Close the Open Doors

On our journey towards handling the ‎problem of sexual desires that embitter the life of many Muslim ‎young men, let us discuss an important issue that will help you ‎release yourself from the captivity of sexual desires, namely, ‎"closing the open doors”.‎
Here, the words “open doors” stand for everything that is related to sexual‎ desire and sins, and for the things that can lure you to return to them once more. Hence, your sincere repentance and honest determination to abandon such sins requires making haste to close these doors, which include the satellite dish, internet, magazines, and other remnants of that past.
Taking this important decision requires a moment of truthfulness with yourself, because you must get rid of all that can take you back to your past, just as you have got rid of your past itself.
You must take the decision to leave the swamps of sin for the gardens of obedience and closeness to Allaah The Exalted, like the one who killed a hundred people and then Allaah The Exalted admitted him to Paradise due to his sincere repentance.

Take the decision to get rid of everything that reminds you of the dismal past, and that supports and gives power to your devil over you.
These decisions require taking the following steps:
1- Tear up all the immoral magazines that you keep. Then remove the pictures that are hung on the walls of your room and replace them with posters of Hadeeths (narrations) and things that remind you of Allaah The Almighty. You could also put up pictures of natural scenery.
2- Destroy video tapes, CDs or films that you keep on your PC by deleting them, and replace them with religious or scientific lectures and materials.
3- Purify your PC from any pornographic sites and then force yourself not to return to these sites by installing anti-porn software on your PC to block any pornographic sites.
4- You must immediately sever your relationship/s, if you have any, with girls, and you must erase their phone numbers that you keep.
These steps will not be hard to take as long as you have a good intention and strong determination, as Ibn Al-Qayyim  said in Al-Fawaa’id,
“Whoever abandons habits for the sake of ‎other than Allaah The Almighty, will surely face difficulty. However, ‎whoever abandons habits for the sake of Allaah The Almighty sincerely from his ‎heart; he will not find any difficulty in abandoning it except at first. (This initial difficulty) is to test if ‎one is sincere and truthful. If he endures this difficulty for a short time, it will turn ‎into pleasure. Ibn Seereen said, ‘I heard Shurayh swear by Allaah; no slave of Allaah abandons something for the sake of Allaah and feels a sense of loss.’ It is said, ‘Whoever abandons anything for ‎the ‎sake of Allaah, He will compensate him with what is better.’ ‎Of course, ‎compensation is of different kinds and the best is to ‎be ‎compensated by Allaah with His love, and the heart’s tranquility, satisfaction, strength, activity, happiness, and contentment.”
Thus, be patient, because the sweetness of good health enables one to endure the bitterness of medicine. 

Patience: The Path to Paradise - I

Ramadhaan is the month of patience; and Paradise is the reward of patience. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allaah]. Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him.}[Quran 2:45-46]
• {O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allaah is with the patient.} [Quran 2:153]
Commenting on the last verse, Mujaahid  said, “Patience in this verse means fasting. That is why Ramadhaan is called the month of patience. Therefore, both fasting and prayer are firmly connected in this verse, since fasting curbs desire and makes one abstinent regarding this worldly life, while prayer inspires humbleness and submission, removes arrogance and encourages love for the Hereafter.”

