Attaining Success

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Zahra

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!

Uncategorized

An Attitude of Gratitude!

Posted on May 3, 2020June 17, 2021 by Zahra

“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.'”
(Surah Ibrahim : 7 )

The English translation doesn’t do justice to the Arabic of this ayah. Allah ﷻ actually uses emphasis 4 times here! This is to remove any doubt about the promise being made.

Someone gives you a gift. Wouldn’t you appreciate it, talk about it and want to return their favour? Every single thing that we have is from Allah ﷻ, whether it’s tangible (like our families, homes, food, transport, etc.) or intangible (knowledge, talent, freedom). How much gratitude does He deserve?

Allah ﷻ is teaching us a simple formula for success here: gratitude leads to increase of blessings. It also preserves the blessing. So whatever blessing you want an increase in, start by being grateful for what you already have. For example, if you want an increase in wealth, be grateful for all that you already have by thanking Allah and spending on others too.

Gratitude isn’t just in words and it’s not one-off, that we thank Allah and that’s it. It’s an attitude. It’s to feel thankful to Allah in the heart, to mention in words, and to express our gratitude with our actions – using the blessing to gain His Pleasure.

Often we become focused on the negatives in our life and complain. We must remember that if gratitude leads to preservation and increase, the opposite of this is also true. Ingratitude may lead to the blessing being taking away! (Bring to mind the story of the man with the two gardens in Surah Kahf)

Remember that there is always good in Allah’s plan for us, even when we can’t see it. Be positive and grateful despite the hardship, and you will definitely see Allah making things easy for you and giving you increase.

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “When a slave is ill, Allah sends two angels to him and says to them, ‘Go and look what my slave says to his visitors’. If he praises Allah and lauds Allah when they come to him, they take that up to Allah, who knows best. Thereupon, Allah He says, ‘If I make my slave die, I will make him enter Paradise. If I heal him, I will replace his flesh with better flesh and his blood with better blood and I will efface his evil actions.'” [Muwatta, Ayn 5, (2; 940)]

Have an attitude of gratitude 💕

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

Uncategorized

Ask for the “Impossible”!

Posted on March 29, 2020April 3, 2020 by Zahra

This is one of my favorite ayahs and it’s from Surah Maryam.

Allah tells us about a dua made by Zachariah عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. It has been preserved as a lesson for all time.

“He said, “My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy.”
(Maryam: 4)

See how Zachariah عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ describes himself. Can you imagine how old he had become? And what was this Prophet asking Allah for?

A child.

Zachariah عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ knew that it was impossible for someone in his state to have a child. But his eyes were fixed not on his own weaknesses but on Allah’s Power.

He is asking with so much hope – expressing how needy he is of Allah. Allah already knows but see how much detail he is using. He is saying: ‘Oh Allah, you have always answered my duas. You never left me empty-handed. I know you will respond to me.’

He didn’t know how Allah was going to do it but he knew that He would. He knew that Allah has no limitations.

He may have been old but his hope in Allah was massive.

The duas of the Prophets were so humble and hopeful. They were conversations with Allah.

Compare this to our duas. How often do we make formal, monotonous duas? How convinced are we that Allah will answer them?

This ayah teaches us how to make dua to Allah. Dua IS worship.

Don’t restrict your duas thinking of your resources. We aren’t asking ourselves, right? We are asking the One who has the treasures of the Heavens and the Earth. Nothing we ask Him is too great!

Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah the Almighty said: I am as My servant thinks I am…” (al-Bukhari)

So make dua being fully convinced that Allah will answer them.

Allah will give.

Allah will forgive.

Allah will protect.

He is Al-Qareeb, The Near One. He is closer to you than your jugular vein. He knows exactly what you are going through.

He is Al-Mujeeb, The Responsive One. He answers all your duas giving more than you even asked for ❤

Photo by raquel raclette on Unsplash

Surah Kahf

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

Posted on January 17, 2020March 22, 2020 by Zahra

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.

Dhul Qarnain followed the ‘path’ to reach his destination (East and West).
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 :).

Surah Kahf

Surah Al-Kahf

Posted on October 11, 2019October 12, 2019 by Zahra

Introduction

Revelation : Makki Surah, between the 8^th and 10^th 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!

Surah Yusuf

Scene 2 – The Plot

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Zahra

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.

Surah Yusuf

Scene 1 – The Dream

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Zahra

It all began with a dream.

About 1800 years before Isa عليه السلام, in Kan’aan, Palestine, a young Yusuf عليه السلام went to his father and told him about an unusual dream he had. He had seen the sun, the moon and 11 stars prostrating to him.

His father was Yaqub عليه السلام, a Prophet. He understood that this was a true dream and interpreted it. The sun and moon symbolized Yusuf’s parents. The stars were his 11 brothers. Yusuf عليه السلام had 1 full brother, Benyamin, and 10 paternal half-brothers.

Yaqub عليه السلام realized that this dream meant that Allah ﷻ was going to choose Yusuf and take him to great heights. It meant that Yusuf was going to rise to such a level that all these people would become submissive to him.

Parents are aware of their kids’ weaknesses right? So Yaqub warned Yusuf to not mention the dream to his brothers. He feared that the brothers would try to hurt him out of jealousy.

قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُؤْيَاكَ عَلَىٰ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا لَكَ كَيْدًا إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
“He said, “O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy.”
( Yusuf : 5 )

And Yaqub was right to fear. Yusuf’s brothers felt that their father loved Yusuf and Benyamin more than them. “Our father is making a mistake.” They felt the solution was to get rid of Yusuf. So they made a plan.

اقْتُلُوا يُوسُفَ أَوِ اطْرَحُوهُ أَرْضًا يَخْلُ لَكُمْ وَجْهُ أَبِيكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا مِن بَعْدِهِ قَوْمًا صَالِحِينَ
“Kill Yusuf (Joseph) or cast him out to [another] land; the countenance of your father will [then] be only for you, and you will be after that a righteous people.”
( Yusuf : 9 )

Lessons

Build a strong connection with your children, so that they will trust you with their concerns. Speak to them with love and kindness.
Only tell your dreams to people you trust.
Don’t make problems for yourself. Avoid boasting about your blessings.

Prophet ﷺ said, “Seek help for fulfilling needs by being discrete [i.e., when you make plans, do not announce it to everyone], for every owner of a blessing is envied.
[Sahih al-Jami’]

Shaytan is a clear and open enemy to you. He wants separation between people. Be on guard from his attacks.
Yaqub was concerned with maintaining peace between his sons. Take an active role to make sure that problems are avoided within family and friendships. Work to resolve conflicts.
The brothers intended to do Tawbah even before committing the sin. People do this to make it easier for them to do the sin. Stay away from this behavior!
The brothers blamed Yusuf for the poor relationship they had with their father. They didn’t stop to think that maybe they were doing something wrong. Maybe it was their own bad behavior. We must reflect on our self before blaming others for our problems.

Surah Yusuf

Surah Yusuf – The Best of Stories

Posted on June 26, 2019June 28, 2019 by Zahra

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!