A BEAUTIFUL GIFT FOR A BELIEVER .............
"To Allah (Almighty God) we belong, and to Him is our return." (Holy Qur'an 2:156)
Multitudes of men have walked on the surface of this Earth. They all belonged to different nations and cultures. A few of them made history for which they were remembered, whereas others were never to be mentioned again. Although each one was personally different from another - their habits, thinking and tastes differed - they all had two things in common, first, they were all delivered from their mothers womb (birth) and second, they all tasted death. Who claims he has lived a thousand years?
"The Sun travels to an appointed place. This is the decree of the Mighty, the All-Knowing." (Holy Qur'an 36:38)
Almighty God blesses us with all His gifts. The Sun gives us light during the day to help us see and it helps our crops grow so that we can eat. But the Sun also teaches us other things. Almighty God causes the day to die with its setting and allows the night to take over, which is a time for rest. In this way, He may be showing us that all of us will eventually have to die just like the day. And when the Sun rises in the morning again after our period of rest, it is as if Almighty God is telling us that we too will be raised to life after we have died. These are all signs of Almighty God to teach us to take care of our life.
One thing that we must remember is that death is inevitable, and everything except the Almighty God of course, will perish. Signs of death can be seen all around us. At funerals we see people who were once walking among us being buried in their graves. In the fall we see the leaves turn from green to yellow and fall one at a time, and in the winter we see trees, lifeless. In this way, all things in this world will wither away and die.
According to an old fable, a man made an unusual agreement with Hazrat Izraeel (pbuh) - the angel of death. He told Izraeel (pbuh) that he would be willing to accompany him (as though he had a choice) only if Izraeel (pbuh) would send him a notice well in advance. The agreement was made. Weeks became months and the months into years. One bitterly cold night, as the man sat alone thinking of his success in life, Izraeel (pbuh) tapped on his shoulder. "You are here too soon" the man cried out. "You sent no messenger. I thought we had an agreement!" Izraeel (pbuh) whispered "Notice your hair, once it was full and black, now it has streaks of silver in it! Observe your face in the mirror and see the wrinkles. Yes! I have sent many messages through the years! I have kept my part. I am sorry that you are not ready for me but the order of Almighty God cannot be averted!"
Hence, hair color turning gray from black or wrinkles on the face are also the signs of nearing death, and the Almighty God is the only one who can bring the dead back to life.
Surely all men die, and just surely Almighty God give them life with His ability, and judges them on their deeds and actions. We know Almighty God is the Creator and can recreate us, because if one can do something he has the ability to do it again.
For instance, if your teacher asks you to draw a picture on the blackboard and color it. Then if after you have drawn it with beautiful colors, the teacher asks you to rub it out and do it again, could you repeat the same drawing again?
Of course you would be able to repeat the picture. It is what you created and are capable of doing again.
From this example, we can understand Almighty God is able to give life to the dead because it is He Who created us in the beginning. Almighty God can surely give life to the dead. He judges them on their deeds. On Resurrection Day He will re-create the dead for judgment, and then allow the doer of good to enter paradise but cast the evil-doer into hell.
Hatred towards death and love of the world is the outcome of an ignorant person's mind, who thinks that the happiness of this world is his prosperity and good fortune. The world beset with numerous troubles and anxieties is about to end in misery and does not enjoy eternity, perpetuity and sincerity. A poet has referred to this in the following words - "Do not give your heart to this world, for its example is of an unfaithful bride who has never loved you, even for a night."
Imam Ali (pbuh) says: "If man will see how speedily his death is coming toward him he will abhor ambitions and will give up admiring the world."
It is of utmost importance that man should hold death dear and consider it an opportunity of meeting with his Almighty, and not hate it and consider it as evil, but should take lessons from it. He should ask forgiveness from Almighty for his sins and tame the rebellious self (Nafs). When the call of his Lord comes, he should welcome it with open arms accepting it to be a blessing from Almighty. He should be contented with the decree (Qadr) of Almighty. He should also rejoice that shortly he would be taken to the presence of Ahlul Bait [Household of Prophet] (pbut) and meet his deceased companions and other believer brothers. He should also not be disheartened by the delay in death but should consider it as an opportunity afforded by Almighty to him to repent. This delay would give him a chance to gather provisions useful for his journey to the other world, for the journey is tiresome and full of dangerous valleys and difficult paths.
