Is there not in what you see, a lesson indeed?

“Is there not in what you see, a lesson indeed?”

It is said that Maalik ibn Dinaar (May Allah have mercy upon him) once went to the graveyards and said:

“I approached the graves and called out to it
‘Where is the exalted one and where is the debased?

Where is the caller when he did call out
And where is the powerful when he did boast

Where is the one who was arrogant in his reign
And where is the strong one when he did gain power?’

So he heard a voice say:

All have fleeted, so there is no informer
And all have died and so did the news

The daughters of the rich come and go
So they wipe away the beauty of such a picture

So O questioner of a people who have gone by
Is there not in what you see, a lesson indeed?

taken from http://fajr.wordpress.com

Explanation

“Is there not in what you see, a lesson indeed?” meaning that is it not a lesson for you of those who once walked upon this earth just like yourself, both the master and the slave, the arrogant one and the humble one, the powerful and the weak, the knowledgeable one and the ignorant one, all who have been in this world are no longer resident in it but are rather now the inhabitants of the graves, having taken with them nothing of the provision of this world except their deeds. So is this not a lesson for the people of understanding that they too will soon be returned to the dust of the earth with nothing to take forward from this world except their deeds, both good and bad.

A Clear lesson

A Clear lesson

“Many ways of life have passed away before your time. Go, then, about the earth and behold what happened in the end to those who gave the lie to the truth: this is a clear lesson unto all mankind, and a guidance and instruction to those who fear Allah. Be not, then, faint of heart, and grieve not: for you are bound to rise high if you are believers.”
[Al Qur’an 3:137-139]

Explanation
“this is a clear lesson unto all mankind”, i.e. do you not see how Allah has destroyed the nations that came before. They were mighty in strength, yet the command of Allah overtook them all, and now you see that all have perished. Is this not a lesson, that just like them you too are soon to depart from this fleeting world, so knowing this why does one not strive and work towards that which is to come?

When the heart dies

When the heart dies

Umar Ibn Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) once said to Al Ahnaf bin Qais (May Allah be pleased with him)

“Oh Ahnaf, the more one laughs, the less dignity will he possess. Whoever jokes (excessively) is a person who will be taken lightly. Whoever does something frequently will be known by that thing. Whoever speaks often, errs often. The more often one errs, the less modesty he will possess. Whomever has a low level of modesty will also have a low level of piety, and when one has a low level of piety, then his heart dies.”

[Sifatus-Safwah]

Purification of the heart

Purification of the heart

“The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is at-Tawbah (repentance) and protection [from transgression]. It becomes rusty as a mirror becomes rusty, and its clarity is obtained by remembrance [of Allah]. It becomes naked as the body becomes naked, and its beautification is at-Taqwa [fear of Allah]. It becomes hungry and thirsty as the body becomes hungry, and its food and drink are knowledge, love [for Allah and His sake], dependence [upon Allah], repentance and servitude.”

[Al-fawaid of Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (May Allah have mercy upon him)]

Two noble qualities

Two noble qualities

It is reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said to Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him)

“O Abu Dharr, shall I not tell you of two qualities which are easy to attain, and which will weigh the most heaviest on the balance (on the Day of Judgement)?” He said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah.” He(saw) said, “You should have a good attitude towards others and remain silent for lengthy periods. By the One in Whose hand lies my soul, nothing that people have ever attained is better than these two.”

[At-Tabarani]

Explanation

By remaining silent for lengthy periods a person is able to safeguard themselves from many sins of the tongue, such as backbiting, slandering, lying, gossiping etc… Moreover by remaining silent a person is able to do Tafakkur (Reflect and contemplate) over the purpose of their existence, the purpose of their creation etc… Allah(swt) instructs mankind in many places in the Qur’an to contemplate and reflect over creation, the alternation of the night and day, the heavens, the earth etc… One who is constantly engaged in conversation is not able to do this, and that’s why Rasullullah(saw) said “nothing that people have ever attained is better than these two.” i.e. good manners and adopting silence for lengthy periods.

Oh my eye other people have eyes too

“O my eye other people have eyes too.”

“If you desire to live such that your religion is safe and your portion is full and your honour is sound, guard your tongue and never mention another’s faults, remembering you yourself have faults and others have tongues. Watch your eye, should it ever reveal the faults of others say to it. ‘O my eye other people have eyes too.’

A saying of Shaykh Ahmed Zarruq (May Allah have mercy upon him)

I worship my Lord

I worship my Lord

A beautiful poem that reflects courage and strength against the tides of
continuous victimisation of Muslim Women by society
Written by Sister Na’ima B. Robert

I wake before dawn. No muadhin calls me, No footsteps stir me,
Instead society spurns me, Labels me and burns me.
But everyday, I wake before dawn.

I wear my hijab. No father threatens me, No religious police warn me,
Instead society judges me, Mocks me and shuns me.
But everyday, I wear my hijab.

I rear my children. No family pressures me, No work barriers limit me,
Instead society shames me, Names me and blames me.
But everyday, I rear my children.

I follow the Sunnah. No culture defines me, No history holds me,
Instead, society scolds me, Re-makes and moulds me.
But every day, I follow the Sunnah.

I strive for Paradise. No teachers indoctrinate me, No worldly hardships sedate me,
Instead society rejects me, tempts me and affects me.
But every day, I strive for Paradise.

I worship my Lord. No imam compels me, No rules force my heart,
Instead, society fears me, and dares not come near me.
But every day, I worship my Lord.

Every day, in every way, through hardship and strife
And the all-consuming, O so fleeting,
Bitter sweetness of life, I worship my Lord.

Taken from http://islamicpoems.blogspot.com

Be Mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you

Be Mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you

Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reports that ‘One day I was behind the Prophet (Peace be upon him), and he said to me’,

“O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allah, and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him before you. If you ask, then ask only from Allah; and if you seek help, then seek help only from Allah. Know that if the whole of mankind were to come together to benefit you in anything, they would not be able to benefit you, except with that which Allah has already decreed for you, and know that if the whole of mankind were to come together to harm you in anything, they would not be able to harm you, except with that which Allah has already decreed for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” [Tirmidhi]

Explanation

Being Mindful of Allah means to obey the commands of Allah, as revealed in the Qur’an, and to follow the guidance given by the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in the Ahadeeth.