Demonstrating Love for Allah

Hajj is a demonstration of love for Allah. The flavour of love which permeates the acts of Hajj distinguishes it from other Ibaadat. Thus those who posses love for Allahis deficient, it will be strengthened by their engagement in the acts of love which belong to the Ibaadat of Hajj. Love for Allah established in the heart will solidify one’s Deen. The presence of love for Allah in the heart establishes one’s Deen on a firm basis. Hajj is specially efficacious forstrengthening one’s Deen.Hadhrat Aishah (radiallahu anha) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:“Making Tawaaf of Baitullah, to walkbetween Safa and Marwah and to pelt stones (at the Jimaar) have been ordained for establishing the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala.”(Abu Dawood)An observer might wonder at the wisdom underlying the circumambulation, the running and the pelting, but the Muslim should not be concerned about the wisdoms beneath these acts. Render these actsbelieving them to be the commands of Allah Ta’ala and that His Remembrance will be grounded in the heart by observing these acts. The relationship of the Believer with Allah Ta’ala is strengthened and his love is tested. Without understandingthe wisdom of these acts, the Muslim in love with Allah, executes them because of the Command of Allah Ta’ala. All Commands of Allah Ta’ala carried out because of His love.The acts of Hajj are permeated with love. Love overwhelms intelligence regarding the acts of Hajj. Idhtiba (baring the shoulder) and Raml (walking with shoulders swaying in soldier-like fashion) acts done in Hajj were initiated in the beginning as a display of physical strength when there was yet kuffaar domination over Makkah. However, these practices were retained even after Allah Ta’ala destroyed the power of the kuffaar and established Islam over Makkah.Source:Hayatul muslimeen

Meeting another Muslim with a cheerful countenance

When one Muslim meets another he should confront him with a smile and cheerful countenance and physically express his delight in meeting him. This will entail a fortification of love and affection between them. If you confront a grieved person with a cheerful countenance, you might just allay hisgrief or at least pacify him. A person feels unrestrained in expressing himself if he is confronted cheerfully thereby aiding him in fulfilling his needs.Hadhrat Abu Dhar (رضى الله تعالى عنه) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:“Don’t ever belittle any of your good deeds even though this may be meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance.” [Muslim]The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:“When two Muslims meets and clasp each others hands, their sins are shed as a tree sheds it’s leaves.”Together with a buoyant confrontation, clasping each others hands is also mustahab (preferable) as this increases mutual love and affection.Hadhrat Qatadah (رضى الله تعالى عنه) relates that he enquired of Hadhrat Anas (رضى الله تعالى عنه) if the companions of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) grasped each others hands whilst meeting. Hadhrat Anas (رضى الله تعالى عنه) replied: “Yes of course!” [Fathul Baari]Hadhrat Baraa (رضى الله تعالى عنه) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:“When two Muslims meet one another and clasp each others hands, they are forgiven even before they separate from one another.” [Abu Daud]Source: The 40 Pathways to Jannah by Sheikh Khalid Sayyid Ali

Good Character

Narrated AbudDarda’ (رضى الله تعالى عنه):The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم ) said:There is nothing heavier than good character put in the scale of a believer on the Day of Resurrection. [Sunan Abu Dawud]

Visiting the Sick

It is a Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to visit the sick. We should always visit those who are sick because it helps us to reflect and take heed, as those who are ill are close to Allah Ta’ala. We have only to consider that the sickperson has no one to call but Allah, nothing to reflect on but Allah, and his condition reminds us of the blessing of health.Hadrat Abu Moosa رضى الله تعالى عنه reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘Visit the sick, feed the hungry and free the one who is imprisoned (unjustly).’ [Sahih Bukhaari]Hadrat Abu Hurairah رضى الله تعالى عنه reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “On the Day of Qiyaamah, Allah Ta’ala will announce: O son of Aadam, I was sick yet you did not visit me. He will reply, ‘O Allah, how could I have visited You since you are Rabbul ‘aalameen? Allah Ta’ala will say: Did you not know that so and so slave of mine was sick, and yet you did not visit him? Should you have visited him you would have found Meby him.” [Sahih Muslim]Hadrat Ali رضى الله تعالى عنه reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother in the morning, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the evening. And when he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels make dua for his forgiveness till the morning, and he will be granted a garden for it in Jannah.’ [Timizi, Abu Dawood]Hadrat Anas رضى الله تعالى عنه reportsthat the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘When a person performs a proper wudhu (observing all its etiquette) and then goes to visit his sick Muslim brother with the intention of gaining sawaab, then he will be kept far away from the Fire of Jahannam by a distance equivalent of Sixty years.’ [Abu Dawood]Our Beloved Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also said, ‘Whoever visits a sick person (for the pleasure of Allah), a Caller from the skies announces: Youare indeed blessed and your walking is blessed and you have (by this noble act) built yourself a home in Jannah.’ [Ibn Maajah]Hadrat Ibn Abbaas رضى الله تعالى عنه relates: It is part of the Sunnah that when you visit a sick person, you should shorten your visit to him and make the least amount of noise by him. [Mishkaat]Once our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘The best type of visit to a sick person is when the visitor gets up to leave without delay.’ [Bayhaqi]If we act upon these simple teachings, then the visitors to a hospital will no longer remain a problem for those who are in charge of the administration of hospitals.Hadrat Umm Salmah رضى الله عنها relates that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘When you visit a sick person or (go to the home of) someone who has died, then speak only what is good, for the angels say ‘aameen’ to whatever you will say.’ [Sahih Muslim]Hadrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri رضى الله تعالى عنه reports that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘When you visit a sick person, speak in a reassuring way to him (about his age and his life).’ (For instance, tell him, ‘Alhamdulillah, your health has improved’ or ‘Inshaa Allah you will get better soon.’) Saying this will not delay what is predestined, but it will certainly make him feel happy.’ [Tirmizi, Ibn Maajah]Source: Sickness- also a Mercy from Allah

Dua After Iftar

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَ ابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ، وَ ثَبَتَ الأجْرُ إنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُTransliteration:dhahabadh dhama-u wabtallatil ‘urooqu, wa tha-batal ajru insha AllahThe thrist is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah [Ta’ala] wills.[Abu Dawud]

Dua for Iftar

When breaking the fast – Iftarاللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ [وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ] وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُO Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with Your sustenance.[“wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu” is quoted insome books of knowledge – but not all, hence it is in brackets][Abu Dawud]Transliteration:Allahumma Inni laka sumtu wa bika amantu [wa alayka tawakkalto] wa ‘ala rizqika aftartu

Dua for Suhur

When beginning the fast – Suhur (sehri)وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَI intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan[Abu Dawud]Transliteration:Wa bi-sawmi ghadin nawaytu min shahri ramadan

Dua When Entering the Home

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ الْمَوْلِجِ وَخَيْرَ الْمَخْرَجِبِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَلَجْنَا وَعَلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّنَا تَوَكَّلْنَاO Allah (SWT), I beg of you the blessing of entering and leaving WithAllah‘s (SWT) name do we enter and with Alláh’s (SWT) name do we leave,and upon Allah, our Lord, do we rely.(Abu Dawud)Source:Central Mosque

Dua if one forgets Dua before eating

بِسْمِ الله اَوَّلَهُ وَاخِرَهُIn the name of Allah in the beginning and the end.(Abu Dawood)