you, you will never be able to count them, so doesn't Allah deserve your obedience? How many Muslims are loyal to Allah today?... look at your beloved Prophet Muhammad pbuh who used to pray all night until his feet is swollen, and when Aisha `RA' told him, "doesn't Allah forgave your all previous sins and the ones to come'?" in other words, you don't need to worship Him that much, you are granted paradise, so what did he pbuh say??? "Shouldn't I be a thankful servant to Allah then?" let us learn from our beloved Prophet pbuh who was given the honor by Allah to be His agent/Messenger to all people, and yet he was so humble and eager to worship Allah all night, but sadly today we still have got some difficulties to wake up for Fajr.
Another example on how to be loyal to Allah is the story of Anas ibnul Nadr, who did not witness the battle of Badr because he was on a journey, but when he comes back he said: "By Allah, if Allah made me a witness to another battle, I will show Him my best." Days have passed, and comes the battle of Uhud, and the Muslims started to retreat and run away for their lives, except Anas, who still remember his commitment with Allah to show Him his best and bravely he went towards the enemies to fight them, on his way he met another companion who asked him "where are you going"? he said, TO PARADISE, "I swear by Allah, I smell the fragrance of paradise from the back of this mountain". And later on they found him dead at the back of mount Uhud, and no one could recognize his body except his sister.
Can we be that loyal to Allah? Can we respect our words as Anas did? I am not asking people to go and fight if there are no requirements for that, I am only asking our Muslim brothers and sisters (and the entire people) to stick to their words when they make commitments. Like our new Muslim brothers and sisters who took Shahadah (became Muslims) recently, are they ready to follow Allah's commandments and respect the meaning of the Shahadah?? Please ask yourselves.
How can we be loyal to Prophet Muhammad pbuh?
The companions of Muhammad pbuh were the most loyal people to him, they believed him in every word he uttered, even if it was sounds impossible, like for example, during the migration from Mecca to Madinah, Abu Sufyan announced, that the person who will be able to bring Muhammad pbuh and his friend Abu Bakr back to Mecca, will be given a 100 she camel as a reward, and so a man by the name Suraka went in the desert to find Muhammad pbuh and his friend, and every time he get closer to them, the Prophet pbuh would pray to Allah to protect him, and so Suraka would fell off from his horse, this happens several times until Suraka realized that Muhammad pbuh was protected and so the 100 she camels are not going to be his, so Suraka told Muhammad "keep me safe", and he asked Muhammad pbuh to give him some money, but Prophet Muhammad pbuh promised him something greater, he told him "I will give you the treasure of Khesrah"
Later on Suraka embraced Islam, Prophet Muhammad pbuh died, followed by Abu Bakr, then came Omar Ibn Al Khatab to be the leader/caliph of the Muslim nation, and during his time the Khesra or the city of Al Madain was conquered and the treasure of Khesra was brought to Omar, standing on the pulpit, Omar start crying, and shouting "where is suraka ibn Malek?" then he held the bracelets of the King of Khesra and said to him "here are the bracelets you were promised to take long time ago by Muhammad pbuh the truthful the honest", then all people in the mosque start crying.
Can you see how Omar was truthful and loyal to Muhammad pbuh to fulfill his promise to Suraka that took place more than 25 years ago? Can we be that loyal by following Prophet Muhammad pbuh way of life??
How can you be loyal to people? Whether they are Muslims or not.
Is to speak the truth, and fulfill your promises, and to be honest with them in everything that you do or say.
The Prophet Muhammad pbuh said: "the sign of a hypocrite person is three, if he speaks, he tells lies, if he promised, he breaks his promises, and if he entrusted with something, he betrays that trust"
So be aware of telling lies, "whether it is WHITE lie or BLACK lie", lie is lie (except in three cases). Also you should stick to your words when you promise someone, and we must be honest and trustworthy following the behavior of our beloved Prophet pbuh who was called by his enemies the truthful and honest, we don't want to be hypocrite right? So be aware of lies, breaking promises and dishonesty, because the hypocrites will be thrown in the lowest part of hellfire.We ask Allah the Almighty to keep us honest. Ameen.
How can we be loyal to people who have done favors to us?
Do you remember who was the first person to support the Prophet pbuh on his mission? Who was the first one to believe in him without a slight of doubt that he was sent by Allah? Who was the first person to spend her wealth for the sake of Islam? It is Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her… long time after her death the Prophet Muhammad pbuh never forget her favors upon the entire message of Islam. On one occasion, after the peaceful conquest of Mecca, and in the middle of the Muslims celebration and greetings to the Prophet pbuh, he left everyone and went to sit with an old lady, he spread his coat on the ground for her to sit on, and spent about one hour talking to her.
Later on at home, Aisha may Allah be pleased with her, asked the prophet pbuh, "Who was this lady?" he pbuh said, "she's Khadija's friend, she used to visit us at home during her life and we were remembering those past days of Khadija", So Aisha `RA' replied, "do you still remember that old lady until now when Allah has given you a better wife?" the Prophet immediately answered, "No by Allah, I was never given a wife better than her, she stood by my side when everyone left me aside, she believed in me when everyone else did not"
Just see how he was loyal to his first wife even after her death, and I wonder how many of us are loyal to their wives today while they are still alive!!!
I hope that everyone today insh a Allah will promise Allah to be loyal with Him by following His commandments as much as he can, to be loyal and faithful to our Prophet pbuh by following his sunnah, to be loyal to people by being honest and truthful whether they are Muslims or not, to be loyal to those who have done favor to us even if they were Non Muslims.
May Allah keep us honest and keep us on the straight path, may He shower us with His mercy and blessings and prolong out lives till we observe Ramadan,. Ameen Ameen Ameen.
Assalamo Alikum.
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