The Reward for Good Husbands & Fathers

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious Most MercifulAllah says in the Glorious Qur’an:“And live with [them] in a beautiful manner. If you are then displeased with them, [then know] perhaps you dislike something which Allah has created abundant goodness in it (al-Qur’an 4:19 ).The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:The believer with the most perfect faith is the one who has best character and the one who is kindest to his wife (Sahih Muslim).The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:The believer should not harbor hatred towards his wife. If he dislikessomething in her, then surely he will be pleased with another quality in her (Sahih Muslim).Shaykh Asharaf Ali Thanwi said, commenting on the above verse:“Brothers! when Allah has ordained these rights for women, then who canchange them.If a man fails to fulfill these rights, he will be guilty of not upholding the rights of the creation. Man should ponder over how Allah has interceded on behalf of women in the above verse.While there may be many reasons forbeing displeased with one’s wife, the main reason is usually bad character—this becomes a source of grief for the husband.Nevertheless, Allah has promised that even this bad character can become a means of attaining goodness—for He is All-wise and capable of doing anything. For example, she could bear you childrenwho become the means of your salvation come qiyamah. Just ponder over how clearly the rights of women are emphasized in the above Qur’anic verse.”The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:The best of you is the one best to his wife. I am the best among you to his wife (Tirmidhi, Darimi).‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) relates that a desert Arab came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and remarked:“Do you kiss your children, for we do not?” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) replied, “What can I do if Allah has taken mercy out of your heart?” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)Anas (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:“Whoever brings up and nurtures two young girls until they reach maturity will appear on the Day of Judgment in a state that he and I will be like this (and he joined his fingers together).” [(Sahih Muslim)]It is easy to gauge from here how Islam has granted so many incentives upon actions necessary for the upkeep of society.The Spiritual Care of One’s FamilyFurthermore, just as it is necessary and rewarding to see to the physical and monetary needs of one’s family it is even more important and rewarding to see to their spiritual (ruhani) development.Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an:“O people of faith, save yourself and your families from the Hellfire.” (al-Qur’an66:6)Likewise, the rewards for a women are also many if she interacts well with her husband.The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said in a hadith narrated by Umm Salama (Allah be pleased with him):“Any woman who dies with her husband pleased with her shall enterParadise .” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said in a hadith narrated by Anas radhiyallahu anhu:“If a women performs her five prayers, fasts the month of Ramadan,protects herself from immorality, andis obedient to her husband, she will enter into Paradise from any door she desires.” (Hilya)It is greatly rewarding to treat all the creation of Allah with gentleness andkindness. This reward (along with the responsibility) only increases when their is kinship and closeness. This makes the person into a complete believer, and he is rewarded in this life and the Hereafter.Much of the above information was gleaned from Ashraf’s Advice on Marriage available from www.al-rashad.com and the Mishkat al-Masabih, the great hadith collection by ‘Allama Tabrizi in Arabic.This is just a sample of what rich heritage we have been left by our pious predecessors. Other marriage books and relevant chapters in hadith works like the Riyad al-Salihin (translated) and the al-Adab al-Mufrad by Imam Bukhari(translated) can be consulted for more information.WassalamAbdurrahman ibn Yusuf