It is narrated through an authentic Hadeeth (narration) that the Prophet  said: “Fast the month of patience and three days each month…”
Ramadhaan is the month of patience as the person who observes fasting is patient regarding acts of obedience and avoiding acts of disobedience. He abstains from the permissible things he used to enjoy out of obedience to Allaah The Almighty and in fulfillment of piety. Meanwhile, he stops himself from doing acts of disobedience and forces himself to do many righteous acts which bring one closer to Allaah The Almighty, such as observing the voluntary night prayers, giving in charity, maintaining kinship ties, providing food for the needy and bearing the suffering of hunger and thirst.
It is also the month of Jihaad (striving in the cause of Allaah The Almighty), and Jihaad is a form of patience. The Prophet  conducted two battles during the month of Ramadhaan, the ever greatest battles: the Battle of Badr and the Conquest of Makkah.
The Companions  realized that Ramadhaan is the month of patience. They showed great patience in bearing the responsibility of calling to Allaah The Almighty, performing Jihaad, obeying Allaah The Almighty, avoiding acts of disobedience and being satisfied with the decree of Allaah. The Prophet  as well as the Companions  used to reach the highest degree of patience during the month of Ramadhaan, which is the month of patience.
Have we learnt this lesson from observing the fast and the night voluntary prayers during the month of Ramadhaan?
The patient will be given their reward without account:
Allaah The Exalted made the reward of good deeds well-known, all having the same result, Saying (what means): {Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgment] with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof [to his credit]} [Quran 6:160]
In another verse, He made the reward of charity for the sake of Allaah even greater, Saying (what means): {The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allaah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allaah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allaah is All-Encompassing and Knowing.}[Quran 2:261]
Nevertheless, He made the reward of the patient without account, Saying (what means):
• {Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.} [Quran 39:10]
• {And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination.} [Quran 42:43]
It was said that the patient person in the first verse means those who fast, for in an authentic Hadeeth, the Prophet  narrated that Allaah The Almighty Says: “Fasting is for Me and I give reward for it…” [Al-Bukhaari] Here the reward of fasting is not determined, unlike the case with patience, the reward of which was determined.
The reward of the patient is Paradise:
Allaah The Almighty informed us that His angels confer peace upon the patient in Paradise due to their patience in the worldly life. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying], "Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured.”} [Quran 13:23-24]
• {And [He] will reward them for what they patiently endured [with] a garden [in Paradise] and silk [garments].} [Quran 76:12]
• {Those will be awarded the Chamber for what they patiently endured, and they will be received therein with greetings and [words of] peace. Abiding eternally therein. Good is the settlement and residence.} [Quran 25:75-76]
Abu Moosa Al-Ash‘ari  narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi w sallam, said: “When a person’s child dies, Allaah The Almighty Says to His Angels, ‘Have you taken the child of My slave?’ They say, ‘Yes.’ He Says, ‘Have you taken the apple of his eye?’ They say, ‘Yes.’ He Says, ‘What did My slave say?’ They say, ‘He praised You and said “Innaa lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon (Verily to Allaah we belong and to Him we shall return).’ Allaah Says, ‘Build for My slave a house in Paradise and call it the house of praise.’” [At-Tirmithi, Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan] [Al-Albaani: Hasan]
Anas  narrated that the Messenger of Allaah  said: “Allaah The Almighty Says: When I afflict My slave in his two beloveds (i.e. afflicting him with blindness) and he shows patience, I Will Compensate him for his two eyes with Paradise.” [Al-Bukhaari and Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
The wording of another narration reads: “Allaah The Almighty Says: When I take the two dear things (i.e afflict his eyes with blindness) of My slave in this worldly life, his reward from Me will be Paradise.” [At-Tirmithi] [Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allaah  said: “Allaah The Almighty Says, 'Whosoever his two beloveds I take (i.e. afflicted his eyes with blindness), yet he shows patience and hopes for My reward, I shall be satisfied with no less reward for him than Paradise.” [At-Tirmithi] [Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar  narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said: “Allaah The Almighty is not satisfied with a reward less than Paradise for His believing slave when He takes his dearest one from among the inhabitants of this worldly life, yet he shows patience and hopes for His reward.” [Abu Daawood] [Al-Albaani: Hasan]
Abu Hurayrah  narrated that the Messenger of Allaah  said:“Allaah The Almighty Says: I Have no reward other than Paradise for My believing slave who (remains patient) and hopes for My reward when I take his dearest person from among the inhabitants of the worldly life.” [Al-Bukhaari]
‘Ataa’ ibn Abi Rabaah  said, “Ibn ‘Abbaas  said to me, 'Shall I show you a woman of the people of Paradise?' I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'This black woman came to the Prophet and said, 'I get attacks of epilepsy and my body becomes uncovered; please invoke Allaah for me.' The Prophet  said (to her): 'If you wish I could invoke Allaah to cure you, or if you wish, be patient and you will obtain Paradise.' She said, 'I will be patient,' and added, 'but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allaah for me that I may not become uncovered.' So, he invoked Allaah for her and she did not become uncovered again.'” [Al-Bukhaari and Ahmad]
‘Attaa’ ibn Yasaar  narrated that the Messenger of Allaah  said:“When a slave (of Allaah) falls ill, Allaah sends him two angels and Says to them, ‘See what he will say to his visitors?’ If he praises Allaah and glorifies Him when they come to him, they will inform Allaah of that, and indeed He knows best. Thereupon, Allaah Says, ‘It is due upon Me for My slave if I cause him to die (of his illness) to admit him to Paradise, and to replace him with flesh better than his flesh and blood better than his blood and forgive his misdeeds if I cause him to recover.’” [Al- Bukhaari; Al-Albaani classed it as Hasan by virtue of corroborating narrations]

