Auspicious days that should never be missed!
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that there are five nights in a year when duas are not rejected:
1. The night of Juma (Thursday night)
2. The first night of Rajab
3. The fifteenth night of Sha’baan
4. The night of Eidul Fitir (Hari Raya Puasa)
5. The night of Eidul Adha (Hari Raya Haj)
On above stated nights an important night that all Muslims should look forward to is Barat Night. “Barat” means being freed of something having no sins or crimes. On this night it is hoped that believers will be freed of their burden of sins and that they will attain divine forgiveness. This is on the 15th night of shabaan( 8th month in islamic calendar). On this night all deeds done during the year will be presented to Allah(swt) and the following years accords will b written therefore committing sins during this night deprives a person of getting blessings.
Hazrat Ayesha (radiyallahu anhaa) states: “One night I discovered that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was missing from his bed. I went out looking for him and found him in Baqee (the cemetery of Madinah), with his head raised to the heavens (while making dua). The messenger of Allah then said to me: “Verily Allah descends to the first heaven on the middle night of Sha’baan (15th) and forgives more people than the amount of hair on the flocks of the kalb tribe.(Baihaqi) The following people are excluded from this widespread maghfirat of Allah:
1) The Kaafir and Mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah).
2) One who is disobedient to parents.
3) Two Muslims who bear enmity towards each other . Allah waits for them to make up and seek each other’s pardon before enveloping them with his Mercy and forgiveness.
4)The robber. (Narrated by Imam Baihaqi)
”Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious looks down on the middle night of Shabaan and forgives all His creation except two people, the innovator and the murderer.” Transmitted by Ahmad.
Ummul Mu’mineen ’Aishah (r), says, “Prophet Muhammad (saw) , used to fast for most of Shaban. I said to him, ‘Messenger of Allah, is Shaban your favorite month for fasting?’ He said, ‘In this month Allah prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, like that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting.’ “
After knowing the facts of Laylatul Barat, I’m sure this will become a night for us to look forward to. In this world, we are prone to many sufferings , financial difficulties, family problems, arguments and lots of other haram behaviours knowingly or unknowingly. We may feel impure and wanting a change in our lives, seeking for peace and blessings. This day laylatul barat is a heavenly gift we got from Allah (s.w.t) to ask for forgiveness and repent and not only that but to get blessings for the following year.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Here I go again..
Salaam to all. I'm writing again after a considerable amount of break. Well, this year has been good as well as exciting and eventful for me. Alhamdulillah. I got married :) and I am now staying in Malaysia, a Muslim country. I just wanted to share my thoughts, opinions and learning that I come across while I stay here.
One of the things I love about Malaysia is that I can get Halal food almost wherever I go. Well, not to mention that my husband has started complaining of me gaining a couple of pounds here and there *giggles*. It is only just that we get a good supply of Halal food here as the population of Muslims is really huge. Due importance and respect is given to other religions as well.
There's alot of importance given to prayer. I see many men rushing to the nearby mosques once the Azan is heard. Oh, and you spot Surau(a proper place designated just for prayer) almost in every instituion/commercial building. Each mosque is located at a stone's throwaway distance apart. The culture here is such that people usually pray. Hence, we can spot water facilities and Muslim friendly practices in common washrooms.
While having a conversation with my husband on the education system in Malaysia, I was suprised to know that kids are taught to practice the Sunnah way of living from schools. Alot of the Sunnah manners that I read in the net or from books, folks here already know.Whether thay practice it or not, depends on the individual.
I don't go out that often and I, for now, am a stay home wife. But these are all that I have come across. My parents in law are performing their Haj right now. And I request all readers to kindly doa for their safe return and for their pilgrimage to be accepted by Allah s.w.t. May the Almighty bless them with the due rewards.
Ameen.