Nurturing Marital Love

Since marital love is prone to sickness and even death, it is imperative for couples to constantly work to revitalize and preserve it.Husbands and wives must do the following:1. They have to get in the habit of saying things that are positive, like offering compliments and like making little prayers for each other.A husband could say to his wife: “If I were sent back to the days of my youth, I would not choose for a wife anyone besides you.” Of course, the wife can easily say something similar to her husband.Affectionate words have an effect, especially on women. They have, indeed, often been the weapons used by unscrupulous men to gain access to what is not theirs.Sweet words arouse a woman’s heart. A husband should take care to say them to his wife before someone else does.2. Husbands and wives have to get into the habit of doing those little things that mean so much.If a man comes home to find his wife asleep, he can cover her and tuck her into bed.A husband can give his wife a call from work just to say hello and to let her know that he is thinking about her.If a wife finds that her husband has fallen asleep, she can give him a littlekiss on the forehead, even if she thinks that he will not be aware of it. Indeed, on some level his senses are working even though he is asleep and he may very well be aware of it.The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized the value of these little things, “…even the morsel of food thatyou place in your wife’s mouth…” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]It may very well be that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was alluding to the expenditure of a man for his wife’s needs. Nonetheless, the Prophet (peace be upon him) chose to express it in the way he did for a reason. Most importantly, this is the way the Prophet peace be upon him) conducted himself with his family.This type of behavior is governed by the tastes of the people involved. It may take some getting used to, but it really does not take a lot of effort.A person who is not accustomed to such things may feel embarrassed just hearing about them and may prefer to leave matters the way they are rather than try to change his behavior and do things that he mightsee as ridiculous.Still, we must be willing introduce new habits into our lives if we do not want our problems to go on forever.3. The husband and wife must set aside time to talk to each other.They should talk about the past; reminisceabout the good times. Talking about them keeps them fresh in our minds as if they had happened only yesterday. They should talk about thefuture and share their hopes and their plans. They should also talk about the present, both the good and bad of it, and discuss different ways to solve their problems.4. Keeping close physical contact is good for the relationship.This is not just for times of intimacy, but at all times, like when sitting in the lounge or walking down the street. This is regardless of the fact that there are still men in our society who are ashamed to have people see them walking in public with their wives at their sides.5. Emotional support should be guaranteed whenever it is required.When the wife is pregnant or on her monthly period, she may need her husband to lend her a little moral support. He should take her mental state into consideration. Medical experts attest to the fact that when women go through pregnancy, menstruation, or postpartum bleeding, they suffer from psychological stress that can aversely affect their behavior. It is at times like these that a woman needs her husband’s support. She needs him to let her know how much she means to him and how much he needs her in his life.Likewise, the husband might fall ill orcome under a lot of difficulties. The wife must take these things into consideration. If people want their relationship to last, they must let each other feel that support.6. There have to be some material expressions of love.Gifts should be given, sometimes without there beingany occasion for it, since a pleasant surprise is always welcome. A good gift is one that expresses feelings of affection. It does not have to be expensive, but it has to be appropriate for the other’s tastes andpersonality; something that will be cherished.7. The husband and wife have to learn how to be more tolerant of eachother and overlook one another’s shortcomings.It should become a habit to forget about the little mistakes of daily life and not even bring them up. Silence in these trivialities is a sign of noble character.A woman said to Aishah: “When my husband comes home, he becomes like a cat. When he goes out, he becomes like a lion. He does not ask about what might have happened.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]Ibn Hajar explains her words as follows:They might mean that he is very generous and tolerant. He does no make a big fuss about what goes missing of his wealth. If he brings something for the house, he dies not enquire about it later on. He does not make an issue of the shortcomings that he might see at home but insteadis clement and tolerant.It is wrong to go overboard in considering the faults of others but when it comes to ourselves, keep a running account of all our good qualities.There is a tradition that goes: “One ofyou sees the dust in his brother’s eyes and forgets about the dirt in his own.”8. A husband and wife must come to an understanding when it comes to matters of mutual concern, like the raising of children, work, travel, expenses, and problems that might pose a threat to the marital relationship.9. Husbands and wives need to do things to liven up their relationship.Each one of them can read a book or listen to a cassette that might give them some ideas on how they can revitalize their marital life and bring more meaning to it. They can vary their habits when it comes to relaxing together, dining, taking refreshments, decorating their home, and in relating to each other both openly and intimately. These are the things that keep up the excitement and interest in a relationship.10. The relationship must be protected from negative influences that can harm it.One of the worst of these is the habit of comparing one’s spouse to others. Many men tend to compare their wives to those of other men. Some even compare them with the faces they see in magazines and on television. Women also compare their husbands with other women’s husbands in things like wealth, looks, and how many times he takes her out. All of this makes people feel bad and insufficient and it can ruin the marital relationship.If we must compare ourselves to others, we should do so with those who have less going for them than ourselves. Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Look towards those who are beneath you and do not look towards those who are above you. This is better so that you do not belittle Allah’s blessings.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]We must accustom ourselves to living in the real world and to findingcontentment in what Allah has decreed for us. We should not look longingly at what others have been given. Whatever little that we have will be a lot if we utilize it well.It is quite possible that many who speak about their marital bliss and go on boasting about their husbandsand wives are untruthful in what theysay. They just like to brag.The grass often does seem greener on the other side, but only because we are not looking at it up close.By Salmaan ibn Fahd al-‘Awdah