Patience: The Path to Paradise - II

In ‘Udat As-Saabireen, Ibn Al-Qayyim quoted Imaam Ahmad as saying, “Allaah The Almighty mentioned patience in the Quran in ninety places.”
Here I will mention the various contexts in which patience was mentioned:
First: The command to be patient; Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {And be patient, [O Muhammad], and your patience is not but through Allaah.} [Quran 16:127]
• {And be patient, [O Muhammad], for the decision of your Lord.} [Quran 52:48]
• {O you who have believed, be patient and endure and remain stationed and fear Allaah that you may be successful.} [Quran 3:200]

Second: Forbidding the opposite of patience; Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {And do not be impatient for them.} [Quran 46:35]
• {So do not weaken and do not grieve…} [Quran 3:139]
• {And be not like the companion of the fish…} [Quran 68:48]
In general, every forbidden thing is the opposite of patience that is commanded.
Third: Making success contingent on patience; Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, be patient and endure and remain stationed and fear Allaah that you may be successful.} [Quran 3:200]
In the verse, success was made contingent on the mentioned matters.
Fourth: Informing of the multiplied reward of those who are patient; Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.} [Quran 39:10]
Sulaymaan ibn Al-Qaasim  said, “Each good deed has a known reward except patience. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.} It is like flowing water.”
Fifth: Leadership in religion is made contingent upon patience and certainty in Allaah; Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.} [Quran 32:24]
With patience and certainty, one obtains leadership in religion.
Sixth: Allaah The Almighty is with the patient; Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {Allaah is with the patient.} [Quran 2:153]
Abu ‘Ali Ad-Daqqaaq  said, “The patient won the honor of both worlds because they won the advantage that Allaah is with them.”
Seventh: Those who are patient are given three things together from Allaah The Almighty, which are not available for others: His blessings, mercy and guidance. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {But give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allaah, and indeed to Him we will return." Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.} [Quran 2:155-157]
When one of the righteous predecessors was offered condolences for a disaster which afflicted him, he said, “How could I not be patient when Allaah has promised me three things for patience, each one is better than this world and what is in it.” 
Eighth: Allaah The Almighty made patience a means for seeking help and support; He Says (what means): {And seek help through patience and prayer.} [Quran 2:45]
This means that a person who is not patient is neither supported nor helped.
Ninth: Allaah The Almighty made victory contingent upon patience and observing consciousness of Allaah The Almighty. He Says (what means):{Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allaah and the enemy come upon you [attacking] in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels having marks [of distinction].} [Quran 3:125]
The Prophet  therefore, said: “Know that victory is with patience.”
Tenth: Allaah The Almighty made patience and fear of Him a great means of protection from the cunning and plotting of the enemies. They are the greatest of all refuges. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):{And if you are patient and fear Allaah, their plot will not harm you at all.}[Quran 3:120]
Eleventh: Allaah The Almighty Says that His angels greet the patient in Paradise with peace due to their patience; He, the Exalted, Says (what means): {And the angels will enter upon them from every gate, [saying], "Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home."} [Quran 13:23-24]
Twelfth: Allaah The Almighty allowed the patient to punish with an equivalent of that with which they were harmed, then He gave an asserted oath that showing patience is better. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed. But if you are patient - it is better for those who are patient.} [Quran 16:126]
The Arabic equivalent of the verse has many signs indicating assertion and affirmation of the oath.
Thirteenth: Allaah The Almighty made forgiveness and great reward the consequence of patience and righteous deeds; He Says (what means):{Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds; those will have forgiveness and great reward.} [Quran 11:11]
Fourteenth: Allaah The Almighty considered patience over affliction and disasters one of the matters which require determination. Actually, determination is required over the noblest and greatest of deeds. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {And whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is of the matters [requiring] determination.} [Quran 42:43]
• {And be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.} [Quran 31:17] 

