Tawakkul (Trust in God)

"If you had all relied on Allah (SWT) as you should rely on Him, then He would have provided for you as He provides for the birds, who wake up hungry in the morning and return with full stomachs at dusk."

Tawakkul (Trust in God) By: Umm Thameenah sisters-magazine.com * - "If you had all relied on Allah (SWT) as you should rely on Him, then He would have provided for you as He provides for the birds, who wake up hungry in the morning and return with full stomachs at dusk." [At-Tirmidhi] Do you truly have full trust in Allah (SWT)? There are some of us who strive our utmost to prepare for things wherein no certainty exists, whilst others fail to prepare for certain things wherein lies no doubt. And let us not forget those that believe their destiny is completely in their own hands, whilst their counterparts hold, in what can only be described as 'bravery', that they have full trust in Allah (SWT), thus granting themselves the ticket to do nothing at all. Tawakkul is a light for our hearts and a means for us to seek nearness towards Allah (SWT) in a manner that absolutely nothing else can achieve. The essence of this quality of the heart is built upon two very important pillars: dependence upon Allah and trust in Allah. We may often trust a person, without necessarily depending upon them, and likewise we may depend upon a person without fully trusting them. However when it comes to Our Lord (SWT), both exist simultaneously in perfection. So why are we so ready to trust others, but so quick to question Allah (SWT)? I'm sure we can all recall at least one incident in our lives when we experienced the rahma of Allah (SWT) in disguise. What did we do? What did we say? When one of the innumerable blessings we failed to count and thank our Lord for was unexpectedly taken from us, what thoughts rushed to our minds? What regrettable words came from our mouths? Why has this happened? What did I do wrong? Why has my blessing been taken away from me? Such spur of the moment questions, tainted by our false comprehension that the blessings bestowed upon us belonged to us, in an instant, shakes our building of tawakkul, sometimes causing it to collapse, consequently opening up a door for our enemy -Shaytaan and closing a door for us to Our Beloved (SWT). Sisters, why do we become so devastated at the onset of calamity? Why do we lose all hope? Why do we not simply trust in Allah (SWT)? For every goodness and blessing we own has only been by His Rahma (Mercy). The amaanah (trusts) within our possessions are only ours for a temporary period of time; they belong to Allah and one day we'll have to return them to Him (SWT). When something is taken away from us or we are faced with a calamity, always remember that Allah is testing our Eemaan (faith) and He (SWT) knows that we are strong enough to deal with it, otherwise it would never have come to us in the first place, for Allah (SWT) never burdens a soul with more than it can bear. Have full Tawakkul (trust) in Allah (SWT) and never belittle that trust. For the trust we have in Allah is a path to success and a means to achieving victory. Never lose hope and always remember that the situation of a true believer is always one of goodness: For when they are granted a blessing from Allah (SWT) they praise Him and due to that they are rewarded and their blessings increase and when a calamity strikes they patiently persevere, and as a result of which they are rewarded and granted something better than what they lost. Put your trust in Allah. Allah loves those that trust [in Him]. [Surah al-Imran 3: 159] Know that Allah (SWT) is pleased with those servants who persevere and He (SWT) loves those that trust in Him. Build a strong foundation of trust and allow for it to accompany you in all that you do. For it is a quality that will remain sufficient for you in the matters of this world, your deen (religion) and in the Aakhira (hereafter) insha'Allah. A beautiful example that never fails to touch my heart is that of our mother: Umm Salamah (RA), when her husband Abu Salamah (RA) passed away and she remained steadfast, uttering the best statement at the time of any calamity: 'Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon -Surely to Allah we belong and surely to Him we will return'. And she received exactly as Allah (SWT) promises: blessings and mercy: 'And give good news to those who persevere, those who say, when a misfortune strikes them, Surely to Allah we belong, and surely to Him we will return, these are the ones on whom blessings from their Lord descend, and mercy, and these are the ones who are rightly guided'. [Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 155-157] For who could be better as a husband than Rasoolullah (SAW) -A gift to our mother, Umm Salamah (RA) for her tawakkul in Allah (SWT). It may seem difficult to imagine, and I don't make out that it's always the easiest of things to do. However, with complete conviction, as I too have witnessed such a great blessing from Allah (SWT) after a calamity had befallen me, that if you truly trust in your Lord, with every atom's weight of your heart, Allah will provide for you in ways you could never have imagined. Let us take a moment to ponder over one ayah in the Qur'an, yes, just one ayah. If I asked you to guess which ayah it is, what would you say? Would it even cross your mind that you read this ayah without fail in every single rakat (standing) of your salah? 'You Alone we worship and You Alone we ask for help' [Surah al-Faatihah: 5] "The Opening" This ayah clearly establishes the tawakkul of the believer. Some of the Salaf (early believers) have said, "Al-Faatihah is the secret of the Qur'an, while these words are the secret of Al-Faatihah." So how can we stand before Allah day in and day out, uttering such perfect words of tawakkul, and yet not sincerely mean them? For belief, undoubtedly, must be followed by action. Our Lord (SWT) With His Hikmah, Love and Rahmah knows exactly what is good for us, so let us not be amongst the sinful servants of Allah (SWT) who suspect Him of wrongdoing. So the next time you stand before Allah (SWT) and consult Him in your affairs, don't think He'll give you what is good for you; know with certainty that He (SWT) will: 'Say: "Nothing will befall us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Protector. In Allah let the believers put their trust." [Surah At-Tawbah: 51] Umm Thameenah is a contributing writer to Sisters Magazine