In fact a believer always remembers death, since his or her main goal is to reach the Almighty God. Hazrat Qasim (pbuh), the son of Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (pbuh), when asked concerning death at Karbala, answered: "death to me is sweeter than honey." Therefore true believers, those who are sincerely devoted to the Almighty God, anticipate death since to them it signifies the long-awaited meeting with their creator.
During imprisonment, Imam Ali An-Naqi, Al-Hadi (pbuh) had a grave dug up ready by the side of his prayer mat. Some visitors expressed concern or surprise. The Imam explained, "In order to remember my end I keep the grave before my eyes."
Before a believer approaches the final moment of his/her life and death overtakes him, it is necessary that he wakes up from the state of negligence and prepares for the final everlasting place. This way he will be able to avoid bewilderment and the fear of the so-called untimely death.
At the time of leaving this world, as attested to by the Holy Qur'an, a person will be in one of two states - either he will be of the Companions of the Right, or the Companions of the Left (Refer Holy Qur'an 56:7-56). If he is counted amongst the Companions of the Right, he will be in a good, final state, but if he is one of the Companions of the Left, he will be of those who have suffered a great loss.
Friday, March 27, 2009
" A BEAUTIFUL GIFT FOR A BELIEVER ..........."
Monday, March 23, 2009
" Ultimate Journey "
ULTIMATE JOURNEY :
Ticket Type : One-way
Price : Absolutely free (booking confirmed )
Passenger Details :
Name : One of the Children of Adam
Origins : From clay
Address : Planet Earth
Conditions Of Travel:
Departure : From life on earth
Destination : Eternal life
Stop-over : Hotel (2 meters under the ground, for one person)
Duration of flight : From couple of seconds to several millions of years
Departure time:
Time of death : Exact time is unknown (but it can happen earlier than expected)
Arrival time : On the Judgment Day (not specified in the timetable)
Information About Interrogation:
On the arrival to the hotel (grave): incorruptible Auditors - two angels: Munkar & Nakir, will immediately start questioning.
Three questions will be asked:
1. Who is your God?
2. Who is your prophet?
3. What is your religion?
Questions will follow about your life on earth. For more information, refer to 27th Aya of Sura "Ibrahim" of the Holy Quran.
Luggage:
1. Despite the fact that the airplane transfers only one passenger at a time, there are some restrictions on the amount of baggage that you can take with you:
2. You can take with you 5 meters of white cloth
3. Any items of material life of earth are strictly forbidden.
4. Realistic luggage should consist of good deeds, modest behavior and of well spent time on calling people to Islam.
Important instructions:
All the passengers should remember that tickets are not exchangeable refundable.
This journey is compulsory for representatives of all races, nationalities, religions and of all ages.
Delays are not stipulated.
Captain:
Angel of Death will not compromise on changing the date and time of departure.
For more information:
Read instructions, which you can find in The Holy Quran and Sunnah, could also consult A alims (scholars). Please do it as soon as possible.
During your journey you will not be provided with oxygen mask, as your breathing system will be terminated just before the departure time.
Additional instructions:
1. You don't need to take care of your boarding pass, passport and other travel documents. To prepare for a comfortable flight:
2. Pray 5 times a day
3. Read the Holy Quran
4. Follow the sunnah to the best of your ability and be ready for your flight, as you may have to depart any minute (even now)
Final warning:
Final destination depends on you! Please do not waste your time on planet earth. Remember,
you have one-way ticket:, Either to Hell or to Paradise .
Jahannam OR Jannah.
Hence read & practice the instructions from the manuals ( Quraan and Sunnah) carefully And follow to reach JANNAH.