Characteristics of a Pious Wife

A pious woman’s priority is to seek the pleasure of Allah. She tries acquiring the qualities of a good wifeby following the examples of the Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and obeying what is commanded in the Book of Allah. Complete obedience and adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and Quran is the best of a woman’s qualities.Examples:A woman is married for four reasons: for her wealth, for her fame, for her beauty and for her religion. So marry one for her religion and you will win. [Bukhari & Muslim]Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands) and guard in their husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their honor, husbands property, etc) [4:34]An-Nasaii narrated that the Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was asked “Who are the best of women?” He replied, “The one who pleases him (her husband) if he looks at her, obeys him if he orders (her) and does not subject her honor or money to what he dislikes.”Ibn Hibban narrated that the Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “If a woman prayedfive prayers, fasted in Ramadan, protected her honor and obeyed her husband; then she will be told (on theDay of Judgment): enter Paradise from any of its(eight) doors.”Reflect on:If a woman harms (in any way) her husband, then his wife in Paradise tells her: “Do not harm him, May Allah fight you, he is only staying temporarily with you. Soon he will come to us.” [Ahmad & At-Tirmithi]If a man calls his wife to bed and she refuses till he slept while angry, then the Angels will curse her till the morning. [Muslim]Allah does not look to the woman who does not appreciate her husband while she cannot stand his departing her. [An-Nasaii].A woman does not fast while her husband is present without his permission, except in Ramadan. [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]Any woman who asks her husband for divorce for no reason will not smell the fragrance of Paradise. [Sahih Al-Jamii]The Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “If I were to order anyone to bow down to other than Allah, I would order the wife to do so for her husband. By the One who owns the soul of Muhammad,if a wife does not fulfill her obligations towards her husband, then she will not have fulfilled her obligations towards Allah.” [Ahmad]by Al-Islaah Publications

Characteristics of a Pious Husband

On the Day of Judgment :Allah will ask men if they fulfilled their obligations towards their families. They who fear Allah will do their best to direct the way his wife and children live by educating himself and his family to living according to the Sunnah of the Prophet(Sallallahualaiyhi wassallam) and the Holy Qur’an, the final word of Allah.The Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “The best of you is the best one to his family.” [Al-Tabarani]To share food with her, to provide herwith (decent) clothes as he provides himself, to refrain from smacking her, and not ignoring her but in the house. [Ahmad]One should not hate his believer wife.If he dislikes some of her attitudes, hewould (surely) like others (attitudes). [Muslim]Woman was created from a bent rib and will not be made straight for you on one way (that you like). If you want to enjoy her, you enjoy her while she is still bent. If you want to straighten her up, you will break her. Breaking her is divorcing her. [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]Do (volunteer) fasting (some days) and do not fast (in other days), pray at night (some nights) and sleep (in other nights). Your body has a right on you (to rest), your eye has a right on you (to sleep), and your wife has a right on you. [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]Fear Allah in (treating) women. [Muslim]Be advised to treat women righteously. [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]And live with them honorably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing that Allah brings through it a great deal of good. [4:19]The Prophet (Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said,”A Dinar (a currency) that you spend on your family, a Dinar that you spend on a poor person and a Dinar that you spend in the sake of Allah. The one that carries the most reward is the one that you spend on your family.” [Muslim]The Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said to Saaid ibn Abi Waqqas,”Know that no charity that you give whether small or large, for the sake of Allah, but you will be rewarded for it, even the bite (of food) that you put in your wife’s mouth.” [Bukhari & Muslim]by Al-Islaah Publications

