The Empty Chair

A man's daughter had asked the local moulana to come and pray with her sickly father. When the moulana arrived he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The moulana assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.

"I guess you were expecting me", he said.

"No, who are you?" asked the father.

The moulana told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up,"

"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"

Puzzled, the moulana shut the door. "I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At Mosque I used to hear the Imam talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day, four years ago, my best friend said to me: 'Yusuf, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Allah. Here is what I suggest: sit down in a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith speak to Allah on the chair. It's not spooky because the Almighty promises, I will be with you always. Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now." So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."

The Moulana was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the Mosque. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the Moulana that her daddy had died that afternoon.
"Did he die in peace?" he asked.

"Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?"

The Moulana wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.
I asked Allah for water, He gave me an ocean.
I asked Allah for a flower, He gave me a garden.
I asked Allah for a friend, He gave me all of YOU...
If Allah brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise Allah.
Difficult moments, seek Allah
Quiet moments, worship Allah.
Painful moments, trust Allah.
Every moment,
Thank Allah.

***

The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'What an extraordinary thing the business of the believer is! All of it is good for him. And that only applies to the believer. If good fortune is his lot, he is grateful and it is good for him. If something harmful happens to him, he is steadfast and that is good for him too.'" [Muslim]

God Works in Mysterious Ways

Peace to all. Allahu Akbar, God is truly the Greatest. He is the only Being that knows us inside and out and knows the condition of our hearts. He knows what tomorrow holds and smiles (not literally) at His servant who feels down, for He knows that there is something better in store for them tomorrow. He blesses every one of his wise actions with khayr and goodness and He Himself states in the Holy Qur'an: verily, after every difficulty there is ease.

Today I was working on something online and, due to recent occurrences, I wasn't feeling as positive as I normally do. I was hoping that some tranquility would descend into my heart and lo! and behold! (sorry, I didn't intend to sound like a Christian televangelist) a sister that must have emailed me once in my life decided to send me a forward. I figured I would check it out, in case there's some important info in it. Immediately in HUGE letters these words jumped at me:

Allah(Swt) is going to bless you!! Good things happen when you least expect them to !!!!!!!!

Subhan'Allah! I was so shocked that the message was so relevant to my situation that I think I must have re-read it 10 times. When I saw there was more and started to read the rest of the email, each line seemed to speak directly to me. It made me realize how ungrateful and self-centered we can be when it comes to our own personal problems or issues, and don't realize the immense blessings that we are overlooking: our vision, our hearing, our minds, our hearts, our Belief. God truly is the Greatest.

The du'aa reads:

Oh Allah, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving Allah and an understanding Allah. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

Continue to use me to do what You will, Oh Allah!

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I make duah for those that are lost and can't find their way. I make duah for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I make duah for those who don't know You . I make duah for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe. I believe that Allah (Swt) changes people and Allah (Swt) changes things. I make duah for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I make duah for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I make duah that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than our Rabb. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I make duah that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees
it, Inshallah

Ameen

A Wife...Your Whole World

A Talk by Shaykh Abdullah Adhami

By getting married you are not just getting a wife, you are getting your whole world. From now until the rest of your days your wife will be your partner, your companion, and your best friend.

She will share your moments, your days, and your years. She will share your joys and sorrows, your successes and failures, your dreams and your fears. When you are ill, she will take the best care of you; when you need help, she will do all she can for you;

When you have a secret, she will keep it; when you need advice, she will give you the best advice. She will always be with you: when you wake up in the morning the first thing your eyes will see will be hers; during the day, she will be with you, if for a moment she is not with you by her physical body, she will be thinking of you, praying for you with all her heart, mind, and soul; when you go to sleep at night, the last thing your eyes will see will be her; and when you are asleep you will still see her in your dreams. In short, she will be your whole world and you will be her whole world.

The best description that I personally have ever read describing the closeness of the spouses to each other is the Qur'anic verse which says: "they are your garments and you are their garments" (Surah Al Baqarah 2:187). Indeed, spouses are like garments to each other because they provide one another with the protection, the comfort, the cover, the support, and the adornment that garments provide to humans. Just imagine a journey in the winter of Alaska without garments! Our spouses provide us with the same level of comfort, protection, cover, and support in the journey of our lives on this earth as garments would do in the Alaskan journey.