Insha Allah , With the Grace of GOD, We all will meet there in the Gardens of Jannah
Sunday, March 22, 2009
" That's Not The One......."
That's Not The One..........
Once there was a very handsome, pious, well educated young man, whose parents emphasized for him to get married. they had seen so many marriage proposals, and he had turned them all down. The parents thought it was becoming a little ridiculous or suspected that he may have someone else in mind.
however every time the parents left the girls house, the young man would always say "she's not the one!"
the young man only wanted a girl who was religious and practicing. (which was hard to find). however one evening his mother arranged for him, to meet a girl, who was religious, and practicing.
on that evening, the young man, and girl, were left to talk, and ask each other questions. (as one would expect).
the young man, being a gentleman that he was allowed, the lady to ask first.
the young girl asked the young man soooo many questions. she asked about his life, his education, his friends, his family, his habbits, his hobbies, his lifestyle, his enjoyment, his pastime, his experiences, his shoe size.. . basically everything.
and the young man replied to all of her questions, without tiring, and politely, with a smile the young girl took up nearly all of the time, over an hour, and felt bad, and asked the young man do you have any questions?
the young man said, it's ok. I only have 3 questions...
the young girl thought, wow, only 3 questions okay, shoot.
The young man's first question was,
1) Who do you love the most in the world, someone who's love nothing would ever overcome?
she said, this is an easy question. my mother. He smiled
second question, he asked
2) you said that you read allot of qur'an, could you tell me which surahs you know the meaning of?
hearing this she went red and embarrassed and said, I do not know the meaning of any yet, but i am hoping to soon inshallah I've just been a bit busy.
the third question the young man asked,
3) i have been approached for my hand in marriage, by girls that are allot more prettier than you, why should i marry you?
hearing this the young girl was outraged, she stormed off to her parents with fury, and said i do not want to marry this man he is insulting my beauty, and intelligence.
and the young man and his parents, were once again, left without an agreement of marriage.
this time, the young mans parents were really angry, and said what did you do to anger that girl, the family were so nice, and pleasant, and they were religious like you wanted. what did you ask the girl?? tell us!
the young man said, firstly i asked her, who do you love the most? she said, her mother,
the parents said so, what is wrong with that??
the young man said, "no one, is a true Muslim, until he loves Allah, and his messenger(saw) more than anyone else in the world"
If a woman loves Allah and the prophet(pbuh) more than anyone, she will love me and respect me, and stay faithful to me, because of that love, and fear for Allah (swt). and we can share this love, because this love is greater than lust for beauty.
The young man said, then i asked, you read allot of qur'an, can you tell me the meaning of any surah?
and she said no. because i haven't had time yet. so i thought of that hadith "ALL humans, are dead except for those who have knowledge"
she has lived 20 years and not found ANY time, to seek knowledge, why would i marry a woman, who does not know her rights, and responsibilities, and what will she teach my children, except how to be negligent, because the woman IS the madrasa (school) and the best of teachers.
And a woman who has no time for Allah, will not have time for her husband.
The third question i asked her was that a lot of girls, prettier than her, had approached me for marriage, why should I choose you?
that is why she stormed off, getting angry.
The young man's parents said that is a horrible thing to say, why would you do such a thing, we are going back there to apologize.
The young man said i said this on purpose, to test whether she could control her anger.
The prophet(saw) said "do not get angry, do not get angry, do not angry" when asked how to become pious. because anger is from Satan.
if a woman cannot control her anger with a stranger she has just met, do you think she will be able to control it with her husband??
so, the moral of this story is, a marriage is based on,
knowledge, not looks,
practice, not preaching,
Forgiveness, not anger,
spiritual love, not lust.
and compromise
One should look for a person who
1) Has love for Allah (swt) and the messenger (saw)
2) Has knowledge of the deen, and can act upon it.
3) can control her anger
and another important and crucial factor. that she be
4) willing to compromise.
and it goes both ways, so women seeking a man, should look for the same things.
p/s : Nobody is perfect but it's your spouse who makes you perfect.