Murid and Murad

From a sister's email:

***
I was inspired to share this because of Imam Zaid's session
"Survival Guide: Nasiha for Muslim Women". His first advice was:
The first quality you must have to survive is the DESIRE to
survive as a Muslim Women. How to get that desire? To increase
your love for Allah subhana wa ta'ala.

Bismillah

The Difference between a Murid and a Murad

The travelers on the path of love are of two types. The first is
called a murid [seeker], and denotes one whose progress is based
on his own effort and worship. The second is called a murad [one
who is sought], and denotes a person whom the Beloved (subhana wa
ta'ala) Himself wishes to draw near to Him.

The difference between a murid and a murad may be understood by
comparing the lives of Prophet Musa (alayhis salaam) and the
blessed Prophet Muhammad (sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam) . Prophet
Musa (alayhis salaam) was a lover of Allah [muhibbullah], while
the blessed Prophet (sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam) was the
beloved of Allah [mabbubullah]. The distinction is hightlighted
by the following examples.

Example Number One

Prophet Musa (alayhis salam) was granted a meeting with Allah
(subhana wa ta'ala) at Mount Sinai. Allah (subhana wa ta'ala)
narrates:

And when Musa came to meet Us. (7:143)

However, when the blessed Prophet (sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam)
was granted a meeting with Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) during the
Ascension [mi'raj], Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) stated:

Glorified is He who brought His slave for a journey at night.
(17:1)

The verb "came" [ja'a] is used for Prophet Musa (alayhis
salaam) whereas the verb "brought" [asra] is used for the
blessed Prophet (sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam). Prophet Musa
(alayhis salaam) was told where to come for the meeting, whereas
the blessed Prophet (sallullahu alayhi wasallam) was sent an
angel to bring him to the meeting.

Example Number Two

Prophet Musa (alayhis salaam) prayed:

O my Lord, expand my breast for me. (20:25)

Whereas, regarding the blessed Prophet (sallullahu 'alayhi
wasallam), Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) revealed:

Have We not expanded for you your breast? (94:1)

Example Number Three

Prophet Musa (alayhis salaam) had to climb Mount Sinai to
recieve revelation, whereas the Quran was sent to the blessed
Prophet (sallullahu 'alayhi wasallam)

It is he (Gabriel) who has revealed (this scripture) upon your
heart by Allah's leave. (2:97)



The ways of love dictate that the lover [muhibb] hopes and
desires to meet the Beloved [mahhub] subhana wa ta'ala. Yet
sometimes the Beloved (subhana wa ta'ala) also desires that the
lover come to meet Him. And when the Beloved (subhana wa ta'ala)
also wishesd to meet, then it becomes easy to draw near to Him.

When the Most Beautiful One (subhana wa ta'ala) arranges a
meeting, then the true pleasure of love ['ishq] is attained.
When the lover knows the Beloved (subhana wa ta'ala) loves him
well, then his happiness knows no bounds.

The love of the lover manifests in deep sighs of longing, whereas
the love of the Beloved (subhana wa ta'ala) is subtle and
hidden. The love of the lover weakens his body, while the love
of the Beloved (subhana wa ta'ala) invigorates the lover's body.

When Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) bestows His grace upon a servant,
He opens the way to reach Him. Then the remembrance [dhikr] of
Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) predominates.



****Quoted from "Love for Allah" A Translation of 'Ishq Illahi,
Faqir Zulfiqar Ahamda Naqshbandi, pg 111.

I have omitted the passages of poetry to keep the article
somewhat brief :)

Wasalaam.