One of the things I love about Malaysia is that I can get Halal food almost wherever I go. Well, not to mention that my husband has started complaining of me gaining a couple of pounds here and there *giggles*. It is only just that we get a good supply of Halal food here as the population of Muslims is really huge. Due importance and respect is given to other religions as well.
There's alot of importance given to prayer. I see many men rushing to the nearby mosques once the Azan is heard. Oh, and you spot Surau(a proper place designated just for prayer) almost in every instituion/commercial building. Each mosque is located at a stone's throwaway distance apart. The culture here is such that people usually pray. Hence, we can spot water facilities and Muslim friendly practices in common washrooms.
While having a conversation with my husband on the education system in Malaysia, I was suprised to know that kids are taught to practice the Sunnah way of living from schools. Alot of the Sunnah manners that I read in the net or from books, folks here already know.Whether thay practice it or not, depends on the individual.
I don't go out that often and I, for now, am a stay home wife. But these are all that I have come across. My parents in law are performing their Haj right now. And I request all readers to kindly doa for their safe return and for their pilgrimage to be accepted by Allah s.w.t. May the Almighty bless them with the due rewards.
Ameen.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
I'm just taking a peek at you!
Dear all.. My apologies on not blogging as usual. I've started to work and its been 5 months since I started slogging for Citibank. I'm thankful that i got a job 2 weeks right after i got my results.So, i'm not going to complain even if my job overworks and underpays me.. It all happens for a reason, Alhamdullilah. I just wanted to share some thots on money management. i don't earn big bucks. But, no matter how small, or how big, money management is very very important.
Alhamdullilah, i have started to donate more now. more for the less fortunate, more for religious function. i have learnt that Allah has blessed me more than what i need because he wants to test if i care to share :)
I have started making a list of each expenditure i make. even the smallest. In that way, i keep track of my outward funds and i won't be alarmed when my bank balance hits low at the end of the month.
Another way i manage my money is to keep thinking that 'This is too expensive'. i know, i'm cheating myself. Lol. Before i started working, i felt that a watch that costs SGD50 is expensive. Now that i earn, i can afford that easily. But, to refrain myself from spending on materialistic stuff, i still keep thinking that the SGD50 watch is expensive!
We have to be thankful for the money we have today, that we did not have yesterday. Allah tests us through children and money, my mom used to say. So, even if we earn a million per day, Always remember that what we have today is all that we owe to Allah. We are not gonna take it with us when we go, but we each cent is accountable.
Think twice before you spend a cent, cos there are many who can't even afford that.
Alhamdullilah, i have started to donate more now. more for the less fortunate, more for religious function. i have learnt that Allah has blessed me more than what i need because he wants to test if i care to share :)
I have started making a list of each expenditure i make. even the smallest. In that way, i keep track of my outward funds and i won't be alarmed when my bank balance hits low at the end of the month.
Another way i manage my money is to keep thinking that 'This is too expensive'. i know, i'm cheating myself. Lol. Before i started working, i felt that a watch that costs SGD50 is expensive. Now that i earn, i can afford that easily. But, to refrain myself from spending on materialistic stuff, i still keep thinking that the SGD50 watch is expensive!
We have to be thankful for the money we have today, that we did not have yesterday. Allah tests us through children and money, my mom used to say. So, even if we earn a million per day, Always remember that what we have today is all that we owe to Allah. We are not gonna take it with us when we go, but we each cent is accountable.
Think twice before you spend a cent, cos there are many who can't even afford that.
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Honest Gardener
Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “A believer’s natural disposition might comprise any trait other than treachery and untruthfulness.” [Ahmed]
In the following story we have a beautiful example of the honest character of a believer (Momin). Ibraheem bin Adhem was the king of Balkh before he exchanged his kingdom for the life of an ascetic worshipper.
One day Ibraheem bin Adhem was working as a gardener when his master asked him to give him some pomegranates. He brought several, but they were all sour. His employer said, “You have been in my employment for such a long time, and yet you do not know which of the pomegranates is sweet?” Ibraheem answered, “I was employed to tend them, not to taste them; then how can I know which ones are sweet?”