Friday, March 20, 2009
" Deep Within "
Deep Within.....
> Everything disintegrates and turns to dust but character remains strong.
Honor is not bestowed because of handsome clothes or beautiful jewelry
but because of what is in the heart. Knowledge is only beneficial when it is captured within the heart, and not merely written in books.
> Do Not Judge Things or Events by its Immediate Outcome!
Almighty, the Most High is the All-
He chooses to show us things... but sometimes... we are not shown the wisdom behind some things. When we are confronted by circumstances that are not very pleasing.... we are quick to say: "This is not good..." but... is it really? We might not know the purpose behind it. It might turn to be a good thing.... thus… when we are faced with any situation.... do not be too quick to judge... always remember.... this life is a test... the good and the bad.... and there is nothing that happens for no reason... our brains are just not gifted enough to understand these reasons yet. Sometimes ... things happen to us for a reason.
" Allah Almighty Knows Best "
Allah Almighty knows best..........
A story is told about a King in Africa who had a close friend that he grew up with.
The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) by remarking, "This is good, Allah Almighty knows best"
One day the King and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the King. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the King fired it and his thumb was blown off.
Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good! Allah Almighty knows best.
"
To which the King replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and ordered his soldiers to put his friend into jail.
About a year later, the King was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured the King and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake.
As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the King was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone who was less than whole. So after untying the King, they chased him out of the village.
When the King reached his Palace, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend.
"You were right" the King said, "It was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this.
"
"No," his friend replied, "this is good...Allah Almighty knows best"
"What do you mean, 'this is good'! How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?"
The King's friend replied: "Remember that the Almighty knows best and if I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you on that hunting trip.
"
"He knows what is before them and what is behind them: And to Allah go back all questions (for decision)"
Qur'an: Surah Al Hajj 22:76
Do Not Judge Things or Events by its Immediate Outcome!
Almighty, the Most High is the All-
He chooses to show us things... but sometimes... we are not shown the wisdom behind some things. When we are confronted by circumstances that are not very pleasing.... we are quick to say: "This is not good..." but... is it really? We might not know the purpose behind it. It might turn to be a good thing.... thus… when we are faced with any situation.... do not be too quick to judge... always remember.... this life is a test... the good and the bad.... and there is nothing that happens for no reason... our brains are just not gifted enough to understand these reasons yet. Sometimes ... things happen to us for a reason.
" The Flame Is Nothing "
"This flame is nothing ..."
Qari Muhammad Qayyam (may the mercy of Allah be upon him) related that a great deal of fighting and bloodshed had started prior to the Indo-Pakistan partition of 1947. He said that a very beautiful daughter of a very rich man in a certain community stepped out of her house to visit her aunt, who lived no more than a few streets away. Suddenly a riot erupted as she had gone halfway and she found herself trapped with apparently nowhere to go. She saw a mosque nearby and quickly went inside, sitting in the women’s section. The rioting continued late into the night and this girl did not know what to do.
The custodian of the masjid was a very young student there and late at night when he walked through the masjid before locking up he noticed this beautiful young lady. He was a respectful young man who feared Allah and so politely asked her to leave, saying that if she was found there then both would be dishonored and thrown out. She pleaded with him because of the extreme danger outside and so he agreed that she could spend the night, and sat down to study at the opposite end of the masjid.
The girl was unable to sleep with the events of the day in her mind and so watched the young man sitting studying by candle light at the opposite end of the masjid. She kept watching him and was very surprised at something she saw. From time to time this young man would extend his hand and keep it over the open flame, only withdrawing it when the flame obviously became unbearable. He then would resume his studies and continued this throughout the night until the dawn broke.
The young man called the adhan and asked the girl to leave before the congregation started coming to pray since now everything was calm outside. She agreed on the condition that he tell her why he was placing his hand on the candle flame throughout the night. The young man said that that was his own business and so the girl refused to leave until he told her what she wanted to know. The young man gave in and said, “I am at the age of youth and strong desire. We were alone and my desire was increasing, and although I was studying the shaytan would occasionally put temptation in my heart. Hence whenever I would feel any temptation I would put my hand on the flame and my fingers would burn. I would say to myself that this flame is nothing compared to the fire of Hell.