"The total and lasting mistake is to have free time and not
betake yourself to Him, or the obstacles to be few, and not
journey to Him" : Ibn Ata Illah

Allah's Special Selection

An excerpt from
Ramadan Nights : Laylat el Qadr: The Night of Power

By Amr Khaled

Translated by www.daralislamlive. com

He chose from all the nights, one night, which he called Laylat Al Qadr. Not only that, but he chose the people who accomplish this night. The angels which come down on this day were chosen above the rest to come down on this night. This is what I wanted you to feel, that you wish it to be you.

Now to us, there are so many things He selected you with. First, He chose you out of the millions of creation and made you a human. Sometimes when one is walking along you see a lonely dog and you may think…I wonder, who knows…He chose me to be a human. And He selected you to be from the nation of Mohammad (PBUH). And he selected you from all those millions to be able to read Arabic while others can't read the Qur'an. Then He selected you and made you able to pray, and cry at the humility to Allah. Then He selected you again for praying in the mosques, or wearing the veil, or learning more about your religion. Then He selected you again to know about Laylat alQadr. Look at how beautiful being specially chosen by Allah is. An example of the feeling of being selected like this is like when you admire someone so much, and everyone is looking at him but you are standing far away, then he looks at you and calls you over and gives you his phone number saying let's keep in touch. Then you call him but you think he's not going to answer but he does, and you increase in happiness that he chose you. Then he says come even closer to me and work with me. In this world, if someone famous does this with you and brings you closer, your heart will be filled with happiness. Allah is letting you come closer on this night! Why don't you present yourself to Him? How? By 2 prostrations in the night, with strong prayers from your heart, with a heart filled with humility, with a gaze you are averting. "Please Allah, choose me more and select me with this night."

Heartbeat "Rabb Rabb"?!

Bismillahi Ta'ala wa Assalamualaykum wa Rahmatullah,

A friend sent this to me. Subhan'Allah if this is true! Let me know what you think:

A scientist has proved that the voice which comes from the heartbeat is

"dub dub".But now they analyze that it is "rub rub" ."Rabb" is an Arabic word for God that means: One who made each and everything in the universe and who has the command on everything, which is ALLAH........so it means every heartbeat says;"ALLAH!!!!!"

Gratitude in Differing Perspectives

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the
express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered:

"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Appreciate every single thing you have, and never forget to give thanks to Allah swt. Instead of looking at someone who has more and is 'better off' in the worldly sense, look at those who are less fortunate than you and this will compel you to be grateful and find contentment. A valuable prophetic tradition states to the nearest meaning: One who does not show gratitude to people does not show gratitude to the Almighty. In addition, to express gratitude over a bounty or favour is one of the 77 branches of faith

Tawfiq, insha'Allah
Was'salaam

Remembering God the Almighty

Allah Ta'ala states in the Glorious Qur'an:

8:2 For, Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a
tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find
their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust in their Lord;

17:44 The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare
His glory: there is not a thing but celebrates His praise; And yet ye
understand not how they declare His glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbear,
Most Forgiving

41. O ye who believe! Celebrate the praises of Allah, and do this often;

42. And glorify Him morning and evening.

43. He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may
bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full
of Mercy to the Believers.

44. Their salutation on the Day they meet Him will be "Peace!"; and He
has prepared for them a generous Reward.

24:37 By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the
Remembrance of Allah, nor from regular Prayer, nor from the practice
of regular Charity: Their (only) fear is for the Day when hearts and
eyes will be transformed (in a world wholly new),-

39:22 Is one whose heart Allah has opened to Islam, so that he has
received Enlightenment from Allah, (no better than one hard-hearted)?
Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against celebrating the praises
of Allah. they are manifestly wandering (in error)!

13:28 "Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the
remembrance of Allah. for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do
hearts find satisfaction.

29:45 Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and
establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and
unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life)
without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do.

39:23 Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful
Message in the form of a Book, consistent with itself, (yet) repeating
(its teaching in various aspects): the skins of those who fear their
Lord tremble thereat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to
the celebration of Allah's praises.Such is the guidance of Allah. He
guides therewith whom He pleases, but such as Allah leaves to stray,
can have none to guide

57:16 Has not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in
all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the
Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not
become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long
ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them
are rebellious transgressors.

58:19 The Evil One has got the better of them: so he has made them
lose the remembrance of Allah. They are the Party of the Evil One.
Truly, it is the Party of the Evil One that will perish!

63:9 O ye who believe! Let not your riches or your children divert you
from the remembrance of Allah. If any act thus, the loss is their own.