Tag: dropintheocean

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Attaining Success

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What is success? Everyone has a different definition of success – having your own house, having this degree, some title, having lots of followers on social media. But what is the real standard of success? Allah says: 

Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

[Ali ‘Imran: 185]

Some on the Day of Judgement will be taken to Jahannam to be purified of their sins before they enter Jannah. In the above ayah, Allah tells us that true success is to not even go to the Fire, a direct flight to Jannah! Success isn’t what people chase after in Dunya. The Dunya is only a tool that we must use to earn the Akhirah. The deception of life is that we think we live forever. And when we become heedless, that’s when we fall prey. We begin to think that the Dunya is everything & we get busy chasing after it, forgetting the Akhirah. When we understand reality, we are able to cope with all the ups & downs of this life.

Stay alert, keep reminding yourself & strive for the real home of the Akhirah. That’s your goal. Keep your eyes on the prize and live with purpose.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “What is the parable of this worldly life, in comparison to the Hereafter, but one of you dipping his finger in the sea? Let him see what he brings forth.”

[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2858]

May Allah make us of those who enter Jannah bi ghairi hisab, Aameen! 

Posted in Surah Kahf

“So he followed a way” (Al – Kahf : 85)

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فَأَتۡبَعَ سَبَبًا

So he followed a way”

(Al – Kahf : 85)

When you recite Surah Kahf you will notice these words repeated. This ayah comes in context of the fourth story in Surah Kahf ; the story of Dhul Qarnain.

The word Sababa means something through which something else is acquired. So it gives the meaning of ’cause’, ‘reason’, ‘access’, ‘means’, ‘ways’. This includes all tangible (g, a rope, ladder, transport) and intangible means (eg; friendships. knowledge, skill) It can also mean a ‘path’ which is a means to reach a destination.

Allah tells us in the previous ayah that He gave Dhul Qarnain all the means he needed to achieve his goals : “and We gave him to everything a way (Sababa)”

So this ayah (al Kahf : 85) can mean two things.

  1. Dhul Qarnain followed the ‘path’ to reach his destination (East and West).
  2. Dhul Qarnain TOOK USE of the means he was provided. He was given dominion, power, knowledge, strength, a great army, equipment, connections, and much more. These means didn’t consume him. He didn’t get lost in them. He put the means to use and he achieved his goals. This was his intelligence.

See, many are given Asbaab but don’t use it properly. Some asbaab have been give to all. We all have the same 24 hours but some people are more productive than others. you have to USE the asbaab if you want to achieve anything in life.

Why is it that we don’t benefit from the asbaab? One of the main reasons could be, failing to see the asbaab. The asbaab are blessings that we have been given. If we are constantly looking at what we don’t have, how will we be able to recognize and be grateful for what we have?

The Sahaba radiya Allahu anhum achieved so much in their lives. What was the reason for this? It was their simplicity. We have complicated our lives by gathering things. This leads to clutter not just around us, but also in our minds. We are confused as to how to use the asbaab.

This ayah also teaches us that the believer USES the resources. There is no piety in shunning the means. Benefit from what you have been blessed with and make your legacy.

Everything you have is a tool you can use. Allah wants you to achieve your goals. If you use the Asbaab to seek His Pleasure, remember that He is Ash-Shakoor, the Most Appreciative One. He will multiply and preserve your effort. This surah is proof of this! Look at how Allah preserved the sacrifice of the youth, the advice of the poor friend to his rich companion, the journey of Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, and the efforts of Dhul Qarnayn. Allah revealed it to us in His Book and kept it as a lesson for us until the end of time Subhaanallah!

So reflect on the means Allah has given you. Are you using them all? How can you better use them?

Just two words in the Quran but with a wealth of meaning, Subhaanallah :).

Posted in Surah Kahf

Surah Al-Kahf

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Introduction

Revelation : Makki Surah, between the 8th and 10th years of Prophethood.

Count : over 6000 letters (atleast 60,000 hasanat)

Virtues

1. Source of Light in Dunya and Akhirah

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever recites Surah al-Kahf on Friday, it will illuminate for him a light between the two Fridays.

[at-Targheeb wat-tarheeb]

The “light” here is referring to spiritual light in the Dunya that illuminates the path between what is good and bad, true and false. This surah teaches many lessons. It guides to what is beneficial and shows how to avoid evil and sins.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Whoever recites Surah al-Kahf as it was revealed, then it will be a light for him on the Day of Judgment from his place to Makkah.”

[al-Tabarani]

The “light” on the Day of Resurrections refers to a physical, visible light! Each person’s spiritual condition in the Dunya will be reflected physically on that Day.

The time for recitation is between the maghrib of Thursday to the maghrib of Friday.