Patience: The Path to Paradise - III

Fifteenth: Allaah The Almighty promised the believers victory and it is part of the glad tidings that will surely fulfilled for them. Allaah The Almighty Says that they got that only through patience; He Says (what means): {And the good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they had patiently endured.} [Quran 7:137]

Sixteenth: Allaah The Almighty loves those who are patient. He Says (what means): {And Allaah loves the steadfast.} [Quran 3:146]
Seventeenth: Allaah The Almighty Says that the great reward is only for the patient; this is mentioned in two Soorahs (Chapters) of the Quran. In the course of the story of Qaaroon (Korah), Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {But those who had been given knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward of Allaah is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."} [Quran 28:80]
In the other verse in Chapter Fussilat, Allaah The Almighty ordered His slaves to repel evil by that deed which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity will become as though he was a devoted friend. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].} [Quran 41:35]
Eighteenth: Allaah The Almighty informed us that only the patient and grateful people benefit and are deterred by His signs. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {And We certainly sent Moosa (Moses) with Our signs, [saying], "Bring out your people from darknesses into the light and remind them of the days of Allaah." Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.} [Quran 14:5]
• {And of His signs are the ships in the sea, like mountains. If He willed, He could still the wind, and they would remain motionless on its surface. Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.} [Quran 42:32-33]
The verse indicates that only the patient and grateful people draw benefit from the signs of Allaah The Almighty.
Nineteenth: Allaah The Almighty praised His Prophet Ayyoob (Job) in the best way due to his patience. Allaah Says (what means): {Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allaah].} [Quran 38:44]
Allaah The Almighty described him as an excellent slave of Allaah because He found him patient. This means that when a slave of Allaah is put to trial and he is impatient, he is not a good slave of Allaah.
Twentieth: Allaah The Almighty generally judged all those who do not believe and are not from the people of truth and patience that they are losers. This means that none of them is successful. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.} [Quran 103:1-3]
Commenting on the verses, Ash-Shaafi‘i  said, “If people contemplate only this verse, it shall be sufficient for them. That is because the Slave of Allaah attains perfection when he perfects his two powers: knowledge and practice, which are belief and doing righteous deeds. As one needs to attain perfection, he also needs to help others to attain perfection through exchanging advice with truth and patience.”
Twenty-first: Allaah The Almighty singles out the companions of the right that they are the people of patience and compassion. They acted according to these two characteristics and advised others to do so. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. Those are the companions of the right.} [Quran 90:17-18]
This means that the companions of the right are only those who are patient and compassionate. Regarding these two characteristics, people are of four types: those who are patient and compassionate –and they are the best –, those who are neither patient nor compassionate – and they are the worst –, and between them are those who have only one of the two characteristics.
Twenty-second: Allaah The Almighty made patience firmly connected to all the pillars of Islam and to faith in general.
- Prayer: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And seek help through patience and prayer.} [Quran 2:45]
- The righteous deeds in general: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds...}[Quran 11:11]
- Fear of Allaah The Almighty: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):{Indeed, he who fears Allaah and is patient.} [Quran 12:90]
- Gratefulness: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.} [Quran 14:5]
- Mercy and compassion: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion* Those are the companions of the right.} [Quran 90:17-18]
- Certainty: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.} [Quran 32:24]
- Truthfulness: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {The truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women} [Quran 33:35]