The relationship between the spouses is the most amazing of all human relations: the amount of love and affection, intimacy and closeness, mercy and compassion, peace and tranquillity that fills the hearts of the spouses is simply inexplicable. The only rational explanation for these most amazing of all human feelings is that: it is an act of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, "And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions) of your own nature ..." (Surah Al Nahl 16:72)

Only our Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala in His Infinite Power, Boundless Mercy, and Great Wisdom can create and ingrain these amazing and blessed feelings in the hearts of the spouses. In fact Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is reminding those who search for His signs in the universe that these feelings in the hearts of the spouses are among the signs that should guide humans to His existence as He says in the Qur'an, "And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquillity with them and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: verily in that are signs for those who reflect." (Surah Al Rum 30:21)

But Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala knows that the human heart is not a static entity, it is sometimes weak and at times dynamic. Feelings can and do change with time. Love may wither and fade away. The marital bond might weaken if not properly cared for. Happiness in marriage cannot be taken for granted; continuous happiness requires constant giving from both sides. For the tree of marital love to remain alive and keep growing, the soil has to be sustained, maintained, watered and nurtured.

Remember that our Prophet Muhammad Salallaahu 'Alayhi wa'sallaam had found the time to go out to the desert and race with his wife Aisha. She out ran him but later after she had gained some weight, he out ran her.

Remember that you will be rewarded by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for any emotions you show to your wife as the Prophet Salallaahu 'Alayhi wa'sallaam said "one would be rewarded for anything that he does seeking the pleasure of Allah even the food that he puts in the mouth of his wife."

Never underestimate the importance of seemingly little things as putting food in your wife's mouth, opening the car's door for her, etc. Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam used to extend his knee to his wife to assist her up to ride the camel.

Try to always find some time for both of you to pray together. Strengthening the bond between you and Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is the best guarantee that your own marital bond would always remain strong. Having peace with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will always result in having more peace at home.

Remember that the Prophet Salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallaam gave glad tidings for those couples who wake up at night to pray together. The Prophet Salallaahu 'alayhi wa'sallaam even urged the spouse who rises up first to wake the other spouse up even by throwing cold water on his/her face.

Always try your best to be good to your wife by words and by deeds. Talk to her, smile to her, seek her advice, ask for her opinion, spend quality time with her and always remember that the Prophet Salallaahu `Alayhi wa'sallaam said "the best of you are those who are best to their wives."

Finally, it is common that spouses vow to love and honor their spouses until death do them part. I do believe that this vow is good or even great, but not enough! It is not enough that you love your wife. You have to love what she loves as well. Her family and her loved ones must also become your loved ones. Don't be like my colleague who was unhappy about his wife's parents coming to visit for few weeks. He candidly said to her "I don't like your parents."

Naturally, she angrily looked at him straight in the eye and said " I don't like yours either"... Also, it is not enough that you love her until death do you part. Love should never end and we do believe there is life after death where those who did righteousness in this world will be joined by their spouses (Surah Al Zukhruf 43:70) and offsprings.

The best example in this regard is the Prophet Salallaahu 'alayhi wa'sallaam whose love for Khadija, his wife of 25 years extended to include all those she loved and continued even after her death. It was many years after her death and he never forgot her and whenever a goat was slaughtered in his house he would send portions of it to Khadija's family and friends and whenever he felt that the visitor at the door might be Khadija's sister Hala, he would pray saying "O Allah let it be Hala."

Half of your Faith

An excellent article by Tariq Ramadaan that illustrates marriage is not a self-subsisting and self-improving entity, rather it is an endeavor that must be constantly worked on; a precious metal which must be constantly polished. And Divine assistance (tawfiq) is only from Allah.

***

How many men and women prepare themselves to live as a couple, as a family?

Some think about it, others are already committed to it. We hear of stories... and one is sometimes moved by the expectations and hopes of some, and sometimes saddened by the painful life experiences of others. Perhaps you are also, sisters and brothers, preparing yourselves to engage in this life experience of marriage, known as half of your faith. Or perhaps you have already started sharing your life with someone. In this, your expectations, thank God, were more than met but sometimes doubts have emerged. This... is not what you had expected.