Taubah

Al-Agharr ibn Yasar al-Muzani said that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,said,“O people! Turn in repentance towards Allah and ask His forgiveness. I turn towards Him a hundred times a day.”[Muslim]

Eye that Weeps

Anas said, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, addressed us with a speech whose like I have never heard.He said, ‘If you were to know what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.’The Companions of the Messenger ofAllah covered their faces and sobbed.”[Bukhari, Muslim]

The Best of days

Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said:“Friday is the best of days. It was on this day that Hadrat Aadam alayhis salaam was created, it was on this day that he was granted entry into jannah, it was on this day that he was removed from jannah (which became the cause for man’s existence in this universe, and which is a great blessing), and the day of resurrection will also take place on this day.”(Sahih Muslim)

Six Fasts of Shawwal

Abu Ayyub (R.A) reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Anyone who fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six from Shawwal, it is as he had fasted the entire year.” [Muslim]

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

Flavour of Faith

It is related by Abbas bin Adbul Muttalib that he heard the Apostle of God say: “He tasted the flavour of Faith and experienced its sweetness who agreed with a truthful heart to accept God as His Cherisher, Islam as his religion, and Muhammad as his Prophet.” [Bukhari]Commentary:Just as all delicious foods posses a flavour but can be perceived only when one’s faculty of taste has not been lost or become perverted due to illness or any other cause, there is also a special sweetness in faith which can be enjoyed by those alone who have, willingly and earnestly, made Allah their Lord and Master, Muhammad (PBUH) their prophet and guide, and Islam their religion and way of life, and whose hearts have bowed in submission to God and yielded in obedience to the prophet and assented to be the adherents of the path of Islam. In other words, their bond with God, the prophet and Islam is not merely formal, hereditary or intellectual but real, sincere and genuine.Anas related to us that “Only he will taste the sweetness of faith who has these three qualities: the love of God and the prophet that comes to him before everything else, he loves whom he loves solely for the sake of God, and the idea of going back to apostasy after he has embraced Islam is as repugnant to him as being thrown into fire.”[Bukhari and Muslim]Commentary:The subject matter of this tradition is almost identical to that of proceeding one. It says that the sweetness of faith can only be perceived by him whose love for God and the Apostle is stronger that for anyone or anything else in the world, so much so that when he loves somebody, it is wholly for the sake of God, and who is so deeply devoted to the Islamic faith that the very idea of leaving it and reverting back to the apostasy is as painful to him as being cast into fire.Source: Bilal Academy

Hour of Accepted Dua on Jumuah

Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said:“There is such an hour on Friday that if any Muslim makes dua in it, his dua will definitely be accepted. ”[Bukhari, Muslim]The ulama have differed in specifying that hour which has been mentioned in the Hadith. Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi rahmatullahialayh has mentioned 40 different opinions in his book Sharh Sifrus Sa’aadah. However, from among all these opinions he has given preference to two opinions:(1) That time is from the commencement of the khutbah till the end of the salaat,(2) That time is towards the end of theday.A big group of ulama have given preference to this second opinion and there are many Ahadith which support this opinion. Shaykh Dehlawi rahmatullahialayh says that this narration is correct that Hadrat Fatimah radiallahuanha used to order her maid on Fridays to inform her when the day is about to end so that she could occupy herself in making zikr and duas. (Ash’atulLama’aat)