”
The girl left the masjid and reached home, calming her parents’ fears as to what had happened to her. She also confided in her mother that she wanted to marry the custodian of the mosque near their house. She related the night’s events to her parents and said that only such a man with true fear of Allah in his heart can be true to his wife. Only such a man who truly fears Allah can fulfill a wife’s rights properly.
Hence the poor custodian of the mosque earned the daughter of a rich household in marriage. He received this honor not because of his looks but because of his character. Everything disintegrates and turns to dust but character remains strong. Honor is not bestowed because of handsome clothes or beautiful jewelry but because of what is in the heart. Knowledge is only beneficial when it is captured within the heart, and not merely written in books.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
" A Sin That Leads To Jannah. "
"Sin may be more beneficial for a person, if it leads him to repent, than doing a lot of acts of worship. This is what is meant by the words of one of the salaf:
'A person may commit a sin and enter Paradise because of it, or he may do an act of worship and enter Hell because of it.'
They said: 'How is that?'
So the sin may be the factor that leads him to do acts of worship and good deeds and to change his attitude so that he fears Allah and feels shy before Him and feels humiliated before Him, hanging his head in shame and weeping with regret, seeking he forgiveness of his Lord. Each of these effects is better for a person than an act of worship that makes him feel proud and show off and look down on people. Undoubtedly this sin is better before Allah and is more likely to bring salvation than one who admires himself and looks down on others, and who thinks that he is doing Allah a favour. Even if he says words that indicate something other than that, Allah is the Witness over what is in his heart. Such a person may feel hatred towards people if they do not hold him in high esteem and humiliate themselves before him. If he were to examine himself honestly, he would see that clearly."
Friday, March 6, 2009
" Islamic Calendar:"
Islamic Calendar:
There are many rules linked to this calendar. Zakat, Hajj and Ramdan are allbased this calendar. Also, there are other significant things determined in Islam based on the lunar calendar, such as the mourning period for the widow.
Regarding the origin of names, Arabs came up with the names long before Islam. Most of the names are based on the climate at the time or big event which was taking place.
MUHARRAM
- This month's name is taken from the word "Haram" which means forbidden. There was a custom in Arabia which forbade fighting during this month. After Islam, this custom was taken away by Allah (swt). This month was one of the four sacred months.
SAFAR
- This word means "whistling of the wind". When this name was assigned to this month, it was probably a windy time of the year. As mentioned earlier, most of the months were named according to weather conditions at the time. However, since they are based on the moon, the months shift about 11 days every year. So, the seasons do not necessarily correspond to the name of the month anymore.
RABI' AL-AWAL
- The first month of spring. It seems it was spring time when the name was given.
RABI' ATHANI (RABI' Akhir)
- The second month of spring.
JUMADA AL-UWLA (Jumadil Awal)- The first month of summer. "Jumada" means dry.
JUMADA ATHANIA (Jumadil Akhir)
- The second month of summer.
RAJAB
- Another one of the sacred months in which fighting was forbidden prior to Islam. This was one of the most respected months for the Arabs. It is also called Rajab al Fard. Fard means alone; because the other three sacred months come one after another, except this month. It comes alone not like the other 3 consecutive sacred months.
SHA'BAN
- This month's name was derived from the word "shu'ba", which means branch. The Arabs used to branch out during this month to look for water.
RAMADAN
- Taken from the word "ramda' " which means hot stones. This tells us that when this name was given, it was a very hot time of the year.
SHAWWAL
- Taken from the word "shala" which means "when the female camel gets pregnant". When this name was given, the female camels used to get pregnant during this time of the year.
Dhul QI'DAH
- Taken from the word "qa'ada" which means to sit. This is the third sacred month in which fighting was forbidden. The people also used to stop their business activities during this month and sit and prepare for the Hajj (Pilgrimage). This is also a sacred month.