Brothers and sisters, nothing should be idealized.

The perfect husband or the perfect wife only exists in your dreams. God has given you, as He has given others, noble qualities and intelligence. God has given you, as He has given others, faults and deficiencies. Perfection is not given to you or any human being.

It is not enough to share the same faith, the same principles and the same hopes to make an ideal couple. How many young couples have been under the illusion that their future life will be harmonious as if being Muslim was enough for a successful marriage? As if their union was based solely on the meeting of two worlds founded on the same principles that one respects or on the rules which one applies.

This illusion, which yesterday promised a small earthly paradise, today makes life a diffi cult struggle How many speak about "the principles of marriage in Islam" and actually live the reality of a torn, ravaged and frustrated existence?

Today, more than ever, living as a married couple has become a real challenge. Around us, men and women meet and leave each other in a modern society in which they confuse freedom and the absence of accountability as love and flexibility.

Living as a couple is not without its challenges - preparing yourself, learning and constantly trying to reach out to the other with patience, depth and tenderness. Although it is true that the principles of Islam bring you together, or will bring you together, you must remember each day that the person with whom you share your life comes with his or her own history, wounds, sensitivities and hopes. Learn to listen, to understand, to observe, to accompany.

Living as a couple is the greatest of tests: a test of patience, of attention, of the ability to listen for unspoken words, of self-control, of mending one's faults, of healing the wounds. In each of these tests, there are two parties. It isn't easy. A meaningful effort has to be grounded in the deepest sense of spirituality, a jihad, in the most intense meaning of the term. The jihad of love which reminds that feelings have to be taken care of. They are maintained, deepened, rooted through your shared challenges and your patience

Patience and attention to the hearts, in a couple, will lead them towards the light, God willing. Remember, brothers and sisters, the last of the Prophets (peace be on him), an example for eternity, so attentive, so tender, and so patient. He did not only remind the Umma of principles, he enlightened with his presence, his listening, and his love.

Before being the mother of his children, his wife was a woman, his spouse, a person he discovered each day, a person whom he accompanied and who accompanied him; subject of his attention, a testimony of his love. He knew the meaning of silence, the power of a touch, the complicity of a shared glance, the pleasure in a smile, and the kindness found in being attentive.

There are those who idealize the other so much they never really see their partners and those who leave each other too quickly without taking the time to know each other. We are reminded of the principles Islam, its depth, its spirituality, its essence. Living as a couple, forming a relationship, being patient in adversity, loving to the extent of enduring, grounding by way of reforming is an initiation to spirituality. Knowing how to be one with God assures greater comfort in being together as two. A challenge, a test, far from the ideal, close to reality.

Sisters and brothers, you must prepare yourselves to live one of the most beautiful tests of life. It requires all from you, your heart, your conscience, and your efforts. The road i s long. One must learn to demand, to share, and to forgive...indefinitely.

Of the things permitted by God, divorce is the most detested. Living as a couple is difficult: remember that your wife is woman before being the mother of your children; remember that your husband is a man before being the father of your children. Know how to live as a couple, within your family...in front of God and in front of your children.

This meeting place, these efforts will result in a sense of protection: They are your garments and you are their garments. Know how to be patient, learn how to be affectionate, offer forgiveness, and you will attain the spirituality of the protected, the proximity of the ones that are close. Faith then becomes your source of light and "his or her" presence, becomes your source of protection; the test of your heart, the energy of your love, half of your faith.

I pray to God that this love be the school of your efforts and the light of your patience.

Tariq Ramadaan

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.

A Silent Prayer to Allah

By Samantha Sanchez

Oh Allah! Please grant me one
Who will be the garment of my soul
Who will satisfy half of my deen
And in doing so make me whole

Make him righteous and on your path
In all he’ll do and say
And sprinkle water on me at Fajr
Reminding me to pray

May he earn from halal sources
And spend within his means
May he seek Allah’s guidance always
To fulfill all his dreams

May he always refer to the Quran
And the Sunnah as his moral guide
May he thank and appreciate Allah
For the woman at his side

May he be conscious of his anger
And often fast and pray
Be charitable and sensitive
In every possible way

May he honour and protect me
And guide me in this life
And please Allah! Make me worthy
To be his loving wife

And finally, O Allah!
Make him abundant in love and laughter
In taqwa and sincerity
In striving for the Hereafter.