2. Protection from dajjal

The Prophet (ﷺ) “Whoever memorizes ten aayaat from the beginning of Surat Al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjal.” In another narration, “the last 10 aayaat.”

(Sahih Muslim)

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mentioned the Dajjal (Antichrist) saying: If he comes forth while I am among you I shall be the one who will dispute with him on your behalf, but if he comes forth when I am not among you, a man must dispute on his own behalf, and Allah will take my place in looking after every Muslim. Those of you who live up to his time should recite over him the opening verses of Surat al – Kahf, for they are your protection from his trial. We asked: How long will he remain on the earth ? He replied : Forty days, one like a year, one like a month, one like a week, and rest of his days like yours. We asked : Messenger of Allah, will one day’s prayer suffice us in this day which will be like a year ? He replied : No, you must make an estimate of its extent. Then Jesus son of Marry will descend at the white minaret to the east of Damascus. He will then catch him up at the date of Ludd and kill him.

(Sunan Abi Dawud)

3. Tranquility descends

Ibn Ishaq reported: I heard al-Bara’ as saying that a man recited al-Kahf when an animal was there in the house and it began to take fright. And as he looked around, he found a cloud overshadowing it. He mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Upon this he said: O so and so, recite on (the surah) as- Sakina descends at the (recitation of the Qur’an) or on account (of the recitation) of the Qur’an.

(Sahih Muslim)

4. Rewards!

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.”

Sahih al-Bukhari

May Allah make it easy for us all to follow the Sunnah and to recite this powerful surah every friday, aameen!

Posted in Surah Yusuf

Scene 2 – The Plot

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The brothers approached Yaqub عليه السلام. You know how emotional blackmail is a very powerful tool? That’s what they used.

They wondered why their father didn’t trust them with Yusuf. They wanted to take Yusuf out with them the next day to have some fun. They would take care of him.

But Yaqub was hesitant. What if a wolf attacked Yusuf while they were off guard?

They insisted and were eventually able to convince Yaqub عليه السلام.

The brothers took Yusuf away and abandoned him in a dark well.

But in the well, in his loneliness, Allah gave Yusuf عليه السلام hope.

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِ لَتُنَبِّئَنَّهُم بِأَمْرِهِمْ هَٰذَا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
“But We inspired to him, “You will surely inform them [someday] about this affair of theirs while they do not perceive [your identity].”

( Yusuf : 15 )

That night, the brothers returned to their father crying. They told him about how they had left Yusuf with their belongings while they were racing, and that a wolf had eaten him. They even had a shirt with false blood as “proof”.

Yaqub عليه السلام saw through the lie.

قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَاللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
“He [Yaqub] said, “Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe.”

( Yusuf : 18 )

Lessons

  • The danger of jealousy and envy. Protect yourself from it and work to remove it from your heart.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Beware of envy because envy consumes (destroys) the virtues just as the fire consumes the firewood,” or he said “grass.”

[Abu Dawud]
  • Your greatest achievements could begin from your greatest pain. There is a reason behind every event that happens in your life. Allah is the Best Planner. He is preparing you for a much greater responsibility.
  • It doesn’t matter how much you try to predict what will happen and try to stop it from happening, you can’t stop Qadr. If Allah willed something, there is a wisdom and goodness in it for you.
  • Place your hope only in Allah. Seek only from Him, not from people. Seek His Pleasure, and He will give you success with people too.
  • The brothers hoped to win their father’s love, but they didn’t. Sometimes we think that doing something bad will solve a problem, but it won’t. It will only make it worse.
  • The blessings and beauty of patience.
Posted in Surah Yusuf

Surah Yusuf – The Best of Stories

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Allah subahaana wa ta’ala tells us:

We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur’an although you were, before it, among the unaware.

( Surah Yusuf : 3 )

 What makes Surah Yusuf the best of stories? Let’s try to understand:

  • Who’s telling the story? Allah ﷻ ! Is there any one truer than Him?
  • It’s a true story based on facts.
  • It’s in Arabic, which is the most powerful and moving language.
  • It has everything a good story needs – it’s captivating, persuasive, has a strong theme, an appealing style, unforgettable characters
  • It’s about one of the best people:

The people said, “O Allah’s Messenger ﷺ ! Who is the most honorable amongst the people (in Allah’s Sight)?” He said, “The most righteous amongst them.” They said, “We do not ask you, about this.” He said, “Then Yusuf, Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s Prophet the son of Allah’s Khalil (i.e. Ibrahim).”

[al-Bukhari]
  • It has a purpose, which is to take a lesson.
  • It covers many important topics including – the prophets, the righteous, sinners, angels, satans, kings, slaves, business, dreams, knowledge, men and women interactions, fiqh, politics, prison, patience, even gossip!