The secrets of patience

The meaning of Sabr 
In the Arabic language, sabr means ‘to hold fast’ ‘cease,’ or ‘choke’. For example, in Bedouin Arabic, to say “one has been killed by sabr,” means one was choked to death. Allaah the Most High Says (what means): “And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His countenance…” [Quran 18: 28]. Sabr in this verse means to ‘hold to.’
Thus sabr means to hold one’s self from anxiety (jaza') and anger (tasakhkhut), to hold one’s tongue from complaint, and to hold one’s body from disgraceful movements.

http://www.learningquranonline.comIt is of three types: Patience in obeying Allaah the Most High (namely, perseverance), patience in avoiding Allaah’s disobedience (namely, resolve), and patience in Allaah’s tests. The first two of these are related to voluntary acts, over which we as humans have control. The last pertains to what happens to us (by Allaah’s Decree) wherein we have no choice. The patience of the Prophet Yousuf 
I have heard Ibn Taymiyyah  say: [The Prophet] Yousuf’s patience in resisting the temptation of the minister’s wife was higher than his patience regarding his brothers’ throwing him into the well and separating him from his father, for the latter happened to him without his choice. In such cases, a servant of Allaah has no option but patience. But his perseverance in avoiding the seduction (of the minister’s wife) involved his choice and pleasure (resulting from his volitional obedience to Allaah), and struggling against his self. This is especially true because there were factors complicating the situation which made it all the harder for him. Not only was he young and full of powerful natural desire, he also was unmarried (thus lacking an appropriate way of satisfying those native urges). He was furthermore a stranger in the land with no relatives or friends to be ashamed before (had he fornicated). Moreover, he was a slave, and in servitude one’s moral restraint (wazi’) is not as it is in freedom. Further, the woman (seeking to seduce him) was beautiful, of high status, and his owner, and she tempted him when her husband was out. On top of all this, she threatened him with imprisonment and humiliation if he were not to oblige her. Yet despite all these factors, he was patient out of his own choice, preferring what is with Allaah. How much better it is compared to his patience in the well, wherein he had no choice?”
He [&Ibn Taymiyyah&&] also used to say: “Patience through the performance of righteous acts is better and higher in status than patience in avoiding sins, for the benefit that comes from the performance of a righteous deed is dearer to the Lawgiver (Allaah the Most High) than the benefit that comes from abjuring sin. Likewise, the ill that arises from the absence of righteous obedience is more hateful to Allaah the Most High than the ill that arises from the presence of disobedience.”
He has a treatise in this matter in which he has supported this opinion in 20 different ways, but this is not the occasion to mention them. Our purpose here is to discuss patience, its reality, its levels and ranks. Allaah the Most High alone gives success.
Various ranks of patience
Patience is also of three sorts: Patience by Allaah (billaah), patience for Allaah (lillaah), and patience with Allaah (ma‘allaah).
The first, patience by Allaah, consists in seeking Allaah’s help and seeing Allaah as the source of patience. For the patience of a servant is not in his own power but is his Lord’s gift, as He the Most High Says (what means), “And be patient [O Muhammad], and your patience is not but through Allaah. And do not grieve over them and do not be in distress over what they conspire.” [Quran 16:127].That is to say, if Allah does not give you patience, you shall not be patient.
The second, patience for Allaah, means that the motivation of your patience must he the love of Allaah, the will to seek His pleasure, and nearness to Him——not the desire to exhibit your self-control, to seek the praise of people, or for any other reasons.
The third, patience with Allah, is comprised of the servant’s effort to keep with Allaah’s religious decrees and requirements, in terms of persevering with them, living with them, establishing them, going with them wherever they take one, and stopping wherever they stop. One’s patience with Allaah is to attach the “self” (nafs) to the things Allaah the Most High commands and loves. This is the hardest and most demanding type of patience. It is the patience of the Siddiqoon (those of the highest degree of truthfulness and faithfulness.)
The sage Al-Junayd  said: “The journey from this world to the Hereafter is easy and light for a believer when compared with renouncing people (for their rejection of faith) in front of Allaah, which is hard. The journey from the self to Allaah is harder still.
Yet to be patient with Allaah is the hardest of all. He was asked about patience. So he said: “It is to swallow bitterness without frowning.”
It has also been said that [patience] is “the endurance of the self in attacking adversities.” And also “withstanding a calamity with a good attitude [patience] is like enjoying peace and felicity.”
The elite [worshippers of Allaah] say: “[Patience] is to stand firm on the commandments of the Book and the Sunnah.”
It has been said that the ranks of sabr are five: Saabir, mustabir, mutasabbir, saboor, and sabbaar. The first, saabir, is the most general. Mustabir is of the one who has earned patience and is filled with it. Mutasabbir is of one who forces one’s “self” to it [against all odds]. Saboor is of one whose patience is great in comparison to others. And, finally, sabbaar, is of one who has a great amount of patience— greater than any of the [people meant by these four] earlier [descriptions].
Regarding the words of Allaah, the Most High (which mean): “O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allaah that you may be successful.” [Quran 3:200] —it has been said that this verse proceeds from the easier [and lesser] command to the harder and nobler. This means that sabr is less than musaabara, and musaabara is less than muraabatah.
The word ‘muraabatah’ comes from rabt which means a tie or hold. Someone is called al-muraabit because he ties his horse and waits for the enemy’s assault. Hence, this term has been used for anyone who ties and holds his “self” in discipline and waits for Allaah’s commandments.
The Prophet Muhammad  has said: “Shall I not inform you of that by which Allaah erases sins and raises ranks? Perfecting ablution (wudhou’), even when it is difficult, walking frequently to the mosques, and waiting for a prayer after another [has finished]: That is ribaat! That is ribaat!” (Muslim, Maalik, At-Tirmithi) He  also said: “Waiting patiently for a single day in the path of Allaah is better than this world and all that is in it.” (Al-Bukhaari, Ahmad)