Consider no one Lowly because of Poverty

Sahl Ibne Sa’ad narrated that once a person (who, perhaps, came from theclass of the rich and the distinguished) passed in front of the Prophetsallallahu alayhi wasallam. On seeing him the Prophetsallallahu alayhi wasallamasked one of those who were sitting with him at that time what he thought of him. He replied, “Sir, he is one of the most respectable men, such is his eminence that if he makes an offer of marriage to the daughter of any family, it will be accepted and she will be married to him, and if he makes a recommendation in any matter, it will be granted.” At this reply, the Prophetsallallahu alayhi wasallamkept quiet and did not say anything.After some time, another bondsman of the Lord passed by and the Prophetsallallahu alayhi wasallamasked the same person again, “What do you think of him?” He replied, “O Apostle of Allah! He is one of the weak and indigent Muslims. He is such a man that if he makes an offer of marriage anywhere, it will be rejected and if he makes a recommendation in any matter, it will be turned down and if he wants to say anything, it will not be heard.”The Prophetsallallahu alayhi wasallam, thereupon, said,“If peoplelike the one who passed by earlier (are so numerous as to) fill the earth, this weak and poor bondsman is stillbetter than (all of) them.”(Bukhari, Muslim)CommentaryGenerally, material prosperity and worldly eminence are considered to be the criterion of greatness and people are impressed by them while those who are not rich and influential are looked upon as lowly, however good and noble they may befrom the moral and spiritual point of view. The above saying is aimed at removing the folly.It is quite possible that the person who was sitting with the Prophetsallallahu alayhi wasallam, and with whom he was talking to at that time, was also a victim of it and the Prophetsallallahu alayhi wasallamhad spoken to him like that for his correction.Commentators have opined and the words of the Tradition also show that both the persons who passed by were Muslims, but with the differencethat the first one to go past was superior inwealthand position and the second inferior financially and in social rank.It was because of this that the Prophetsallallahu alayhi wasallamremarked that if the likes of the first mentioned were so numerous that the earth was filled with them, the poor and the needy bondsman who passed by later would by himself be better and nobler than all of them.It is related by Abu Hurairahradhiyallahu anhuthat the Apostle ofAllahsallallahu alayhi wasallamsaid:“Many among those whose hair are dishevelled and bodies covered with dust and who are pushed away from the door (due to their apparent wretchedness) occupysuch a lofty place in the sight of the Lord, that if they vow in the name of Allah: Allah will surely fulfil their vow.”(Muslim)CommentaryIt shows that no one should be scorned at or rejected as inferior because of his unkempt and untidy condition. Some of them attain a position of such nearness and preference with the Lord, by effacing themselves for His sake, that if, relying upon Him they swear about a thing that it will or will not be that way, Allah does not put them to shame and makes it happen accordingly.It is worth remembering that the object of the above Tradition is not toencourage squalor and untidiness, as some people imagine. From the Prophet’ssallallahu alayhi wasallamsayings and other biographical accounts it is clear that he, generally liked to be neat and clean and advised others also not to be dirty and ill-clad. When he saw anyone going to the extreme of self-denial and wearing dirty and tattered clothes and caring nothing for their appearance, he reproved them sternly. This Tradition is intended merely to give a warning advice to those who regard the poor and destitute bondsmen of the Lord as despicable and do not want to mixwith them due to self-conceit.

Charity

Asma’a reported that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w said: “Spend and don’tcount lest Allah counts for you, and don’t hoard up lest Allah withhold from you. Spend what you can.Bukhari & MuslimCommentary:If you keep strict account of your charity, Allah will also keep strict account of His gifts andwealthon you. This principle applies everywhere. Suppose a rich father gave his son some coins of silver andthen asked back for one of them. He did not return it fearing that it would fall short of purchasing sweets. His father laughed and said: “How foolish is the boy! He does not understand where the money comes from.” Had he returned it to him, he would have given him more, becausea father, is pleased with his son, he gives more.Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w said: “The Almighty Allah says: O son of Adam! Spend, you will then be spent for.”Bukhari & MuslimCommentary:You will be given wealth and rewards from the treasures of Allah, in case you give away in charity, because a cistern when vacated is usually filled up and that which remains filled up without consumption is not at all filled up. The Qur’an says: “And whatever thing you spend, it will be given in exchange.”Abu Omamah reported that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w said: “O son of Adam! That you spend wealth is good for you and that you withhold it is bad for you, and you should not be backbitten for miserliness. Begin with those who are in you family.”MuslimCommentary:First of all, every man should provide the necessities to his family membersand then there is the question of charity in case of surplus. In such a case, a gift to family members will bring greater rewards than a gift to strangers.Source: Bilal Academy