Dhul-Hijjah- This is the last sacred month in which fighting was forbidden. This is the month in which the Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca) was performed.
Monday, March 2, 2009
" TAKE BENEFIT OF FIVE THINGS BEFORE YOUR DEATH."
........TAKE BENEFIT OF FIVE THINGS BEFORE YOUR DEATH.........
Ibn Abbas (ra) said:
The Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) was giving an exhortation or advice to a man, so he said to him
"Take benefit from five before five: your life before your death, your health before your illness, your spare time before you get busy, your youth before your old age and your wealth before your times of poverty." (Haakim 4/306)
This is a comprehensive warning, exhortation, or advice. It is indeed full of richness from the Prophet of Allah (salalahu alahi wa salam) From the Prophet who Allah described as:
" With the believers he is always watching over them and full of mercy for them"
We listen to this warning but without taking heed – days pass us by, years are spent, but many of us have not increased in good deeds except very little. We are too busy enjoying our lives in play and amusement. We spent our youth chasing after our lusts and most hidden desires…listen to what Allah (swt) says
"…Before one of you comes to death and then he will say. Oh my Lord if only you would give me respite for a few more days then I will indeed give sadaqah and be of the righteous, but Allah will not delay a persons appointed time of death if its time has come. Allah is all aware of what you do."
The Messenger (salalahu alahi wa salam) advised the man to take benefit, to take heed, of his life before his death…. Yes his life before his death. Because life is indeed a great blessing, a huge blessing from Allah (swt). Every day of it is a blessing, every week of it is a blessing.
As the Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) use to say when Allah would return his soul after sleep:
" Praise be to Allah who gave me life after death and to him is the final return." (Bukhari 11/113)
This is because each day is another day possible for us to repent, do righteous deeds, worship Allah, and change our lives from the evil that we do, and get closer to our lord.
The Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) said
" The best of you is the one who lives the longest and does many good deeds." ( Tirmidi 3/387, 2432) .
So this long age with lots of righteous deeds will raise you to a very high and blessed station.
The Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) differentiated between one who died after another by one week.
From Abdullah bin khalid as-salami he said: that the Messenger of Allah made two companions into brothers. One of them was killed in battle whilst the other died the following jummah one week later. So we prayed over him and the Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) said " What did you say in your prayers?" they said " We ask Allah to forgive him and place him with his companion" Then the Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) said "Were is his prayers in comparison to his, his fasting in comparison to his, his deeds in comparison to his. The difference between them is like that of the skies and the earth." (Abu Dawood7/198,2507)
So look at this, may Allah have mercy on you all, look how this brother who died on his bed had proceeded his brother who died shaheed and how his station was higher than that of his brother because of one week, yes one week. One week which Allah gave him the pleasure to live. So how would it have been if he lived after him by one month or one year or more…? So take benefit, take heed, and use this opportunity of life which Allah as given you. For indeed death will come upon you suddenly.
Indeed the ummah has agreed unanimously that death does not have a fixed year, or a fixed time, and neither does it have a particular disease. Rather death comes at any time so a person should be prepared for this.
My brothers by Allah, do not take your religion as just play and amusement and do not let this pompous world deceive you rather do not let the chief deceiver (shaytaan) deceive you, and turn you away from Allah.
" Verily Allah has the knowledge of the last hour, and he sends down the rain and he knows what is in the wombs of the women, and no soul knows what it is going to earn tomorrow, and no soul knows which land it is going to die in. Verily Allah is the knower of all things."
So take benefit from your life before your death, because Allah (swt) has informed us that the deceased will ask to be returned to the dunya at the time of death, for he will indeed at that time see the real value of life and the great benefit of being alive. Allah (swt) said
" Until death comes to one of them he says, Oh my Lord return me to the world then maybe I will do righteous deeds in that which I left."