Keep away from enmity The Muslim has a mission in his life, and is required to be effective, active, tolerant and social, mixing with other people and dealing with them with tolerance and in accordance with the worthy Islamic attitudes and behavior. Allaah Almighty Says (what means): "And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (i.e. the Quran), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allaah's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to anther but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islamic faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it…"[Quran 3:103] Wherever the Muslim is found, he becomes a beacon of guidance, and a positive source of correction and education, through both his words and deeds. He has a good attitude towards others and treats them well. He is of good and noble character, friendly, humble, gentle of speech and tactful. He likes others and is liked by them. By doing so, he is following the example of the Prophet as Anas reported that he was: "The best of people in his attitude towards others."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] When a quarrel intensifies, when its roots go deeper, its thorns become branches and branches increase in number, then the freshness of the fruits of faith is adversely affected. Softness, sympathy, satisfaction and peace, which are encouraged by the Islamic teachings, receive a setback. Performance of worship loses its righteousness, while the self gets no benefit from it. Many a time mutual quarrels perturb the persons who claim to be wise. When this happens, they take recourse to lowly and superficial things, and sometimes indulge in dangerous acts which only increase difficulties and bring troubles. When a man is displeased, his eyes become prejudiced and ignore the camel and object to gnat. Such eyes do not appreciate the beauty of the peacock, for they only see its ugly feet and claws. If a slight defect is present, it turns the molehill into a mountain. And sometimes the internal rancor and jealousy affect them so badly that no hesitation is felt in inventing imaginary stories. Islam disapproves of all these manifestations of ill-feeling and advises to abstain from them. It declares their avoidance as the most virtuous form of worship. The Prophet said: "Listen, may I tell you something more important than the fasting, the prayer and charity?" The people requested him to do so. He said: "To keep the mutual relationship on the right footing, because the defect in the mutual relationship is a thing which shaves a thing clean. I do not mean that it shaves the hair, but that it shaves (removes) the religion." [At-Tirmithi] Many a time, Satan is not able to persuade wise men to worship idols, but since he is very keen on misguiding and ruining men, he manages to succeed in driving them away from Allaah, so much so that these wise men become more indifferent in respecting the rights of Allaah than the idolaters themselves. The best method adopted by the devil for this purpose is to sow the seeds of enmity in the hearts of the people. When this enmity develops into a fire and open hostilities result, he enjoys the scene. This fire burns man's present and future into ashes and totally destroys their relationship and virtues. The Messenger of Allaah said: "The Satan has been disappointed that he would not be worshipped in the Arabian Peninsula, but he has not been disappointed from kindling the fire of fighting among the people."[Muslim] It means that when wickedness takes roots in the hearts, when people start hating love and brotherhood, and when these are destroyed, people then revert to cruelty and enmity, and break all those relations and links which Allaah has commanded to be kept; thus spreading corruption on this earth. In order to remedy this disease, the most wonderful thing in a quarrel is to forget it as it had never happened, because remembering it will never be a sort of pleasure, while forgetting it will never be harmless, and a good word is stronger than swords and spears. Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim said: "The origin of the enmity, evil and envy that occurs between people is from the following of Al-Hawaa (the lowly desire). The one who opposes his desire relieves his heart, body and limbs, putting himself to ease and thus relieves others. Abu Bakr Al-Warraak said: "When the desire prevails, the heart turns dark and when it does so, the breast becomes straitened and when that happens, the moral character deteriorates and consequently people will hate him and he will hate them. Then think of the evil, enmity, neglect of rights, etc. that arise from this mutual hatred."