Insatiable Desire

It is related by Abdullah bin Abbas that the Apostle of God said: “Even if a man possesses two fields and two forests full of worldly goods, he will like to have a third, and man’s belly will get filled up only with earth [i.e., his insatiable appetite forwealthwillend only in the grave], and God shows compassion to the bondsmanwho turns his face towards Him.”Bukhari and MuslimCommentary:- Excessive desire for wealth is a common human failing to the extent that if a man’s fields andforests are overflowing with riches he will still not be satisfied and go onwanting an increase in them till the last moment of his life.Fondness for wealth ends only with death. There is a special favour of theLord on those who make Him, and not the material world, the object of their adoration. God grants them contentment and they lead a happy and peaceful life here in this world too.

Replying to One who sneezes

As a right one Muslim enjoys over another, one should reply to the person who sneezes.Hadhrat Anas Bin Malik (رضى الله تعالى عنه) narrates that two people sneezed in the presence of Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم). He replied to one and not the other. The one who did not get the reply of Yar-Hamukullah said: “So and so sneezed and you replied but you did not do so when I sneezed?” The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied: “He said “Alhumdulillah” whilst you failed to say Alhumdulillah.” [Muslim]One of the etiquettes of sneezing is that the sound should be stilted and the nose covered. This ensures that one’s companion are not annoyed if anything comes out of his nose. In the event of any food or person before him, one should turn his face away and sneeze to prevent the particles that emerge from sneezing from falling onto the food or person before him.Whenever our beloved Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم sneezed, he would cover his face with his hands or with a piece of cloth, so that the sound of the sneeze could not be heard too loudly. [Tirmidhi]Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (رضى الله تعالى عنه) said: I heard Allah’s messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say, “When one of you sneezes and praises Allah, invoke a blessing on him, but if he does not praise Allah do not invoke a blessing on him.” [Muslim]Source: The 40 Pathways to Jannah by Sheikh Khalid Sayyid Ali

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

Accepting an Invitation

Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Umar (Radiyallahu anhu) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:“The person who is invited amongst you by his brother should accept the invitation whether it is a wedding invitation or anything similar to it.” [Muslim]Hadhrat Jabir ibn Abdullah (radiallahu anhu) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:“If anyone of you is invited to partake of meals, he should at least accept the invitation. Thereafter he may partake of it if he desires or he may totally abstain from it.” [Muslim]Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:“If anyone of you is invited for meals, he should accept the invitation. If he is fasting, he should make Duaa (of goodness and blessing) for the inviter (some maintain that he should set out and perform salaah atthe host’s house), and if he is not fastin he should partake of the meal.”[Muslim]No excuse will be entertained in declining an invitation. However, if wine and other intoxicants are provided at the invitation or food willbe eaten out of gold and silver utensils or there is a fear of any other evil, one should on no account accept the invitation.If uninvited people accompany one who is invited, he should firstly seek the host’s consent so that he is not annoyed and disheartened (by the arrival of an uninvited guest).Hadhrat Abu Masood Badri (radiallahu anhu) narrates: A certain person invited the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم over for meals. Including the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, food was prepared for 5 people. On the way to the invitation, asixth person joined them. When the group arrived at the door of the host, the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:“This person has also joined us. if you wish to, you may permit him or else he will return.”He (the host) said:“O Prophet of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم,I don’t mind him partaking of the meal.” [Muslim]Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Masood (radiallahu anhu) says that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:“Accept the invitation of he who invites you. Avoid declining a gift and refrain from annoying the Muslims.” [Muslim]Source: The 40 Pathways to Jannah by Sheikh Khalid Sayyid Ali