In the following story we have a beautiful example of the honest character of a believer (Momin). Ibraheem bin Adhem was the king of Balkh before he exchanged his kingdom for the life of an ascetic worshipper.
One day Ibraheem bin Adhem was working as a gardener when his master asked him to give him some pomegranates. He brought several, but they were all sour. His employer said, “You have been in my employment for such a long time, and yet you do not know which of the pomegranates is sweet?” Ibraheem answered, “I was employed to tend them, not to taste them; then how can I know which ones are sweet?”
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Friends of Allah
Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah Most High says, ‘He who is hostile to a friend (wali) of Mine I declare war against. My slave approaches Me with nothing more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory for him, and My slave keeps drawing nearer to Me with voluntary works until I love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he seizes, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks Me, I will surely give to him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely protect him.’” [Sahih Bukhari]
Allah’s friends are those who are constant and sincere in obedience to Him. A friend (wali) of Allah is one who is close to Him because of his devotion to Him, through obeying His commands and shunning the acts which he has forbidden. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) declares war, a very severe threat, against those who harass people only because of their Islam. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says that He will fight such people Himself. And whoever such a thing should happen to should expect only the worst possible things to happen to him or her.
This hadith also tells us that the Obligatory deeds (Faraid) are the most beloved to Allah. Nothing makes Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) happier than performance of Faraid and keeping away from the forbidden (Haraam) deeds. This is what makes a person a friend of Allah. We must keep the performance of Obligatory (Fard) and Recommended (Sunnah/Nafl) deeds in perspective. It is said that the Recommended amount to but one-seventieth of the value of an Obligatory act. [Reliance of the Traveller]
Thus, whoever draws near to Allah through what is Obligatory, and then through the Recommended deeds, Allah draws him nearer and elevates him from the level of true faith (iman) to the level of perfection of faith (ihsan). The consequence of this is the preservation of the individual’s whole person, so that he forsakes selfish desire and is wholly absorbed in obedience. This hadith is also a metaphor for Allah’s help and assistance, so that Allah Most High helps the Momin to perceive what He wants him to perceive and do through his limbs what He wants him to do.
When a Momin becomes a friend of Allah’s, Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) grants the Momin what he asks for. This happened to many of the early Muslims. And Allah protects such a person from whatever he fears. Whoever draws near to Allah through the above will not have his duas rejected.
Allah’s friends are those who are constant and sincere in obedience to Him. A friend (wali) of Allah is one who is close to Him because of his devotion to Him, through obeying His commands and shunning the acts which he has forbidden. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) declares war, a very severe threat, against those who harass people only because of their Islam. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) says that He will fight such people Himself. And whoever such a thing should happen to should expect only the worst possible things to happen to him or her.
This hadith also tells us that the Obligatory deeds (Faraid) are the most beloved to Allah. Nothing makes Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) happier than performance of Faraid and keeping away from the forbidden (Haraam) deeds. This is what makes a person a friend of Allah. We must keep the performance of Obligatory (Fard) and Recommended (Sunnah/Nafl) deeds in perspective. It is said that the Recommended amount to but one-seventieth of the value of an Obligatory act. [Reliance of the Traveller]
Thus, whoever draws near to Allah through what is Obligatory, and then through the Recommended deeds, Allah draws him nearer and elevates him from the level of true faith (iman) to the level of perfection of faith (ihsan). The consequence of this is the preservation of the individual’s whole person, so that he forsakes selfish desire and is wholly absorbed in obedience. This hadith is also a metaphor for Allah’s help and assistance, so that Allah Most High helps the Momin to perceive what He wants him to perceive and do through his limbs what He wants him to do.
When a Momin becomes a friend of Allah’s, Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) grants the Momin what he asks for. This happened to many of the early Muslims. And Allah protects such a person from whatever he fears. Whoever draws near to Allah through the above will not have his duas rejected.
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