Qatada said regarding this verse; " By Allah they will not be prohibited from returning to their family, or returning to their kindred nor to gather wealth, or to fulfil their dsires rather they will be prohibited from returning to the world so they can do righteous deeds and be obedient to Allah.( Ibn Katheer 3/255)
Allah (swt) said
" Oh you who believe do not let you wealth nor your children destroy you and turn you away from the remembrance of Allah. Whosoever does that will indeed be a loser. And give from that which We have sustained you from before death comes, because then you will say, Oh my Lord if only you would delay me for a little time I will give sadaqah and be of the righteous."
So every loser will ask to be returned, even for a short period, so he can catch up on what he left, so he could make up some good deeds. If only, if only, that could happen. But truly what is going to come to you will indeed come to you.
"Warn the people of the day that the punishment will come where those oppressors will say oh Allah delay us for just a short period we will indeed answer your call, and follow the messenger. Did I not promise you from before? That promise has not disappeared, you resided amongst those that oppressed themselves, and we made clear to you what we done to them, and we did indeed give you similitudes."
And from that which the Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) ordered us to take benefit from is your health before your illness, and your spare time before you get busy.
So health is like a crown, one who wears it is like a king. Non else but an ill person will see that. Spare time is like treasure on else can see that but one who is busy.
This is why when the great scholar of Shaam Jamaal ud Deen Al-Qaasimi may Allah have mercy on him ,was walking with his colleages he saw a people playing in an open house, so he knocked on their door. He was asked about that and he replied " If these people would sell me their time I would have purchased it.!!
So take benefit my dear brothers of your health also, and seek aid from it to fast, and pray at night, and fight the enemies, and walk to the mosques, and seek knowledge. Do all this and more before you are tested with illness. Because then you will wish you could fast but you will not have the ability, you will wish to pray at night, but it will not be possible for you, you will want to walk to the mosque but your legs will not carry you. That day you will regret and remember the days when you were able to do all these things but you left them.
So fill your time with things that will benefit you before you get too busy. And know my dear brothers, that if you did good deeds whilst you had good health, and if you became ill and were unable to do them, it would be written for you as though you did them. As the Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) said
" If the slave becomes ill reward will be written for him, for all that he used to do when he had health. (Bukhari 6/136,2996)
The Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) also said
Two blessings that most people do not take heed of , health and spare time." (Bukhari 11/229,6412)
The word “take heed of " in this hadeeth as it is in arabic " Al-Magboon" is from the word " Al- Gabnu" this word is used in sale and purchase. It means “Cheat" like so and so cheated him. The Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) used this word deliberately he wanted to express that the one who does not take heed of health and free timing is like one who has been cheated and did not benefit from the two. Like one who has a pure jewel but sold it for an animal that has no value whatsoever.
Ibn Batta said: " The meaning of the hadith is that a person never has spare time until his body is healthy so whoever attains that should be careful not to be "cheated" (or not take heed of) by abandoning thankfulness to Allah for all the blessings he bestowed. And from thanking him is obeying all his commands and abstaining from all his prohibitions. So whoever falls short in that is "Magboon" or one that has been cheated.
And Ibn Jawzi said:
“a persons health can be good and he does not have much spare time because of his busyness, or he may have plenty of free time but unhealthy. So if they are both in a person at the same time laziness in obedience to Allah over whelms him. So he is then "Magboon". The dunya is like an agricultural ground for the hereafter. And this world is a place to do business where the profit is returned to you in the hereafter. So whoever uses his time and his health in obedience to Allah then he is " Magbooth" and whoever uses it in sin and disobedience to Allah then he is " Magboon" because free time is wasted by work and health is wasted by illness.
The Hadith for Today :
On the authority of Abu 'Abdullah al-Nu'man bin Bashir, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, say:
[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]" Truly, what is lawful is evident, and what is unlawful is evident, and in between the two are matters which are doubtful which many people do not know. He who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and honour blameless, and he who indulges in doubtful things indulges in fact in unlawful things, just as a shepherd who pastures his flock round a preserve will soon pasture them in it. Beware, every king has a preserve, and the things Allah has declared unlawful are His preserves. Beware, in the body there is a flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt, and behold, it is the heart. "