The Muslim has a mission in his life, and is required to be effective, active, tolerant and social, mixing with other people and dealing with them with tolerance and in accordance with the worthy Islamic attitudes and behavior.

Allaah Almighty Says (what means):"And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (i.e. the Quran), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allaah's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to anther but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islamic faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it…"[Quran 3:103]

 

Wherever the Muslim is found, he becomes a beacon of guidance, and a positive source of correction and education, through both his words and deeds.

 

He has a good attitude towards others and treats them well. He is of good and noble character, friendly, humble, gentle of speech and tactful. He likes others and is liked by them. By doing so, he is following the example of the Prophet  as Anas  reported that he was: "The best of people in his attitude towards others."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

 

When a quarrel intensifies, when its roots go deeper, its thorns become branches and branches increase in number, then the freshness of the fruits of faith is adversely affected. Softness, sympathy, satisfaction and peace, which are encouraged by the Islamic teachings, receive a setback.

 

Performance of worship loses its righteousness, while the self gets no benefit from it.

 

Many a time mutual quarrels perturb the persons who claim to be wise. When this happens, they take recourse to lowly and superficial things, and sometimes indulge in dangerous acts which only increase difficulties and bring troubles. When a man is displeased, his eyes become prejudiced and ignore the camel and object to gnat. Such eyes do not appreciate the beauty of the peacock, for they only see its ugly feet and claws. If a slight defect is present, it turns the molehill into a mountain. And sometimes the internal rancor and jealousy affect them so badly that no hesitation is felt in inventing imaginary stories.

 

Islam disapproves of all these manifestations of ill-feeling and advises to abstain from them. It declares their avoidance as the most virtuous form of worship.

 

The Prophet  said: "Listen, may I tell you something more important than the fasting, the prayer and charity?" The people requested him to do so. He  said: "To keep the mutual relationship on the right footing, because the defect in the mutual relationship is a thing which shaves a thing clean. I do not mean that it shaves the hair, but that it shaves (removes) the religion." [At-Tirmithi]

 

Many a time, Satan is not able to persuade wise men to worship idols, but since he is very keen on misguiding and ruining men, he manages to succeed in driving them away from Allaah, so much so that these wise men become more indifferent in respecting the rights of Allaah than the idolaters themselves. The best method adopted by the devil for this purpose is to sow the seeds of enmity in the hearts of the people. When this enmity develops into a fire and open hostilities result, he enjoys the scene. This fire burns man's present and future into ashes and totally destroys their relationship and virtues.

 

The Messenger of Allaah  said: "The Satan has been disappointed that he would not be worshipped in the Arabian Peninsula, but he has not been disappointed from kindling the fire of fighting among the people."[Muslim]

 

It means that when wickedness takes roots in the hearts, when people start hating love and brotherhood, and when these are destroyed, people then revert to cruelty and enmity, and break all those relations and links which Allaah has commanded to be kept; thus spreading corruption on this earth.

