Reformation of the Self

“The Most Beloved of Deeds to Allah is Making a Muslim happy, or relieving him of hardship, or paying off his debt, or warding off hunger from him.” Silsilatu-Ahadeethus Saheehah 906   When the Prophet (SAW) arrived in Madinah, one of the first things he (SAW) did was to establish the bond of brotherhood between the Ansar and the Muhajirun. And he (SAW) paired one Muhajir with one Ansar, so Abdul Rahman bin Auf (Muhajir) was paired with Sa'ad bin Ar Rabi (Ansar). To understand their spirit of selflessness and brotherhood, let’s read the following interesting conversation between the two great companions of our dear Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf (RA) narrated: "When we came to Medina as Muhajirs, Allah's Messenger (SAW) established a bond of brotherhood between me and Sa`d bin Ar-Rabi` (RA). Sa`d bin Ar-Rabi` told me: “I am the richest among the Ansar, so I will give you half of my wealth.” This was his first great demonstration of broth...

I have selected these great quotes out of many to serve as a boost to my reader’s faith and spiritual nourishment. So, let’s get right down to it, right away:   “This whole religion revolves around knowing the truth and acting by it, and action must be accompanied by patience.”_Ibn Taymiyyah (RA)   “Imaan is of two halves; half is patience (Sabr) and half is being thankful (Shukr).” Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya (RA)   “When a hadeeth is found to be Saheeh, then that is my madhhab." Abu Hanifa (RA)   “Perpetually is the servant either the recipient of a blessing from Allaah, in which case he is in need of gratitude; or he is the perpetrator of sin, in which case he is in need of repentance. He is always moving from one blessing to another and is always is in need of repentance.”_Ibn Taymiyyah (RA)   “The ibtilaa' (testing) of the believer is like medicine for him. It cures him from illness. Had the illness remained it would destroy him or di...

“Every human commits sin: the best of sinners are those who repent .” _At-Tirmidhi   “Even if your sins were so numerous as to reach the lofty regions of the sky; if you repent (sincerely), they will absolutely be forgiven.” At-Tirmidhi   Repentance or Tawba is an Islamic concept on to returning to Allah after moving far away from Him as a result sins, both big and small. Tawba is the means to achieving purification of our heart, which is the fountain of good deeds. A purified heart that urges sound actions is ultimate goal of true repentance. Repentance is an essential means to the realm of Allah’s unlimited grace. Without the incredible opportunity of repentance, no sinner would be saved from the pains and torments of Hellfire. True repentance is remorse and it involves leaving the prohibitions of Sharia and returning to the good that Allah has enjoined. Allah Himself— Out of His infinite mercy— sermonize us to return Him through the process of repentance...

“In this world, there is a paradise; whoever does not enter it will not enter the Paradise of the Hereafter.”_Ibn Taymiyyah (RA) Today, I want us to examine the degree of our courage in the path of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime. For a start, think back in your life, and recollect the moment in time that you made a courageous decision, not for personal gain but for the sake of the Almighty. Put another way, when did you stand up for the truth irrespective of what the consequences were? And are you still willing to take such a stance, going forward, even if you have to lose your life in the process. You see, to truly develop the virtue of true courage, we need to study the life of many companions of the Prophet (SAW), one of whom is an illustrious companion by the name of Abbad in Bishr (RA). Aisha (RA) once said that there are three persons among the Ansar whom no one could excel in virtue: (they are) Sad ibn Muadh, Usayd ibn Khudayr and Abbad ibn Bishr....