Reformation of the Self

    In the collection of Imam At-Tirmidhi,   Mu’adh bin Jabal, radiyallahu anhuma,   reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said: “Fear Allah wherever you may be; follow up an evil deed with a good one which will wipe (the former) out, and behave good-naturedly towards people.” In essence, whenever we have done a wrong, instead of lamentation and despair, we should brace up and do more good deeds to wipe away the previous bad ones. So whenever you lose, don’t lose the lesson and instead of getting worse, get better.

    If you are overburdened by debt and grief, follow the advice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) who said: “Recite the following prayer every morning and evening:   اللهم إني أعوذ بك من الهم والحزن وأعوذ بك من العجز والكسل وأعوذ بك من الجبن والبخل وأعوذ بك من غلبة الدين وقهر الرجال.   “I seek Your protection against worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and selfishness, from overwhelming indebtedness and the subjugation of people.”

    The Companion Abū Al-Dardāʾ – Allāh be pleased with him – said: Knowledge only comes from learning, and forbearance comes from trying to be forbearing, and whoever seeks what is good will be given it, and whoever avoids evil will be protected from it.   It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. ʿAbbās – Allāh be pleased with them – said: Wear what you wish and eat what you wish, as long as you avoid two practices: extravagance and haughtiness.   It is reported that Al-Nuʿmān b. Bashīr – Allāh be pleased with him – said: The example of the son of Adam and death is that of a man who has three friends. He says to one of them: “What do you have?” [The first friend] replies, “I have your wealth, take from it what you wish, and whatever you do not take, you will no longer possess.” Then he asks the second, “What do you have?” He replies, “I will look after you, and when you die, I will bury you and then leave you.” The man then asks the third, “What do you have?” ...

    Read the following short hadith from Imam Al-Tirmidhi to understand the nature of true knowledge, according to our dear Prophet (PBUH): Narrated Hasan: “Knowledge is of two types. Firstly, knowledge perceived by the heart, and that is useful knowledge. Secondly, the knowledge at on the tip of one’s tongue, and that is an argument from Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, against the children of Adam. May Allah benefit us with the good that we learn. Aameen

    According to a reported hadith in Sunan, At-Tirmidhi, it is clear that we don’t need complicated composition to celebrate the remembrance of Allah. In fact, the best form of remembrance is one of the easiest. Now let’s get to the proof of the matter. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) saying: “The best way to celebrate the remembrance of Allah is to say: La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah).” Therefore, know that whenever you are chanting the testimony of faith, you are saying the best words ever uttered by anyone in all of history.