 

In order to remedy this disease, the most wonderful thing in a quarrel is to forget it as it had never happened, because remembering it will never be a sort of pleasure, while forgetting it will never be harmless, and a good word is stronger than swords and spears.

 

Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim said: "The origin of the enmity, evil and envy that occurs between people is from the following of Al-Hawaa (the lowly desire). The one who opposes his desire relieves his heart, body and limbs, putting himself to ease and thus relieves others. Abu Bakr Al-Warraak said: "When the desire prevails, the heart turns dark and when it does so, the breast becomes straitened and when that happens, the moral character deteriorates and consequently people will hate him and he will hate them. Then think of the evil, enmity, neglect of rights, etc. that arise from this mutual hatred."  

Remembering Often the Ender of Pleasures

You’re sitting comfortably on the sofa watching your favorite television show with your favorite person. Your laughter abruptly stops and you're spellbound as your eyes hold an image you've never seen before. And before you can say anything, your eyes are forever closed as your soul is torn away from your body.
Are you ready to meet your Lord?
The angel of death can come knocking on your door as an uninvited guest at any time and without a moment's notice.
You can't turn off the lights and pretend not to be home, for even if you do, he'll find a way in.
You'll be hauled back to the One who Created you, ready or not. Whether you're an ambitious youth with dreams and hopes about the future, or a wise elder with fond memories of the past, death is inevitable and its arrival is unknown to you.
So it only makes sense that every breath of ours should be spent in the worship of the One who has granted these breaths because none of us know which breath will be our last.
You may ask, how can I constantly be in a state of worship? Simple answer, though difficult to follow at times: Live life in accordance with the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad .
It's all about the intentions, and the sincerity of those intentions. The Prophet  has said: "Deeds result only from the intentions of the actor. And an individual is rewarded only according to that which he intends."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Take the simple act of eating for example.
If done with the intention of nourishing our bodies in order to worship our Lord, it becomes an act of worship itself. Imagine that, something as enjoyable as eating can gather up good deeds for you.
Of course you would want to keep the eating in check though! Take a sip of water with the name of Allaah while sitting, in small amounts, and then thank Him Almighty after, and the number of good deeds keeps adding up.
Just the same, the routines of our daily grind can all become acts of worship when we do them to refine our intentions and by emulating the example of our beloved Prophet .
When working to constantly be conscious of Allaah, The Most High, having that Taqwa (piety) and simply being aware that He The Most High is watching over us at every moment will help us keep ourselves from doing anything that would bring the displeasure of Allaah Almighty.
Knowing that death can come to us at the precise moment you decided to look just once more at the sister across the room will help us keep our gaze lowered.
Remembering death does something else too. It forces us to realize the reality of this world. It too will come to an end one day.
Life in this world is temporary and merely a means for us to fulfill the reason why we were created in the first place: To worship the One true God, Allaah alone. Realizing this truth, enables us to live as a traveler as the Prophet  taught us.
And if we were to die unexpectedly, what about those kids from high school that you once fought with over something you can't even remember now and severed ties with them? Or that cousin that you haven't talked to in ages because they didn't come to your wedding!
The Prophet Muhammad  has said: "When the believers cross [the traverse over] Hellfire, they will be stopped at a small arched bridge, Qantarah, before entering the Garden, and will be given retribution for injustices between them until they become purified. Then they will be permitted to enter Jannah or Paradise. So, by the One in Whose Hands is my soul, they will know their way to their homes in Jannah, better than they know their ways to their homes in this world." [Al-Bukhaari]
Thus, Al-Qantarah is a small bridge after the Siraat (the Traverse) that the believers will have to cross before entering Jannah (Paradise). Allaah, the All-Mighty, will ask the believers to settle their issues here, right in front of the gates of the Paradise. And your good deeds will continue to go to the person you've wronged till they forgive you, and if you run out of good deeds, their bad deeds will go over to you.
Now, is that fight really worth it?
My dearest readers; do yourself a favor today. Save yourself while you're still a traveler in this world and reconcile with the folks you know you need to.
Send your apologies. Free yourself of this burden and save yourself before it's too late.
Let us all prepare to meet our Lord, before the Angel of Death comes to meet us.