Accompanying the Janazah

This means that one should accompany the deceased up to his grave. On this he will be granted entry into paradise together with a reward of 2 Qeerats.Hadhrat Thawbaan (R.A.) narrates that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “The one who observes salaah on the deceased receives the reward of one Qeerat whilst he who takes part in the burial as well will be entitled to two Qeerats and each Qeerat is equivalent to Mount Uhad.” [Muslim]Therefore he who wishes to proceed with the Janazah should wait until the end of the burial so that he may earn the reward of two Qeerats. Together with this, the greater the number of people attending the Namaaz, the more beneficial it is for the deceased.Hadhrat Ayesha (R.A.) narrates that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “There is no mayyit (deceased) upon whom a group of one hundred Muslims perform the Janazah Salaah and intercede in his favour but the intercession will be accepted.” [Muslim]Source: The 40 Pathways to Jannah by Sheikh Khalid Sayyid Ali

Virtues of Ramadhan

It is related by Abu Hurairah (RAA) that the Apostle of God (sallallaho alaihi wa sallam) said “When the month of Ramadhan comes, the Gates of Heaven are thrown open and the Gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are put behind bars” In another report, the “Gates of Mercy” are mentioned in place of the “Gates of Heaven”. [Bukhari and Muslim]Commentary – Commenting of this Tradition, Shah Wali-ullah remarks that as the devout bondsmen apply themselves to worship and good-doings during the month of Ramadhan and spend their days in God- remembrance and recitation of the Qur’an while Fasting, and a major part of their nights in Taraweeh and Tahajjud, supplication and repentance, under the influence of their high spirituality and devotional exertions the hearts of the common Muslims, too become more inclined towards prayer and piety and they, on the whole succeed in abstaining from good many sins. Owing to the generation of the atmosphere worship and virtue in the Islamic circles, people who are not wholly disregardful of transcendental truths develop a fondness for things that are pleasing to God and an aversion for acts that are repugnant to Him. moreover, in this blessed month the recompense on even smaller acts of moral goodness is made much greater by God than on other days. In consequence of all this, the gates of Paradise are opened and of Hell are closed for such people and the devils are not left free to tempt and mislead them.It would be clear that all the three things – the throwing open of the gates of Heaven, the shutting up of the gates of Hell and the binding of the devils in chains – are in respect only of the bondsmen who feel disposed towards good-doing in the month of Ramadhan, and out of the keenness to partake of its blessings engage themselves enthusiastically in worship and other religious duties. As for the Apostates, the negligent and the heedless who care little for Divine injunctions and produce no change in their daily lives at the advent of Ramadhan, these tidings do not apply to them,. When they have opted out, of their own accord, for the path of error and omission and taken willingly to follow Satan and doing his bidding there is nothing for them except disappointment with God as well.It is related by Abu Hurairah that the Apostle of Allah (sallallaho alaihi wasallam) said : “When the first night of the month of Ramadhan (comes), the devil’s and defiant Jinn are bound in chains and all the Gates of Hell are closed and non of them remains open and all the Gates of Heaven are thrown open and none of them remains closed and the heavenly herald announces, “O seeker of goodness and virtue! come forward; and O lover of wickedness and evil-doing! Halt, and do not come forward” and a large number of (sinning) bondsmen are released from Hell at the command of God (i.e., decision of forgiveness and deliverance is taken for them), and allthis takes place on every night of Ramadhan.” [Tirmizi and Ibn-i-Maja]Abdullah Bin Abbas narrates that the Apostle of God (sallallaho alaihi wa sallam) was superior to all men in generosity and the doing of good to the people in general, but in the month of Ramadhan his benevolenceknew no bounds. In Ramadhan, Gabriel came to him every night and the Prophet (sallahu alaihi wa sallam) recited the Qur’an to him. During Ramadhan the Prophet (sallaho alaihi wa sallam) appeared to be faster than the wind in generosity and benevolence. [Bukhari and Muslim]From Meaning and Messages of the TraditionsBy Shaykh Mohammad Manzoor Nomani (RA).

Dua When You BecomeAngry

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ“I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan”.(Bukhari, Muslim