Ameen.

Try and count His favors on us....

A man reached 70 years of age and he faced a disease; he could not urinate. The doctors informed him that he was in need of an operation to cure this disease. He agreed to have the operation done as the problem was giving him much pain for days. When the operation was completed, his doctor gave him the bill which covered all the costs. The old man looked at the bill and started to cry. Upon seeing this the doctor told him that if the cost was too high then they could make some other arrangements. The old man said "I am not crying because of the money but I am crying because Allah let me urinate for 70 years and He never sent me a bill."

=====

...and if you try to count the blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them... Surah Ibrahim

Allah states that the servants are never able to count His blessings, let alone thank Him duly for them. In Sahih Al-Bukhari it is recorded that the Messenger of Allah( Peace and blessings be upon him) used to supplicate:

O Allah ! All praise is due to You, without being able to sufficiently thank You, nor ever wish to be cutoff from You, nor ever feeling rich from relying on You; our Lord!

It was reported that Prophet Dawud peace be upon him, used to say in his supplication, "O Lord! How can I ever duly thank You, when my thanking You is also a favor from You to me''

Allah the Exalted answered him, "Now, you have thanked Me sufficiently, O Dawud,'' meaning, `when you admitted that you will never be able to duly thank Me.' (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

---

When will we ever relax

Abdullah asked his father one day, "Abi, when will we ever relax?" His father (Imam Ahmad rahimahullah), one of the greatest revivers of the Sunnah, a role model for all Muslims, looked him in the eye and said, "With the first step we take into Jannah."

Aasiyah, the wife of Fir'own (Pharaoh)

Her Imaan (faith) in God most High thrived under the shadow of the Pharoah who said, "I am your Lord, Most High!"

When news reached Fir'own of his wife's strong faith in God he beat her and commanded his guards to beat her. They took her out in the scalding noon heat, tied her hands and feet and beat her perpetually. Who did she turn to? She turned to God the Supreme! She prayed, "My lord, build for me a home with you in Paradise and save me from Fir'own and his deeds and save me from the transgressive people."

It was narrated that when she said this the sky opened for her and she saw her home in Paradise. She smiled. The guards watched astonished thinking: she's being tortured and yet she smiles? Frustrated, Fir'own commanded a boulder to be brought and dropped on Aasiyah to crush her to death. But Allah took her soul before the boulder was brought and she became an example for all the believing men and women till the end of time:

And Allah has set forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Fir'own (Pharaoh) - when she said, "My Lord, Build for me a home with You in Paradise, and save me from Fir'own and his deeds, and save me from the transgressive-disbelieving people. - Surah Tahreem 66/11

Shaykh Abu Yazid & A Dog

One day, when Shaykh Abu Yazid was walking through a street, suddenly a dog appeared, approaching him slowly. Being cautious and not wanting his clothes to be in contact with the dog, Shaykh Abu Yazid pulled up his clothes.

Unexpectedly, the dog was communicating to Shaykh Abu Yazid with a voice like human,"If my fur is dry and accidentally comes into contact with your clothes, there is no need for you to have your clothes cleansed. However, if my skin happens to be wet, all you need to do is to have your clothes cleansed the way God prescribed. But then the prejudice attitude inside you will not be washed away even if you use all the water obtained from seven rivers. The internal or spiritual sins are difficult to clean."

Shaykh Abu Yazid said," Dear dog, you are very intelligent. Please come and stay with me for a while."

"No, we can't stay together as I'm being despised by humans while you are glorified in this world. Furthermore, I do not store any food for the next day while you store your needs for the whole year," replied the dog.

Hearing the words of wisdom from the dog, Shaykh Abu Yazid whispered to himself: "If even a dog refuses to accompany me, am I eligible to be close to God and attend His functions? All the Praises for God who has shown all the flaws in me and guiding human beings through the minor things."